A List of People Mentioned

in

Cottage Scenes During The Cholera

Being Extracts from a Diary Written in July and August 1832

By the

Rev. William I. Coppard M.A.

Incumbent of Plympton St Mary, Devonshire and Domestic Chaplain to the Earl of Morley

London: Rivington 1848

Index prepared by Gillian Perkins

The cholera epidemic which had been wreaking havoc in Plymouth arrived in the parish of Plympton St Mary on July 13th 1832 when a woman named Mellonia Thorn arrived in Underwood to visit her daughter. A few hours after her arrival she became the first cholera death recorded in Plympton. The incumbent of St Mary Plympton was William Isaac Coppard. During the next two and a half months William Coppard kept a diary to record the progress of the cholera epidemic. He was in constant attendance upon sick, dying and convalescent patients and assisted Mr Langworthy, the medical officer, in administering treatments as well as offering spiritual comfort to his parishioners. All of this was done whilst carrying out his normal duties at St.Mary's and performing burial services for the 30 parishioners that died from cholera between July 13th and Aug 27th. He became unwell himself but thankfully recovered and was able to resume his tireless work with the sick.

The diary was published in 1848 after some 'highly valued friends' had suggested that offering the extracts to the public would be of great value in understanding the 'history of this mysterious disease.' Nearly 175 people subscribed to the book including a number of those whose family members had been afflicted by the outbreak.

The table below is an alphabetical list of individuals and families who were affected by the cholera outbreak and recorded in the published extracts of William Coppard's diary. Additional information from the Plympton St. Mary burial records are given in italics.

Medical Staff in Attendance

Mr Robert Langworthy - Medical Officer for Plympton St Mary parish
Mr Richard Langworthy - medical student and brother of above
Mr Osmond - surgeon
Mr Hook - surgeon
Dr Cookworthy of Plymouth

Also assisting the sick

Rev William I.Coppard
Mr Deeble Boger

Clergy

Rev. William I. Coppard incumbent of Plympton St. Mary parish
Rev. Joseph Rosdew - stood in as preacher and assisted at morning and afternoon services.
Rev Edward Beauchamp St. John - read prayers at morning and afternoon service.
The Bishop - took a Confirmation service on Aug 9th.

Members of the Plympton St Mary Board of Health

George Strode Esq., Richard Rosdew Esq., Capt. Woolcombe, R.N., Henry Hele Treby Esq., George William Soltau Esq., Augustus Granville Stapleton Esq., Rev. Edward Beauchamp St John., Robert Langworthy Esq., Benjamin Crocker Esq., Mr William Delville, Mr Joseph Pearse, Mr Cork, Mr Day, Mr Richard Worth, Mr Pollard, Mr Hilson, Mr J. Yolland, Mr Willing, Mr Olver, Mr Brewer, William I. Coppard, Chairman.

Also present at meeting of parishioners

William Langmead Esq.