Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Faculty Meeting Minutes

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 5:25:17 AM

Added description

Description

Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Faculty Meeting Minutes (1861‑1863)

Overview

This archival item consists of the official minutes of faculty meetings of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, a pioneering institution for women’s medical education in Philadelphia. The documents span from March 5 1861 to October 3 1863, encompassing 26 separate meetings. The material is presented as a series of scanned images (TIFF and JPEG) of the original handwritten minutes, accompanied by a metadata record in JSON format.

Background

Founded in 1850, the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was the first medical school in the United States to admit women. The faculty, led by figures such as Dr. Edwin Fassell (Dean, 1861‑63) and Ann Preston (Secretary), met regularly to govern academic affairs, approve curricula, and oversee financial and administrative matters. The minutes were recorded in English and are in the public domain. They were digitized by the Drexel Production Final project and are hosted on the PINAX platform.

Contents

Each page of the minutes records the date, location, and attendance of the faculty, followed by motions, votes, and resolutions. Key subjects include:
  • Commencement ceremonies (e.g., March 13 1861, March 14 1863) and the conferral of degrees to six women and a male graduate.
  • Candidate voting for graduation, with detailed vote tallies for each applicant.
  • Committee appointments (e.g., Apparatus Medicine, Museum Inventory, Exam Candidates) and the selection of faculty for specific roles.
  • Financial reports from the Dean and Treasurer, detailing expenditures, receipts, and balances.
  • By‑law amendments and administrative decisions such as suspending the dean‑notification rule and re‑electing the dean.
  • Institutional correspondence with the Board of Corporators and other medical institutions.

The accompanying OCR text in the JPEG files provides transcriptions of the handwritten notes, enabling textual search and analysis.

Scope

The collection covers the period 1861‑03‑05 to 1863‑10‑03, focusing exclusively on faculty governance within the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. It includes all minutes of faculty meetings, related committee reports, and financial statements. Excluded are external correspondence, student records, and unrelated institutional documents. The material is valuable for scholars of women’s medical history, institutional governance, and 19th‑century higher education.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax -> documents -> @faculty_meeting_minutes:document {description: "Minutes of faculty meetings from the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1861‑1863", created_range: [@date_1861_03_05, @date_1863_10_03], language: "en-US", subjects: ["Medical education","Women's education","Faculty meetings","Academic governance","Historical documents"], place: @philadelphia}

/* Organization and Core Place */
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {full_name: "Female Medical College of Pennsylvania", location: @philadelphia}
@philadelphia:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}
@medical_fund_hall:place {city: @philadelphia}
@hospital_building_north_college_avenue:place {city: @philadelphia}
@new_college_rooms_wagners_hospital:place {city: @philadelphia}
@marshall_st_315:place {city: @philadelphia}

/* Key Persons (first appearance defines) */
@ann_preston:person {full_name: "Ann Preston", role: "Secretary", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@e_h_cleveland:person {full_name: "E. H. Cleveland", role: "Faculty member", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@c_d_cleveland:person {full_name: "C. D. Cleveland", role: "Faculty member", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_temple:person {full_name: "Dr. Temple", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_fussell:person {full_name: "Dr. Fussell", role: "Dean (1861‑1863)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Birdsell", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_kerr:person {full_name: "Dr. Kerr", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_semple:person {full_name: "Dr. Semple", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_thomas:person {full_name: "Dr. Thomas", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_ker n:person {full_name: "Dr. Kern", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_levett:person {full_name: "Dr. Lovett", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_fassell:person {full_name: "Dr. Edwin Fassell", role: "President (1862‑1863)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@mr_j_h_anthony:person {full_name: "J. H. Anthony", role: "Physician, Quincy, MA", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@mrs_mary_j_reynolds:person {full_name: "Mary J. Reynolds", role: "Candidate", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@mrs_frances_v_davis:person {full_name: "Frances V. Davis", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_sarah_kleckner:person {full_name: "Sarah Kleckner", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_sallie_paul:person {full_name: "Sallie Paul", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_jane_payne:person {full_name: "Jane Payne", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_rachel_t_speakman:person {full_name: "Rachel T. Speakman", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_mary_j_reynolds:person {full_name: "Mary J. Reynolds", role: "Candidate"}
@mrs_redmond:person {full_name: "Mrs. Redmond", role: "Graduate candidate"}
@mrs_parter:person {full_name: "Mrs. Parter", role: "Graduate candidate"}
@miss_w_b_mccheysney:person {full_name: "W. B. McChesney", role: "Graduate candidate"}
@miss_j_w_mccray:person {full_name: "J. W. McCray", role: "Graduate candidate"}
@miss_s_a_cook:person {full_name: "S. A. Cook", role: "Graduate candidate"}
@mrs_fassell:person {full_name: "Mary G. Fassell", role: "Candidate for Chair of Anatomy & Chirology"}
@mr_j_scarr ell:person {full_name: "J. H. Scarlett", role: "Treasurer (1863)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_boates:person {full_name: "Dr. Boates", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}

/* Meetings – each linked to its OCR file and date */
@meeting_1861_03_05:event {date: @date_1861_03_05, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_142_jpg}
@meeting_1861_10_10:event {date: @date_1861_10_10, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_143_jpg}
@meeting_1861_10_13:event {date: @date_1861_10_13, location: @hospital_building_north_college_avenue, source: @file_a092_001_144_jpg}
@meeting_1861_10_17:event {date: @date_1861_10_17, location: @hospital_building_north_college_avenue, source: @file_a092_001_145_jpg}
@meeting_1862_02_06:event {date: @date_1862_02_06, location: @marshall_st_315, source: @file_a092_001_146_jpg}
@meeting_1862_02_13:event {date: @date_1862_02_13, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_147_jpg}
@meeting_1862_09_13:event {date: @date_1862_09_13, location: @new_college_rooms_wagners_hospital, source: @file_a092_001_147_jpg}
@meeting_1862_10_12:event {date: @date_1862_10_12, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_151_jpg}
@meeting_1863_02_07:event {date: @date_1863_02_07, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_152_jpg}
@meeting_1863_03_04:event {date: @date_1863_03_04, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_156_jpg}
@meeting_1863_03_10:event {date: @date_1863_03_10, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_158_jpg}
@meeting_1863_03_14:event {date: @date_1863_03_14, location: @philadelphia, source: @file_a092_001_160_jpg}

/* Attendance – example for first meeting */
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> attended by -> [@ann_preston, @e_h_cleveland, @c_d_cleveland, @dr_temple, @dr_fussell, @dr_birdsell, @dr_kerr, @dr_semple, @dr_thomas]

/* Motions and Decisions – March 5, 1861 */
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> motion -> @commencement_1861_03_13:event {proposed_by: @ann_preston, description: "Hold Commencement on Wednesday March 13, 1861 at 4 P.M.", outcome: "approved"}
@commencement_1861_03_13:event {date: @date_1861_03_13, time: "4 P.M.", location: @medical_fund_hall, type: "Annual Commencement"}

@meeting_1861_03_05 -> motion -> @suspend_dean_notification_rule:concept {description: "Suspend rule requiring Dean to inform each candidate of vote result", outcome: "approved"}

@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_frances_v_davis {white_votes: 64, black_votes: 6}
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_sarah_kleckner {white_votes: 59, black_votes: 11}
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_sallie_paul {white_votes: 64, black_votes: 6}
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_jane_payne {white_votes: 67, black_votes: 3}
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_rachel_t_speakman {white_votes: 66, black_votes: 4}
@meeting_1861_03_05 -> vote -> @mrs_mary_j_reynolds {white_votes: 58, black_votes: 12}

/* Commencement 1861 – details */
@commencement_1861_03_13:event -> held at -> @medical_fund_hall
@commencement_1861_03_13:event -> conferred degree -> @dr_c_d_cleveland {role: "Valedictory speaker"}
@commencement_1861_03_13:event -> graduates -> [@mrs_frances_v_davis, @mrs_sarah_kleckner, @mrs_sallie_paul, @mrs_jane_payne, @mrs_rachel_t_speakman, @mrs_mary_j_reynolds]

/* Resignation and Appointment – Oct 10, 1861 */
@meeting_1861_10_10 -> resignation -> @dr_birdsell {reason: "Imperative duties elsewhere"}
@meeting_1861_10_10 -> appointment -> @ann_preston {task: "Correspond with Dr. Binstoll regarding retention"}

@meeting_1861_10_13 -> motion -> @session_1861_1862_omitted:concept {description: "Omit session 1861‑1862 due to embarrassed state of times", outcome: "approved"}
@meeting_1861_10_13 -> vote -> @session_1861_1862_omitted {for: [@dr_fussell, @dr_semple, @dr_kerr], against: [@c_d_cleveland]}

/* Faculty Committee – Feb 6, 1862 */
@meeting_1862_02_06 -> appointment -> @committee_apparatus_medicine:organization {members: [@dr_fussell, @dr_kerr, @c_d_cleveland], purpose: "Place faculty medical apparatus under Hospital managers"}

@meeting_1862_02_06 -> appointment -> @committee_vacant_chairs:organization {members: [@ann_preston], task: "Identify replacements for resigning faculty"}

@meeting_1862_02_06 -> candidate -> @dr_thomas {potential_role: "Lecturer in Anatomy"}

@meeting_1862_02_06 -> thesis -> @mrs_redmond:document {title: "Capillary Circulation", status: "Presented"}
@meeting_1862_02_06 -> thesis -> @mrs_parter:document {title: "Dysmenorrhoea", status: "Presented"}

/* Committee on Museum Articles – Oct 12, 1862 */
@meeting_1862_10_12 -> committee -> @museum_inventory_committee:organization {members: [@dr_temple, @dr_kerr, @c_d_cleveland], mandate: "Inventory museum articles and recommend purchase"}

@museum_inventory_committee -> recommendation -> @mrs_fassell {position: "Chair of Anatomy & Chirology"}

@meeting_1862_10_12 -> purchase_authorization -> @college {amount: "$250"}

/* Dean’s Financial Report – Feb 7, 1863 (file a092_001_152) */
@meeting_1863_02_07 -> presented -> @deans_report_1861_1863:document {author: @dr_fussell, content: "Itemized expenses for 1861‑1863", total_expenses: 95.00, balance_forward: 12.43}

/* Treasury Report – file a092_001_154 */
@meeting_1863_02_07 -> presented -> @treasury_report_1861_1863:document {author: @dr_boates, entries: [{date: @date_1861_01_16, amount: 100.00}, {date: @date_1863_02_07, amount: 7.18}], outstanding_from_corporators: 50.00}

/* By‑law Amendments – March 4, 1863 */
@meeting_1863_03_04 -> amendment -> @bylaw_article_2:concept {text: "Dean shall preside at Faculty meetings and perform delegated duties"}
@meeting_1863_03_04 -> amendment -> @bylaw_article_4:concept {text: "Secretary shall keep records, conduct correspondence, supervise accounts, and may draw up to $10 from Treasurer"}

@meeting_1863_03_04 -> appointment -> @dr_fussell {role: "Dean (re‑elected)"}
@meeting_1863_03_04 -> appointment -> @ann_preston {role: "Treasurer"}
@meeting_1863_03_04 -> appointment -> @e_h_cleveland {role: "Secretary"}

@meeting_1863_03_04 -> committee -> @museum_committee:organization {members: [@dr_fussell, @mr_j_scarr ell, @e_h_cleveland]}

/* Commencement 1863 – March 14, 1863 */
@commencement_1863_03_14:event {date: @date_1863_03_14, time: "4 P.M.", location: @college, type: "Annual Commencement"}
@commencement_1863_03_14:event -> opening_prayer -> @rev_e_e_adams:person
@commencement_1863_03_14:event -> valedictory_address -> @e_h_cleveland
@commencement_1863_03_14:event -> degree_conferred -> @dr_fussell {role: "President of the College", degree: "Doctor of Medicine", recipient: "Morris Pratt Esq."}
@commencement_1863_03_14:event -> graduates -> [@sarah_j_maclean, @m_j_mcgray, @f_amelia_cook]

/* Special Meeting – March 10, 1863 (file a092_001_158) */
@meeting_1863_03_10 -> motion -> @graduation_votes:event {candidates: [@miss_w_b_mccheysney, @miss_j_w_mccray, @miss_s_a_cook], votes: [{candidate: @miss_w_b_mccheysney, for: 66, against: 4}, {candidate: @miss_j_w_mccray, for: 60, against: 10}, {candidate: @miss_s_a_cook, for: 55, against: 15}], outcome: "Dean authorized to recommend diplomas"}

@meeting_1863_03_10 -> resolution -> @announcement_committee:organization {members: [@ann_preston], task: "Prepare essay for publication to Corporators"}

@meeting_1863_03_10 -> advertisement -> @commencement_ad:document {target: "Press", date: @date_1863_03_10, content: "Commencement to be held Saturday 10‑4"}

@meeting_1863_03_10 -> note -> @miss_cook_financial_note:document {subject: "Outstanding tuition fees", action: "Committee to issue note for payment to professors"}

/* Annual Session Summary – file a092_001_159 */
@annual_session_1862_1863:event {start: @date_1862_10_15, end: @date_1863_03_14, institution: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania, description: "Eleventh annual session"}

@annual_session_1862_1863 -> held at -> @college

/* Faculty Lecture Schedule – Oct 3, 1863 (file a092_001_161) */
@meeting_1863_10_03 -> schedule -> @introductory_lecture:event {date: @date_1863_11_01, time: "4 P.M.", lecturer: @dr_fussell, location: @college}

/* General Faculty Structure – extracted from multiple minutes */
@faculty_of_female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {members: [@ann_preston, @e_h_cleveland, @c_d_cleveland, @dr_fussell, @dr_temple, @dr_birdsell, @dr_kerr, @dr_semple, @dr_thomas, @dr_levett, @dr_fassell]}

/* Example of a committee appointment (Feb 13, 1862) */
@meeting_1862_02_13 -> committee -> @committee_exam_candidates:organization {members: [@dr_fussell, @dr_temple, @dr_kerr, @c_d_cleveland], purpose: "Authorize examinations for ladies who completed courses"}

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Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 5:25:17 AM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 5:20:41 AM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 5:16:40 AM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 5:12:34 AM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 8/11 (40 files)"

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