Political Scene
Between 1700 and 1800 Philadelphia was the political capital of America. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia and the First Continental Congress meeting was held in Philadelphia as well. With Philadelphia being the obvious political hot-spot with 50,000 people per square mile, it seemed like the obvious setting for a capital. But soon the capital was moved to the District of Columbia because of the yellow fever epidemic, national debt, and it was surrounded by slave states. Philadelphia also had about 50,000 people per square mile.
Philadelphia was a popular commercial trade area, which made many people think that all the people coming into the ports were bringing the yellow fever. Eventually, all trade stopped because the town was worried that more people would begin to get yellow fever.
Philadelphia was a popular commercial trade area, which made many people think that all the people coming into the ports were bringing the yellow fever. Eventually, all trade stopped because the town was worried that more people would begin to get yellow fever.
Social Structure
Most free Africans joined the Free African Society of Philadelphia, a religious and mutual aid group. It was founded by Richard Allen and Absalom Jones. They had originally not treated the ill because people believed that blacks were immune, but then a few blacks did become sick so the FAS started to help. They would bleed fever victims, carry coffins, and nurse patients. Women were also nurses for the sick. They would stay home and care for the children and their sick relatives.
Civil Rights
Women did not have very many basic rights. They were expected to be married by ages 13-14 and it was humiliating if they were not married by 25. They also had no control over their inheritance, earnings, property and they were not allowed to participate in court as a witness and they could not vote. When they were married, they were legally considered one with their husband. When their husband died, they could only inherit 1/3 of their late husband's property. The punishments of a woman were also more severe than a man's punishment. If they ran away from their husband, they would be a thief because they would be stealing themselves and the clothes on their back. If a man murdered his wife, he would be hanged, but if a woman murdered her husband, she would receive harsher punishment and be burned alive. Most blacks were free but it was harder for them to make a life because they were prejudiced by whites.
Daily Routines
Each person in Philadelphia played a certain role in society. These roles were all important to the city and all made it possible for each person to function in society.
Bakers were spread throughout the city for the convenience of customers. Some very poor people would give dough to the bakers for them to roll out and bake for a very small fee. During the time of yellow fever, many bakeries closed down because of everyone fleeing the town, the owners either fled or closed their store because they had no business.
Grocers were also spread throughout the city like bakers and sold dry goods such as tea, sugar, and coffee. Their shops were in the richer parts of Philadelphia because that's where most people could afford to buy a proper amount of groceries.
Tavernkeepers had shops along the water, and made lots of money because many men in Philadelphia drank due to stress of long, hard days of work.
Schoolmistresses ran their own establishments or taught at academies for young women. There, young girls and women were taught literature and about their place in society.
Doctors and nurses had to go around caring for many patients each day. Many doctors used their own techniques, that ended up killing many of the yellow fever victims. The French doctors had better techniques that saved many people, like Matilda, from yellow fever.
Bakers were spread throughout the city for the convenience of customers. Some very poor people would give dough to the bakers for them to roll out and bake for a very small fee. During the time of yellow fever, many bakeries closed down because of everyone fleeing the town, the owners either fled or closed their store because they had no business.
Grocers were also spread throughout the city like bakers and sold dry goods such as tea, sugar, and coffee. Their shops were in the richer parts of Philadelphia because that's where most people could afford to buy a proper amount of groceries.
Tavernkeepers had shops along the water, and made lots of money because many men in Philadelphia drank due to stress of long, hard days of work.
Schoolmistresses ran their own establishments or taught at academies for young women. There, young girls and women were taught literature and about their place in society.
Doctors and nurses had to go around caring for many patients each day. Many doctors used their own techniques, that ended up killing many of the yellow fever victims. The French doctors had better techniques that saved many people, like Matilda, from yellow fever.
Living Conditions
The living conditions in Philadelphia in 1793 at the time were not great because of yellow fever. As stated before, Philadelphia was very populated, with almost 50,000 people per square mile.
Most poor people had to live near their work areas or near markets because they almost always had to travel by foot.
One part of Philadelphia was nicknamed "Helltown" because it was a very rough area with lots of sketchy and shady people. Many people in "Helltown" also had yellow fever.
Of course, the living conditions in Philadelphia were awful because of yellow fever. Yellow fever broke out
in 1793 and 1797-1799, and left thousands dead. Towards the end of the yellow fever epidemic, the town of Philadelphia was practically empty. Everyone had moved away to a safer place where they could not get yellow fever as easily. Most shops were closed, and practically no one was walking on the streets.
Most poor people had to live near their work areas or near markets because they almost always had to travel by foot.
One part of Philadelphia was nicknamed "Helltown" because it was a very rough area with lots of sketchy and shady people. Many people in "Helltown" also had yellow fever.
Of course, the living conditions in Philadelphia were awful because of yellow fever. Yellow fever broke out
in 1793 and 1797-1799, and left thousands dead. Towards the end of the yellow fever epidemic, the town of Philadelphia was practically empty. Everyone had moved away to a safer place where they could not get yellow fever as easily. Most shops were closed, and practically no one was walking on the streets.