Introduction
Albert Doughty was born in New Jersey around 1847 to Samuel and Elizabeth Doughty. At the time of the 1850 Census, Samuel Doughty was working as a clerk, and the family lived in Camden’s Middle Ward.
When the Census was taken in 1850 the family still resided in the Middle Ward. Samuel Doughty was at this time working as a steamboat captain, for the Federal Street ferry, and Albert would, when old enough, work aboard ship with his father. At the time of the 1860 Census the family included older brothers William and Samuel, and a younger sister, Laura. Oldest son John was not at home. Samuel Doughty captained a ferry until his passing in 1878.
The 1870 Census shows Albert Doughty living in Camden’s North Ward with his wife, the former Amelia Bowers, and four month old daughter Elizabeth. He was working on a steamboat at the time of the Census. The Doughtys lived on the same block as the John M. Gray family. John M. Gray and his sons Peter S. Gray and John Gray all would be called to serve as members of the Camden Fire Department, as would Albert Doughty. Also on the block were brothers John Anderson and Isaac Anderson, who also served with the Fire Department.
Albert Doughty was living at 35 North 5th Street and working as a “steamboat man,” when, on September 8, 1872 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, as a Driver with the Hook and Ladder Company, known more recently as Ladder Company 1, replacing George Horner, who had resigned. City Directories from 1872 through 1877 show an address of 30 North 5th Street, rear. The 1878 Directory has an address of 4 England Place.
Albert and Amelia Doughty would lose their daughter, but two more children were born to the couple, Ida and Samuel. Sadly, Albert Doughty died young, on August 7, 1878, leaving his wife to raise the two children. Albert Doughty had been working on one of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s flat boats when he fell overboard and drowned. Because Albert Doughty had attempted suicide by taking an overdose of laudanum the previous September, a coroner’s inquest was held. After reviewing the circumstances surrounding Albert Doughty’s drowning, the jury ruled his death was due to accident.
The 1880 Census shows Amelia Doughty working as a laundress, and living with her two children, Ida, 7, and Samuel Christian Doughty, 5, at 5 James Court. Also living there were Amelia’s brother, Fred Bowers, and a boarder, Rebecca Harris.
Token of Esteem
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Token of Esteem. — Yesterday afternoon Robert S. Bender, the retiring chief marshal of the Camden Paid Fire Department, and William Shearman, assistant marshal, were made the recipients of handsome presents from E. J. Dodamead, J. Kellum, H. Groeup, William Davis, A. Doughty and George Horner, the regular members. Mr. Bender received a large and elaborately arranged cake, and Mr. Shearman a fine frame, containing photographs of the above gentlemen, as expressions of esteem the men held for them while under their direction.
Attempted Suicide
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attempted Suicide. — Yesterday morning Alfred Doughty, residing on Columbia avenue, near Fifth street, Camden, attempted to destroy himself by taking a dose of laudanum. The potion was not sufficient to accomplish his purpose.
The Body of Doughty Recovered
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Body of Doughty Recovered. — About six o’clock yesterday morning the body of Albert Doughty, the man who was accidentally drowned on Wednesday afternoon from one of the flat boats belonging to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, opposite the American Dredging Company’s wharf, was recovered near the place where he went down. Coroner Roberts took charge of the body and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the drowning. The testimony showed that his death was the result of accident, a conclusion which was arrived at by the jury.