Person:John Bowyer (4)

Gen. John Bowyer was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Processioning List of 1767/68 3 Records in Augusta County, VA		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

John Bowyer's land (Borden Tract SW, 533 acres acquired from Alexander Craighead in 1761 & 100 acres acquired from James Lackey in 1771) as shown on the map meticulously drawn by J.R. Hildebrand, cartographer. This map is copyrighted©, used by permission of John Hildebrand, son of J.R. Hildebrand, April, 2009.

John Bowyer's land (Borden Tract NE, 300 acres acquired from James McDowell in 1761) as shown on the map meticulously drawn by J.R. Hildebrand, cartographer. This map is copyrighted©, used by permission of John Hildebrand, son of J.R. Hildebrand, April, 2009.

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 100.--17th May, 1755. James McDowell, farmer, to John Bowyer, £175, 300 acres above. Delivered: J. Bowyer, May, 1761. (Note: this record references the following record that preceded this record):

Page 97.--3d May, 1755. Ephraim McDowell to James McDowell, £5, 300 acres; John McDowell's line, part of Borden's 92,100. Ephraim ( ) McDowell. Teste: John Bowyer, Samuel McDowell, Magdalen Bowyer.

• Page 274.--21st April, 1761. Alexander Craighead, of North Carolina, to John Bowyer, £300, 533 acres of Borden's 92100; cor. Richard Woods; cor. Peter Wallace, Cap. Lapsley's line. Teste: John Dickenson.

• Page 45.--8th November. 1762. James McDowell and Elizabeth to John Bowyer, £300, 400 acres on main branch of James River, conveyed by Samuel McDowell and Mary. Delivered: Jno. Bowyer, 1765.

• Page 47.--13th November, 1762. Robert ( ) Luney and Elisabeth to John Bowyer, £300, 250 acres on James River patented to Robert, 30th July, 1742.

• Page 424.--12th January, 1771. James Lakey (Leky, Lacky) to John Bowyer, £50, 100 acres, part of 200 purchased from Borden's executors, whereon James now lives, the other part having been sold to Moses Bennet. Delivered: John Bowyer, November Court, 1773.

• Page 426.--22d August, 1771. Thomas Moore to Michael Bowyer, £10, 145 acres, part of 190 acres patented to said Moore, 12th May, 1770, on Smith's Creek, said Bowyer's line, Thomas Lookie's land. Delivered: Boston March by Mr. Bowyer's order, March Court, 1777.

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 395.--20th September, 1763. John Bowyer and Magdalen to James McDowell, £200, Rogers Keys' line, James Greenlee's line, Samuel McDowell's line. Delivered: Samuel McDowell, May, 1773.

• Page 198.--20th August, 1765. John Bowyer to Peter Looney, eldest son of Peter Looney, deceased. Whereas Peter, Sr., and his brother David Looney, on 11th October, 1769, purchased of Robert Looney, father of Peter, Sr., and David, the tract Robert was living on, situated on James River and Creek, excepting the part on the south side the Creek, which Robert had some time before exchanged for a place called the Draper place, with Daniel Looney, another son of Robert's, notwithstanding which, said Robert under pretence that Peter and David had not complied with their contract, refused to make conveyance, but sold the same to said John Bowyer. Peter, Sr., soon after making the purchase, died, leaving Peter, his eldest son, infant, who, with said David, brought suit against Robert Looney and John Bowyer, in which it was decreed that John reconvey to Peter, Jr. 80 acres on James River.

• Page 200.--20th August, 1765. Same to David Looney. Similar deed as above, 140 acres; corner Col. John Smith; corner to above tract. (Note: refers to transaction above).

• Page 442.--19th October, 1765. John Bowyer to Margaret Looney, only child and heiress of Daniel Looney, deceased. Whereas Robert Looney was seised of a tract on James River and Looney's Creek, and sold so much as lay on south side of the Creek to his son Daniel, in consideration of a tract called Draper's place, but conveyed the whole tract to John Bowyer, and Daniel dying soon after, left Margaret, his only daughter and heir, who brought suit against John Bowyer and Robert Looney (decree, 24th May, 1765), and this conveyance in accordance therewith, conveys the land conveyed to him by Robert Looney.

• Page 325.--13th July, 1774. John Bowyer and Magdalene, of Botetourt, and Moses Bennett and Mary to Robert Lusk. Teste: Samuel Lapsley, John Lyle, Robert Stuart. Moses Whitesides.

Processioning List of 1767/68

"Processioning" was the periodic review and agreement of property lines between settler's lands. Processioning Lists are useful in determining the general area of a settlers lands and their neighbors at specific time periods:

• Vol. 2 - Page 450.--1767-68: Processioned by Wm. McElhenny and Paul Whitley: For Samuel Walker, John Maxfield, Wm. McClenachan, David Cloid, Edley Paul, James Cloid, William Hall, Christian Vingard [sic], John Bouers [sic], John Logan, Benj. Estill, Wm. McElhenny, Henry Bouns (Bonns), Henry Cartmel, Samuel Gibson, James Bates, Paul Whitley, Jonathan Whitley, Wm. Logan. Processioned by John Pall, John Lyle: For John Keys, John Parks, Robert Caruthers, Roger Keys, Jno. Paul, John Hays, Thomas Willson, David Williamson, Jno. Boid, Thomas Boid, Walter Smiley, Jno. Clemans, James McClung, Wm. Alexander, John Lusk, James Ritchey, Jno. Sloan, Joseph Alexander. Processioned by James Hugart: For Charles Donelly, Jno. Cartmill, Robert Stewart, Thomas Galespie, Jno. McCashling, Mary Moore, James McCay, Wm. McCay, Ralph Laferty, John Galespie, James Hugart. (Note: spelling shows "Bouers" instead of Bowyer).

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley's:

• Page 429.--22d August, 1751. Archibald Alexander to John Bowyer, power of attorney to act for Archibald in the sale of the Burden lands.

• Page 67.--22d August, 1754. John Bowyer's indemnifying bond to Archibald Alexander, with sureties James Lockhart, Andrew Hays, Wm. Woods. Alexander had given Bowyer power of attorney to act for him in signing deeds to the Borden lands. Teste: Francis Bealey (Beaty), Jas. Thomson, Daniel Harrison.

• Vol. 1 - MAY, 1755. - Bowyer and wife vs. McKendrick.--John Bowyer and Magdalene, his wife, who was Magdalene Bordin.

• Page 102.--20th May, 1755. Borden's executors (Magdalen Bowyer, relict and administratrix of John McDowell, late of Orange County, and mother of Samuel McDowell, an orphan under 21 years, being eldest son and heir-at-law of said John McDowell to said Samuel McDowell under the tuition of his guardian, Richard Woods, Gent.). Benjamin, Sr., had agreed to sell in his lifetime to Jno. McDowell. John entered the land under the agreement. John was killed by Indians. John had had the land surveyed by Borden's surveyor, John Hart; contained 1,359 acres; of this, John McDowell had covenanted to sell to John Paul 400 acres, whereupon Paul and others brought suit, vs. Samuel, for title. Decree, 22d August, 1752. Conveys all residue of the 1,359 acres whereon John lived; Roger Key's land: John Lyle's line; Mathew Lyle's corner, 959 acres. Delivered: Samuel McDowell, March, 1764. (Note: Magdalen Bowyer was the wife of this John Bowyer).

• Page 271.--19th August, 1758. John Bowyer's bond (with Israel Christian) as guardian (?) to Caleb Harman, orphan of John Harman.

• Page 288.--20th November, 1758. John Bowyer's bond (with Robt. Breckinridge, Robt. McClenachan) for collection of County proportion.

• Page 227.--16th August, 1759. John Bowyer's bond (with Richard Woods, Israel Christian, Felix Gilbert), as guardian of Martha Borden, orphan of Benjamin Borden.

• Page 230.--18th March, 1760. David Cloid's bond (with John Bowyer, James McGavock), as guardian (appointed) to Mary Cloyd, orphan of John Cloyd.

• Page 16.--4th April, 1761. Patrick Young's will--Wife, Esibala (Isabella) and Joseph Walker, executors; son, James; 3 daughters, Sarah, Jannet and Allas. Teste: Wm. Hall, Jas. Campbell, Saml. McMurty. Proved, 19th May, 1761, by the witnesses. Executors qualify, with John Bowyer, Jno. Collier, James McKee. Isabella's mark ( ).

• Page 347.--5th May, 1761. Samuel McDowell and Mary to Walter Smiley. £5, 200 acres by patent 6th July, 1741. on the Mary, a branch of James River. Teste: John, Michael and William Bowyer. Delivered: W. Smiley, 10th February, 1786.

• Page 237.--22nd May, 1761. John Bowyer's bond (with Gabriel Jones), as guardian to Luke Bowyer, orphan of Michael Bowyer (chosen).

• Page 118.--19th February, 1762. John Bowyer's bond (with James McDowell, Saml. McDowell, James McGavock) to indemnify Israel Christian as John's surety on bond as guardian for Martha Borden.

• Page 219.--16th February, 1763. John Lowraine's bond (with John Bowyer), as administrator of David Lowraine.

• Page 226.--21st February, 1763. John Bowyer's bond (with John Madison) as administrator of Caleb Harman.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST 16, 1763. - (213) John Bowyer qualified Captain of Militia.

• Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 15, 1763. - (327) County Levy. To John Bowyer, for executing negro Tom, £3, 4, 3.

• Page 374.--9th April, 1764. Received of John Bowyer the sum of £588, 9, 9. in full of my wife's estate which he was guardian for, pay received by me.--Benjamin Hawkins.

• Page 132 - Christopher Vineyard, 60 acres, James River. Adjoining John Bowyers. May 13, 1769. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 48].

• Page 336.--14th October, 1765. Archibald Alexander, executor of Benj. Borden and Magdalene Bowyer, administratrix of John McDowell and mother of Samuel McDowell, orphan and heir-at-law of John McDowell, to William Lusk (contracted by Benj., Sr., to John McDowell). John covenanted to convey to Wm. Armstrong 300 acres for £9 in two tracts. Armstrong entered into possession, 200 acres thereof on Mill Creek in Borden's grant, and 100 acres on a west branch of James River called Catawbo Creek and made improvements on both places. John McDowell died 1742 without making conveyance. Armstrong brought suit in chancery, in which in 1752 it was ordered that conveyance be made to Armstrong, but Armstrong has covenanted to convey to Wm. Lusk the 200-acre tract for £26.10, beginning at a black oak; corner Isaac Taylor on Mill Creek, Daniel Lyle's line; corner Daniel Lyle and Edward Tarr. Teste: James and Samuel McDowell, Christopher Vinyard. Delivered: Wm. Lusk, November, 1766. (Note: Magdalen Bowyer was the wife of this John Bowyer).

• Page 465.--18th November, 1766. Andw. Lewis' bond (with Jno. Buchanan, Jno. Bowyer) as sheriff to collect officers' fees, &c.

• Page 246.--21st November, 1766. David Looney and Mary to William Crow, of Staunton, £290, 140 acres, art of 250 acres patented to Robert Looney, 1742, whereon David lately lived, and which he recovered from John Bowyer, on James River; corner Col. Smith's land.

• Page 243.--10th March, 1767. Same (From David Miller and Hannah) to Israel Christian, £50, 141 acres on Glade Creek of Roanoke; corner John Bowing's (prob. Bowyer's) land.

• Page 170.--12th January, 1768. William Stewart's will, freeholder--To sister Jane, lands and chattels left to me by my father in the town land of Raffrey, was married to Wm. Marshall; to Ann Stewart, married to Thomas Osborn; to Mary Stewart, married to Andw. Shaw; to Elizabeth Stewart, married to John Patton; to Francis Stewart; to William Stewart, infant, when at age my land on Middle River, formerly owned by James Henderson; to brother John Stewart, executor. Teste: Thomas Stewart, Thomas Thompson, John Petter, Robert Hamilton. Proved, 18th November, 1768, by Thos. Stewart, John Peters. John Stewart qualifies executor, with Thos. Stuart and John Bowyer.

• Page 472.--7th May, 1768. Elizabeth ( ) Rea to Henry Larkin, £30, 98 acres on the south side of North Branch of James River; corner John Harger; corner Alexander Baggs and William Henderson. Teste: John Bowyer, Joseph Cloyd, James McDowell.

• Page 102.--2d August, 1768. Jamrs Campbell and Elizabeth ( ) to Charles Kirkpatrick, £92, 253 acres on Whistle Creek in Forks of James, mouth of said Creek; corner Patrick Young, Hall's Mill; corner James Crawford. Teste: John Bowyer, R. Alexander, Jr., Pat. ( ) Doney, John Paxton. Delivered: John Kirkpatrick, 4th January, 1772.

• Page 96.--22d October, 1768. John Mills and Mary to William Carvin, £50, patent to John Mills, 10th July, 1767, 325 acres on the Bent Mountain and Little Bottom Creek, a branch of Roanoke; corner Leonard Huff's land. Teste: Arthur Campbell, John Bowyer, Ben. Estill, Samuel McDowell, William Christian.

• Page 175.--16th November, 1768. John Bowyer's bond (with Saml. McDowell, James McDowell, William Bowyer, Michael Bowyer) as sheriff.

• Page 24.--3d June, 1769. James McDowell to Gabriel Jones, mortgage, two tracts in Borden's land, whereon James now lives: A containing 300 acres conveyed to James by John Bowyer and Magdalen, 20th September, 1763; B containing 60 acres conveyed to James by his brother Samuel, 4th October, 1765.

• Page 274.--19th December, 1769. William Bowyer's bond (with Robert McClenachan, Alex. McClenachan, Michl. Bowyer, John Bowyer) as sheriff.

• Page 275.--19th December, 1769. William Bowyer's bond (with Robert McClenachan, Alex. McClenachan, Michl. Bowyer, John Bowyer), bond to collect quit rents.

• Page 353.--21st November, 1770. Thomas and Charles Lewis' bond (with John Bowyer, John Madison) as guardian to William Long, orphan of William Long.

• Page 285.--21st September, 1771. William Young, of Botetourt, to Thomas Lacky. Teste: James McDowell, Lew Bowyer, John Bowyer Proved, 20th May, 1772, by Lew and John Bowyer, who swore they saw James McDowell, Gent., who is since dead, sign it.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST, 1779 (D). - Bowyer vs. McCown.--Ejectment, 1st February, 1773. John Bowyer and Magdalene, his wife, late Magdalene Borden, widow and relict of Benjamin Borden, the younger, and Benjamin Hawkins and Martha, his wife, late Martha Borden, only surviving child and heiress of the said Benjamin Borden.

• Page 58.--13th June, 1793. Elizabeth Blair's will, of Staunton--To grandson, Robert Hartgrove; to Mrs. Jane Hall, as compensation for services and kindness in last illness. Executors, Alex. Humphreys and Archibald Stuart. Teste: G. Christian, John Bowyer, Robt. Douthat. Proved, June Court, 1793, by Christian and Bowyer. Executors qualify.

• Vol. 2 -(undated, appears to be abt. 1797). Robert Harvey and Martha, his wife et als., vs. John Bowyer--O. S. 140; N. S. 48--. Orators Robert and Martha are children of Magdalen Bowyer of Rockbridge, wife of John. Complainants are, viz: Robert Harvey and Martha; David McGavock and Elizabeth; James McDowell of Rockbridge; James McDowell, son of John, said John next friend to his infant children, Polly, Samuel, William, Sarah and John; George Moffett and Sarah, his wife, representatives of Magdalen Bowyer, deceased. Samuel McDowell of Jessamine County, Ky., deposes 26th July, 1808: Was son of Magdalen; was Dr. McDowell; moved to Kentucky with his family in 1783. Andrew Reed was Samuel's son-in-law. Martha Harvey was only daughter of Benj. Borden, her sister Hanna having died infant and intestate. Elizabeth McDowell was widow of James McDowell (deceased intestate), son of Magdalen. Martha had been the wife of Benj. Hawkin's, deceased. Benj. Borden, Jr., died April, 1753. Magdalen Bowyer and Mary Greenlee were sisters-in-law. John McClung deposes 7th August, 1809, he was acquainted with Gen. John Bowyer on his arrival in this country, which was about fifty-five years ago. John came as a school teacher, which he followed only a few months, when he married Mrs. Magdalen Borden. Samuel McDowell's wife was sister of deponent. William Patton deposes (same time as above) that in fall coming it will be about 55 years since Genl. John Bowyer came first to this part of the country. Deponent was about 13 years old. Bowyer opened a school which William attended, and in a few weeks Bowyer and Magdalen were married. Bowyer had of property only a horse and saddle and the usual clothes which young men in his station had.