Smallpox in the New Forest, c1871

[Jason Hotchkiss]

I recently obtained the death certificate of Fred Hayter, the brother of my GGGG grandfather. He died in Totton, Eling in 1871 at age 16 and the cause of death is VARIOLA ASTHEMA, which I assume is a respiratory complication of smallpox (Variola).

I was wondering if Fred's illness was part of a greater outbreak of smallpox in the area and whether anyone has any information on this.

Thanks
Jason Hotchkiss

[Little Nell]

Hi Jason,

I have just read in a magazine that there was an epidemic of smallpox in 1871 which killed over 23,000 people in England and Wales.  So country wide rather than local.

Nell

[Elizabeth Revel]

Hi Jason,
Like you I have Hayter blood in my veins and am currently working my way through the Downton, Wilts. Parish Record to discover the links of a number of families in that area. I did not notice smallpox deaths noted in 1871 but there was an outbreak in 1790-91 in that area with quite a number of deaths in the community.
 Happy Hayter Hunting
Beth