Richard Outwater

Richard Outwater was born in Camden in 1858 to Richard and Ellen Benson Outwater. When the census was taken in 1860 the family included five older children. The elder Outwater was then employed as a ship’s engineer. Another daughter, Emma, was born around 1865, however by mid-1870 Ellen Outwater appears to have been widowed. When the census was taken again in 1880, only Richard, then 21, was still at home, living with his mother at 323 Market Street. He was then working in a jewelry store, a trade he followed through at least 1891, either for or in partnership with William Otis Sheppard, at 215 Federal Street. He appears in Camden City Directories between 1887–1888 and 1890–1891 as living at 413 Pine Street, near engine company number 1 of the Camden Fire Department, which was at 409 Pine. Older brother Robert lived and worked as an upholster in these years at 329 Stevens Street, just around the corner from poet Walt Whitman. Mother Ellen was living at 507 Federal Street, working as a “layer out of the dead,” that is, as an undertaker’s assistant.

Richard Outwater appears to have married and been left a widower by 1910. At the time of the census that year he had been hired as the custodian of the Post Office which stood at North 3rd and Market Streets. He was then renting a room at 120 North 8th Street from Mr. and Mrs. William M. Moon. During this time he was an active member of the Elks Camden Lodge No. 293, and served as a trustee of that organization. He later moved to 823 North 5th street in North Camden.

Richard Outwater remained with the Post Office until ill health dictated the end of employ. He suffered a stroke in January of 1928 which ended his life on February 8th of that year.