We all are aware of the famed Black Plague that annihilated considerable parts of Europe from the 14th through 17th centuries, but did you know that America had its own dreadful epidemic in its early years?
An American Plague, The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, by Jim Murphy is fascinating read. This 2004 winner of the Robert F. Seibert Medal offers insight through firsthand accounts into the terror of the yellow fever plague in Philadelphia during our country’s fledgling years. Philadelphia was the nation’s capital, and the population was quite dense. Since no one, not even the medical community, understood that the fever was transmitted by mosquitoes, blame was placed on everything from “bad humors” to the influx of foreigners.
One interesting aspect of this historical account is how a few brave persons stayed in Philadelphia and provided leadership. Most healthy persons fled the city in terror, including the president, George Washington. Two free black men, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen of the Free African Society, could not ignore the suffering of their neighbors and stepped in to help. Black nurses made themselves available to nurse the sick and dying, cleaning up their “body evacuations” and removing and burying the dead. Unfortunately, after the plague was over, instead of praise, these black nurses were slandered and belittled in local newspapers.
Robert Allen
Absalom Jones
During the yellow fever plague of 1793, all government agencies were at a standstill because the representatives had fled. Anarchy could have prevailed if the mayor of Philadelphia, Matthew Clarkson, had not called for the formation of a special committee to take control. These brave but common men (an umbrella maker, a cabinet builder, and a playing card maker to name a few) were assigned to perform specific tasks. Some went house to house recording the number of dead. Others rounded up children and formed an orphans’ committee. Still others were responsible for handing out food and clothes to the needy.
If you are fascinated by American history and enjoy stories of various facets of humanity in times of turmoil and disease, you will not be disappointed in this true-to-life page-turner.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please email me at glenna_cromer@hotmail.com
Note about the contributor: Glenna Cromer graduated in 1973 from Bonham High School. She is a certified reading specialist with Frisco ISD.
