John Black Stevenson was my great-great grandfather. He was British,
and started up the 'first leper hospital' in India. I'd like to find
out where it is, so I can go there.
My grandmother, Marjory Stevenson, was born in India. (It'd be cool
to know where, but I think that's another question.) Unfortunately
she's no longer alive, no other relatives know anything, and I want to
find out the history before it's lost in the family.
This is the entirety of what is known anymore, from my mum:
" just prior to WW1, not sure where, Kate thought in what is now
Bangladesh perhaps Cittagong, I thought at base of Himalaya,s."
Can you help find the hospital he started, and any details about
him/the hospital/the story?
I don't have much money I'm afraid, but the most I can do and extensive karma?? |
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
11 Mar 2005 20:15 PST
Two things, if I may:
--In checking some historical records, there certainly seems to have
been facilities for lepers in India -- hospitals, asylums and the like
-- well before WWI, although that certainly doesn't preclude someone
starting up what might be considered the first "modern" facility for
lepers just before the war.
-I found this in the London Times...think it's your great-great-granddad...?
-----
London Times
Tuesday, Feb 4, 1936 pg 1
Marriages
On Feb. 1, 1936, at London, John Black Stevenson, M.C., M.B., Ch.B.,
of Sanderstead, Surrey, to Marie Bluck, daughter of the late I. Gluck,
Esq., of London.
-----
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
lmighton-ga
on
11 Mar 2005 22:00 PST
No, doesn't fit; don't think this could be him ... my mum was born
that year (36), & so it seems off by about a generation.
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Request for Question Clarification by
answerfinder-ga
on
12 Mar 2005 02:44 PST
Dear lmighton-ga ,
I have been digging in the archives and have found some interesting
information on your family, but unfortunately it has nothing to do
with India.
If you can confirm the below brief facts, I can provide the background
information if it answers your question, especially if it is new
information to you about your family history.
I believe John Black Stevenson was a qualified doctor who fought in
the First World War and was awarded a medal for bravery. His wife,
Marrianne, died in 1933 in following a car accident, and Marjory
married John Russell in 1935.
If these appear correct, let me known whether this, in some ways,
answers your question.
answerfinder-ga
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Clarification of Question by
lmighton-ga
on
18 Mar 2005 22:08 PST
Hi
Sorry for the lengthy delay, it took me a while to get a response with the info!
Your info doesn't help directly though; I'm specifically looking for
the name & location of the 'leper hospital'.
Here's the extra background I finally got from my mum! - about John
Black Stevenson:
was my grandfather, so your great grandfather, born near Aberdeen,
think got M.D from university of Edinborough, but not sure, his father
& mother ( your great great grandparents) had been missionaries with
a Methodist movement in India ( shame) . not sure when John Black went
to India to start this leper hospital, only know granny born in 1908
in Bombay,& sent back to U.k at 6 ( imagine start of WW1?)
he was then in Indian Army as a field surgeon, until invalided home
had mustard gas exposure , all so shell shock, he would never ever
talk about his experiences.
he was awarded The Military Cross don,t know when. or where is now.
as you prob remember he died when I was in nursing training, having
retired after a lengthy good family practice in Sanderstead, & Purley,
Nr Croydon. love moi
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Request for Question Clarification by
answerfinder-ga
on
19 Mar 2005 04:56 PST
Dear lmighton-ga,
In that case, I don?t think I can assist you any further on the Leper Hospital.
The answer may not be available on the internet. One avenue of enquiry
is to establish his date of death and find his obituary in the local
newspapers. This may mention his activities in India.
I have the citation for his Military Cross should you be interested in that.
answerfinder-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
lmighton-ga
on
19 Mar 2005 09:33 PST
No, but thanks for trying.
|
Clarification of Question by
lmighton-ga
on
31 Mar 2005 20:31 PST
Message for Lili-Ga
This gives me some more routes to try for an answer; thanks!
Lisa
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