Source:Bowne, John. Journal of John Bowne, 1650-1694

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Journal of John Bowne, 1650-1694 by John Bowne, transcribed and edited by Herbert F. Ricard ; with a preface by Kenneth Scott. 1st ed. [New York]: Friends of the Queensborough Community College Library ; New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1975.

This is not a diary of everyday life. There are large gaps in his life where nothing is recorded. It appears to be an account book to which were added births and deaths, and notes of his various travels, particularly in connection with his banishment to Holland. However, some of the travels date from before his immigration to New England.

There are two sets of page numbers (folio numbers) because there is a series of pages starting from the front and working towards the end, and another starting from the end and working back towards the front. The genealogical entries seem to be centralized in two groups, one starting at Folio 46 on p. 17, and the other at Reverse Folio 20 on p. 52.

A major portion of the journal describes the arguments used in his trial. He also notes various people he visited with on his travels. Of general interest are descriptions of events occurring during the ocean passages, as they give an extremely interesting glimpse into ocean travel at this time.

Available at the Family History Library.

Available at the Friends Library, Euston Street, London, England.