September 6,1793

 Dear Diary,

    Today has been dreadful! The reason for this being is that my mother is ill and I am scared that she might end up like Polly dead. She might even have that fever that grandfather was talking about! I am hoping that the doctor we called for arrives quickly so we can be sure that mother isn't dying...

    It is now nighttime. Eliza has gone to her house and the doctor has arrived. He says that "she does have a fever but we don't know if it's yellow fever." That statement made my whole body shiver. Mother is ill and that must be why before the doctor came she told me to get away from her.