Bowen family history
A quick lineage of the Virginia Bowen's.
They descend from Moses Bowen / Rebecca Rees, who came from Wales in 1668 with a large group of Quakers, who settled in Pennsylvania around Chester and Lancaster Counties. It's thought that Rebecca was a Quaker, but Moses wasn't. Their only "known and proven" child was John Bowen, who married a beautiful young heiress, fresh of the boat from Ireland. She came with her mother, one full brother, many half siblings and a stepfather. She and her brother were their father's only heirs, so she was very well off. Her name was Lillian McIllhaney, a 17 year old miss.
A very interesting note about this remarkable family. Lillian and her mother and sisters were "Master Flex Weavers" and were the first to bring the industry into Pennsylvania. It's quoted in many accounts of the time, that a very wealthy planter, John Bowen fell in love almost "at first sight". They soon married, and moved several places before finally settling in Augusta Co., Virginia. Their beautiful home was located just outside of what is now Clifton Forge (Unfortunately the home fell into disrepair and for many years remained so. Finally it was torn down to make way for "progress". A gas station was built on the site, but the family cemetery can still be found on the hill behind what was the home.) John and Lillian had a total of 13 children, five of the Bowen sons were in and around Southwest Virginia with the advent of their brother, Rees Bowen discovered and naming of "Maiden Springs" and where his home and huge estate is still in our family's possession. Most of Rees's brother's moved on to Tennessee, as many people did after the Revolutionary War. Whenever new and free lands became available, that's where you'll find people moving to. Anyway, Rees was one of the first to explore and settle the area and of all the Bowen's that went to "the Battle of King's Mountain.", in North Carolina, he was the only one of his clan that died there. Anyway, the brothers that were in the area around Tazewell which was made up of Montgomery, Smyth and Russell counties, and were also at the battle, were William, Robert, Arthur, John, Charles and Rees's oldest son John.This particular portion of Virginia is absolutely breath taking and perfect areas for "Grazers". Our families have been "Cattle exporters" since before the Revolutionary War, and still are. There is a family of Bowen's, or rather one Bowen who does not belong to ours. His name was also John and people have been trying to attach him to us for ages. But other than that one, the rest all belong to us. Or a reasonable amount anyway. Jamie Ault Grady wrote a great book about this branch of Bowen's, mainly those that went to Tennessee.
Sincerely, Jeannie Frazier as gleaned from the [ The Bowen family genealogy club ] 4-2003
A Note from Ben Bowen.
Hello,
I believe the books mentioned above are available at the Church of latter day saints on microfilm. Perhaps they can be viewed at their local family history centers.
Here is some info:
"BOWENS OF VIRGINIA AND TENNESSEE,
DESCENDANTS OF JOHN BOWEN AND LILY McILHANEY",
By Jamie Ault Grady,
Volumes I, 969 (LDS Microfilm #0896875 - Salt Lake City, UT),
Volume II, 1976, (LDS Microfilm #1036121, item 6, - Salt Lake City, Ut)Here is a link to their catalog search page.
Click on the fiche seach link and enter the microfilm numbers.http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp
you can locate a family history center where the microfilm can be read here :
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp
Notes and correspondence concerning
William Rankin Bowen of Texas ( and others ).
Descendants of Rees Bowen of Virginia and Tennessee.
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 10:30:40 -0500
From: Bob Winn <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]Subject: William R. Bowen, 1850 census
I am researching the family of this William R. Bowen and have accumulated quite a bit of data. His full name was William Rankin Bowen.He was the second husband of my GG-Grandmother. I became interested in him, because he was one of thousands of ex-Confederates (A.K.A. Confederados) who left the U.S. following the Civil War. He took all of his children by his first wife to Brazil and he died there in 1891.
>> From the rootsweb.com Bowen message board :
: Question : Col William Bowen, TN>TX>Brazil by Bob Winn
I am seeking info about Col. William Bowen (William Rankin Bowen), who I believe is a descendant of William Bowen and Mary Russell Henley. He was married three times: (1) Elizabeth White, (2) Almira Perkins (widow of Wm H. Perkins) of Collin Co., TX, and (3) Ana Martins in Brazil. All of children by his first marriage accompanied him to Brazil after the Civil War.: Answer :
Bob, I am descended from the brother of your William Bowen, Adam Rankin Bowen (9/30/1821-3/17/1891).
I have some information on the family and would like to share with you. I always wondered what happened to William's family in Brazil. Their parents were William Russell Bowen and Mary Huston Rankin. Grandparents were William Bowen and Mary Henley Russell and Dr. Adam Rankin and Elizabeth Speed.
e-mail : [email protected]
An 1850 census report from Milam County, Texas.
BOWEN , WILLIAM R. FARMER 30 M TENN 362
BOWEN ELIZABETH 24 F TENN 362
BOWEN LEONIDAS 6 M TEX 362
BOWEN SARAH 4 F TEX 362
BOWEN MARY H. 3 F TEX 362
BOWEN ADAM L. 6m M TEX 362
BOWEN GIDEON B. FARMER 39 M TENN 529
BOWEN THERRESSA 20 F TEX 529
BOWEN COLUMBUS 1 M TEX 529
BOWEN LAURA 4m F TEX 529
BOWEN JENNET 68 F PA 529
Confederate Pension Applications from Wharton County, Texas
The index to the confederate pension applications at http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/pensions/index.html
claimant name, application number, county, husband's name for widow pension applications,and the husbands application number if for a widow pension.
Bowen, Elizabeth Rebecca 39142 Wharton, Bowen, John Rankin 34178
Bowen, John Rankin 34178 Wharton
Bowen, S. A. (Mrs) 19328 Wharton, Bowen, William Roe
Posted by: mary bowen kersey
In Reply to: Col William Bowen, TN>TX>Brazil by Bob Winn
I have little on William Rankin Bowen as I am directly from his father's brother Samuel Adams Bowen. If any thing from my records could help, I would be happy to share. I do know that William Russell Bowen married Mary Rankin in 1807. This information is in The Journey and Sorjourn of the William Bowen Family of Mansker's Creek by Anne Cato Sowell and available at the Bowen-Campbell House in TN just outside Nashville. Much of Ms. Cato's information in this publication is credited to Margaret Campbell Pilcher, in her book, Historical Sketches of the Campbell, Pilcher and Kindred Families (Nashville: Marshall and Bruce, 1911) My records also indicate that William Bowen of Mansker's Creek, TN was married to Mary Henley Russell. She is always refered to as Mary Henley, as in a double first name.
Bob> A response to Bob from Jeannie Frazier
Hello,Your Col. William Rankin Bowen descends from William Bowen and Mary Henley Russell. You seem to have a good handle on what he did, therefore let me give you a little of his family's background.
William Bowen was the younger brother of Lt. Rees Bowen/Margaret Louisa "Levisa" Smith and the son of John Bowen/Lillian McIllhaney, who settled in Augusta Co., VA by 1748. John Bowen was the the only documented son of Moses Bowen/Rebecca Rees (Rhys), who came with a large contingent of Welsh Quakers between 1684-1696. (The later date is thought to be more accurate.)
Moses was the son of Evan ab Owen, b. 1674 in Caemarthen, Walse, d. at age 86, in 1760, Montgomery Co., PA. When they first arrived in Pa., they settled in Chester CO., PA. (From "Makers of America", Washington, DC, 1916, pp 491)
Although the majority of the people that he came with, were Quaker, it is thought that Moses was not, but Rebecca's name was found on some Meeting Rolls. We are quite sure that there were more children by Moses and Rebecca and many have claimed their lineage, however, only one other, a Henry Bowen/Jane Carter have been given serious consideration, due to many contacts and the all important naming pattern, that has existed through out the years. Henry and family settled in Fredricks CO., VA., about the same time that John settled in Augusta Co, VA.
William, b. 1742; was a Capt. in the VA militia and was to have lead the Campbell riflemen on that faitful trip to King's Mountain in N.C., in Aug of 1780. But due to illness, he was delayed and his older brother, famed Indian fighter, Lt. Rees Bowen took over for him. Historically, I'm sure you know the outcome of the Battle of King's Mountain, that faitful day, Oct. 7th, 1780. It was the decisive battle, that finally turned the tide for the fledgling nation of ours. The description can be found in "King's Mountain, and it's Heros" by Draper.
These wonderful mountain men of VA., fresh from their battles with Indians, dressed in buckskin, hair long, feather's on the ends of their rifles, came whooping and hollering with a combination of Indian War whoops and Highland battle cries that scared the daylights out of the British troops, waiting on King's mountain. They were routed so badly that they never did recoup.
Lt. Rees Bowen was killed, William Bowen when hearing his brother was downed, went crazy, running to find his brother hoping that it was not to late. As he ran to where his brother had fallen, a sentry yelled, demanding the password of the day. William so distraught, couldn't make sense of what the man was yelling and actually forgot the password. When they were about to shoot it out, an officer, recognizing William grabbed him, bringing him back to his senses. They hugged, grateful for not having to shoot each other, but distraught about finding his brother. When Rees was found, it was to late, he had died, the only son of 13 children to be lost in an actual battle, fought in the Rev. War. Years before, while on patrol, his baby brother Moses Bowen, died of a simple flesh wound, recieved in the field. It seems while washing the wound, it was done with river water that had not been boiled and he developed a fever, from which he died in 1776.
So, of a family of 13 children, 8 boys and 5 girls, all had made it to adulthood, only 2 were lost in wars, fought in settling the colonies. All eight sons served in the Militia, all were considered Revolutionary War heroes and are on the list's as Patriot's for membership to the DAR and SAR, including this fascinating family's mother, Lillian McIllhaney Bowen. During the War years, Lillian gave money, supplies and opened her home to the wounded. Lillian died just 2 months before her beloved son Rees, in 1780, in Washington CO., VA. Her son had been one of the first settlers in S.W.VA., and a founding father of Tazewell CO., VA. Rees's homestead, "Fort Maiden Spring's", which became "Maiden Spring's Farm" is still in existence and has had a "Rees Bowen" in residence for over 250 years. The homestead is located in the Upper Clinch Valley, Tazewell CO., VA. He left 8 small children upon his death. It's said that one of the reasons that William moved on, was the crushing loss of his brother Rees. They were a remarkable close family, and remain so to this day.
If you would like more information about this celebrated family, please contact me and I will be glad to share and give you names of books written about them and how others are descended from them.
Sincerely, Jeannie Frazier
From: [email protected]
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2003
Subject: Bowen Family
I am a descendant of William Bowen and Mary Henley Bowen through their son, William Russell Bowen and his daughter Mary Henley Russell Bowen, who married John Jennett King, in Tennessee in 1833.
William Russell Bowen came to Texas in 1835, and settled in Montgomery County Texas, from Tennessee, with known sons Adam and John. John Jennett King and Mary Henley Russell Bowen King followed in 1837, and also settled in Montgomery County.
My great grand father, William Bowen King was the son of that marriage. Would like to hear more about the Texas Bowens. Have some land papers about Adam, nothing about John. Thanksfor any information about this Great American (Welsh) family.
Stella Doss Leis, San Antonio, Texas
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2003
Subject: Re: Virginia Bowens
Ben,
I'm unfortunately bad at history! All I really know about Kings Mountain, other than the fact that it was a strategic and we were outnumbered, is what I know of the stories of Reece and William. Being too stubborn to hide in the middle of a war sounds like a few relatives of mine now too... Apparently Reece had the reputation of a fighter and was respected over a pretty large distance. It's said that a man came from far off looking to make a name for himself as a tough guy by coming to his house and fighting Reece. He was 7 feet tall (although you know how legends grow) and a huge man. Reece argued with the man a long time to forget about fighting him and go home but the man refused. Reece knocked the name down several times until the 7 footer couldn't get up anymore and acknowledged Reece bested him. Two days later the man died in a neighboring house he was staying in. I have no idea if the story is accurate (that's how i remember it!) but it's a neat story anyway.
I'm related on my Mother's side through Sallie
Louise Bowen.
The line looks like this:
Moses Bowen (Carmarthin, Wales)Married Rebecca Rees
John Bowen
Col Henry Bowen
Rees Tate Bowen
Sallie Louise Bowen
Rees Bowen Thompson
Martha Josephine Bowen Thompson
Mary Bowen Peery
Will Horton
I didn't know until looking this up that Rees originally came from Rebecca Rees last name. I'd assumed it was always a first name, but in my line ofthe family where Bowen is on the mothers side, we've put Bowen as a middle name.
Take care,
Will
Also visit :
[ Accounts of the battle of Kings Mountain ]
[ A small biography of General Rees T. Bowen of Tazewell County, Virginia. ]
From the August 29,1872 Richmond Daily Whig of Richmond, Virginia.[ Bowens' of Tazewell, Virginia ]
[ Capt. William Bowen & the Bowen Campbell House ]
[ USGenWeb of Tazewell Virginia ]
Search Ancestry.com "B" Surnames Database
Ancestry.com's - Free 14-Day Trial
Placed on the Bowen family web 3-2002 updated 12-2003
