Chapter III: Part 3

Whether as a nation or as individuals, let us not be regardless of the warnings and mercies which we have from time to time experienced at the hand of God. Let us remember the word of the Lord addressed to his rebellious people of old, “Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast,” &c. And again, “If ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you.”

During a succession of many generations, the judgments of the Lord, either of pestilence, famine, or the sword, have visited our land at different periods. On these occasions, days for public humiliation have been resorted to, with confession of sin, and vows of repentance and amendment. The prayer of the nation has been invariably heard, and the scourge withdrawn. The mercies thus experienced have been acknowledged by national thanksgiving. But notwithstanding these things, we have been a rebellious people. It was only within the last year that another of God’s judgments called forth our humiliation, and public prayers for deliverance. Again a supplicating nation was heard—the calamity was withdrawn; and this was acknowledged by a general thanksgiving. The Lord has hitherto been merciful to us; and still, as a nation, we are wonderfully blessed. But fearful signs and warnings have been hovering around, to awaken us from spiritual lethargy, and forgetfulness of the past. In addition to this, the storm which has recently burst forth upon our continental neighbours, and shaken the foundations of thrones and empires, whilst it bids us to be thankful for the privileges we enjoy, calls upon us to put our whole trust in Him who hath hitherto succoured us. Therefore, amidst all the foreboding signs of the times, and the internal convulsions that threaten other nations, may we have grace so to acquit ourselves consistently with our Christian profession, that God may yet be merciful to our land, and continue to us His blessing.

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AT a Vestry meeting, held this 13th day of January, 1833, in pursuance of a notice duly given,—

Resolved, “That a small stone, in the shape of a cross, with the
date, 1832, engraved upon it, be placed as a memorial at the head of
all the graves of persons who had died of the awful disease of
cholera.”

[Picture: Cross with 1832 written on it]

SUBSCRIBERS.

Adams, Mr. Peter, Plymouth. Allen, Rev. John, North Huish. Allport, D. H. Esq., London. Andrews, Mr. H., Modbury. Andrews, Peggy, Underwood. Andrew, Mr. John, Ridgeway. Ash, Mr., Topsham. Aylwin, Robert, Esq., Blackland, Plympton (four copies).

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Bedford, the Duke of Bedford, the Duchess of Beauford, Miss, Tavistock. Bennett, W. Esq., Plymouth (two copies). Bevan, John, Esq., London (four copies). Bewes, Rev. Thomas, Beaumont (two copies). Bewes, Captain, ditto (two copies). Bewes, Charles, Esq. (four copies). Bickford, Jane, Underwood. Bickley, Mrs., Ridgeway. Biggs, Mrs. Arnold (two copies). Biggs, Miss Juliet (two copies). Body, Mr., Plymouth. Boger, Deeble, Esq., Plympton (two copies). Boger, Mrs., ditto (two copies). Bogue, Rev. Richard, Denbury (eight copies). Bone, J. Esq., Devonport. Boolds, Mr. C., Plymouth. Bray, Rev. E. A., Tavistock (two copies). Bray, Mrs., ditto (two copies). Bulteel, Miss

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Clarendon, the Earl of (four copies). Clarendon, the Countess of (four copies). Caledon, the Dowager Countess of (four copies). Call, Sir William, Bart. Call, Miss Calmady, Mrs., Langdon Hall. Cann, Mr., Ridgeway. Catchpole, Mr., Plympton St. Mary. Carew, Norman, Esq., Stoke (two copies). Charrington, Spencer, Esq., London. Clark, Mrs., Buckland-Tout-Saints (two copies). Clark, Mrs. Erving, Efford Manor. Cleverton, J. Esq., Boon’s Place. Cobb, Rev. Robert, Ellingham, Norfolk. Coles, J. B. Esq., Parrock’s Lodge, Chard. Coles, Mrs., ditto. Coles, Rev. James, Shepton Beauchamp (four copies). Coles, J. S. Esq., Plymouth (two copies). Cole, Mrs., Underwood. Collier, John, Esq., Plymouth. Conway, Rev. W., Rochester. Conway, Miss, ditto. Cork, Rev. Duncan, M.A., Ivy Bridge (four copies). Cork, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Coryton, A. Esq., Pentillie. Coryton, Miss, ditto. Cottle, Mr. John, Ridgeway. Cotton, W. Esq., Highland House, Ivy Bridge (two copies). Cotton, Mrs., Highland House, Ivy Bridge (two copies). Crews, Mr. H., Plympton. Cummings, Rev. Charles, M.A., Cheadle (four copies). Curteis, Rev. Thomas, Sevenoaks (four copies).

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De Dunstanville, Lady Davis, Rev. C. G., Tewkesbury. Dawson, J. Esq., London. Dennis, Rev. Samuel, Stoke. Dennis, Lardner, Esq. Dewdney, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Duff, Admiral, Braemoriston, Elgin (four copies). Duff, Mrs., ditto (four copies). Dyer, Mr. Robert, Norfolk Hotel, London (two copies).

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Eastlake, George, Esq., Plymouth. Eastlake, Charles Locke, Esq., London. Edmonds, Miss, Ridgeway. Edwards, Captain, Ludbrook House. Elphinstone, Miss (four copies). Elliot, Mr., Underwood (two copies). Evans, William, Esq., Ridgeway. Evans, W. H. Esq., Stoke Villa.

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Fanshawe, Captain H., R.N., Tilbuster Lodge, Surrey (two copies). Fanshawe, Capt. A., Stonehouse. Flint, Rev. C. W. Raffles, Morden, Surrey (eight copies). Forster, Mrs., Ditchingham Cottage, Suffolk (two copies). Forster, Miss Emily, ditto (twenty copies). Fry, Mr. E., Plymouth. Furneaux, James, Esq., Swilly.

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Gardner, Mr. John, Plympton St. Mary. Giles, Mr. John, Plympton St. Mary. Gordon, Mrs., Inverness. Gordon, Mrs. Hugh, ditto Goss, Mr. Robert, Plympton. Grills, Mr. John, Plympton St. Mary.

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Haddock, Mrs., London. Hales, Mrs., Richmond (two copies). Hallett, Mrs., Plymouth. Hall, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Hall, Mr. Sparkes, 308, Regent Street, London. Hatchard, Rev. John, M.A., Plymouth. Hawker, W. H. Esq., ditto. Hicks, Mr. F., ditto. Hingston, A. Esq., ditto. Hitchins, Mr. Martin, ditto (two copies). Holden, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Holmes, Rev. Peter, Plymouth. Holmes, Mr. Walter, ditto. Holman, Mr. (and Coombes). Hook, Mrs., Gascoyne Place, Plymouth. Howse, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Hullah, Charles, Esq., London (four copies). Hullah, Rev. Thomas, M.A., Ridgeway (four copies). Hunt, Major, Penquit Lodge.

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Jago, Robert, Esq., Plymouth (two copies). James, W. T. Esq. R.N., Plympton. James, Mr., Exeter. Jauncey, Francis, Esq. (four copies). Jones, Miss Braemoriston, Elgin (four copies). Julian, Mr. George, Plympton.

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Kington, Thomas, Esq., Charlton House (four copies). King, Mrs. James, Burrington (two copies). Kingdon, Mr. John, Ridgeway (two copies). Kirby, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary.

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Lewis, Lady Theresa (four copies). Lewis, G. Cornwall, Esq. (four copies). Lane, Rev. Richard, Coffleet. Lane, Mr. Richard, Ridgeway. Langmead, Rev. G. W., M.A., Plymouth (two copies). Langworthy, Richard, Esq., Plympton (eight copies). Laskey, Mrs. Underwood. Lavers, Joanna, ditto. Lavers, Mr. James, Ridgeway. Ley, George, Esq., Cockington. Ley, Miss, ditto. Lidstone, Mr. Roger, Plymouth. Luttrell, Miss, Tilbuster Lodge, Surrey (two copies).

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Morley, the Earl of (eight copies). Morley, the Countess of (eight copies). Morley, the Dowager Countess of (four copies). Macfarlane, Mrs., Inverness (five copies). Magrath, Sir George, M.D., Plymouth. Mangles, Captain C. E. Martin, the Rev. Chancellor, Exeter. Marsh, Rev. W. M.A., Ashburton (four copies). Mayhew, C. H. Esq., London. May, Rev. John, M.A., Ugborough. Mears, Rev. H., Snow Hill, Hartish (two copies). Mellish, Miss (eight copies). Milner, Colonel, Plymouth. Molesworth, Rev. William, M.A., St. Brooke. Molesworth, Rev. Hugh. Molesworth, Rev. Paul. Molesworth, Walter Hele, Esq., Goodamoor. Morrice, Rev. W. D., M.A. Plymouth. Mudge, Col. R. E., Beechwood (eight copies). Mudge, Zach. Esq. M.A. (two copies). Murray, Captain, Gosport.

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Osmond, Mrs., Ridgeway. Overton, Mr. S., London. Oxenham, Mrs., Southernhay, Exeter.

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Page, J. Esq., London. Page, Mr., Plymouth. Palk, Lawrence, Esq. Palk, Mrs. Parker, Montague, Esq., Whiteway (four copies). Parker, Mrs., ditto (four copies). Parker, Mr. I., Ridgeway. Parkhouse, Mr. S., Plymouth. Parsons, Mr., ditto. Pasmore, Mrs. E., Plympton St. Mary. Pepperall, Mary, Underwood. Pinwill, Rev. W. James, Plymouth (two copies). Pearse, Mr. J., Plympton. Phillipps, C. J. Esq., 1st Royals, Landue, Cornwall. Phillipps, Miss Caroline, ditto. Phillipps, Miss Barbara, ditto. Plimsaul Brothers, Messrs., Plymouth (two copies). Pitcher, W. H. Esq., London. Pitts, Mrs. Jane, ditto. Pitts, Mrs., Hay, Plympton St. Mary. Praed, W. Mackworth, Esq., Delamore. Praed, Mrs. W. Mackworth, ditto. Prance, W. Esq., Plymouth. Pridham, George, Esq., ditto. Pirdham, W. Esq., Plymouth. Pym, Rev. F., Bickleigh.

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Rack, W. M. Esq., London. Reep, Richard T. Esq., London. Robertson, Major, Lyncolm, Bath. Roberts, Ann, Ridgeway. Roe, H. Esq., Gnaton. Rogers, Captain, R.N., Plymouth.

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St. Germans, the Earl of St. Germans, the Countess of Seymour, Rev. Sir J. Culme, Bart. (two copies). Seymour, Lady Sarah, Mr., Merafield. Saunders, Mrs., Kitley. Saunders, George R. Esq., Wadebridge. Scudamore, Rev. W. E., M.A., Ditchingham. Sealy, Miss, Bristol (two copies). Selerne, Mrs., Plympton St. Mary. Shepherd, John, Esq. Townsend Hill (two copies). Shortland, Mrs. George, Lipson. Smale, Mr. G., Plympton St. Mary. Smeaton, Rev. S. B., Sheepstor. Smith, Rev. Hinton, Plymouth. Smythe, Rev. John, Ridgeway (eight copies). Smythe, Mrs., ditto. Smythe, Miss, ditto. Smythe, Miss Agnes, ditto. Smythe, Miss Mary, ditto. Smythe, Miss Altha, ditto. Soltau, George W. Esq., Efford (four copies). Soltau, Mrs., ditto (four copies). Soltau, Mrs. William, Plymouth (two copies). Southwood, Mr. Thomas, Underwood. Spear, Miss, Halton Barton. Spence, Charles, Esq., Stoke. Squire, Mr. S., Plymouth. Squire, Mr., ditto. Stuart, Douglas, Esq., Handley House, Dor. (four copies). Stanbury, Mr. H., Ridgeway. Stanbury, Mr. B. Stapleton, Augustus Granville, Esq. Stone, Rev. D. S., Walkhampton. Stephens, Robert, Esq., Plymouth. Stockman, Mr. H., Underwood. Strangways, Mrs., Plymouth. Street, Fanny, Colebrook. Strode, George, Esq., Newnham Park (four copies). Strode, Mrs., ditto (four copies). Strode, George Sidney, Esq., ditto. Strode, Miss, ditto. Strode, Miss Florence, ditto. Symons, Mrs., Chaddlewood (three copies). Symons, Major, Stonehouse.

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Tallock, R. T. Esq., London. Taylor, Rev. Henry, Southpoole (two copies). Taylour, Mrs. C. Thomas, D. Esq., London. Tolcher, Edward, Esq., Ridgeway (four copies). Toope, Mr. Stephen, Underwood. Treby, Paul O. Esq., Goodamoor (two copies). Treby, Henry Hele, Esq., ditto. Treby, Miss, ditto. Treby, Miss Blanche J., ditto. Tremayne, J. H. Esq., Helygan. Trench, Rev. Francis, M.A. Reading (three copies).

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Verulam, the Dowager Countess (four copies). Villiers, the Honourable Mrs. (eight copies). Vawdon, Mr., Baccamore, Plympton St. Mary. Vawdon, Mrs., ditto. Vicary, Mr. T., Plymouth. Vosper, Mrs., Merafield.

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Walke, Mrs., Ridgeway (two copies). Walke, Mr. Andrew, ditto. Watts, Rev. Prebendary, Gunville Rectory, Dorset. Weekes, Mr., Professor of Music, Plymouth. Whetham, Mrs., Kirklington Hall, Notts. (two copies). White, Miss, Seven Trees, Plymouth (two copies). White, Miss, Sarah, ditto (two copies). White, Miss, Smithaleigh, Plympton St. Mary. Widdicombe, Mr. J., Ludbrook Cottage. Williams, Rev. C. K., D.D., Plympton. Williams, John Esq., Ham Street (two copies). Wills, Mr., Plymouth. Wills, Mr. J., ditto. Wilmot, Captain. Wilmot, Mrs. Wollacott, Mrs., Ridgeway. Woollcombe, Captain, R.N., Hemerdon (four copies). Woollcombe, Rev. E. C., M.A., Oxford. Woodman, C. B. Esq., York House, Hampstead. Woodman, Mrs., ditto.

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Yabsley, Jane, Saltram Lodge Yonge, Rev. J., Puslinch.

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PLYMOUTH
ROGER LIDSTONE, PRINTER,
GEORGE STREET.

FOOTNOTES.

{1} By the census in 1841, the population was 2757 and it is computed, at the present time, to be above 3000.

{2} This valley is at present little else than an extensive marsh, which has been redeemed from the Lary, or Laira, an estuary into which the river Plym empties itself. A dense fog, of a peculiar character, frequently rises from this valley, after sun-set, at all seasons of the year, and hangs about the adjacent hill, assuming the appearance of a white cloud.

{14} This gentleman was the medical officer for the parish; and the epidemic having been chiefly prevalent among the labouring class of people, the frequent mention of his name will be accounted for.

When it pleased God to withdraw the disease from this neighbourhood, the skilful manner in which Mr. Langworthy had treated it, and his unremitting attention to the arduous duties of his office, were duly acknowledged at a parish meeting, with an addition to his salary; and a handsome piece of plate, purchased by subscription, was presented to him. He died a few years afterwards.

{18} A supply of all those medicines, &c., which were considered to be requisite, was provided out of the subscription fund, and kept at my house; viz., castor oil, tincture of rhubarb, laudanum,—packets, of different proportions, ready made up and marked, of powdered rhubarb, carbonate of soda, powdered ginger, and calomel. Carageen moss, arrow-root, patent groats, mustard, linseed, chloride of lime, stimulating liniment, called “cholera lotion,” spirits of turpentine, spirits of salvolatile, &c. From nine to ten every morning, poor people were supplied with what they required,—some, with common remedies for slight indisposition; others, according to prescriptions which they received from their medical attendant,—all under the direction or sanction of some medical practitioner.

{42} When Sergeant Higgins was suddenly carried off by the cholera, a feeling of the deepest commiseration for his wife and children was excited among the officers and privates of the regiment. They immediately entered into a subscription, and when the sorrowing widow was about to leave the Citadel with her four young children, on her journey to Cork, they presented her with a purse containing twenty sovereigns. The poor creature was so overpowered by the conflicting feelings of grief for her loss, and gratitude for such an unexpected act of generosity, that she was unable, without assistance, to get to the waggon in which she was to travel. Some of her late husband’s comrades and their wives accompanied her; and so affecting was the parting scene, that more than one manly cheek was bedewed with tears when the sad farewell was exchanged. How soon was it realized as a last farewell!

Immediately after the funeral, I wrote to her relations at Cork, informing them of the mournful event, and requesting them to inform me what arrangements they would suggest respecting the children. The youngest, aged one year, died of the cholera in our hospital, in a fortnight after the decease of its mother. At this time, a person arrived, to take charge of the children. Before they left the workhouse, where every care had been taken of them, their relation requested to know what was due to the parish. In reply to which, he was informed, that “the last tribute of respect and Christian sympathy to a broken-hearted widow, was reserved for her helpless little orphans.” Nothing was accepted. The purse which she had with her was returned, with the contents untouched.

{45} This man and his wife had been very active and useful, as nurses, and they occupied an upstair apartment, in the same cottage with Parsons’s family.

{48} The town of Plympton, in the parish of Plympton St. Maurice, is situate a few hundred yards eastward from Underwood, in the same valley which lies below that village.

Some displeasure was expressed, at Plympton, on account of Susan Taylor having gone to her brother-in-law’s house, as that place had hitherto been free from the epidemic.

An influential gentleman there wrote to me on the subject, to the following effect:—

I dare say you have heard that the cholera has unhappily appeared
among us, owing to the widow of Taylor and her child, having
emigrated last night from Underwood to Plympton, and slept at the
house of her brother, in consequence of her having no other abode . .
. It is requisite that you should be aided by the practical
co-operation of others, and particularly that you should be
empowered, by the vote of the parish, to enforce in your overseers
the full and immediate performance of their duty . . . If the poor
of Plympton St. Mary are driven from their houses by accident or
pestilence, they are equally entitled to be taken care of by the
parish officers, and it is their bounden duty instantly to provide
them with some other habitation. Had that been attended to
yesterday, we should (at least in the present case) have been exempt
from the pestilence to-day.

Dated August 11th, 1832.

{50} I received the following letter, in consequence of some difficulty that had arisen respecting the power of our present Board of Health to make any order for assistance from the parish; the parish officers having hitherto taken no steps for that purpose:—

Rose Cottage, Ridgeway, August 11, 1832.

My dear Sir,

As the dread malady with which this neighbourhood is unhappily
afflicted does not appear to have yet run its course (neither
Ridgeway nor Colebrook having been much affected), and as it is
utterly impossible that one medical man, however active and zealous,
can attend on half the cases; nor is it possible that you should be
able to continue your exertions as you have done, unless the patients
are more concentrated: under these considerations, I beg to suggest
the propriety of calling a meeting to-morrow, to consider the
expediency of appointing some place to receive the poor people that
may be attacked, and also to depute some one to act as assistant
overseer; as the overseer resides so far off, a deputy is absolutely
necessary.

I remain, my dear Sir,

Yours, &c.
B. CROCKER.

{52} Carbonate of soda, one drachm; muriate of soda (or common salt, now chloride of sodium), one drachm; oxymuriate of potash (now chlorate of potash), six grains; mixed in a quart of water, heated exactly 110 degrees by a thermometer. In cases where this remedy was resorted to, from four to seven quarts were injected.

{54} Some parishioners met in the Vestry-room, after the morning service, and it was resolved, that, as the present Board of Health, being only self-appointed, has not the power of making an order upon the parish for any assistance, under the present distressing emergency, the chairman be requested to write to the secretary of the Central Board, expressing the earnest wish of the members of the Plympton St. Mary Board to be legally constituted.

{56} I wrote to the secretary of the Central Board of Health, Whitehall, informing him that a Board of Health had been appointed in the parish, and requesting, on the part of the Board, that the Board might immediately receive the sanction of the Privy Council, in order to their being enabled to exercise the requisite authority for endeavouring to prevent the spreading of the cholera; at the same time, requesting to be furnished with copies of the “Orders in Council.”

{65} Providentially that person sustained no injury or inconvenience from such a beautiful trait of a feeling heart; and it was not passed over unrequited.

{70a} A letter from the secretary of the Central Board was received, enclosing an order of the Lords of the Privy Council, appointing a Board of Health at Plympton St. Mary. Notice was given for a meeting of the parishioners, on the 22nd.

{70b} Board of Health, Plympton St. Mary, legally constituted August 18th, 1832:—George Strode, Esq., Newnham Park; Richard Rosdew, Esq., Beechwood; Capt. Woollcombe, R.N., Hemerdon; Henry Hele Treby, Esq., Goodamoor; George William Soltau, Esq., Efford; Augustus Granville Stapleton, Esq., St. Mary’s Hill, Ridgeway; Rev. Edward Beauchamp St. John, Underwood; Robert Langworthy, Esq.; Benjamin Crocker, Esq., Rose Cottage, Ridgeway; Mr. Delville, Underwood; Mr. Pearse, Mr. Cork, Mr. Day, Mr. Worth, Mr. Pollard, Mr. Hilson, Mr. Yolland, Mr. Willing, Mr. Olver, Mr. Brewer; William I. Coppard, Chairman.

{72} Mr. Richard Langworthy was at the time a student in medicine, and came to assist his relation soon after the cholera began to spread at Underwood.

{83} According to notice, duly given, a meeting of the parishioners was held on this day, in the Vestry-room, at the Church; present, Mr. Richard Worth, Mr. Wm. Delville. “Resolved, That this meeting be adjourned from the Vestry-room in the Church, to the Plymouth Inn, Ridgeway; some of the Parishioners having objected to meet in the Vestry-room in the Church, or in the room at the Workhouse, where vestry meetings have hitherto been held, on account of apprehension of danger of infection from the cholera.” The meeting was adjourned accordingly.

WILLIAM I. COPPARD, Chairman.

“An adjourned meeting of the parishioners was held on this day, at
the Plymouth Inn, Ridgeway; present, George Strode, Esq., William
Langmead, Esq., George William Soltau, Esq., B. Crocker, Esq., Mr. J.
Yolland, Mr. William Delville, Mr. Worth, Mr. Willing, Mr. Joseph
Pearse, Mr. Brewer. Resolved, That a Board of Health having been
regularly appointed in the parish, under the authority of the Lords
of H.M. most honourable Privy Council, in compliance with the
proposition of the Board, the sum of twenty pounds be paid to the
order of the chairman of the said Board, for the purpose of meeting
the present expenses of the Board.”

WILLIAM I. COPPARD, Chairman.

{85a} The clergyman of Plympton St. Maurice, having sickness in his family, requested me to visit some of his parishioners whenever I had an opportunity.

{85b} Mr. Deeble Boger was present in several of the worst cases of cholera, in the town of Plympton; and his benevolent and active exertions contributed materially to mitigate the sufferings of the afflicted people.

{96} Susan Taylor subsequently married an honest and industrious labourer. They have five young children, and are living at Underwood at the present time.

{103} Represented on the left hand of the foreground, in the woodcut.