I did the standard analysis for this web site sequence a couple of a long time in the past. Then, as usual, flitted along to the following point that caught my fascination. Now I am striving to flesh the conditions out and existing to you my justification for not currently being a enthusiast of strolling alongside the canal on darkish and lonely nights… For far more canal deaths, examine out the grasp post.
The Western Mail of February 5th 1908 documented on the loss of life of Alfred Bowden:
“PONTNEWYDD Man DROWNED. The physique of a person named Alfred Bowden (52), a saddler in the use of Messrs. Visitor, Keen, and Nettlefolds, was uncovered in the Monmouthshire Canal on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Cwmbran Gardens, Pontnewydd.”
The Pontypool Absolutely free Push of February 7th included a couple a lot more particulars:
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Alfred Tidball Bowden was born in 1854 to Harriet and William Bowden in Tiverton. He was baptised on September 17th 1854 at Dulverton in Somerset, exactly where he was however living with his mother and older brother Robert at the time of the 1871 census. In a number of a long time Alfred had moved to Newport, the place he married Mary Jane Rees in 1876. In November 1878 Alfred appeared in court docket accused of thieving a purse and virtually £10 from Isaac Scott. The circumstance was finally dismissed.
By 1881 Alfred was functioning as a harness maker, and living with Mary and their daughters Lilly Ann (b. 1877) and Sarah Jane (b. 1881) at #1 Dock Street in Newport. In October 1886 Alfred was declared bankrupt. However, on the 1891 census the family have been residing at #95 Professional Street in Newport. Alfred was continue to doing the job as a harness maker, although Mary was at property with Lilly, Sarah, and Mabel Harriet (b. 1883).
By 1898 the household had moved to the Cwmbran area, where by Mabel died aged just 13 in the second quarter of the yr. In 1899 Lilly married George Herbert and set up house in Newport. In the meantime Alfred was summoned to the Cwmbran petty periods in the June of 1899 for being drunk and riotous at Oakfield. P.C. Stephens deposed that Alfred experienced ‘invited him to toe a line across the street,’ for which he was sentenced to a 7s 6d fine or seven days imprisonment.
On the 1901 census Alfred was doing the job as a saddler at Cwmbran Colliery, and dwelling in Spring Vale with Mary and Sarah. His ingesting continued to be a challenge even so, and in August 1904 a warrant was issued in opposition to him for threatening Mary Vernon with a glass bottle. He was sure over for six months in consequence.
Following Alfred’s death in 1908, his wife Mary stayed in the place. On the 1911 census she is detailed at #25 Spring Vale, doing work as a shopkeeper. Mary died in 1927. I think Sarah married Thomas Rowlands in early 1911 below they are listend on the 1911 census living at #12 Spring Vale.
