The stillborn daughter of Major and Hannah Robinson was born this date, February 24th, in 1848 and was buried in Bethel Burying Ground. The Robinson family lived at 242 Lombard Street where rent was $4.50 a month. Mr. Robinson drove a furniture cart (see below) and Ms. Robinson was a laundress. Both were born enslaved and purchased their freedom from their enslavers.
A furniture cart of the type that would have been used by Mr. Robinson.
As a furniture mover, Mr. Robinson’s busiest day would have been “Moving Day.” Moving Day (May 1st) was a phenomenon going back to the colonial era. February 1st was known as “Rent Day,” when landlords would inform their tenants about how much their rent would be increased come the time to renew their leases on May 1st. Renters would search for the next three months for accommodations at a lower rent. Subsequently, come May 1st there was a mass exodus of tenants scurrying around to move their furniture and belongs all at one time.*
*For more information on “Moving Day” see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Day_(New_York_City)
Bethel Burying Ground Project 