1764 — “Throat Distemper” (Diphtheria), especially children, Westminster, MA — 15

Westminster   (15)

–2  Bemis Family.      Vital Records of Westminster, p. 213; in Caulfield 1942, p.23, footnote 52.

–4  Calf family.          Vital Records of Westminster, p. 216; in Caulfield 1942, p.23, footnote 52.

–2  Hoar family.         Vital Records of Westminster, p. 229; in Caulfield 1942, p.23, footnote 52.

–3  Steadman family. Vital Records of Westminster, p. 249; in Caulfield 1942, p.23, footnote 52.

–4  Whitney family.   Vital Records of Westminster, p. 253; in Caulfield 1942, p.23, footnote 52.

 

Narrative Information

 

Caulfield: “Though the disease [diphtheria section of paper] in eastern Massachusetts seems to have quieted down considerably after the seventeen-sixties, it continued its periodic outbreaks in the small towns of the north-central section. An epidemic in Westminister in 1764 was followed by another in Athol in 1776 and another more severe one in Princeton and surrounding towns in Worcester County during 1786.” (“Some Common Diseases of Colonial Children.” Transactions of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol. 35, April 1942, p. 23.)

 

Source

 

Caulfield, Ernest. “Some Common Diseases of Colonial Children.” Transactions of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol. 35, April 1942, pp. 4-65. Accessed 1-17-2018 at: https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/865