David A Bowen

David Bowen

of

Rutherford Co, NC

In the name of god amen I David Bowin of the State of North Carolina and Rutherford County. Being of perfect mind and memory. Blessed be god do this 7th day of February in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty two do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following. I bequeath my body to a decent Christian buriel and my soul to god who gave it and after all my just debts is paid my will and desier is that Wm Bowin children Berry and Dock have 50cts each and Matterson Bowin his children Lawson and David have 50cts each and David A. Bowin and my daughter Jane Dobbins have one dollar each and my son Drewry S. Bowin and my daughter Nancy that is living with me have all my property real and personal . Equal between them in valuation I have given my black horse before this present to Drewry S. Bowin all the balance land, money on hand or debts owing my catle, hogs, farming utencils wagon grain gathered or growing or cotton to be equilal between them two in valuation and provided that either one was to mary or to want to leave in any way the other one is to have the buildings all household and kitchen furniture also in the same way in valuation or meat and I constitute and appoint my son Drewry S. Bowin Executor to this my last will and testament. In witness wherof I the David Bowin have here unto set my name and affixed my seal. Signed in the presence of us.

R. R. Philbeck (signed)

J. B. Bridges (his mark) David Bowen (his mark) s

Proven 14 Aug 1882

Many thanks to Gordon Parks who contributed the will above. Gordon descends from David's son William H Bowen and wife Nancy through their son Berry Rollins Bowen.

David's father has not been proven. Gordon believes he might descend from Bracy Bowen who also lived in Rutherford Co. Bracy was the son of another earlier David Bowen Sr of Mecklenburg Co. Whether Bracey was his father or not, this David was probably a grandson of the earlier David.

David Bowen's censuses indicate he was born in VA about 1802. His wife Arty was born in NC about 1805.

The 1830 census of Rutherford Co listed the household of Bracher Boen with 1M 60-70 and 1F 70-80. (Bracy?)

Other households listed on the 1830 Rutherford Co census included David Bowen, Beaty(or Baily) Boen, Lewis Bowen, and Maberry Bowen.

A Mabry Bowen (same as Mayberry?) was listed from 1816 to 1818 on the land tax records of Mecklenburg Co. He owned 16.25 acres on "Waters Buffalo". By 1820 he had moved to Rutherford Co, and by 1850 he was in Cleveland Co, NC. Mayberry was age 60 on the 1850 census and age 85 in 1870. David Bowen Sr and his family lived on Buffalo Creek. So although the Bowens of Rutherford Co are difficult to trace directly back through each generation, they appear to be descendants of David Bowen Sr.

Please send additions/corrections/comments/questions to

Martha Hills and/or Frances "Cookie" Harper