Bethel Burying Ground Project

The seven-day-old son of Mary Ann Reed died this date, November 22nd, in 1843 of “Debility”* and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. Although the physician writing the death certificate spells the last name “Read,” I have decided to use the 1847 Philadelphia African American Census spelling of “Reed.” 

Ms. Reed was a single mother living alone in a room at #7 Pleasant Avenue for which she paid $2.50 a month, according to the 1847 Census. She worked as a self-employed laundress. Ms. Reed reported she was formerly enslaved but declined to tell the census taker how she gained her freedom. She stated she could read and write. 

The author of the death certificate was Randolph Stokes, a Black man and herb doctor who also was formerly enslaved. Many Africans who were kidnapped from their homelands brought with them their knowledge of medicinal herbs. The 1847 Census reported ten herb doctors lived in the Black Philadelphia community. 

Pleasant Avenue (above) was a dead-end alley that ran north/south between Lombard Street and Minister Streets and between 7th and 8th Streets in center city Philadelphia. This street rarely appeared on a city street map. The ghettoization of African Americans in the city forced the poorest white and Black families to live on streets like Pleasant, with notoriously crowded dwellings where diseases were quickly spread. What is missing from the above illustration are the piles of garbage lying in the street clogging the gutters with black water that was home to numerous diseases that would kill hundreds. The city government would pay contractors to clean these alleys but it rarely occurred.

Mary Ann Reed’s seven-day-old son was buried on a “partly clear” day where temperatures rose into the 40s.

*Death from “Debility” is an archaic term that is not a cause of death. It is a symptom of a disease that causes a failure to thrive. In a newborn, it could be numerous underlying diseases. 

Two-year-old Miles A. Gillam died this date, November 18th, in 1848 of Pneumonia and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. According to the 1847 Philadelphia African American Census and the 1850 Federal Census, the child’s parents were Wesley and Sarah Gillam. She was born in New Jersey and was 28 years old at the time her son’s death. Mr. Wesley was born in Virginia and was 45 years old at that time. They had three other children: Martha (10 y/o), Margaret L. 5 (y/o) and Samuel who was either a newborn or born very shortly after the death of Miles. Sadly, Margaret died in September 1849 of a pulmonary disease and was buried next to her brother at Bethel Burying Ground.

The 1847 Census also shows that a female over the age of fifty was a part of the family. She was not a native of Pennsylvania. Either this woman or Mr. Gillam was formerly enslaved and gained her or his freedom through manumission. 

The red arrow above indicates the location of the Gillam’s family residence on Eutaw Street, now Franklin Street.

The Gillam family lived in a shanty in the rear of #11 Eutaw Street in the Northern Liberties section of the city for which they paid $5 a month rent. Mr. Gillam earned $6 a week as a waiter and Ms. Gillam worked as a laundress. The Gillam children attended the Adelphia School, according to the 1847 Census. It was located several blocks from their home.

The Gillam family lived across the street from Franklin Square (above) which was one of the original green spaces designated by William Penn. It often was not green! During the Revolutionary War, it was an ammunition depot and, then, the northwest corner of the plot was used as a cemetery that contained many Yellow Fever victims. It fell into serious misuse being utilized as a dumping ground for garbage, dead animals and the human waste gathered from cesspool and sinks (outhouses). But by 1837, it was on its way to becoming a real park with a fountain in the middle of the crisscrossed walking paths.

1914 photo of a boy getting a drink of water from a spigot at Franklin Square.

The Gillam family buried their baby son and brother at the Bethel Burying Ground on a “pleasant day” where the morning saw no frost and temperatures rose to the mid-30s by the afternoon. 

Seventy-six-year-old Rachel Banton died on this date, November 15th, in 1848 of “old age” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. I believe she was the spouse of William B. Banton. The couple likely lived with an adult married child, his or her spouse, and their two children. The 1847 African American Census reported the children were between the ages of five and fifteen years old.

The Bantons reported to the 1837 African American Census taker that there was a total of five in the family who were all born in Pennsylvania. The Bantons reported they were free-born.

Ms. Banton worked as a laundress and Mr. Banton as a bootblack. In the 1847 Philadelphia African American Census, he reported earning $20 a month or approximately $640 in 2018 value. In 1847, the rent for a room at 233 S. 9th Street was $5 a month or approximately $160 in 2018 value.

The Bantons lived across 5th Street from what is now Independence Mall.

Rachel Banton worked as a laundress. A job that taxed her body and spirit. Water had to be drawn and carried from the nearest hydrant, firewood had to be obtained, fires had to be started and heavy bundles of clothes had to be picked up and returned to her customers after the clothes and sheets were hung up, dried and folded. All this in the wilting heat and freezing cold, while taking care of children, shopping for and preparing the family’s meals, and, on occassion, while pregnant. It was an undertaking for only the strong and strong-willed. The sketch and photo below illustrate the difference between the romanticized version and the reality of a Black laundress in the 19th Century.

Rachel Banton was buried at Bethel Burying Ground on a day that began “frosty” with the temperature rising to 53 degrees in the afternoon of a “fine” day.

Seven-month-old Benjamin Wilson died this date, November 10th, in 1825 of Scrofula and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. Scrofula is a disease in which the bacteria that causes tuberculosis can create symptoms outside the lungs. This usually takes the form of inflamed and extremely painful lymph nodes in the neck. Today the infection is cured with antibiotics which did not exist in 1825.

The 1824 Philadelphia City Directory reports that a Mr. James Wilson, a Black man, resides at 7th and Cherry Streets which was also the address of the deceased child. The red pin on the map above indicates that location in the city. Mr. Wilson’s occupation is listed as “oysterman.” Oysters were the fast food of the 18th and 19th century in Philadelphia. Mr. Wilson’s income would not have been steady because of the variability of the weather and the seasonal availability of oysters. Mr. Wilson, like all Black vendors regardless of their wares, was subject to violent attacks in Philadelphia by thieves and gangs. There was nothing remotely romantic or nostalgic about what these men and women had to do to eke out a living.

“Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser,” September 6, 1824.

Coincidently, the Wilson family lived doors away on Cherry Street from the office of The Pennsylvania Society for the promotion of the Abolition of Slavery, the relief of free Negroes held in bondage, and for improving the condition of the Negro race. This organization lobbied for the rights of Black men and women and provided legal representation for captured fugitives from slavery and for African Americans kidnapped by gangs of slave catchers. In addition, they established schools for Black children and adults in their “plain neat building” erected for this purpose on Cherry Street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets. It was commonly known as Clarkson Hall. If the Wilsons had other children, they likely attended this school.

The above is the earliest photo of the 600 block of Cherry Street taken in 1859.

The Wilson family buried seven-month-old Benjamin at Bethel Burying Ground on a cool November day where the temperature rose to an afternoon high of 47 degrees.

Philadelphia Health Office records show that Baby Wilson was one of fifteen children that died of Scrofula in 1825.

The one-year-old unnamed daughter of William Chambers died this date, November 5th, in 1846 of Pertussis or Whooping Cough. I was unable to find the name of the child’s mother in the very few public documents available. The 1847 Philadelphia African American Census reports that the Chambers were not native to Pennsylvania and that they had a son under the age of five. Mr. Chambers was employed as a stevedore or a porter who worked on the docks loading and unloading ships on the Delaware River or Schuylkill River docks. Ms. Chambers worked in the home.

The map above shows the approximate location of the Chambers’ home at 30 Quince Street located between Lombard and Walnut Streets and 11th and 12th Streets. The family lived in a 12’x12′ room, for which they paid $1.75 with an approximate 2018 value of $57.37. The Chambers reported to the 1847 Census taker that they owned $50 in personal property which is equivalent to $1,639.21 in 2018.  

The above is a photograph of Quince Street in 1961. The thoroughfare no longer exists. It is was covered by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital buildings.

Quince Street in 1847 was home to thirty-one Black families including the Chambers family. It was where the poor working class and the destitute lived side by side. The Black men and women on the narrow cobblestone lane worked as shoemakers, laundresses, dressmakers, coachmen, waiters, china packers, cabinet makers, undertakers and the layers out of the dead. The last being a highly respected female occupation that was the early forerunner of a funeral director. A great number of the children who grew up on Quince Street likely went to school right on their street. Ms. Diana Smith, an African American teacher, ran a school for Black children beginning in 1836. For the next twenty-five years, she would take an average of 25-30 students a year, male and female, into her home and teach them reading, writing, and math. 

The Chambers family buried their baby daughter on a clear day in November where the temperature rose to 65 degrees by the late afternoon.

Sixty-two-year-old Hannah Claxton died this date, October 29th, in 1848 of a “Uterine Hemorrhage” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. She was employed as a “pastry cook” earning $6 a week, according to the 1847 Philadelphia African American Census. Ms. Claxton, a widow, lived in a room at 22 Ball Street for which she paid $6 a month, one week’s earnings. Six dollars in 1848 is equivalent to approximately $174 in 2018.

Ms. Claxton (red arrow) lived close to the Shippen Street Market (green arrows). Shippen Street is now named Bainbridge Street It was a two block long open-air market with stalls and was the center of the local neighborhood. It is likely that Ms. Claxton sold her baked goods there or she provided them to a huckster or vendor. It was a highly unsanitary place to live near. There were constant complaints to the Board of Health concerning the piles of rotting vegetables and spoiled meat that were thrown into the streets by the market’s vendors. After the businesses closed for the evening, the sheds became home to locals gangs who would terrorize local citizens. 

Ms. Hannah Claxton was laid to rest on an autumn day that began cool and with the temperature rising to an unseasonable 68 degrees by 2pm. 

Seventy-five-year-old Roland Lewis* died this date, October 27th, in 1844 from the effects of diarrhea which was a symptom of an undiagnosed illness. In the 1836 Philadelphia African American Census, Mr. Lewis reported that he was employed as a laborer and his spouse as a cook. Ms. Lewis’ name was not recorded, however, I believe it to be Tabatha Lewis. She passed away on February 4, 1843, at seventy-two-years-old of “Inflammation of the Stomach and Bowels” and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground, according to Philadelphia Board of Health death certificates.

Above is a snapshot of the Lewis family’s entry in the 1836 Philadelphia African American Census. The entry continues to report that Mr. and Ms. Lewis were born into enslavement and were freed through manumission. The elderly couple lived at 75 George Street on the same block as the Philadelphia Looking Glass and Picture Frame Company, the Sewing Machine Manufacturing Company and a jar and can sealing factory. George Street no longer exists. It is now covered by a Thomas Jefferson University Hospital building.

The red arrow above points to the approximate location of the Lewis’ home at 75 George Street in center city Philadelphia.

Roland Lewis was buried next to his spouse on a cloudy day where the temperatures ranged from 40 degrees to 66 degrees. Storm clouds built during the evening that resulted in a violent storm the next day with thunder and flashes of “vivid lightning.”

*”Roland” is occasionally spelled “Rowland” in some documents.

There are times I cannot find biographical information on individuals, beyond what is on their death certificates. No matter – they rightfully deserve to have their names said out loud.

Eight-year-old Sarah Moss died from burns on October 25, 1820, and was buried at BBG. Her mother was Phoebe Moss.

Twenty-five-year-old William Morris died from Tuberculosis on October 25, 1826, and was buried at BBG.

One-week-old Baby Burneck died due to convulsions on October 25, 1828, and was buried at BBG. The child’s father was James Burneck.

Thirty-year-old Mary Pennock died of Tuberculosis on October 25, 1846, and was buried at BBG.

Two-year-old George Henry Harvey died due to convulsions on October 25, 1850, and was buried at BBG.

PEACE

Note: On October 25, 1825, the Trustees of Bethel Church resolved that the fence at the burial ground in Queen Street (BBG) be repaired. (Minute & Trial Book 1822-1835 & 1838-51, p.13.)

Six-month-old Thomas Summersett* died this date, October 10th, in 1812 of “Summer Complaint” (Cholera) and was buried at Bethel Burying Ground. John Summersett was the child’s father. There is no available information on the child’s mother. Mr. Summersett worked as an oysterman. Many white historians and artists have represented these Black men and women who labored in this profession in an old-time romantic light. It was a racist image of a happy go lucky “darky” who would sing while hawking his or her goods. The reality was quite different. 

Oysters were the fast food of the 18th and 19th century. The oyster vendor above has forks, plates, and condiments available for her customers. Her income would not have been steady because of the weather and the seasonal availability of the oysters. All Black vendors, regardless of their wares, were subject to violent attacks by thieves and white gangs. There was nothing remotely romantic or nostalgic about what these men and women had to go through just to live in poverty.

It is likely that Mr. Summersett was one of the “Black Warriors.” In 1812, there was a looming threat of the British invading Philadelphia. The Engineer Corps of the U.S. Army requested assistance from the Black citizens of Philadelphia in erecting ramparts or breastwork on the west side of the Schuylkill, near Gray’s Ferry. The African American community’s response was robust. Black religious leaders Richard Allen and Abasolon Jones organized a company of at less a thousand Black men. Some estimates go as high as 2,500. 

The above is a present-day photograph of Small Street (now Kater Street) in South Philadelphia where the Summersett family resided. The street was near an outdoor market. Consequently, there was a large number of residents employed as grocers, cake bakers, fishmongers and biscuit makers.

The Summersett family buried their six-month-old son on an autumn day in 1812 at Bethel Burying Ground.

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Historical Note: On this date, October 10th, in 1887 there were two separate nuisance complaints filed against Bethel AME Church for the lack of upkeep of Bethel Burying Ground.

*”Sommersett” is an alternative spelling of “Summersett.”