Person:Thomas Bowerman (2)

   From website entitled Descendants of Thomas Bowerman and Hannah (Annable) Bowerman, which is no longer online. 

   Thomas Bowerman was born in September 1648 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.1,2,3,4 Thomas was also known as Thomas Burman.5 He was the son of Thomas Bowerman and Hannah Annable.5,1,3,2 Thomas Bowerman was named an heir in the will of Thomas Bowerman dated 9 January 1663 at Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.6,7
   Thomas Bowerman inherited on 4 June 1663 at Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, from his father, Thomas, forty acrees of land at "Namassakett", his "Great Lott" in Barnstable (with borther Samuel) "and alsoe the privilidges of the comons that I have in this towne," and a young mare.8,9,10

   Thomas Bowerman received a Land Grant of unknown size, probably the land inherited from his father (See will of #1) on 7 February 1664 at Namassakett, Plymouth Co., MA, New England.11
   Thomas Bowerman was on a list dated 1675 as owner or "purchaser" of the "16 shilling" lots in at Namassakett, (Middleboro), Plymouth Co., MA, New England,although he apparently never lived there.12
   Thomas, age 29, married Mary Harper, age 22, , daughter of Robert Harper and Deborah Perry, on 9 June 1678 in Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, (date recorded as 9d 6m 1678).13,14 Thomas and Mary Harper have also been reported to have married on 7 June 1678 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, "m. 7d 4m (June) 1678."15

   Research Note: The entry for Thomas' marriage in the records of the Sandwich Monthly Meeting reads:

   "The Cirtificate of ye marriage of thomas Bourman & mary Harper Was prevented from being Recorded in this book by Reason of its being carried to ye Court W'h When it was in their hands Thos hinkley in his Wicked & malitious spirit agst Us. Detained it & would not Let Us have it again. neither could wee Get a coppie of it from ye secretary for Pay. But the cirtificate Was to Certifie yt ye afoarsaid marriage was orderly proceeded in according to ye order & manner of friends: from their first publishing to the publick taking each other Wh Was before many Witnesses at a meetting at ye meetting house of friends in Sandwich W'h Was ye 9 Day of the 6 moth in the yeare: 1678 " [Sandwich Monthly Meeting Records of Births & Marriages, 1646-1761].16,17

   Thomas Bowerman and Mary Harper were a witness to the marriage of Dorcas Perry, dau. of Edward and Mary Perry, to John Easton Jr in 1679 at Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.18 Thomas was alotted land adjacent to land belonging to his father-in-law, Robert Harper on 6 February 1680/81 at Sandwich, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.19 He and Mary Harper were a witness to the marriage of Job Jenkins and Hannah Taylor (other witnesses were Robert Harper (Mary's father), also Edward, Mary and Sarah Perry in 1682 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.18
   Thomas Bowerman received a Land Grant for property in 1688 at Saconnessett, now Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.19,20,21 Thomas Bowerman purchased one hundred acres of land formerly owned by John Robinson from Robert Harper and Jonathan Hatch, Sr., as agents of the inhabitants of Suckanessett on 22 April 1690 at "Suckanessett", now Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.22,23

   Research Note: GNBF 81 describes some of Thomas' land to the north of Little Sippewissett Marsh as "situate on the easterly side of the 'Five Mile River', bounded from the head of the river on a straight line to the pond, northerly by the pond and southerly by the river. One acre to be on the south easterly side of the road that leads from the river to Sandwich."

   Thomas Bowerman was appointed on 26 March 1691 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, to a committee (at Falmouth) to lay out lands at neighboring Woods Hole, along with William Wyatt.24 Thomas was holding the office of Selectman circa 1700 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.25,26

   Research Note: A.L. Bowerman, [BFH: 23], cites HOF 39 as her source for the above. Examination of this reference finds the citation in error and I believe it is simply a typo... it should be corrected to reflect HOF 29.

   Thomas was employed on 26 December 1700 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, to repair the town house.27 Thomas Bowerman purchased land rights in 1702 in the Cotuit area, Barnstable, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.28 Thomas was holding the office of town clerk in 1702 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.29 He was appointed circa 1704 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England, aong with William Gifford, Jr., to negotiate the purchase, from Sandwich, of additional land.24 Thomas was holding the office of town clerk in 1704 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.29 He witnessed the marriage of Gershom Gifford and Deborah Bowerman on 11 June 1704 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.30 Thomas was holding the office of town clerk in 1705 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.29 As of 1705, Thomas was also known as Thomas Bourman. He was jailed for failure to pay the "priest's rate" circa 4 November 1705 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.31
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 1 cows and calf, worth 2 pds, for failure to pay 2s priest's rate on 13 March 1709 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32

   Research Note: Even though Thomas Bowerman belonged to the Society of Friends, he was taxed for the support of the Congregational ministry in the town of Falmouth. All "non-conformists" were required to pay a double tax - one to their own society and one to the settled minister (of the Congregational Church of Falmouth). Many resisted this law as "tyrannical and oppresive", and of this number was Thomas Bourman. In his resitance to paying the "parish tax for support of the minister, he was emulating the suffering of his father-in-law, Robert Harper, and other Sandwich Quakers for whom 'suffering nobly borne' was a proud tradition."33,34,35

   Thomas Bowerman was fined 2 cows, worth 5 pds, for 3pds, 12s, 2d for failure to pay the priest's rate on 19 March 1709 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 1 cow, worth 3 pds, 10s; for failure to pay 1 pnd, 13s priest's rate on 22 March 1709 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 1 cow, worth 2 pds, 14s; for failure to pay 1 pnd, 17s priest's rate on 24 January 1710 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32 He and Mary Harper were a witness on the marriage record of Samuel Barker, s/o Isaac Barker of Duxbury and his wife Judith (dau. of Gov. Thomas Prence) to Deborah Wing, d/o John and Mary (Perry) Wing of Sandwich. In 1711 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.18 Thomas Bowerman was appointed in 1712 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England,, along with Philip Dexter and Samuel Jennings, to lay out the lands that had recently purchased from Sandwich.36,37
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 1 cow, worth 3 pds, 10s; for failure to pay 1 pnd, 3s 1d priest's rate on 17 January 1715 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 1 fat swine, worth 3 pds; for failure to pay 1 pd priest's rate in September 1715 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 2 calves, worth 2 pds 10s; for failure to pay 1 pd, 2s, 9d priest's rate on 21 November 1716 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32 He witnessed the marriage of Nathan Barlow and Hannah Bowerman on 14 May 1719 at Rochester, Plymouth Co., MA, New England. Thomas Bowerman witnessed the marriage of Benjamin Allen and Waitstill Bowerman on 9 March 1720 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England; Benjamin of Sandwich. Thomas Bowerman witnessed the marriage of William Gifford , Jr. and Experience Bowerman on 7 November 1726 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.
   Thomas Bowerman transferred, by deed, to Benjamin Bowerman, "all my Housing Lands and Meadow Ground... all my lott of land on which his house now stands... also my marsh and meadow with the beach lying at Hog Island... also that part of Marsh lying on ye westerly side of littel neck in Wm. Giffords field... with all housing fencing standing on sd. land". (A photograph of the original deed may also be seen at: Bowermangenealogy.net) on 3 November 1727 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.38,
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 5 sheep, worth 2 pds 10s; for failure to pay 16s priest's rate on 10 March 1728 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32
   Thomas Bowerman was fined 12 pounds of wool, worth 1 pd 10s; for failure to pay 16s 10d priest's rate on 30 March 1728 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.32 He was on a list, along with twleve other Quakers, nearly all related by blood or marriage, that signed a dissent at a meeting in Falmouth against engaging a new minister, Rev. Samuel Palmer, and taxing the Quakers among others for his minister's support on 30 June 1730 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.40,41 He was a member of a group that signed a dissent when a Falmouth meeting convened to engage and pay a new minister for the Falmouth Church, along with Stephen Harper and Samuel Bowerman on 30 June 1730 at Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.42,43
   Thomas Bowerman died after 30 June 1730 in Falmouth, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.

   Research Note: BFN 26 states Thomas Bowerman died sometime after 30 Jun 1730, when he signed the above dissent. "A Thomas and Mary Bowerman, as well as a Hannah Bowerman, signed the marriage record of Obadiah Butler and Hannah Gifford on 14d Sept 1732 [citing SMM]. This may well have been Thomas (2) Bowerman and his wife, Mary. However, it could have been Thomas' son, Thomas (3) Bowerman Junr. who would have been 33 years old at the time. As there were several Hannah Bowerman's living at the time it is difficult to say exactly who the Hannah was."

   Further research into the above mentioned record should be performed.44

   Last Edited=15 Oct 2002

   Children of Thomas Bowerman and Mary Harper:
   Stephen Bowerman (c 1679)
   Deborah Bowerman (c 1681)
   Experience Bowerman (c 1683 - a 31 Dec 1740)
   Benjamin Bowerman (c 1690 - 1743)
   Samuel Bowerman (c 1692)
   Hannah Bowerman (c 1692)
   Waitstill Bowerman (c 1694)
   Mary Bowerman (c 1696)
   Thomas Bowerman (c 1699)

   [S84] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, PCR VIII, :41 ["His (Thomas Burman) son Thomas about the middest, [of September]1648"].
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 21 [citing MD 3:52].
   [S87] Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants, MD, 3:52.
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, : 29; "Thomas Bowerman was born at Barnstable in 1648 his father being also Thomas Bowerman...".
   [S84] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, PCR VIII, :41 ["His (Thomas Burman) son Thomas about the middest, 1648"].
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 6.
   [S89] PCPR, II(2), f. 83 (Document set #182); 
   [S87] Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants, MD, 18:63.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 21 [citing MD 18:63].
   [S96] The image of Thomas Sr.'s will may be seen on the Bowerman Genealogy website.
   [S87] Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants, MD, 34:80-81 [citing Ply Col. Record of Deeds, Vol III, Pt. 1, pg21]; "The bounds of severall Lotts graunted unto sundry prsons: besides those above named lieng neare unto Namassakett are as followeth ... Thomas Burman, 5 Lott is bounded with a red oake and a Pyne tree marked; ...".
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 21.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 21 [citing SMM]; "Thomas married Mary Harper on the 9d 6m 1678 [SMM]. 'He demonstrated his Quaker allegiance and stubborness by declining to have his marriage to Mary Harper confirmed by a Colony Magistrate, for which he was fined' [BFN 9:134].
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, : 29; "In 1678 the son [Thomas Bowerman] married Mary, daughter of Robert Harper, a well-known Quaker, who was an "Agent" in the early purchase of land from the Indians at Succanessett.".
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 37 [citing Falmouth Town Records]; Note - This record is not found in the published Vital Records of Falmouth.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 21 [citing SMM].
   [S54] Jr. Caroline Lewis Kardell and Russell A. Lovell, Sandwich VR, :1238-1269.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 24 [citing SMM].
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 22.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 22 [citing Deyo's "History of Barnstable County", pg. 634].
   [S97] Simeon C. Deyo, Deyo, Pg. 634.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 22 [GNBF 81].
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, : 28-29; "The ties of kinship were strongly influential in attracting new settlers. Thus Anthony Annable, who had lands lotted to him at Succanessett but never appears to have lived there, was father-in-law of Thomas Bowerman, whose son Thomas, born in Barnstable 1648, removed to Falmouth buying of Jonathan Hatch and Robert Harper as agents, land on the easterly side of Five Mile River.".
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 23.
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, : 29; "About 1700 Thomas Bowerman was a Selectman in the Town.".
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, : 23 citing HOF 39; "Among the first selectmen listed, in 1701 (in the earliest Falmouth town records now extant) were Thomas Bowerman, Philip Dexter and Melatiah Bourne.".
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, :36 [citing Falmouth Town Records]; "1700 the 26 December ... the same meting it was voted that Thomas Bowerman and Phillip Dexter sould repair the towne house and it was voted that they should be paid out of the treasury.".
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, : 23 [citing BFN 9:art134 citing Russell Lovell, Jr., curator of the Sandwich Archives Historical Center]; "Thomas Bourman (sic) also bought land rights in the Cotuit area of Barnstable when this area was allotted in 1702, but maintained his residence in Falmouth.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 23 [citing GNBF 81; OCH 170-1].
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 37; "Robert was still living in August 1704 when he signed the marriage certificate of his granddaughter, Deborah (Bowerman) Gifford..
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 24 [citing SMM and GNBF 82]; "On the 4th of the 11th mo., 1705-6, the Friends monthly meeting, held at the house of William Allen in Sandwich, ordered 'A bed and bedding to be sent to Thomas Bourman (sic), he being in prison for the prienst's rat
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 24 [GNBF 82 citing Newell Hoxie of Sandwich]; "The following distraints were subsequently made of his [Thomas's] property to pay his taxes to Rev. Joseph Metcalf, of Falmouth, one whose ministry neither himself nor his family attended".
   [S88] Glenn Lukos, "BFN,", 1983 - 1985, Los Angeles, CA, 9:Art134.
   [S66] Amos Otis, GNBF, :82.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 24-25.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 23 [citing BOF 430]; "It was voted in 1712 by Falmouth that the new lands recently bought from neighboring Sandwich be laid out. Again Thomas Bowerman... 'whose home was near the Shapquit line' this time along with 'Philip Dexter from the east side of town, and Samuel Jennings of Sandwich, were appointed to do so".
   [S100] Mary Smith, BOF, :430.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 25 [citing HOF 30].
   [S99] Theodate Geoffrey, Suckanesset, : 30.
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 25 [citing Jenkins 68]].
   [S103] Charles W. Jenkins, Jenkins, : 68; "At a meeting held June 30, 1730, it was agreed and voted that Mr. Samuel Palmer shall be the town's minister. At the same meeting the town made choice of nine men "to consider of a suitable sum of money for his encouragement which gentlemen have agreed to give Mr. Palmer £200 settlement to be paid in four years at £50 per year in bills of credit with 90 pounds salary for the four years, and afterwards, £100 per year so long as he shall remain the town's minister, and if the money should still grow worse, we will raise in proportion, and if it should grow better, then to raise in proportion." A committee was appointed to lay these proposals before Mr. Palmer. The following persons being Quakers dissented from these doings and entered their protest on the town's book of records: Stephen Harper, Richard Landers, Thomas Bowerman, Justus Gifford, Thomas Bowerman, Jr., William Gifford, Sen., Benjamin Swift, Samuel Bowerman, Amos Landers, John Landers, William Gifford, Jr., Seth Gifford, William Gifford, the younger.
   .
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 122 [citing Jenkins 68]; "At a meeting held 30 June 1730 in Falmouth it was agreed and voted that Mr. Samuel Palmer should be Falmouth's next minister. At that meeting nine men were chosen "to consider of a suitable sum of money for his encouragement which gentlemen have agreed to give Mr. Palmer 200 pounds settlement to be paid in four years at 50 pounds per year in bills of credit with 90 pounds salary for the four years, and afterwards, 100 pounds per year so long as he shall remain the town's minister, and if the money should still grow worse, we will raise in proportion, and if it should grow better, then to raise in proportion." A committee was then appointed to seek out Mr. Palmer and make him their offer [Jenkins 68].

   However all land owners in Falmouth were not in agreement. The following persons who were Quakers and did not worship with the rest of Falmouth dissented and entered their protest on the town's book of records:

   - Thomas2 Bowerman
   - Stephen Harper (Thomas' brother in law)
   - Samuel3 Bowerman (Thomas' son)
   - Thomas3 Bowerman, Jr. (Thomas' son)
   - Benjamin Swift
   - Amos, Richard & John Landers (probably Perry cousins)
   - William3 Gifford, Jr. (s/o John2 Gifford and son in law of Thomas & husband of Experience (3) (Bowerman) Claghorn), William3 Gifford, Jr. was called "Junr" on the records to distinguish him from his uncle, William3 Gifford, below.
   - William3 Gifford the younger (s/o William2 Gifford, Sen., below. Thomas3 Bowerman, Jr. was executor of his will)
   - William2 Gifford, Sen.
   - Seth & Justus Gifford (sons of William2 Gifford, Sen.)".
   [S103] Charles W. Jenkins, Jenkins, Pg 68; "At a meeting held June 30, 1730, it was agreed and voted that Mr. Samuel Palmer shall be the town's minister. At the same meeting the town made choice of nine men "to consider of a suitable sum of money for his encouragement which gentlemen have agreed to give Mr. Palmer £200 settlement to be paid in four years at £50 per year in bills of credit with 90 pounds salary for the four years, and afterwards, £100 per year so long as he shall remain the town's minister, and if the money should still grow worse, we will raise in proportion, and if it should grow better, then to raise in proportion." A committee was appointed to lay these proposals before Mr. Palmer. The following persons being Quakers dissented from these doings and entered their protest on the town's book of records.

   Stephen Harper, Richard Landers.
   Thomas Bowerman, Justus Gifford,
   Thomas Bowerman, Jr., William Gifford, Sen.,
   Benjamin Swift, Samuel Bowerman,
   Amos Landers, John Landers,
   William Gifford, Jr., Seth Gifford,
   William Gifford, the younger."

   .
   [S65] A. L. Bowerman, BFH, Pg. 25-26 [citing SMM].

Father: THOMAS BOWERMAN b: ABT 1625 in Probably England Mother: HANNAH ANNABLE b: ABT 1623 in Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Marriage 1 MARY HARPER b: 25 DEC 1655

   * Married: 9 AUG 1678 in Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Children

  1. Has No Children Stephen Bowerman b: ABT 1679
  2. Has Children DEBORAH BOWERMAN b: ABT 1681 in Barnstable, Massachusetts
  3. Has No Children Experience Bowerman b: ABT 1683
  4. Has No Children Benjamin Bowerman b: ABT 1690
  5. Has No Children Hannah Bowerman b: ABT 1692
  6. Has No Children Samuel Bowerman b: ABT 1692
  7. Has No Children Waitstill Bowerman b: ABT 1694
  8. Has No Children Mary Bowerman b: ABT 1696
  9. Has No Children Thomas Bowerman b: ABT 1699

1.   The First Settlers of Barnstable, Barnstable County, Massachusetts
   Jan 1948, 2:64-67.
2.   Settlers of the Beekman Patent
   Chapter 80, p. 656.