Administrative Decisions of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1855-1856

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 5:24:27 AM

Added description

Description

Administrative Decisions of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1855‑1856

Overview

This is a bound volume of minutes and administrative decisions taken by the faculty and board of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania during the 1855‑1856 academic year. The material consists of fourteen photographic reproductions of the original meeting minutes, each accompanied by an OCR‑derived transcript. The documents are written in English, dated between April 24, 1855 and May 28, 1856, and are held in the “drexel‑production‑final” collection of the PINAX digital archive.

Background

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850 in Philadelphia, was one of the first institutions to train women in medicine. Its governance structure included a faculty board, a treasurer, and various committees (beneficiaries, advertising, vacant chairs, audit, etc.). The minutes record the deliberations of this governing body, reflecting the college’s efforts to expand its curriculum, secure facilities, and manage finances during a period of rapid growth.

Contents

The volume documents:
  • Committee appointments (beneficiaries, advertising, vacant chairs, audit, etc.) and the names of their members.
  • Lecture schedules for introductory and special lectures, including dates, times, and speakers.
  • Financial decisions: bills paid (e.g., stone, coal, printing, gas, stationery), tuition and advertising payments, and the appointment of a janitor.
  • Facility matters: resolutions to rent the Preston Retreat, apply for a building for a hospital, and procure a lecture room.
  • Academic matters: admission of beneficiaries, conferral of degrees to four female students (Collins, Hughes, Ross, Starr), and the resignation of Dr. Thomas as clinic physician.
  • By‑law amendments and administrative changes, such as transferring the treasurer’s duties to the dean and appointing a new treasurer.

Scope

The collection covers administrative activities from April 24, 1855 to May 28, 1856, primarily in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with occasional references to other locations (Bucks County, Jamestown, Palmyra, Toyicroft, Acton, Utica). It focuses on internal governance, financial management, faculty appointments, and academic administration, excluding clinical patient records or external correspondence. The material is in the public domain and serves as a primary source for scholars studying early women’s medical education and institutional governance in the United States.

Entities

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Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_a092_001_087_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_04_24:event {when: @date_1855_04_24, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_04_24:event -> present -> [@edwin_fussell, @mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@edwin_fussell -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee:organization {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@kersey_g_thomas -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@prof_gillingham -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@kersey_g_thomas -> appointed to -> @advertising_committee:organization {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@prof_gillingham -> appointed to -> @advertising_committee {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@ellwood_harvey -> appointed to -> @advertising_committee {role: "member"} {date: @date_1855_04_24}
@ann_preston -> elected to deliver -> @general_introductory_lecture:document {date: @date_1855_10_03, time: "17:00"}
@edwin_fussell -> elected to deliver -> @baledictory_address:document {date: @date_1856_spring}
@file_a092_001_088_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_09_27:event {when: @date_1855_09_27, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_09_27:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_turrell, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@ann_preston -> scheduled -> @general_introductory_lecture {time: "16:00"}
@dr_turrell -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule:document {time: "16:00", day: "Thursday"}
@kersey_g_thomas -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule {time: "17:00", day: "Thursday"}
@mark_g_kerr -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule {time: "16:00", day: "Friday"}
@prof_gillingham -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule {time: "17:00", day: "Friday"}
@ann_preston -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule {time: "16:00", day: "Saturday"}
@ellwood_harvey -> scheduled -> @special_introductory_schedule {time: "17:00", day: "Saturday"}
@dr_turrell -> appointed to -> @advertising_committee {task: "insert advertisement", publication: @public_ledger}
@meeting_1855_10_03:event -> documents -> @file_a092_001_088_jpg
@meeting_1855_10_03:event {when: @date_1855_10_03, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_10_03:event -> present -> [@dr_turrell, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@prof_gillingham -> recommended -> @sylvester_birdsell:person {position: @obstetrics_chair:position}
@obstetrics_chair:position {department: "Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children"}
@file_a092_001_089_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_10_05:event {when: @date_1855_10_05, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_10_05:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_russell, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @dr_birdwell, @ellwood_harvey]
@treasurer:person {role: "Treasurer"} -> ordered payment -> @bill_weymer_stone_co:document {amount: 24.00}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_zigenfuss_carter_coal:document {amount: 52.30}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_henry_n_bimhann_wood:document {amount: 1.00}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_young_printing:document {amount: 25.00}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_dr_russell_advertising:document {amount: 1.12, per: "page"}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @payment_harvey_ad:document {amount: 1.50, purpose: "advertising introductory lectures"}
@faculty:organization {name: "Faculty of Female Medical College of Pennsylvania"} -> adopted -> @lecture_schedule_oct1855:document {details: "Mon‑Sat schedule as listed in minutes"}
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_10_23:event {when: @date_1855_10_23, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_10_23:event -> present -> [@edwin_fussell, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@kersey_g_thomas -> submitted -> @prof_thomas_resignation:document {type: "resignation", date: @date_1855_10_23}
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_10_30:event {when: @date_1855_10_30, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_10_30:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_herr, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_11_08:event {when: @date_1855_11_08, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_11_08:event -> present -> [@edwin_fussell, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_gas:document {amount: 2.35}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_stationery:document {amount: 2.21}
@file_a092_001_091_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_11_19:event {when: @date_1855_11_19, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_11_19:event -> present -> [@mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @ann_preston, @sylvester_birdsell, @edwin_fussell]
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @preston_retreat_rental:resolution {action: "rent/lease", location: @preston_retreat}
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @preston_retreat_application:resolution {purpose: "apply for building for college and hospital"}
@edwin_fussell -> appointed to -> @preston_retreat_application_committee:organization {purpose: "apply for building"}
@kersey_g_thomas -> appointed to -> @preston_retreat_application_committee
@file_a092_001_092_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_12_03:event {when: @date_1855_12_03, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_12_03:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @edwin_fussell, @mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@file_a092_001_092_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_12_17:event {when: @date_1855_12_17, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_12_17:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @mark_g_kerr, @prof_gillingham, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @lecture_holiday_pause:resolution {start: @date_1855_12_22, end: @date_1855_12_31}
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @board_election_recommendation:resolution {candidates: [@edwin_fussell, @ellwood_harvey]}
@file_a092_001_093_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1855_12_31:event {when: @date_1855_12_31, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1855_12_31:event -> present -> [@dr_farnell, @mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_harry:document {description: "Harry's bill for last three months"}
@kersey_g_thomas -> resigned from -> @clinic_physician_position:position {department: "Clinic"} {effective: @date_1855_12_31}
@dr_farnell -> appointed to -> @clinic_physician_position
@ellwood_harvey -> appointed to -> @clinic_physician_position
@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_01_18:event {when: @date_1856_01_18, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_01_18:event -> present -> [@edwin_fussell, @mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@dr_thomas -> reported -> @diploma_printing_cost:document {cost: 8.00, quantity: 12}
@edwin_fussell -> appointed to -> @vacant_chairs_committee:organization {task: "obtain persons for surgery and chemistry chairs"}
@ellwood_harvey -> appointed to -> @vacant_chairs_committee
@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_01_25:event {when: @date_1856_01_25, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_01_25:event -> present -> [@edwin_fussell, @mark_g_kerr, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell]
@building_use_committee:organization {purpose: "use building until 7 Mar 1856"} -> reported -> {use_until: @date_1856_03_07}
@announcement_committee:organization {purpose: "Seventh Annual Announcement"} -> reported -> {status: "progress"}
@prof_birdsell -> appointed to -> @audit_accounts_committee:organization
@ellwood_harvey -> appointed to -> @audit_accounts_committee
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_01:event {when: @date_1856_02_01, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_02_01:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_herr, @sylvester_birdsell, @dr_farnell]
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_birnbacher:document {amount: 27.81, period: "Jan 1‑Feb 1"}
@dr_thomas -> reported -> @clinic_statistics:document {diseases_treated: 110, period: "past year"}
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_08:event {when: @date_1856_02_08, notes: "no business"}
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_15:event {when: @date_1856_02_15, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_02_15:event -> present -> [@dr_farnell, @ann_preston, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell]
@miss_elizabeth_collins -> submitted thesis -> @thesis_collins:document {advisor: @prof_gillingham}
@miss_debbie_a_hughes -> submitted thesis -> @thesis_hughes:document {advisor: @dr_herr}
@miss_laura_j_ross -> submitted thesis -> @thesis_ross:document {advisor: @dr_farnell}
@miss_jane_l_starr -> submitted thesis -> @thesis_starr:document {advisor: @sylvester_birdsell}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_glass:document {amount: 11.55}
@file_a092_001_096_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_22:event {when: @date_1856_02_22, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_02_22:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_russell, @dr_herr, @kersey_g_thomas, @dr_gilchrist, @sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]
@faculty -> recorded -> @thesis_results:document {collins: {white:61, black:9}, hughes:{white:57, black:13}, ross:{white:61, black:9}, starr:{white:62, black:8}}
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @degree_confer_privately:resolution
@file_a092_001_096_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_25:event {when: @date_1856_02_25, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_02_25:event -> present -> [@dr_russell, @ann_preston, @dr_herr, @kersey_g_thomas, @sylvester_birdsell]
@janitor -> appointed to -> @diploma_filling_committee:organization
@faculty -> scheduled -> @degree_confer_event:event {date: @date_1856_02_28, time: "15:00", location: @faculty_room}
@dr_russell -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee
@ellwood_harvey -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee
@ann_preston -> appointed to -> @beneficiaries_committee
@file_a092_001_097_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_02_28:event {when: @date_1856_02_28, where: @faculty_room}
@meeting_1856_02_28:event -> officiated by -> @prof_c_d_cleveland:person {role: "President of the Corporation"}
@meeting_1856_02_28:event -> conferred degree on -> [@miss_elizabeth_collins, @miss_debbie_a_hughes, @miss_laura_j_ross, @miss_jane_l_starr]
@faculty -> passed resolution -> @resolution_acknowledge_thomas:resolution {subject: "Dr. Thomas duties as Treasurer"}
@prof_gillingham -> appointed -> @treasurer_pro_tempore:position
@file_a092_001_098_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_03_26:event {when: @date_1856_03_26, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_03_26:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_farnell, @dr_herb, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@faculty -> resolved -> @seventh_annual_announcement:document {action: "publish names of matriculants and graduates"}
@regulations:document -> amendment -> @regulation_article_17:addition {text: "...and shall be under the supervision of the Professor of Anatomy, whose lectures she shall attend, and shall give recapitulations of them twice each week."}
@dr_herb -> appointed to -> @demonstrator_anatomy_committee:organization
@prof_gillingham -> appointed to -> @demonstrator_anatomy_committee
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_janitor_balance:document {amount: 20.25}
@treasurer -> ordered payment -> @bill_stove_work:document {amount: 2.25, vendor: "Weigmer and Brother"}
@file_a092_001_099_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_04_28:event {when: @date_1856_04_28, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_04_28:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @dr_farnell, @mark_g_kerr, @prof_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]
@demonstrator_anatomy_committee -> completed -> {outcome: "Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas remains as Demonstrator of Anatomy"}
@announcement_committee -> furnished -> @publication_committee:organization
@faculty -> adjourned to -> @meeting_1856_05_05:event {when: @date_1856_05_05, time: "12:00"}
@file_a092_001_100_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_1856_05_28:event {when: @date_1856_05_28, where: @philadelphia_pa}
@meeting_1856_05_28:event -> present -> [@ann_preston, @edwin_fussell, @prof_gillingham, @mark_g_kerr, @dr_h_j_brown, @mrs_emeline_horton_cleveland, @dr_fussell, @dr_birdville]
@dr_h_j_brown -> recommended -> @surgery_chair:position
@surgery_chair:position {department: "Surgery"}
@mrs_emeline_horton_cleveland -> appointed -> @demonstrator_anatomy_position:position {term: "one year"}
@dr_fussell -> elected -> @dean_position:position {replaces: @dr_hawley}
@dr_birdville -> appointed -> @lecturer_position:position
@file_a092_001_101_jpg -> documents -> @by_law_amendment:event {by: @mr_henderson}
@by_law_amendment:event -> amends -> @by_laws:document {change: "Treasurer duties transferred to Dean"}
@mr_henderson -> moved -> @by_law_amendment
@prof_kilbrough -> elected -> @treasurer:person
@mark_g_kerr -> elected -> @treasurer:person (additional election noted)

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 5:24:27 AM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 5:19:35 AM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 5:15:46 AM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 5:13:22 AM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Administrative_Decisions"

Additional Components (29)

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01KA0CEZSHQ9AQ2C2MYDDVQ3JP

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