R.I.P. - Changewater - Murderer's Bridge
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Prescription Vial.
Please be repsectful of the area. Parking can be found a very short distance away. Below is a brief (OK, rather long) history of how this site came to be (please realize this history was written many years ago and thus the time line is distorted):
John Bowlby, an Englishman, accompanied by his wife, three sons and several daughters arrived in New York harbor during the 1750’s. (It seems to have been established that John(7)'s father Thomas(6) came about 1727 with sons John(7), George (7), and Richard(7). It has also been established the John(7) had only two daughters, Hannah(8) and Sarah(8)) In company with other immigrants, they journeyed across New Jersey to a little settlement on the Delaware River about where the town of Burlington now stands. After a brief rest a few of the number came as far north as Trenton and made homes for themselves. John Bowlby belonged to this company of pioneers. He remained on the borders of civilization but a short time, however, when, with his family, he plunged boldly into the wilderness and traveled through the trackless forest until he arrived upon the banks of a small stream. Here he concluded to locate, and with his three sons built a log house. The stream upon which they located is now known as the Musconetcong and upon the site of their old home is the present village of Imlaydale. (Located just East of Route 31, just north of the River.)
Settlers' patents were granted to all subjects of King George who chose to take up land and locate in the new world. Mr. Bowlby's oldest son, Thomas, (It seems to have been established that the birth order of the children was Samuel(8), Hannah Martha(8), John(8), Sarah(8), and Thomas(8). In any case, it would seem the author may be referencing Thomas(8)) was a surveyor, which was quite an advantage at that time, as surveyors were not only few in numbers but high priced as well. Thomas Bowlby proceed to survey an immense tract of land, for which his father received a patent. He extended his lines so far around, however, that before he reached that section where Asbury is now located a man named Cox, who was also a surveyor, wandered up into his country, staked off that part of the land and obtained a patent. The grove between Washington and Asbury is known today as Cox's woods.
The Bowlby family cleared a portion of their land for cultivation and built a mill, and from that day to this flour has been made at Imlaydale, though a modern mill now stands on the old site. The property was subsequently sold to Thomas Stewart, and by him to Noah Cramer, father of the late Ex. senator, Peter Cramer and Grandfather of General Cramer, who at present runs the mill.
When the Bowlby family first made their home upon the banks of the Musconetcong they were beyond the confines of civilization. They had no callers, except unwelcome ones, like wild beasts, or worst still, strolling bands of Indians. Their nearest neighbor was a hunter and trapper who lived in Pennsylvania above where Easton now stands, and who had an Indian squaw for a wife.
More than sixty years ago and after the Imlaydale property had passed into the possession of Thomas Stewart, Francis K. Hornbaker, of Washington, (Francis K. Hornbaker married the great-granddaughter of the "old pioneer" John(7). She was Mary Jane Bowlby(10).) worked on the house which the new owner was building. The carpenters converted the old log house of John Bowlby into a work shop. Standing around were the old stumps of trees which the pioneer and his family had used for chairs. Near by is the little enclosure where the repose the remains of the first settlers.
Thomas Bowlby, oldest son of the old pioneer married and established his own home. He built a large stone house on the Musconetcong, below the Valley Church, on what is now known as the Jacob Skinner farm. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence for that day and prospered as a farmer. His grandson, Ebenezer Bowlby, who died at the residence of his daughter, in Pattenbugh, Hunterdon County at the advanced age of 98 years used to tell the following, illustrating the methods adopted in ye olden times to protect hoarded wealth. (This is probably a very credible story, as it was probably David Rinehart's uncle Ebenezer(10). (He said that when he was a boy he was frequently sent to his grandfather's for supplies, the old homestead being a sort of granary for the families of the sons. The buckwheat was stored in the garret and the old man told the boys they should not shovel beyond a certain line which he indicated; when they reached that line they could not have any more that season. One day while Ebenezer was filling his bag with grain he struck beyond the forbidden line and threw out a shovel full of silver. He had struck the old man's bank. He replaced the money in the buckwheat and said nothing about the incident for years afterwards.
John Bowlby, the second son of the old pioneer (Thomas). built a log house on that part of his father's property now known as the Robert Hornbacker farm. (This is the son of Francis K. Hornbaker and Mary Jane Bowlby(10.) He cultivated the soil and prospered and as his family grew up about him concluded to build a new house. About this time the war of the Revolution broke out and he thought seriously of not going on with the work, but finally concluded to build and take the chances. The result was a good frame house which with additions and alterations is at present occupied by the man who farms the place.
After John Bowlby Jr. (8) and his wife had been called to their rest, their son Robert (9) became owner of the old homestead. He also raised a family and 64 years ago at Christmas, there was a double wedding at the Bowlby homestead. (This statement would indicate that David Rinehart must have written parts of this article 20 years prior to publication as the known date of this marriage was 24 December 1829) Samuel A. Hornbaker and Martha Bowlby(10) and Francis K. Hornbaker and Mary Jane Bowlby(10) stood up before the Rev. Jacob R. Castner and were married. The grooms were brothers and the brides were sisters, the daughters of Robert Bowlby. Mr. and Mrs. Francis K. Hornbaker spent the first year and half of their married life at New Village. He then purchased a house and a number of acres of land on the "Kings Highway" now Hornbaker Street, Washington, paying the sum of $500. Four children were born to them, two boys and two girls. The girls died in early childhood but the boys, Robert(11) and John(11) were well known residents of this county.
Squire Thomas Bowlby(8), the eldest son of the old pioneer John Bowlby(7) in early manhood became aquatinted with Sarah Cowell who lived with her parents some miles distant in Hunterdon country and married her. He built a stone house on part of his fathers land on the Hunterton side of the Musconetcong, just below the Valley Church, now known as the Jacob Skinner farm.
Mrs. Thomas Bowlby is described as a women of more than ordinary strength and courage. It is said that she could lift a barrel of cider into a wagon without assistance. Her courage was equal to her strength. One day a band of Indians came along. She knew nearly every member of the tribe inhabiting this section of the county and was on friendly terms with them. Upon this occasion the Indians did not seem to want anything but simply spoke to her as they passed and then went to the house and sat down for a rest. In a short time they left and continued their journey toward the north. When Mrs. Bowlby had finished her work in the garden she returned to the house. She was greatly alarmed to find the cradle empty--the Indians had stolen her child. But she didn't faint--she wasn't raised in that school. She boldly took the trail and traveled north to the foot of the mountains near the present village of Hope. Here she overtook the band and recovered her child from the arms of an old squaw. She returned by the same trail to her home, having traveled a distance of about thirty miles.
After the close of the war of the Revolution, Thomas Bowlby, who was rated as a rich farmer, sent his children to Philadelphia to be educated. About that time the yellow fever broke out in the city and people died by hundreds. All who could leave the pest ridden town did so and sought refuge in the country. News at that time traveled slowly and it was some time before Mr. Bowlby heard of the danger to his children. Then he harnessed his horses to a large wagon and started for Philadelphia. He found the city almost a charnel house. The living shunned the dead, and that passage of the Bible which says, " Let the dead bury the dead " was almost literally fulfilled. He found one of his sons sick of the dread disease. But he was not the kind of a man to shirk parental duty. He made a bed for the sick boy in the bottom of the wagon, and with the other children started for Musconetcong. The boy died shortly after reaching home and was buried on the lawn. The ruins of the old house and the solitary grave can still be seen on the Skinner farm. (This boy was Ebenezer Bowlby(9), abt. 1780-1793.)
Thomas Bowlby had several sons but only one daughter. (Lydia(9)) The latter became the wife of Abner Parke, whose connection with the Parke-Castner murder at Changewater, fifty years ago, has ever remained a mystery. It is believed by the older residents, men who knew the parties implicated in the tragedy which ushered four human beings into eternity, that Abner Parke planned, if he did not help the horrible butchery. He was tried but for want of sufficient evidence was acquitted. He was considered shrewd and cunning, much more so than either Joseph Carter or Peter Parke, who where hanged . He covered his tracks and kept his mouth shut.
About 100 feet, north of the intersection of County 632 (Asbury-Anderson Rd.) and County 651 ( Port Colden - Changewater Rd) on County 651.
Inscription records graves of Carter and Parks, Hung for the Castner - Parks Murders, in 1845
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)