It was here that allen met absalom jones, a former worshiper. During the yellow fever outbreak in philadelphia in 1793, dr. Free african society fas, nondenominational religious mutual aid organization that provided financial and emotional support to newly free african slaves in the united states. 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. Richard allen and absalom jones of the free african society, along with. Fever 1793 is a excellent piece of historical fiction for any age. And anyone who thinks the free african society got so much as a whisper of thanks for their efforts, by the way, needs to study up on their history a little more. In aid to the sick, the fas became famous for its members. 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 help, often asking little or no pay. The free african society historical society of pennsylvania. Allen, however, found the fass incorporation of quaker practices.
It was the summer of 1793 and a ghastly epidemic of yellow fever gripped the largest. It was the first black religious institution in the city and led to the establishment of the first independent black churches in the united states. Yellow fever, an american plague, philadelphia, free african society, benjamin rush, jim murphy. Philadelphia, 1793 a map of the city of philadelphia during the time of the fever epidemic. I especially love the details that anderson wove into the story, such as the vital role the free african society played in the recovery efforts and the clashing treatments of. Social welfare history project free african society. The free african society after richard allen secured his freedom, he was a circuit preacher and attended meetings in delaware, maryland, new jersey, and pennsylvania. He later wrote several books on his experience with yellow fever. Mattie is needed immediately to help in their coffeehouse, since their serving girl, polly, is late for work. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 by jim murphy.
This novel takes place during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in philadelphia, an actual historical event. I heard a man died of the fever in the middle of the. The american plague the author draws on primary sources for this nonfiction book recommended by washington post columnist john kelly, evocatively describing the. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 author. Fever, 1793 by laurie halse anderson 745 words bartleby. When allen came to the philadelphia in 1786, he was approached by the minister of st. Robert has an appointment with the mayor this very day to insist that he put an end to the rumors of yellow fever.
The role of african americans when yellow fever epidemic spread. The free african society, founded in 1787, was a benevolent organization that held religious services and provided mutual aid for free africans and their descendants in philadelphia. The society also took on the task of assisting the sick during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop. Bizarre medical practices of the time are discussed, as well as popular historical figures, such as george washington and benjamin rush, who were involved. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. In 1787, richard allen and absalom jones, prominent black ministers in philadelphia, pennsylvania, formed the free african society fas of philadelphia, a mutual aid and religious organization. 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. Discuss the irony of the free african society s role during the yellow fever epidemic. In 1793 an outbreak of yellow fever struck philadelphia, and the fas provided comfort and. This volume makes a good companion for the fiction book fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson.
The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 is a young adult nonfiction title that draws on firsthand accounts and explores the fever s historical context, sharing fever 1793 s emphasis on the lifesaving efforts of the free africans. Allen said this was a chance for black people to show we are every bit as good and important and useful as white people. In aid to the sick, the fas became famous for its members charitable. The free african society, which was located at 6th and market streets, was the first. Or that the first hot air balloon launched in the united states happened in philadelphia in 1793.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. During the year 2000, a new book, fever 1793, by laurie halse. In 1793 philadelphia, sixteenyearold matilda cook, separated. He bought his freedom and went on to hel p found the african methodist episcopal church and become its first bishop. It is with the help of eliza, the coffeehouse cook who is active in the free african society, that the women find a way to nurse all their patients as the family makes it through to.
Fever 1793 begins with good historical information for the reader who may not be aware of the situation in philadelphia. The yellow fever outbreak began in the beginning of august 1793, and the more individuals became sick and deceased, the more philadelphia citizens became frightened and fled the city. 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. A tale of the revolution, by avi, is another young adult historical novel. By the end of september, 20,000 people had fled the city. During the summer of 1793, mattie cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. In the middle of the book, the story becomes more melodramatic as it focuses on the main character as she tries desperately to find her mother and a place for her grandfather and her as the fever engulfs the city. Students will learn about the yellow fever epidemic, the free african society, and life after the american revolution. Free african society american organization britannica. The societys most famous contribution to the city was the help members provided during the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, which killed. If i found this when i was about ten, i would have read it ragged.
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 leaders of philadelphias free african society, a mutual aid organization founded in 1787 by ministers absalom jones and richard allen in partnership with. The acclaimed author of speak, which was a national book award finalist, an ala michael l. Allen and jones published a book with the rebuttal that many white nurses. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia free african society. The society organized folks to visit the sick, to care for them and bury them if they died. Headed by black founding fathers richard allen 17601831 and absalom jones 17461818, the free african society was founded on april 12, 1787, as a nondenominational mutual aid society and the first dedicated to serving philadelphias burgeoning free black community. Laurie halse anderson mattie takes responsibility for the orphan, nell, and began to work with eliza at the free african american society by delivering food to african americans who were still staying in the city limits despite the presence of the epidemic. 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. The fever 1793 is a wonderful book to anyone who enjoys historical novels and dramatic books.
What are some historical facts mentioned in fever 1793. They are known for ministering to the sick, and two of their members have just been seen in the area. Fever 1793 the brave people who stayed in the city and helped the sick were extraordinary. Richard allen was born a slave in philadelphia in 1760. Many of a persons early life experiences can contribute to this transition, even if it is the simplest of things. Rush would become very well known as one of the many doctors who mistakenly believed blacks were immune to yellow fever. Black nurses and the 1793 philadelphia yellow fever epidemic. Fever 1793 literature guide for teachers, 5th9th grade. The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 by jim murphy 3,681 ratings, 3. What role did the free african society play in the yellow. Free african society the free african society was founded in 1787 by richard allen and absalom jones. Erica dunbar on free blacks in philadelphia youtube. The society was founded by richard allen and absalom jones. They take on the most disgusting cases and emerge as the real heroes of this tale.
The epidemic literally decimated the population of the city, killing 10% of its people. Printz honor book, and an ala best book for young adults, as well as several picture books, she lives in. Free african society a group of people thought they were immune get together. 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. The free african society help the infected people in 1793 from yellow fever. Reverend richard allen, founder of the free african society the frontispiece to daniel a. Fever 1793 laurie halse anderson read online free books. The fas was formed in 1787 in philadelphia, pennsylvania, by american preachers richard allen and absalom jones and other free african americans. The free african society why have city officials closed the almshouse.
The free african society yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Nathaniel benson had heard me say it, but he did not laugh. The great experiment fever erica dunbar talks about the free black community in philadelphia during the 1790s and everyone who supported it. In august, 1793, 14yearold matilda mattie cook is awakened by her mother, lucille cook, scolding her for sleeping late. How do you think most people living in 1793 would respond to matilda living with eliza and her family. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson pdf, download epub fever 1793 fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson.
In an american plague, he tells the story of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. He had persuaded the free african society, a religious black community, to. Understanding the historical context will help with our first book, fever, 1793 by laurie halseanderson. Not until today when scientists prove that the disease hit in 1793 is spread. Free african society fas, nondenominational religious mutual aid. Laurie halse anderson began work on fever 1793 in 1993 after she came across an article in her local newspaper commemorating the epidemic that had devastated philadelphia two centuries before. Newbery honor and boston globehorn book honorrecipient jim murphy has written numerous stories based on historical events, such as the boys war and the great fire. Allen and jones envisioned the society as the foundation of an interdenominational church for the citys free black population. Fever 1793 teachers guide explore late eighteenthcentury life in america with the discussion topics and crosscurricular activities in this teachers guide for fever 1793. Georges united methodist church to preach to the small number of african americans who attended. Edwards award for her contribution to young adult literature, and fever 1793 is an american library association best book for young. 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.
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. Mattie would rather daydream about escaping philadelphia, much like blanchards hotair balloon which flew earlier that year, but she reluctantly complies. The doctors thought us africans couldnt get yellow fever. 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. Fever 1793 by laurie halse anderson plot summary litcharts. They help with patients and the sickly because they cant get yellow fever. The mission of the group was to provide fellowship, a place of worship. The free african society is having a meeting about the fever. Paynes history of the african methodist episcopal church 1891. Or that there was a free african society that helped citizens of philadelphia in the epidemic regardless of race or class.
251 939 132 1231 604 888 847 1485 709 1373 1138 520 1225 498 693 278 853 179 1422 1472 971 855 1471 1288 1121 1524 784 157 631 467 1039 854 324 345 177 840 359 1439 891 1317 739 365 1033 325 361 351 1231 786