Capt. Michael Bowyer, Jr.

Biography: Michael Bowyer was born in Augusta County (which was then part of Spotsylvania County) in 1730. He grew up in Staunton and eventually developed a law practice there. By 1763, at the end of the French and Indian War, he was active in the local Augusta Militia, serving as an ensign. Three years later, in 1766, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

As a member of the Committee of Freeholders of Augusta County, Michael Bowyer helped to draw up the historic "Resolutions" just prior to the outset of the Revolution. Then, after the hostilities had started, on November 11th, 1775, he was appointed the captain of a company in the Augusta County Militia. He served in this capacity until August of 1776, when he was transferred to the command of a company of regulars that had been raised by the State of Virginia.

On September 30th, 1776, he was commissioned a captain in the 12th Virginia Continental Line, receiving a commission signed by the President of Continental Congress, John Hancock. His company served the fall of 1776 defending the frontiers from the "incursion of Indians," and in the spring of 1777, marched from a fort at Tyger's Valley to Winchester, where it met back up with the rest of the 12th Regiment and commenced northward. Bowyer continued in the active field service of the Continental Line until October of 1778, when, by the reduction of regiments, in the White Plains Agreement, he was "deranged" from his troops in the 12th Regiment (see note on derangement) and appointed a supernumerary officer in the 8th Regiment—a position that he held throughout the remainder of the war.

What is derangement? This is an 18th-century euphemism for officers in the Continental Army who, for various reasons, were forced into an early retirement. Basically, by the middle of the war, many of the regiments were at half strength (or worse), due to the mounting number of casualties, sick & wounded soldiers, and deserters. Congress made the decision to take half-strength regiments in some of the State Lines and combine them to make full-strength regiments (e.g. two half-strength regiments would contract into one full-strength regiment, and so on). The officers who held commissions in the contracted regiments were suddenly left with no troops to command. Thus, they were "deranged" from their troops, and sent home! Sort of a "too many chiefs, not enough Indians" scenario, if you will...

Officers who had served honorably were listed as 'Supernumerary' officers, which meant that they were essentially substitutes who were kept on the roster. In case one of the officers in active field service was killed, a supernumerary could be called in to fill the vacant slot. This is the capacity in which Michael Bowyer served for the last 5 years of the war. Once the 12th Regiment was contracted into the 8th, he was thrust into being "on call" 24/7, in the event that he should be called back into active duty.

Manager's Edit: Everything above the manager's edit was contributed by James G. Bigwood. Below is the original entry by John.

Original Entry: In the Indian War, 1763 Michael Bowyer was ensign in the Augusta County, Virginia Militia, and as the Revolution approached, raised and equipped a company at his own expense. He was a member of the House of Delegates and one of a Committee which drew up the the famous Resolutions of Independence. He was a captain in the 12th Virginia Regiment, Continental Line 1776 commanded by Col. Wood. In recognition of his services, Captain Michael Bowyer was presented by the State with 5,000 acres of land, where a portion of the city of Cincinnati now stands. His father-in-law was original owner of the Greenbrier "White Sulphur Springs," which were patented to Captain Michael in 1784. He was personal friends with Thomas Jefferson.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68367583

---

In the Indian War, 1763 Michael Bowyer was ensign in the Augusta County, Virginia Militia, and as the revolution approached, raised and equipped a company at his own expense. he was a member of the House of Delegates and one of a committee which drew up the the famous Resolutions of Independence. He was a Captian in the 12th Virginia Regiment, Continental Line 1776 commanded by Col. Wood. In recognition of his services, Captain Michael Bowyer was presented by the state with 5,000 acres of land, where a portion of the city of Cincinnatti now stands. his father in law was original owner of the greenbrier white sulphur springs, patented to him in 1784. He was personel friends with Thomas Jefferson.

---

GEDCOM Source

@R753407887@ Findagrave

GEDCOM Source

Capt Michael Bowyer Mar 1809 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68367583/michael-bowyer

GEDCOM Source

@R-1547272335@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=22516209&pid...