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Thomas H. Sherwood Papers

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]3401 Market Street, Suite 210, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Thomas Humphries Sherwood was born to Jesse Sherwood and Ann Curtis Sherwood on September 24, 1834 in Milford, Delaware. He earned the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1858. In 1861, he served as Assistant Surgeon with the rank of First Lieutenant of the Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to Major in the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry Regiment in 1863. In December 1863, he was appointed Surgeon in Chief, First Brigade, Second Division, XI Corps. He then served as Assistant Surgeon for the United States Volunteers in 1864. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1865.

Following the war, Sherwood continued his medical studies in London, Paris and Heidelberg. In 1882, he became Medical Examiner for U.S. Pension Bureau in Washington D.C. He was promoted to Inspector for the Department of the Interior in 1887. He was married twice, first to Josephine Massy and then to Mary Phoebus. He died on February 10, 1905, survived by his daughter Mary Josephine Sherwood Scally.

Within the Documents and Correspondence series (1862-1890), the bulk of the material pertains to Sherwood's service in the Civil War. The series includes certificates of promotion, letters of recommendation, and correspondence from Sherwood to his wife. The Civil War Memorabilia series contains a few items removed from Sherwood's uniform and his medical service sword. The Photographs and Painting series contains two photographs and one painting of Sherwood in his Civil War uniform.

Three series comprise the Sherwood papers: Documents and Correspondence, Civil War Memorabilia, and Photographs and Painting. The Documents and Correspondence series is arranged chronologically.

In 1975, Mary Scally, daughter of Thomas H. Sherwood, with her cousin John W. Croswell, expressed interest in donating the collection to the Archives. Beverly Oldfield, Executrix to the estate of Scally, delivered the collection to the Archives in 1985.

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center
Finding Aid Author
DiAnna L. Hemsath
Finding Aid Date
April 2006

Collection Inventory

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Certificate, 1st Lieutenant, PA Volunteers, 11 August 1862.
Box 1 Folder 1
Correspondence, Letter from Sherwood to his wife, 29 November 1862.
Box 1 Folder 2
Correspondence, Letter of recommendation from Surgeon, 3 January 1863.
Box 1 Folder 3
Certificate, Major of the PA Volunteers, 15 April 1863.
Box 1 Folder 4
Correspondence, Telegram from Sherwood to his wife, 29 April 1863.
Box 1 Folder 5
Correspondence, Letter of Support, Surgeon in Chief, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XI Corps, 30 December 1863.
Box 1 Folder 6
Certificate, Assistant Surgeon of Volunteers, 5 July 1864.
Box 1 Folder 7
Certificate, Captain, 1 October 1865.
Box 1 Folder 8
Correspondence, Letter of Appointment, Captain of Volunteers, 7 October 1865.
Box 1 Folder 9
Certificate, Surgeon of the 2nd Regiment, Missouri State Militia, 17 July 1866.
Box 1 Folder 10
Correspondence, Letter of Appointment, Medical Examiner, 18 September 1882.
Box 1 Folder 11
Certificate, Inspector, Pension Office, Department of the Interior, 2 November 1887.
Box 1 Folder 12
Passport, 1 July 1890.
Box 1 Folder 13
Miscellaneous Envelopes, 1863.
Box 1 Folder 14

Buckle, U.S. officer's eagle.
Box 1
Button, coat "G.A.R".
Box 1
Button, Rosette (red, white and blue ribbon).
Box 1
Button, shirt "G.A.R. Veteran 1861-1866".
Box 1
Medal, G.A.R. Veteran 1861-1866.
Box 1
Pin, ribbon missing medal.
Box 1
Sword, U.S. Officer's.
Box 2

Painting, Sherwood sitting in Civil War uniform.
Box 1 Folder 15
Frame, patented Oct. 24, 1871.
Box 1 Folder 16
Photograph, Sherwood headshot in Civil War uniform.
Box 1 Folder 17
Photograph, Sherwood in Civil War uniform holding sword.
Box 1 Folder 18
Frame, made in Denmark.
Box 3

Print, Suggest