The twenty-month-old son of Charles and Mary A. Slubey* died this date, October 30th, in 1848 of Pneumonia and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. William (23) worked as a laborer earning $5/week and Mary (23) was employed as a laundress who took in wash and ironing according to the 1847 African American Census. By 1850 William was employed as a waiter. The 1850 Federal Census lists his birthplace as New Jersey. Mary A. was born in Rhode Island.
The Slubey family paid $5/month for a room in a house on Marriott’s Lane. This room was home to 7 people (6 females and Mr. Slubey) after his son died. There appears to be an older female who was “helpless.” Probably the mother of William or Mary who was an invalid. After the baby’s death, Mary would give birth to a baby girl (Anna) one year later.
Marriott’s Lane was in what is now know as the Italian Market area of south Philadelphia.
The Slubey family lived on the 400 block Marriott’s Lane (red arrow) now known as Montrose Street. According to the 1848 African American Census, there were 35 other African American families listed on the same street. Their home was only several blocks from Bethel Burying Ground (red diamond).
*There are numerous different spelling of the families last name. I used the most common, however in the 1838 City Directory the family name is spelled “Sedler.” Other census records show “Sulbey” and “Slaby.”
Bethel Burying Ground Project 