Philip Turner papers, 1751-1858, 1881 and undated

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Summary

Creator:
Turner, Philip, 1740-1815 and History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Abstract:
Philip Turner (1740-1815) was a noted surgeon from Norwich, Connecticut and New York, New York. His papers date from 1751 to 1858 and contain correspondence, military hospital returns (1777-1780) describing the Army's sick and wounded, printed material, a prescription and logbook, and ledgers; these materials document Philip Turner's career as a surgeon in private practice in Norwich, Connecticut and New York, New York, in the Continental Army, and in the United States Army up to the War of 1812, during which he was stationed at Fort Columbus, NY. There is correspondence with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, William Eustis, Henry Dearborn, John Morgan, William Shippen, and other prominent Americans. Also includes materials on Turner's family. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Extent:
6 Linear Feet (9 boxes)
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.01315

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Philip Turner date from 1751 to 1858 and contain correspondence, military hospital returns, printed material, a logbook, and ledgers, documenting his career as a surgeon in private practice in Norwich, Connecticut and New York, New York, in the Continental Army, and in the United States Army. Turner served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, during which he was stationed at Fort Columbus, New York. Included are an extensive collection of military hospital returns from the Eastern Department of the Continental Army describing the state of the Army's sick and wounded and spanning the years 1777 to 1780. Also included is correspondence with George Washington, Tench Coxe, and William Eustis about the procurement of medical supplies and the organization of the Army's medical department during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. After the Revolutionary War, Turner felt that he had not received due compensation for his service, and the collection contains extensive correspondence relating to the decades-long effort of Turner and his heirs to receive this compensation from Congress. This correspondence includes letters to and from Thomas Jefferson, Henry Dearborn, John Morgan, William Shippen, and other prominent Americans. Additional correspondence, especially with Daniel Parker, Chief Clerk of the War Department, documents Turner's efforts to secure a commission during the War of 1812.

Also included in the collection are correspondence, financial and legal papers, and poetry relating to Turner's family. The majority of this series is addressed to or stems from John Turner and Nancy Turner, two of Philip Turner's children. Correspondents represented include Judith Sargent Murray, American essayist and advocate for women's rights, and her husband, John Murray. Some of the material is related to the efforts of John Turner and John Turner Wait (Philip Turner's grandson) to receive compensation for Turner's Revolutionary War service. The collection also includes a small hide-covered trunk bearing the initials A.T., possibly belonging to Turner's mother Ann.

Biographical / historical:

Philip Turner (1740-1815) was a noted surgeon from Norwich, Connecticut, where he trained under his foster father, Dr. Elisha Tracy. He served with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, holding the position of Surgeon General of the Eastern Department. After the Revolutionary War, Turner returned to private practice in Norwich, and moved to New York in 1800. He also served as an army surgeon during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the War of 1812, when he was stationed at Fort Columbus on Governor's Island, New York. Turner died in 1815.

Philip and Lucy Turner had seven children, two of whom appear as authors of material in the collection. John Turner (1764-1837) was also a doctor in Norwich, Connecticut. Nancy Turner married Marvin Wait in 1810, and had a son, John Turner Wait (1811-1899), who served as a U.S. Representative from Connecticut and also authored material in the collection.

Chronology List
Date Event
Feb. 25, 1740
Philip Turner born in Norwich, Connecticut to Captain Philip Turner and Anne Huntington Adgate.
1758
Turner began his military service as a surgeon during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
April 7, 1763
Turner married Lucy Tracy, daughter of Dr. Elisha Tracy.
1775-1783
Revolutionary War
June 17, 1775
Battle of Bunker Hill. Turner was present as a military surgeon.
July 6, 1775
Turner was commissioned surgeon to the 8th Regiment Connecticut troops.
Dec. 16, 1775
Turner was discharged from the army.
April 1777
Turner received the appointment of Surgeon General of the Hospital, Eastern Department.
1781
Turner retired from military service and returned to Norwich, Connecticut to open a private practice.
1800
Turner moved to New York, New York.
1802
Turner re-entered military service as a surgeon's mate.
Nov. 1809
Turner was transferred to Fort Columbus on Governor's Island.
1812-1815
War of 1812
April 20, 1815
Turner died at the age of seventy-five.
Acquisition information:
The Philip Turner Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2011 and 2018.
Processing information:

Processed by Willeke Sandler, December 2011.

Updated for accession 2018-0135 by Alice Poffinberger, January 2019.

Description updated by Alice Poffinberger, January 2019.

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2011-0206, 2018-0135.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in these series: Correspondence; Financial and Legal Papers; Journals; Peace Service in New York; Revolutionary War; Turner Family Papers; and War of 1812.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Philip Turner papers, History of Medicine Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m10x2b