Die Germantauner Zeitung. Dienstags, den 10ten December, 1793. Num. 167. [Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic] [Michael Billmeyer] American Medicine,Diseases,German Americana,Philadelphia

Germantown, Pennsylvania: Michael Billmeyer, 1793. Small folio, 4-pages. Printed in double columns. Provenance: "Godfrey Richter" above masthead. Expert tissue mends; very good. This rare issue of Die Germanfauner Zeitung, a bi-weekly publication, is dedicated almost exclusively to covering Philadelphia s devastating Yellow Fever epidemic in the fall of 1793. The cover story begins with the title, "Kurze jedoch gegruendete Nachricht von dem in den Monaten August, September und October, 1793, in der Stadt Philadelphia herrschend gewesenen sogenannten Gelben Fieber" ("Brief but well-founded report on the so-called Yellow Fever epidemic that prevailed in the city of Philadelphia during the months of August, September, and October 1793"). Following the report on the calamity, a detailed list of the deceased appears, organized by religious affiliation (Germans, Lutherans, Jews, Baptists, Quakers, Seceders, Moravians, etc.) and burial locations in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Most remarkably, the broadside features a long hymn-like poem of multiple six-line stanzas reflecting on the epidemic as divine judgment: ""Pennsylvania! [Pennsylvania!] Dein Volk ist da, [Your people are here,] Es sind nicht verschonet, [They are not spared,] Es sind überall bedrohet, [They are threatened everywhere,] Gott, hilf uns in deiner Barm, [God, help us in Your mercy,] Die Angst treibt Jedermann. [Fear drives everyone.]"" Written in response to Governor Mifflin s proclamation for a day of prayer and thanksgiving on December 12, 1793, the meditation addresses Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians directly. It interprets the Yellow Fever outbreak as a consequence of sin, pride, greed, and neglect of Christian duty. Drawing heavily on biblical imagery, the poet warns that only repentance and a return to faith can avert further judgment. The poem concludes with an urgent plea for God s mercy: to spare Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, preserve their bread and peace, and renew the people in humility and righteousness. Published just outside of Philadelphia, the epidemic s epicenter, by Michael Billmeyer, the leading German printing establishment in the area, this coverage by the Die Germanfauner Zeitung would have strongly resonated with its German-American readership. It offered vital information on the epidemic s impact along with spiritual reflections on the crisis. Brigham located just four surviving issues from 1793 after July 16, all dated in December: the 10th, 17th, and 24th. Billmeyer s paper likely suspended operations during the Yellow Fever epidemic, and this issue was possibly the first published in its aftermath. Ref. Brigham, C.S., History and Bibliography of American Newspapers 1690 1820, II:852. Note: One John Godfrey Richter is noted to have established a private German school in Philadelphia circa 1763. He, or a descendant, may have been the subscriber whose name appears on this issue.