Famous physician inoculates young family for small pox after it takes the Father
Author
Recipient
Date Written
June 9, 1795
Dr. Hall Jackson was 55 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Major William Weeks, was 71 when it was received.
Dr. Hall Jackson died 2 years, 3 months, 19 days after writing this.
It was written 227 years, 9 months, 18 days ago.
It was a Tuesday.
Portland
Wednesday 9th June 1795
Dear Mr. Weeks,
I was at Somersworth on Sunday last. I tarried the day with Mrs. Rollins & the family. I shall see them again tomorrow by appointment; this will be more of a visit of civility than necessity, for they have no need of a Physician, or medical assistance. They received the disorder by the first inoculation and have all the disease (especially Mrs. Rollins) in the most favourable manner; by next Sunday I suppose the House will be free from all infection. Mrs. Rollins bears the heavy dispensation of Providence that none but those that are possessed with her good sense and Christian fortitude could endure or be supported under; she is patient and resign’d, such a melancholy situation, deprived of her best and dearest connection, sequestered from all her relations and friend; when she most needed their consolations and advice—at the same time anticipating a disease so much dreaded and whose fatal and horrid effect, she had been the distressed spectator of I fear’d would have been too much for her; but she is superior to them all!
Yours affectionately,
Hall Jackson
Scans of Letter
