Dr. Benjamin F. Young, July 1769- March 23, 1803

#OnThisDay – March 23, 1803, Dr. Benjamin Young, brother of Mary Pickersgill, dies at the age of 33. #DYK – Mary Pickersgill’s brother, Benjamin Young, was a physician trained by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence? Dr. Rush taught Benjamin Young in Philadelphia, where he completed his studies at age 19, taking on a position as a doctor in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, becoming one of the first doctors in the county.

To read letters from Dr. Benjamin Rush to Rebecca Young, mother of Mary Pickersgill and Dr. Benjamin Young, you may visit the Flag House’s Colonial Letters Collection on Digital Maryland’s Website https://collections.digitalmaryland.org/…/colle…/fhcl/search

“In life universally beloved – in death universally lamented. The suavity of his temper, the urbanity of his manners, the perfection of his professional skill, and the liberality of his professional assistance have insured to him (what few can aspire to) the lasting regret of all who knew him.” – Obituary of Benjamin Flower Young, Kennedy’s Gazette, 1803

Benjamin Young (1769 – 1803)
c. 1800
James Sharples (ca. 1751–1811)
Pastel on black paper
Collection of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House