Posted on: Fairfield Co. Ct Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ct/Fairfield/3278 Surname: ANDERSON, BUSH, BLANCK, FERRIS, FROST, FEAKE, GRAY, HARDY, HOYT, HOBBY, HUSTED, HOLMES, KNAPP, LYON, LOCKWOOD, MEAD, MILLS, NORMAN, PALMER, POTTER, RUNDLE, SMITH, WATERBURY ------------------------- Hello, in response to your query about epidemics in Fairfield County, Connecticut the 1730's-- I searched the Internet and found the following possible reasons: 1728,1732 Charleston SC was hit by yellow fever twice in a four year period. The cause (mosquitoes) was not understood, and treatment wasn't very effective. 1735-40 Epidemics of diphtheria and scarlet fever spread through various parts of New England. Both diseases were referred to as "throat distemper" and weren't distinguished. Hundreds of people died, most of them children. Source: http://www.botany.duke.edu/microbe/chrono.htm ----------------------------------------- 1732-33 Worldwide: Influenza Epidemics in U.S. - 1657 - 1918 >From the South Bend, IN Area Genealogical Society, April 1996. Originally from Sue in Arizona. Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9467/epidemic.htm ------------------------------------------ There were many more pages that included this information--but I did not include the repeats here... Best regards, Maureen Mead mmeadpond@aol.com