Lt. Rees Bowen, Sr.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90242808/rees-tate-bowen

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA with the rank of LIEUTENANT. DAR Ancestor # A012723

William, b. 1742; was a Capt. in the VA militia and was to have lead the Campbell riflmen on that faitful trip to Kings Mountain in S.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, the Battle of King's Mountain,, Oct. 7th, 1780 was the decisive battle that finally turned the tide for the fledgling nation. The discription can be found in "King's Mountain, and it's Hereos" 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.

Unfortunatley Lt. Rees Bowen was killed, William 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 demanded the password of the day. William so distraught, couldn't make sense of what the man was yelling and 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 his brother. When Rees was found, it was too late, he had died, the only son of 13 children to be lost in a battle fought in the Rev. War. Years before, while on patrol, his brother Moses Bowen, died of a simple flesh wound recieved in the field. It seems while washing wound, it was done with river water that had not been boiled and he developed a fever from which he died in 1776.

Of a family of 13 children, 8 boys and 5 girls, all had made it to adulthood, only 2 were lost in wars fought 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. McIllhaney Bowen. During the War years, Lillian gave money, supplies and openned 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 existance 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 lose of his brother Rees. They were a remarkable close family, and remain so to this day.

From "History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia" by Pendleton, p. 407: "Rees BOWEN was the second white man who brought his family to make permanent residence in the Clinch Valley. therefore, it is meet that he and his family should be the second considered in the sketches I am writing of the pioneer families. The Tazewell BOWENs are of Celtic blood. Their immediate ancestor was Moses BOWEN, a Welshman, who married Rebecca Rees. They came from Wales to America a good many years before the Revolution, and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Their son John was a Quaker, and he married LillyMcIlhaney. He and his wife moved from Pennsylvania to Augusta County, Virginia, soon after the first settlements were made in the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps as early as the year 1732, and located in that part of Augusta now embraced in the county of Rockbridge. They had twelve children and Rees was one of their five sons. He married Louisa [?] Smith, whose parents then liven in that section of Augusta now known as Rockingham County. It is said that, after his marriage, he took up his abode on the Roanoke River close to where thecity of Roanoke is now situated. In some way Rees BOWEN learned of the fertile lands and abundance of game that could be found in the Upper Clinch Valley; and he concluded to abandon his home on the Roanoke River and settle in this region, where he could locate and occupy, without cost, a large family in the vicinity of the great spring, to which he gave a peculiar name, he had not then selected the boundary of land upon which he would settle. After they went into camp, on the evening of the day he reached the place that has since been the home of the BOWENs, he went out to find and kill a deer to get asupply of fresh meat. While thus engaged he discovered the spring. Bickleythus tells of the discovery of the immense fountain and what followed: WhenMr. BOWEN first saw the spring, he discovered a fine young female deer, feeding on the moss within the orifice from which gushes the spring. He shot it,and when he went to get his deer, saw a pair of elk horns standing on their points, and leaning against the rocks. Mr. BOWEN was a very large and tall man, yet he had no difficulty in walking upright under the horns. He chose this place for his, and the spring and river have since been known as Maiden Spring and Fork. The first four years after he and his family located at Maiden Spring were free from any hostile demonstrations by the Indians against the Clinch settlements. He was possessed of great physical strength and was very industrious, and in the four years he erected a large and strong log house,extended his clearings into the forests, and added considerably to the number of horses and cattle he brought with him from his home on the Roanoke. Then came trouble with the Ohio Indians, in 1773, when the whole frontier of Virginia was threatened by the red man; and Rees BOWEN built a heavy stockade around his dwelling, converting it into an excellent neighborhood fort. In themeantime, his four brothers, John, Arthur, William, and Moses moved out from Augusta to find homes in the country west of New River. John settled at some point in the Holston Valley; Arthur located in the present Smyth County, four miles west of Marion; and William and Moses took up their abode in the Clinch Valley, but in what immediate locality is now unknown. When Dunmore's War came on the three brothers, Rees, William, and Moses went with Captain William Russell's company on the Lewis expedition to the mouth of the Kanawha River; and wer prominent figures in the eventful battle of Point Pleasant. Moses BOWEN was then only twenty years old; and on the return march from the Kanawha, he was stricken with smallpox, from which frightful malady he died in the wilderness.

Rees (all documents of the time spelled it that way), was the son of John BOWEN and Lily Mcilhaney who spent most of their lives in Augusta Co, VA. Rees' grandparents were Moses BOWEN and Rebecca REES (originally spelled Rhys) who came from Wales to Gwynedd township, Chester Co, PA (near Philadelphia) in 1698 and purchased 10,000 acres. Rees BOWEN (I've never seen the name Hugh) was born in 1737 in Augusta Co, VA and died at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina, in 1780. About eight years prior to his death, Rees and Levisa, as she was commonly called, purchased a large tract of land in what is today Tazewell Co, VA and many of their descendants have remained there. That same land and the original house they built, with many additons through the years, is today owned by Rees BOWEN VII. Levisa Smith BOWEN lived to a very old age, reared her children as a widow, and was known for her courage, leadership, and strong business abilities. Margaret's family came to this country during the 1600's and that her linage qualifies for membership in the Colonial Dames.

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Lt. Rees Bowen, born 1737 in Rockingham County, Virginia, died October 7, 1780, in the Battle of King's Mountain. He was married in 1756 to Margaret Louisa Smith (1740-1834), daughter of Capt. John Smith.

Lt. Rees Bowen was one of the first settlers in Tazewell County, locating at Maiden Spring about 1772. He and Louisa had 8 children.

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Died at the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780 during the Revolutionary War.

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A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA with the rank of LIEUTENANT. DAR Ancestor #: A012723

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In 1772 Rees built a blockhouse on his place "Maiden Spring" for a refuge. This blockhouse was also known as Bowen's Fort. He was in the Battle of Point Pleasant and went on to the relief of the Kentucky stations in 1778. Rees was known for his Herculean strength and great activity. Once a man named Fork, from Pennsylvania, who had a reputation of being a tremendous physical fighter came to Maiden Spring just to whip him. They fought for almost a day and Fork was defeated and died in about 20 days. (Pil. 100, 254, 255-257)

Revolutionary War Service

Rees was a Lieutenant under his brother Capt. William Bowen. Because his brother was ill, Rees took command under Major William Edmonson and Col. William Campbell and was killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain. According to The Kings Mountain Men by K.K. White, Rees had five brother at the Battle of Kings Mountain. These being Capt. William Bowen, Capt. Authur Bowen, Robert and Henry who were both officers and Charles, rank unknown. Rees' son John was at the battle also.

Death at the Battle of Kings Mountain

Near the end of the battle on Oct 7, 1780 Lieutenant Rees Bowen , who commanded one of the companies of the Virginia regiment was observed while marching forward to attack the enemy, to make a hazardous and unnecessary exposure of his person. Some friend kindly remonstrated him with - "Why Bowen, do you not take a tree--why rashly present yourself to the deliberate aim of the Provincial and Tory rifleman, concealed behind every rock and bush before you? -- death will inevitably follow if you persist." "Take to a tree, he indigantly replied--no! --never shall it be said, that I sought safety by hiding my person, or dodging from a Briton or Tory who opposed me in the field." Well, had it been for him and his country, had he been more prudent, and, as his superiors had advised, taken shelter whenever it could be found, for he had scarcely concluded his brave utterance, when a rifle ball, shot by a Tory hiding behind a baggage wagon, struck him in the breast. He fell and expired. A "Tory", was an American colonist that remained loyal to England during the Revolutionary War.

The first three generations of the Bowen Family of Augusta Co.,Virgina by John Blakemore 1963

BOWEN, LIEUTENANT REES son of John Bowen and Lilly McIlhaney Bowen. Born about 1742. Married Levisa (Louisa) Smith. Issue: John, Rees Jr., Nancy, Margaret (Peggy), Rebecca, Lilly, Louisa, and Henry. He was a large tall man, On 15 Nov 1762 Lillie Bowen (Bowan), deeded to Reice (Rees) Bowin (Bowen) 230 acres on Glade Creek of Roanoke River, Augusta Co, Va. DB 11-42.

On 20 Sep 1763 in the settlement of Lilly Bowen, administratix of the estate of Moses Bowen, he was listed as having been paid. WB 3-278 In 1766 he was paid by William Herbert for the estate of Robert Andrews. WB 4-70 On 10 Sep 1770, in Botetourt Co, Va. he served as a juryman in the case of William Hind v. Nicholas Lawrence. SA94 On 14 Nov 1770 he was a juryman in the case of William Hind v. William Fleming. SA100 On 16 Nov 1770 he was a juryman in the case of Robert Alexander v. William McCraddock. SA102 On 13 Mar 1771 he was a juryman in the case of John Kelly v. Arthur Campbell. SA108 On 14 Mar 1771 he was a juryman in the case of William Anderson v. John Daily. SA125 On 16 May 1771 he was a juryman in the case of Solomon Elliett v. Will Thorton. SA 125 On 8 Oct 1771 he was a juryman in the case of Robert Galloway v. John English. SA134 On 10 Oct 1771 he was a juryman in the case of James Matthews v. Walter Stewart SA 136 On 13 Nov 1771 a suit by Israel Christian v. him was tried by jury with a verdict for the defendant. He was a juryman in the case of Jonathan Smith v. William Hutcheson.SA 142, 144 On 15 Nov 1771 he was a juryman in the case of Anthony Bledsoe v. Charles Leonard. SA147 On 11 Feb 1772 he was a witness to the will of Joseph Phipps.WB A-18? SA585 It is stated by Bickley, Tazewell County, that he settled at Maiden Spring in 1772, but it is a family tradition that he had loscated there several years earlier. Draper in Kings Mountain and its Heroes, wrote "Rees Bowen was born in Maryland about 1742, emigrated to Rockbridge County, Va. and in 1769 to the waters of the Clinch". His jury service would indicate that he did not go to the waters of the Clinch to settle until 1772. He built a fort at Maiden Spring. (Pendleton 242, 376). No attack by Indians was made on the fort at Maiden Spring, although on one occasion in his absence a small band of Shawnee threatened to make an assault, but were prevented from so doing by a clever ruse practiced by Mrs. Bowen, who was as fearless and resourceful as her husband (Pendleton 243). On 13 May 1774 he and his wife, Lavicia, executed a deed to Thomas Blanton for 238 acres on Glade Creek, branch of Roan Oak, Botetourt County, Va. (SA 551). In August 1774 he was a scout at the Upper Station (Tazewell County, Va.) (Pendleton 288) SA1425 From 16 Aug to 2 1774 he was a soldier at his fort at Maiden Spring. (Pendleton 286) He was released to go with Capt. William Russel to Point Pleasant (Pendleton 287). On 10 Oct 1774 he was at the Battle of Point Pleasant (Pendleton 314). On 7 Feb 1775 he was appointed by the Fincastle County Court, Va. as an appraiser of the estate of Joseph Cravens SA637. On 26 Feb 1777 he was recomended by the Washington County Court, Va. to be appointed Ensign of the Militia, with his first name being spelled "Rice" OB 1-17 SA 958. On 30 Sep 1777 he, David Ward, and William Bowen were appointed appraisers of the estate of John Henry SA 971. On 17 Mar 1778 he, James Hill, and Andrew Lammy (Lamie) were appointed to view the way for a road from the Court House to the Rich Lands, by Maiden Spring, and to the gap at Laurel Fork of the North Fork of the Holston River OB 1-12. On 18 Mar 1778 James Fowler was appointed overseer of the road from Hill's hill in the Rich Lands of Clinch, to the fork of the path between Rice (Rees) Powen's (Bowen's) and Thomas Brumlie's to the foot of Clinch Mountain on the south side OB 1-24 SA 980. William Bowen to be overseer for the last part of the above road. On 19 Aug 1778 he was again recommended to be appointed Ensign of the Militia OB 1-40 SA 1001. On 4 Sep 1780 he was named in the will of Lilly Bowen as her child and legatee. WB 1-73 SA1345. The gallant Lieutenant Rees Bowen, with his Company (the Company of his brother William) of sterling patriots marched with Campbell to the Battle of Kings Mountain Pendleton 247. He was killed in that battle 7 Oct 1780 SA 1382 1583 Pendleton 247, 383, 384.

Excerpts from Bowens of Virginia and Tennessee Vol I Rees Bowen first settled at Big Lick, now Roanoke, Va. He was the second white man who brought his family to make permanent residence in the Clinch Valley. The first settler was John Craven. He learned of the fertile lands and abundance of game to be found in the upper Clinch Valley, so he decided to abandon his home on the Roanoke River and settle in the area of nearly level land containing about 15 square miles, fertile, well timbered and watered. He could locate and occupy, without cost, a large boundary of this unoccupied land. On the evening of the first day in camp after they reached the place that has since been the home of the Bowens, Rees Bowen went out to find and kill a deer to get a supply of fresh meat. It was on this occasion he discovered the spring. He also saw a fine young deer feeding on the moss within the orifice from which gushes the spring. He shot it and when he went to get the deer, saw a pair of elk horns standing on their points and leaning against the rocks. Mr. Bowen was a very large man and tall, yet had no difficulty in walking upright under the horns. He chose this place for his home and the spring and river have since been known as Maiden Spring and Fork. (Bickley's History of Tazewell County, Va. 1856) The pioneer Rees Bowen was a man of large physique, a trait still evident in his scions. "Louisa (Levisa) Smith, his wife, was a small, neat, and trim woman, weighing only about one hundred pounds. It is told as a fact that she could step into her husband's hand and that he could stand and extend his arm, holding her at right angle to his body" (Johnson's New River Settlements pg 383) " A great deal of Tazewell lands remain in the hands of families who pioneered in founding such estates, but none have perpetuated titile in the same name for five generations as have the owners of Rees Bowen's Maiden Spring farm. Excerpts from Bowens of Virginia and Tennessee Vol 2 "Rebecca [Ed. sister of Rees Bowen] named one of her sons Jonathan who used to beg her to tell them about Uncle Reece and how he killed a b'ar. "I had two brothers travelling with Dan'l Boone at one time or another. Reece and William, but it was your uncle Reece who killed the b'ar. He crushed it against his chest."

Sources: Bowens of Virginia and Tennessee Vol I- Jamie Ault Grady Bowens of Virginia and Tennessee Vol 2- Jamie Ault Grady Mrs. Bonnie Duff Smith of Longview, TX- family hisory Mrs. Betty Blackwell of Reliance WY-family history Kings Mountain and its Heroes pgs 256, 257, 406, 526-Draper The Patriots of Kings Mountain pgs 23,24- Bobby Moss The Kings Mountain Men pgs 150,151- K.K. White SA=Annals of Southwest Virginia-Lewis Preston Pendleton= The History of Tazewell County, Virginia-Col. William A. Pendleton Pil=Laughell (?) Pilcher and Allied Families Nashville, TN DB=Deed Book WB=Will Book OB=Order Book

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GEDCOM Note

Biography

•Bowen, Arthur, Captain, DAR Ancestor Number A012665

•Bowen, Charles, DAR Ancestor Number A012667

•Bowen, Henry, DAR Ancestor Number A012683

•Bowen, John, DAR Ancestor Number A012707

•Bowen, Reese, Lieutenant, DAR Ancestor Number A012723

•Bowen, William, Captain, DAR Ancestor #A012747

Lt. Rees Bowen and wife, Levisa Smith, were said to be the second white family on the frontier in SW Virginia in 1772. Their old home place still stands today in Tazewell Co, VA. He was the oldest son of John Bowen and Lilly McIlhaney. Rees was killed in the Battle of King's Mountain.

Notes for Rees Bowen:
Source: Pendleton's History of Tazewell County, Virginia (pages 407 - 410): Rees married Louisa Smith, whose parents then lived in that section of Augusta now known as Rockingham County. It is said that, after his marriage, he took up his abode on the Roanoke River close to where the city of Roanoke is now situated. In some way Rees Bowen learned of the fertile lands and abundance of game that could be found in the Upper Clinch Valley; and he concluded to abandon his home on the Roanoke River and settle in this region, where he could locate and occupy, without cost, a large boundary of fine unoccupied land. It is known from tradition that when he arrived with his family in the vicinity of the great spring, to which he gave a peculiar name, he had not then selected the boundary of land upon which he would settle. After they went into camp, on the evening of the day he reached the place that has since been the home of the Bowens, he went out to find and kill a deer to get a supply of fresh meat. While thus engaged he discovered the spring. Bickley thus tells of the discovery of the immense fountain and what followed: "When Mr. Bowen first saw the spring, he discovered a fine young female deer, feeding on the moss within the orifice from which gushes the spring. He shot it, and when he went to get his deer, saw a pair of elk horns standing on their points, and leaning against the rocks. Mr. Bowen was a very large and tall man, yet he had no difficulty in walking upright under the horns. He chose this place for his, and the spring and river have since been known as Maiden Spring and Fork." The first four years after he and his family located at Maiden Spring were free from any hostile demonstrations by the Indians against the Clinch settlements. he was possessed of great physical strength and was very industrious, and in the four years he erected a large and strong log house, extended his clearings into the forests and added considerably to the number of horses and cattle he brought with him from his home on the Roanoke. Then came trouble with the Ohio Indians, in 1773, when the whole frontier of Virginia was threatened by the red men; and Rees Bowen built a heavy stockade around his dwelling, converting it into an excellent neighborhood fort. In the meantime, his four brothers, John, Arthur, William and Moses had moved out from Augusta to find homes in the country west of New River. When Dunmore's War came on the three brothers, Rees, William and Moses, went with Captain William Russell's company on the Lewis expedition to the mouth of the Kanawha River; and were prominent figures in the eventful battle at Point Pleasant. Moses Bowen was then only twenty years old; and on the return march from the Kanawha he was stricken with smallpox, from which frightful malady he died in the wilderness. After his return from Point Pleasant, for two years Rees Bowen, like all the pioneer settlers, was actively engaged in clearing up fields from the forest and increasing the comforts of his new home. While thus occupied the war between the colonies and Great Britain began; and the British Government turned the Western Indians loose on the Virginia frontiers. This caused the organization of a company of militia, expert Indian fighters, in the Clinch Valley. The two Bowen brothers were members of the company, William being captain, and Rees, Lieutenant. This company, composed of pioneers, did effective service for the protection of the settlers in the Clinch and the Holston valleys. When Colonels Shelby and Sevier, in the fall of 1780, appealed to Colonel William Campbell to join them in the expedition to King's Mountain, with a volunteer force from Washington County, Virginia, the company from Clinch Valley volunteered to go. Owing to illness from a serious attack of fever, Captain William Bowen was unable to lead his men on the expedition, and the command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant Rees Bowen. He marched with his company and joined Campbell at Wolf Hill (now Abington), and thence on to the Carolinas, and gave his life for American freedom, while leading his men in the memorable battle at King's Mountain.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL AND THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN It is beyond the scope of this narrative to discuss the Battle of Kings Mountain in any great detail. The noted military historian, Henry Lumpkin, gives a very good and objective account of the battle in his book From Savannah to Yorktown, at pages 91-104. The official report of the engagement, signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby and Cleveland, was published in the Virginia Gazette on 18 November 1780 and was included in Lyman C. Draper's book Kings Mountain and Its Heroes, at pages 522-524. Prior to issuance of this official report, a shorter account had already been made in a letter written by the American commander, Colonel William Campbell, a few days after the battle. A transcript of Colonel Campbell's letter is as follows:

"October 25th, 1780

"Dear Sir, "Ferguson and his party are no more in circumstances to require the citizens of America. We came up with him in Craven County, South Carolina posted on a height called Kings Mountain, about 12 miles north of the Cherokee ford of broad River, about two o'clock in the evening of the seventh instant, we having marched the whole night before. Col. Shelby's regiment and mine began the attack, & sustained the whole fire of the enemy for about ten minutes while the other troops were forming around the height, upon which the enemy was posted. The firing then became general, & as heavy as you can conceive for the number of men. The advantageous situation of the enemy, being on the top of a steep ridge, obliged us to expose ourselves exceedingly, and the dislodging of them was equal to driving men from strong breastworks; though in the end we gained the point of the ridge where my regiment fought, and drove them along the summit of it nearly to the other end, where Col. Cleveland and his country men were. Then they were drove into a huddle, and the greatest confusion; the flag for a surrender was immediately hoisted, and as soon as our troops could be notified of it, the firing ceased, and the survivors surrendered. The estimated prisoners at discretion. The victory was complete to a wish. My regiment has suffered more than any other in the action. I must proceed with the prisoners until I can in some way dispose of them, probably I may go on to Richmond in Virginia.

"I am etc.

"/S/ Wm Campbell, Col. Cdr."

________________________________________A History of The Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory. By David E. Johnston (1906)

The Bowens, of Tazewell.This family is of Welch extraction, and the immediate ancestors of those that came hither were, long prior to the American Revolution, located and settled about Fredericktown, in western Maryland. Restive in disposition and fond of adventure, like all of their blood, they sought, fairly early after the first white settlements were made in the Valley of Virginia, to look for homes in that direction. How early, or the exact date, that Reece Bowen, the progenitor of the Tazewell family of that name, came in to the Virginia Valley from his western Maryland home, cannot be named with certainty; doubtless he came as early as 1765, for it is known that for a few years prior to 1772, when he located at Maiden Spring, he was living on the Roanoke River, close by where the city of Roanoke is now situated, then in Augusta County, he married Miss Louisa Smith, who proved to him not only a loving and faithful wife, but a great helpmeet in his border life. She was evidently a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and cultivation for one of her day and opportunity. She was a small, neat and trim woman, weighing only about one hundred pounds, while her husband was a giant in size and strength. It is told as a fact that she could step into her husband's hand and that he could stand and extend his arm, holding her at right angle to his body. Prize fighting was quite common in the early days of the settlements, by which men tested their manhood and prowess. The man who could demolish all who chose to undertake him was the champion, and wore the belt until some man flogged him, and then he had to surrender it. At some period after Reece Bowen had settled on the Roanoke, and after the first child came into the home, Mrs. Bowen desiring to pay a visit to her people in the Valley, she and her babe and husband set out on horse-back along the narrow bridle way that then led through the valley, and on the way they met a man clad in the usual garb of the day--that is , buck-skin trousers, moccasins, and hunting shirt, or wampus. The stranger inquired of Mr. Bowen his name, which he gave him; proposed a fight for the belt. Bowen tried to beg off, stating that he was taking his wife and child, the latter then in his arms, to her people. The man would take no excuse; finally Mrs. Bowen said to her husband; "Reece, give me the child and get down and slap that man's jaws." Mr. Bowen alighted from his horse, took the man by the lapel of his hunting shirt, gave him a few quick, heavy jerks, when the man called out to let him go, he had enough. It is also related of Mr. Bowen, that in a later prize fight, at Maiden Spring, with a celebrated prize fighter who had, with his seconds, come from South Carolina to fight Bowen, and when he reached Bowen's home and made known to him his business, he, Mr. Bowen, did what he could in an honorable way to excuse himself from engaging in a fight; but the man was persistent and Bowen concluded to accommodate him and sent for his seconds--a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Clendenin. The fight took place and the gentleman from South Carolina came off second best. Just when Reece Bowen first saw the territory of what is now Tazewell County cannot be definitely stated. Whether he was one of the large hunting party organized of men from the Virginia Valley, North Carolina and New River, which rendezvoused at Ingles' Ferry in June, 1769, and hunted on the waters of the Holstein, Powell's River, Clinch, and in Kentucky, is not known; his name does not appear among the number, but the writer, "Haywood's Civil and Political History of Tennessee," does not profess to give all the names of the party. Nevertheless it is highly probable that Bowen was along, or he may have gone out with the party the next year, or he may have met with the Witten's, and others, on their way out in 1771, and joined them. He seems not to have made his settlement at Maiden Spring until the year of 1772. He went with Captain William Russell's company to the battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774, leaving home in August of that year, and leaving Daniel Boone in command of that part of the frontier. As already stated in this volume, Boone had been forced to give up his journey to Kentucky in September, 1773, on account of the breaking out of the Indian War, and had spent the winter of 1773-4 in the neighborhood of Captain William Russell, near Castleswoods. Captain Russell's company belonged to Colonel William Christian's Fincastle Regiment, the greater part of which did not participate in the battle of Point Pleasant, being in the rear in charge of the pack horses carrying provisions for the army; but Shelby's and Russell's companies went forward with the main body and took an active part in the conflict. Moses Bowen, a relative of Reece, was with Russell's company, but died on the journey, from smallpox. From 1774 to 1781, when Reece Bowen marched away to the battle of King's Mountain, the border on and along the Clinch was harassed by bands of marauding Indians, and in many of the skirmishes and troubles Reece Bowen took a hand. During the period from the date of Bowen's settlement at Maiden Spring until his death, to procure salt, iron, and other necessary materials he had to travel across the mountains to Salisbury, North Carolina, carrying them on a packhorse, and would be absent for weeks, leaving his wife and children alone. His trips, however, were always made in winter, when there was no danger from the Indians. He left rifle guns and bear dogs at home, and with these his wife felt safe from danger, for she was a good shot with a rifle, often exceeding the men in ordinary rifle practice. Mr. Bowen had selected a lovely country for his home, and around and adjacent thereto, prior to the fall of 1780, had surveyed and secured several thousand acres of that valuable land, of which his descendants today hold about twelve square miles. When it was known that Lord Cornwallis' Army was marching northward through the Carolinas, and that Colonel Ferguson, who commanded the left wing of his Army, had sent a threat to the "Over Mountain Men" that if they did not cross the mountains and take the oath of allegiance to the King, that he would cross over and destroy with fire and sword, Evan Shelby, John Sevier, and William Campbell determined to checkmate Colonel Ferguson by crossing the mountains and destroying him and his army. Colonel Campbell commanded the Washington County Military Force, and William Bowen a company that belonged to Campbell's Command, though a part of his company lived on the Montgomery County side of the line. In this company Reece Bowen was a First Lieutenant, his son John a Private, and James Moore a Junior Lieutenant. When the order came for Bowen's company to join the regiment it found its Captain, William Bowen, sick of a fever, and this situation devolved the command of the company upon Lieutenant Reece Bowen, who led it into the battle of King's Mountain, and there, together with several of his men, was killed and buried on the field. His remains were never removed, for the reason that when opportunity was offered for their removal the spot in which he was buried could not be identified. Campbell's Regiment lost in this battle 35 killed and wounded; among the killed, other than Lieutenant Reece Bowen, were Captain William Edmondson, Robert Edmondson, Andrew Edmondson, and Henry Henninger, and among the wounded, Charles Kilgore and John Peery, the two latter and Henninger from the Upper Clinch Waters. Reece Bowen has in Tazewell County many highly respected, prominent and influential descendants, among them Mr. Reece Bowen, Colonel Thomas P. Bowen and Captain Henry Bowen, all brave and distinguished Confederate Soldiers; the latter, Captain Henry, being frequently honored by his people as a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and a Representative in Congress. The present Mr. Reece Bowen married Miss Mary Crockett, of Wythe; Colonel Thomas P., Miss Augusta Stuart, of Greenbrier, and Captain Henry, Miss Louisa Gillespie, of Tazewell.

Children of Rees Bowen and Margaret Louisa Smith are: John Bowen, d. date unknown. Rees Bowen, d. date unknown. Margaret Bowen, d. date unknown. Rebecca Bowen, d. date unknown. Lily Bowen, d. date unknown. Louisa Bowen, d. date unknown. Henry Bowen, d. date unknown.+Nancy Bowen, b. 1778, Augusta, Virginia, d. October 8, 1835, Arkansas Among those of the Bowens who fought as officers in the War of the Revolution were Quartermaster-General Ephraim of Rhode Island, Captain Oliver of Georgia, Captain Prentice of New York, Captain Seth of New Jersey, Captain Thomas Bartholomew of Pennsylvania, and Lieutenants John and Reece of Virginia.

May/June, 2009 issue of the D.A.R. Magazine: "Fort Maiden Spring Chapter, Tazewell, VA, joined the Clinch Mountain Militia Chapter, S.A.R. for a memorial dedication for Patriots Rees Bowen and Thomas Gillespie. The celebration was of great interest to the chpter because its namesake, Fort Maiden Spring, was the home of Rees Bowen. Bowen settled in the town in 1769 and led the local militia to the Battle of King's Mountain. There he died and was buried. After the battle, Thomas Gillespie married Bowen's daughter, Margaret." "The S.A.R. and governmnet markers were placed in the cemetery at the Bowen home.....The Bowen and Gillespie families were both well represented at the event. The two families have remained close through the years, and this event renewed those ties."

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Additional Account of King's Mountain Battle: Rees Bowen Birth: 1750 Virginia, USA Death: Oct. 7, 1780 A Statement of the proceedings of the Western Army, from the 25th of September, 1780, to the reduction of Major Ferguson, and the army under his command. On receiving intelligence that Major Ferguson had advanced as high up as Gilbert Town, in Rutherford county, and threatened to cross the mountains to the Western waters, Col. William Campbell, with four hundred men from Washington county, of Virginia; Col. Isaac Shelby with two hundred and forty men from Sullivan county, North-Carolina, and Lieutenant-Col. John Sevier, with two hundred and forty men from Washington county, North-Carolina, assembled at Watauga on the 25th of September, where they were joined by Col. Charles McDowell, with one hundred and sixty men from the counties of Burke and Rutherford, who had fled before the enemy to the Western waters. We began our march on the 26th, and on the 30th, we were joined by Col. Cleveland, on the Catawba River, with three hundred and fifty men from the counties of Wilkes and Surry. No one officer having properly a right to the command-in-chief, on the 1st of October, we despatched an express to Major General Gates, informing him of our situation, and requested him to send a general officer to take command of the whole. In the meantime, Col. Campbell was chosen to act as commandant till such general officer should arrive. We reached the Cow Pens, on the Broad River, in South Carolina, where we were joined by Col. James Williams, on the evening of the 6th October, who informed us that the enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee Ford of Broad River, about thirty miles distant form us. By a council of the principal officers, it was then thought advisable to pursue the enemy that night with nine hundred of the best horsemen, and leave the weak horses and footmen to follow as fast as possible. We began our march with nine hundred of the best men about eight o'clock the same evening, marched all night, and came up with the enemy about three o'clock P.M. of the 7th, who lay encamped on the top of King's Mountain, twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford, in the conficence they could not be forced from so advantageous a post. Previous to the attack, in our march the following disposition was made: Col. Shelby's regiment formed a column in the centre on the left; Col. Campbell's another on the right; part of Col. Cleveland's regiment, headed by Major Winston and Col. Sevier's, formed a large column on the right wing; the other part of Col. Cleveland's regiment composed the left wing. In this order we advanced, and got within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we were discovered. Col. Shelby's and col. Campbell's regiments began the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack. The troops upon the right having gained the summit of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge where Col. Cleveland commanded, and were there stopped by his brave men. A flag was immediately hoisted by Captain Dupoister,(1) the commanding officer, (Major Ferguson having been killed a little before,) for a surrender. Our fire immediately ceased,(2) and the enemy laid down their arms--the greater part of them loaded--and surrendered themselves to us prisoners at discretion. It appears from their own provision returns for that day, found in their camp, that their whole force consisted of eleven hundred and twenty-five men, out of which they sustained the following loss:--Of the regulars, one Major, one captain, two lieutenants and fifteen privates killed, thirty-five privates wounded. Left on the ground, not able to march, two captains, four lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, five sergeants; three corporals, one drummer and fifty-nine privates taken prisoners. Loss of the tories, two colonels, three captains, and two hundred and one privates killed; one Major and one hundred and twenty-seven privates wounded and left on the ground not able to march; one colonel, twelve captains, eleven lieutenants, two ensigns, one quarter-master, one adjutant, two commisissaries, eighteen sergeants and six hundred privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, eleven hundred and five men at King's Mountain. 3

Given under our hands at camp, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, ISAAC SHELBY, BENJAMIN CLEVELAND

The loss on our side--

Killed—1 colonel, Wounded—1 Major, 1 Major, 3 captains, 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 2 lieutenants 55 privates 4 ensigns, 19 privates 62 total wounded.* 28 total killed.

Published by order of Congress 4

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary Burial: Bowen Family Cemetery Cove Creek Tazewell County Virginia, USA

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Rees Bowen's homeplace on Maiden Spring History for Historic Register: http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Tazewell/092-0002_Ma...

Rees Bowen Birth: 1750 (sic) Virginia, USA Death: Oct. 7, 1780 A Statement of the proceedings of the Western Army, from the 25th of September, 1780, to the reduction of Major Ferguson, and the army under his command. On receiving intelligence that Major Ferguson had advanced as high up as Gilbert Town, in Rutherford county, and threatened to cross the mountains to the Western waters, Col. William Campbell, with four hundred men from Washington county, of Virginia; Col. Isaac Shelby with two hundred and forty men from Sullivan county, North-Carolina, and Lieutenant-Col. John Sevier, with two hundred and forty men from Washington county, North-Carolina, assembled at Watauga on the 25th of September, where they were joined by Col. Charles McDowell, with one hundred and sixty men from the counties of Burke and Rutherford, who had fled before the enemy to the Western waters. We began our march on the 26th, and on the 30th, we were joined by Col. Cleveland, on the Catawba River, with three hundred and fifty men from the counties of Wilkes and Surry. No one officer having properly a right to the command-in-chief, on the 1st of October, we despatched an express to Major General Gates, informing him of our situation, and requested him to send a general officer to take command of the whole. In the meantime, Col. Campbell was chosen to act as commandant till such general officer should arrive. We reached the Cow Pens, on the Broad River, in South Carolina, where we were joined by Col. James Williams, on the evening of the 6th October, who informed us that the enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee Ford of Broad River, about thirty miles distant form us. By a council of the principal officers, it was then thought advisable to pursue the enemy that night with nine hundred of the best horsemen, and leave the weak horses and footmen to follow as fast as possible. We began our march with nine hundred of the best men about eight o'clock the same evening, marched all night, and came up with the enemy about three o'clock P.M. of the 7th, who lay encamped on the top of King's Mountain, twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford, in the conficence they could not be forced from so advantageous a post. Previous to the attack, in our march the following disposition was made: Col. Shelby's regiment formed a column in the centre on the left; Col. Campbell's another on the right; part of Col. Cleveland's regiment, headed by Major Winston and Col. Sevier's, formed a large column on the right wing; the other part of Col. Cleveland's regiment composed the left wing. In this order we advanced, and got within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we were discovered. Col. Shelby's and col. Campbell's regiments began the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack. The troops upon the right having gained the summit of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge where Col. Cleveland commanded, and were there stopped by his brave men. A flag was immediately hoisted by Captain Dupoister,(1) the commanding officer, (Major Ferguson having been killed a little before,) for a surrender. Our fire immediately ceased,(2) and the enemy laid down their arms--the greater part of them loaded--and surrendered themselves to us prisoners at discretion. It appears from their own provision returns for that day, found in their camp, that their whole force consisted of eleven hundred and twenty-five men, out of which they sustained the following loss:--Of the regulars, one Major, one captain, two lieutenants and fifteen privates killed, thirty-five privates wounded. Left on the ground, not able to march, two captains, four lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, five sergeants; three corporals, one drummer and fifty-nine privates taken prisoners. Loss of the tories, two colonels, three captains, and two hundred and one privates killed; one Major and one hundred and twenty-seven privates wounded and left on the ground not able to march; one colonel, twelve captains, eleven lieutenants, two ensigns, one quarter-master, one adjutant, two commisissaries, eighteen sergeants and six hundred privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, eleven hundred and five men at King's Mountain. 3

Given under our hands at camp, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, ISAAC SHELBY, BENJAMIN CLEVELAND

The loss on our side--

Killed—1 colonel, Wounded—1 Major, 1 Major, 3 captains, 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 2 lieutenants 55 privates 4 ensigns, 19 privates 62 total wounded.* 28 total killed.

Published by order of Congress 4

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary Burial: Bowen Family Cemetery Cove Creek Tazewell County Virginia, USA

Sources

• Pendleton, William Cecil, History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia, 1748-1920, (Richmond, Va. : W. C. Hill printing company, 1920).

<references /> Author: Jayme Hart <a href="/wiki/Bowen-3246" title="Bowen-3246">Bowen-3246</a> and Bowen-936 appear to represent the same person because: Same person.

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Biography

Reece (Capt.) Bowen.
Given Name: Reece (Capt.). Surname: Bowen.

Reese Tate Bowen. Given Name: Reese Tate. Surname: Bowen. <ref>Source: #S82 </ref> Found multiple versions of name. Using Reece (Capt.) Bowen. A Given name was found in addition to a first name in the NAME tag.

Died 7 Oct 1780. <ref>Source: #S82 </ref>

Sources

<references />* Source: S80 Media: Internet Byron Johnson GED Publication: http://www.byron.johnson.org/johnson.htm Porters from Byron Johnson.ged - Download * Source: S81 Andrea Weil Web Site, ( http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/9180/fam00278.html) Weil, Andrea Publication: Gendex by Gene Stark - WWW Database, (http://www.gendex.com) * Source: S82 Media: Internet Bowen Family [Tentative] Publication: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~oldpend/bowen/bowx.htm#TOC

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