One-year-old Charles Waterford died January 24, 1848 of Catarrh Fever and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. The infant lived with his parents, Charles (porter) and Eliza Ann Waterford (washwoman), at 5 Taylor’s Alley near Front and Chestnut Streets. It is likely that Mr. Waterford was employed at the nearby wharfs.
A schooner being unloaded at the Chestnut Street Wharf in 1868. From The Free Library of Philadelphia Collection.*
Baby Charles died of “Catarrh.” This is not a disease, it is a symptom. The word simply means a dramatic and significant increase in mucous. This could be caused by many illnesses including the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis or Typhoid.
*For further history on the Delaware River wharfs please see Philadelphia’s Lost Waterford by Harry Kyriakodis.
Bethel Burying Ground Project 