Lydia Bliss’s death notice appears in both the Essex Register (June 5, 1822) and the Salem Gazette (June 7, 1822). The death notices both read, “ “Lydia Bliss, of Marblehead, (coloured) aged 29.” The Salem Vital Records list two “Negro” Lydias who died within a month of each other: “BLISS Lydia, consumption, at the almshouse, May 13, 1822, a. 33 y. BLISS, Lydia, of Marblehead, a. 29 y. Issue of June 7, 1822. NR9.” Though at first glance they appear to be different people due to the age gap, perhaps they are the same. If Lydia’s (of Marblehead, aged 29) death was announced in the first newspaper on June 5, 1822, the vital records’ date of June 7, 1822 must be incorrect or the death was recorded late. Perhaps, the vital records contain two entries for the same person.

Bibliography:

Essex Register, June 5, 1822.

Salem Gazette, June 7, 1822.

Salem, Early Vital Records of Massachusetts: From 1600 to 1850, https://ma-vitalrecords.org/.

Death notice, Essex Register, June 5, 1822

Death notice, Salem Gazette, June 7, 1822

Salem Vital Records, death at almshouse

Salem Vital Records, death at almshouse 2