Wistar family papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 2/125
Scope and Contents
This small collection contains personal letters, 1827-1859, one
from Caspar Wistar, the others received by him from family members,
and two undated poems.
The undated letter from Wistar to [Caspar?] Morris describes the concern Wistar feels for his brother's failing eyesight, while the letter from S. M. Waln to Wistar, 10 January 1859, relates the efforts made to locate Wistar's son, Caspar, who disappeared in Australia in 1859. The collection also includes three letters, 1854 and 1856, from Wistar's eldest son, Issac Jones Wistar, then practicing law in San Francisco, which describe his situation and financial prospects.
The undated letter from Wistar to [Caspar?] Morris describes the concern Wistar feels for his brother's failing eyesight, while the letter from S. M. Waln to Wistar, 10 January 1859, relates the efforts made to locate Wistar's son, Caspar, who disappeared in Australia in 1859. The collection also includes three letters, 1854 and 1856, from Wistar's eldest son, Issac Jones Wistar, then practicing law in San Francisco, which describe his situation and financial prospects.
Dates
- 1827 - 1859
Creator
- Wistar, Caspar (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Caspar Wistar, Philadelphia physician, was born on 5 June 1801.
He was the second son of Thomas and Mary Waln Wistar and a
nephew of physician Caspar Wistar. Wistar was married to Lydia
Jones (d. 1878); they had ten children, the eldest of whom was
Isaac Jones Wistar (1827-1905).
Wistar received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1824. His thesis was on intermittent fever. From 1824 to 1826, he was Resident Physician at Pennsylvania Hospital. Wistar had an extensive medical practice at 726 Arch Street in Philadelphia, but he withdrew from practice to devote himself to benevolent work. He was elected to fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1842 and resigned in 1853.
Caspar Wistar died of serous apoplexy in Philadelphia on 4 April 1867.
Wistar received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1824. His thesis was on intermittent fever. From 1824 to 1826, he was Resident Physician at Pennsylvania Hospital. Wistar had an extensive medical practice at 726 Arch Street in Philadelphia, but he withdrew from practice to devote himself to benevolent work. He was elected to fellowship in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1842 and resigned in 1853.
Caspar Wistar died of serous apoplexy in Philadelphia on 4 April 1867.
Extent
1 folder (8 items)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Location
Small collections
Custodial History
The Caspar Wistar family letters and poetry were donated to the
Historical Collections of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia
by Anna S. Morris of Newtown, Pennsylvania, in 1988. The collection
was transferred from Independence National Historical Park to
the College of Physicians by Doris Fanelli. The material was
formerly in the possession of Elliston P. Morris of Knoxville,
Tennessee.
The collection was processed and catalogued in June 1990.
The collection was processed and catalogued in June 1990.
Creator
- Wistar, Caspar (Person)
- Title
- Wistar family papers
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
