Questions (?) & Answers (!)

QUESTION: What was the "Smallpox Law" that was enacted in Bellingham during the Revolution?
 

ANSWER: It wasn't really a "Law." In April, 1777, Sylvanus Scott of our town died of smallpox. The disease was having a serious effect on the Massachusetts citizenry and panic was spreading. It was determined that isolation of those afflicted was necessary, and some towns made moves toward this end, by prohibiting residents from going into the homes of those with smallpox.
 

By town vote, in May, 1777, the house of John Coombs was "impressed" for a smallpox hospital, and the Selectmen provided a doctor and a nurse for inoculations and care. In Bellingham, certain houses were declared quarantined, and a fine of 10 Pounds was levied on violators of the regulation.
 

In May, 1778, the town voted to have a house built "on the land of John Metcalf at his New orchard in the wood north of the County road that the said Jabez Metcalf his wife and child may have the Small Pox and others in Said house. Or see if the Town will give Leave that the Sd Jabez Wife and others May have the Small Pox in Any other house in This Town."
 

This is typical of actions taken in Massachusetts towns and cities i.e., segregating those afflicted with this highly contagious and generally fatal disease.
 

Smallpox hospitals, such as those at North Franklin (Norfolk) and Medfield were in many instances, established by local physicians.
 

The smallpox epidemic, like that of the influenza scourge in 1917 did give rise to some unbelievable regulations, in some cases banishing the sufferers from town, condemning them to die unattended. Fortunately, most regulations - not laws - were enacted in a spirit of compassion and helpfulness, such as those of Bellingham.
 

--FDD