Thursday, October 29, 2009

October 29, 2009- Polly Stewart, Sister of Jane Stewart Manning

Jane Stewart Manning and her sister Polly Stewart probably had many things in common. Two things are they both had sons that became physicians and they both moved to Walker county, Georgia.

Mary "Polly" Stewart was four years younger than her sister Jane Stewart. Polly Stewart was born in York, South Carolina on January 14, 1811 to John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax. Polly married John Wells in 1837 in Habersham, Georgia. Their first two children were born in Habersham county. In 1839 or 1840, Polly and John Wells moved to Walker county, Georgia where her sister Jane Stewart Manning and her family were living. They are first seen on the 1850 census living in East Armuchee, Walker, Georgia. Polly and John Wells had the following children:

William Boyden Wells-born in 1838 in Habersham, Georgia and died in 1892 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He married Mary Pope.
Mary J. Wells- born in 1839 in Habersham, Georgia. She married Mr. Pope.
Benjamin Franklin Wells-born in 1841 in Georgia.
Artamecy Caroline Wells- born December 31, 1843 in Georgia and died January 14, 1919. She married William Huff Carter Freeman.
Cynthia Ann Wells- born in 1845 in Georgia and died November 24, 1924 in Whitfield, Georgia. She is buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield. She married John Robert Love. He is also buried at Mill Creek Cemetery.
Martha Darsilla Wells-born September 1847 and died April 1912. She married William Allison Love.
John Wells, Jr.-born August 22, 1849 in Walker County, Georgia and died July 10, 1926 in Springtown, Benton county, Arkansas. He married Alpha Edwina Frances Tate.
Jerome Wells- born November 18, 1851 in Whitfield county, Georgia. He married Telitha C. Love.

Polly's son, William Boyden Wells was a physician, just as his cousin Thomas Jefferson Manning (my great great grandfather). William apprenticed under Dr. Adam Clement, a Walker county pioneer doctor. Since learning that Dr. Clement apprenticed students, I think it is possible that Thomas Jefferson Manning may have studied with him. You may recall my earlier post about the University of Nashville Medical department, the medical school Thomas Jefferson Manning attended, required students to have studied for three years with a physician before they were accepted into the medical program.

Dr. William Wells served in the Civil War as a physician and surgeon. After the war, Dr. William Boyden Wells went to medical school at the Atlanta Medical College and graduated with a medical degree. He lived in Red Clay, Whitfield county as seen on the 1870 and 1880 census. A notation made on a Rootsweb site by a unknown person stated that Dr. Wells was a Medical Instructor. On the 1880 census, a young man named Robert J. Jamerson was living with he and his family and noted to be a medical student. It is likely that Dr. Wells was mentoring Robert Jamerson, just as he was mentored by Dr. Adam Clement. Between 1880 and 1885 Dr. Wells moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. His granddaughter, Anna Marie Landress states in her "Reminiscences" book that she grew up in the house that Dr. Wells built in 1885. William Wells died in 1892 leaving his wife Mary with a young daughter, also named Mary.

Polly's other children migrated to Arkansas and Texas, except for Cynthia. Cynthia Ann Wells married John Robert Love and stayed in the Whitfield, Georgia area where her parents, Polly and John Wells were living in 1870. John Wells died January 3, 1879 and Polly Stewart Wells died December 8 1885. Both John and Polly are buried at the Mill Creek Cemetery in Whitfield county, Georgia.

P. S. Since writing this post, I have learned more about the young man, Robert J. Jamerson, that I mentioned as being mentored by Dr. William B. Wells in 1880. Robert J. Jamerson attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1881 with a degree in medicine. I found this information in a book entitled, Historical Sketch of the University of Georgia by A. L. Hull, published in 1884.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

October 28, 2009- Jane Stewart Manning

I have been researching the Stewart family and have gathered quite a bit of information.
Today, I will start with Jane Stewart.


Jane Stewart Manning
1807-1885
My Great Great Great Grandmother was Jane Stewart Manning. Jane Stewart was born November 2, 1807 in York, South Carolina. Her parents were John Stewart and Sarah Mullinax. Jane married Thomas Manning in about 1829 in York, South Carolina. Thomas and Jane moved from South Carolina to Walker county, Georgia where they raised their family which included my Great Great Grandfather, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning. Jane died on April 11, 1885 at age 78. The following is an obituary taken from the Walker County Messenger in 1885.

Mrs. Jane Manning, wife of Thomas Manning, Esquire, of West Armuchee, died at her home on the morning of the 11th of April 1885. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Stewart of York District, South Carolina. She was one of the old settlers of the valley. She had lived to the age of 78 years and had been a consistent member of the Baptist Church near a half century and died in the faith. One by one they are taken away until there are very few who came from South Carolina in the early days of this valley. She leaves a grief striken husband, two children and several grandchildren and numerous friends to mourn her loss, but this should not be the case, for as we believe she died in the hope of the glory of God. We ought to rejoice that she has been taken from a state of paralysis to an eternal rest with her Savior and the bereaved relatives be consoled with the thought that they will live so that when their dissolution comes, they too will be given eternal rest in the home of the good.

Jane is buried at the Young Cemetery in Walker county along side her husband Thomas and her son John.

Jane had eleven brothers and sisters.
Nancy Stewart, married Robert Evans.
Johnathan N. Stewart, born June 20, 1798, married Sarah M. Mauney.
Elizabeth Stewart, born 1802, married David Skates.
George Stewart was born between 1802-1810.
Abner Stewart was born about 1803.
John Stewart, Jr. was born about 1803 and married Catherine Whisonant.
Andrew Stewart was born about 1805 and married Matilda Jane Countryman.
Mary Stewart was born about 1805.
Polly Stewart, born January 14, 1811 and married John Wells.
Isom B. Stewart was born about 1813 and married Elizabeth Bird.
David Stewart was born about 1816.

(The information about Jane's brothers and sisters comes from the Stewart Archives of December 2003. The submitter stated he obtained the information from the Joe Hart files located in the York County Historic Center, York, South Carolina.)


I have learned quite a bit about Jane's brothers and sisters which I will tell you in another entry.













Monday, October 5, 2009

Oct. 5, 2009-University of Nashville Medical Faculty 1855

I spent a little time yesterday looking for some additional information about the faculty members of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville in 1855 when Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning graduated. I learned that in 1855, 294 students were matriculated and 93 graduated. I was very impressed with the information I found about the Professors. The information demonstrates the quality of education the students received in 1855. I am including just a little of what I learned about the men who taught Great Great Grandfather Thomas Jefferson Manning.

Paul F. Eve, MD- Taught Principles and Practice of Surgery
Paul Fitzsimons Eve was the President of the American Medical Association in 1857. He lectured widely about surgical techniques. He spoke at several AMA meetings about the history of surgical procedures and wrote many articles in medical journals about his experiences in surgery and medicine. Below is a photo of Dr. Eve.

John M. Watson, MD-Taught Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. He also lectured at numerous meetings and various Schools of Medicine. Dr. Watson was born in 1798 and died in 1866.

A. H. Buchanan, MD-Taught Surgical and Pathological Anatomy and Physiology. He was the Vice President of the AMA in 1847 and 1848.

W. K. Bowling, MD- Taught the Institutes and Practice of Medicine. He wrote many articles. One was entitled "Cholera as it Appeared in Nashville in 1849, 1850, 1854 and 1860". I could not access a journal to read this article. Apparently, during those years there was a huge outbreak of cholera in Nashville. Dr. Bowling was Dean of the Medical Department in 1860. He also founded the journal, Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery. He was a Vice President of the AMA in 1856-1857 and again in 1867. At this link, you can see an ad for the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery.

C. K. Winston, MD- Taught Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence.
Charles Kimbrough Winston (1811-1882) was the first president of the University of Nashville.

Robert M. Porter, MD-Taught General and Special Anatomy.
Robert Massengal Porter (1818-1856) had a Law Degree, a Doctor of Divinity degree and a Medical Degree. He died at a very young age, 38. His eulogy describes that he died from a blood poisoning that he was believed to have gotten after completing a demonstration in human dissection. He was overcome by stench and perhaps became infected from the excrement he encountered during the dissection. There is a lengthy eulogy for him given by John Berrien Lindsley, MD and it can be read on google books.


John Berrien Lindsley, MD- Taught Chemistry and Pharmacy. For a period of time he was Chancellor of the University and another time period he was the Dean of the Medical Department. He held degrees in Medicine, Theology and Philosophy. In his eulogy for Dr. Robert Porter in 1856, Dr. Lindsley stated that the University of Nashville Medical Department was 1 of 3 leading schools in the United States.



William T. Briggs, MD- He was the Demonstrator of Anatomy. He served as the President of the Americal Surgical Association in 1884. With Dr. Bowling, he edited the Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery.





I am sure if I spent more time, I could find much more about these esteemed Professors. I can however get some idea of Dr. Mannings training by learning about his mentors.


















Sunday, October 4, 2009

Oct. 4, 2009- More About Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning and the University of Nashville

I have gathered some interesting information about the University of Nashville Medical Department in 1855 which is the year Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning is said to have graduated.
First, on October 30, 1855, an Introductory Address was delivered before the Class of the Medical Department by John M. Watson, M.D. who was Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Dr. Manning may have completed his training by the October 1855 date, but I found that Dr. Watson was part of the faculty beginning in 1850. This would mean that Dr. Watson was one of the professors who may have taught Dr. Manning.

I came across advertisements placed in a variety of medical journals by the University of Nashville. They are recruitment ads and they are very similar in content from 1853-1855. I found the ads in journals such as Proceedings of the Australian Association of Neurologists, Vol 7-9, 1855, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal ,Vol. 48, 1853, and in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 49, 1854. The following is a transcription of the 1854 publication of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. You will see that it reflects the courses and professors that Dr. Manning would have had. It also reflects the fees that he would have paid.

UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT- The third Annual Course of Lectures in this Department will commence on Tuesday, the first of November next and continue till the first of the ensuing March.

Paul F. Eve MD- Principles and Practice of Surgery
John M. Watson MD-Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children
A. H. Buchanan MD- Surgical and Pathological Anatomy and Physiology
W. K. Bowling MD- Institutes and Practice of Medicine
C. K. Winston MD- Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence
Robert M. Porter MD- General and Special Anatomy
J. Berrien Lindsley MD- Chemistry and Pharmacy
William T. Briggs MD- Demonstrator of Anatomy

The anatomical rooms will be opened for students on the first Monday in October.
A full Preliminary Course of lectures will be given by the Professors, commencing on the first Monday in October.
The Students will have free access to the State Hospital.

Fee of each Professor, $15. Matriculation ticket, $5. Dissecting ticket, $10. Graduation fee, $25.

Good board can be obtained in the city at from $2.50 to $3 per week. Further information can be obtained by addressing
J. B. Lindsley, MD Dean

Nashville, Tennessee June 1853

I will continue to gather some more information about the University of Nashville Medical Department. Putting these pieces together helps get a better picture of what Great, Great Grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Manning might have experienced.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Oct. 2, 2009- Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning

I have revisisted the "Many Thomas Mannings" several times. I am still having a hard time settling on some issues about my great great grandfather, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Manning. Dr. Manning was born 24 Sept. 1832 in South Carolina to Thomas Manning and Jane Stewart.

One of the first things I would love to find is a really good photograph of him. The only image I have seen appears to be a photograph of a portrait. It's not very life-like and doesn't reveal much of anything about him. We have several studio photos of my great great grandmother, Matilda LeFlore Manning. Even better than a single image of him would be a studio portrait of he and his family. I will definitely keep looking for that.

I am very proud to say that Great Grandfather was a physician. I know that for sure by reviewing the Civil War Pension application completed by Matilda Manning in 1922. I have copies of letters written to various Civil War veterans who might have known Dr. Manning and have their response that they knew him. On the application it states that he served as a physician under Gen. Douglas Cooper. Knowing that he served as a physician in the Civil War, I am certain he was a very competent doctor. The part of his medical background that I can't quite pin down is when and where he completed his education. Being in the medical field myself, I am very interested in clarifying this point.

It has been reported that he attended the University of Nashville and graduated in 1855, but I have not found a source to verify that date or his attendance. I have learned some interesting things about medical education of that era. By visiting the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland, I learned that the training in the 1850's was of a short duration. Students paid to attend lectures in which they gained specific medical knowledge. It was not at all like the current rigorous training that today's physicians adhere to. A very interesting source, specifically related to the University of Nashville Medical Department is entitled Peabody College: From a frontier academy to frontiers of teaching and learning which is authored by Paul Keith Conkin, published in 2002 by Vanderbilt University.

In this book, Mr. Conkin describes the medical education at the University of Nashville Medical Department beginnning in 1850 by stating that it was never enforced that students admitted to the Medical Department had to have completed High School. Students had to be literate, be 21 years of age by the time they graduated, must have studied with a physician for 3 years prior. Mr. Conkin stated that the age and the prior experience was many times relaxed. He goes on to say, "Any young man could pay $105.00 in fees for a 4 month series of lectures and limited lab and clinical experience. If they repeated the lectures a second time and passed an oral exam they received an MD". The University of Nashville Medical Department was at its height in enrollment about the time it has been said that Dr. Manning might have graduated.

I was very pleased when I came across some publications by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society that listed the graduates of the Medical Department of the University of Nashville. The lists of graduates appeared in Vol. 12, # 1,2,3,4 in 1998 and 1999. They can be purchased from the Society. Before you purchase them, you can check a surname index for each issue. I checked each issue which lists the graduates of the Medical Department and found only one Manning and his name was Jack. I really thought I had come upon something. I know that indexes may not be complete, so I am going to order the issues to see for myself. I sure hope I see Thomas Jefferson Manning in one of the issues. If I don't, I'm not sure where to check next. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.