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 Bowen Coat of Arms Sterling Bowen Revolutionary War Pension Application Mrs. Susan Bowen widow of Sterling Bowen in Revolution Files in the SC Archives..... Mrs Susan Bowen in Abbeville aged 78, in a petition to the State Assembly asks for a pension, since she resides with her widowed daughter who has two small children.... Dated Nov. 1839 in Abbeville District SC.... She states that her husband, Sterling Bowen, has been dead 17 or more years.... She states that her husband served in NC some two or three tours and was in the Battles of Eutaw Springs and Camden.She states "I have the discharge of my late husband which I am sending to you.Please return it for I value it far more than I do any pension I may receive".... The petition was also signed by the following men:William Anderson Sr., John Brownlee Sr., John B Black, A. Morrow, Hugh M'Frenzie, Joseph T Bell, John Callahan, Dr. A B Arnold. The state did not return the discharge as requested by Mrs. Bowen.The discharge is far different from any sort of army discharge of the present day. Record of Wills Volume 2 1815-1839 Page 103 Last Will and Testament of Starling Bowen Dec'd In the name of God, Amen.I Starling Bowen being sick and in a low state of health, but of sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be to God for his mercies, but calling to mind the mortality of my body and Known that it is appointed for all once to die, do make and ordain my last Will and Testament in the manner and form following ( to wit., first, I recommend my body to the Earth, to be buried in a decent/ christian/ manner, and my soul I recommend to Almighty God who gave it, hoping to receive Just.Second, to my beloved daughter Susannah, I give and bequeath one feather bed and furniture, and also one cow and calf, the cow an calf to be paid her at or after the death of her mother, or at or immediately after her marriage.Third, to my son Drury Bowen, I give and bequeath the sum of twenty dollars, fourth to my daughter Clary, I give one dollar. Fifth, to my dearly beloved wife, Susannah, I give and bequeath all my real estate, and also all the balance of my personal estate ( after the payment of my just debts) of what nature or kind so ever for and during the term of her natural life or widowhood an after her decease or marriage.I give an bequeath the same to my children hereafter mentioned, say, Woody, Meredith, Nancy, Lacey, Polly, Sterling, Patsey, Jincy, and Susannah to be sold and equally divide between them, say nine children, share and share alike. Lastly I do hereby appoint my sons, Woody Bowen and Lacey Bowen executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills and Testament.In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23rd day of January 1822. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Starling Bowen as his last Will and Testament in our presence who is his presence and presence of each other Witnessed the same. John BowenStarling Bowen Andrew BrownleeL.S. A Hunter The foregoing Will was proven by Oath of Andrew Brownlee on the second day of December 1822 and qualified Woody and Lacey Bowen as executors thereof before Moses Taggert, Senr. O.A.D. Record of Sterling Bowen purchasing 50 acres along Long Branch in Mecklenburg County, VA in 1785 for 50 pounds(slightly over $4000 today). Photo of actual deed is here Page 503 This indenture made this 25th day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, between Mildred Chavis of the County of Mecklenburg of the one part, and Sterling Bowen of the County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Mildred Chavis for, and in consideration of, the sum of fifty pounds to him, in hand, at and before the sealing and delivery of theses presents by the said Sterling Bowen, the receipt whereof he, the Mildred Chavis, doth hereby acknowledge and himself thereof fully satisfied and contented hereof said every part and parcel thereof doth exonerate acquit and discharge the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs, sxors(successors), and assigns forever, by these presents hath given, granted, bargained, sold, delivered, and confirmed, and by these presents doth freely, fully, and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, aline, convey, and confirm unto the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs and assigns, forever one certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County aforesaid, containing Fifty acres, be the same more or less and bounded as followeth(to wit): Beginning at the Long branch upon Charles Bowen's line to a new marked line on the branch, thence up the branch to Hornsby line, thence along Hornsby east to Littleberry Bowen's line, thence north to a corner Persimmon tree on Mark Evans's line, thence along Isham Bowen's line to the beginning. Page 504 Beginning the same being granted to the Mildred Chavis and the reversions and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof, and every part and parcel thereof. To Have and To Hold the said granted land bargained premises with all the appurtenances, priviledges, and commodities to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to him the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs and assigns, forever to his (?), their only proper use benefit and behoof forever and the said Mildred Chavis for himself, his heirs, sxors(successors) and assigns doth promise covenant, and grant to and with the said Sterling Bowen, his Heirs and assigns forever hereof. He the said Mildred Chavis is the true sole and lawful owner of the above granted and bargained premises and that is himself a good right full power and lawful authority to grant bargain sell convey and confirm the said bargained premises and that the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs and assigns, shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents lawfully peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the said described and bargained premises and all other the appurtainances free it clear from all manner of former or other bargain or bargains and the said Mildred Chavis, (?) heirs and assigns do warrant and defend the said tract or parcel of land to be clear of all manner of person or persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof the said Mildred Chavis hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. Sealed said delivery in presence of ..... Mildred Chavis(his mark) (another mark) Little Bery Bowen(his mark) Isham Bowen(his mark) David Bowen(his mark) Memorandum That quiet and peaceable (?) was taken of the written mentioned land and premises of the within secured Mildred Chavis and by him delivered to the within said Sterling Bowen according to the (?) and effect of the within deed in presence of Sealed said delivery in presence of ..... Mildred Chavis(his mark) (another mark) Little Bery Bowen(his mark) Isham Bowen(his mark) David Bowen(his mark) At court held for Mecklenburg County the 12th day of September, 1785 This indenture and memorandum thereon endorsed were proved by the oaths of Littleberry Bowen, Isham Bowen, and David Bowen. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste John Brown(title?) Record of Sterling Bowen selling his 50 acres along Long Branch in Mecklenburg County, VA for 30 pounds in 1787 before moving to Abbeville, SC. Photo of actual deed is here. Sterling Bowen's and his wife Susannah's(Susan) signatures as their marks are located at the bottom. She was called Sukey, a common nickname at the time. Page 116 This indenture made this eighth day of June, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven, between Sterling Bowen, of the County of Mecklenburg of the one part, and Littleberry Bowen of the said county of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Sterling Bowen, for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty pounds(about $2,500 in today's money) to him, in hand paid by the same Littleberry Bowen, whereof is hereby acknowledged, granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, and sell unto the said Litttleberry Bowen, a certain or parcel of land containing fifty acres, be the same, more or less lying and being in the said County on the Long Branch and bounded as followeth: Beginning on a Black Jack(Blackjack Tree) on the said branch, then along Isham Bowen's line to a Simmon(Persimmon) tree, then along Marke Evans's line to the Beach Branch, then up to the Beach Branch as it meanders to the head, then along Cornbees line to the Long branch then down the branch to a new line a small distance and then said long branch again and thence down the branch as it meanders to the plane begun, together with all houses, woods, waters, and all other that appertains thereto, belonging or in any wise appertaining there unto, to have and hold the said land and all the preeminances unto the said Littleberry Bowen, his heirs, or assigns to his, and their use and behoof forever, and the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs and assigns, to his and their use and behoof forever, and the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs and assigns do covenant, grant, and agree to and with the said Littleberry Bowen, his heirs and assigns, shall and may now and at all times forever peacably have hold and enjoy the said land and premises of him the said Sterling Bowen, his heirs, and assigns forever shall and will by these presents forever warrant Page 117 and defend against all persons and lawful right and title unto the said Littleberry Bowing. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed and delivered In presence of ...... Sterling Bowen(his mark) Sukey Bowen(+) Samuel Kirks(his mark) Charles Bowen(his mark) Jessey Bowen(his mark) Memorandum of the land and preeminances is hereby acknowledged to be made Teste(witness) Samuel Kirks(his mark) Sterling Bowen(his mark) Charles Bowen(his mark) Sukey Bowen(+) Jessey Bowen(his mark) This indenture and the memorandum thereon endorsed were proved by the oaths of Samuel Kirks, Charles Bowen, and Jessey Bowen, witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. |