Dr. Phoebe Jane Wait, M.D.

• Daughter of Oliver and Phebe Babcock
• Married William Bell Wait on October 27, 1863 in Potter Hill, Westerly, Washington, RI
• Their children: Lucy Bell, Fanny Stone, Mary Elizabeth, Dr. Oliver Babcock, Phoebe Ann, William Bell Jr., and Amelia Wait
• Attended Alfred University, Alfred, New York and the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women, in New York City.
• Occupation: physician who advocated for homeopathic methods; her concentration was the humane treatment of the insane and women's needs
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128966534/phoebe-jane-wait

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Biography

"Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait (September 30, 1838 - 1904) was an American physician.
Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on September 30, 1838. She was one of a family of children of eight daughters and three sons. Her early education was acquired in the district school, and after teaching for two years she entered Alfred University, Alfred (village), New York, and received the degree of A. B.

She was afterwards a teacher in the Institute for the Blind in New York City. She spent her married life at the Institute, but her influence flowed outward into wider channels. Recognizing the need of a broader and more practical education for women, in 1868 she entered the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women, in New York City.

In 1871 she received the degree of M D. In 1869 Alfred University conferred upon her the degree of A. M., recognizing her merit. Wait rendered valuable service in church work and for ten years she was president of the Dorcas Society of her local church and she was one of the managers of the Baptist Home for the Aged.
She was a member of the national and county medical societies, showing in her essays on medical and kindred topics ability and originality in step with medical progress. In 1879 she received the diploma of the New York Ophthalmic Hospital and College.

In 1880 she was elected to the chair of obstetrics in the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. In that special line of medical work she was best known, and in it she showed exceptional skill and ability. In 1883 she was made chairman of the hospital stiff, which position she held uninterruptedly for many years. Upon the death of Clemence Sophia Harned Lozier, the founder and dean of the college, Wait was elected by the faculty to the vacant office. The value of her work for women increases with her years of service.

She was a leading member of a number of societies having in view humanitarian objects. She was secretary of the Society for Promoting the Welfare of the Insane, and was also a member of the consulting staff of the Brooklyn Woman's Homeopathic Hospital

She was a member of the New York County Homeopathic Medical Society, the American Institute of Homoepathy, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Phalo, Sorosis and other clubs.

In 1863 Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait became the wife of William B. Wait, the superintendent of the Institute for the Blind in New York City. She was the mother of seven children, of whom four daughters died young. Surviving children are: Mrs. Frank Battles, Dr. Oliver B. Wait and William Bell Wait, Jr. She died in 1904 and is buried at First Hopkinton Cemetery, Hopkinton, Rhode Island.

Sources:

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Jane_Babcock_Wait
• Willard, Frances Elizabeth, 1839-1898; Livermore, Mary Ashton Rice, 1820-1905 (1893). A woman of the century; fourteen hundred-seventy biographical sketches accompanied by portraits of leading American women in all walks of life. Buffalo, N.Y., Moulton. pp. 736–737. Retrieved 8 August 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
• "Dr. Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait - 31 Jan 1904, Sun • Page 7". The New York Times: 7. 1904. Retrieved 4 October 2017.

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From Babcock Genealogy, Stephen Babcock, 1903, p 349-350:

Dr Wait was educated in public schools of her town & later at Alfred Univ, Alfred, NY, from which she rec'd degree of AB in 1860 & AM in 1869. She taught for time in country schools, & later for 4 yrs was tchr in School for Blind, NY City. Taking up study of medicine, she rec'd degree of MD from NY Medical College & Hospital for Women in 1871, & aft 2 yrs' post graduate study she rec'd diploma of NY Ophthalmic Hospital College. Aft having served 1 yr (1875) as lecturer to Chair of Obstetrics in College for Women, she was, in 1880, appointed Prof of Chair, which position she held for 18 yrs, 8 yrs of time being Pres of Faculty & Dean of College. She also served her alma mater as mbr of Hospital Staff for many yrs, & was for 8 yrs its Chairman. She is mbr of NY State & NY Co Homeopathic Medical Societies, Am Inst of Homeopathy, Am Obstetrical Soc, mbr of Consulting Staff of Memorial Hospital, Brooklyn, Examiner in Lunacy, & has served Alumni Assn of her college as Pres & in other official capacities. In philanthropic & sociologic work she is Pres of Soc for Promoting Welfare of Insane, Pres of local Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Vice Pres of NY Legislative League, mbr of NY Equal Suffrage League, & has served as Mgr of NY Baptist Home for Aged & Pres of NY Co Woman's Christian Temprance Union. Having retired from college & hospital activities in 1898, she has since given some time to literary & club work, & is active mbr of both "Phalo" & "Sorosis." She is mbr of 1st 7th Day Baptist Church of NY City.