Five-year-old Justin Cole died this date, September 5th, in 1852 of an “Inflammation of the Brain” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. The cause of death is not specific and could be from any illness that caused a high fever including Meningitis. Justin’s parents, Elizabeth (“Eliza”) and Charles Cole lived on south 8th Street between South Street and Bainbridge Street. He worked as a waiter making only $10 a month and she was occupied as a laundress. On average you could expect Mr. Cole to be making approximately $16 a month unless there was a disability or illness involved. They paid $3 a month for an 8’x 8′ room. In addition to Justin, it appears the Coles had at least one other child and another adult female living with the family that was possibly the mother of either Charles or Elizabeth according to census records.
“The Laundress,” Robert Henri (1916)
Bethel Burying Ground Project 