Hon. Capt. Joseph Bowker

Vermont Political and Military Figure. He was orphaned, raised by a guardian, and later married his guardian’s daughter. He became a farmer, and joined the militia to serve with the British during the French and Indian War, commanding a company as a Captain, and serving primarily on garrison duty at Fort Ticonderoga. In 1773 he relocated to Rutland, where he farmed and operated a sawmill. He also served in local offices, including Town Clerk and Treasurer and Town Selectman. He was the first Judge of both the Rutland County Court and the county Probate Court. Bowker was President of several conventions Vermont residents called to plan their activities during the American Revolution. During the war he was a member of Vermont’s Board of War, served as a Sequestration Commissioner responsible for disposing of property confiscated from Tories, and was a Commissary, responsible for acquiring supplies and equipment to be used by Vermont's militia. In 1778 he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives and was chosen as its first Speaker. He served only a brief time because he resigned in order to accept a position on the Governor's Council, a post he served in until his death. (Thank you Bill McKern)* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 11 2023, 17:03:54 UTC