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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Staffordshire Lookup Requests => Staffordshire => England => Staffordshire completed Look up Requests => Topic started by: 1will on Friday 19 November 10 17:57 GMT (UK)
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Hi
Does anyone know if there exists a list of the deaths caused by the 1849 cholera epidemic centred in Willenhall?
I have enquired with Staffordshire Archives and, while they could point me to a list for the 1832 cholera epidemic, they were not aware that a list of deaths existed for the 1849 epidemic.
My particular interest stems from a note in the records of the Willenhall Council meeting, at the time, refering to compensation being paid to a landlord (Charles Foster) for having to destroy 2 blankets used by his deceased tenants, namely Thomas Banks and his wife (possible ancestors of mine).
Separately, the Death Index for 1849 shows death entries for Thomas Banks & Emma Banks in 1849, July Quater, vol.17, pages 330 and 329 respectively.
I would like to know whether these two were the cholera victims referred to in the Willenhall council minutes.
Bill
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Only copies of their death certs will give you the cause of their deaths
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Thanks again CaroleW.
I am nevertheless interested in this episode, more generally. The 1849 cholera outbreak was a very significant event in social history of Willenhall, resulting in the sudden deaths of 292 people. If a list of those who died does exist, I'd be interested to look through it. If no such list exists, then it would be useful to know so that it can be ruled out as a possible line of enquiry.
Regards
Bill
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There is a small cemetery dedicated to the Cholera victims but I'm not sure if there is a list of names in there.
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Many thanks for this information. Do you know the name and address of the cemetery?
Regards
Bill
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I think it's just known as the Cholera cemetery and it's on Doctor's Piece, just off Walsall Road, in Willenhall. I doubt if it's kept in good condition so I've no idea if you would find anything there, but if you want any more information I can have a look for you next weekend?
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The following link may be helpful:
http://www.shercliff.demon.co.uk/whs2008/cholerabook.htm
Bearing in mind there is conflicting information about the number of individuals who died in 1849 in Willenhall of cholera it is unliklely that you will find a complete list of names.
Nigel
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Dear Nigelp
Thanks for supplying the link. It makes very interesting reading. I suspect you might well be right about there not being a complete list of names.
Regards
Bill
The following link may be helpful:
http://www.shercliff.demon.co.uk/whs2008/cholerabook.htm
Bearing in mind there is conflicting information about the number of individuals who died in 1849 in Willenhall of cholera it is unliklely that you will find a complete list of names.
Nigel
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Dear HelenW123
Thank you for the information and for your very kind offer.
I'm reluctant to ask you to go out of your way, especially in the current bad weather. There is no urgency on my part but if, in the future, you do pass by the Cholera burial ground and have some time to spare, I would be interested to know whether or not the names of those interred are inscribed there (and if they include Thomas and Emma Banks).
Kind regards
Bill
I think it's just known as the Cholera cemetery and it's on Doctor's Piece, just off Walsall Road, in Willenhall. I doubt if it's kept in good condition so I've no idea if you would find anything there, but if you want any more information I can have a look for you next weekend?
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Hi
I live less than 10 minutes away so it's not a problem but it's too dark when I get home from work so hopefully I will remember to pop down there on Saturday.
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I would be very interested in any information as I suspect that my 3 x grt grandmother died there at this time.
JL
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Hi
As promised I did go down to the cemetery for you. Unfortunately the gate was locked and I don't think it has been open for a while now. However I could see that there is just one memorial stone, slightly bigger than a normal sized burial stone. There was some writing on it but I wasn't close enough to read it and there was not enough writing to give a list of people so I'm assuming it was a commemorative stone to say it was to remember to the Cholera victims.
Sorry I couldn't be of any more help. My Dad did tell me yesterday that they are still redeveloping the roads around there so maybe the cemetery is closed just while they do that. As I said, I'm only 10 mins away and have to go near there when I visit my Dad so I will keep a lookout and if I notice that it's open I will take a few photos for you.
Helen :)
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Dear Helen
Thank you very much for taking the time out to check the cemetery. Hope it wasn't too cold. I would have hoped there was some civic commemorative record of those who died, even for the people whose names are not known. If such a major catastrophe happened today, there certainly would be. Thanks for your offer to look by in the future, maybe after the road scheme is completed.
Regards
Bill ::)
Hi
As promised I did go down to the cemetery for you. Unfortunately the gate was locked and I don't think it has been open for a while now. However I could see that there is just one memorial stone, slightly bigger than a normal sized burial stone. There was some writing on it but I wasn't close enough to read it and there was not enough writing to give a list of people so I'm assuming it was a commemorative stone to say it was to remember to the Cholera victims.
Sorry I couldn't be of any more help. My Dad did tell me yesterday that they are still redeveloping the roads around there so maybe the cemetery is closed just while they do that. As I said, I'm only 10 mins away and have to go near there when I visit my Dad so I will keep a lookout and if I notice that it's open I will take a few photos for you.
Helen :)
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Hi
Sadly the cemetery that was, is no longer their in Doctors Piece, the question now arises - WHERE has the stone gone? (If moved) and was the bodies disturbed or left their in the earth.
No-one seems to know what has happened to the memorial stone.
Their is a newish commemorative plaque been erected in wood street cemetery by the top entrance gate, mentioning the cholera outbreak in the area and that one of the first victims are buried their but no other information available on the other cemetery at Doctor's Piece.
Seems this historical memorial has been pushed aside to make way for modern development ie: Morrison's supermarket.
Someone somewhere must know more about this....... I'd be very interested in knowing more - Can anyone shed some light on this please
Regards Bacon_Lover
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Hi Bill,
Thomas and Emma are my Greatx4 Grandparents.
I have the death certificates.
My Banks line is through Thomas 1872 Silas 1846 and John 1808 Thomas 1784 and Thomas 1755.
I live in Willenhall.
All the very best,
Steve
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I want to (belatedly) conclude this thread by summarising the key information that has been so kindly provided in answer to my original question. Some of the info has been communicated off-line, so I felt it appropriate to update this Rootschat record so that it might help future Banks researchers who tread this path.
My original query sought to determine whether the Willenhall Archive reference to the death of Thomas Banks and his wife was in respect of ancestors of mine. The Willenhall Archive says "An application on behalf of Charles Foster, in whose house Thomas Banks and his wife had died from Cholera, for 2 blankets to replace those destroyed was received and Mr Isaac Tyldesley was requested to supply them."
Thanks to death certificate information provide by Stephen, I now know that the couple were Thomas Banks (b 1784) and his wife Emma (nee Hadley, born 1788 and shown as "Amie" on her christening record). Thomas and Emma Banks are my 4x great-grand parents. They died together, on the same day (31 August 1849), of cholera. The circumstances of their death are very poignant.
I had originally hoped there would be a local memorial in Willenhall, listing all those who died in the 1849 cholera epidemic but, judging by the responses I have received, this appears to not be the case. Perhaps the local council will one day do something about it - but I guess there are always other priorities. I hope to visit Willenhall and the cholera cemetery at some time in the future.
In conclusion, I would like to thank Stephen and all the other respondees to my original question.
Regards to all
Bill Banks