Skip to main content

Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers

 Collection
Identifier: SSC.MS.00565

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1766-1845 and undated

Creator

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.

Extent

0.8 Linear Feet (3 boxes, 2 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

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).
Title
Guide to the Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush Papers, 1766-1845 and undated RL.11044
Status
Completed
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 CEPT Archives Repository

Contact:
City on a Hill MA 03210 United States