William Rickman
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Dr. William Rickman (1731 – (1783)[1] was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known best as the the first Director of Hospitals of the Continental Army during the war. This title would later evolve into the position of Surgeon General.
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[edit] Early Career
Born in Hampshire, England to Robert and Tamar Rickman, Rickman migrated to the colonies while a young man. He took up miitary service and served as a British Officer in the French And Indian War. During this time he held the rank of Captain of Regiment 95. Having studied medicine, he was appointed surgeon to the ship H.M S. Launceston on January 1, 1766. He served on the Launceston for about 3 1/2 years until about August 1769.
[edit] American Revolution
As revolution loomed, Rickman sympathized with his fellow colonists and supported the revolutionary movement. He frequently corresponded with his friend George Washington regarding the subject and additionally discussed the issues of the day with fellow southerner Thomas Jefferson. When the war began, the Continental Congress unanimously voted to name Rickman the first Director of Hospitals of the Continental Army. First overseeing Southern Department during the War, he later inherited the Northern Department as well.
Rickman became disilusioned with the War as he experienced an alarming lack of supplies and manpower to care for the wounded and dying soldiers. Rickman made numerous trips to Philadelphia to plead for better conditions and additionally wrote numerous letters to various poltical friends requesting funding for his hospitals. He received little assistance, however.
Due to his growing frustration with the developing government and his own failing health, Rickman submitted a resignation in April 1780 but was not granted a release until October 1780. He retired with the rank of Colonel.
[edit] After The War & Death
As the Revolution wound to a close, Rickman spent the remainder of his life with his family at his plantation home in Virginia, dubbed Kittewan. Rickman remained active in American politics and kept a great deal of correspondence with Washington and Jefferson during these years.
Rickman died in the final year of the Revolution, 1783, and is buried at Kittewan.
[edit] Family
Rickman was a decendent of the English Rickman family which included a number of prominent Quakers. The Quaker stance of pacifism does much to explain his conflicted opinions about the American Revolution.
Dr. William Rickman married Katherine and had four children:
Peter was born in England. Peter renounced his allegiance to Great Britain and took the oath of allegiance in the formation of Henry County, Virginia.
John (1765 - Uknown),
John was also born in England.
Jesse Riley (2 May 1770 - 10 March 1860),
Jesse left home at a young age, fought in the Revolutionary War himself (in North Carolina) and later was a pioneer of the Smokey Mountains in Western North Carolina.
Katherine died and William Rickman married a second time to Elizabeth Harrison 1775 - 1790), sister of Benjamin Harrison.
[edit] Monuments and memorials
- His home and gravesite, Kittewan is registered as a National Historic Place.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Rickman Genealogy. unknown. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Kittewan Plantation (Virginia), Rickman's final home and burial place [1]
