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In order to study mortality in early Kalamazoo, we first need to understand its demographics. The region grew from a handful of settlers in 1830 to 1,300 by 1840. By 1860, the population had quadrupled to 6,000, and, it had more than doubled by the time the city turned the old burying ground into a park.[1]
While hundreds of early settlers are buried in what is now S. Westnedge Park, little is known about the causes of death. Robert Brewer's book, Kalamazoo’s First Cemetery, 1833-1862 (1988), compiles the most-comprehensive biographical information bout people buried, or likely buried, in the cemetery. When citing local newspaper records, his data on identified burials includes the cause of death: congestive disorders, dropsy, cholera, consumption, scarlet fever, and "suddenly.” For likely burials, the list is much longer from cholera to accidents to murder.[2]
Beginning in 1850, the U.S. Census also recorded deaths within the past year. These "mortality schedules" provide valuable insight into the people living and dying in the area.
For example, in the earliest mortality schedules, men and women were pretty evenly distributed.
For example, in the earliest mortality schedules, men and women were pretty evenly distributed.
This contrasts quite dramatically with the 1860 mortality schedules, only ten years later.
This contrasts quite dramatically with the 1860 mortality schedules, only ten years later.
Likewise, in 1850 adults were more likely to die.
Likewise, in 1850 adults were more likely to die.
And in 1860, infant and child mortality was much higher.
And in 1860, infant and child mortality was much higher.
Causes of death were widely varied, with fever as the most common followed by what they referred to as "consumption" which we now know to be Tuberculosis.
Causes of death were widely varied, with fever as the most common followed by what they referred to as "consumption" which we now know to be Tuberculosis.
Many more causes of death were recorded with Kalamazoo's increasing population, with fever replaced by Tuberculosis for the most common cause of death. It was followed by Scarlet Fever and Whooping Cough, both diseases that most commonly affect infants and children. This could contribute to the high infant mortality rate.
Many more causes of death were recorded with Kalamazoo's increasing population, with fever replaced by Tuberculosis for the most common cause of death. It was followed by Scarlet Fever and Whooping Cough, both diseases that most commonly affect infants and children. This could contribute to the high infant mortality rate.
These demographics and causes of death encompass a larger township perspective on mortality than just the cemetery. The details and the averages leave many questions unanswered about lived experiences and the completeness of this historical record. And yet, these are the best local records available for the decades associated with the old cemetery. Below is a transcription of the mortality schedules.
Notes
[1]. U.S. Census, 1840-1880.
[2]. Brewer, Kalamazoo’s First Cemetery, 1833-1862.
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