Two of her books, chains and speak, were national book award finalists. The fas served as a catalyst for the establishment of other black mutual aid societies in the city during the midnineteenth century, when abolitionist organizing among. Some people recover during this time known as the remission stage, but not you. One of these initiatives included black charities during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Mar 03, 2021 scholars at the smithsonians national museum of american history recently revisited that 1793 outbreak in the online seminar, race and place. With an address to the people of colour in the united states. The free african society served first as a beneficial society but quickly. He had persuaded the free african society, a religious black community. The doctor believed that africans could not get yellow fever. The mission of the group was to provide fellowship, a place of worship. At the urging of benjamin rush, the support of philadelphias free black. The societys most famous contribution to the city was the help members provided during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, which killed.
Fever 1793 is a book about the yellow fever epidemic that plagues philadelphia in said year. Eliza is tirelessly dedicated to serving the free african society, a charitable organization founded by reverend richard allen. Though an effective vaccine now exists, yellow fever still kills some 30,000 people every year, about. Richard allen 17601831, cofounder of the free african society. Chains also received the 2009 scott odell award for historical fiction, and laurie was chosen for the 2009 margaret a. The vast majority of them died of yellow fever, making the epidemic in the city of 50,000 people one of the most severe in united states history.
An account of the rise, progress, and termination of the malignant fever, lately present in philadelphia, james hardie, philadelphia, 1793 courtesy national library of medicine. She indulges mattie with good food and affection, but also pushes her to work hard when its necessary. Students will learn about the yellow fever epidemic, the free african society, and life after the fever, 1793 is a ya historical novel by american author laurie halse anderson, published in 2000. When yellow fever ravaged philadelphia, black residents.
As well as date accuracy, many of the people mentioned were alive at the time. Philadelphias yellow fever epidemic of 1793 was the largest in the history of the united states, claiming the lives of nearly 4000 people. However, it is undeniable that the cause of yellow fever. The decision by the fas to stay and support the sick caused it to incur debts that it was unable to pay back, and the organization had disbanded by late 1794. In september 1793, a solicitation appeared in the local philadelphian newspapers calling on african americans to come forward and assist the distressed, perishing, and neglected whites suffering from the yellow fever outbreak in philadelphia in 1793. In 2008, chains was selected for the national book award finalist and in 2009 was awarded for its historical fiction the scott odell award.
Next, will be a brief discussion of the disease of the realities of yellow fever. Georges united methodist church to preach to the small number of african. African american workers and the meanings of race during philadelphias 1793 yellow fever epidemic yellow fever struck philadelphia with a vengeance in 1793, killing approximately 10 percent of the population between august and december. When yellow fever ravaged philadelphia, black residents were. Set during philadelphias yellow fever outbreak, fever 1793 is a young adult, historical fiction novel written by laurie halse anderson and first published in 2000. A delicious and addictive book about a young teen forced to become an adult overnight when she is left alone during the yellow fever outbreak in the 1700s. Allen and jones published a book with the rebuttal that many white nurses. The leaders of philadelphias free african society, a mutual aid organization founded in 1787 by ministers absalom jones and richard allen in partnership with black abolitionists like william gray, willingly agreed to provide that assistance. I recommended it be read with fever 1793, by laurie halse anderson. Allen, jones, and many other african americans agreed to help the sick, working. Ann arborthe university of michigans clements library is exhibiting newspaper accounts, maps, engravings, minute books, pamphlets and personal letters documenting the horrendous yellow fever epidemic that struck philadelphia in 1793, killing 5,000 people, roughly 10 percent of the citys population, in only three months. You have entered the first stage of yellow fever, which was the cause of philadelphias dramatic population decrease during the summer of 1793.
It trailed yellow fever at every port of call in the caribbean and. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 by jim murphy. Paynes history of the african methodist episcopal church 1891. During the year 2000, a new book, fever 1793, by laurie halse anderson was published. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia fever 1793 novel. Smith how a ship of british idealists sailed to africa to end the slave trade but instead ignited a yellow fever pandemic it is no exaggeration to say that the hankey, a small british ship that circled the atlantic in 1792 and 1793, transformed the history of the atlantic world. The volunteers of the free african society, those who worked at bush hill, and the members of the mayors committee devoted themselves with incredible courage to care for strangers. When the yellow fever outbreak of 1793 sent the wealthy.
Mar 26, 2021 when yellow fever ravaged philadelphia, black residents were asked for help. How do you think most people living in 1793 would respond to matilda living with eliza and her family. The yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and the christiana riot of 1851. Rush summons reverend allen of the free african society to help victims of the disease. An account of the ilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of philadelphia, in the year 1793. The life, experience, and gospel labours of the rt. Containing a narrative of the yellow fever in the year of our lord 1793. Laurie halse anderson is a new york times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity.
Published in 2000, fever 1793 is a young adult novel that tells the story of a 14yearold girl named mattie cook, who fights to survive the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia. Dead house on the schuylkill during the yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793, david johnson kennedy, watercolor, historical society of pennsylvania. The great plague of yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793. Because the larger book on american race relations is almost invaria. Race and politics during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in. From free african americans, to slaves, to free whites. In late summer, as the number of deaths began to climb. Bravery and bad deeds during the yellow fever outbreak of 1793.
Youre trying to convince yourself that it is merely a common flu, but you know the truth. Yellow fever and the free african society in philadelphia, as. The story is about sixteenyearold matilda cook who is separated from her mother during the yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia in 1793 and experiences firsthand the horrors of that epidemic. A theodicy of redemptive suffering in african american. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The gruesome conditions of the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, when philadelphia was our capital and george washington was president, brought the country to the verge of a constitutional crisis. During the citys fourmonth ordeal, heads of households frequently hired outsiders to help tend their sick.
The setting and plot are rather historically accurate and reflect the events of the time period. It claims that black nurses saved the city during the 1793 yellow fever. Her mother is missing, and grandfather gets taken away from her also. The free african society, the first known organization to be founded by blacks, sought to further the social, political, and religious freedoms of blacks in philadelphia, which led to the formation of bethel methodist episcopal church in 1794. The society helped to care for the ill during philadelphias yellow fever epidemic of 1793 by nursing the sick, burying the deceased, and transporting the ill to centers outside where they could be quarantined and medically treated. The doctor benjamin rush believed african americans were immune to the disease. During the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in philadelphia, 5,000 or more people were listed in the official register of deaths between august 1 and november 9. With nell and elizas nephews under their wings, the two women scramble for food, tend the sick and await the frost that will end the epidemic. Exhibit documents yellow fever epidemic of 1793 university. The free african society, some of the saviors during the epidemic. The society began organizing to visit and care for the sick. Black nurses helped save philadelphia in 1793 epidemic.
The yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and the christiana riot of. Eliza heads to a meeting of the free african society while mattie and grandfather run errands. Origins yellow fever is a tropical disease, and at that point was most commonly found in places such as africa or central america. Absalom jones 17461818, cofounder of the free african society. Discuss the irony of the free african society s role during the yellow fever epidemic. Rush would become very well known as one of the many doctors who mistakenly believed blacks were immune to yellow fever. So the mayor of philadelphia called in the free african society. Members nursed the sick, dug graves and buried the dead, and transported the ill to quarters outside of the city where they could be quarantined and given medical aid. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson, an american plague. Benjamin rush, who led the medical fight against the yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793, asked free africans in the city to help treat the fever victims because he believed that they were.
How the politics of race played out during the 1793 yellow. On september 11, 1793, jones and allen put up an ad to assist physicians like rush to fight against the epidemic. Although this turned out to be untrue, reverend allen believed that this was an opportunity for black people to show we are every bit as good and important and useful as white people. Mar 16, 2012 fever 1793, is a historical fiction book written by laurie halse anderson, which is based on an epidemic, known as yellow fever that had taken place in philadelphia during 1793, killing a few thousand individuals. The great plague of yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793 philadelphia. Pestilence and prejudice the role of philadelphias african. The yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and the uncg history.
The fever begins to impact peoples daily lives to a more noticeable degreethe signs and effects of disease are now impossible to ignore. Fever, 1793 by laurie halse anderson 745 words bartleby. Politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america nlm. During philadelphias yellow fever epidemic of 1793, for awhile, it was believed that americans of african descent were immune to the disease and thus members of the free african society were summoned as volunteers to help contain the crisis. Despite being one of the greatest minds of the time, rush believed drawing blood would do away with yellow fever, however he was wrong as his theory only killed his patients faster. This is a brilliant book to assign to adolescent children. If i found this when i was about ten, i would have read it ragged. The free african society yellow fever epidemic of 1793 the free african society, some of the saviors during the epidemic the free african society was a group of free black men and women, more often than not, freed slaves, who went around caring for the sick. In 1793, the largest scale yellow fever epidemic struck the young united states. Eliza and her family shelter mattie and nell during the fever epidemic, and at the end of the novel, mattie asks eliza to be her business partner at the coffeehouse. Feb 10, 2011 the society s most famous contribution to the city was the help members provided during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, which killed thousands of philadelphians. Zoom an account of the rise, progress, and termination of the malignant fever, lately present in philadelphia, james hardie, philadelphia, 1793.
Politics of yellow fever in alexander hamiltons america. During the late eighteenth century, leading respectable blacks like allen, jones, and forten, initiated several projects to promote racial uplift in hopes of gaining racial equality for all african americans. Social welfare history project free african society. The free african society yellow fever epidemic of 1793. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop. The american plague the author draws on primary sources for this nonfiction book recommended by washington post columnist john kelly, evocatively describing the medical missteps and. In aid to the sick, the fas became famous for its members charitable work as nurses and aides during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, when many residents abandoned the city. By the time the year 1793 was over, it had killed nearly 5,000 people.
Your face is flushed, youve lost all appetite, and your body is racked with shivers and aches. Diagnosing and treating yellow fever in philadelphia in 1793 as told by the historical society of pennsylvania. They help with patients and the sickly because they cant get yellow fever. The yellow fever epidemic historical society of pennsylvania. Parker, a fugitive slave, was a leading black activist in the christiana. Free african society american organization britannica. There are also many mentions of the free african society. Journey back to philadelphia, summer of 1793 a pounding headache rages behind your eyes and youre burning with fever. It was carried to philadelphia in ships full of refugees from hati then. Fever 1793 the brave people who stayed in the city and helped the sick were extraordinary. When allen came to the philadelphia in 1786, he was approached by the minister of st. With the epidemic still in full force, mattie is reunited with eliza, whos nursing disease victims with the free african society. For example, a yellow fever strain hit philadelphia in the year 1793 in august. Provides an account of the yellow fever epidemic that swept through philadelphia in 1793, discussing the chaos that erupted when people began evacuating in droves, leaving the city without government, goods, or services, and examining efforts by physicians, the free african society, and.
Allen as a bishop of the african methodist episcopal church and jones as. In 1793, an outbreak of yellow fever devastated the capital city of philadelphia. Fever 1793 is a excellent piece of historical fiction for any age. May 11, 2020 mistakenly believing that black people were immune to yellow fever, rush enlisted the help of the leaders of the free african society, richard allen, and absalom jones. The free african society historical society of pennsylvania. Black nurses and the 1793 philadelphia yellow fever epidemic. In 1793 an outbreak of yellow fever struck philadelphia, and the fas provided comfort and financial aid to the sick after many white philadelphians left the city. The free african society s legacy is acknowledged in philadelphia at the site of the original mother bethel african methodist episcopal church as the forerunner of the first african american churches in this city. To which is annexed the rise and progress of the african methodist episcopal church in the united states of america. What are some historical facts mentioned in fever 1793.
Richard allen was elected the churchs first bishop in 1816. The number of casualties changed from 10 a day in august to 100 a day in october. In aid to the sick, the fas became famous for its members charitable. In 1793, philadelphia was struck with the worst outbreak of yellow fever ever.
Philadelphia, 1793 a map of the city of philadelphia during the time of the fever epidemic. The free african society was a group of free black men and women, more often than not, freed slaves, who went around caring for the sick. This is the title of a 2000 historical novel for middlegrade readers by contemporary american author laurie halse anderson, known for her childrens. Her book fever 1793 won the american library association best book for young adults selection and the junior library guild selection. Benjamin rush, richard allen, and the free black community of. The fas was formed in 1787 in philadelphia, pennsylvania, by american preachers richard allen and absalom jones and other free african americans. Oct 07, 2020 during the crisis, the free african society, which allen and jones founded, was the major relief agency. Make the movie and hold a premiere in your library.
Yellow fever epidemic 1793 benjamin rush portal guides at. Benjamin rush had written to the free african society a few weeks ago, asking for help. Based on this belief, the mayor of philadelphia called upon the free african society to organize nurses who could care for the sick and bury the dead when the epidemic struck that year. Yellow fever epidemic 1793 benjamin rush portal guides. Many of a persons early life experiences can contribute to this transition, even if it is the simplest of things. Catherine west offers a social historians view of the 1793 philadelphia yellow fever epidemic, by explaining the national culture, public health, and disease theory of the period to illuminate the social response of the african. No one really knew what caused the disease or how to treat it. Yellow fever and the free african society in philadelphia, which highlighted the details of the yellow fever epidemic that took place in 1793 and how it affected the free african society. After mattie invites eliza to become her business partner at the coffeehouse, eliza and her nephews move in with mattie. Panelists will explore the work of the free african society during the. Few of the black philadelphians who answered the call had any medical training. Africans in americapart 3the yellow fever epidemic pbs. Many residents, including medical practitioners, fled the city. Hong kong baptist university hkbu institutional repository.
Smith, professor of history at montana state university, makes a case that the principal vector of the 1793 plague in philadelphia and other atlantic ports was the british merchant ship hankey, which had fled the west african colony of bolama an island off west africa, present day guineabissau the previous november. The fever took a devastating toll on the city as nearly 5,000 individuals died, among them close to 400 african americans. Eliza lives with her widowed brother, joseph, and her nephews, robert and william. The yellow fever epidemic of 1793 and the christiana riot. During the yellow fever outbreak in philadelphia in 1793, dr. The deadly disease touched nearly everyone in the city. Jan 08, 2020 frankly, the novel, fever 1793, by laurie anderson, is a much better history of the 1793 philadelphia yellow fever epidemic. This book is nonfiction, and it is easy enough to read but there are plenty of topics for deeper discussion and even if your adolescent child does not get all of these points, if they even just get three or four of them then they will have learned significantly. Black lives and the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 morning echo. Jones, allen and society member william gray organized the hiring and the philadelphia yellow fever epidemic of 1793 benjamin rush, a leading physician, fomented controversy during the epidemic by. In aid to the sick, the fas became famous for its members. She is steadfast in a crisis and works long hours as a volunteer for the free african society during the epidemic. Yellow fever struck philadelphia with a vengeance in 1793. This extraordinary book uncovers the longforgotten story of the hankey, from its altruistic beginnings to its.
In the summer of 1793, the disease struck philadelphia, pennsylvania the u. In 1793, a yellow fever epidemic shook philadelphia, the new nations. The free african society, which was located at 6th and market streets, was the first. How the politics of race played out during the 1793 yellow fever. The role of african americans when yellow fever epidemic. Sympathy and dissent in the early american novel chicago, 1997, 21921. Famous philadelphia patriot, doctor, and public figure who treated many patients during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Write a screenplay for your favorite scenes from the book. Pocket of fluid contained in the upper layers of the skin, usually caused by some form of irritant including burning, freezing, or chemical contact. I got considerably more factual detail out of that book. Liberalism, republicanism, and philadelphias black elite in the. The two black ministers fired back in january 1794 with their own expansively titled publication, a narrative of the proceedings of the black people during the late awful calamity in philadelphia in the year of 1793. Originally, the society was founded by richard allen and absalom jones, both previous slaves who had bought their own freedom. In fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson, why does benjamin.
Reverend richard allen, founder of the free african society the frontispiece to daniel a. Told from the perspective of mattie, a young girl living with her mother and grandfather, fever 1793 is engaging and interesting from start to finish. Free african society fas, nondenominational religious mutual aid organization that provided financial and emotional support to newly free african slaves in the united states. A narrative of the proceedings of the black people, during the late awful calamity in philadelphia, in the year 1793.
Philadelphias yellow fever epidemic of 1793 was the largest in the history of the. Edwards award for her contribution to young adult literature, and fever 1793 is an american library association best book for young. Jun 22, 2020 absolom jones, elder of the free african society, and the cover page of his defense against the libelous account of mathew carey the gruesome conditions of the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, when philadelphia was our capital and george washington was president, brought the country to the verge of a constitutional crisis. The yellow fever outbreak began in the beginning of august 1793, and the more individuals became sick and deceased, the more. During philadelphias 1793 yellow fever epidemic, african american volunteers removed bodies from homes and buried the dead. Many times, the free african society were attacked by the press, most notably mathew carey, creating lies of stealing from the dead and tampering with burials for money. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia free african society. Allen and jones created a pamphlet, a narrative of the proceedings of the black people during the late awful calamity in philadelphia in 1793, directly stating these. Rush had the african church including richard allen and absalom jones help him with patients.
Free african society on black philadelphians conduct during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 1794 by absalom jones and richard allen. Absolom jones, elder of the free african society, and the cover page of his defense against the libelous account of mathew carey. African american workers and the meanings of race during. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 179. During the early stages of the 18th century epidemic, doctors believed african americans were immune. I didnt learn a whole lot in an american plague that was new news. The society also took on the task of assisting the sick during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793.
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