Frances - I should have been more explicit with regard to the dates of death; the mother died 31 Dec 1876, then 10 months later the three children died on 25 Oct 1877, 7 Nov 1877 and 9 Nov 1877. The children's quick succession of deaths would then suggest a death by disease perhaps, rather than malnutrition; the mother dying from some other cause.

Many thanks for your input Frances.