Source 1

[This letter was written by Henry Muddiman, a journalist who published newsletters and also wrote for the newly founded ‘London Gazette’. The letter is to Joseph Williamson, an important politician in Charles II ‘s government, who was Under Secretary to the Secretary of State.]

Transcript

The totall of the burialls this week 8252 plague 6978 increase 756 parishes infected 118. This Bill had numbered one more but for a remarkable providence which was thus. A Butcher in Newgate Market being by the Searchers given out to be dead of the Plague and by the neglect of the Boarders not carried away the same night was laid out in an upper room wither his daughter going next day the father beckoned to her and bade her bring him ale for he was cold. The daughter called up her mother who giving him clothes, the man took a pipe of tabacco eat a rabbit and on Sunday went to Church to give God thanks for his preservation.

Glossary

Bill – the weekly mortality bill which was a printed list of the number buried in each parish who died of the plague and of other causes

providence – intervention from God

Searchers – officials appointed to view dead bodies and to make reports on the cause of death

wither – where

tabacco – tobacco

preservation – safety or protection