Many people did. She wasn't unique by any stretch in Eyam at the time. I was quite struck, walking around, how many plaques showed a sole survivor. It was usually the mother of the family, though it couldn't be a gender thing, as so many adult daughters died too. It was noticeable enough that my friend and I were pondering on why later on.
But since coming home, I've studied the historical population records for the time. It wasn't just the women that this happened to. It's just coincidental that so many plaques (and the Riley Graves) had that scenario. There were just as many houses where the sole survivor was male.
Apparently the phenomenon has been subject to debate amongst scientists. It appears that some people have a natural immunity to bubonic plague. There are others who had already contracted it in childhood and recovered. This also immunized them against this outbreak. Death was likely for those who got it in 1665-1666, but there was a slim chance of survival too. That did happen.
A few years ago, there was DNA testing amongst those residents of Eyam, who could trace their ancestry back to the village in the 17th century. These were obviously the descendents of survivors. It was found that they had an above average genetic mutation called CCR5-Delta 32. This would probably leave them immune in another outbreak. It's highly likely that Elizabeth Hancock had the strain, but unfortunately hadn't passed it onto any of her children. (
http://www.eyammuseum.demon.co.uk/DELTA32.HTM)Sorry, I went off on one, but this whole subject is really fascinating me right now! I'm glad that it interested you too. Thank you for reading.
