John Archer

June 2, 2018 By in Surnames-A

Birth: 1741, May 5
Death: 1810, Sep. 28
Occupation: doctor

Associated Counties

  • Harford

Additional Information

  • Dates:
    Notes: Tombstone.
    Source: Gravestone found on personal visit, February 24, 2007. Churchville Presbyterian Church, 2844 Churchville Road, Churchville, MD 21028.
  • Dates:
    Notes: Name: John Archer
    Death date: Sep 28, 1810
    Place of death: MD
    Place of birth: MD

    Type of practice: Allopath
    Medical school(s): University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, (G)
    Other education: West Nottingham Academy, MD, Princeton College, private tutor
    Source: Directory of Deceased American Physicians 1804-1929

  • Dates: 1741-1810
    Notes: Founder. 1799. Born at Churchville, Harford County, Md., May 5, 1741; son of Thomas Archer. Educated at Nottingham Academy, Cecil County; A.B., Princeton College, 1760; A.M., Princeton, 1763; studied theology and became a minister of the Presbyterian Church; studied medicine with Prof. John Morgan, M.D; attended the College of Medicine of Philadelphia (Collegium et Academia Philadelphiensis, the forerunner of the University of Pennsylvania), 1765-68; practiced in New Castle County, Del., 1767; M.B., June 21, 1768, receiving the first diploma in a class of ten, the first medical graduate in America (this diploma is in the possession of the Faculty); began practice in Harford County, 1769; on Committee of Observation, 1774, and Chairman of the Committee, 1775; Major of Upper Battalion of Harford County, 1776; Delegate to Maryland Convention, 1776; Judge of the Orphans’ Court, 1782; Presidential Elector, 1796; Member of Congress, 1801-07. Between 1786 and 1800 he trained fifty students in medicine at his place, “Medical Hall.” “Doctor Archer was above medium size, possessing great bodily strength and had a large share of both moral and physical courage. His mind was of the combative order, never courting yet never declining controversy, if the cause to be upheld was of moment, and his sarcasm when roused is said to have been withering.” “He was admired for his strength of character, he was honored for his incorruptible integrity. In his portraits his physiognomy is remarkably stern; his heart, however, was exceedingly king and he was ever prompt to relieve the distressed or resent their wrongs.” Died in Harford County, Md., September 28, 1810.
    Source: Cordell, Eugene Fauntleroy, Medical Annals of Maryland 1799-1899 Baltimore: The Medical and Chirurgical Faculty for the State of Maryland: 305

Bibliography

  • Bell, Whitfield, An eighteenth century American medical manuscript: the clinical notebook of John Archer, M.B., 1768 [s.l.: s.n..
  • Peden, Jr., Henry C., Dr. John Archer’s first medical ledger, 1767-1769: annotated abstracts Aberdeen: Harford County Genealogical Society.