Biographical Sketch of James EDMISTON & Dr. Samuel EDMISTON (1881); Chester 
County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger 
<cyndiee@tampabay.rr.com>.

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Source: "History of Chester County, Pennsylvania”, by J. Smith Futhey and 
Gilbert Cope, Pres. of J. B. Lippencott and Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1881, page 
529.

  EDMISTON, James of West Nottingham, died about 1757.  The name of his wife was 
Margaret, and his children mentioned in his will were William, Elizabeth, and 
John.  He had a brother Hugh, and was probably related to the following.
  Dr. Samuel Edmiston graduated at Princeton College, and married a daughter of 
rev. Samuel Blair, of Fagg’s Manor.  He was appointed by Benjamin Rush, Surgeon 
General, May 16, 1777, as second surgeon in the military hospitals under his 
(Rush’s) direction.  Although he wrote his name Edmiston in his correspondence, 
yet in official documents it is Edmondson.  Having taken the oath of Allegiance 
to the new government on the 8th of October, 1781, he received a commission 
dated the next day a U. S. surgeon, of which the following is a copy:

“The United States of America in Congress Assembled
  “To Samuel Edmondson Esqr, Greeting.  We Reposing especial trust and 
confidence in your Patriotism Prudence and fidelity do by these presents appoint 
you To be Physician and Surgeon of the Hospitals of the United States, from the 
Twentieth Day of September, 1781.  You are Therefore faithfully and diligently 
to discharge the duty of Physician and Surgeon
  “By doing and performing all manner of things thereunto Belonging, and you are 
to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall 
Receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of 
Congress for that Purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in 
Chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your 
superior officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of 
the trust Reposed in you.  This Commission is continue in Congress before 
Mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
  “Witness His Excellency Thomas McKean Esqr President of the Congress of the 
United States of America, at Philadelphia The Ninth day of October 1781, and in 
the Sixth year of our Independence,
                                                     “Thos. McKean Prest.

“Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
     Attest
“Jos Carleton Secretary of the Board of War.”

  Dr. Edmiston’s daughter Margaret married Joseph Turner, whose descendants 
reside in Upper Oxford.