Abstract
This chapter examines the last age cohort, those that transition from childhood into adulthood. It focuses on the fact that some of these individuals were likely living as adults while others were likely still with their families. Changing skeletal markers of behavior, like tobacco staining, point us to these transitions. Historical documents too show that those in this age range may have been working and having families of their own while others were still in school and acting very much like they were still in a stage of childhood. This chapter draws on a range of historical and a skeletal sources to argue that there is no single end to childhood but rather a variety of end points for different individuals. Brief biographies and osteobiographies highlight these trends.
Adams, John, age 13 years, ap.[prenticed] to David Harrison, Jr., lawyer, of Rockville, Westchester Co., to learn some useful business.
—Nineteenth Century Apprentices in New York City, Kenneth Scott (1986)
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Notes
- 1.
This brief history of the founding of the group mentions Spring Street and Laight Street specifically:
“The first society in this city for the suppression of licentiousness, of which we have any definite knowledge, was organized in 1830, and styled ‘The Magdalen Society,’ … . Its first report, published in 1831, and giving some account of the existing state of morals in the city, called forth many bitter feelings and much opposition. Not long after its publication the society ceased its operations and was dissolved. There was one individual, however, connected with the society, the Rev. J. R. McDowall, who felt that he could not retire from the field. For a long time he continued to labor alone. His “Magdalen Facts,” published in 1832, awakened a deep interest in many minds in the cause of Magdalen Reform. To sustain him in his self-denying labors societies were formed in 1832 among the ladies of the Laight-street and Spring-street congregations,” (1835).
- 2.
Fitz Hugh Ludlow was named for the recently deceased son of the abolitionist activist Gerrit Smith (Rachman 2006, p. xiii).
- 3.
Ludlow left the Spring Street Presbyterian Church in 1837.
- 4.
It is worth noting, however, that research by Meade and White (2013, p. 323) suggests that the Rev. Cox did not approve of the fact that five of his children became Episcopalians.
- 5.
Age based on dental calcification.
- 6.
II-J is represented by a mostly complete cranium. Age is based on dental calcification.
- 7.
Dr. John Ray is the father of Miles Ray , whose coffin plate is discussed in Chap. 3.
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Ellis, M.A.B. (2019). Transitioning: 9.5–14.5 Years of Age. In: The Children of Spring Street. Bioarchaeology and Social Theory. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92687-2_6
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