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1846 Pittsburgh Smallpox Epidemic

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Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War

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Letter Describing the 1846 Pittsburgh Smallpox Epidemic

January 25-27, 1846, Long Manuscript Letter Describing the Smallpox Epidemic at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, With Disparaging Remarks about Catholics, Choice Very Fine.
This long, 4 page letter, with integral address page and postal markings, is unsigned, but was written to the writer's mother and brother, and addressed to Mrs. Nancy H. Buckminster in Boston. Most of the letter is about the ongoing smallpox epidemic at Pittsburgh, and describes the writer's caring for Dr. Dyer's wife who had the disease and apparently died from it. This letter mentions whole families dying from the disease. Also in this letter are some unkind comments about Catholics, especially Irish Catholics. A very insightful and detailed letter, generally in nice condition, with some pinholes, a .5" edge tear, and a small hole where the wax seal tore away. There is a pencil notation across the address area. A sad but important letter from the days when diseases were serious killers.



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