Re-printed from the New Hampshire Gazette, July 12, 1771

Duxboro’, July 5, 1771:  A very malignant putrid fever has, for some time past, much prevailed in this town;  about 150 persons, chiefly children, having had it in the course of a few months; to a considerable proportion of whom it has proved fatal.  More especially of late its malignity has very much increased.  And in one family in particular, (Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth’s) five children out of six have died of it in the short space of a week;  the only one surviving being now dangerously sick.   This fever seems to differ from what has been usually called the scarlet fever only in point of malignity;  the appearances in those who have it favourably being in all respects the same.  It is remarkable that though it has made its appearance in every part of this town, scarce a family or person in any of the neighbouring towns have as yet been visited with it.