On Dec 15, 1874, a letter was widely circulated among those interested in neurological medicine inviting participation in the formation of the American Neurological Association, a society to be devoted to "the cultivation of neurological science in its normal and pathological relations." The charter members who signed the letter were seven: William A. Hammond of New York, Roberts Bartholow of Cincinnati, Meredith Clymer and T. M. B. Cross of New York, James S. Jewell of Chicago, Edward C. Seguin of New York, and James J. Putnam of Boston. Twenty-eight others immediately responded, including S. Weir Mitchell of Philadelphia, J.K. Bauduy of St. Louis, S.G. Webber of Boston, Edward R. Hun of Albany, Henry D. Schmidt of New Orleans, Swan Burnett of Knoxville, Francis T. Miles and John Van Bibber of Baltimore, William Pepper and Horatio C. Wood of Philadelphia, Walter Hay and Henry M. Bannister of Chicago, and ten others