Milford chronicle., 1910-06-03
Historical Sketch Of Bowers Beach.

WnlcD tn6 tOHH Ol DO"eIr IL nipuat0ui
was the first land patented in south Muir.
derkin Hundred. This was warrented
to Francis Whitwell by Sir Edmond An
dros, in 1875. The entire tract OF this
first patent, contained nearly fourteen
hundred acres and was called Whitwells
Delight. Ten years later in 1885 it pass
ed to the ownership of William Fframp-
ton who died a year later. About the
same time more than four hundred acres
was purchased by Nathaniel Hum and
comprises that portion now occupied by
| Bowers Beach. In 1856 Mr.. Hum died
leaving a widow and three children
namely Nathaniel, Sarah and Priscilla.
A year later Mrs. Hum married George
Bowers and by him was the mother of
one child, John Bowers. After the death
of George Bowers Priscilla Bowers, bis
widow, married for her third husband
William Rodney, one of the first Of that
name who came to America shortly after
the landing Of Penn.
William Rodney had previously been
married and had been the ancestor Of
eight children. He was the grandfather
of Caeser Rodney the signer Of The Dec
laration of Indepenpence, to whom most
OF his great wealth descended. Mr.. Rod
ney died in l7O8 after which time his
widow Priscilla married her fourth and
last husband, a man by the name Of Gil |
bert whose first name is not known.
This remarkable woman died in 1921 |
After her death the Hum children sold |
their interest in the estate to their half.
brother, John Bowers, and hence-ferwsrd |
it has been known as Bowers Beach.
The property remained in possession Of
Bowers family from l734 until 1S47 a
period of four generations. The fourth
generation was John Bowers, Elizabeth,
who was the wife of Joshua Adams,
Anna wife of Philip Shockley and Sarah
wife Of Captain John Erricson.
John sold his interest to his brother.in.
law Joshua Adams whose wife Elizabeth
held an interest in the property upon
which the hotel was located. Captain
John Erricson through his wife iRherited
part of the farm adjoining the hotel
property upon which they lived many
years and finally sold it to Samuel H.
Short. Mrs. Shockley left one son, John
B. shockley who later married a daugh-
ter of Henry W. McIlYaine that built the
hotel at kits Hammock.
When the property passed from the I
Bowers family the name still remained.
Sometime in the decade of the fifties, ,
Peter Bonter, German of Pennsylvania, 8
bought the property and he and his SON !
in-laW, Edward Altman run the hotel for {
several years. During the years Of the
CiVal War, the moral tone of this water s
ing place was at a low ebb perhaps the ]
lowest in its history as q summer resort. q
The improper management of the place
it disgusting to persons of re-
inement and few, but those of the rough
Or elements of society assembled there.
however, conditions assumed r
different hue. The prosperity bright q
,ned as one by one better citizens were 4
added to the community. One of the q
most prominent of these for the last c
hirty years is Alexander Minner who u
las contributed as much to the uplift of 81
Ociety as any other individual. a
The advent of steam boat navigation n
,etween Murderkil river and Phiadel- n
,hia, has been a potent factor in devel- K
ping the possibilities of this resort. h
he tri-weekly trips of the steamer dur il
ng the bathing season, makes it conven- W
ent for those who locate here, to have il
communication with the city. c
II the midst of a rich agricultural district f
'here almost every variety of vegetables Il
nd fruits, indigenous to this climate are Ia
rOwn in great profusion and are offered tr
-esh and crisp to the consumer, at mod W
rate cost, makes it possible for pleasure IL
sekers to spend their season of recreation sc
ere at a nominal expense. Among the m
to be enjoyed are fishing, d,
Oating and bathing, the last of which is Il
lost important. No Watering place NJ
long the Atlantic coast, has superior W
athing with as little risk of life. The re
lore recedes gradually and the waves
re so gentle, lacking that dangerous
undertow" that so often proves fatal to
athers at the seaside.
In the last score of years Bowers Beach CT
as grown from a small hamlet TO res in
ectsble town. Nearly every available Of
uilding site on the point of terrafirma
known as Mulberry Point" N
as been utalized. Nor has the progress &C
I the town confined its self to its restrict d.
/ limits between the Murderkill and St. &c
onses rivers, but has invaded the Mil Va
,rd Neck side of the river, and is vigor. pl
1sly pushing southwark. Besides a ul
rge building for the accommodation of
oarders many snug cottages have been eV
milf in soutb POwers Rapantlv M "