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Memoir  of  Peter  Williamson. 
Am.  Jour.  Pbarm. 
Nov.,  1886. 
the  decease  of  his  father  (in  1853)  Peter  retired  from  the  firm.  His 
son  Jesse  deceased  in  1854,  and  the  business  was  purchased  by  Mr. 
James  L.  Bispham,  who  continues  it  at  the  old  stand. 
The  connection  of  Mr.  Williamson  with  this  college  dated  from 
its  first  inception.  He  acted  as  secretary  to  the  meeting  of  druggists 
which  assembled  in  Carpenter's  Hall,  February  21,  1825,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  committee  then  appointed  to  report  upon  the  subject 
of  instruction  of  druggists  in  the  science  connected  with  their  profes- 
sion. 
This  committee  having  reported  adversely  to  the  acceptance  of  the 
proposition  made  by  the  trustees  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  recommending  the  establishment  of  a  school  of  instruction  en- 
tirely devoted  to  the  requirements  of  druggists,  the  Philadelphia 
College  of  Pharmacy  was  the  outgrowth,  and  was  incorporated  by 
the  Legislature  of  the  State,  in  March,  1822.  Mr.  Williamson  does 
not  appear  from  the  record  to  have  taken  an  active  participation  in 
the  affairs  of  the  college,  his  name  appearing  but  once  among  the 
officers — as  first  vice  president,  to  succeed  Prof.  Procter,  who  deceased 
in  February,  1874.  After  holding  this  position  one  year  he  resigned 
on  account  of  his  age  and  entire  withdrawal  from  active  participation 
in  business  and  scientific  pursuits.  Notwithstanding  this  seeming 
inactivity,  it  was  well  known  that  he  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
prosperity  of  the  college,  which  was  evidenced  by  his  presence  at  the 
meetings,  and  the  annual  commencements. 
In  March,  1874,  he  founded  the  first  scholarship  in  the  college, 
conveying  to  the  trustees  the  sum  of  $500,  the  annual  income  from 
which  was  to  afford  tuition  to  a  worthy  applicant  of  means  insufficient 
to  bear  the  expenses  of  the  college  course.  A  number  of  young  men 
now  actively  engaged  in  the  pharmaceutical  business  will  remember 
with  gratitude  the  forethought  and  liberality  which  has  enabled  them 
to  commence  business  with  a  capital — in  the  form  of  knowledge — 
which  they  would  not  have  otherwise  possessed. 
In  private  life  Mr.  Williamson  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  of  his  ac- 
quaintance ;  his  genial  manner  and  social  disposition  attached  to  him 
a  large  circle  of  friends.  For  many  years  he  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  and  held  the  positions  of  Grand  Treasurer  and 
Grand  Master  of  the  order  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  old  Volunteer  Fire  Department,  and  for  many 
years  President  of  the  Hope  Hose  Company. 
