The grim story of how a discarded mattress led to smallpox deaths during Sunderland outbreak

Sunderland was in the grip of a pandemic which killed dozens of people 150 years ago this month.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Smallpox took its toll on the town in 1871 and it was often children who paid the price just by playing outside.

Historian Norman Kirtlan has described how the disease gripped Wearside and one of the unusual ways that it spread.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Norman, a member of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society, told us: "In February 1871, Sunderland found itself in the terrifying grip of a smallpox epidemic. "Defective or nonexistent sewage pipes, along with the general filth in the town were major causes. At that time a group of children in New Hendon had chanced upon a discarded old mattress at Noble’s Bank,

The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune and was once a smallpox hospital in the 1800s. Photo: Ron Lawson.The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune and was once a smallpox hospital in the 1800s. Photo: Ron Lawson.
The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune and was once a smallpox hospital in the 1800s. Photo: Ron Lawson.

“Thinking this was an excellent play-thing, they set about using it as trampoline, tent and whatever else came into their mischievous young minds. When, shortly after, all of the youngsters fell seriously ill from the smallpox, enquiries were made to find out the cause.

“The mattress, it seems, had been the last resting place of an old woman who died of smallpox, and had been duly, but not carefully thrown out by her family.

"The children’s play thing had brought about their tragic demise.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Norman added: “Long before Knocky nine doors, hitchy dabbers and mounta-kitty were popular pastimes enjoyed by those now in their golden years, the poorer youngsters of Sunderland had little to keep them occupied other than what was going on around them and their natural inquisitiveness often led to rather dire consequences.”

Low Row in Sunderland.Low Row in Sunderland.
Low Row in Sunderland.

Smallpox is thought to have been in England since 1869 with numbers slowly rising until the last quarter of 1870, although the disease was believed to have been largely in France before then.

But after London and Liverpool, which were the first to record serious levels of smallpox, mining areas in the North East were next.

Out of every 1,000 people in Sunderland, between eight and nine people died in 1871.

Noble's Bank.Noble's Bank.
Noble's Bank.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The town had its own devoted smallpox hospital. The Brewery Tap in Dunning Street ran from 1842 to 2000. It was also previously known as Minerva and Neptune and fellow Sunderland Antiquarian Ron Lawson told us that it was once a smallpox hospital from around the same era.

Sunderland learned public hygiene lessons from the epidemic. And although other epidemics did follow, there were different headaches to face.

Norman added: “A few years into the 20th century, Sunderland was hit by another epidemic, this time it was tuberculosis. By that time vaccination was common place, and those who had just been put to the needle often found themselves with painful swellings on their arms.

"In order to alert others to the fact that the unfortunate youngster was suffering and needed a wide berth – a red handkerchief was tied around the bairn’s arm. The term, red rag to a bull has never been truer, and the local bullies would deliver gratuitous digs to the suffering limb, adding to the unfortunate child’s pains.”

Young patients getting fresh air outside of the children's hospital.Young patients getting fresh air outside of the children's hospital.
Young patients getting fresh air outside of the children's hospital.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To find out more about the history of Sunderland, visit the Antiquarian Society’s Facebook page or its website at http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org

If you’ve got memories of Sunderland’s past, contact Chris Cordner on [email protected]

Read More
Inspiring mission to honour a Sunderland Second World War hero - and you can hel...

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics: