The Virginia Gazette

Sept. 1. The Grave-digger at Chelwo, Somersetshire, lately opened a Grave, of our own Manufactures what costs, wherein a Man, who died of the Small-Pox, had been interred about 20 Years ago. By the Deceased's Desire, he was buried in an Oak Coffin, which was now So firm, that it might have been taken out whole, but the Grave-Digger not chusing that, forced his Spade through the Lid, when there came forth such a Stench, that he never smelt the like before. It being a Person of Credit that was to be buried in the Grave, the whole Village attended at the Funeral, as well as many People from the neighbouring Villages; and a few Days after 14 Persons were seized in one Day, with the usual Symptoms of the Small-Pox, and in 3 Days more every Soul but 2 in the whole Village, who had not had it, were seiz'd in the like Manner. Their Disorder prov'd to be that Disease, and was so favourable that no more than two Persons died of the whole Number, which was about thirty; and one of them was a Woman who came down Stairs when the Pock was at the Height, and died the same Night. The same Disorder was carried all round the Villages by the Country People who attended the Funeral, and proved very favourable every where.