The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY

NEW PROVIDENCE WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS TURKEY TOWN IN THE 17TH
CENTURY. IN THE 18TH CENTURY, A BALCONY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FELL DOWN DURING A SUNDAY SERVICE, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. SINCE THE
PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF PROVIDENCE,
THEY NAMED THE TOWN, NEW PROVIDENCE.

Submitter comment: LEE LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN NEW PROVIDENCE DURING HIS JUNIOR
HIGH YEARS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-25-1967