Philip Syng Physick, a graduate in 1785 of the University, for whom the Chair of Surgery was created in 1805, which he filled until 1819 when he took the Chair of Anatomy in which he continued until 1831. The name of Philip Syng was borne to a later generation by this worthy descendant who has been called the Father of American Surgery.
Mr. Syng's attendance on the meetings of the Trustees was very constant up to the time of Franklin's departure on his first mission; but from 14 June, 1757 to 12 May, 1769 he attended but four meetings these inclusive; and this last attendance may have been due to a Minute of the meeting of 8 May previous, viz:
Dr. Smith is desired to wait upon Mr. Philip Syng to ask him whether he will be pleased to attend the future meetings of the Trustees, as the Business of the College suffers greatly for want of a regular attendance of the members; Mr. Syng in particular, not having attended more than once or twice for several years. If Mr. Syng should mention any particular Inconvenience in his attending the Duty of a Trustee, it is desired that he may be asked whether it would be agreeable to him that another should be chosen in his Room.
However, nothing was done, nor did Mr. Syng again attend, until at the meeting of 8 June, 1773 notice was given of "a new Trustee being wanted in the Room of Mr. Philip Syng who has removed with his Family to more than five Miles Distance from the City;" when at the meeting of 15 June Mr. Samuel Powel was elected. He was a member of St. John's Lodge in 1734, Junior Grand Warden in 1737, Deputy Grand Master in 1738, and Grand Master in 1741.
Charles Willing was born in Bristol, England, 18 May, 1710, the son of Thomas Willing, a merchant of that city, who brought the son to Philadelphia about the year 1828. A cousin of the father, also a Thomas Willing, founded and laid out Wil-
has not yet reviv'd, your Presence might reanimate it, without which I apprehend it will never recover.
I am dear Sir your affectionate Friend and oblig'd Humble Serv't, Phil Syng. Addressed: To Benjamin Franklin, Esq, Postmaster general of North America in London, pr Capt Sparks. —MS letter with the American Philosophical Soc'y. The gift referred to was doubtless the Commercium Philosophico-technicum, in its new and last edition, of Dr. William Lewis, who died in 1786. Allibone.
