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Waterhouse, Benjamin, 1754-1846. Place book of Benjamin Waterhouse, circa 1790-1803 (inclusive). H MS b16.4, Countway Library of Medicine.

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Contains autobiographical information and copies of correspondence written by Benjamin Waterhouse (1754-1846) from the 1790s to the early 1800s. Passages include notes on Waterhouse’s tenure as Professor of Natural History at Harvard, and notes on botany, in addition to correspondence regarding smallpox vaccination. The final page of writing includes a quotation from Waterhouse, of which there is a typed transcription tipped into the volume: "I consider myself the father of natural history in general, and mineralogy and botany in particular in Harvard College. If I was not who was?"

Biographical Notes

Benjamin Waterhouse (1754-1846) was the first Hersey Professor of Theory and Practice of Physic at Harvard Medical School. He introduced vaccination against smallpox using cowpox matter in the United States in 1800. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was the head physician at the United States Marine Hospital in Charlestown, Massachusetts from 1807 to 1809. 1775, Waterhouse traveled to Europe, where under the guidance of his mother's cousin, physician John Fothergill, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, studying medicine with professors such as William Cullen, and then at the University of Leyden in the Netherlands, from which he earned an M.D. in 1780. While attending Leyden, Waterhouse stayed in the home of John Adams, then American minister to the Netherlands. After returning to the United States, he became the first professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (1782) and was one of the three original members of the Harvard Medical School faculty, alongside John Warren (1753-1815) and Aaron Dexter (1750-1829). In addition to his position as professor of medicine, Waterhouse was a lecturer in natural history from 1788 until 1809, when his course was abolished by Harvard.

Pages

(seq. 41)
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(seq. 41)

Mr. {Hutchinson} says the large conversation piece was the original, the small one the copy. Persons were Berkley, {Sir} J. James, Dalton*, Smibert & Mr. Wainwright (drawn from memory), Mrs. Berkley & Miss Hancock attached to {Sir} J. James, but not very young. They brought over several good gardiners.

{Nota Bene} gardens were confined to Boston untill 1745 or the settling of Halifax, then they convened At Roxbury, & Jamaica plains. The fa brother of Peter Feunnel, who gave Feunnell Hall was the father of gardening in the neighborhood of Boston, he told them that one acre of ground in a garden would produce more than their whole farms. He taught them hot beds, which some deemed impious because they should wait in Gods own time.†

The large gardens in Boston were 1st. Mr. Wakefields in Milk Street, 2d. extending from {Governor} Hancocks to where Mr. Otis house now stands.

{Colonel} Shrimpton had an ice house north side of beacon hill 100 years ago –

†Dalton taught his negro man Caesar to read Greek to him –

Last edit almost 3 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 42)
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(seq. 42)

Mr Kees or Keyes - was the 1st. colletor of Newport. He founded the episcopal school & left enough to support an assistant to Trinity church {Dean} Berkely left the organ to the church & nothing more. He gave the income of Whitehall to the benefit of certain students of Yale college. This place has since been converted into a house of entertainment & the philosophers study into a bar -room. It is an error that {Dean} {Berkely} founded the episcopal school, where Notchall taught The Kittereenes Chair was brought first by {Dean} {Berkely} & by Sir J. James. It was a light chair body screwed on to the Shafts (w.c were 14 feet long,) and was placed between the axle tree & the horse. It was very easy & not easily overset. {Colonel} Brindley had one made from it

Last edit almost 3 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 43)
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(seq. 43)

Pelham was a dancing master and a metzetinto printer.

{Governor} Burnet son of the Bishop (abt 1727.) came from New York to Massachusetts to carry a particular point. Dummer was commander in chief 14 years. Belcher followed him in 1730.

Mr. Burnet Mr Hutchinson remembers seeing Mr. Burnet escorted into Boston. He selected boys to come to his house to play with his children and Shrimpton was one of them

Last edit almost 3 years ago by blackletterkate
(seq. 44)
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(seq. 44)

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Last edit about 4 years ago by tjgillan
(seq. 45)
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(seq. 45)

I consider myself the Father of natural history in general, and Mineralogy and Botany in particular, in Harvard College If I was not Who was?

Last edit almost 3 years ago by blackletterkate
Displaying pages 41 - 45 of 62 in total