Two Fishermen Drowned

Keyporters Lose Their Lives at Far Rockaway

Patrick Kearney and Peter Lewis of Keyport were drowned at Far Rockaway on Sunday night of last week. They were engaged in oystering for H. M. Schmeelk, whose headquarters are on an island just across from Far Rockaway. On Sunday Kearney and Lewis went across the channel to Far Rockaway. When they were ready to go home the wind was blowing hard and the current in the channel was running very strong. The men had been drinking and they were warned not to take the trip. They embarked on their journey, however. And nothing has since been seen of them or their boat. Search was made for the men at Far Rockaway in the hope that they might have been cast ashore, but the search was fruitless and on Tuesday news of the men's fate was sent to Keyport. Kearney has a father and several brothers living at Keyport and Lewis has a wife. Three other employees of Mr. Schmeelk have lost their lives in the channel within a short time.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Jan 1, 1902

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.

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