Imagine Losing Three Children in Three Days

From "The History of Winchendon, Worcester County, Mass," by Rev. A. P. Marvin, 1868:

In 1810-11 there was a fearful malady among the children. From May 29, 1810, to December 1810 forty two children fell victims, nearly all of whom died of the same disease. In the Church records kept by Mr. Pillsbury, “Quinsy” or “Canker,” is written against their names. It is thought by aged persons, who remember the sickness, that it was the same form as that now known by the name of “diptheria.” Between February 17, 1811 and December 10 of the same year, fourteen children died, mostly of the same complaint, making fifty-nine deaths of children in about twenty months. Some families lost all their children. In August 1810, seven died, in September, twelve; in October, fourteen. 

The sickness prevailed in different parts of the town, but raged with special virulence in the south part, extending from Capt. Whitcomb’s, on the south-east, to Mr. Thos. Wyman’s, on the west, nearly four miles. The former lost two and the later four children. Capt. Stoddard lost three; Mr. Gideon Balcom, three; Mr. James McElwain, three. The seventh district lost more than half of the children within its limits. In other districts, Lieut. Isaac Morse lost two; Mr. Hapgood, four; Mr. Seth Tucker, Sen., two, and Mr. Jacob Hale, two. There has been no year since when so many children have died, although the population has more than doubled. Nor has there been a year when so large a proportion of persons of all ages have died; not even during the late war. (The Civil War)

Thomas Wyman Jr. and his wife Lydia (Bowker) lost four of their six children in November 1811:

           Franklin, age 5, died Nov. 7

           Olive, age 7, died Nov 10

           Asa, age 11, died Nov. 12

           Stillman, age 3, died Nov. 15

As a parent I am very, very grateful for modern medicine.