I think they had to acknowledge the resemblence to Jeb as he was Carolyn's husband who died recently. It would have been awkward not to.
I wonder if Nancy Barrett asked to leave suddenly, and the script was already written? It could also be that they wanted to make certain that the audience, who might not tune in for several days, knew what was going on. I'd have to see the episodes again before I had any confidence in these suggestions. Those are the thoughts I have as of now, having not watched 1795 in a while.