Thesis Examinations and Commencement Records, 1855-1856

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 5:24:25 AM

Added description

Description

Thesis Examinations and Commencement Records, 1855‑1856

Overview

This collection comprises the official minutes, bills, and related documents of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania that record thesis examinations and the fourth annual commencement ceremony held in 1855 and 1856. The materials are written in English and are dated between February 1855 and February 28 1856. They are held by the institution’s archival repository and are available as scanned images (JPEG and TIFF) and a JSON metadata file.

Background

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850 in Philadelphia, was among the first U.S. institutions to provide medical education to women. The dean, Dr. Ellwood Harvey, chaired most meetings, while faculty members such as Dr. Fussell, Dr. Thomas (treasurer), Dr. Preston, Dr. Kerr, and Dr. Gillingham oversaw examinations and degree conferrals. The records illustrate the college’s administrative practices, including the nomination of thesis candidates, voting procedures, and financial transactions (e.g., bills for janitorial services and supplies).

Contents

Key documents include:
  • Faculty meeting minutes (Feb 15–Mar 6 1855; Feb 1–Feb 28 1856) detailing thesis evaluations, candidate elections, and committee appointments.
  • Bills and financial notes (e.g., $27.81 for janitor services, $11.55 for glass).
  • Commencement program for March 10 1855, listing the six MD degrees conferred and the president, Prof. Charles D. Cleveland.
  • Records of inaugural theses received in 1856 and their referrals to faculty members.
  • Resolutions concerning the resignation of Dr. Thomas and the appointment of a new treasurer.
  • Photographic scans of the original documents, preserving the handwritten minutes and signatures.

Scope

The collection covers the period from February 1855 to February 28 1856, focusing exclusively on thesis examinations, candidate elections, and commencement ceremonies at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. It includes documents related to faculty deliberations, student theses, financial transactions, and formal resolutions. Materials from other years or unrelated institutional activities are not included.

Entities

(loading...)

Entity Relationships

(loading...)

Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax -> documents -> @thesis_examinations_collection:document {description: "Metadata record for thesis examinations and commencement 1855‑1856", created: @date_1855, subjects: ["Medical education","Thesis examinations","Commencement ceremonies","Women in medicine"]}

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {full_name: "Female Medical College of Pennsylvania", location: @philadelphia:place}
@philadelphia:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}

@ellwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Ellwood Harvey", role: "Dean of the Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_fussell:person {full_name: "Dr. Fussell", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_thomas:person {full_name: "Dr. Thomas", role: "Faculty, Treasurer", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_preston:person {full_name: "Dr. Preston", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_kerr:person {full_name: "Dr. Mark G. Kerr", role: "Professor", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_ann_preston:person {full_name: "Ann Preston", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@clinton_gillingham:person {full_name: "Clinton Gillingham", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_herr:person {full_name: "Dr. Herr", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Birdsell", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_russell:person {full_name: "Dr. Russell", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@dr_gilchrist:person {full_name: "Dr. Gilchrist", role: "Faculty", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@charles_cleveland:person {full_name: "Prof. Charles D. Cleveland", role: "President of the Corporation", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@mark_kerr:person {full_name: "Prof. Mark G. Kerr", role: "Professor", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}

@emeline_horton_cleveland:person {full_name: "Mrs. Emeline Horton Cleveland", role: "Student"}
@jane_v_heala:person {full_name: "Mrs. Jane V. Heala", role: "Student"}
@samantha_s_arivison:person {full_name: "Mrs. Samantha S. Arivison", role: "Student"}
@mary_e_smith:person {full_name: "Mrs. Mary E. Smith", role: "Student"}
@emily_a_barney:person {full_name: "Mrs. Emily A. Barney", role: "Student"}
@phila_o_wilmarth:person {full_name: "Mrs. Phila O. Wilmarth", role: "Student"}
@eliza_ls_thomas:person {full_name: "Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas", role: "Student"}
@elizabeth_collins:person {full_name: "Miss Elizabeth Collins", role: "Student"}
@debbie_a_hughes:person {full_name: "Miss Debbie A. Hughes", role: "Student"}
@laura_j_ross:person {full_name: "Miss Laura J. Ross", role: "Student"}
@jane_l_starr:person {full_name: "Miss Jane L. Starr", role: "Student"}
@samantha_sabina_nivison:person {full_name: "Miss Samantha Sabina Nivison", role: "Student"}
@mary_elizabeth_smith:person {full_name: "Miss Mary Elizabeth Smith", role: "Student"}
@phila_osgood_welmarth:person {full_name: "Mrs. Phila Osgood Welmarth", role: "Student"}

@secreting_glands:concept {description: "Physiological study of secretory glands"}

#--- Minutes and Events ---------------------------------------------------------

@file_a092_001_082_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_15_1855:document {date: @date_1855_02_15, type: "Faculty meeting minutes"}
@file_a092_001_082_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_19_1855:document {date: @date_1855_02_19, type: "Faculty meeting minutes"}

@examination_feb_15_1855:event {description: "Thesis examination meeting", when: @date_1855_02_15, where: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@examination_feb_19_1855:event {description: "Thesis examination meeting", when: @date_1855_02_19, where: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}

@examination_feb_15_1855:event -> attended by -> [@dr_fussell, @dr_thomas, @dr_preston, @dr_kerr, @ellwood_harvey]
@examination_feb_15_1855:event -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @emeline_horton_cleveland {by: @dr_fussell}
@examination_feb_15_1855:event -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @samantha_sabina_nivison {by: @dr_thomas}
@examination_feb_15_1855:event -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @mary_e_smith {by: @dr_preston}
@examination_feb_15_1855:event -> adjourned to -> @date_1855_02_19

@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> attended by -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_fussell, @dr_preston, @dr_kerr, @dr_thomas, @clinton_gillingham]
@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> thesis referred -> @emily_a_barney {topic: @secreting_glands, referred_to: @ann_preston}
@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> thesis retained for examination -> @phila_o_wilmarth {by: @ellwood_harvey}
@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @emily_a_barney {by: @dr_preston}
@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @phila_o_wilmarth {by: @ellwood_harvey}
@examination_feb_19_1855:event -> admitted to examination -> [@samantha_sabina_nivison, @emily_a_barney, @phila_o_wilmarth]

@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_21_1855:document {date: @date_1855_02_21}
@examination_feb_21_1855:event {description: "Candidates’ examinations scheduled to commence", when: @date_1855_02_21}
@examination_feb_21_1855:event -> resolved -> {action: "examinations to commence on Wednesday the 21st"}

@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_20_1855:document {date: @date_1855_02_20}
@examination_feb_20_1855:event {description: "Faculty meeting – degree election", when: @date_1855_02_20}
@examination_feb_20_1855:event -> elected -> @eliza_ls_thomas {by: "ballot", result: "MD degree"}
@examination_feb_20_1855:event -> appointed -> @eliza_ls_thomas {position: "Demonstrator of Anatomy"}

@file_a092_001_085_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_mar_2_1855:document {date: @date_1855_03_02}
@examination_mar_2_1855:event {description: "Faculty meeting – announcement draft", when: @date_1855_03_02}
@examination_mar_2_1855:event -> draft adopted -> true

@file_a092_001_085_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_mar_6_1855:document {date: @date_1855_03_06}
@examination_mar_6_1855:event {description: "Faculty ballot for candidates", when: @date_1855_03_06}
@examination_mar_6_1855:event -> ballot result -> [
  {candidate: @emeline_horton_cleveland, white: 66, black: 4},
  {candidate: @jane_v_heala, white: 45, black: 25},
  {candidate: @samantha_s_arivison, white: 57, black: 13},
  {candidate: @mary_e_smith, white: 59, black: 11},
  {candidate: @emily_a_barney, white: 56, black: 14},
  {candidate: @phila_o_wilmarth, white: 54, black: 16},
  {candidate: @eliza_ls_thomas, white: 67, black: 3}
]

@file_a092_001_086_jpg -> documents -> @commencement_mar_10_1855:document {date: @date_1855_03_10, type: "Commencement program"}
@commencement_mar_10_1855:event {description: "Fourth Annual Commencement", when: @date_1855_03_10, where: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}
@commencement_mar_10_1855:event -> conferred degree -> [@emeline_horton_cleveland, @samantha_sabina_nivison, @mary_elizabeth_smith, @eliza_ls_thomas, @emily_a_barney, @phila_osgood_welmarth]
@commencement_mar_10_1855:event -> president -> @charles_cleveland
@commencement_mar_10_1855:event -> benediction address -> @mark_kerr

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_1_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_01}
@examination_feb_1_1856:event {description: "Faculty meeting – clinic report & finances", when: @date_1856_02_01}
@examination_feb_1_1856:event -> reported diseases treated -> 110 {by: @dr_thomas}
@examination_feb_1_1856:event -> bill paid -> {payee: "H. Birnbacher", amount: 27.81, by: @dr_thomas}

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_8_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_08}
@examination_feb_8_1856:event {description: "Faculty meeting – no business", when: @date_1856_02_08}

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_15_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_15}
@examination_feb_15_1856:event {description: "Inaugural theses received", when: @date_1856_02_15}
@examination_feb_15_1856:event -> theses received -> [@elizabeth_collins, @debbie_a_hughes, @laura_j_ross, @jane_l_starr]
@examination_feb_15_1856:event -> thesis topic -> { @elizabeth_collins: "Oxygen", @debbie_a_hughes: "Carcinoma", @laura_j_ross: "Phthisis Pulmonalis", @jane_l_starr: "Scarletina }
@examination_feb_15_1856:event -> referred to professor -> {
  @elizabeth_collins: @clinton_gillingham,
  @debbie_a_hughes: @dr_herr,
  @laura_j_ross: @dr_farnell,
  @jane_l_starr: @dr_birdsell
}
@examination_feb_15_1856:event -> bill for glass paid -> {amount: 11.55, by: @dr_thomas}

@file_a092_001_096_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_22_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_22}
@examination_feb_22_1856:event {description: "Ballot for thesis candidates", when: @date_1856_02_22}
@examination_feb_22_1856:event -> ballot result -> [
  {candidate: @elizabeth_collins, white: 61, black: 9},
  {candidate: @debbie_a_hughes, white: 57, black: 13},
  {candidate: @laura_j_ross, white: 61, black: 9},
  {candidate: @jane_l_starr, white: 62, black: 8}
]
@examination_feb_22_1856:event -> recommendation -> "recommended to corporators for MD degree"
@examination_feb_22_1856:event -> decision -> "degrees to be conferred privately"

@file_a092_001_096_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_25_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_25}
@examination_feb_25_1856:event {description: "Planning degree conferral and committee appointment", when: @date_1856_02_25}
@examination_feb_25_1856:event -> degree conferral scheduled -> {date: @date_1856_02_28, location: "Faculty‑Room", time: "15:00"}
@examination_feb_25_1856:event -> committee appointed -> @beneficiaries_committee:organization {members: [@dr_russell, @ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston]}

@file_a092_001_097_jpg -> documents -> @minutes_feb_28_1856:document {date: @date_1856_02_28}
@examination_feb_28_1856:event {description: "Degree conferral ceremony", when: @date_1856_02_28, where: "Faculty‑Room"}
@examination_feb_28_1856:event -> degrees conferred -> [@elizabeth_collins, @debbie_a_hughes, @laura_j_ross, @jane_l_starr]
@examination_feb_28_1856:event -> presided by -> @charles_cleveland
@examination_feb_28_1856:event -> resolutions passed -> [
  {text: "Acknowledgement of Dr. Thomas’s service as Treasurer"},
  {text: "Copy of resolutions to be presented to Dr. Thomas"},
  {text: "Prof. Gillingham appointed Treasurer pro tempore"}
]
@examination_feb_28_1856:event -> Dr. Thomas paid balance -> {to: @ellwood_harvey, amount: "balance", role: "Treasurer"}
@examination_feb_28_1856:event -> Dr. Thomas resigned professorship -> {effective: "close of session"}

#--- Financial Transactions -----------------------------------------------------

@dr_thomas -> paid -> @bill_hirnbacher:document {amount: 27.81, date: @date_1856_02_01}
@dr_thomas -> paid -> @bill_glass:document {amount: 11.55, date: @date_1856_02_15}
@dr_thomas -> paid -> @bill_ziegenfus_carver:document {amount: 55, date: @date_1855_02_21, payee: "Ziegenfus & Carver"}

#--- Committee -----------------------------------------------------------------

@beneficiaries_committee:organization {full_name: "Beneficiaries Committee", appointed_by: @ellwood_harvey, members: [@dr_russell, @ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston]}

#--- Additional Relationships --------------------------------------------------

@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_15_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_19_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_21_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_20_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_mar_2_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_mar_6_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @commencement_mar_10_1855
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_1_1856
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_8_1856
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_15_1856
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_22_1856
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_25_1856
@ellwood_harvey -> chaired -> @minutes_feb_28_1856

@dr_thomas -> role -> "Treasurer" {start: @date_1855, end: @date_1856_02_28}
@dr_thomas -> resigned -> @date_1856_02_28

@dr_preston -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @emeline_horton_cleveland {date: @date_1855_02_15}
@dr_fussell -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @emeline_horton_cleveland {date: @date_1855_02_15}
@dr_thomas -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @samantha_sabina_nivison {date: @date_1855_02_15}
@dr_preston -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @emily_a_barney {date: @date_1855_02_19}
@ellwood_harvey -> reported favorably on thesis of -> @phila_o_wilmarth {date: @date_1855_02_19}

@dr_ann_preston -> received thesis referral -> @emily_a_barney {date: @date_1855_02_19}
@clinton_gillingham -> received thesis referral -> @elizabeth_collins {date: @date_1856_02_15}
@dr_herr -> received thesis referral -> @debbie_a_hughes {date: @date_1856_02_15}
@dr_farnell -> received thesis referral -> @laura_j_ross {date: @date_1856_02_15}
@dr_birdsell -> received thesis referral -> @jane_l_starr {date: @date_1856_02_15}

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 5:24:25 AM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 5:19:08 AM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 5:15:36 AM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 5:13:19 AM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Thesis_Examinations"

Additional Components (14)

Click to expand and load individual components

a092_001_082.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_082.tif.ref.json
a092_001_083.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_083.tif.ref.json
a092_001_085.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_085.tif.ref.json
a092_001_086.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_086.tif.ref.json
a092_001_095.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_095.tif.ref.json
a092_001_096.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_096.tif.ref.json
a092_001_097.jpg.ref.json
a092_001_097.tif.ref.json

Parent

01KA0CEZSHQ9AQ2C2MYDDVQ3JP

No children (leaf entity)