Search

Start Over Date range 1785

Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated 0.8 Linear Feet 3 boxes, 2 volumes

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813
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.
  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Financial Records, 1766-1828

Includes a few medical statements and receipts, along with two volumes of household accounts maintained by Benjamin Rush, one in conjunction with his wife. Along with general expenses and accounting information, the account books feature the employment records for Rush family staff and servants, often containing comments on the character and notable aspects of the employment history of each employee.

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated

Household Accounts, 1770-1797 1 Volumes Volume 1

Contains primarily Benjamin Rush's records of his expenses, including tax and bond payments, rental property fees, classes and dance lessons for family members, as well as money lent or advanced, accounts paid, cash received, and income from boarders. Rush noted the wide variety of areas where his money was spent, from postage and travel, to clothing and shoes, to household provisions and stores, along with medicines purchased. In addition, Rush created accounts for servants when they arrived, and noted their wages and any increased wages, advances, or loans; cloth, clothing, and shoes provided; with occasional notes on their personal and work habits and work history, and when they exited his service or married. Several of the comments have been redacted, along with a few pages of the account book. Finally, Rush made a few brief commonplace notes randomly in the volume, providing a "style sheet" for description of pulses, outlining a few prescriptions for patients, describing the weather, listing inventories of his furniture and linens, recording a few recipes, and in 1783, noting the news of possible peace with England.

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated
  3. Financial Records, 1766-1828

Legal Documents and Educational Records, 1775-1795

Present are Benjamin Rush's sworn statement regarding a certificate for Dickinson College, a patent for a tract of land Rush purchased in 1795, along with a certificate of attendance Rush signed for one of his students at the College of Philadelphia Medical School.

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated

Letters, 1777-1824

The majority of the 136 letters in the series were composed by Benjamin Rush, and letters he wrote to Julia during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia form a substantial part of the series. Main topics in the letters include Rush family matters, medical treatments for a wide variety of medical issues, American politics, and the country's relations with European nations. Other topics include mental illness and its treatment, the medical department in the Continental Army, the impact of epidemics upon commerce internationally, reading habits, parenting, and capital punishment.

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated

Medical statements and receipts, 1766-1810 6 items Box 3, Folder 6

Includes statements and receipts for medicines, advice, consultations, and sundries. In one case, Rush collected a fee on behalf of another physician. Julia Stockton Rush also served as collector, along with her husband. Includes a receipt from Richard Henderson in Leesburg, Va., for payment on the account of Mr. Carter, who had been a patient in Rush's care (see Letters series).

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated
  3. Financial Records, 1766-1828

Writings, 178[4]-1845 and undated

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 materials include Julia Rush's devotional journal and exercise book, as well as an undated presentation note written by Richard Rush.

  1. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library
  2. Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated

Limit your search

more »

more »