History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

408 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1777.
vent its spread, several persons died. One of its earlier
victims was Rev. John Hooker, pastor of the First Church.
His death occurred on the 6"' of February, and it was a
severe blow to the community. The people were sincerely
attached to him, and the sudden and peculiar cause of his
death spread an added gloom throughout the town.
This loathsome diseasc was brought here
Sickness and Death of
Rev. Mr. Hooker. "by Qol. Hoisiugtou, in December, 1776.
He was taken sick at Daniel Pomeroy's
tavern—known for many years as the "Red Tavern"—which
stood on or near the present site of the Catholic Church.
He was removed to a place hastily provided for his reception,
where he died in a short time. Rev, Mr. Hooker
caught the disease, it is supposed, while passing the tavern,
soon after Col. Hoisington was attacked. He was returning,
so the tradition reads, from a wedding at "Welch
End " (probably that of Samuel Porter of Chesterfield, to
Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer Edwards, which occurred on
the 12*^*^ of December). Mr. Hooker was immediately taken
to the house of widow Bartlett, which seems to have been
used as a temporary hospital, where he died after an illness
of about seven weeks. He was buried on the 7"' of February,
not in the night, as has been stated, but in the day-
time. So great was the dread of this disease, that his remains
were carried to the cemetery through the meadows
without attendance. The bell was tolled as usual, people
assembled at the meeting-house and Dr. Lyman of Hatfield
preached a sermon. Madame Dwight draped the pulpit in
black broadcloth. His loss was severely felt, and many
tears were shed while the service was in progress. The
town paid all the expenses of his sickness, as well as those
of other members of his family, who had been exposed.
Several People D i e Great cousternation prevailed when the
of the Disease and disease appeared. A number of persons
others are Inocu- /jitt -j t itit-.
lated. were attacked by it, and several died. People
from Northampton and other towns,
who had been exposed, went to Chesterfield and were inoculated.
A house was provided for the proper accommoda-
tion of these invalids, where most of them remained till