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 Bowen Coat of Arms Littleberry Bowen Littleberry Bowen Senr of Mecklenburg. 31 December 1819 My five sons namely Littleberry B Kirks Lenard Bowen, Eldride [sic] Bowen, Allin Bowen and Lowery Bowen five Dollars apiece... My four Daughters namely Rebeccah Briggs Nancy Rotinberry Leacy Bowen _____ Bowen five dollars apiece... All my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my Daughter Angeline and my Grand Daughter Nancy Angiline to be divided by Sale or otherwise ... Emanuel H Hudgin executor. Signed Littleberry (+) Bowen Witnesses James H Hudgin, Ludwell (+) Evans 
Littleberry's date of birth is estimated at ca 1748 based on a 1769 deed from George Vaughan to Peter Moon witnessed by Littleberry Bowen, indicating that Littleberry was "of age" or at least 21 at that time. He was probably married by 1772 since his son Eldridge's age was given as 78 on the 1850 census. The 1799 and 1800 Mecklenburg Co tax records list Littleberry Bowen with son Young Bowen. Young was not named in Littleberry's 1819 will and may have died prior to the will. No wife is named in the will, but it's apparent that Littleberry must have had at least two wives. One of his wives, possibly his last wife but certainly not his first, was Winifred, widow of Jesse Bowen. Not only was Winifred's son Littleberry Bowen Kirks named as an heir in Jesse's will, he was also referred to as a "son" in Littleberry Bowen's will. Winifred probably died before Littleberry since no provision was made for her in his will. Half of the land from Jesse Bowen's estate can first be found in the land tax records listed under Littleberry Bowen in 1798, additional evidence of this marriage. Winifred Bowen was last listed for taxes (with the other half of Jesse's land) in 1806. The following year, Jesse's entire estate seems to be listed under Littleberry Bowen Kirks. Since Jesse Bowen's will had directed that his entire estate should go to Littleberry Bowen Kirks at Winifred's death, these records provide a good indication of her death date. Although Littleberry lived for another 13 years, no evidence of a later marriage has been found. But Littleberry must have had an earlier wife who was the mother of his other children born before his marriage to Winifred. Not even a given name for this earlier wife has been found in the records. Perhaps the Hudgin (Hutchins?) family should be examined since Emanual H Hudgin was Littleberry's extr and James H Hudgin was a witness. The notes made with the 1787 will of Hicks Bowen state that Littleberry Bowen was Hicks' eldest brother and heir-at-law. The fact that he was the oldest brother would eliminate William Bowen Sr and Robert Bowen Sr as possible fathers since we know each of them had sons older than Littleberry. Hicks' will also provided evidence of additional siblings who assigned their rights to the estate to Hicks' widow and godchildren as Hicks' will had requested. One of these siblings was named William Bowen, and was certainly William Bowen III, son of William Bowen Jr and Lucrecy. This will provides us with proof that Littleberry's father must have been William Bowen Jr as well. Mecklenburg DB 3, p 75 14 Dec 1770 George Walton of Prince Edward Co to William Drumright of Mecklenburg Co. 21 pounds. 150 acres west side of Little Stiths Creek. Description mentioned only trees, a stump, and the creek. Signed Geo Watlon, Martha Watlon Wit Labon Stafford, James (X) Cammell, Littlebery (X) Bowen Peaceable possession and seizon... signed Laban Stafford, James (X) Cammell, Littlebery (X) Bowen Mecklenburg DB 3, p 78 20 Dec 1770 George Walton of Prince Edward Co to Laban Stafford of Mecklenburg Co. 13 pounds 1 shilling. 109 acres. Beginning on the Old Road on the north prong of Stiths Creek .... black jack stump on the mane road at Bowens Battory ... Signed George Walton, Martha Walton Wit James (X) Cammell, Wm (X) Bowen, Littlebery (X) Bowen Received ... sum of thirteen pounds one shilling ... Signed Geo Walton, Martha Walton Wit James (X) Cammell, William (X) Bowen Junr, Littleberry (X) Bowen Mecklenburg DB 3, p 80 20 Dec 1770 George Walton of Prince Edward Co to William Bowen Junr of Mecklenburg Co. 7 pounds. 57 acres on the branches of Eagles Nest Creek. Beginning at Stafford's corner stump by Bowens Battery on the Road in Tomerson's line .... Signed Geo Walton Wit Laborn Stafford, James (X) Cammell, Littlebery (X) Bowen Mecklenburg Co DB 5 p 147 10 October 1777 Wm Thomason of Mecklenburg to Littleberry Bowen of same. 10 pounds 4 shillings about 50a. Beginning at the mouth of Brinde's branch thence a west course along Wm Thomason's to James Bowen's line and corner on a pine thence a north course to Charles Bowens & corners on a black jack thence an east course along Mark Evans line to the Eaglenest Creek thence up the Creek to the beginning the same being granted to the said Littleberry Bowen by patent bearing date ____. Signed William X Thomerson Wit David Bowen Wm X Bowen Wm X Bowen Jr [was this actually Wm Jr & III?] Memorandum that quiet and peaceable possession signed and wit by same Rec 8 December 1777 Many of the deeds contained errors as to who originally patented the land. This is just another example. Littleberry Bowen was never granted a patent. Since this deed mentions Eagles Nest Creek and the land belonged to William Thomason, it was almost certainly part of the George Vaughan land. Mecklenburg Co DB 5 p 145 1777 (no month, day) David Bowen of Mecklenburg to Mark Evans of same. 30L about 90a. Beginning at a posimmon tree on the Eagles Nest Creek thence up the said creek a south course to Littleberry Bowen's corner on a dogwood thence along Littleberry Bowen's line a west course to James Bowen's line thence a north course to James Bowen's corner on a post oak thence an east along along Isham Bowen's & Robert Bowen's to the first station the same being granted to the said David Bowen by patent bearing date October the 11, 1757. Signed David X Bowen Wit Wm Drumright, Drury Bowen, Hicks X Bowen. Memorandum of quiet and peaceable possession signed and wit by same. Court held 8 December 1777 acknowledged by David Bowen. Anne Bowen wife of the said David personally appeared in court and being privily examined voluntarily relinquished her right of dower in the estate conveyed by the said indenture. David Bowen was never granted a patent either. The date of this patent agrees with George Vaughan's patent. Mecklenburg Co DB 5, p 451 12 June 1779 Charles Bowen of Mecklenburg to Melden Chavous of same. 5 shillings about 50a. Beginning at James Bowens corner and running up the Long Branch to David Bowen's line then along the said line to the Buck Branch then down the branch to Littleberry Bowen's line then along his line to Evan's line then along Evanses line to James Bowen's line then along the said line to the beginning. Signed Charles Bowen, Amey Bowen Wit George Connally Junr, James Bowen, Susanna Connally Memorandum 12 June 1779 signed and wit by same Received of Milden Chavous the sum of 5 shillings 12 June 1779 signed and wit by same Rec 12 June 1779 acknowledged by Charles Bowen Mecklenburg DB 6 p 64 12 February 1780 James Bowen of St James Parish Mecklenburg to John Short son of Jacob Short of Dinwiddie. 10L about 50a. Beginning at a butterwood on the Long Branch at Charles Bowen's line thence east along his line to the head of the Buck Branch thence east down the said branch to Littleberry Bowen's line thence south to William Tomerson's line thence south along William Thomerson's line to his corner on a dead pine thence west a new line to the corner thence a new line to the Long Branch thence down the said branch to the beginning. Signed James (I) Bowen Susannah (S) Bowen Wit Drury Bowen David (D) Bowen Charles (C) Bowen Mecklenburg Deed Book 6, p 502 17 March 1785 Drury Bowen and Elizabeth his wife and Robert Bowen Senr of the County of Mecklenburg to Charles Bowen of the County aforesaid ... sum of one hundred pounds currt. money ... sixty one acres be the same more or less and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at the eagle nest Creek on the mouth thence up the river to John Harpers Corner [formerly Dobyns] ... along the said Harper's line to Robert Bowen's Corner ... by a new markt line to the said Creek thence down the Creek to the Beginning the same being granted to the said Drury and Robert Bowen ... Signed Drury Bowen, Elizabeth (EB) Bowen, Robert (RB) Bowen Wit David Bowen, Little Berry (E) Bowen, Isham (IB) Bowen, Geo Connelly Junr Memorandum signed and wit by same but Little Berry's mark was LB and Isham's mark was IB. Rec 12 Septemter 178[5?] oaths of David Bowen, Littleberry Bowen and Isham Bowen. Mecklenburg Co DB 6 p 503 25 March 1785 Milden Chavis of Mecklenburg to Sterling Bowen. 50L about 50a. Beginning at the Long Branch upon Charles Bowens line to a new markt 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 pesimmon tree on Mark Evanses line thence along Isham Bowens line to the beginning. Signed Milden Chavous Wit Little Berry (B) Bowen, Isham (I) Bowen, David Bowen Memorandum signed and wit by same Rec 12 September 178[5?] oaths of Littleberry Bowen, Isham Bowen, David Bowen. Mecklenburg DB 11 p 356 30 October 1802 Jessie Kirks to Littleberry Bowen. 22L 42a Beginning at Littleberry Bowens corner thence along the said Bowens line to William Thomersons line thence along the said Thomersons line to the corner to Charles Bowens line thence along the said Bowens line to the beginning. Signed Jessie X Kirks. Wit David Bowen, Littleberry X Bowen Junr [aka Littleberry Bowen Kirks], Charles X Bowen. Court 13 June 1803 oaths of David Bowen, Littleberry Bowen Jr, Charles Bowen. Mecklenburg DB 13 p 297 3 December 1806 John Naish Jr of Wake Co, NC to Lenward Bowen of Meck Co. 180L 4sh two tracts in Mecklenburg, one 91a beginning at a corner black jack in Merrymoon's line thence along Merrymoon's line west to Hundly's? line on a white oak thence south along Hundly's line to a corner hickory on the road thence east down the road as it meanders to the beginning. Other tract 60a beginning at Bowens old shop thence up the main road to the buckhorn road thence along the said road to a white oak on Hundley line thence a new line to the head of a branch thence down the said branch to Thomasson's line thence along said Thomassons line to the beginning which said tracts or parcels of land was late the property of doctor James MCan a British subject & was sold by Clausel Clausel Esquire Eschester unto Samuel Hopkins Signed John Naish Wit Jones Gee, Howel P Harper, Littleberry + Kirks, John + Harper 10 August 1807 proved by oaths of Jones Gee, Howel P Harper and Littleberry Kirks. Mecklenburg DB 13 p 589 rec 1808 Lenward Bowen from Elizabeth Naish dower release Mecklenburg DB 28 p 366 rec 1839 Lowry & Lucy Bowen to Emanuel H Hudgins Brunswick Co DB 35 p 328 27 July 1850 Paschal P Bowen to Lowry Bowen 100a for $100 bounded by lands of Morris Pearson, John W Nanny, Elizabeth E Ivie and Mark Moore and Allen's Creek. Acknowledged to R H H Walton & W Kelly JP's 27 July 1850 Rec Dec term 1850 1850 census Brunswick Co 2 69 69 BOWEN Lowery 57 M Farmer 1,600 VA 3 69 69 BOWEN Lucy 57 F VA 4 69 69 BOWEN Paschal P. 26 M VA 5 69 69 BOWEN Martha J. 24 F VA 6 69 69 BOWEN Allen Y. 20 M VA 7 69 69 BOWEN Alexander B. 17 M VA 8 69 69 BOWEN Mary A. 18 F VA 9 69 69 BOWEN Hugh F. 15 M VA Brunswick Co DB 37 p 339 30 August 1859 Lowry Bowen of Brunswick appointed Joseph C Rye of Maury Co, TN to receive of John B Padgett Clerk & Commissioner amount of my interest in the proceeds of the sale of slaves sold by him in the cause of Allen Bowen v Benjamin Bowen & others and also the amount paid into his office by Allen Bowen admr of Rebecca Polk Acknowledged by Lowry Bowen 31 August 1859 & admit to be recorded Mecklenburg DB 26 p 426 1835 Savory Bowen sells that 25 acres (that belonged to David Bowen Jr.) to Richard Gregory, Jr. This was recorded as 22 acres in the land tax records. Savory Bowen was the widow of David Bowen Jr, son of William Bowen Jr and brother to Littleberry Bowen. Mecklenburg DB 26 p 427 1835 Nancy A. Bowen sells land to Richard Gregory Jr. This was recorded as 69 3/4 acres in the land tax records. Nancy Angeline Bowen was the daughter of Angeline Bowen and granddaughter of Littleberry Bowen. Later records that may reflect Littleberry Bowen's descendants (some have not been traced to prove the connection): Isaac Johnson m Rebecca Bowen, 30 Jan. 1802, Littleberry Bowen sec., Mecklenburg Co, VA Mecklenburg Co WB 8, p 257 In the name of God, Amen. Isaac Johnson of Mecklenburg County, being of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God), calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and as for such worldly Estate as it has pleased God to bless me with being desirous to dispose of, do make my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say after my just debts and funeral expenses are all honestly paid, I give the same in manner and form following. Item: I lend unto my beloved wife Rebekah Johnson part of the tract of land I now live on, including the houses being on John Simmons line at the mouth of meeting house spring branch, thence up the said branch to the head thence a new (chop?) line to Steth's [Stith's] Creek at the mouth of a small branch entering in the said creek thence up the branch to Jabey Northington's line, four Negro boys Edmond, Sam, Dick, and George, one Desk, one pine chest, two beds and furniture, six head of sheep first choice, two cows and calves first choice, two sows and pigs, one loom and gear, six sitting chairs, two woolen wheels wheats, two pair of cards, one iron pot, one black walnut table, two choice horses to her for and during her natural life and at her death I give the same to my grandsons Joseph Arnold & Isaac Arnold to them and their heirs forever. Also I give unto my beloved wife Rebekah Johnson one side saddle and bridle, one Negro girl named Polly with all her increase from the date of this my last will and testament to her and her heirs forever, also a reasonable support for the present year out of what is laid in for consumption. Item: I give unto my grandson Joseph Arnold one Negro woman by the name of Milley with all her increase from the date of this my last will and testament, one Negro girl by the name of Dolly to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give unto my grandson Isaac Arnold one Negro woman by the name of Jinny with all her increase from the date of this my last will and testament to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give unto my two grandsons, Joseph Arnold and Isaac Arnold, all the rest of my estate both real and personal that I have not willed away to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs forever. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my two grandsons Joseph Arnold and Isaac Arnold Executors to this my last will and testament revoking and disannulling all other wills and bequeaths hereto made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 21st January 1815. Witnesses: Jones Gee, James Nash, and Wyatt Harper. [The grandsons named in this will were not born to a daughter of Rebecca Bowen but to an unknown daughter by Isaac Johnson's previous marriage. Isaac Johnson, John Arnold, and Francis Johnson witnessed the 1785 will of Jesse Bowen. It is not known if this was the same Isaac Johnson. Jones Gee, son of Neavil Gee, also appeared in the records of Charles Bowen, David Bowen Sr, and David Bowen Jr.] James Briggs m Rebecca Johnson, 16 Nov. 1818, Mecklenburg Co, VA [Thus daughter Rebecca Briggs named in Littleberry's will.] Mecklenburg DB 17, p 581. An Agreement made and entered into the 24th Nov 1818 between Joseph Arnold & Isaac Arnold of Mecklenburg Co., VA, & James Briggs & his wife Rebekah of the County of Orange, State of NC, the said Rebekah formerly the wife of Isaac Johnson, deceased. The decedent by his last Will and Testament loaned the said Rebekah (who the said James Briggs has lately intermarried with) certain property during her natural life, viz, namely four Negroes, Edmund, Sam, Dick, and George, and part of her land together with stock, household & kitchen furniture, which is expressed in decedent's last Will and Testament, the above named property the said deceased devised to the said Joseph and Isaac Arnolds at the death of the said Rebekah and the above named parties do agree to divide the said property in manner and form following, viz, the land to be divided in three parts, Joseph Arnold one third, Isaac Arnold one third, and James Briggs & wife one third, and the said property is to be appraised, and the said Briggs & wife is to (secure?) money in ( ? ) of the land, add valuation, also the Negroes and other property above mentioned, Joseph and Isaac Arnold to have one half and James Briggs & wife the other half, and the said Briggs & wife do relinquish all right, title, and claim that they the said Briggs & wife, has in said land and other property mentioned above, to Joseph and Isaac Arnold mentioned above. Also, Joseph and Isaac Arnold relinquish all right, title, and claims that we have or may have hereafter by the last Will and Testament of the said decedent to James Briggs & Wife, to them and their heirs forever, agreeable to the above mentioned decedent. In witness whereof we the parties have hereunto set our hands & Seal the day and date above written. Witnesses: Robert Bridgeforth, Jones Gee, (Ward?) Jones, Richard (T?) (Benford?), John (Briggs?) (Signed) Joseph Arnold, Isaac Arnold, James Briggs, Rebekah Briggs. Recorded 18 Jan. 1819. McDaniel Rottenberry m Nancy Bowen, 3 Mar. 1797, John Thomerson sec., Mecklenburg Co, VA [John Thomason was Littleberry Bowen's brother-in-law, the husband of Littleberry's sister Mary Bowen. He would have been Nancy's uncle by marriage.] Allen Bowen m Elizabeth Tillotson, 23 July 1829, Mecklenburg Co, VA An Allen Bowen was listed on the 1840 Mecklenburg Co census as age 40-50. His wife was the same age. There were 2 male children 5-10 and 1 female child 0-5 which agrees with the above marriage record. An Allen Bowen was also listed on the 1820 and 1830 censuses for Mecklenburg Co, but those records have not been obtained. Allen was first listed for taxes as age 16+ under his father in 1801 so was born about 1785. It is not known if this marriage record and census record is the same Allen Bowen or not. Eldridge Bowen First listed for taxes as age 16+ under his father in 1790, so born about 1774. Further information was contributed by Brenda Bowen: He was listed for taxes in Williamson Co, TN 1804. He was listed under Captain Cuthbert Hudsons Company as serving from Sept 1814 until March 1815 in Dickson County, TN. He died in Humphreys County, TN in 1851. He was age 78 b VA on the 1850 Humphreys Co census, so born about 1772. Leonard Bowen m Priscilla Paup, 13 Aug 1798, Brunswick Co, VA A Leonard Bowen was listed on the 1840 census as age 60-70 which would place his birthdate between 1770-1780. Leonard was first listed for taxes as age 16+ under his father in 1791, so his date of birth was probably about 1775. Leonard has not been traced. Young Bowen No marriage record found. He may have died before his father wrote his will. Young was first listed for taxes as age 16+ under his father in 1799, so was probably born about 1783. Angelina Bowen m Thomas Kirk, 22 Sept 1821, Mecklenburg Co, VA [additional records in the land tax records] Lowry Bowen m Lucy Barnett 19 Nov 1818, Mecklenburg Co, VA A Lowry Bowen listed 120a on Island Creek in Mecklenburg Co for taxes in 1836. Lowery Bowen with wife Lucy were listed on the 1850 census in Brunswick Co, both age 57. Other members of the household included Paschal P Bowen 26, Martha J Bowen 24, Allen Y Bowen 20, Alexander B Bowen 17, Mary A Bowen 18, and Hugh F Bowen 15. Nancy A Bowen m David Bowen 24 Dec 1838, Mecklenburg Co, VA Nancy Angeline Bowen was still unmarried in 1836. This David Bowen has not been identified and Nancy A Bowen in this record has not been proven as Nancy Angeline Bowen. |