Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers
Collection Overview
The Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers include letters, writings, financial records, a few legal documents and one educational record.
Benjamin Rush's personal and professional outgoing letters, with some incoming letters, cover a wide variety of topics, but focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and the medical department of the Continental Army.
There are a few letters from others to Julia Stockton Rush that seek to continue ties with her and the Rush family or offer condolences following Benjamin's death. Collection also contains a medical case book and a fragment of an essay or lecture written by Benjamin Rush, along with his travel diary for a trip to meet with the Board of Trustees for Dickinson College in 178[4]; other writings include Julia Rush's devotional journal and exercise book.
The financial records include a few statements and receipts, but primarily contain two account books, one maintained by Benjamin Rush, the other by Rush with his wife. These account books provide a complete picture of the family finances from the period before the couple married, almost to Julia's death.
Legal documents include a sworn statement and a land patent, and there is an educational record for one of Rush's students.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1766-1845 and undated
Language of Materials
English
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Biographical Note
Benjamin Rush was a physician, politician, social reformer, educator and humanitarian, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He married Julia Stockton in 1776.
Benjamin Rush
- 1746 January 4
- Born, in Byberry Township, Pa.
- 1760
- Graduated with A. B., College of New Jersey (Princeton)
- 1761-1766
- Medical apprenticeship, College of Philadelphia medical department
- 1768
- Completed medical degree, University of Edinburgh
- 1769
- Began medical practice in Philadelphia
- Appointed Professor of Chemistry in College of Philadelphia's medical department
- 1776
- Took his seat in Second Continental Congress
- 1776 August 2
- Signed Declaration of Independence
- 1777 April
- Commissioned Surgeon General of Middle Department of the Continental Army
- 1778
- Resigned from the Army
- Became lecturer at University of the State of Pennsylvania
- 1783
- Helped found Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa.
- 1784-1813
- Surgeon at Pennsylvania Hospital, with responsibility for psychiatric ward
- 1797-1813
- Treasurer of the U.S. Mint
- 1813
- Died
Julia Stockton Rush
- 1759
- Born, at "Morven" family estate near Princeton, N.J.
- 1776
- Married Benjamin Rush; the couple went on to have 13 children
- 1848
- Died at their county property, "Sydenham" (now 15th Street and Columbus Ave, Philadelphia)
Extent
0.8 Linear Feet (3 boxes, 2 volumes)
Abstract
The Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers include letters, writings, financial records, a few legal documents and one educational record. Benjamin Rush's personal and professional outgoing letters, with some incoming letters, cover a wide variety of topics, but focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and the medical department of the Continental Army. There are a few letters from others to Julia Stockton Rush that seek to continue ties with her and the Rush family or offer condolences following Benjamin's death. Collection also contains a medical case book and a fragment of an essay or lecture written by Benjamin Rush, along with his travel diary for a trip to meet with the Board of Trustees for Dickinson College in 178[4]; other writings include Julia Rush's devotional journal and exercise book. The financial records include a few statements and receipts, but primarily contain two account books, one maintained by Benjamin Rush, the other by Rush with his wife. These account books provide a complete picture of the family finances from the period before the couple married, almost to Julia's death. Legal documents include a sworn statement and a land patent, and there is an educational record for one of Rush's students.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following series: Letters, Writings, Financial Records, and Legal Documents and Educational Records.
- Letters from John Adams separated and transferred to the John Adams papers (MS 12).
- Diaries
- Medicine -- Study and teaching -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Mental illness -- Treatment -- United States -- History -- 19th century
- Physicians -- Records and correspondence.
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Medical care
- United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783
- Yellow Fever -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia
- Title
- Guide to the Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush Papers, 1766-1845 and undated RL.11044
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Alice Poffinberger
- Date
- October 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Your Name Here Special Collections Repository