USA > New York > Old New York : or, Reminiscences of the past sixty years > Part 9
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" Resolved, That we are grateful to his memory for the large pub- lie spirit, ready sympathy, extensive learning, varied talent, and indomitable zeal, that identified him with this eity, and made him a living compend of its history, and his life a standing memorial of its men, interests, and institutions.
" Resolved, That we hold in peculiar regard his contributions to the science and literature of his times, especially those that relate to persons and things of the past and the passing age, and that we wish success to the effort making to publish his works under the editorship of one of our members.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased."
NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
A SPECIAL meeting of the New York Academy of Medicine was held in the University of New York, on the 9th of February, and the President, Dr. Anderson, was in the chair.
The meeting, which was unusually large, being called to order, the Secretary proceeded to read the following requisition for a special meeting, signed by nine members of the Academy :-
"We, the undersigned, Fellows of the New York Academy of Medicine, having heard of the deeease of our venerable Fellow and ex-President, John W. Francis, M.D., LL. D., do hereby request the President to call a special meeting of the Academy."
JOHN G. ADAMS, M. D., ALANSON T. JONES, M. D., JOHN WATSON, M. D., JOHN T. METCALFE, M. D., GORDON BUCK, M. D., C. HENSCHEL, M. D., J. H. DOUGLAS, M. D., A. K. GARDNER, M. D., HORACE GREEN, M. D., S. S. HUBBARD, M. D.
NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 1861.
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APPENDIX.
Dr. Valentine Mott then rose, and, after a few remarks, offered the following resolution :-
" Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to present such resolutions as they may deem appropriate, in reference to the decease of our late Fellow and ex-President of the New York Acad- emy of Medicine, John W. Francis."
This was carried, and the following gentlemen appointed a Com- mittee: Valentine Mott, R. S. Kissam, John Watson, J. M. Smith, and Willard Parker.
The Committee retired for the purpose of drafting resolutions, and, upon its return, the following werc offered for the adoption of the Academy :--
"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His inscrutable providence, to remove from among us our learned and respected colleague, John W. Francis, M. D., LL. D., in whom we lament the loss of one of the earliest and most eminent Fellows of the Academy, and most prominent member of our profession, distin- guished alike for his learning, ability, and charitable deeds; there- fore-
" Resolved, That we bow in submission to the Divine will, and desire to recognize gratefully the privilege we have enjoyed in the counsel, companionship, and example, of our beloved associate.
" Resolved, That the unfailing benevolence, strict integrity, and earnest love of knowledge, which marked the character of Dr. Francis, render him a rare and invaluable example, worthy of our imitation; and that we admire his rich memory and literary assiduity, which added the graces of the scholar to the wisdom of the philosopher.
" Resolved, That we tender our most sincere and respectful sym- pathies to the family of our deceased ex-President ; and, also-
" Resolved, That the Fellows of the New York Academy of Med- icine attend his remains to their last resting-place, wearing the usual badge of mourning."
These resolutions were unanimously adopted. It was then ---
" Resolved, That the minutes of the meeting be furnished by the Secretary to the daily papers of the city for publication, and that a copy of the same be transmitted to the family of the deceased."
Upon motion of Dr. J. Marion Sims, it was determined that the Fellows of the Academy should meet in the chapel of the Univer- sity, and proceed in a body to the funeral; and, on motion of Dr. Hubbard, it was-
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"Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to attend to the arrangements of the funeral of onr late deceased Fellow and ex- President, Dr. J. W. Franeis, so far as appertains to the New York Academy of Medicine."
In accordance with this, the Chair appointed, as Committee, Drs. Hubbard, Harsen, and Gardner.
The Academy then adjourned.
T. GAILLARD THOMAS, M. D., Secretary.
THE STATE INEBRIATE ASYLUM.
AT the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Inebriate Asylum of this State, held at Binghamton, Messrs. Folsom, Beek- man, and Turner, were appointed a Committee to provide appro- priate memorials, in the Asylum chapel, in memory of Benjamin F. Butler and John W. Francis, and the following resolutions were adopted :-
" Resolved, That by the death of John Wakefield Francis, the New York State Inebriate Asylum has lost one of its most ardent and able advocates and supporters, its first donor, its first peti- tioner, and its first advocate in the medieal world.
" Resolved, That by the death of our learned brother and co- laborer, the medieal profession has lost one of its brightest stars, seienee one of its devoted scholars, the nation one of its purest patriots, and the world a philanthropist and a Christian.
" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the well-founded tributes paid to his private, publie, and professional character, by the medieal, seientifie, and humane societies; and that we offer our heart-felt condolence to his deeply-afflicted family and friends. May his devotion to all great and humane works inspire us with a renewed energy to go on to the completion of this great enter- prise !"
THE SAINT NICHOLAS SOCIETY.
" Whereas, The Saint Nicholas Society was designed, among other objeets, to preserve in the memory of New-Yorkers the ree- ollection of the debt of gratitude we owe to the glorious examples of the true Republicans of Holland that founded our city : it being also a part of the duty of our Society to transmit, as an example
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for those who are to follow us, tbe names of our members wbo bave been faithful in the discharge of their duties, who have been conspicuous in tbe councils or the annals of the city of our ances- tors, or who have left bebind them a name that would reflect credit on our own; and
" Whereas, The devotion, no less than the reputation, ofour mem- bers constitute alike our possession and our inheritance; therefore-
" Resolved, When a descendant of Saint Nicholas, so well known, so highly esteemed, and so long cherished as Dr. Francis, leaves the scene of his useful and benevolent exertions, there is miugled with our regrets for bis departure, tbe soothing remembrance which accompanies a general acknowledgment that be adorned and closed a well-spent life with devoted attachment to the interests, cbarac- ter, and well-being of our city, as well as to tbe usefulness and reputation of our Society.
" Resolved, That, with sincere sorrow for the loss we have sus- tained by bis deatb, we will long cherisb a grateful recollection of the virtues and the talents, the professional services and the fond attention to the duties of membership, so eminently displayed by Dr. Francis in his intercourse with our Society.
" Resolved, That as our chief consulting physician for a long series of years, his place may not readily be supplied; at the same time we all feel, with pride and pleasure, that our Society shares in the fame of a departed member, who is styled, by common con- sent, 'a distinguisbed New-Yorker,' a man so bigbly prized, a char- acter so well sustained, a title so justly deserved by Dr. Francis." Extract from tbe minutes.
R. C. MOUNT, Secretary.
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.
AT a special meeting of the Medical Board of tbis Hospital, held February 9, 1861, tbe following preamble and resolutions were passed :-
" Whereas, In tbe all-wise dispensation of Divine Providence, tbe band of Deatb bas removed from our midst tbe late venerable President of our Board; therefore-
" Resolved, That the Medical Board of Bellevue Hospital have heard with deep regret of tbe demise of our late President, coun- sellor, and colleague.
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" Resolved, That in the death of John W. Francis, this Hospital has lost one whosc untiring zeal and devotion for the good of this Institution claimed for him the greatest csteem and regard of his colleagues, and that the inmates of the Hospital have lost a friend who was always prompt to subserve their interests and welfare, and to administer to their wants and necessities.
" Resolved, That while we deplore his removal from among us, we are not unmindful that he died in the full measure of years, after a long life devoted with honest zeal for the interests and welfare of the profession and humanity.
" Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the family and friends of our late lamented President and colleague, and in testi- mony direct that this Board transmit a copy of the preamble and resolutions to the family of the deceased."
By order :
JOHN W. GREEN, Sect. Med. Board.
THE NEW YORK MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL COLLEGE.
AT a regular meeting of the New York Medico-Chirurgical Col- lege, held Thursday evening, February 14, Dr. George Bouton in the chair, Dr. A. K. Gardner presented the following resolutions, which were seconded by Dr. H. P. Dewees, and unanimously adopted by the College :-
" Whereas, By the dispensation of an all-wise Providence, the world, and the medical profession especially, are called upon to mourn the decease of John W. Francis, M. D., LL. D. :
" Resolved, That the Medico-Chirurgical College, while bowing in submission to this dispensation, do unite with their professional brethren in mourning the loss which they have sustained by the death of one who has well fulfilled the duties of life, and whose devotion to medicine, to literature, both professional and secular ; whose industry, energy, and enthusiastic devotion to every laud- able enterprise of a public or private nature, will long continue to be recognized as a model for the professional man throughout the world.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the afflict- ed widow and family of the deccased."
The foregoing resolutions are taken from the minutes of the J. H. DOUGLAS, Secretary.
College.
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APPENDIX.
THE CLAY FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION.
" Whereas, It has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life John Wakefield Francis, M. D., LL. D., ripe in years and full of honors, this Association, sharing iu the general sorrow of our fellow-citizens which this event produces, is desirous of appro- priately recording their esteem for his virtues, their sorrow at his decease, and the love they bore him as an honored friend; there- fore-
" Resolved, That in the death of J. W. Francis, a seliolar of uu- tiring industry and eminent ability, a physician alike distinguished in the class-room, at the bedside, and a citizen universally es- teemed, has passed away. Iu him the kind physician, the cheerful, genial friend, and the beloved husband and father, were harmo- niously blended,-for never was he more happy than when minis- tering to the wants, the comforts, or the pleasures of others. It was eminently fitting that such a one could meet death not only with all the patience of a philosopher, but with the peace aud res- ignation of a Christian.
" Resolved, That in his death this Association is especially called upon to mourn the loss of one of their most ellerished guests,- one whose love, esteem, and reverence for Henry Clay was earnest, ardent, enduring, and closed but with his life. Thus, while we mingle our grief with that of his friends and his bereaved family, -while we mourn his absence from our social gatherings, doubly painful from the fact that we shall see his face no more,-let us imitate his virtues and cherish his memory.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of the deceased by the Secretary."
A. DE WITT BALDWIN, Sect. C. F. A.
NEW YORK CITY, Jan. 20, 1861.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC CHARITIES AND CORREC- TION.
AT a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction, held February 9, 1861, at their office, No. 1 Bond street, present Simeon Draper, Isaac Bell, Jr., Moses H. Grinnell, and James B. Nicholson, Commissioners, the following
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resolutions, offered by President Draper and seconded by Commis- sioner Nicholson, werc unanimously adopted :-
" Whereas, The Commissioners of Public Charities and Corree- tion having learned that it has pleased Divine Providence to take from us our venerable and esteemed fellow.citizen, Dr. John W. Francis, respectfully tender to his family, friends, the city and county, their sincere expression of respect for the high character and reputation he has sustained through a life of usefulness and honor.
" Resolved, That the connection of the lamented deccased with this Department for upwards of eleven years, nine of which hold- ing the high position as President of the Medieal Board of Belle- vuc Hospital, the deep interest he felt in its administration, and the generous service he has gratuitously performed, demands at our hands the acknowledgment due to eminent professional and personal efforts in hehalf of the poor, whose henefactor he has been.
" Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the relatives of the deceased in this their great and irreparable loss, and respectfully request the reception of our public declaration of the high sense of our obligation for the service rendered this Department during his official connection with the Medical Department of Bellevue Hospital.
" Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be trans- mitted to the widow of the deecased, and published in the pro- ecedings of this Department.
" Resolved, That the Commissioners will evinee their respeet for the occasion, by attending the ceremonies of his burial."
S. DRAPER, President.
ISAAC BERRY, Secretary.
NEW YORK WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.
AT a stated meeting of the Board of Governors of the New York State Woman's Hospital, held February 28, 1861, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :-
" Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove from among us our beloved associate, John W. Francis, M. D., LL. D., one of the original corporators of this Board, and one of its most efficient
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members,-a man distinguished for his great purity of character, untiring industry, extensive learning, and large benevolence, and also for his zeal and devotion to the interests of the Woman's Hospital; therefore ---
" Resolved, That we bow with reverence and humility to this dispensation of Providence, while we mourn our great loss, and the loss sustained by the community.
" Resolved, That in the life of this pure and good man we have an example worthy of all praise and imitation.
"Resolved, That in his death the Woman's Hospital has lost its great advocate and one of its best friends.
" Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to the family of the deceased in their bereavement.
" Resolved, That to perpetuate his name and good deeds, we erect a tablet to his memory, appropriately inscribed, to be placed in one of the wards of the Woman's Hospital (when completed), and said ward shall bear his name.
" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Secretary to the family of the deceased, and also to the daily papers of this city for publication."
The above is a true copy from the minutes.
JOHN W. QUINCY, Secretary.
AMERICAN ETHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
AT a meeting held February 13, 1861, the death of Dr. Francis having been mentioned in terms of deep regret, the following res- olutions were offered by Rev. Dr. Spencer :-
" Whereas, It has pleased God, in His wise providence, to remove from our midst the venerable John W. Francis, M. D., LL. D., one of the Vice-Presidents of the American Ethnological Society-
" Resolved, That, as citizens, not less than as Christians, we are called upon to mourn his departure from the world at a time like the present, when wise and good men, when men of enlarged lib- erality and unselfish patriotism are so necessary to the welfare and prosperity of our beloved country.
" Resolved, That we tender, most respectfully and earnestly, our sincere sympathies to the family of Dr. Francis, in this their pro- found and irreparable affliction.
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" Resolved, That the Recording Secretary be directed to send to the family of our deceased Vice-President a copy of these resolu- tions."
The President remarked that the mournful event made a deep impression on his mind. Dr. Francis had taken a warm interest in this Society, though unable often to attend its meetings. The December meeting was to have been held at his house, at his in- vitation, expressed in a note, and the notifications had been sent, when the sudden attack of his last sickness rendered a change necessary. Dr. Franeis enjoyed publie estcem and affeetion in an extraordinary degrec. Several thousand persons, on the day of his funeral, passed through the church to take a last view of his face. He was ever ready to patronize every scientific enterprise, and he was devoted to various branches of useful study ; so that I suppose scareely a half-hour of his leisure was not employed in research on some subject to which his varied tastes inelined him. And, eom- bined with this love of seienee, he had great power as a writer, expressing himself with readiness and vigor on various subjects,- a quality which few possess in an equal degree; and his writing's, as well as his conversation, were enlightened by a geuial humor equally rare. I hope to sec his eolleetions published.
After a few other appropriate remarks, the resolutions were unanimously adopted.
NEW YORK TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.
AT a meeting, held February 9, 1861, Mr. Charles McDevitt ad- dressed the Society as follows :-
" MR. PRESIDENT: It is with painful feelings that I announce the death of Dr. John W. Franeis, one of our most devoted and cffi- cient honorary members. Nearly half a century has elapsed sinee I became acquainted with the deceased-a friendship never im- paired or broken. The few remarks which I shall now make are offered as a slight tribute to departed worth, and will be appreciated by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintanec.
"As a medical man, Dr. Franeis stood on the very pinnacle of his profession. It is pleasant to dwell upon those personal traits of character which distinguished him,-the talents, industry, aud perseverance, by which he won his way to the highest offiees of the Medieal Colleges, of the State, and of the city, which, one after
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another, were committed to his hands. So is it pleasant to speak of the penetration with which he read the ebaraeter and purposes of men, his self-control, the courtesy with which he treated even his opponents, the charity with which he looked upon the faults of men, the kindness of his heart, the warmth of his friendship, the cordiality of his welcome, the affability of his manners, which made you feel towards him as a familiar friend, the simplicity of his daily habits, to which he owed his vigorous old age, the inter- est he took in our city's advancement and welfare, and in the eon- templation of those religious lessons which Providenee suggests ; these are the delightful reminiscenees on which those who knew him best love to dwell.
"Dr. Francis was the physician of this Society for over forty years. Ever ready, at all hours, to administer to the siek, offering consolation to the suffering, and often giving peeuniary aid to those who were in distressed circumstances, -the loss of such a brother may well be regarded as a great affliction.
"To the sorrowing hearts who are bowed beneath the sad stroke we offer our heart-felt sympathy. There are those who mourn for one who was to them a husband and a father, in the tenderness of his heart, and in the confidenee, love, and familiarity, to which he always welcomed them. May the spirit of heavenly kindness rest upon them, cheering them with resignation and hope, in the eon- fidenee of meeting again in the bright sphere of immortal exist- enee !
"In consideration of the respeet we entertain for our deceased brother, as an humble tribute to departed worth, be it, therefore,
" Resolved, That in the death of John W. Franeis, the New York Typographieal Society has been deprived of one of its most useful and esteemed members, an accomplished gentleman and true friend. That as a token of respeet to his memory, the rooms of our Library be draped in mourning; and that this Society, in a body, attend the funeral of our deceased brother.
" Resolved, That a copy of the above be sent to the bereaved family, and that it be placed upon the records of the Institution."
The Society accordingly met at the rooms, No. 3 Chambers street, on Sunday, 10th inst., at one o'clock, to attend the funeral from St. Thomas's Church, at two P. M. A large delegation ac- companied the remains to the tomb.
ARCHIBALD MILLER, President. THOMAS C. FAULKNER, Secretary.
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BIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A STATED monthly mecting was held February 14, 1861. The President, Hon. Rohert C. Winthrop, remarked :---
" The publie journals of New York have announced to us, within a week past, the death of Dr. John Wakefield Francis, of that city. He stood third in order on the list of our American honorary members, having heen elected on the 27th of January, 1814. Of the professional eminence and literary accomplishments of Dr. Francis it is not for me now to speak ; hut no one who has enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance ean fail to have been impressed with his genial and generous nature, his earnest appreciation of every thing distinguished and exalted, his ardent love of country, and his eager co-operation with every effort to illustrate and com- memorate the great men and the great events of American history. We may well sympathize with New York on the loss of one so identified with her rise and progress."*
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
[From the Annual Report of the Council of the American Antiquarian Society.]
"HE was an early memher of this Society, and, forty-one years ago, held the office of one of the Receivers from New York, to collect the annual payment then required from memhers; and he continued to recognize his membership hy gifts and hy strong expressions of regard. The engrossing profession in which he was eminent and successful in the highest degree, by making grateful patients to hecome life-long friends, occupied hut a part of his active energy. Without suhjecting himself to the details of the sciences, he was distinguished for the impulse which he gave to scientifie pursuits. In assemblies in his own city for the promo- tion of learning, hencvolenee, or any public hencfit, his conspicu- ous form was always looked for, and his voice was often heard to give direction and progress to the movement. The intelligence, brilliancy, and quaintness of his address, aided hy his sympathetic spirit, and hy a power which one of his friends has termed 'per-
* Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1860-2, pp. 145-6.
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APPENDIX.
sonal magnetism,' gave him an intimate acquaintance with many eminent men, whose peculiarities it was his delight to describe in formal biographies, and in incidental illustrations of his writings and his conversation."*
MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
[From the Annual Report of the Mercantile Library Association.]
"LET us recall to your notice an incident in our own history, which will show you something of the large-heartedness and lib- erality of him we mourn. It was when our Association was enter- ing npon the eighth ycar of its existence, in the winter of 1827, that Dr. Francis, through the Board of Direction, made a proffer of his professional services to any of the members of this Associa- tion who might require them. We cannot now tell the result of this kind offer, but we know full well that many will forever bless his memory for the unpretending charity that he so freely dis- pensed."
COMMISSIONERS OF EMIGRATION.
[From the Annual Report of the Commissioners of Emigration.]
"THEY also acknowledge with gratitude the great value of the counsel and advice as to the general administration of the Marine Hospital afforded them by Dr. J. W. Francis, whose long ex- perience and special study of this scourge of our port in former years (the yellow fever), gave great value and weight to his coun- sels."
In addition to these and similar tributes from scientific and benevolent associations, three carefully-prepared and eloquent eulogies on the life and character of Dr. Francis were delivered within a few weeks of his deccase, to large and attentive audiences,
* Hon. Stephen Salisbury, in behalf of the Council. Proceedings of the American Antiquariau Society, 1861.
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-one before the New York Academy of Medicine, by his old friend, the eminent surgeon, Dr. Valentine Mott; onc before the New York County Medieal Society, by Dr. Gunning S. Bedford; and the third before the New York Medieo-Chirurgical College, by Dr. A. K. Gardiner. All of these discourses have been published by the respective associations before which they were delivered.
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