Tragedy at the Bridge

175 years ago this week eight-year-old Josiah Bowlin and his older brother, a young teen, were fishing from the bridge over Mantua Creek, at the spot where Route 45 now crosses the river. It was a Sunday, but these were the days before the end of May meant a holiday weekend. The awful war that would lead to Decoration Day--and eventually Memorial Day--was still to be fought. The small town growing up by the bridge was then called Carpenter's Landing, and was part of Greenwich Township. A dozen years would pass before Mantua Township would be created.

Josiah and his brother lived on the Deptford side of the creek. Their parents, Henry and Grace, were well respected in the community. They were in their thirties. A third son--just a baby--and three daughters rounded out their young family. They also had the distinction of being African-American, one of only three such families in their neighborhood.

Back at the bridge, tragedy struck. Somehow, Josiah's older brother lost his footing and fell into the water. Just as today, the current and tides can make this part of the creek a dangerous place. Unable to reach his brother, young Josiah ran home for help. Family and friends raced to the bridge, but it was too late. The older boy had disappeared.

The Public Ledger of Philadelphia, June 1st and 2nd of 1841 tell about the sad event (thanks to Newspapers.com):

"Great exertions," the newspaper tells us, were made over the next couple of days to recover the body, but to no avail. The community mourned with the Bowlin family. Within the next few years Henry took his family away from Carpenter's Landing and settled in Galloway Township in Atlantic County. He and his wife had at least two more children. Henry passed away in Galloway in 1880.

Interested in learning more about Mantua Township history? Our museum will be open this Thursday evening (6/2) between 7 and 8:30 PM. On Saturday (6/4) from we will not be open in the morning but will be open from 2-6 PM due to the annual "Rock the Block" celebration. Come support the event and visit us while you're there.