It appears that a Dorset farmer, Benjamin Jesty vaccinated his family successfully against smallpox using material from cowpox sores on the family farm near Yetminster. The event might have gone unrecorded had not Benjamin's wife become seriously ill as a result of the innoculation and it was feared for a time that she might die. The Jesty family moved to Downshey manor on the Isle of Purbeck and Benjamin and his wife are buried in the churchyard at Worth Matravers.

Dr. Edward Jenner (1749-1823) announced his discovery of vaccination as a preventative measure against smallpox in 1798 having noticed that dairy maids who had suffered from the less virulent cow pox did not get small pox.

Although vaccination was made compulsory in England in 1853, there was considerable opposition to it and an anti-vaccination society was formed in London in 1870. "Conscientious objectors" recieved legal exemption from vaccination in 1898.

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Time-Line

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1723		Smallpox causes one out of fourteen of all deaths in London
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1789		Small pox outbreak at Highworth, Wilts.
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1796.May.14		First vaccination against smallpox performed by Dr Edward Jenner Dr Jenner creditted with the discovery of vaccination against the deadly smallpox although such a vaccination is recorded as having been used by the Yetminster farmer Benjamin Jesty many years before
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1798		Dr Edward Jenner (1749-1823) announces his discovery of vaccination against smallpox using cowpox
1823		Death of Dr Edward Jenner (1749-), creditted with the discovery of vaccination (against smallpox)
1853		Vaccination against smallpox made compulsory in England There was considerable opposition to it
1870		Formation of an anti-vaccination society (smallpox vaccination was compulsory) in London
1898		Conscientious objectors recieve legal exemption from smallpox vaccination

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