James Still (doctor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. James Still
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Engraved portrait of Dr. James Still
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| Born | April 9, 1812 |
| Died | March 9, 1882 (aged 69) Medford, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Occupation | Physician, herbalist, author |
| Years active | 1843–1882 |
| Known for | Self-taught country doctor |
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Notable work
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Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still |
James Still (born April 9, 1812 – died March 9, 1882) was an amazing African-American doctor, herbalist, and author. People called him "The Black Doctor of the Pines" because he lived and worked in the New Jersey Pine Barrens area. His parents were born into slavery, and James grew up very poor. Even with little formal schooling, he worked incredibly hard and taught himself. He became a successful and respected doctor in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. He wrote a book about his life called Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still in 1877.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Born into a New Life
James Still was one of 18 children. His parents, Levin and Sidney Steel, were born into slavery in Maryland. Levin bought his freedom in 1798 and moved to New Jersey. Sidney escaped slavery around 1805 and joined Levin. To stay safe, Sidney changed her name to Charity, and the family name became Still.
James Still was born in 1812 in Washington Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. His parents were very religious, and their beliefs guided James throughout his life. He wrote that his mother was a strong Methodist, and his father, though not a Methodist, read the Bible a lot.
Working Hard from a Young Age
Because of the rules against African-Americans at that time, and because his family needed his help to survive, James didn't go to school much. As a teenager, he worked odd jobs for people nearby. He chopped wood, made charcoal, picked berries, and dug up roots to clear land.
When he was 21, James worked at a glue factory in Philadelphia. He earned ten dollars a month plus food. He was such a good worker that his boss, Charles Cummings, gave him more money and more important jobs.
Becoming a Doctor
A Dream Begins
When James was about three years old, a local doctor gave him and his siblings vaccinations. He later wrote that from that moment, he wanted to become a doctor. This dream stayed with him, even through poverty and lack of education.
However, because he was African-American, James was not allowed to go to medical school. As he grew up, he studied the healing power of herbs and plants. He developed his own ways of treating people based on what he observed. For some things, like treating burns, he was even more advanced than doctors who had gone to school.
Family Life and New Skills
James Still married Angelina Willow in 1836. They had a daughter named Beulah that same year. James bought some land near Cross-Roads for $100. Sadly, Angelina died in 1838 from tuberculosis. A year later, James married Henrietta Thomas. Three days after their wedding, his daughter Beulah also died. James and Henrietta later had seven children together.
In 1843, Still bought a distilling device. He learned how to extract oils from roots and herbs, especially sassafras and peppermint. He started earning money by selling his homemade oils and medicines to druggists in Philadelphia.
From Distiller to Healer
On one trip to Philadelphia, James bought a book about medical botany. He loved it so much that he bought a second book two weeks later. This second book taught him how to make pills, powders, and other medicines.
After that, James started practicing medicine almost by accident. He agreed to treat a sick man in exchange for some sassafras. Slowly, he found himself making less oil and healing more people. Around 1845, Dr. Still stopped distilling and focused completely on being a doctor.
Facing Challenges
James Still's success as a self-taught doctor made many formally trained doctors jealous. They made fun of him, especially his simple carriage and cigar-box medicine chest. But then they stopped laughing and tried to stop him from practicing. They said he was working without a license.
Still was careful; he only accepted what people wanted to give him, without setting fixed prices. This helped him get around the law. He found out he could charge only for "delivery of medicine."
Still did not like many common medical treatments of his time, like using mercury. He only used medicines made from roots, herbs, and vegetables. He believed that plant-based medicine was all that was needed to restore health. His remedies included things like soda water, catnip tea, vinegar, and various plant extracts.
A Wise and Frugal Life
James Still lived a simple life and saved his money. He didn't drink or gamble. He bought properties in Medford, New Jersey, and became a big landowner. However, he also believed that people should not chase money at the cost of their health. He wrote that health is more important than riches.
He also collected many interesting animals and cared deeply for children and their illnesses. He always prepared their medicines himself.
Later Years and Legacy
Continuing to Serve
Still kept working as a doctor into his 60s, even as he got older and his health declined. In 1872, he felt very tired from too much work. He decided to only see patients who came to his office, hoping to get his health back. He went on a short vacation and felt much better.
But as soon as he got home, many people were waiting for him at his office. This made him realize he couldn't reduce his workload. He kept working, suffering from exhaustion for over a year. He became very ill and thought he might die. However, he recovered and again tried to cut back his hours. But as soon as people knew he was better, his office was full of patients again.
Sharing His Story
Still published his 274-page autobiography in 1877. Besides his life story, the book included moral lessons, recipes for treating illnesses, his political views, and stories about his family. It also described his visit to the 1876 American Centennial exposition in New Jersey.
Still wanted his book to inspire newly freed African-Americans, who faced many challenges. He wrote that he hoped his book would encourage anyone who felt hopeless. He told them to "Study nature and its laws" because "Great minds are not made in schools." He wanted to show that even without money or formal education, people could achieve great things.
His Lasting Impact
James Still passed away from a stroke in 1882. He is buried in Colemantown Cemetery in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
His life story was told in Henry Charlton Beck's 1936 book, Forgotten Towns of Southern New Jersey, in a chapter called "The Doctor of the Pines." Beck learned much about Still from his autobiography, which was almost forgotten. A copy was found among the belongings of Still's daughter, Lucretia, after she died in 1930. Now, the book is available for everyone to read.
Dr. Still's large home in Medford, New Jersey, was taken down in 1932. But his smaller office building next door was bought by the State of New Jersey in 2006 to be preserved. Today, it is the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center.
James Still's brother, William Still, was also a very important person. He was an abolitionist writer and activist who helped fugitive slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Following in his father's footsteps, James Thomas Still also became a doctor, graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1871.
