Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

“ [128] 26; Sept., 101; Oct., 411; Nov., 249; Dec., 31; Jan., 6.” The extent of the destruction of life in Cambridge, by this scourge, is not known with exactness; but references to it are found in the “New England Courant:” “Cambridge, Thursday, Nov. 30, 1721. This morning died here William Hutchinson, of Boston, Esq., of the small-pox, in the 38th year of his age.” （Dec. 4, 1721.) “Last week died one of the Indian hostages (mentioned in our last) of the small-pox at Cambridge.” （Jan. 22, 1721-2.) “On Friday last, the General Assembly of this Province met at Cambridge, there not being a sufficient number of members to make a House on Wednesday, to which day they were before prorogued. They are adjourned till Tuesday next, when they are to meet a few miles out of town, the small-pox being now in the heart of that place.” （March 5, 1721-2.) The Town Records show that a Committee was appointed, Jan. 29, 1721-2, to provide “for the relief of such persons and families as may stand in need thereof, in case the small-pox spread amongst us.” Inoculation for the small-pox was first introduced in Boston at this time by Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, who encountered the most violent opposition. “Out of 286 persons who were inoculated for the smallpox, but six died.” ¹

In 1730, the small-pox again prevailed in Cambridge with alarming violence. Nine town meetings were held between March 20 and April 3, to devise means for its extermination. A vote passed at the first of these meetings indicates that inoculation had been injudiciously or carelessly practiced: “Whereas Samuel Danforth, Esq's late practice of inoculation of small-pox amongst us has greatly endangered the town, and distressed sundry families amongst us, which is very disagreeable to us; wherefore, voted, that said Samuel Danforth, Esq. be desired forthwith to remove such inoculated persons into some convenient place, whereby our town may n't be exposed by them.” The College studies were broken up for a time; but the students were recalled by an advertisement, dated May 2, 1730, and published in the “Weekly Journal:” “The small-pox having been lately at Cambridge, which occasioned the dispersion of the scholars to escape danger; but now, through the Divine goodness, that distemper having utterly ceased here; it is agreed and ordered by the President and Tutors, that the undergraduates forthwith repair to the College, to follow their studies and stated exercises. Benjamin Wadsworth, Pres.” The distemper returned again