[WAR OF 1812]. Manuscript archive identified to French-American Naval Surgeon Dr. Peter (née Pierre) St. Medard (1775/6-1822) related to his Navy service from 1804-1814.

A collection of manuscript documents spanning 2 March 1804 - 27 December 1814. Most being true copies of either Peter St. Medard's (Boston) requests for pay written to Thomas Turner, Esq. of the Navy Department Accountant's Office, or pay orders from Turner (Washington) to Medard. Includes: An undated copy of a document from the US Navy Department to Medard listing his services and consequent pay, amounting to $1,091 for 728 days' service. -- Letter from Medard to Turner, with true copies of orders enclosed. Boston, 3 March 1806. Orders direct Medard to place himself under the command of Lieut. George Lee, who wishes him to examine and report the condition of a prisoner with a sore leg. -- Letter from Medard to Turner requesting pay noting medical services aboard the USS Franklin. Boston, 15 December 1806. "I inclose [sic] you for the satisfaction of the honourable the Secretary of the Navy a copy of a certificate from Lieut. [?] C. [indecipherable] of my active service towards his sick on board of the United States brig Franklin: my exertions have not been the less on board of the United States ketches & Gun Boats while in this port." -- Note from Naval Agent Francis Tohonnot to Major Gills[?]. Boston, 17 October 1809. Requests that the major provide Medard with whatever medicine he may require for the care of "the men sick on board the Chesapeake & recruits on board the Gun Boat." -- And 27 others, docketed verso. -- Together, 31 documents, mostly related to Peter St. Medard's pay from the Navy, many being true copies.

Peter (born Pierre) St. Medard was born in either 1755 or 1756, on a French coastal island, into a family of seafarers, including naval surgeons. Following their lead, he trained as a surgeon in the French merchant marine and joined slave trading voyages across the Atlantic.

After being captured by the Royal Navy during the American Revolution, he was confined on the British prison ship Jersey in New York, and upon his release, he decided to call the United States home. He joined the Continental Navy as a surgeon, serving about the USS Constitution under Captain Samuel Nicholson during the Quasi-War with his native country. He was called up again in 1802, for service aboard the Mediterranean-bound frigate New York during the first Barbary War.

Less information is readily available regarding Medard's interwar experiences, though is it clear he had established a private practice in Boston prior to his service in the US Navy, so it is likely he returned to it at some point. When hostilities between the US and Great Britain boiled over into the War of 1812, he was again at the aid of his adopted nation. An 1815 Naval register for the Secretary of the Navy lists him as being stationed in Boston.

Peter St. Medard died in Boston in 1822.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

American Historical Ephemera & Photography

[WAR OF 1812]. Manuscript archive identified to French-American Naval Surgeon Dr. Peter (née Pierre) St. Medard (1775/6-1822) related to his Navy service from 1804-1814.

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup