John Bowen

From http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyotsego/mdmjumel.htm

The chronology of the Madame's life still remains a mystery. She was known to tell many stories involving her ancestry. History suggests that she was born 1769 at sea to a prostitute and a sailor named John Bowen. She was adopted and raised by Mrs. Thompson of Newport, Rhode Island. Her mother died at birth and Mr. Bowen disappeared, later to be found floating in Newport Harbor.