USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 2 > Part 3
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1Providence Town Papers, 6368.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
structed on the mainland. What remains of it may now be seen on Clifford street, for the structure which sheltered the reservoir has collapsed from decay. But with all the efforts to give the people fresh water, nothing had been done to get rid of foul and stagnant water, and the added supply by the fountain society only increased the quantity that was left to settle in the low places.
This description will give the reader some conception of the sani- tary conditions in Providence in 1797, when the population numbered about 7,000, of whom probably 6,000 lived in the densely congested districts. Without the bounds of the thickly settled portion of the town, history does not record a single death from yellow fever. Within them the dreaded disease fell upon the people on every hand, striking down the poor and ignorant in the humble hovels, and the wealthy and educated residents of the old colonial mansions.
The first cases of what was probably yellow fever appeared in Providence in the year 1791, and were attended by Dr. William Bowen, then the leading physician of this vicinity. Two daughters of Eliza- beth Ross, who lived near the center of the city, were attacked. Both daughters died within three days after the attack-one on the 7th and the other on the 12th of June. James Burroughs, who lived "opposite a molasses and Ginn distillery", was also attacked by the disease, but recovered. In the year 1793 a traveler from Philadelphia died of the disease in Providence, but there were no other cases. In July, 1794, the schooner Lively, Ebenezer Slocum, of Wickford, arrived at Provi- dence from Port Dauphin, on which two hands died of the same, or a similar disease, and two were attacked and recovered. In the same year a number of sailors on vessels arriving at Newport were attacked by the malady and were treated by Dr. Isaac Senter, the most promi- nent physician of that city; he was very active in investigating and treating the disease and urging sanitary improvements, contending that yellow fever was not contagious, but was caused by unsanitary conditions. Other prominent physicians of that day took the opposite ground.
In the year 1795 there were two deaths from this disease in Providence, and a third case in the person of Arthur Fields, who was attacked on the 18th of August, "at the Muddy Dock", and recovered. The existing records, as far as known, contain no mention of cases in 1796, and it is probable that there were none. The foregoing cases are mentioned in a manuscript in possession of the Rhode Island His- torical Society, written very early in the present century by Moses
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EPIDEMICS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
Brown,1 who seems to have made something of a study of the epidemic and its causes and to have co-operated with Dr. William Bowen and others in urging and introducing sanitary improvements. From the year 1791 to 1796 inclusive the disease, while receiving due considera- tion from the physicians and a few others, does not seem to have ex- cited any general fear or anxiety. During the few succeeding years, however, the ravages of the epidemic were so wide-spread and fatal as to alarm and finally terrify the whole community.
The disease appeared in Providence with renewed virulence in mid-summer, 1797,2 the first fatality being Robert Fuller, who died on the 18th of August; this was probably the first case in that year. Mrs. Mitchell, August 18, 1797; Mrs. Goss, August 18; William Till-
1Moses Brown was the youngest of four brothers and was born in Provi- dence in August, 1758; he died in October, 1836. The manuscript pamphlet referred to was presented to the Historical Society by the son of Dr. George L. Collins, who received it from Brown himself.
2The following references regarding "putrid" or yellow fever will be found among the Providence Town Papers
Aug. 18, 1797. Resolutions of Town Council as to burial of persons dying of the fever. (Paper 12115.)
Aug. 21, 1797. Order to smoke vessel with sulphur, tar, &c. ( Paper 12118.) Sept. 17, 1797. Suggestion by physicians and others to Town Council that all sick persons be removed from the compact part of the town "to the free and open air of the country", to be housed and nursed at town's expense. (Paper 12168.)
Sept. 18, 1797. Order to purify all "infected places" "with a layer of Slack Lime" "as soon as may be." (Paper 12169.)
Sept. 18, 1797. Vote that the Town Council "cause to be erected or hired in the most eligible situation Buildings suitable and sufficient for the Re- moval of such of our Citizens and Residents who may sicken with the Contagious Fever which now prevails in some parts of this Town". (Paper 12172.)
Sept. 19, 1797. Proposal by John Brown, that large fires of "naval stores and other light fuel to keep up a large blaze on every wharf from Austen's to the south end of the Town all at the same time when the wind is west- erly be built to cure the Town". That this proposition was carried out is indicated by the numerous bills for brimstone, rosin, tar, tar barrels, trucking tar kettles, etc., for use in "smoking the Streets". (Paper 12178.)
The vote of Sept. 18 (paper 12172) resulted, after various propositions (some of which are referred to in paper 12178), were discussed, in the erection of a "New Hospital" for yellow fever patients, on the same territory as the "Old Hospital," which was used for small-pox patients.
June 26, 1805. Order by Town Council that "all Persons dwelling between Powers lane, Benefit street and the water as far south as the South Still House remove out of said district within three days from this time, as the best means for preventing the spread of the infectious Fever " (paper 008529.) The "South Still House" was probably on the north shore of the mouth of Mile End Cove and a little southeast of the present eastern end of Point Street bridge.
That this order was carried into effect is indicated by petitions to"the town for compensation for damages and losses resulting from a compliance with it.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
inghast, August 20; Mary Arnold, August 20; Marcy Northrup, August 21; Joseph Arnold, August 22; James Arnold, August 22; Reuben Potter, August 25; Mary Tillinghast, August 28; Lemuel Pitcher, September 1; Henry Tillinghast, September 3; Joshua Townsend, September 3; Deliveranee Haywood, September 8; Richard Goss, September 11; Benjamin Earle, September 11; Joseph Young, September 12; Widow Potter's child, September 16; Maria Gifford, September 17; Louise Gifford, September 17; Samuel Gifford, Septem- ber 17; Robert Blinn, September 18; Samuel Pitcher, September 18; Gideon Hull, September 18; Robert Wileox, September 20; Mrs. Mary Gifford, September 21; Betsy Smith, September 21; Jonathan Glad- ding, September 22; Dr. Ephraim Comstoek, September 22; John Hull, without date; John Moulton, September 25; Daughter and wife, with- out date; John Gifford, September 26; Mrs. Boyd, September 26; Mrs. Mary Whitney, September 27; Mr. Elcazer Perry, September 27; John H. Ormsbee, September 27; Sally Gladding, William Comstoek, John Tillinghast, all without date; Patienee (negro), September 29; John Gibbs, October 6; Lydia Ormsbee, October 1; Mrs. Mitchell, October 9; Ezra Richmond, without date. The manuseript of Moses Brown, before mentioned, provides a few of the given names that are wanting in the Town Paper quoted; for example, the Mrs. Goss of the record he gives as Hannah Goss; for the Mrs. Mitchell of the record he gives Ann Mitchell; the negro woman, Patience in the record, he makes Patienee Havens. It may be stated, however, that the list as given by him eannot be relied upon for aecuraey. Another yet preserved con- tains forty-nine names, all of whom died between August 18 and about October 9, an average of one caeh day. There were also during that period probably at least twice as many cases of attack and recovery. When the small number of inhabitants at that time is taken into account in connection with these forty-nine deaths in so short a period, some conception may be formed by the present-day eitizen of the intense feeling eaused. Physicians were baffled and almost help- less ; terror scized upon the timid and the nervous, and wide-spread anxiety and fear existed in all of the populous centers of the State. Many of the eases were fatal within a week from the time of attack, and nearly as many within two or three days. The people of Provi- denee and Newport were now awakened to the gravity of the situation and the most active and stringent measures were adopted to prevent further spread of the epidemie. The Providence Town Papers on file abound during that and two or three sueeeeding years with documents of all deseriptions bearing upon the prevailing affliction. Many of
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EPIDEMICS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
these are especially interesting to the medical practitioner, as well as to the layman, while many possess a quaintness of form and purpose that would be amusing, did they not show so clearly the distressing conditions then existing. How promptly official action was taken is seen in the following :
"At a Town Council of the Town of Providence holden in and for Said Town on the eighteenth Day of August, A. D. 1797.
"Present. John Dorrance Esq. Presd't,
"Mr. Silvanus Martin "Mr. Joel Metcalf
"Capt. Jonathan Treadwell "Samuel Eddy Esqr.
"Whereas it is reported unto this Council that Mr. Robert Fuller and the wives of Thomas Goss and Thomas Mitchell all of this Town are deceased with the Putrid Fever which is highly contagious, and that their funeral is to be attended this afternoon,
"Therefore, to prevent the spreading of said Contagion, it is rec- ommended by this Council that no more Persons attend said Funerals, than are necessary for the Interment of the deceased.
"It is further recommended, that the Corpses of said deceased persons be conveyed to the place of Interment through the most pri- vate Avenues leading to the same, and that the Town Sergeant be directed to notify the friends of the Said deceased of this Resolution. "A true Copy. Witness Geo. Tillinghast."
The belief prevailing that the yellow fever was brought in and propagated to a large extent by incoming vessels is seen in the follow- ing :
"Providence, August 21, 1797. "Capt Isaac Cahoonc "Sir
"You are hereby requested to Immediately go on board the Schooner Betsy, Capt. Burr Comander and proceed forthwith to Smoak the said vessell with Sulphur, Tar, &c. as may serve to cleanse the said vessell from any Infection, in order to prevent any Contagion taking place from said Vessell, and to preserve the Health of this Town from the malady with which it is now infected.
"by Order of the Town Council "Tho Lloyd Halsey "Jon'n Treadwell.''1
This document was supplemented on the following day by an order to pay Captain Cahoon eight dollars for "cleansing and getting said Schooner down the River". There were other bills paid in the
1Providence Town Papers, 12119.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
month of September for "airing the vessell Betsy", drying her sails, etc.1
Alarm soon spread to other parts of the State, particularly on or near the water front. The inhabitants of East Greenwich were particularly agitated, as seen in the following :
"East Greenwich, September 13, 1797. "Gentlemen
"We the Town Council of East Greenwich Inform you, that the inhabitants of our Town was Much alarmed on Monday last, a young man on Monday Morning was taken as was thought with the fever now Prevalent in your Town, was brought through our Town on his way to his Fathers when he came through this Town, seemed by his Complaint to have all the appearance of that Disorder. the Lad is a bound Prentice-as we are informed to one Mr. Davis a sailmaker in the Lower Part of your Town where we understand the fever Mostly Prevails. We wish that every Precaution might be taken to prevent the said fever from being brought from your Town to this.
"We are Gentlemen with the Greatest Respect and Esteem your Most Humble Servants
"By order and in behalf of the Town Council of said East Greenwich.
"H. Cooke, Council Clerk
"To President and Members of the Town Council of Providence.''2
Under date of September 17, 1797, a lengthy petition was pre- sented to the Providence Council, signed by physicians and others, stating that the "malignant fever still existing in the South part of the Town" seemed to indicate its continuance until the coming of frost, and that they believed that all cases should be removed "a moderate distance out of the compact part of the Town". The secur- ing of a proper place in which to quarantine the patients and the payment of the necessary cost was recommended in the petition. The signatures were Ephraim Bowen, A. Throop, Pardon Bowen, Ephraim Comstock, Comfort A. Carpenter, Thomas Greene, Benjamin Dyer, Joseph Mason, Stephen Randal, Joseph Lce, and John Milton Mason.
One of the principal methods of combating the disease was the free use of fire and smoke. Among the documentary possessions of the city of Providence are bills3 for tar, rosin, empty tar barrels, brimstone, etc., for smoking the streets. One of these,4 signed by
'Providence Town Papers, 12139, 12144.
2Providence Town Papers, 12158.
ªProvidence Town Papers, 12176 to 12181, inclusive.
4Providence Town Papers, 12178.
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EPIDEMICS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
John Bowen, recommended the building of large fires around the in- fected localities and on the wharfs, as a cure for the fever. He stated that he had heard through Captain Smith, "who had become consider- ably acquainted with the Yaller Fevvor in the West Indies", that such fires cured the disease in the islands. This course was followed, as shown by the following bill :
"The Town of Providence to William Earle Jr
Dr. Sept. 25, 1797.
To 2 Days attendance on the Fires, smoking the streets, a 2 Doll. $4 1 bbl Tar of A. E. Gorton . 3
2 Tar bbls, of a 12c . 24
7 24
this is to certify the above attendance and Artikals was Delivered John Tillinghast.''1
All through the summer and fall of 1797 bills2 were rendered against the town for cleansing different localities, medical services, medical supplies, nursing the sick, cleansing houses, carrying patients to hospitals, and other similar services. These bills were usually in the following form :
"September 15, 1797 Town of Providence to Joseph Lee Dr.
To Reparing on Board Capt Anthony's Sloop, &c and Reporting &c to the Hon. Council
20. To Examining &c Capt Earles Vessell & people &c & Reporting &c .75
21 To 4 ounces Gum Camphor for the use of the Hospital @ 1s. the ounce
.66
22 To 9 lb. Tamarinds @ 1s the 1b 9s Pot 9d 1.62
24 To 1/2 lb Gum Camphor @ 16 1.331/3
27 To 4 ounces @ 15 ounce
0.66
My attendance on the Hon. Town Council from the 20 of Sept. to the 8 of October By there perticular Request and Orders 4.00
$10.71/2"
On September 20 of that year Esek Eddy rendered a bill con- sisting of forty-five items, including supplies and services for the hos- pital amounting to $26.12.6.3 The bill of John Spurr covered his
1Providence Town Papers, 12185.
2Providence Town Papers, 12185, 12188, 12191-2, 12197, 12200 to 12203, 12209, 12212.
3Providence Town Papers, 12274.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
serviees in "attendanee on the Siek and assisting in burying the dead that died with the Malignant Fever at the South End of the town from August 20 to October 23, 1797", and amounted to $30, with $6 for "my horse for the above purpose within the above mentioned time".1 John Carlile was paid $8 for "two coffins for poor persons deceased of the Yellow Fever". Mrs. Marcy Piles was paid $12 for nursing at the hospital and Dr. Amos Throop was paid $38 by note for services and medieines. The following order is self-explanatory :
"Providenee October 9, A. D. 1797. "Sir
"Please to pay to William Chafee on Sight of this Order out of the Town Treasury, the Sum of Eight Dollars, the same being in full of his aecount for attendance on Robert Blinn, in Siekness and during his Interment.
"By Order of the Couneil.
"Samuel Nightingale Esq. Town Treasurer.
"Geo. Tillinghast, C. Clerk."
On the same date an order was made to pay Santealger Hopkins $29 for services of himself and his wife "as nurses at the Hospital."
A report made by Wheeler Martin, Isaac Angell, and Samuel Whipple, who had been appointed to examine for nuisances and un- healthful places "at the North end of Providence", reported "all places in a very eleanly situation, consideraing the nature of the busi- ness carried on at many of the places pointed out to us. Wherefore we consider that we cannot impute the prevailing siekness to no less eause than the works of Providence". It may be added that in olden times it was quite a customary proceeding to shift upon the convenient shoulders of Providence, calamities that were palpably due to human negligence or ignorance. The extracts from the Town papers of 1797 must herc be coneluded with the following quaint bill :
"to the Annexe bil Gentlemen of the Town Counsel of the town of Providence.
"to Charles Bogman Dr to Smokin and Wight Washing the house of Capt. Bullock Down at the Loar end of the town two Days at tow Dollas per Day $4 Dollas.
"Providenec Sept the 30, 1797."
The epidemic continued in the summer of 1798, but probably with less violence than in the previous or the following year, judging by reports of physicians, town papers and other data. The hospital for yellow fever patients was ereeted during the open months of this year.2
1Providence Town Papers, 12306.
2Providence Town Papers, 12887.
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EPIDEMICS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
It appears that in May, Pardon Mason rendered a bill for lath, plaster- ing, etc., for the building, amounting to $284.92, and many others are in the records. Under date of November 12, an appropriation was made of part of the sum of $12,000 raised by taxation, with which to pay $575.28 on an order dated March 5, 1798, for money "advanced in Building the new Hospital". In December of that year Eben Sim- mons was ordered paid $5.23 for hinges for the hospital. William Jones was paid $64.25 for sundries, and Job Waterman $25 for lath on April 10. November 7, Capt. Paul Allen was ordered paid $4 "for cleansing Capt. Zachariah Allen's Brigantine".
The epidemic continued through 1799, but records of its results are somewhat deficient. The whole community was engrossed in efforts to bring it to an end, but apparently without decisive result. Com- mittees were kept at work in quest of nuisances, and one committee of Samuel Thurber and Philip Martin who, after inspecting the so- called Northern District, reported that "the privey at the Brick School House is in very bad condition, as is the Slaughter House owned by Mr. Ballew at the north end of the town-both these places are ex- tremely offensive".1 It should be remembered that this report was made several years after the first appearance of the disease.
A report was made this year upon the condition of the west side of the river, by William Richmond and Grendall Reynolds,2 which stated that the yards needed cleaning, while all along Westminster and Weybosset streets were low places in which was standing water, all of which "would render the air very contagious". This report was dated May 6, 1799. This and other sections were ordered cleansed during that summer; a road to the hospital was constructed and the building and premises improved. But all that was accomplished seemed futile to control or even diminish the march of the epidemic. To aggravate the situation, small-pox again made its appearance in the community and added to the general anxiety. Town paper 13,576 relates to this new danger and bears date April 18. It was a notifica- tion to the council by Dr. Levi Wheaton and Dr. Pardon Bowen that, "having received Approbation of your honorable Body to conduct the Business of Inoculation at the Hospital," they had done so at con- siderable expense to themselves and in expectation of a large number of cases and reasonable fees. They reported that they had only thirty- four cases at the fee of fifteen cents each, and asked to be further paid for their labor.
1Providence Town Papers, 13600.
2Providence Town Papers, 13601.
-
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
The first year of the incoming century saw no diminution of the epidemic; on the other hand, judging by the town records, it was more extensively fatal than in the previous year. Newport and other cities were also afflicted. In a letter from the chairman of a Committee of Correspondence in Philadelphia, dated September 19, 1800,1 who had been called on for aid, it is stated that the signers "had been appointed to correspond with and aid in the Relief of the Inhabitants of Balti- more, Norfolk and Providence, now suffering under the most relentless disease that ever afflicted our cities", etc. In Philadelphia ward com-
SMALL POX HOSPITAL, LINCOLN.
mittees were appointed to solicit money and supplies for the afflicted communities.
During the fall months of this year the physicians in attendance at the hospital made regular reports of their visits.2 These reports are an indication of the number of existing cases from day to day, the average during a considerable period being about ten cases. Many
1Providence Town Papers, 00256.
2Providence Town Papers, 00272, 00274, 00281, 00291, 00298, 00299, 00302, 00304, 00307, 00309, 00313, etc.
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EPIDEMICS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
other cases outside of the hospital were reported upon by the several physicians. Space for only a few of the reports can be spared here :
"September 6, 1800. "Gentlemen. I was this day called to visit Mr. John Sheldon's wife now under symptoms of the last stage of the epidemic-She was seized last Sunday with the usual symptoms of fever which has progressed unnoticed until yesterday agreeably to the request of the Hon. Council I have immediately on its coming to my notice made this report.
"At Hospital 12 o'clock.
"Patience Greatrax as well as yesterday.
"J. Mason."
Following is one of Dr. Levi Wheaton's clearly written reports : "Gentlemen
"I have this morning visited Betsy Stokes, ill of the fever at William Harding's-she was attacked the night before last, and is in a situation to be removed to the Hospital. Also Prime Burrill and wife in the same neighborhood, attacked with fever about the same time-both appear to be proper subjects for the Hospital.
"With respect,
"Your most ob't serv't
"L. Wheaton."
The reports from the hospital show with much detail the condi- tion of the patients therein mentioned. Betsy Stokes died on the 11th.
"Hospital, Sept. 12, 1800.
"Gentlemen Since my last report 3 persons have died at the Hos- pital viz. Last night Betsy Stokes-and this morning Prime Burril. Mr. Warner appeared almost gone. Mrs. Morris is to-day much re- lieved and I think will not have the fever. Sally Clark appears to have no marked symptoms of fever and her complaints at present are probably the result of the very active medicines she had taken & I cannot resist a hope that these two cases will not prove anything against the idea we have held up that yellow fever is not contagious in a pure and freely circulating air. J. Mason.
"Hon. Town Council of Providence
"the other patients are in a good way. No new cases have oc- curred in my practice in town.''1
It will be noticed that Dr. Mason could not refrain from interject- ing into his report a word on the prevailing disagreement among the local physicians as to the nature of the disease.
Residents in the vicinity of Eddy's Point strenuously objected to having the bodies of persons who died of the fever brought into their vicinity. The matter is explained as follows :
1Providence Town Papers, 00205.
!
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
"To the Honorable Town Council of the Town of Providence.
"We the undersigned Inhabitants Liveing on Eddy's Point hav- ing heretofore Represented to this Council the Impropriety of Landing the Sick & Dead of the yellow fever on this Point we did hope that your Honours would Explicitly Direct that no more should be landed as heretofore at this Place but we find this is not the Case for a Corps has been Landed here this forenoon by Henry Alexander who says he has orders from the Town Council so to do which orders he atemted to Read whereby we perceived he was directed to Land the Dead South of Eddy's Point which we concluded might mean so far South as not to Endanger the Lives of the Inhabitants, but he obstinately persisted in Landing the Corps Exactly in the same place that they were landed heretofore which is Right into one of the Shipyards on this Point and carrying it therein directly by the doors of a number of Houses. How contagious the Disorder is we are unable to tell but this we affirm that they might as well pass along the Main streets in any part of the Town as to pass where they now do. We therefore Request your Honours to Direct Explicitly where they are to be Landed and likewise to enable the person who lands them to understand his Instructions that we may not be Compeld to the necessity of flying from the Point or of keeping them off by force of Arms.
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