Died At 25
Last week, there wasn't a new article released. So this week I hope to make up for it.
This week, I am talking about one of my ancestors, Daniel Shire. For Christmas, I got his death certificate (which got a interesting look when I asked for it) to find out why he died so young.
He was born in 1840 in Otterford, Somerset, the third child of Page and Sarah Shire (Sarah née Hays). In the 1861 Census, he was listed as an 'agricultural labourer'. He married Elizabeth Lee on the 30 September 1862. He then had 3 children with her: Edwin Harry Shire (1863-Unknown), Mark Henry Shire (1865-1866) and Robert William Shire (1865-1943). He then died on the 27 October 1866. He was very young when he died, which is why I wanted his death certificate. It took a while to find him originally as he is not on a census with his wife but parish and BMD records prove he was the wife of Elizabeth.
This week, I am talking about one of my ancestors, Daniel Shire. For Christmas, I got his death certificate (which got a interesting look when I asked for it) to find out why he died so young.
He was born in 1840 in Otterford, Somerset, the third child of Page and Sarah Shire (Sarah née Hays). In the 1861 Census, he was listed as an 'agricultural labourer'. He married Elizabeth Lee on the 30 September 1862. He then had 3 children with her: Edwin Harry Shire (1863-Unknown), Mark Henry Shire (1865-1866) and Robert William Shire (1865-1943). He then died on the 27 October 1866. He was very young when he died, which is why I wanted his death certificate. It took a while to find him originally as he is not on a census with his wife but parish and BMD records prove he was the wife of Elizabeth.
As you can see with the picture above he died of typhoid fever, which he had for 5 weeks. Typhoid fever is a disease caused by bacteria and can now be treated with antibiotics. A sign of improved medical knowledge over 150 years.
His older brother Robert also died shortly before, probably from the same disease. It's a shame his children didn't know much about him throughout there lives. However, they did have a stepfather in Francis Finnemore, who later died in 1890, leaving Elizabeth a widow again. Elizabeth then married William Lock in 1896.
Edwin and Robert both got married and had children. So they never even met their biological grandfather at all.
I know this isn't the most joyful article to start the year! But I hope you enjoyed it and will be back throughout the year.
Published: 1 January 2015
His older brother Robert also died shortly before, probably from the same disease. It's a shame his children didn't know much about him throughout there lives. However, they did have a stepfather in Francis Finnemore, who later died in 1890, leaving Elizabeth a widow again. Elizabeth then married William Lock in 1896.
Edwin and Robert both got married and had children. So they never even met their biological grandfather at all.
I know this isn't the most joyful article to start the year! But I hope you enjoyed it and will be back throughout the year.
Published: 1 January 2015
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*Note - No copyright infringement was intended. If there is a breach in copyright contact me through the 'Contact' section so it can be removed. All photos are Copyright © 2015 Harry Clarke. All Rights Reserved. The photo on the 'Home' page for this article is courtesy of ChurchCrawler.