Died of smallpox in 1851: the identity of the girl buried in an iron coffin in New York is established

In 2011, municipal workers found a suspicious-looking iron coffin in the New York borough of Queens. It was tightly sealed. Curiosity overcame common sense, and the "sarcophagus" was opened. It turned out to contain the remains of a girl, so well preserved that the workers immediately called the police.

The identity of the buried was only now established. Oddly enough, this method of burial was chosen for a reason. Her family feared for their own health. Interesting? Read and learn the story of the girl from the iron coffin.

In 2011, the discovery of workers so impressed the public that attempts to establish the identity of the buried continued until today.

A simulated image of the remains found in Queens in 2011. 

The body in the coffin was so well preserved that at the time of the autopsy, the buried girl looked untouched by decay and decomposition. However, the remains quickly "aged" due to the influence of oxygen.

Researchers from the USA managed to take tissue samples. The first discovery was the fact that it was a young woman. She was buried in a white nightgown and long knee socks.

Photos from the excavation site.

Later it was possible to clarify the exact age of the buried – 26 years, as well as her origin. She was African American.

The girl's name was Martha Peterson, and she died in 1851, 3 years after the state of New York renounced slavery.

Pictured is Scott Varnash, head of the research team. 

According to the New York City Census of 1850, Martha lived and worked for the undertaker William Raymond, co-owner of the company that made her coffin.

Martha was the daughter of John and Jane Peterson, who played a significant role in the formation of the African-American community, known in New York to this day.

An example of external signs of smallpox damage. 

The girl's presumed cause of death is smallpox. The researchers believe that the choice of the coffin, as well as the burial in the far part of the church's land plot, indicate the fear of the inhabitants of the epidemic.

In the 19th century, such coffins were used to transport the remains by rail or by sea.

The last documented case of smallpox was recorded in Somalia in 1977.

At the moment, the burial site and the remains are more or less safe for the public. Martha found her last resting place in the cemetery of an African-American church in Jackson Heights.