Person:Michael Bowyer (3)

Michael Bowyer was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Records in Augusta County, VA 3 Information on Michael Bowyer		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

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 22.--24th August. 1762. Same (From Israel Christian and Felix Gilbert) to Michael Bowyer, £7.10, lot 21 in Staunton, 1-1/4 acres. Teste: Charles Lewis, Will Cabeen, Jas. Ward. Livery of seizin.

• Page 492.--10th April, 1769. Alex. Bohannon (Buchanan) and Isabella, of North Carolina, to Michael Bowyer, £200, the tract commonly known by the place whereon Valentine Sevier formerly lived, containing 400 acres, side of Daniel James' Branch, Absalom Hayworth's line. Teste: W. Bowyer, John Stewart, Thos. Brown, Christopher Graham.

• 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.

• Page 352.--__ _____, 1786. William Long, of Greenbrier, by John Atkinson, his attorney, to Alexander St. Clair. John was appointed attorney to sell all the lands which William held as heir of his father, William Long, deceased. Lease of lot 2 in Staunton, corner Alex.'s store, for 66 years right to re-enter is in Beverley. Teste: James Buchanan, Robert McCollough, Samuel Merritt.

• Page 354.--Similar deed (listed below) to Michael Bowyer, part of 467 acres leased to Long by Beverley. Teste: Thomas Thackum.

Record above refers to this record:

Page 352.--__ _____, 1786. William Long, of Greenbrier, by John Atkinson, his attorney, to Alexander St. Clair. John was appointed attorney to sell all the lands which William held as heir of his father, William Long, deceased. Lease of lot 2 in Staunton, corner Alex.'s store, for 66 years right to re-enter is in Beverley. Teste: James Buchanan, Robert McCollough, Samuel Merritt.

• Page 380.--7th October, 1789. Beverley to William Bowyer, release of lease to William Long, 20th February, 1756.

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 264.--19th March, 1777. Michael Bowyer and Eupheme (Phraney (Franny)) to Sebastian March (delivered: Reuben Moore, November, 1779), tract patented to Valentine Sevior 12th January, 1746, on Smith's Creek, Daniel James Branch. Abssolom Hayworth's line

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley's [unless otherwise listed]

• 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 20.--23d August, 1762. Israel Christian and Felix Gilbert to John Stewart. Part of the 25 acres conveyed by Beverley to the County, and now conveyed under the order of the County Court, 20th November, 1760. £4, lot No. 17, fronting lot 16, belonging to Col. Christian, and joining a lot belonging to James Hughes. Teste: Ann Christian, Thos. Bames, Priscilla Christian. Livery and seizin. Delivered: Michael Bowyer, March, 1774.

• Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 18, 1762. (389) Michael Bowyer and James McDowell given permission to erect a house 18 feet in length on the lot belonging to the County fronting the street near William Crow's, they agreeing the said house shall belong to the County at the expiration of Rob. McClenachan's lease of the old Court House.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST 16, 1763. - (212) Andrew Lewis, qualified Lieut. of the County; Wm. Preston, qualified Colonel of the County; Walter Cunningham, qualified Captain of Militia; Alexr. McClenachan, qualified Captain of Militia; William Crow, qualified Captain of Militia; John McClenachan, Michael Bowyer and David Long, qualified Lieutenants of Militia; James Ward, qualified Ensign of Militia.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST 23, 1764. - (80) Michael Bowyer bound over for insulting Abraham Smith in execution of his office as Magistrate.

• NOVEMBER 22, 1764. - (169) Thomas Bowyer, added to tithables. Michael Bowyer, servant Tom, and 226 acres, added to tithables.

• Page 392.--26th March, 1765. Robt. Finley's estate appraisement (appraised 1764 by Michl. Bowyer, Wm. Crow, Thos. Bowyer), recorded.

• Vol. 1 - MAY 25, 1765. - (420) Michael Bowyer has permission to build a kitchen. 20x16, on the lots belonging to this County on the North end of this Court House, near the lots of James Findley, to which James Trimble dissented.

• Page 526.--15th July, 1767. William Watterson to Michael Bowyer, one negro wench, £60. Teste: Mathew Reed, Daniel Kidd.

• Page 526.--24th August, 1767. John Cowardin, sadler, to William Bowyer, merchant, £40, slaves and horses. Teste: Michael Bowyer, Chas. Cameron.

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

• 1768, Dec 11 - Michael Bowyer (Augusta) v. Alexander Buchanan (South Carolina). Enter petn. for 400 acres on both sides of Smith’s creek patd. by Valentine Sevear Jan. 12. 1746. Documents of Thomas Jefferson

• Page 270.--3d November, 1769. David Black's will--To wife Elizabeth; to children. Executors, Saml. Black and John Bigham. Teste: John Henderson, Jno. Black, Wm. Cowan. Produced 19th December, 1769, by Samuel Black. John Bigham refuses to execute. Widow Elizabeth objected on the ground the testator was not in his right senses, but the will is declared good, and Saml. Black qualifies, with John Black and Michael Bowyer.

• 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 519.--23d June, 1770. Stephen Loy and Mary ( ) to William Bowyer, £150, 245 acres whereon Stephen now lives, which he purchased of Robert Breckinridge and joining Alexander McClenachan, Andrew Scott. Robert McClenachan, David Stuart and Elisha McClenachan. Teste: G. Jones, Lew Bowyer, Wm. Madison, Michael Bowyer.

• Page 9.--26th June, 1770. John Stuart (Stewart), taylor, to William Bowyer, £80, mortgage, negro slave. Teste: Michael Bowyer, John Frogg.

• Page 71.--3d November, 1770. Stephen Loy to Michael and William Bowyer, £250, horses, cows, furniture, one blue rug, one desk and bookcase of walnut, six setting cheers, pewter plates and dishes, four copper sase pans, one coffy and one peper mill, three pus flatirons, three tea kittles, churns, 300 sides leather now in the tan vats, sundry doctor's medisens and other articles conveyed to Stephen by Dr. John Watkins by bill sale recorded. Delivered: Luke Bowyer, 31st August, 1771.

• Page 367.--19th March, 1771. William Bowyer's bond (with Michael Bowyer, Thomas Madison) as administrator of William Christian.

• Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 21, 1771. - (295) William and Michael Bowyer, John and Alexr. McClenachan, Daniel Smith, Samuel McDowell, Arcbibald Huston and Alexr. Thomson qualified Vestrymen.

• Vol. 1 - MARCH 16, 1773. - (1) New commission--Justices, viz: Silas Hart, John Dickinson, Daniel Smith, John Poage,* Abraham Smith,* George Moffett, Alexr. McClenachan,* Mathew Harrison, George Mathews,* Alexr. Robertson,* John Hays, James Craig,* John Frogg,* William Tees, James Lockhart, John Christian, Archibald Alexander,* Felix Gilbert, Samuel McDowell, Sampson Mathews, William Bowyer,* John McClenachan,* Michael Bowyer,* John Gratton, Thos. Hugart,* Elijah McClenachan,* Josiah Davidson, John Skidmore.--Dated November 6, 1772.

• Vol. 1 - MARCH 16, 1773. - (1) Michael Bowyer qualified coroner.

• Vol. 1 - MAY 22, 1773. - (129) Sampson Mathews being summoned to show cause why he does not qualify justice, says he and Michael Bowyer are on bad terms because Sampson recommended that Michael be dismissed as Sheriff--yet Michael seems to be very officious in causes in which Sampson is interested, and he will not sit on a Court of Justice with such a man. Sampson has removed to Richmond?

• Page 344.--(29th August, 1777) Above estate (estate of Roger North) settled by Catherine North, administratrix 1776, November 7, paid James Clarke for freedom dues; 1777, May 29, paid Alex. Brownlee, 11 months' storekeeping; August 28, paid Mr. Curry for teaching (schooling) Phill.; September 30, paid Michael Bowyer for do; 1777, by cash from Capt. Hays for soldiers; September 2, by cash from Wm. Rush, son to John; by cash from Jno. Jonett.

• Page 80.--20th July, 1779. Michael Bowyer's bond as escheator (executor?). (Note: it is unclear who Michael Bowyer was acting as executor for).

• Page 358.--(1780) Teste: William McDowell, Michael Bowyer, William Alexander, Samuel McDowel, James Reed, James McDowel.

• Page 432.--22d March, 1782. Catharine ( ) Carpenter, relict of Nicholas Carpenter, to Michael Bowyer, release of dower in 950 acres in Greenbrier County. (Note: this record proves that Michael Bowyer's wife Frances Carpenter was a daughter of Nicholas Carpenter and Catherine).

• Page 9.--17th March, 1785. Thomas Hughes to Michael Bowyer to secure George Divers, of Albemarle.

• Page 403.--9th January, 1790. Organization of Staunton Fire Company. W. Bowyer, Michael Bowyer.

• Page 401.-- January, 1790. Anthony Mustoe, administrator of David Grayner (Griner), deceased, and guardian of his children, with Catherine ( ) Grinor, administratrix and relict of said David. Agreement to use and control of David's lots and houses in Staunton. Teste: Michael Bowyer and Peter Hanger.

• Page 295.--17th August, 1790. Robert Astrop's will, of Staunton--To wife, lot opposite the Court House bought of Mustoe and Chambers, lot No. 6 (stable) bought of Wm. McDowell; house, stable and 1/4-acre lot above Mr. Mustoe's dwelling house opposite the church; to children, boys or girls, part of lot 2 where testator now lives; to children, alive now, viz: Henry, Jesse, Elizabeth. Polly. Wife, executrix, and Alex. St. Clair and Anthony Mustoe, executors. To James Holmes in July, 1789, I (owe) £30 for one year as storekeeper; son Henry to be brought up as a silversmith, or some light trade; son Jesse to be brought up as a cabinetmaker or shop joiner. Teste: Michael Bowyer, Alex. Gibson, Jr., James Seawright. Proved. 21st December. 1790, by Bowyer and Seawright. Executrix Jane qualified.

• Page 172.--27th April, 1791. John Hotley Norton, of Frederick County, to Michael Bowyer, power of attorney to convey to David Beard tract in Rockbridge.

• Page 434.--7th June, 1791. Robert McClenachan's will--To wife, Sarah; to daughters, Agnes Dean, Jene Sinclair, Lettis Kizer; to son, Alexander, plantation in Rockbridge whereon Robert Shaw lives; to grandsons, John and Robert McClenachan, sons of son Robert McClenachan, deceased, all Kentucky lands. Executors, Alex. McClenachan and Alex. St. Clair. Teste: Michael Bowyer, Alex. Humphreys, James St. Clair. Proved, December Court, 1791, by two of the witnesses.

Information on Michael Bowyer

From "Family Facts and Fairy Tales" By Evelina Gleaves Cohen, pg. 2:

Captain Michael Bowyer married Frances Carpenter, the daughter of Nicholas and Kate Carpenter who owned the Sulphur Springs in Virginia. When the Carpenter family were attacked by Indians, Kate helped make the bullets and to load the guns, and when all the defenders had been killed she managed to escape with her infant daughter Frances. It was she for whom Kate's Mountain is named and I have an arrowhead that was found recently on the grounds of the White Sulphur. Captain Bowyer was one of the members of the Assembly on the Committee appointed to select the site of the University of Virginia and his sons, John and Henry, graduated in the first class.

Michael and Frances lived at White Sulphur and built their home "The Meadows" which stood until a few years ago when it was torn down to make room for an airfield. Both of them are buried there.

1.   Cohen, Evelina Gleaves. Family Facts and Fairy Tales. (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania: npub, 1953).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Find A Grave.

   Capt Michael Bowyer of White Sulphur Springs
   
   Birth: 1730
   Augusta County
   Virginia, USA
   Death: Apr., 1809
   White Sulphur Springs
   Greenbrier County
   West Virginia, USA
   
   Biography: Michael Bowyer was born in Augusta County (which was then part of Spotsylvania County) in 1730. He grew up in Staunton and eventually developed a law practice there. By 1763, at the end of the French and Indian War, he was active in the local Augusta Militia, serving as an Ensign. Three years later, in 1766, he was promoted to the rank of County Lieutenant.
   
   As a member of the Committee of Freeholders of Augusta County, Michael Bowyer helped to draw up the historic "Resolutions" just prior to the outset of the Revolution. Then, after the hostilities had started, on November 11th, 1775, he was appointed the Captain of a company in the Augusta County Militia. He served in this capacity until August of 1776, when he was transferred to the command of a company of regulars that had been raised by the State of Virginia.
   
   On September 30th, 1776, he was commissioned a Captain in the 12th Virginia Continental Line, receiving a commission signed by the President of Continental Congress, John Hancock. His company served the fall of 1776 defending the frontiers from the "incursion of Indians," and in the spring of 1777, marched from a fort at Tyger's Valley to Winchester, where it met back up with the rest of the 12th Regiment and commenced northward. Bowyer continued in the active field service of the Continental Line until October of 1778, when, by the reduction of regiments, in the White Plains Agreement, he was "deranged" from his troops in the 12th Regiment (see note on derangement) and appointed a Supernumerary Officer in the 8th Regiment—a position that he held throughout the remainder of the war.
   
   Family links:
   Parents:
   Michael Bowyer (1695 - 1761)
   
   Spouse:
   Frances Carpenter Bowyer (____ - 1789)
   
   Children:
   Frances Bowyer Bedford (____ - 1853)*
   John Bowyer of Thorn Hill (1767 - 1851)*
   Mary Bowyer Calwell (1774 - 1842)*
   
   Sibling:
   John Bowyer of Thorn Hill (1719 - 1806)*
   
   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68367583&ref=acom

3.   Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.

   Bounty Land Warrant information of Michael Bowyer BLWt288-300 f1VA
   Transcribed by Will Graves 6/5/15
   
   Note: the file consists of only a cover sheet which reads as follows:
   Va. Bowyer, Michael B.L.Wt.288-300—Capt. [Captain]
   Issued June 24, 1796
   No papers
   
   [From bounty land records in the Library of Virginia] 4-page file
   I do certify that Michael Bowyer Was appointed a Captain by the Committee of Safety of Augusta County on the 2nd day of August 1776 & was commissioned by the then Governor Henry [Patrick Henry] – & was afterwards taken into Continental Service as part of the 12th Virginia Regiment – Commanded by the then Colonel JamesWood.
   S/ Ro. Gamble—late [Robert Gamble]2
   a Captain 8th Va. Regmt.
   Richmond 27th October 1808
   By the Act of Assembly of 1776 Captain Bowyer's Company was made a part of the 12th Virginia Regiment on Continental establishment under my Command; which was Announced to Me by Governor Henry's Letter of (I think) the 3rd December 1776.
   Richmond 20th January 1808 S/ James Wood, formerly B. Genl.
   Continental Army
   Captain Bowyer left the Army as Supernumerary & his letter inclosed [enclosed]
   
   [Reverse]
   Allowed his bounty during the War deducting there from the Land already drawn
   [p 4]
   Dear Sir Sulphur Springs, 8th November 1808
   I received your Memo favored of 30th November Last and your attention and trouble is
   very obliging the certificate from my old friend Col. Gamble will shew [show] the time of my
   entering into the service the other requeset [requisite] you think necessary I never did Resign but
   Retired as a Supernumerary, there not being men sufficn't [sufficient] then in the Army to
   compleat [complete] the regiments, but considered ourselves Liable to be called into service
   when the Regiments should be completed, but that being not done nor thought required the supernumeraries was all discharged in the year 1782 or 83, Magr. [Major] Prior
   3 thinks in the latter year, if any thing further necessary, Prior is at hand & hope you have fully recovered your health. With great respect to your Obt. Srvt.
   S/ Michl Bowyer
   
   __________
   ¹ The reason there are no surviving papers relating to this bounty land claim is that the War Department was destroyed by fire in 1800 and all pension and bounty land records predating that fire were destroyed.
   ² Robert Gamble BLWt869-300
   ³ Could be "Price". This MAY BE the same man as John Pryor W12064

4.   Marriage Certificate of Michael Bowyer & Frances Carpenter
   1766.

   I John Jones Rector of Augusta parrish do sertify that In the year 1766 I did lawfully Marry or join in wholly wedlocke Michl Bowyer & Phrenny Carpenter. Certifyed by me this 29th day June 1767 ~ John Jones Rev. Test: Alexr St. Clair & Christ. Graham

5. ↑ The Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg, Va.)
   Page 3, Column 3, 15 March 1809.

   Died— Mr. Michael Bowyer, nine days after the death of his son Henry. [No date given.]