"James Still [1812-1882]

Medical doctor and herbalist,was born in Burlington County,New Jersey.He was born to Levin and Charity Still,two former slaves living in the Pine Barrens to avoid being captured and sold back into slavery.Although the Still family was poor,the children attended school periodically and had some of their own text books,such as the New Testament and a Spelling book.When James was three, Dr.Fort,a Philadelphia physician,came to the pines to vaccinate the children.His visit was the spark of inspiration that led to his desire to be a doctor.Just before James turned 18 he was voluntarily hired out as an indentured servant.by his father.During the three years of his servitude,he read everything available about medicine and botany,and learned all he could from native Americans of the area.On his Twenty-first birthday,he was released from his service,given $10.00 and a new suit.He left immediately for Philadelphia.Jame's racial and financial status prevented him from attending medical school.he,continued to gain medical knowledge, reading everything he could find while working on menial jobs to support himself.In the spring of 1835,James met Angelia Willow.The two were married on July 25 of that year and had a girl,Beulah.Angelia died from tuberculosis in August of 1838 and Beulah died in August of the following year.James quickly remarried Henrietta Thomas and the two of them had two sons,James and Joseph.His medical career began soon after his second marriage.James created a"cough balm"from plants and herbs grown on his farm and soon after his first patient used it successfully James became famous.Two Philadelphia Pharmacist heard of his product and began buying all of the cough balm he could supply.With the money he was able to buy a small house and begin making house-calls to patents.In response to his success,local doctors,challenged his medical credentials.James consulted a local attorney and learned that he was safe from legal action as long as he continued to never be an MD,no ask for a fee for his services.He eventually suffered a stroke,limiting his practice to patients who came to his home.In 1877,he published his autobiography,Early Recollections and Life of Dr.James Still in which he detailed the memories of his life.Five years later he died of a second stroke at his New Jersey home.