Epidemics, we also learned, played a large role during the Revolution as small pox broke out everywhere, hitting Boston and Quebec especially hard. More people died from small pox than they did in battle. General Howe was accused of purposefully causing the epidemic in America by sending infected soldiers among the colonists. Yet even through this trial of sickness, God's protection over Washington's life was evident. As a young man, Washington had travelled to the Caribbean with his brother Laurence who was hoping to recover his health in the warmer climate. Here, Washington caught small pox and consequently became immune to the disease for the rest of his life after his recovery. This enabled Washington to move freely about his camp and lead his men without fear of the illness.
A few weeks after our trip our Grandfather told us that our great-great grandmother - his mother's mother- Florence Derstine Burns had lived in Germantown at one time, near, I believe, where our group ate lunch.
It was still quite chilly!
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