Minutes of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1855-1856

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:15:05 PM

Added description

Description

Minutes of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1855‑1856

Overview

A set of 17 scanned pages (a092001083.jpg‑a092001101.jpg) containing the official minutes of faculty meetings held by the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania from 20 February 1855 to 28 May 1856. The documents are in English, dated in the 1850s, and were produced by the college’s faculty, led by Dean Ellwood Harvey, M.D. They are part of the “Financial and Administrative Matters” directory of the final‑drexel‑university collection and were sourced from the PINAX database.

Background

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850 in Philadelphia, was the first institution to grant medical degrees to women. The minutes record the day‑to‑day governance of the college, including examinations, appointments, financial transactions, and the organization of lectures and committees. Key figures include Dean Ellwood Harvey, Treasurer Kersey G. Thomas, President Ann Preston, and faculty members such as Edwin Fussell, Mark G. Kerr, and Sylvester Birdsell. The college also negotiated the lease of the Preston Retreat (20th & Hamilton Sts., Philadelphia) as a hospital and teaching facility.

Contents

The minutes detail:
  • Examination schedules and results for candidates, including the election of Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas as Demonstrator of Anatomy.
  • Appointment of faculty and administrative officers, including the transition of the dean’s office from Dr. Hawley to Dr. Fussell.
  • Financial matters: payments to suppliers (e.g., Ziegenfus & Carver, Weymer & Brother), bills for gas, stationery, and janitorial services, and the printing of diplomas.
  • Committee formations (Beneficiaries, Advertising, Preston Retreat, Vacant Chairs, Announcement, Publication).
  • Conferral of M.D. degrees to four women (Miss Collins, Miss Hughes, Miss Ross, Miss Starr) on 28 February 1856.
  • Publication of the Sixth and Seventh Annual Announcements and amendments to the college’s regulations and bylaws.

Scope

The collection covers faculty meetings held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 1855‑1856 academic year. It includes administrative, financial, and academic governance records but excludes personal correspondence, student diaries, or external publications. The materials provide a comprehensive view of the college’s operations, governance, and early contributions to women’s medical education in the mid‑19th century.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

**Core institution**

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {type: "Medical school", location: @philadelphia, founded: @date_1850, focus: ["Medical education", "Women in medicine"]}

**Key persons (first definition only)**  

@ellwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Ellwood Harvey, M.D.", role: "Dean of the Faculty"}  
@kerry_thomas:person {full_name: "Kersey G. Thomas, M.D.", role: "Treasurer (until resignation 1855‑1856)"}  
@ann_preston:person {full_name: "Ann Preston, M.D.", role: "Faculty member / President of the Corporation"}  
@mark_g_kerr:person {full_name: "Mark G. Kerr, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@edwin_fussell:person {full_name: "Edwin Fussell, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@sylvester_birdsell:person {full_name: "Sylvester Birdsell, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_gillingham:person {full_name: "Dr. Gillingham, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_russell:person {full_name: "Dr. Russell, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_farsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Farsell, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_herr:person {full_name: "Prof. Herr, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_farnell:person {full_name: "Prof. Farnell, M.D.", role: "Faculty member"}  
@dr_cleveland:person {full_name: "Prof. C. D. Cleveland, M.D.", role: "President of the Corporation"}  
@dr_hawley:person {full_name: "Dr. Hawley, M.D.", role: "Former Dean"}  
@mr_henderson:person {full_name: "Mr. Henderson", role: "Trustee"}  
@mr_kilbrough:person {full_name: "Prof. Kilbrough", role: "Treasurer (elected 1856)"}  

**Places (specific to the collection)**  

@philadelphia:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}  
@bucks_co:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}  
@jamestown_ny:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}  
@palmyra_ny:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}  
@troycroft_md:place {state: @maryland, country: @united_states}  
@acton_me:place {state: @maine, country: @united_states}  
@utica_ny:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}  
@preston_retreat:place {address: "20th & Hamilton Sts., Philadelphia", description: "Building proposed for use as a Female Medical College and Hospital"}  

**Committees (created as organizations)**  

@committee_beneficiaries:organization {purpose: "Review and admit beneficiaries"}  
@committee_advertising:organization {purpose: "Oversee advertising matters"}  
@committee_preston_retreat:organization {purpose: "Negotiate lease of Preston Retreat"}  
@committee_vacant_chairs:organization {purpose: "Identify candidates for vacant chairs"}  
@committee_announcement:organization {purpose: "Prepare annual announcements"}  
@committee_publication:organization {purpose: "Publish announcements"}  

**Documents**  

@seventh_annual_announcement:document {title: "Seventh Annual Announcement", year: 1856}  
@sixth_annual_announcement:document {title: "Sixth Annual Announcement", year: 1855}  

**Meetings (events) – each linked to the OCR file that records it**  

@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb20_1855:event {description: "Faculty meeting; examinations scheduled for Wed 21 Feb 1855; Treasurer ordered to pay $55 to Ziegenfus & Carver.", when: @date_1855_02_20, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_feb20_1855:event -> payment -> @ziegenfus_carver:organization {amount: 55.00, currency: "USD"}  

@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb21_1855:event {description: "Examinations of candidates commenced; Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas elected Demonstrator of Anatomy.", when: @date_1855_02_21, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_feb21_1855:event -> elected -> @eliza_thomas:person {position: "Demonstrator of Anatomy"}  

@file_a092_001_084_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb26_1855:event {description: "Letter from Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas accepting Demonstrator post; discussion of vacant Chair of Obstetrics.", when: @date_1855_02_26, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_084_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_mar1_1855:event {description: "Letter from President Cleveland about Commencement; Mrs. Jane I. Neals examined; Commencement scheduled for Sat 10 Mar 1855.", when: @date_1855_03_01, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_mar1_1855:event -> scheduled -> @commencement_1855:event {date: @date_1855_03_10, time: "11:00", location: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_087_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_apr24_1855:event {description: "Committees on Beneficiaries and Advertising appointed; Ann Preston selected to deliver General Introductory Lecture (Oct 3 1855); Dr. Fussell to deliver Baccalaureate Address (Spring 1856).", when: @date_1855_04_24, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_apr24_1855:event -> appointed -> @committee_beneficiaries:organization {members: [@edwin_fussell, @kerry_thomas, @dr_gillingham]}  
@meeting_fmcp_apr24_1855:event -> appointed -> @committee_advertising:organization {members: [@kerry_thomas, @dr_gillingham, @ellwood_harvey]}  

@file_a092_001_089_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event {description: "Treasurer ordered to pay various bills; lecture schedule for the session adopted.", when: @date_1855_10_05, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event -> payment -> @weymer_brother:organization {purpose: "Stone Co.", amount: 24.00}  
@meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event -> payment -> @zigenfuss_carter:organization {purpose: "Coal", amount: 52.30}  
@meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event -> payment -> @henry_bimhann:person {purpose: "Wood", amount: 1.00}  
@meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event -> payment -> @young_printing:organization {purpose: "Announcement", amount: 25.00}  
@meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event -> payment -> @dr_russell:person {purpose: "Advertising", amount: 1.125}  

@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_oct23_1855:event {description: "Resignation of Prof. Thomas received; no actions taken.", when: @date_1855_10_23, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_oct30_1855:event {description: "No business transacted.", when: @date_1855_10_30, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_nov8_1855:event {description: "Bills for gas and stationery ordered to be paid.", when: @date_1855_11_08, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_091_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_nov19_1855:event {description: "Faculty appointed to negotiate lease of Preston Retreat; committee formed.", when: @date_1855_11_19, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_nov19_1855:event -> appointed -> @committee_preston_retreat:organization {members: [@edwin_fussell, @kerry_thomas]}  

@file_a092_001_091_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_dec3_1855:event {description: "Report on Preston Retreat lease negotiations; resolutions passed.", when: @date_1855_12_03, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_092_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_dec17_1855:event {description: "Board election recommendations; committee to present to Corporators.", when: @date_1855_12_17, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_dec17_1855:event -> recommended -> @edwin_fussell:person {to: "Board of Corporators"}  
@meeting_fmcp_dec17_1855:event -> recommended -> @ellwood_harvey:person {to: "Board of Corporators"}  

@file_a092_001_093_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_dec31_1855:event {description: "Payment of Harry’s bill; resignation of Dr. Thomas as Clinic Physician; Drs. Farsell and Harvey take over clinic.", when: @date_1855_12_31, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_dec31_1855:event -> resignation -> @kerry_thomas:person {position: "Clinic Physician"}  
@meeting_fmcp_dec31_1855:event -> appointment -> @dr_farsell:person {position: "Clinic Director"}  
@meeting_fmcp_dec31_1855:event -> appointment -> @ellwood_harvey:person {position: "Clinic Director"}  

@file_a092_001_093_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_jan17_1856:event {description: "Treasurer tasked with printing diplomas; lecture room rental to Mr. Gunderson; committees for property removal and building selection.", when: @date_1856_01_17, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_jan17_1856:event -> task -> @treasurer:person {duty: "Print diplomas"}  
@meeting_fmcp_jan17_1856:event -> rental -> @mr_gunderson:person {purpose: "Public reading", rate: 1.00, unit: "USD per night"}  

@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_jan18_1856:event {description: "Faculty to meet Fridays at 1:30 p.m.; Dr. Thomas reports diploma printing costs; committee to fill vacant surgery & chemistry chairs.", when: @date_1856_01_18, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_jan25_1856:event {description: "Progress reports on vacant chairs, building procurement, and announcement; audit of Treasurer’s accounts assigned.", when: @date_1856_01_25, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_jan25_1856:event -> audit -> @treasurer:person {auditors: [@sylvester_birdsell, @ellwood_harvey]}  

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb1_1856:event {description: "Payment of janitor’s bill; clinic disease statistics (110 cases).", when: @date_1856_02_01, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_feb1_1856:event -> payment -> @h_birnbacher:person {purpose: "Janitor services", amount: 27.81}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb1_1856:event -> statistic -> @clinic:organization {diseases_treated: 110}  

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb8_1856:event {description: "No business.", when: @date_1856_02_08, where: @philadelphia}  

@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event {description: "Inaugural theses received from four women; various dissertation topics assigned; payment for glass.", when: @date_1856_02_15, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event -> thesis -> @miss_collins:person {title: "Dissertation on Oxygen", advisor: @dr_gillingham}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event -> thesis -> @miss_hughes:person {title: "Dissertation on Carcinoma", advisor: @dr_herr}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event -> thesis -> @miss_ross:person {title: "Dissertation on Phthisis Pulmonalis", advisor: @dr_farnell}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event -> thesis -> @miss_starr:person {title: "Dissertation on Scarletina", advisor: @sylvester_birdsell}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event -> payment -> @glass_supplier:organization {amount: 11.55}  

@file_a092_001_097_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event {description: "M.D. degrees conferred on four women by Prof. C. D. Cleveland; Dr. Thomas resigns as Treasurer; resolutions praising his service; Prof. Gillingham appointed Treasurer pro tempore.", when: @date_1856_02_28, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> degree -> @miss_collins:person {degree: "M.D."}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> degree -> @miss_hughes:person {degree: "M.D."}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> degree -> @miss_ross:person {degree: "M.D."}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> degree -> @miss_starr:person {degree: "M.D."}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> resignation -> @kerry_thomas:person {position: "Treasurer"}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> resolution -> @kerry_thomas:person {content: "Acknowledgement of faithful service"}  
@meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event -> appointment -> @dr_gillingham:person {position: "Treasurer pro tempore"}  

@file_a092_001_098_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event {description: "Publish names of matriculants and graduates in Seventh Annual Announcement; amendment to Article 17 of Regulations; inquiry to Mrs. Eliza L.S. Thomas about Demonstrator duties; payment of janitor’s balance and stove work.", when: @date_1856_03_26, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event -> publication -> @seventh_annual_announcement:document {action: "publish"}  
@meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event -> amendment -> @regulations:document {article: 17, text: "...supervision of the Professor of Anatomy..."}  
@meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event -> inquiry -> @eliza_thomas:person {purpose: "Confirm continuation as Demonstrator of Anatomy"}  
@meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event -> payment -> @janitor:person {amount: 20.25}  
@meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event -> payment -> @weigmer_brother:organization {purpose: "Stove work", amount: 2.25}  

@file_a092_001_099_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_apr28_1856:event {description: "Committee confirms Mrs. E.L.S. Thomas will remain Demonstrator; Seventh Announcement copy read and adopted; meeting adjourned to May 5.", when: @date_1856_04_28, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_apr28_1856:event -> confirmation -> @eliza_thomas:person {status: "Will remain Demonstrator"}  
@meeting_fmcp_apr28_1856:event -> adoption -> @seventh_annual_announcement:document  

@file_a092_001_100_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_may28_1856:event {description: "Dr. Fussell proxies for Dr. Birdville; recommendation of H. J. Brown for Chair of Surgery; Emeline Horton Cleveland appointed Demonstrator of Anatomy for one year; Dr. Fussell elected Dean replacing Dr. Hawley.", when: @date_1856_05_28, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_may28_1856:event -> recommendation -> @hj_brown:person {position: "Chair of Surgery"}  
@meeting_fmcp_may28_1856:event -> appointment -> @emeline_horton_cleveland:person {position: "Demonstrator of Anatomy", term: "1 year"}  
@meeting_fmcp_may28_1856:event -> election -> @edwin_fussell:person {position: "Dean"}  

@file_a092_001_101_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_fmcp_unknown_1856:event {description: "By‑law amendment rescinding Treasurer’s duty over Janitor & Building; duty transferred to Dean; motion by Mr. Henderson; Prof. Kilbrough elected Treasurer.", when: @date_1856_06_01, where: @philadelphia}  

@meeting_fmcp_unknown_1856:event -> amendment -> @bylaws:document {clause: "Treasurer supervises Janitor & Building", action: "rescinded"}  
@meeting_fmcp_unknown_1856:event -> duty_transfer -> @dean:person {new_duty: "Supervise Janitor & Building"}  
@meeting_fmcp_unknown_1856:event -> election -> @mr_kilbrough:person {position: "Treasurer"}  

**Financial overview (aggregated relationships)**  

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @ziegenfus_carver:organization {total: 55.00, date: @date_1855_02_20}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @weymer_brother:organization {total: 24.00, date: @date_1855_10_05}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @zigenfuss_carter:organization {total: 52.30, date: @date_1855_10_05}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @henry_bimhann:person {total: 1.00, date: @date_1855_10_05}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @young_printing:organization {total: 25.00, date: @date_1855_10_05}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @dr_russell:person {total: 1.125, date: @date_1855_10_05}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @h_birnbacher:person {total: 27.81, date: @date_1856_02_01}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @janitor:person {total: 20.25, date: @date_1856_03_26}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @weigmer_brother:organization {total: 2.25, date: @date_1856_03_26}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> paid -> @glass_supplier:organization {total: 11.55, date: @date_1856_02_15}  

**Committee activities**  

@committee_beneficiaries -> admitted -> @c_annette_buckel:person {location: @jamestown_ny}  
@committee_beneficiaries -> admitted -> @n_glastenbury_conn:person {location: @jamestown_ny}  
@committee_beneficiaries -> admitted -> @ruth_m_angel:person {location: @jamestown_ny}  
@committee_beneficiaries -> admitted -> @c_j_underwood:person {location: @palmyra_ny}  
@committee_beneficiaries -> admitted -> @louisa_d_campbell_toyicroft:person {location: @troycroft_md}  

**Summary of leadership chronology**  

@ellwood_harvey -> dean of -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania {start: @date_1855_02_20, end: @date_1856_05_28}  
@edwin_fussell -> dean of -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania {start: @date_1856_05_28}  

@kerry_thomas -> treasurer of -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania {until: @date_1855_10_05, resigned: @date_1856_02_28}  
@mr_kilbrough -> treasurer of -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania {start: @date_1856_06_01}  

**Document production**  

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> produced -> @sixth_annual_announcement:document {year: 1855}  
@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania -> produced -> @seventh_annual_announcement:document {year: 1856}  

**File‑to‑event index (for traceability)**  

@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb20_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_083_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb21_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_084_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb26_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_084_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_mar1_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_087_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_apr24_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_089_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_oct5_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_oct23_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_oct30_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_090_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_nov8_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_091_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_nov19_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_091_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_dec3_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_092_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_dec17_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_093_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_dec31_1855:event  
@file_a092_001_093_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_jan17_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_jan18_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_094_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_jan25_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb1_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb8_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_095_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb15_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_097_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_feb28_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_098_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_mar26_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_099_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_apr28_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_100_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_may28_1856:event  
@file_a092_001_101_jpg -> records -> @meeting_fmcp_unknown_1856:event  

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:15:05 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:06:05 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:58:57 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:54 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Financial_and_Administrative_Matters"

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01KA1H9B0MTXCY86Z1NS25WYJH

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