Also possibly diptheria or any of a multitude of other infectious diseases, against which there were few defenses. Elizabeth In a message dated 6/12/2010 9:08:38 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Possibly Smallpox. Not a definitive answer .... but certainly something that was being fought in the area during that time period... http://www.jstor.org/pss/4246131 Sharon On Jun 12, 2010, at 8:49 AM, George F. Riggin wrote: > John- > > Not to upset you further, but unfortunately the Read family did not escape the consequences of this illness. John Read Jr., host of 'the party' at which Robert Givans was taken sick, died between 29Nov1748, when he wrote his will, and 9Dec when it was proved. The will of his father, John Sr., was proved 16Nov1748. John Sn. was married to Martha, daughter of James Givans (d. 1724), who I believe but have been unable to document was a brother to Robert. > > As to the cause, I am unable to contribute. Being a descendant of the Givans and Reads, curiosity has prompted me to look into this event, but with success. I have seen (but don't remember where) a list of major epidemics in the mid-Atlantic states and the years in which they occurred, but nothing matched. Another case of the well being to close to the privy, perhaps. > > George Riggin > > > --- On Sat, 6/12/10, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > > >> Message: 2 >> Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:58:02 -0400 >> From: [email protected] >> Subject: [LDR] Evident Epidemic >> To: [email protected] >> Message-ID: <[email protected]> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; format=flowed >> >> 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 >> >> > > > > > > *************************************** > QUESTIONS about POSTING GUIDELINES, SUBSCRIBING or UNSUBSCRIBING? > Visit The Lower DelMarVa Roots Mailing List FAQ: > http://www.tyaskin.com/handley/ldrfaq.htm > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message *************************************** QUESTIONS about POSTING GUIDELINES, SUBSCRIBING or UNSUBSCRIBING? Visit The Lower DelMarVa Roots Mailing List FAQ: http://www.tyaskin.com/handley/ldrfaq.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message