Twenty-two-year-old Nathan Black died this date, May 27th, in 1851 of Tuberculosis and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. There is not a great deal of information on this young man. He was born in Maryland, according to the 1850 U.S. Census, and was living with Mary Jane Winter who was seventeen-years-old and born in Pennsylvania. Neither one reported an occupation. Although at this point, Mr. Black may have been too ill to work.
The 1850 Census shows the couple living in the South Mulberry Ward of the pre-consolidated city. Neither Mr. Black or Ms. Winter are listed in the 1847 Philadelphia African American Census or city directories. Census data places the young couple living near the intersection of 12th and Mulberry Streets. Mulberry is now named Arch Street and is located near what is now City Hall.
The black arrow shows the approximate location of Mr. Black’s residence. The red arrow is the location of Penn Square, now City Hall.
Nathan Black died on a clear and fair day in late spring with the temperature rising to 81 degrees. He was buried at Bethel Burying Ground.
*The census taker interviewed Mr. Black on 9 August 1850. Mr. Black’s skin color was reported as “mulatto.”
Bethel Burying Ground Project 