Short Account of Malignant Fever in Philadelphia – Chapter VII (1793), 
Philadelphia County, PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Marjorie B. Winter [marjw@cox.net]

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CHAP.  VII.  Proceedings of the committee—Loans from the bank of North-America.  
Establishment of an orphan house.  Relief of the poor.  Appointment of the 
assistant committee.

	The committee, on its organization, resolved that three of the members 
would attend daily at the city hall, to receive applications for relief; to 
provide for the burial of the dead, and for the conveyance (Page 36) of persons 
labouring under the malignant fever, to Bushhill.  But three being found 
inadequate to the execution of the multifarious and laborious duties to be 
performed, this order was rescinded, and daily attendance was given by nearly 
all of the members.

	A number of carts and carters were engaged for the burial of the dead, and 
removal of the sick.  And it was a melancholy sight to behold them incessantly 
employed through the whole day, in their mournful offices.

	The committee borrowed fifteen hundred dollars from the bank of North-
America, agreeably to the resolves of the town meeting by which they were 
appointed.  Several of the members entered into security to repay that sum, in 
case the corporation or legislature should refuse to make provision for its 
discharge.  This sum being soon expended, a farther loan of five thousand 
dollars was negotiated with the same institution. 

	In the progress of the disorder, the committee found the calls on their 
humanity increase.  The numerous deaths of heads of families left a very large 
body of children in a most abandoned, forlorn state.  The bettering house, in 
which such helpless objects have been usually placed heretofore, was barred 
against them, by the order which I have already mentioned.  Many of these little 
innocents were actually suffering for want of even common necessaries.  The 
deaths of their parents and protectors, which should have been the strongest 
recommendation to public charity, was the very reason of their distress, and of 
their being shunned as a pestilence.  The children of a family once in easy 
circumstances, were found in a blacksmith's shop, squalid, dirty, and half 
starved, having been for a considerable time without even bread to eat.  Various 
instances of a similar nature occurred.  This evil early caught the attention of 
the committee, and on the 19th of September, they hired a house in (Page 37) 
Fifth-street, in which they placed thirteen children.  The number increasing, 
they on the 3d of October, procured the Loganian library, which was generously 
given up by John Swanwick, esq.  for the purpose of an orphan house.  A further 
increase of their little charge, rendered it necessary to build some additions 
to the library, which are nearly half as large as that building.  At present, 
there are in the house, under the care of the orphan committee, about sixty 
children, and above forty are out with wet  nurses.  From the origin of the 
institution, one hundred and ninety children have fallen under their care, of 
whom fifteen are dead, and about seventy have been delivered to their relations 
or friends.  There are instances of five and six children of a single family in 
the house.  To these precious deposits the utmost attention has been paid.  They 
are well fed, comfortably clothed, and properly taken care of Mary Parvin, a 
very suitable person for the purpose, has been engaged as matron, and there are, 
besides, sufficient persons employed to assist her.  Various applications have 
been made for some of the children; but in no instance would the committee 
surrender any of them up, until they had satisfactory evidence that the 
claimants had a right to make the demand.  Their relations are now publicly 
called upon to come and receive them.  For such as may remain unclaimed, the 
best provision possible will be made; and so great is the avidity of many people 
to have some of them, that there will be no difficulty in placing them to 
advantage.

	Another duty soon attracted the attention of the committee.  The slight of 
so many of our citizens, the consequent stagnation of business, and the almost 
total cessation of the labours of the guardians of the poor, brought on among 
the lower classes of the people, a great degree of distress, which loudly 
demanded the interposition of the humane.  In consequence, on the 20th of 
September, a committee of distribution, of three members, was appointed, to 
furnish such assistance to deserving objects as their respective cases might 
require, and the funds allow, This was at first administered (Page 38) to but 
few, owing to the confined state of the finances.  But the very extraordinary 
liberality of our fugitive fellow citizens, of the citizens of New York, and of 
those of various towns and townships, encouraged the committee to extend their 
views.  In consequence, they increased the distributing committee to eight, and 
afterwards to ten.

	Being, in the execution of this important service, liable to imposition, 
they, on the 14th of October, appointed an assistant committee, composed of 
forty-five citizens, chosen from the several districts of the city and 
liberties.  The duty assigned this assistant committee, was to seek out and 
give recommendations to deserving objects in distress, who, on producing them, 
were relieved by the committee of distribution, (who sat daily at the City Hall, 
in rotation,) with money, provisions, or wood, or all three, according as their 
necessities required.  The assistant committee executed this business with such 
care, that it is probable so great a number of people were never before 
relieved, with so little imposition.  Some shameless creatures, possessed of 
houses, and comfortable means of support, have been detected in endeavouring to 
partake of the relief destined solely for the really indigent and distressed.

	Besides those who came forward to ask assistance in the way of gift, there 
was another class, in equal distress, and equally entitled to relief, who could 
not descend to accept it as charity.  The committee, disposed to foster this 
laudable principle, one of the best securities from debasement of character, 
relieved persons of this description with small loans weekly, just enough for 
immediate support, and took acknowledgments for the debt, without ever intending 
to urge payment, if not perfectly convenient to the parties.

	The number of persons relieved weekly, was about twelve hundred; many of 
whom had families of four, five, and six persons.

	The gradual revival of business has rescued those who are able and willing 
to work, from the humiliation of depending on public charity.  And the 
organization of the overseers of the poor has thrown the (Page 39) support of 
the proper objects of charity into its old channel.  The distribution of money, 
etc. ceased therefore on Saturday, the 23d of November.