Cholera

Introduction

The aetiology and epidemiology are described on my 'disease' page - Mary McCarthy's article in IoM Family History Journal gives an excellent history of the Manx outbreaks. This page gives extracts from the Manx Sun showing attitudes towards it (and the ill) together with reported mortalites.

See also the brief comment in St Mary's Vestry Book re Castletown outbreak..

Extracts

(newspaper extracts to be completed)

 Manx Sun July 31, 1832

The cholera in our Isle is yet confined to Sand street, and we were in hopes that it had left us, as several days elapsed without any additional case. Two however have again occured, and it is somwhat remarkable that Sundays and Mondays are the days on which new cases generally appear - the consequence of inebriety, from the weekly earnings of the labourer being expended in liquor. There cannot be a stronger denounciation against this vice than the visitation of this desolating angel. If any reproof or punishment could avail to check this evil, surely the cholera, so agonising and so fatal to the drunkard, would make him pause and contemplate the deformity and consequence of this bad habit. As yet this pestilence has not extended beyond the lower parts of Douglas and is confined to objects who have been emciated by excess, except in two or three instances, marked by gross neglect in not using the most common precautions. As very exagerated accounts have gone forth to the public abroad, respecting the number who have sufferred here, it would be desireable that the Board of Health should publish the number of well ascertained deaths by the Asiatic cholera. As far as we can collect, the total number of deaths have not exceeded two or three and twenty, entirely confined to the lower part of the town, and almost exclusively to emaciated drunkards. There is a letter published in this day's journal that loudly calls for the investigation of the Board of Health. It states two most disgusting facts, that should be immediately attended to. The one is that of the washing of the linen in the river near the town of those who have died in the cholera in common with the linen of the healthy. The other is that the water carts are supplied from that part of the river in consequence of the present drought having dried the usual springs. To remedy these evils not a moment should be lost ; we hope that our correspondant's fears have exaggerated them ; but at all events it should be inquired into, and the possibility of such disgraceful practices immediately prevented. It is the imperative duty of the Board of Health, as well as that of the police, to see that the apparel and bed clothes of the sufferrers be immediately burnt after their decease.

... 

Manx Sun 28 August 1832

Lines

On the malignant Disease which at present so much prevails

We oft have heard a rumour from afar,
Of ernal tumult, and of bloody war;
We've heard of famine, and the mournful cries
Have drawn the tears from sympathetic eyes;
We've known when trade in silence lay at rest,
Deep sighs to heave the clamming suff'rer's breast;
We've heard of sore diseases oft to rage
Among mankind, in every land and age;
But now the cry from many a hapless shore,
Vibrates in accents louder than before !

...

Whence came this fearful scourge, this dread disease ?
Is chance its father, and its wings the breeze ?
O no! commissioned by the offended God,
It goes where'er his justice points the rod;
He sent it forth whose hand no man can stay.

O Mona, long the seat of soft repose,
How great thy sins have been ! — how few thy woes!
Think not to rest in guilt secure, unknown
By Him who sits on the eternal throne:
He sees thy guilt — he threatens to destroy;
Repent — reform — or in his anger die.

Douglas, Aug 25, 1832 M.B.

Deaths

Note deaths due to Cholera were seldom indicated as such and though most of the following were cholera deaths, some would be from other causes - on average some 4 or 5 deaths a week would be reported at other times.

Publication day was Tuesday, 'ult' = last month, 'inst' = this month, 'in this town' refers to Douglas.

31 July 1832

On Wednesday last, in Fancy-street, Mr James Wood, blacksmith, aged 49 years.
Same day, in Strand Street, Mr John Corlet, coach-man, aged 42 years.
This morning, in Strand Street, Mr Thomas Callow, plasterer.
Same day, in Bigwell-street, Thomas Carran, labourer, aged 50 years.

14 Aug 1832

Saturday week, in Peel, Mrs Crellin, wife of Mr Harry Crellin, aged 61 years.
On Tuesday last, in Hanover-street, Mr Thos Kneale, labourer, aged 59 years.
Same day, in Strand-street, Mrs Ann Radcliffe.
Same day in Peel, Mrs Kermode, aged 31 years.
On Wednesday last, in Strand Street, Mr Richard Kermode, constable, aged 59 years.
Same day in King street, Mr John Mucklay, ageds 23.
On thursday last, in Bigwell street, Mrs Margaret Gibbons, aged 61 years.
Same day, on the Quay, Ann, wife of Mr William Tickle, bookbinder, aged 36 years.
Same day in Castletown, Mr Thos. Taubman, joiner aged 30 years.
Same day and place, Miss Margaret Bridson, aged 31 years.
Same day in Peel, Mrs Ellen Collister, aged 68 years.
On Friday last, in King street, Mrs Elizabeth Hall, publican, aged 52 years.
Same day in Heywood place, Mrs Stowell, wife of Mr Quayle Stowell, tobaconnist.
On Saturday last, in Cattle Market street, Mr John Whitley, aged 65 years.
Yesterday in Hanover street, Mrs Margaret Hodgson.

21 Aug 1832

On Wednesday last, in Sand-street, Mrs Stephenson.
On Thursday last in Fancy-street, Mrs Cannell, aged 58 years.
Same day in Catlemarket-street, Mrs Kerruish, wife of Mr John Kerruish, tanner, aged 33 years.
Same day in Sand-street, Edward Moore, labourer, aged 14 years.
Same day, in this town, Mr Richard Thompson, mariner, aged 40 years.
Same day, Mr John Clementson, painter, aged 71 years.
On Friday last, in Bigwell street, Mrs Cain.
Same day, in Bigwell street, Mrs Jane Kelly, aged 84 years.
Saturday last, in this town, Mrs Clague, aged 60 years.
On Sunday last, widow Craine, aged 78 years.
Same day, in New Bond street, Mrs Kelly, aged 28 years.
Same day in Fort street, Mrs Quayle, aged 81.
Same day in Queen street, Philip Quayle, labourer, aged 66 years.
Same day, Mr Charles Graham, aged 35 years.
This morning, in Sand street, Mr James Taggart, aged 81 years.
This morning, in Quayle's-lane, Mary, wife of Mr John Casement, mariner, aged 30 years.
Yesterday morning, at Castletown, Mr Thos Gale, shoemaker, aged 30 years.
This morning, same place, Mrs Cunninghame, relict of the late Wm Cuninghame, Esq. aged 79 years.
At Kirk Andreas, on the 7th inst., Mr John Radcliffe aged 60 years.
Same day, Catherine, his daughter, aged 18 years.
On the 10th, Eleanor Radcliffe, wife of above.

At Peel

On Sunday week, Eleanor Brew, aged 2 years.
Yesterday week, Mrs Cain, widow, aged 52 years.
On Wednesday last, Miss Elizabeth Thomas, aged 26 years.
On Friday last, Mrs Kewin, widow, aged 80 years.
Same day Wm Crellin, labourer, aged 46 years.
Same night, Mrs Crellin, wife of above, aged 40 years.
On Saturday, last, Wm. Crellin, son of above, aged 9 years.
On Sunday last, Mrs Ann Kissack, dress-maker.
Yesterday, Mr Hugh Cain

 28 August 1832

On Tuesday last, in Water lane, Mr Thos Quine, labourer, aged 48 years
Same day, near the Baths, Mrs Kewley, Ballanerd, aged 87 years.
Wednesday last, in Lord street, Mr Peter Hoskinson, stone-cutter, aged 29 years.
Same day, near the Market place, the wife of Mr Edward Elvin, coach driver, aged 38 years.
Sane day, in New Bond-street, Mr — Kelly, joiner, aged 33 years.
Same day in Queen street, Mrs Kelly, wife of Mr John Kelly, tailor, aged 56 years.
Same day in North-street, Jane, wife of Mr Robert Gale, gardener, aged 54 years.
On Thursday last, in Drumgold street, Isabella, wife of Mr John Kneale, painter, aged 45 years.
Same day, in Sand street, Mary, wife of Mr Thos. Kelly, aged 56 years.
Same day, in Church street, Catherine, wife of Mr. Wm. Garrett, mason, aged 52 years.
Same day in James street, Catherine, wife of Martin Toole, aged 66 years.
Same day, in Shaws-brow, Isabella, wife of Mr. Thomas Kewin, hairdresser.
On Friday last, in this town, Charlotte Cottier.
On Saturday last, in Lord street, much regretted, Richard Jackson, Esq., aged 33 years.
Same day, in Hanover-street, Margaret, wife of Mr John Cannell, hatter, aged 50 years.
On Sunday last, in Bigwell street, Mr William Quine, joiner, aged 40 years.
Yesterday, in Sand street, Mrs Lawson, widow.
Yesterday, in Queen street, Mrs Moore, wife of Mr John Moore, mason, aged 70 years.
This morning, in Sand street, Mrs Gelling, wife of Mr Thos Gelling, shoemaker.
This day, in this town, Mrs Clucas, schoolmistress.

At Peel

On Saturday week, Mr John Wade, aged 30 years.
On Thursday last, in childbed of three children, Jane, wife of Mr Wm Halsall, aged 29 years.
On Saturday last, at Ballatessen, Kirk German, Mr Thomas Christian, farmer, at an advanced age.
On Sunday last, Jane, wife of Mr Hugh Cone, mariner, aged 30 years.
Yesterday, at Glen Rushen, Mr John Cottier, aged 45 years.

Ar Castletown

On Tuesday last, Mr Thomas Corris.
On Sunday last, Elizabeth, wife of Mr James Killip, mariner.
Same day, Margaret, wife of Mr Thos Watterson, aged 49 years.
Same day, at Port St. Mary, — Moore, son of Mr Henry Moore.
Yesterday, Mr Paul Fell

4 September 1832

On the 24th ult., at Kirk Michael, Mrs Ann Clegg
On Tuesday last, in Sand street, Mr Thos Kelly, aged 21 years.
Same day, in Fort street, Widow Gawne, aged 80 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Edward, son of Mr Sam. Quine, aged 9 years
Same day, at Port Iron, Mrs John Maddrell.
On Wednesday last, in Sand street, Mr John Collister, plasterer.
Same day, in Duke street, Elizabeth, wife of James Hales, tailor, aged 33 years.
Same day, in Sand street, Margaret, wife of Mr Mathias Cain, shoemaker, aged 53 years.
Same day, in Athol street, Mrs Kneale, wife of Mr John Kneale, mason.
Same day, in this town, Mr Edward Kewley, aged 22 years.
Same day in Water-lane, Mrs Nessy Cassidy, aged 43 years.
Same day in Cattle Market street, Mary Callow, aged 10 years.
Same day in Sand street, Mr James Fell, mason, aged 21 years.
Same day, in Port Iron, Mrs William Materson.
On Thursday last, in this town, Mr Thomas Kneen, aged 89 years.
Same day, in this town, Mr Robt. Kneale, labourer.
Same day, in Castletown, William, son of Mr Thomas Waterson, aged 14 years.
Same day, in Port Iron, Mr William Quiggin, aged 18 years.
On Friday last, in this town, Ann, wife of Mr Thomas Creer, rope-maker, aged 66 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Mr Robert Cubbon, of Kirk Arbory.
Same day, in this town, Mr James McNeill, mason.
On Saturday last, in Cattle Market street, Miss Margaret Waterson, aged 29 years.
Same day, near Fancy street, Mrs Phoebe Crooke, aged 87 years.
Same day, in Cattle Market street, Margaret, wife of Mr William Cowley, joiner, aged 48 years.
Same day, in Sand-street, Judah, wife of Mr John Eaton, cooper, aged 61 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Mrs Thomas Bannester.
Same day and place, Mr john Brew.
Same day, at Kirk Andreas, Mrs Esther Radcliffe, aged 54 years.
Same day, in this town, Mrs Cowle, wife of Mr Cowle, joiner.
On Sunday last, in Society lane, Mr Robert Jones, aged 60 years ; and this morning, Elizabeth, wife of above, aged 60 years.
Same day, in Cattle Market street, Mr William Caron, mason, aged 41 years.
Same day, in this town, Elizabeth, wife of Mr James Cowell, mason, aged 24 years.
Yesterday, in Strand street, Jane, wife of James Fell, mason, aged 60 years.
Same day, in this town, Mr John Cannell, hatter, aged 54 years.
Same day, in Great Nelson street, Mr Wm Cassen, horse-breaker, aged 51 years.
Same day, in New Bond street, Mr John M'Gee, blockmaker, aged 41 years, — formerly of Liverpool.
Same day, in this town, Mrs Jane Trelford, aged 38 years.
Last night, in Drumgold street, aged 75 years, Mary Ann, relict of the late Mr William Curran of this town.
This morning, in Drumgold street, Mr James Curphy, painter, aged 53 years.
This morning, in this town, Mr William Corkill, labourer.
This morning, in this town, John Cottier, porter, aged 57 years.

11 September 1832

On Sunday, the 2d Inst, at Port Iron, Mrs Wm Crebbin.
On Monday, the 3d, at Castletown, Miss Catherine Watterson, aged 19 years.
Same day, at Port St. Mary, Mr Henry Coole.
On Wednesday last, on the South Quay, Ann wife of Mr Thomas Ormston, aged 66 years.
Same day, in North street, Miss Sarah Mackenvin, aged 47 years.
Same day, in Cattle Market street, Margaret, relict of the late Mr Samuel Waterson, carpenter, aged 66 years.
Same day, at Castletown, Mr Wm Taggart.
On Thursday last, in Bigwell street, Mr Miles Poslethwaite, grocer, aged 38 years.
Same day, in this town, Mr Patrick Bartly, aged 72.
Same day, in this town, Isabella, wife of Mr Nicholas Quirk, stone-cutter.
On Friday last, in Strand street, Ann, wife of Mr John Corkill.
Same day, in Great Nelson street, Mr John Ritson, Butcher, aged 62 years, formerly of Workington.
Same day, in Bigwell street, Miss Ann Faragher, dress-maker, aged 22 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Mr Richard Moore, mariner.
On Saturday last, in Strand street, Mr William Cown, blacksmith, aged 33 years.
Same day, in Drumgold street, magaret, relict of the late Mr James Curphy, painter, aged 43 years.
Same day, in this town, Mrs Judah Daggan, at an advanced age.
Same day, in this town, Ann Faragher.
Same day, in Malew street, Castletown, Widow Quirk.
Yesterday, in Strand atreet, Mr James Fell, mason, aged 63 years.
Same day, in this town, Mrs Ann Mylrea.
Same day, in Queen street, Castletown, Mr James Clague, aged 51 years.
Same day and place, Emma, daugher of Mr Thomas clague, aged 4 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Patrick Waterson.

18 September 1832

On Tuesday last, in this town, Mr Edward Garnett, formerly of Nottingham.
Same day, at Castletown, Elizabeth, wife of Mr Wm Waterson, mariner.
Same day in Port Iron, Margaret Christian.
Same day at Kirk Christ Rushen, Mr Wm Cowle.
Same day and Place, Edward, son of Mr Edward Gale, and Elizabeth, daughter of above.
On Wednesday last, on the North Quay, universally respected, after a long and painful illness which he bore with pious resignation, Major Rowan, in his 79th year.
Same day, in Sand street, in the 80th year of her age, Mrs Catherine Faragher.
Same day, in this town, Wm Kelly, labourer, aged 35.
Same day, at Port Iron, Ellen Hudson.
On Thursday last, at Mount Pleasant, near this town, Mr Francis Benson, formerly of the county of Cumberland, aged 45 years.
Same day, at the Red Gap, near Castletown, Widow Costain, in her 84th year.
On Friday last, in Queen street, Mr Robert Moore, joiner, aged 36 years.
Same day, in Castletown, in her 70th year, Christiana, relict of the late James Kelly, Esq., of that town, deeply regretted by a numerous and respectable acquaintance.
Same day and place, Mr William Kewin, aged 54.
Same day, at Kirk Christ Rushen, the son of J. M'Combe.
Same day and place, Mrs Catherine Quark.
On Saturday last, in Factory lane, Mrs E. Taggart, in the 74th year of her age.
Same day in Castletown, Widow Lawson.
Same day and place, William, son of Mr Thos. Taylor.
On Sunday last, at the Strang, near this town, Mr Wm Clucas, aged 60 years.
Same day, in Castletown, Widow Corris.
Same day and place, Margaret, daughter of Mr John Gelling, aged 31 years.
Yesterday, in this town, Mr William Karran, blacksmith, aged 62 years.
Yesterday, in Castletown, G.H.Semple, Esq., aged 74 years.

26 September 1832

On the 7th inst, in Tithebarn street, Liverpool, Mr John Nelson, of the parish of Braddan in this Island.
Yesterday week, at Castletown, Catherine, daughter of Mr Robert Kelly.
Same day, at Cross Fourways, Mrs Chas. Clague.
Same day at Port Iron, Mr Thomas Waterson.
Same day, at Port St mary, Mr John Harrison.
On Tuesday last, in this town, Margaret, relict of the late Mr Wm Karran, blacksmith, aged 58 years ; on the following day, Mr James Karran, son of the above aged 26 years ; and on Thursday, Margaret, daughter of above, aged 21 years.
On Tuesday last, at Castletown, Edward, son of Mr Thomas Bell.
On Wednesday last, in this town, Mr Barnabas Kelly, shoemaker, aged 40 years.
same day, at Castletown, Margaret Quine.
Same day and place, Amelia, daughter of Mr Richard Curran.
Same place, on Thursday last, catherine Sweetman.
Same day and place, - , son of Mr Wm. Kewin.
On Friday last, in Bigwell street, Mrs Barbara Ranken, aged 84 years.
Same day, at Castletown, Catherine, daughter of Mr John Gelling.
Same day, at Port St mary, Mrs Cubbon.
On Saturday last, at Castletown, Mr J. Faragher.
Same day and place, Mrs King.
Same place, on Sunday last, Mrs Robinson.

2 October 1832

On Monday, in Castletown, James Brooie ; Michael McLinchey ; Mrs Edward Harrison.
Same place, on Tuesday, Mrs Robert Shimmin.
Same place, on Wednesday, Mrs Gourney ; Miss Eleanor Curran.
On Wednesday last, in Duke street, William, second son of Mr Thomas Garrett, merchant, aged 18 years.
On Thursday last, in Great George's street, William Craven, Esq., formerly of Manchester, aged 72 years.
At Castletown, on Thursday, Mr Philip Quirk; an infant Son of Henry Kelly ; John Kneen ; Margaret Shimmin ; Margaret Kelly ; catherine, daughter of James Wallace ; Robert, son of Samuel Skelly ; Son of Michael McLuchy ; Mrs Maurice Ward ; Eleanor Kissack ; a daughter of John Kelly.
Same place, on Friday, James Wallace.
Same place, on Saturday, a son of William Quayle tidewaiter ; William, son of James Wallace ; Eleanor Curran aged 19.
Same place, yesterday morning, capt. Edward Killey, a aman of the strictist integrity, whose conduct could only be appreciated by the circle of his acquaintance, where he is universally and justly regretted.
In Liverpool, suddenly, on Saturday last, where had had gone on business, Mr John Cowin, carpenter, of Peel, aged 33 years.

9 October 1832

Yesterday week, at Port St Mary, George, son of Mr Thos Caran.
Same day, in Castletown, Mrs Wm Beeden.
Same day and place, Mrs Mark Kelly.
On Tuesday last, same place, Wm., son of Mr Richd. Fargher.
Same day and place, Isabella, daughter of Mr James Wallace.
Same day and place, Mr - martin.
Same day and place, Mr Wm Bayliss, private 24th regiment.
On Wednesday last, same place, Mr Samuel Skelly.
On Thursday last, same place, Mr Mark Kelly.
Same day and place, Wm., son of Mr Wm Bridson.
Same day and place, Mr james Corlett, of Ballaugh.
Same day and place, Mr Robert Cubbon.
Same day and place, Mr John Bridson, Ballavarkish.
Same day at Port St Mary, Catherine Taylor.
On Friday last, at Castletown, Mrs John Black.
Same day and place, Mrs O'Reiley.
On saturday last, same place, Mr John Cumming, of St Marks.
Same day, in this port, Mr John Doyle, master of the smack Ellen, of Wicklow, wind-bound from Whitehaven for that port.
On Sunday last, at Castletown, Mr James Dinwoodie sen.
Same day and place, Ellen, daughter of Mr John Costain.
Yesterday, same place, a child of Mr Charles Quayle.

16 October 1832

At Manchester, on 3rd Inst. H.M. Scott, Esq., of the 63rd Regt. eldest son of the late W. Scott Esq., Receiver General of this Isle.
On Tuesday last, in Castletown, Isabella, daughter of Mr Charles Quayle.
same day, at Kirk Christ Rushen, Mr Thos Fargher.
Same day and place, Mrs Fargher, wife of above.
On Wednesday last, in castletown, Mrs Robert Skelly.
On Saturday last, at Castletown, of cholera, aged 55 years, Mr Richard Jones, surgeon, who during the prevalence of the pestilence which has so awfully afflicted that town was unremitting in his attention to the sufferers. From the year 1804, when he first settled in Castletown, up to his decease, the poorest person was as certain of his advice and attendance (and that from no unskilful hand) as the richest. He saw poverty surrounded by no terrors to prevent approach ; and unbounded philanthropy shone pre-eminently through all his actions. In a very extensive practice he was most fortunate ; and great attention and urbanity of manners rendered his deeply and deservedly regretted.
Same day, in Kirk Christ Rushen, Mrs Thomas Kermode.
Yesterday, at Arragon Moar, Mr Robert Moor, aged 32 years.

A List of Castletown deaths is found in MM MD 287

Deaths in Castletown 1832