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Commencement and Graduation Records, 1861

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/14/2025, 4:16:01 PM

Added description

Description

Commencement and Graduation Records, 1861

Overview

This archival item is a textual record of the Ninth Annual Commencement and Graduation ceremony held by the final Drexel University on March 13, 1861, at the Medical Fund Hall in Philadelphia. The document, created on March 5, 1861, is written in English and includes meeting motions, voting tallies, resolutions, and brief notes on the ceremony and post‑ceremony activities. It is preserved as a scanned image of the original printed page.

Background

The record was drafted by A. Preston, the secretary of the university’s commencement committee, and reflects the administrative proceedings of the institution during the early 1860s. The committee, which also included Dr. Fussell, Temple, and Russell, oversaw the arrangements for the event. The document is part of the PINAX collection and provides insight into the university’s early academic traditions and social customs.

Contents

  • Meeting Motions: The record opens with a motion to hold the commencement on March 13, appointing Temple and Russell to coordinate arrangements with the Corporators.
  • Voting Results: A table lists six female candidates—Miss Frances V. Davis, Sarah Kleckner, Sallie Paul, Jane Payne, Rachel T. Speakman, and Mrs. Mary J. Reynolds—along with their white and black vote counts.
  • Resolutions: The committee resolved to suspend the rule requiring the dean to inform each candidate of the vote, and to appropriate ten dollars for student entertainment.
  • Ceremony Details: Prof. C. D. Cleveland conferred degrees on the six women, and Dr. Fussell delivered the valedictory address.
  • Social Note: After the ceremony, professors and students spent the evening with students boarding at Mr. Dixon’s house on Sargent Street.

Scope

The record covers the administrative and ceremonial aspects of the 1861 commencement, including procedural motions, voting outcomes, degree conferrals, and post‑ceremony social arrangements. It is limited to the Ninth Annual Commencement and does not include broader institutional history or unrelated events.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

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@temple:person {full_name: "Temple", role: "Committee member"}  

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@coates:person {full_name: "Coates"}  

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@mrs_mary_j_reynolds:person {full_name: "Mrs. Mary J. Reynolds"}  

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@valedictory:speech:document {type: "speech", delivered_by: @dr_fussell}  

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Metadata

Files (4)

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OCR Text

On motion resolved that our Commencement be held on Wednesday the 13th of March at 4 P.M. Messrs Temple & Russell were appointed to make in conjunction with the Corporators all necessary arrangements for holding the Commencement. Resolved that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet on Monday at 12 O'clock M. A. Preston Sec. March 5th Present Brooksell, Coates, Russell, Kerr, Preston, Temple The voting on the candidates was proceeded with & resulted as follows: <table> <tr> <th></th> <th>White Votes</th> <th>Black votes</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Miss Frances V. Davis</td> <td>64</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" Sarah Kleckner</td> <td>59</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" Sallie Paul</td> <td>64</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" Jane Payne</td> <td>67</td> <td>3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>" Rachel T. Speakman</td> <td>66</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mrs Mary J. Reynolds</td> <td>58</td> <td>12</td> </tr> </table> On motion Resolved that the rule requiring the Dean to inform each candidate of the vote by which she was passed be suspended. Resolved that the Ladies for whom we

a092_001_143.jpgJPEG
341.67 KB
OCR Text

have just voted be recommended to the Corporators for graduation. An Motion of Dr Temple resolved that ten dollars be appropriated if needed to give an entertainment to the students of the evening of the Commencement & that Dr Fussell & A. Preston be a committee to attend to the matter. Adjourned A. Preston Note. The Ninth Annual Commencement was held at the Medical Fund Hall on Wednesday, March 13th, 1861, at 4 P.M. Prof. C.D. Cleveland conferred the degree on the six ladies & Dr Fussell delivered the valedictory. By invitation of a few of the students boarding at Mr Dixon's in Sargent St., the Professors & other students spent the evening after Commencement with them.

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/14/2025, 4:16:01 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/14/2025, 4:08:48 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/14/2025, 3:59:49 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/14/2025, 3:56:58 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Commencement_and_Graduation_1861"

Parent

01KA1H9FZESEP2WDMMJYJ1QD8S

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