Bethel Burying Ground Project

One-hundred and three-year-old Jane Brown died this date, November 15th, in 1841 of “old age” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. Ms. Brown worshiped* at Bethel Church (now Mother Bethel) when the Reverend Richard Allen was the pastor and later Bishop Morris. At 100 years old she reported her occupation as day worker with $20 of personal property. She lived in a room at 186 Lombard Street in center city Philadephia. She shared the room with an unnamed person who likely shared the $4 a month rent. All according to the 1837 African American Census.

Ms. Brown was enslaved and eventually gained her liberty. She reported that she was “freed by the law.” That could mean she was freed by a Will or other legal action. In 1780, the Pennsylvania Abolition Act provided for the children of slave mothers to be born free. It also required that these and children of African-descended indentured servants be registered at birth

*According to the 1838 African American Census.