The Cholera Epidemic
In the summer of 1832 large areas of England were affected by an outbreak of Cholera. The vestry meeting of Adwick Parish on July 4th 1832 ordered every means possible should be resorted to prevent cholera. This seemed mainly to “move on” Irish Labourers and Vagrants approaching the parish and forbidding them to beg in Adwick.
However later that month five residents of Hampole died of cholera, this prompted more urgent measures.
A meeting on 3rd August, chaired by Peter Inchbald, formed itself into a board of health for the purpose of preventing the spread of cholera in this district and for providing the poor of Adwick with medical assistance and proper comforts in case the disease should extend itself to the township.
Provisions were made to levy any extra money required. Richard Ibeson, whose gravestone is in the churchyard, was appointed Medical Officer. A committee was formed to ensure all drains were properly cleaned. A meat allowance was to be given to the poor. However the Parish Feast, which was probably in August at St. Laurence-tide was postponed for that year.
Fortunately, due to excellent local governance, cholera passed Adwick by, but the Hampole stone with it’s supposed “Devil’s Eye” remains as a grim reminder of those events in 1832.
