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Graduated from Berkshire Medical Institute ca. 1810; joined U.S. Navy ca. 1816; first tour of duty in 1818; retired from the Navy in 1852 from post of chief Surgeon of the Boston Navy Yard. Journals, letter book, medical notes, correspondence, and essays of Benajah Ticknor, doctor and surgeon with the U.S. Navy. Of primary importance are the journals which describe journeys made by Ticknor with the Navy to South America, the Far East, and Europe.

The Ticknor collection consists of photocopied and microfilmed papers from various institutions with Ticknor materials. The materials were gathered together by individuals involved in the restoration of Ticknor's Ann Arbor home, now known as Cobblestone Farm. The collection, subsequently donated to the Bentley Historical Library, includes Biographical material, journals, a letter book, writings, letters to his friend Congressman Elisha Whittlesey in Ohio, and State Department records from his diplomatic missions to the Far East.

Missionaries to China, 1920-1931; George T. Blydenburgh was the superintendent of a new hospital in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. Correspondence to family members describing daily life, family matters, and news of the hospital's progress; photographs, newspaper clippings, and glass lantern slides documenting the Blydenburgh family's experiences (bulk 1920-1931). Statements and descriptions of incidents related to military campaigns in Nanjing, Shanghai, and Nanchang. Writings and outlines about life in China (1921-1934). Annual reports from the Nanchang General Hospital (1924-1932). Publications from the Nanking [Nanjing] Language School (1921-1922). Scrolls of woodblock prints, calligraphy, and painting (circa 1920-1930).

Marion P. Blydenburgh lived in China from 1920-1931 with her husband, George T. Blydenburgh, who was the superintendent of the Nanchang General Hospital (also known as the Susan Toy Ensign Memorial Hospital) in Jiangxi Province through the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This collection contains correspondence written to family members in the United States describing daily life, family matters, and news of the hospital's progress as well as photographs, newspaper clippings, and glass lantern slides documenting the Blydenburgh family's experiences.

First-hand accounts from George Blydenburgh, Marion Blydenburgh, and others of incidents related to military campaigns in Nanjing, Shanghai, and Nanchang are among materials in this collection. Also included are annual reports from the Nanchang General Hospital, publications from the Nanking [Nanjing] Language School, as well as scrolls of woodblock prints, calligraphy, and painting. The collection is arranged in five series with Visual Materials and Correspondence encompassing the majority of the collection followed by Writings, Nanchang Hospital Reports, and Published Materials.