USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > The Philadelphia Directory, 1796 > Part 23
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9 When any lofs by fire is fuftained on property in- fured at this office, the fufferer fhall in thirty days fur- nifh the beft documents he is able of the value of the goods damaged or deftroyed ; this afcertained, the lofs within the fum infured fhall be paid without deduc- tion, in thirty days after proof thereof.
N. B. It is expected a little experience may autho- rize the company to extend affurance from fire to other cities ; at prefenr they confine this branch of their bu- finefs to Philadelphia and its vicinity in Pennfy !- vania.
The prefent officers are,
John M. Nefbit, Prefident. -
DIRECTORS.
Jofeph Ball. John Craig. John Leamy. Walter Stewart. Samuel Blodge !.
Magnus Miller.
William M'Murtrie. John Vaughan.
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A SHORT ACCOUNT.
Charles Pettit.
John Rofs.
Robert Ralfton.
Francis Weft.
Standifh Forde ..
Peter Blight.
Thomas M. Moore ..
Robert Smith.
John Fry, jun.
Philip Nicklin.
Samuel Breck.
William Sanfom.
Samuel Sterrit.
William Crammond .:
Henry Pratt.
Samuel Emery.
Ebenezer Hazard -- Secretary.
INSURANCE COMPANY OF PENN -. SYLVANIA,
WAS incorporated in the year 1794, upon a fimilar plan, and for the like purpofe of that of North Ame- rica.
Office corner of Walnut and Second St.
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Mordecai Lewis, Prefident. Directors ..
Archibald Mc'Call, Thomas Fitzfimons, Jeffe Waln, John Hunn, Thomas M. Willing, James S. Cox. James Yard, William T. Smith, Francis Cur-
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OF PHILADELPHIA.
ney, Samuel M. Fox, J. G. Wachfmuch, Miers Fifher.
Samuel W. Fifher, Secretary.
Edward Farris
John Palmer, jun.
Clerks.
James Anderfon, Runner ..
CONTRIBUTORSHIP Infurance Company, for Infuring Houfes from Fire. Office No. 99, High Street.
THIS Office was inftituted for the purpose of afford- ing Relief to the Citizens of Pennfylvania, in all cafes of Fire.
Directo:s.
Gunning Bedford, George Roberts, Richard Wells, Thomas Morris, Mordecai Lewis, Paterfon Hartfhorne, Samuel Coates, John Perot, Samuel M. Fox, Bartho- lomew Wiftar, John Moreton.
Samuel Senfom, Treafurer. Caleb Carmalt, Clerk,
The MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, Whofe Object is nearly the fame.
Office No. 92, Vine Street.
Truftees of the Mutual Affurance Company. Matthew Clarkfon, Ifaac. Jones, Thomas Ewing, John Kaighn, James Read, Thomas Allibone, George
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A SHORT ACCOUNT
Wefcott, William Richards, John Morrell, Robert Wharton, Godfrey Haga, Daniel Smith, Jofeph I. Miller.
George Emlen, Treafurer.
John Jennings, Clerk.
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PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL, , Spruce ftreet.
A. N infritution founded on fuch humane and bene- volent principles, embracing the puor ef all deferip- tions, has done great honour to its founders, many of whofe picus fucceffors have been led by a fecret im- pulfe to endow it with occafional legacies and contri- butions, whereby the truft is enlarged, and a greater number of the fick are relieved : many of whom, for want of fuch an afylum, would fuffer in folitary pla- ces, whiift the poor unhappy maniac, deprived of his fenfes, would be roving about without knowing a home, at the rifque of his life, or the lives of the people.
Two Managers and Phyficians meet at the hofpital every Wednesday and Saturday, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to receive and difcharge patients, and much trouble is faved to thofe who apply at that time.
All the patients muft fubmit to the orders of the Phy- ficians refpecting their cafes, and to the rules of the managers refpecting their conduct, or be difcharged. No amputation of a limb is allowed, without a con- fultation of phyficians, and three at leaft muft agree.
The inftruments are the moft complete of the kind, and preferved in excellent order for ufe ; and every thing convenient for the patient is always provided.
Overfeers of the poor from the country, who bring a patient, are expected to produce a certificate figned by
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OF PHILADELPHIA.
two magiftrates, certifying that they are in office, and that the pauper refides in their diftrict, without which the applicant is rejected.
Perfons afflicted with incurable and infectious difor- ders are not admitted; but any perfon in Pennfylvania receiving by accident a defperate wound, or a fractured limb, may be brought to the hofpital without an order, provided he is brought immediately, after the accident happens, and fuch perfons, whether ftrangers or citizens, will be well taken care of, at the contributor's ex- pence.
The price of pay patients is various, and fome- times changes. The overfeers of the poor of Pennfyl- vania, and all the focieties therein, who fupport the poor by private and voluntary fubfcriptions, pay only eight fhillings and four pence, including medicines, attendance, and all other charges, except cloathing.
The overfeers of any other ftate, pay 15 fhillings, and private perfons from 10 to 35 fhillings, as they.and the managers can agree .- Thefe may choofe their own phyfician, provided he is one of the hofpital phyficians no others being admitted to practice in the noufe.
A refident apothecary lives in the houfe, his duty is to receive and lend out books, to adminifter the pre- feriptions and to fummon the phyficians on every ur- gent occafion, each of whom confiders it his duty im- mediately to attend.
A great number, whofe diforders are not proper for admiffion, havereceived medicine from the hofpital dif- penfary gratis, and the beft advice from the phy- ficians.
The managers are by charter prohibited from fpend- ing any part of their capital ftock, the intereft of which, with fuch donations as are not exprefsly given thereto, is applied for the poor : and when as many paupers are firft admitted as will abforb the faid income, then if there is room, the managers may take other patients "on pay, the profits of whofe board alfo go to the poor. Of fuch patients they will always have a number un- til the faid income, which is at prefent not half equal to the expences of the houfe, become fufficient to oc- cupy it with the poor.
The name of the corporate body is, The Contribu- tors to the Pennfylvania Hofpita !.
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A SHORT ACCOUNT
A contributor mufti pay at leaft sol. for which he re- ceives a certificate from the treafurer ; this he cannot transfer, nor can he recive any benefit from it, but the privilege of electing and being elected.
If he is chofen a manager, phyfician or treafurer, he muft ferve without fee or reward.
The medical pupils pay for the privilege of attend- ing the hofpital practice, and fuch pay is commonly un- derftood to be a perquifite to the hofpital phyficians ; this, however, they have generoufly given for the pur- pofe of founding a medical library, and to purchafe Dr. Chovet's preparations ; by the addition of which to Dr. Fothergill's valuable prefent, the inftitution without any expence to its funds, is poffeffed of the moft ufeful and ornamental collection that was ever feen in Ame- rica, The pay of thofe pupils exceeds 1001. per annum, which is amply fufficient to furnifh the library with new books and to preferve the anatomical caftings, &c.
Managers.
Jofiah Hervey, Samuel Coates, Thomas Penrofe, Pattifon Hartfhorne, Samuel Clark, Lawrence Seckel, Bartholomew Wiftar, Thomas Morris, Ellifton Perot, Samuel C. M. Fox, Robert Waln, James Smith.
Mordecai Lewis, Treafurer.
Phyficians.
Doctors Kuhn, Parke, Rufh, Shippen, Wiftar, and Phyfick.
Jofeph Henzey, Stewart.
Samuel Cooper, Apothecary.
For the defiga of the Pennfylvania hofpital, fee page 9, 2d Part.
PRISON, WALNUT STREET.
T HIS place of confinement, a large ftone building› occupies a lot of 4co feet by 200 ; 184 feet long the northfide, two ftories high, divided into rooms of equal dimenfions, viz. 20 by 18 feet-an entry in the mid- dle of feven and an half feet wide, which leads to a
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OF PHILADELPHIA.
ball or paffage, extending the length of the building eleven and an half feet wide, with ftairs and windows at each end ; the upper ftory is exactly on the fame plau as the lower; the cellars are alfo on the fame plan : there are eight rooms on each floor, all arched, for the twofold purpose of fecuring againft fire and ef- capes, with two windows in each room. On the Eaft and Weft. end are two wings extending go feet South, two itories high, containing five rooms, on the floors of each wing, nearly, the fize. of :hofe in front, but with one window, all arched in the fame manner alfo : the ground Hoors of thefe were formerly occupied as places uf greater fecurity, upon the general principle of dun- geons, but have not been ufed for fome time. On the South fide is a large ftone building, deligned for a work-houfe, where the debtors are now confined. Three hundred feet of the North part of the lot is ap- propriated to the ufe of the convict prifon, and one hundred feet of the South part to the debtors. The firft is divided into portions for the accommodation of the different claffes of prifoners. The women have a court yard of 90 feet by 32 ; the vagrants, &c. one of the fame dimenfions. The penitentiary houfe, or fo- litary cells, about 160 feet by 80. Each yard is fur- nifhed with pumps, baths, fewers and neceffaries : un- der the debtor's yard, on the North fide, runs a natural water courfe, which is arched, and is a great accom- modation.
SOLITARY CELLS, OR PENITENTIARY HOUSE.
T HIS building, directed to be built by the legi- fature, was early undertaken, and finifhed with ail poilible expedition. It is a plain brick building, three ftories high ; the firft ficor is paved with bricks, and isopen on the North and South ; three a. ches run- ning the length and breadth of the building, fupport. the rooms and paifares of the houfe. Each hvor is di- vided into 8 cells, 6 oy 8, and nine feet high, and two
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A SHORT ACCOUNT
paffages running through the middle; the paffages are about 4 feet wide-have a window at one end, which admits light and air, and a ftove in the middle to warm the rooms; each cell has a large leaden pipe, which leads to fewers at the bottom, and which are kept clean by fmaller pipes, Jeading from a ciftern, into which, occasionally, is conveyed a fufficient quantity of wa- ter. The windows are fecured by blinds, and wire to prevent conveyances either in or out. The . doors and fafhes are fo conftructed as to admit as much air as the prifoner defires.
The large yard is occupied by the convicts, for to labour and to air themfelves in. The yard, in which the folitary cells are built, is occupied as a garden, in which vegetables for culinary, and other purpofes, are cultivated. It is managed by fome of the orderly convicts.
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UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
T HE hiftory of this Seminary neceffarily involves in it' the hiftory of two other feminaries; now gene- rally diftinguifhed by the names of the Old College and the Old Univerfity.
The Old College confifted of three parts ; the cha- ritable fchools, the academy, and the college, ftrictly To called. The charitable fchools which were two in number ; were intended, the one for the reception of thirty girls, to be taught reading, writing and fewing ; the other for the reception of fixty boys, who were to be inftructed in reading, writing and arithmetic. The Academy comprehended three fchools ; an Englift fchool, a fchool forarithmetic and the practical branches of the mathematics, and a Latin and Greek fchicol. The College was divided into two ichools ; one, for teaching the philofophy of the body, (i. e. phyfics or natural philofophy) in conjunction with the higher
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OF PHILADELPHIA ..
branches of the mathematics; another, for natural theology, moral philofophy, and logic.
Thefe feveral parts were not all inftituted at the fame time. The charitable fchools and academy were opened to the year 1750 .; under, the direction cf a board of truftees, conlifting of, twenty-four members, who however, were not incorporated until the year 1753. Thefe being well conducted and continuing to flourifh, the truftees were encouraged to extend their defigns ftill further ; and, in . 1754, opened the philo- fophical fchools. And as this addition to the plan " rendered the charter which had been already granted them inadequate, they folicited, and in the following year,obtained, a new one ; which put all the feveral parts abovementioned under the fam'e direction, and gave to the whole the ftyle of ' The College, Acade- iny and Charitable Schools of the city of Philadelphia in Pennfylvania.'
After this, in the year 1765, were added the medi- cal fchools: confitting of four profefforfhips : one of the theory and practice of phyfic, another of anatomy ; another of botany and materia medica ; and another of chemiftry.
Such was the origin of this inftitution: Though in- tended for the benefit of the public in general, and . though it could not be carried on but at a very confi- derable expence, it was altogether the work of a few private citizens of Philadelphia ; but among thefe was Dr. Franklin ; by whom the defign was originally pro- jected, and the propofals for carrying it into executi- on drawn up and publifhed.
Soon after the revolution, however, in the year 1779 there paffed an act of the legiflature entitled, " An act to confirm the eftates and interefts of the College, Aca- demy and Charitable Schools of the city of Philadel- phia : and to amend and alter the charter thereof, con- formably to the revolution, and to the conftitution and government of this commonwealth ; and to erect the fame into an univerfity."
By virtue of this act the Seminary was placed under the direction of a new board of truftees, a few of whom had been members of the old board; the ftyle of it was changed from that of The College, Academy and Charitable Schools, &c. to that of The University of the State of Pennfylvania : and the executive coun- cil authorized to fet apart, for its ufe, fo many of the
A SHORT ACCOUNT
confifcated eftates as would produce an additional in- come of fifteen hundred pounds a year, which has not been as yet compleated.
But the truftees of the old college and their Provoft, petitioning, that their charter, and the property which they had formerly held, might be reftored to them ; and the legiflature in the year 1789, thinking fit to comply ; there began at length to exift, what in the 'beginning had not been contemplated, two diftinet fe- minaries : The Univerfity of the ftate of Pennfylvania, and, atthe fame time The College, Academy and Charitable Schools of the city of Philadelphia.
Neither of thefe feminaries, however, being poffef- fed of funds fufficient to defray the expenfe of con- ducting them, and it not being likely that the legifla- ture would be prevailed on to grant the money of their conftituents, for the farther endowment of two femi- naries of general learning in the fame city, where, confeffedly, but one of them was wanting ; each party became ftill more and more convinced of the neceflity of an union. Conferences for this purpofe began to be held. And in the end it was mutually agreed, that the two boards, fhould each of them, prefer to the le- giffature a fimilar petition ; praying, that, on certain conditions to be therein Specified, both feminaries fhould be confolidated into one. Thefe conditions were, that each board fhould felest twelve of its mem- bers to conflitute a new board ; of which the governor of the flate for the time being Should be prefident : and that, whatever might be the number of profeifors which this new board fhould think fit to eftablith, fuch pro- feffors fhould be chofen equally out of the two facul- ties, belonging, the one to the old college, and the other to the old university; unlefs the number to be thus eftablithed should be an odd number, in which cafe the odd number, fhould be taken from either of the faculties indiferiminately.
Thefe petitions were prefented; the legiflature ap- proved of the propofal : and accordingly, in the year J79t, an act was paffed, entitled, " An Act to unite the Univerfity of the State of Pennfylvania, and the Col -. lege, Academy, and Charitable Schools of Philadel- phia, in the commonwealth of Pennfylvania."
And thus was, in the end, crected the feminary, now called, The Univerfity of Pennfylvania.
41.
OF PHILADELPHIA.
The prefent Truftees of this Seminary, are
Thomas Mifflin, Governor of the State, Prefident ex officio.
William Bingham, Robert Blackwell D. D. John Bleakley, Edward Burd, Jofeph Ball, George Clymer, David H. Conyngham, Alexander I. Dallas, Thomas Fitzfimmons, Robert Hare, Jared Ingerfol, General James Irvine, David Jackfon, M. D. Frederic Kuhl, William Lewis, Thomas M'Kean, L. L. D. Jofeph B. M'Kean, Charles Pettit, David Rittenhoufe, Edward Shippen, Jonathan B. Smith, Edward Tilghman, Wil- liam Rawle, and Bifhop White.
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The Faculty of the Arts & Sciences, are
John Ewing, D. D. Provoft, and Profeffor of Natu- ral Philofophy.
John Andrews, D: D. Vice Provoft, and Profeffor of Moral Philofophy.
James Davidfon, A. M. Profeffor of the Latin and Greek languages.
Robert Paterfon, A. M. Profeffor of Mathematics.
William Rogers, D, D. Profeffor of Englifli and Belles Lettres.
Henry Helmuth, D. D. Profeffor of the German lan- guage.
Befides thefe, there are 6 tutors, 2 as affiftants to the profeffor of Greek and Latin ; 2 to the profeffor of Ma- thematics; and 2 to the profeffor of English and belles lettres ; together with a male and female teacher for the two charity fchools.
The aggregate number in the feveral fchools, in- cluding the charity fchools, is on an average, 350,
The Medical Faculty, are :
William Shippen M. D. Profeffor of Anatomy, Sur- - gery, and Midwifery.
Cafper Wiftar M. D. adjunct Profeffor of Ana -- temy, &c ..
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A SHORT ACCOUNT
Adam Kuhn M. D. Profeffor of the Practice of Phy- fic.
Benjamin Rufh, M. D. Profeffor of the inftitutes of Phyfic, and of Clinical Medicine.
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James Woodhoufe M. D. Profeffor of Chemiftry. The Profefforthip of Materia Medica-vacant.
Benjamin S. Barton M. D. Profeffor of Botany, and. Natural Hiftory.
James Wilfon L. L. D. Profeffor of Law.
The number of Students are above 100.
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF PHILADELPHIA ..
N the year 1787, the physicians of this city affociated themfelves under this title, for the purpofe of extend- ing medical knowledge, and of promoting harmony. and uniformity in the practice of phyfic.
In 1787, they obtained a charter of incorporation from the Legiflature.
They hold ftated meetings on the first Tuefday of- every month, for the purpofes of their inftitution, and have lately publifhed the firft volume of. their tranf- actions. A foundation for a medical library is already begun, which is conftantly increafing. The college confifts of fellows (or refident members) and affo- ciates.
Fellows:
John Redman, Prefident.
William Shippen jun. Vice- Prefident.
Adam Kuhn, Thomas Parke, Cenfors. Samuel Powell Griffiths, Secretary. Benjamin Say, Treafurer.
Samuel Duffield, Robert Harris, Benjamin Duffield,. John Foulke, Andrew Rofs, William Currie, Charles. Moore, Cafper Wiftar, James Cunningham, Nathan Dorfey, Michael Leib, Benjamin. S. Barton,. The --
OF PHILADELPHIA.
mas Redman, William M'Ilvaine, Plusket F. Glent- worth, Nicholas Way, Charles Caldwell, Thomas C. James, John Cummings.
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AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
T HE American Philofophical Society, for promot- ing ufeful knowledge, was formed in the year 1769, by the union of two focieties, which had been inftitut -. ed with fimilar views, viz. the advancement of ufeful knowledge. One of thefe, fliled The American Phi- lofophical Society, was inftituted in the year 1743, and at the time of their union confifted of 127 members ; the other, ftiled The American fociety for promoting and propagating ufeful knowledge, held in Philadel- phia, was inftituted in the year 1766, and at the time, of their union confifted of 78 fellows and 69 corref- ponding members.
By an act of the legiflature of Pennfylvania, paffed in the month of March, 1780, the fociety was incor- porated, and the prefident of the executive council, (now governor of this commonwealth) made patron of- the fociety.
In the year 1787, M. John Hyacinth de Magellan of London, prefented to the fociety a donation of two hundred guineas, to be by them vefted in a fecure and permanent fund, to the end that the intereft arifing therefrom fhould be annually difpofed of in premiums, to be adjudged by the fociety, to the author of the beft. difcovery or moft ufeful invention relating to naviga- tion, aftronomy, or natural philofophy : The premium. to confift of an oval plate of folid ftandard gold of the. value of ten guineas, with fuitable divices engraved. thereon.
Three of thefe premiums have, fince the eftablifh -- ment of this fund, been awarded by the fociety, viz .. one in the year 1790, and two in the year 1792 ..
$4
A SHORT ACCOUNT
Aided by the liberal donations of a number of friends and patrons of philofophy, both in America and Eu- rope, and efpecially the legiflature of Pennfylvania, the fociety have been enabled to erect, on part of the state-houfe fquare in Fifth St. between Chefnut and Walnut Sts, a commodious, and not inelegant build- ing, where they now hold their ftated meetings.
The officers of the Society for the prefent year, are
Thomas Mifflin, Efq. governor of the Common- wealth,-Patron.
David Rittenhoufe, L. L. D. - Prefident.
Dr. N. Collin, Dr. Thomas Ruftin, and Dr. Cafper Wiftar,-Vice-Prefidents.
John Vaughan,-Treafurer.
Robert Paterfon, William Barton, Blakely, -
and Doctor Samuel Magaw,-Secretaries.
Doctor Benjamin Smith Barton; and Charles Wilfon Peale, -- Curators.
Doctor Adam Kuhn, Jared Ingerfoll efq. Andrew Ellicott, Dr. Samuel P. Griffiths, Charles Pettit efq. Dr. Benjamin Rufh, Rev. Dr. William White, Dr. William Thornton, Thomas M'Kean efq. and Rev. Dr. Robert Blackwell,-Councellors.
AFRICAN SCHOOLS ..
W HILE the Society of Friends, and the abolition fociety have been exerting themfelves, with fuccefs, to ameliorate the fituation of the unfortunate Afri- cans, they have alfo extended their benevolence to their children, for whofe education they have made ample provifion. About the year 1770, a fchool was instituted by private fubfciption of the Friends, with ..
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OF PHILADELPHIA.
"a view to prepare 'that degraded race for a better fi- tuation in civil life : but by the will of Anthony. Be- nezet, of benevolent memory, a considerable donation from the fociety of Friends in England, and fome other charitable devices have provided funds nearly adequate to its future fupport ; fo that in a fhort time. it will no longer be burthenfome to individuals.
The School is kept in Willing's alley. The boys are taught by Daniel Britt, and the girls by Elizabeth Mecom. The School is vifited once a month by a com- mittee appointed by the three monthly meetings of Philadelphia : and it is pleafing to obferve that the progrefs of the pupils has hitherto anfwered the muft fangnine expectation of its humane inftitutors.
There is alfo a fchool for the blacks fupported by the abolition focięty, in Cherry ft. kept by Helena Harris, a black woman of confiderable parts, who had been for feveral years employed as a teacher of white children in England.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, Fifth, between Chefnut and Walnut Streets.
T HE foundation of the prefent library was laid in the year 1731, a period when Philadelphia afforded lit- tle affiftance to the erquiries of the ftudious. A num- ber of gentlemen having raifed the fum of one hun- dred pounds by fupfcription, a finall library was form- ed upon principles the beft calculated to diffeminate knowledge: the books were not, as in many of the libraries of Europe, confined to the apartments, but the fubfcribers were allowed to carry them home for a reafunable 'fpace of time.
The plan foon became popular ; acceffions to the number of members took place, and the ftock of books was annually increafed by purchafes at the company's
46
A SHORT ACCOUNT
expence, and liberal donations from perfons both at home and abroad.
The then proprietaries of Pennfylvania appear to have taken a patriotic pleafure in the encouragement of the plan .. Befides feveral'valuable donations, they grant- ed a charter ef incorporation in the year 1742.
A fpirit of literary improvement made its way among all claffes of people, and the philanthropy of the great and amiable character * who fuggefted the plan; was gratified by tracing the books as well into the hands of the opulent, with whom literature is fome- times no more than one of the ornaments of civil life, as among thufe to whom it renders a more fubftantial benefit. Letters, while they employ the leifure of the artift, reconcile him to his labour ; by removing grof- fer relaxations they promote his health, while they enlarge his mind ; and prolong his life, while they teach him to enjoy it.
The refpectable and intelligent character of the lai'- ter clafs of people in Philadelphia and its environs,. cannot be referred to a more probable caufe, than the habits of reading promoted by this inlitotion ..
The great utility and fuccefs of this meafure, occa -. fioned the formation- of other- libraries upon fimilar principles. But as it appeared more conducive to the interetts of literature, to be poffeffed of one large, than of feveral fmaller collections of books, coalitions gra- dually took place among them, till the Amicable, the Affociation, and the Union companies were blended with the Library Company of Philadelphia, the title conferred by the charter.
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