D. H. Wells's Preservation from Starvation During Famine

In 1849, while living in a household of twelve during a time of extreme scarcity of provisions, D. H. Wells had no food for his family. When a sick neighbor requested help, Wells promised him some flour, despite having none and not knowing where it would come from. His sister-in-law asked the neighbor to return later. By the time the neighbor returned, the flour had been provided, and Wells and his household continued to be sustained throughout the scarcity.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I recollect a circumstance that took place with myself, in 1849. I was living in a family of twelve persons, and we were out of provisions. A neighbour, whose family was sick, informed me that he had not anything in the house to eat. I told him to call and I would give him some flour. I went out to see about some breadstuff, and when I was out he called. My sister-in-law told him to call again. When I made him that promise I did not know where the flour was coming from, and there was not half as good a chance as there is now. When he called again, I had the flour for him. In that way we lived, and I felt no uneasiness about where the next meal was coming from.