(Francis Dowse), whose parentage and place of birth are at present unknown, was probably born in England about 1610-1620. He was listed as an inhabitant of Boston, 30 December 1639, and probably arrived not long before that date. He was admitted to the church in Boston on 20 June 1640, being at that time in the employ of George Burden, shoemaker and tanner, and he lived "on the left side of Summer Street, going from High (now Washington) Street." He became a freeman of Boston on 2 June 1641,and later became a tanner and leather merchant of some prominence. He was chosen Constable of Boston on 8 March 1658, and was listed as a sealer of leather on 16 March 1674. He owned houses and yards on Elm Street in Boston, of which he disposed in his will, which was dated 13 December and proved at Boston 23 December 1680, so that is apparent that he died at Boston between those dates.