James Henry Bowman died at his home in Middletown township, just across Hubbard’s bridge, on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bowman was in Red Bank on Sunday afternoon. When he went home he complained of a headache. He lay down and died in a short time. Death was caused by apoplexy. His exact age is unknown, but he was over seventy years old. Mr Bowman was noted as a left-handed fiddler in his younger days. At one time he furnished music for most of the dances in this part of the county and many people who are now too old to dance remember the time when they kept step to “Jim Henry’s” music. Mr. Bowman was a great snapping turtle catcher, and was one of the most expert men in this line in the county. He was employed a number of years by William B. Parker, who lives in the eastern part of Red Bank.

At the time of his death he was official grave digger at the burying ground at Lincroft and was to have dug a grave there Monday morning. He leaves four children. They are Olivia Washington, Delaphine Maguire and Harriet and Belle Bowman. The funeral was held this afternoon at two o’clock at Calvary Baptist church. The body was buried at Lincroft.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, May 10, 1899

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

• MyCinnamonToast.com ~ Keep up with FREE databases as they come online