Person:Hannah Bown (1)

Hannah Robinson Bowman was the daughter of Robinson and Susan Bowman. She was born March 2, 1880 at the home of her parents in Bethel Community, in Anson County, North Carolina.

Hannah attended school with her brothers and sisters just a short distance from her farm home. She grew into a pretty and talented young lady. Hannah played the auto-harp, piano and guitar and was "light" on her feet. She was a good cook, known for her delicious custards, and always kept an immaculate home.

She met John Bunyan Burch at a church social. They were married October 16, 1898 at the preacher's home. The young couple lived for a few years with "Bun's" family.

In 1900, they were living in a home between "Bun's" home and Elizabeth Baptist Church when their first child, Thomas, was born. The birth was difficult and even the doctor was surprised that mother and baby lived. About twenty-one years later, the youngest child, Belvin, was born. Clancy, Louise and Carl were born in the Mt. Croghan, Chesterfield County, South Carolina area. Francis arrived while the growing family lived in Ruby, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Paul and Belvin were born in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Hannah was full of mischief and enjoyed her family. Stories of her mischievous pranks are favorites of the family. One such prank is as follows: While all the children were gathered in the bedroom one night, Hannah, using soot from the fire and her apron, made an ugly face. She then held the hideous thing in the doorway, knowing sooner or later one of the children would have to see it. Clancy spied it first, let out a yell and fell backwards on the bed. Carl went under the bed. Not until their mother showed them her handywork did the children calm down.

Even though Hannah was full of fun, she was very strict with her children. Whatever Mama said, they knew she meant it!

January 11, 1922, her husband died, leaving Hannah to provide for the family. The youngest child was less than a year old. Times were hard, but with love and determination, they remained a family, helping each other along life's way.

Hannah always found the time and a way to help others, as long as she was able. She enjoyed sending her homemade goodies to others whenever she saw a need.

In later years, Hannah suffered from poor health but found joy in seeing her children and grandchildren take their places in the world.

November 30, 1966 Hannah Bowman Burch died at the Cheraw Nursing Home at the age of eighty-six. She will always hold a special place in the hearts of her family.

(The above information from Dora "May" Burch MacCallum, granddaughter of Hannah Robinson Bowman, circa 1986.)

Source: Kathy Burch Williams Research

1.   Research of Kathy Burch Williams kb-smwilliams addtheAT sbcglobal addthedot net.