Many people knew about the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic that happened in the city of Philadelphia that summer. But, there were other epidemics that happened in Philadelphia, and even outside the city, where it plagued citizens and had little cure to stop the disease. One of the epidemics that happened took place outside of Philadelphia in the summer of 1745 in Gwynedd. Til this day, we still do not know exactly what disease plagued the community....
Where it Began?
There were speculations it started at the home of Thomas Evans (1682-1760), son of Gwynedd settler Owen Evans. According to one source, the disease began to spread westward to the Rees Harry (1701/4-1787) family and northward to the home of John Davies. Then it spread to different areas in Montgomery County, PA and in New Britain, Bucks County.
From Howard Jenkins' Historical Collections Relating to Gwynedd, the number of deaths from the fatal disease lasted for two months in the summer months of July and August 1745. The victims were mostly children, but the disease killed a number of adults and elders. A few families were able to escape from the disease.
The first victim of the epidemic was Jane Evans, eldest daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Evans. Her sister Elizabeth Evans died shortly afterwards from the disease at 5 months. Margaret Harry, daughter of Rees Harry, and the three children (Mary, Nathan, and Ann(e)) of John Davies were around the same age as Elizabeth Evans when they died from the disease.
View the list of the Burial Record from July to August 1745 HERE!
What was the Disease?
There was a possibility it was diphtheria. Before the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, Philadelphia faced a diphtheria epidemic in 1746, possibly after this disease hit the Philadelphia countryside.
"... the Angina Maligna, or the putrid and ulcerous sore throat, prevailed in this and the neighbouring provinces, and spread itself with moral rage, in opposition to the united endeavours of the faculty... it baffled every attempt to stop its progress, and seemed... to be more like the drawn sword of vengeance to stop the growth of the colonies, than the natural progress of a disease... villages were almost depopulated, and numerous parents were left to bewail the loss of their tender offspring..."
- Dr. John Kearsley and Benjamin Rush, Observations on the angina maligna: or, the putrid and ulcerous sore throat With a method of treating it
Diphtheria, or at the time was called Angina Maligna, affected mostly children whose symptoms include...
Flushing redness in the face
Water distillations in the eyes
Frequent vomiting
Swelled, sore throat
Dr. Kearsley's method of curing this disease was bloodletting, which was the most popular method used by doctors during the 18th century. He suggested that the patient should take a cold bath to lower the fever in case the patient does not recover. He also suggested using a "jelly or black currant," which was used as a cleaning detergent, to heal the ulcers of the tonsils and uvula.
Bibliography
Jenkins, Howard Malcolm. Historical collections relating to Gwynedd, a township of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, settled, 1696, by immigrants from Wales, with some data referring to the adjoining township, of Montgomery, also settled by Welsh. (Philadelphia: Howard Malcolm Jenkins, 1897): 311.
Kearsley, John and Benjamin Rush. Observations on the angina maligna: or, the putrid and ulcerous sore throat With a method of treating it. (Philadelphia: William and Thomas Bradford, 1769): 3-7.
Quinn, James A. "Davis, Davies and David Descendancies at Gwynedd Friends Meeting, Pennsylvania." Gwynedd Friends Meeting. Last modified May 2011. https://www.friendsjournal.org/legacy/abington/gwynedd/davis.html.
Quinn, James A. "Harry and Harris families of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting (Pennsylvania)." Gwynedd Friends Meeting. Last modified April 2011. https://www.friendsjournal.org/legacy/abington/gwynedd/harry.html.
Quinn, James and Matthew Quinn. "Gwynedd Friends Meeting Burial Records 1715-1749, including the fatal epidemic of 1745." Gwynedd Friends Meeting. Accessed February 4, 2023. https://www.friendsjournal.org/legacy/abington/gwynedd/burial_records.htm.