Three-month-old Horace Boone died this date, October 20th, in 1839 of a bowel inflammation and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. The underlying cause may have been Colic. Infantile colic is benign paroxysmal abdominal pain during the first three months of life. Intussusception or tearing can occur of the intestines or bowels and death follows. Today the child would have surgery to repair the tear and leave the hospital in three days. In 1839 there was no such remedy.
Susan (29) and Horace, Sr. (34) lived at 4 Burd’s Court (now Alder Street) in center city Philadelphia. He worked as a porter and she as a laundress. They paid $4.25 a month for their room. In the 1847 African American Census, they reported a total of $600 in personal property which was a large amount comparatively. The Boones would go on to have four more children: Henry, Theodore, Ashley and James according to the 1850 Federal Census.
Alder Street is located between 10th and 11th Streets and Locust and Spruce Streets. This view is looking south with Spruce Street visible in the far distance. (Photo/T. Buckalew)
Bethel Burying Ground Project 