From Somerset and Worcester records is the following gruesome picture. Does anyone on list happen to have any special knowledge about this situation? On 12 Oct 1748, Robert Givans of Rewastico (who was son of Robert (I), d. 1735), died “at 4 o’clock in the morning”, expressing a nuncupative will in which he granted his lands to his only son, William (probably about age 2 at the time), among other bequests. He was about 40. Filed with the will, proved on 9 Dec, less than two months later, was the interesting notation: "The within writing was Exhibited by Jean Givans, Widow and relict of Robert Givans and also personally appeared Day Givans and Mary Acworth the two only surviving evidences of four that were called by the Testator in his last sickness about a day before his Death to bear Witness of the same will . . . . And also that Adam Bell and George Givans both now deceased were likewise called and was present in the time of his last sickness at the House of John Read, Jr., where he was accidentally taken sick the Day after he left his own House ". Witnesses Day Givans and Mary Acworth were the testator’s siblings; witnesses George Givans (also his brother) and Adam Bell (his brother-in-law, husband of Robert Givans’ sister Marian) were both also deceased by December, less than two months after Robert Givans had fallen suddenly ill. What is particularly intriguing about this is a documented chain of sudden deaths, and not restricted to just these three, compellingly pointing to some unusual circumstances, such as smallpox, cholera or something of the sort that would take a fast bite out of a community. Adam Bell’s LW&T was also nuncupative. Such wills are pretty uncommon, and to find two so intimately linked is startling. Bell’s will was proved on 9 Jan 1749, but the date of making and his death had obviously preceded 9 Dec, per the above. He was a chirurgeon (surgeon/doctor) of Snow Hill, will made in Worcester. One of the witnesses to his dying declaration, William Bratten, was also deceased by the 9 Jan probate entry. Back in Somerset, George Givans made his will (not nuncupative) on 15 Oct 1748, and it was proved on 29 Nov. One of the three witnesses to its making was neighbor William Alexander, who was also dead by the time of probate. I’m almost afraid to look further. Fascinating. I think cholera – fast-acting and reliable – fits the bill. John