Isaac Heston was a young law apprentice to John Todd, Jr. He lived in the garret of the Todd House and worked for John Todd, Jr. in his law office. Isaac was learning about the law and the courts so that he could become a lawyer someday.

Isaac stayed in Philadelphia with John Todd, Jr. in 1793, and died at age twenty-three of yellow fever.

Dear Brother,

You can not imagine the situation of this city. How deplorable it continues to be more and more depopulated, both by the removal of its inhabitants into the country, and by the destructive Fever which now prevails. They are Dying on our right hand and on our left, we have it opposite to us, in fact all around us. Great are the number that are called to the grave, and numbered with the silent Dead. Last third Day there were buried in Potters field 26. In the Dutch Calvinist ground 22 and in Friends 7. That is, in three burial grounds only 55. It is said there were that Day upwards of one hundred. Some say one hundred and thirty odd. But true it is there were upwards of hundred. Those who at first appeared to be stout-hearted, are now moving out of the City. There is now scarcely anybody to be seen in many parts of the town. And those who are seen are principally French and Negroes. Amongst whom it does not seem to be so prevalent especially [?] among the negroes. Indeed I don’t know what the people would do if it was not for the Negroes, as they are the Principal nurses. Doctor Rush has had it. But has recovered. Doctor Morris’ Widow is dead with it. Richard Wells, Cashier of the Bank in whose house she Died, is now ill of it. Said to be dangerous. Widow Morris was lead from the grave of her husband to her father’s Door (Benedict Dorseys.) When she shut it, and would not admit her in. Richard Wells then said as on Door was shut God would open another. And immediately took her to his own house. -----here let me pause for a moment and quit a relation which ought to cause a tear to fall from the Eyes of every human being. Of what service is religion I would ask, when a Father is so forgetful of his Duty to a child as to shut her out, when there could be no fear but for him self, all his family having gone out? At the thoughts of this my blood is made to run Cold.

And I am caused to disavow every outward show ofreligion, as only a Cloak to hide the heart of a viper. At this time of general Calamity, when ever one must be roused to a sense of their Danger, to Continue firm and unshaken is no easy matter you may well be assured there is hardly a smile to be seen in the Countenance of any person walking the streets. Those who have not removed are afraid to see any body, even their nearest Friends, and keep themselves Close confined in their Houses. And this City never wore so gloomy an aspect before. They have it in New York this Days Paper says, they have it in Derby. I came through it yesterday, and the Doctors are now differing about the Disorder, and the methods of curing. Some of the presses are stopped, (your Paper has not come in) so that the public mind by every circumstance together. Is almost distracted not only here but all around the Governor of New York and Maryland , have published their proclamations, enjoining the strictest search to be made of ever[y] person that arrives from Philadelphia. Politicks. That run so high lately are now all laid aside, and almost every on who have property are making their witts. Not knowing how soon it may be their turn to be Summoned to the bar of justice, and obliged to leave all behind, to see the hearse go by, is now so common, that we hardly take notice of it. In fine we live in the midst of Death, as we may stand in the Door and see the dead Bodies carried out, yet we have Confidence and trust in our fate. Those who live, and not see, what I see, perhaps may think this account Exaggerated. But if they were here and saw what may be seen. Though now they may put on Cheerful Countenance, would then when they saw Death’s shafts flying on all sides. Even to the next Door. Wish all their boasted Courage and disbelief, would find their hearts to fail them. And wish to escape [?]. But through all the danger, thanks be to God, we have yet been preserved but how long.
It may continue so, it is impossible to say for this hour we may be well, and the next find ourselves past recovery. I had no Expectations when I began this letter, to have made it so lengthy. But being led on from on thought, to another, it seems almost impossible to stop. When humanity Calls my attention. When I see the Metropolis of the United States depopulated, it is too distressing and affecting a scene, for a person young in Life to bear, without moralizing, and Causing those Serious reflections, which will be as a healing balm to the humane and tender heart.

I believe disorder has rather abated since the Cold weather, but there are a great number still Dying ---- the Sheriff now comes in and says, there has now been 611 buried out the Alley he lives in, which runs to 2 Street from Front [Street]; he has been unwell and all his Children are now sick. I had like to have forgot to tell you , that 17 have been buried out of Pair [Pear] Street, Mr. Enk, on of the Clerks in the bank took it, and Could not get any body to nurse him. When his brother, younger brother, went he took it and the both Died, but while the 2 was sick, the 3 [third] came and took it, while the 2 was Dying the father came to see the 3 and took it and they are all dead, thus is the Father, and three Sons gone to their everlasting houses in a short time.

September 19, 1793

Signed,

Isaac Heston

Image courtesy of Independence National Historical Park

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