William Bowen: (Rev. War & Little Compton Families Vol. II & 1790/1800/1810/1820/1830/1840/1850 Census & Rootsweb Cem. Record & Headstone).

b. 25 Sep 1760 in Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island. [Vital Record of Rhode Island, Vol. 6, Warren, Part II, by James N. Arnold, p. 49 & RI Births p. 49].
b. 25 Sep 1760. (Headstone & Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume 21, John Billington, General Society of Mayflower Descendants 1620 Plymouth 1857, p. 112). (Service: R.I. Bowen, William, Number: S.21.654, 27066, Rhode Island, p. 15). (Rootsweb Cem. Rec.).
b. Abt 1760-61, RI. (1850 July 31 for 1 Census - Age 89).

m. (1) 25 Jul 1779, Little Compton, Newport Co., RI, Lydia Pearce. (Little Compton Families Vol. II & Vital Record of Rhode Island, Vol. 4, Little Compton, Part VI, p. 46).

m. (2) 23 Aug 1812, Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, Abigail Case. (Record? MA Marriage).
m. (2) Aft 1799, Abby _______, b. Abt 1785, RI.

d. 20 Feb 1854. (Headstone & Rootsweb Cemetery Record).
d. 16 Feb 1854 in Monrovia, Cayuga County, New York. (The Auburn Daily Advertiser Saturday Evening January 27, 1855 - Probate article).
d. 14 Feb 1854. (Pension application, p. 8).

buried: Old Niles Rural Cemetery (aka Davidson - Selover), Cayuga County, NY, 25 Sep 1760 - 20 Feb 1854 Rev. Soldier.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kenbowen/cemetery/revwar.htm

American Civil War Union Soldier.
Descendant of Mayflower passenger John Billington.


Rhode Island Vital Records - Births - Warren, p. 49:
"1-55 BOWEN William, Sept. 25, 1760."

Vital Record of Rhode Island, Warren Births, p.49:
"1-2 BOWEN Anne, of Nathaniel and Esther, April 11, 1749
1-23 BOWEN John, May 14, 1751.
1-44 BOWEN Reuben, Nov. 24, 1753.
1-25 BOWEN James, May 11, 1755.
1-32 BOWEN Mary, Nov. 12, 1757.
1-4 BOWEN Avis, Dec. 12, 1758.
1-55 BOWEN William, Sept. 25, 1760.
1-4 BOWEN Anne, June 2, 1766."

Rhode Island Vital Records, Warren, Births, p. 50:
"2-33 BOWEN Elizabeth, of William and Lydia (b. Little Compton), Nov. -- 1779."

Resided here [Warren, Bristol Co., RI] until three years after the Revolutionary Ward in 17--,
then six years (?) plus 32 years, then month war last to Warren, RI, 10-1776.

1776-1783: American Civil War Union Soldier--private.

1776-1783:
American Civil War Soldier:
10-1776 to 1-1777 [served about three months].
3-16-1778 served.
9-1778 served ten days.
-1779 served.
9-1778 to 10-1779 served five times, no less than five months.
4-1782 to 1-1783 served 9 months in the Army.

U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783
Name: William Bowen
Rank - Induction: Private
Roll Box: 87
Roll State: RI
[Copied cover page 1, but didn't look through all pages for record.]

p.8
***********************
"State of Rhode-Island and } TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE,
Providence Plantations, } WARREN, August 28th, 1833,

William Bowen son of Nathaniel Bowen
and Esther ----- his wife, was born on the 25th day of
September A.D. Seventeen hundred Sixty-----
A true copy of record.
Witness Samuel Randall Town Clerk."

***********************
"information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. William Bowen S. F. 21654

Dates of
Enlistment or Length of Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered.
Appointment. Service. Rank. Captain. Colonel. State.

Oct. 1776 3 mo. Pvt. Thomas Allen John Cook R.I.
Jan'y 1777 1 mo. " Vial Allen "
Feb'y 1777 1 mo. " Ezra Omsbee "
Apr. 1777 1 mo. " Ezra Omsbee Nathaniel Martins "
June 16, 1777 Mar. 16, 1778 " Thomas Allen Archibald Crary "
Aug. 6, 1778 20 days " Curtis Cole Nathan Miller "
Sept. 1778 Served at five different Curtis Cole Nathan Miller "
states one month each time.
Until Oct. 1, 1779
Apr. 1, 1782 Jan'y 1783 Pvt. Brown Jeremiah Oeneyn "

Battles engaged in, X
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Warren, R. I. (Enlisted there also)
Date of application for pension, Sept. 2, 1833. His et. al.
Residence at date of application, Warren, Bristol Co., R.I.
Age at date of application, Born at Warren, R. I., Sept. 25, 1760. Died Feb'y 14, 1854.
Remarks: Soldier was the son of Esther and Nathaniel Bowen
& from Agency book.


Alternative records? Top most likely:
1777 Rhode Island Military Census: Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
Page: 004
William Bowen - 1777 RI Militia Census - 16-50 A Warren RI
Name: William Bowen, 16-50 A

1777 Rhode Island Military Census: Glocester, Providence County, Rhode Island
Page: 001
Name: William Bowen

1781: A History of Warren RI in the War of the Revolution, 1776-1783: (From original, Fessenden Mss.)
"A List of Capt. Curtis Cole's Company in Cur'nl Nathan Miller's Regiment. 1781...William Bowen"

Alternative records?
1782 Rhode Island Census: Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
Record Type: Tax List
Database: RI Early Census Index
Name: William Bowen

1782 Rhode Island Census: Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
Page: NPN
Name: William Bowen

1782 Rhode Island Census: Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island
Page: NPN
Name: William Bowen


m. (1) 25 Jul 1779 William Bowen married Lydia Pearce in Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
They had seven children: Elizabeth, Rebecca, William Jr., Mercy, Polly, George W., and Lydia.

Little Compton Families Vol. II, PEARCE:
20. " ix. Lydia, b. 29 Jul 1760; m. 25 July 1779 William Bowen, son of Nathaniel and Esther Bowen."


3 Alternative records maybe?
1790 U. S. Federal Census: Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island [best guess?]
Name: William Bowen 1, 1, 1, 4, _, _. [aka 1 1 4 6]
Number of Free White Males Under 16: 1 [Must be William Bowen, Jr.]
Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1 [Must be William Bowen]
Number of Free White Females: 4 [Must be Lydia Pearce (Bowen) & Elizabeth & Rebecca & 1 unknown]
Number of Household Members: 6

William Bowen Providence, Providence, Rhode Island 1 2 5 1 1 10
William Bowen Glocester, Providence, Rhode Island 1 4 5 10


Record? Probably not as he would have been about age 40 and not listed.
1800 United States Federal Census: Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island
Name: William Bowen
Free White Males Under 10: 2
Free White Males 10 to 15: 1
Free White Males 45 and Over : 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 1
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Free White Females 45 and Over : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 3
Number of Household Members: 7

[NOTE: This 1800 Census could be our Wm. Bowen. There is an adult male, 45 and upwards. The only problem, by 1800 Wm. should have been in New York. Jonathan and Rebecca were married in 1796 so Wm. should have been in NY long before that. I did find the same Wm. Bowen in the 1790 census in Cumberland, Providence Co, RI.]

1810 United States Federal Census: Warren, Bristol County, RI:
Find Isaac, Lydia, Nathan, Smith, Peleg, Jas. (James), Nancy, & Rebecca?.

1810 United States Federal Census: Sempronius, Cayuga County, New York
(3rd down from Sempronius header)
William Bowen
_, 2, 1, _, 1, // _, 1, 2, _, 1, _.
Free White Males:
10 thru 15: 2
16 thru 25: 1
45 and over: 1 [Must be William Bowen abt age 50]
Free White Females:
10 thru 15: 1
16 thru 25: 2
45 and over: 1 [Must be Lydia Pearce (Bowen) abt age 50]

Alternate? Jr.?
1810 United States Federal Census: South District, Providence County, Rhode Island
(middle of page, just above circled 26 Families)

William Bowen _, _, 1, _, 1 // 2, _, 2, 1, 1, 4, 12.
Free White Males 16 to 25: 1
Free White Males 45 and Over: 1 [Must be William Bowen]
Free White Females Under 10: 2
Free White Females 16 to 25: 2
Free White Females 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females 45 and Over: 1 [Must be Lydia Pearce (Bowen) abt age 50]
Number of All Other Free Persons: 4
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 3
Number of Household Members: 12


m. (2) Aft 1799, Abby (Bowen).
m. (2) 23 Aug 1812, Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts, Abigail Case. (Record? MA Marriage).

Possible record?
Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850
Name: William Bowen
Gender: Male
Spouse: Abigail Case
Marriage Date: 23 Aug 1812
City: Rehoboth
County: Bristol
Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0562559.

Record?
1820 United States Federal Census (August 7): Sempronius, Cayuga County, New York
Name: William Bowen
Free White Males - 10 thru 15: 3
Free White Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Females - 45 and over: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 4
Free White Persons - Under 16: 5
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 8

1820 Index - Rhode Island
NAME PAGE COUNTY
William Bowen 157 Providence
Abigail Bowen 82 Providence

29 Aug 1825: His (former?) wife, Lydia Pearce (Bowen), died in Moravia, Cayuga County, New York.

1830 United States Federal Census: Sempronius, Cayuga County, New York
(13th down from top)
Name: William Bowen
0000000010000-0000001000000
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1 [Must be William Bowen]
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 [Must be Abby (Bowen)]
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1 [Must be Abby (Bowen)]
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):

2 Sep 1833: Residence in Warren, Bristol County, RI. (Rev. War Benefit Decl.).

2 Sep 1833:
Revolutionary War Soldier: Heritage Quest Online William Bowen.
(Transcribed Declaration for Benefits by line).
[Page 1 ? William Bowen Revolutionary War Service Declaration]
"Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the
7th June 1832.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
County of Bristol.
On this second day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred
thirty three personally appeared in open court before the
Court of Probate for the Town of Warren in said County of
Bristol being a court of record now sitting at said Warren.
William Bowen, a resident of Warren in the County of Bristol in
said state aged seventy two years eleven months & upwards who being
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he was born in said
Warren in said State on the 25th day of September A.D. Seventeen hundred sixty,
that his birth was recorded in the Town Clerk?s Office in said Town
of Warren a certified copy of which record hereunto annexed...."
(full declaration below).

1834: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
Name: William Bowen
Pension Year: 1834
Application State: Rhode Island
Archive Publication Number: M804
Archive Roll Number: 301
Total Pages in Packet: 26
p. 1
"Service: R.I.
Bowen, William
Number: S.21.654
27066
Rhode Island?.... (full transcription below).


1840 U. S. Federal Census: Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
(9th from bottom)

Warren Bowen, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 1, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, _, 1, _.
Free White Males: Age 70 - 79: 1 [Must be William Bowen, age 79]
Free White Females: Age 50-59: 1 [Must be 2nd wife, Abby (Bowen), age 55]

William Bowen 5 Bristol
William Bowen 20 Bristol
Lydia Bowen 18 Bristol
William W. Bowen 19 Bristol


Oct 1848: Will #1, Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island.

1850 U. S. Federal Census (July 31): Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
Dwelling Number 251, Family Number 420

William Bowen, Age 89 [indexed as age 30], Male, Occupation None, Value of Real Property $,3400, Birth Place Rhode Island.

Abby Bowen, Age 63, Female, Birth Place Rhode Island.

Catherine Murry, Age 17, Female, Birth Place Ireland.


1852: William Bowen left Rhode Island and moved to New York (under a guardianship to live with his son George W. Bowen).


15 Jun 1852: Will #2, Moravia, Cayuga County, New York. (Alleged by heirs of Will #1 to be executed under the influence of his guardian, George W. Bowen).
"William Bowen, left two wills; one made at Warren, Rhode Island, where he was then resident, in October 1848, and the other, now propounded for allowance, of the later date of June 15, 1852, made at Moravia, N. Y...". (full transcription below).


d. 20 Feb 1854 (Headstone), in Monrovia, Cayuga County, New York.
d. 16 Feb 1854 in Monrovia, Cayuga County, New York. (The Auburn Daily Advertiser Saturday Evening January 27, 1855 - Probate article).


'Will try to look at this again:
1854:
The second point to be considered in this case is
THE LEGAL EFFECT OF THE GUARDIANSHIP.
It appears that on the 14th day of May, 1851 [1854?], a Petition was presented by some of the heirs and next of kin of the Testator, to the Probate Court of Warren, Rhode Island, setting forth "that William Bowen, Of Warren, being over ninety years of age, and being feeble in health from his late sickness and the managing of his various affairs requiring more care and activity than he is capable of putting forth, needs a Guardian to assist him in the management of his affairs. The court therefore made the following order: "upon the forgoing Petition signed by all the persons having legal interest ??????? in the jurisdiction of the court, and adjudging the said WILLIAM BOWEN incapable of managing his affairs for reasons set forth in said Petition, therefore the court appoint said STEPHEN JOHNSON, Guardian to the person and property of said William Bowen."'


27 Jan 1855: "The Auburn Daily Advertiser Saturday Evening January 27, 1855
In the matter of the Last Will and Testament of William Bowen, Deceased.
WILLIAM BOWEN, the Testator in this case, was a resident of the town of Moravia in this County, where he died on the 16th of February, 1854, leaving a last Will and Testament bearing date the 15th day of June 1852, and by which he appointed his Son George W. Bowen of Moravia sole Executor. There are specific bequests to the amount of $900, to two of his children and one grandchild. The residue of the estate, real and personal, was bequeathed to GEORGE W. BOWEN. The whole amount of the estate was about $10,000.-The Testator left four children and the descendants of four deceased children, eleven in number...."


Mar 1858: Bristol County, Rhode Island Supreme Court published opinion: (full transcript below).

William Bowen - Appellate Decision in Reports, Supreme Court Vol. II, Reports, Vol. V: Title page & p. 113 - 121:
--------------------------

Society of Mayflower Descendants, in the Commonwealth of Virginia,
Application for Membership:
b. Warren, RI; 25 Sep 1760; MF 5:145, 146; (Cem Recs); B/C*; Pension*;
m. *Little Compton, RI; 25 Jul 1779; M/C*; married to Lydia Pearce.
d. *poss. Moravia, NY; 16 Feb 1854; Cayuga Co, NY PR 1854; *Pension; * ; Cem Records*.

---------------------

Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume Twenty One, John Billington, General Society of Mayflower Descendants 1620 Plymouth 1857,
p. 112-113:
"125 ESTHER CARPENTER 5 (Desire Martin 4, Mercy 3 Billington, Francis 2, John 1)
b. prob. Rehoboth ca. 1718; d. Warren RI 28 Oct. 1794 aged 76 yrs.
She m. (1) Swansea 4 Jan. 1735 NATHAN BARDEEN, b. ca. 1709; d. Swansea 17 Nov. 1736 in his 28th yr.
She m. (2) Swansea 4 Jan. 1737 NATHANIEL BOWEN, b. Swansea 1 Jan. 1703/4; d. Warren RI 24 Dec. 1794 ages 91 yrs.; son of Thomas and Thankful (Mason) Bowen.
Nathaniel Bowen lived in that part of Swansea that became Warren RI in 1746.
There are numerous land transfers in Warren RI records from Nathaniel Bowen, with wife Esther sometimes signing, to his stepson Nathan Barden; to sons Thomas, John, James and William Bowen; to daus. Avis McMillion and Anna Bowen; and to grandson Peleg Bowen, son of Peleg.
Nathaniel Bowen had 3 males over 16, one under 16, 2 females over 16 and 5 females under 16 in the 1774 census of Warren RI.
No probate record for Nathan Bardeen in Bristol Co. or Nathaniel Bowen in Warren RI.
Child (BARDEEN or BARDEN) b. Swansea:
i NATHAN 6 b. 23 Feb. 1736/7
Children (BOWEN) first 2 b. Swansea, rest b. Warren RI:
ii PELEG b. 26 Jan. 1738/9
iii THOMAS b. 21 Dec. 1743
iv ANNE b. 11 April 1749; d.y.
v JOHN b. 14 May 1751
vi REUBEN b. 24 Nov. 1753; prob. d.y.
vii JAMES b. 11 May 1755
viii MARY b. 12 Nov. 1757
ix AVIS b. 12 Dec. 1758
x WILLIAM b. 25 Sept. 1760
[p. 113:]
xi ANNE b. 2 June 1766"


2 Sep 1833:
Revolutionary War Soldier: Heritage Quest Online William Bowen.
(Transcribed Declaration for Benefits by line).
[Page 1 – William Bowen Revolutionary War Service Declaration]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the
7th June 1832.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
County of Bristol.
On this second day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred
thirty three personally appeared in open court before the
Court of Probate for the Town of Warren in said County of
Bristol being a court of record now sitting at said Warren.
William Bowen, a resident of Warren in the County of Bristol in
said state aged seventy two years eleven months & upwards who being
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he was born in said
Warren in said State on the 25th day of September A.D. Seventeen hundred sixty,
that his birth was recorded in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town
of Warren a certified copy of which record hereunto annexed
that when he was called into the service hereunto mentioned
he lived in the said Town of Warren, that he lived in said Town of
Warren from his birth until about three years after the revolutionary
war, when he removed into the northern part of the state of
Massachusetts & resided there about six (?) years & then removed into
the southern part of the state of New York, that for about thirty two
years preceding last war he resided in the Town of Sempronius
in Cayuga County in the State of New York, that in the month of
war last he removed to said Town of Warren where he has ever since
lived and that he now lives in said Town of Warren, that he
entered the service under the following named officers and served
as herein stated that he, the said William Bowen in the fore part of
the month of October A.D. 1776 the precise day he cannot now recollect, enlisted
into Captain Thomas Allen's Company, In Colonel John Cook's Regiment
of Rhode Island State troops for the term of three months and he served
as a private soldier in said company and Regiment during said term of
three months. He served in said Company in Newport in the said state until the
British fleet arrived at said Newport, when he retreated with said Company
to Bristol in said State where he served until the expiration of said three months
when he was discharged. And he further declares that from the fore
part of the month of January A.D. 1777 to the close of the Revolutionary
war he was enlisted in the Company of Militia in said Town of
Warren and was liable at all times to be drafted or ordered into the
service of the revolutionary war except when he was enlisted & in actual
service with the regular troops or state troops, that in consequence of the
peculiar experience & liability of said State & especially the shores of _______
Bay to the encroachments of the British forces said company of Militia
were kept constantly armed and were drafted or ordered out to guard
ordered out for a period of time & generally for one month at a
time to perform said guard service & was then relieved by the other
part of said company, and the corps drafted or ordered to perform said
guard service was placed under the command of some one or more of
the officers of the company of Militia belonging to the Regiment in said
County of Bristol and this declarant further states that he was drafted
or ordered out as a private soldier in said Company of Militia and
as follows from about the middle of January A.D. 1777 he served
as a private soldier one month at Bristol under the command of
Captain Neal Allen that from about the middle of February A.D. 1777

[Page 2]
he served as a private soldier one month at West
Point in Barrington under the command of Captain Ezra
Ormsbee and from about the middle of April A.D. 1777 he served
as a private soldier one month at Bristol in said state under
the command of Lieutenant Smith Bowen, Ezra Ormsbee was
Captain of said Company of Militia & Smith Bowen was Lieutenant
and said Company belonged to Colonel Nathaniel Martin's Regiment
of which Captain Thomas Grey was Lieutenant Colonel & Benjamin
Bosworth was Major and this Declarant further states that
on or about the 16th day of June A.D. 1777 he enlisted as a
private soldier in Captain Thomas Allen's Company in Colonel
Archibald Caraway's Regiment of the Rhode Island Line for
the term of nine months and that he served as a private
soldier in said Company & Regiment during said term of nine
months and was discharged on or about the 16th day of March
A.D. 1778 he served a part of said nine months in Bristol &
the remainder of said term at Little Compton in said State
he was at said Little Compton at the time of General Spencer's
expedition on Rhode Island – Lawless was Lieutenant of said
Company and John Topham was Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment
Said Regiment belonged to the Brigade commanded by Brigadier General
Cornwell on or about the 6th day of August A.D. 1778
he was drafted in Captain Custer Cafes' Company of Militia
in said Town of Warren for twenty days, and served as a private
soldier in said Company during said term of twenty days in the
expedition of Major General Sullivan against the British troops
on Rhode Island. Thomas Easterbrook was Lieutenant & Archibald
Cole was ensign of said Company & said Company belonged to Colonel
Nathan Miller's Regiment. In the fore part of the month of
September A.D. 1778, he volunteered and joined the corps detached by
said Captain Curtis Cole from his Company and served as a private
soldier in said corps ten days in transporting a large _______
morter from Brighton to Providence. That from this time to
the fall of the year 1779 he was drafted or ordered out as
a private soldier in said Company & Militia in said Town
of Warren and served as a private soldier and guarding the
shores in said County of Bristol five months from the great
lapse of time he cannot now more distinctly recollect the
precise time of his draft, but from the best of his recollection
he was drafted or ordered out at five different times between
the middle of September 1778 and the first of October 1779, for
soldier of said Company during the whole of said period he is
confident that he did serve not less than five months he served
a part of said time in the Town of Bristol and a part of the
time on the shore at Perk's Farm on Bristol ______. Curtis Cole
was Captain, Thomas Easterbrook was Lieutenant & Archibald Cole
was ensign of said Company & Nathan Miller was Colonel of
the Regiment to which said Company was attached for all the
aforementioned period of service in the Militia he was drafted or
ordered out by competent authority , was held to do duty during
the whole of said period, he received rations in the same manner
as the state troops, and he was not employed in any civil pursuit
during said period. And he, the said William Bowen further
declared that he enlisted in the Army of the United
States, on or about the first of April A.D. 1782 in

[Page 3]
Captain Brown's Company in Colonel Jeremiah
Olney's Regiment as a private soldier for the term of nine
months and that he served as a private soldier in said Company
and Regiment during said term of nine months and was discharged
in the fore part of the month of January A.D. 1783. he marched
from Providence to Philadelphia and joined said Regiment at Philadel-
phia said Captain Brown's Company was composed in part of colored
persons who had personally enlisted therein, and this declarant and
others enlisted to fill vacancies in said Company, said Regiment
were stationed a part of the time at Philadelphia and this Declarant
marched with his Company & Regiment from Philadelphia to the
Highland near West Point in New York when they were encamped
for a period of time, and then removed to Saratoga when said
Company and Regiment were encamped until they were discharged
John J. Dexter was major of said Regiment. He received a written
discharge from said Captain Brown's Company at the expiration
of said term of nine months which discharge he has since lost.
He received no written discharge from the other services aforementioned
but was discharged by the commanding Officer at the expirations of
each of the aforesaid periods of service. He has no documentary evidence
of his service. The following named persons can testify to his revolution
service to wit. James Goff, John Sissen, Jeremiah Pearce, Seth Cole, Ichabod
Cole, and David Maxfield whose depositions are hereunto annexed.
He is known to the following persons in his neighborhood who can
testify to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his
services as a soldier of the Revolution, viz Rev John C. Welsh
and Col. Benjamin Cole.
He, the said William Bowen hereby relinquish every claim relative to a pension
or annuity except the present and here declares that his name is not
on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid

Atty. Samuel Randall Clerk
William Bowen

Rev John C. Welsh Clergyman residing in Warren aforesaid
and Benjamin Cole residing in said Warren, do hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with William Bowen, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him
to be upwards of seventy two years of age, that he is respected and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in _____ _________.
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid. John C. Welsh.
Benj Cole
Samuel Randall Clerk

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the
interrogations prescribed by the War Department
William Bowen the above named Applicant was 177__(?)"
[corner missing – last word "approved" maybe or year?]

-----------------
-----------------

1834: Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
Name: William Bowen
Pension Year: 1834
Application State: Rhode Island
Archive Publication Number: M804
Archive Roll Number: 301
Total Pages in Packet: 26

p. 1
"Service: R.I.
Bowen, William
Number: S.21.654
27066
Rhode Island"
================================================

p. 2
"*****
Rhode Island
William Bowen
Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island,
** was a private in the Comp[an]y commanded
[by] Captain Allen of the Reg't commanded
[by] Col. Crary in the R. I.
for 2 years.
================================================
[Tran]scribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
[at] the rate of 80 Dollars – Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
================================================
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Jan'y,
1834 and sent [t]o Levi Hale, Esq[ui]r[e], Warren R.I.
================================================
Gives (?) to the 4th of Sep. 1833. $200.00
Minus. (?) allowance ending 8. Mar. 34 - 40.00
======
$240.00
======
{Revolutionary Claim,
Nos. (?) June 7, 1832}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E, Vol. 2. Page 126

Letco S. W. Born Nov. 15th, 8..."

p. 3
"William Bowen
R.I.
Private 2 years
Capt. Allen Col.
Crary's Reg't R.I.
Sen. Haile Esq.
Warren
RI
Samuel Randall Clerk"

p. 4
"Declaration
"In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the
7th June, 1832.
State of Rhode Island & Providence of Plantations.
County of Bristol | ss.
On this second day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred
thirty three, personally appeared in open court, before the
Court of Probate for the Town of Warren in said County of
Bristol, being a court of record now sitting at said Warren,
William Bowen, a resident Warren in the County of Bristol in
said state, aged seventy two years eleven months and upward who being
duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, that he was born in said
Warren in said State on the 25th day of September A.D. Seventeen hundred sixty
that his birth was recorded in the Town Clerk; office in said Town of
Warren, a certified copy of which record hereunto annexed
that when he was called into the service hereunto mentioned
he lived in the said Town of Warren, that he lived in said Town of
Warren from his birth until about three years after the revolutionary
war, when he removed into the northern part of the state of
Massachusetts & resided there about six (?) years & then removed into
the southern part of the state of New York, that for about thirty two
years preceding last war he resided in the Town of Sempronius
in Cayuga County in the State of New York, that in the month of
war last he removed to said Town of Warren where he has ever since
lived and that he now lives in said Town of Warren, that he
entered the service under the following named officers and served
as herein stated that he, the said William Bowen in the fore part of
the month of October A.D. 1776 the precise day he cannot now recollect, enlisted
into Captain Thomas Allen's Company, In Colonel John Cook's Regiment
of Rhode Island State troops for the term of three months and he served
as a private soldier in said company and Regiment during said term of
three months. He served in said Company in Newport in the said state until the
British fleet arrived at said Newport, when he retreated with said Company
to Bristol in said State where he served until the expiration of said three months
when he was discharged. And he further declares that from the fore
part of the month of January A.D. 1777 to the close of the Revolutionary
war he was enlisted in the Company of Militia in said Town of
Warren and was liable at all times to be drafted or ordered into the
service of the revolutionary war except when he was enlisted & in actual
service with the regular troops or state troops, that in consequence of the
peculiar experience & liability of said State & especially the shores of _______
Bay to the encroachments of the British forces said company of Militia
were kept constantly armed and were drafted or ordered out to guard
ordered out for a period of time & generally for one month at a
time to perform said guard service & was then relieved by the other
part of said company, and the corps drafted or ordered to perform said
guard service was placed under the command of some one or more of
the officers of the company of Militia belonging to the Regiment in said
County of Bristol and this declarant further states that he was drafted
or ordered out as a private soldier in said Company of Militia and
as follows from about the middle of January A.D. 1777 he served
as a private soldier one month at Bristol under the command of
Captain Neal Allen that from about the middle of February A.D. 1777

p. 5
" he served as a private soldier one month at West
Point in Barrington under the command of Captain Ezra
Ormsbee and from about the middle of April A.D. 1777 he served
as a private soldier one month at Bristol in said state under
the command of Lieutenant Smith Bowen, Ezra Ormsbee was
Captain of said Company of Militia & Smith Bowen was Lieutenant
and said Company belonged to Colonel Nathaniel Martin's Regiment
of which Captain Thomas Grey was Lieutenant Colonel & Benjamin
Bosworth was Major and this Declarant further states that
on or about the 16th day of June A.D. 1777 he enlisted as a
private soldier in Captain Thomas Allen's Company in Colonel
Archibald Caraway's Regiment of the Rhode Island Line for
the term of nine months and that he served as a private
soldier in said Company & Regiment during said term of nine
months and was discharged on or about the 16th day of March
A.D. 1778 he served a part of said nine months in Bristol &
the remainder of said term at Little Compton in said State
he was at said Little Compton at the time of General Spencer's
expedition on Rhode Island – Lawless was Lieutenant of said
Company and John Topham was Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment
Said Regiment belonged to the Brigade commanded by Brigadier General
Cornwell on or about the 6th day of August A.D. 1778
he was drafted in Captain Custer Cafes' Company of Militia
in said Town of Warren for twenty days, and served as a private
soldier in said Company during said term of twenty days in the
expedition of Major General Sullivan against the British troops
on Rhode Island. Thomas Easterbrook was Lieutenant & Archibald
Cole was ensign of said Company & said Company belonged to Colonel
Nathan Miller's Regiment. In the fore part of the month of
September A.D. 1778, he volunteered and joined the corps detached by
said Captain Curtis Cole from his Company and served as a private
soldier in said corps ten days in transporting a large _______
morter from Brighton to Providence. That from this time to
the fall of the year 1779 he was drafted or ordered out as
a private soldier in said Company & Militia in said Town
of Warren and served as a private soldier and guarding the
shores in said County of Bristol five months from the great
lapse of time he cannot now more distinctly recollect the
precise time of his draft, but from the best of his recollection
he was drafted or ordered out at five different times between
the middle of September 1778 and the first of October 1779, for
soldier of said Company during the whole of said period he is
confident that he did serve not less than five months he served
a part of said time in the Town of Bristol and a part of the
time on the shore at Perk's Farm on Bristol ______. Curtis Cole
was Captain, Thomas Easterbrook was Lieutenant & Archibald Cole
was ensign of said Company & Nathan Miller was Colonel of
the Regiment to which said Company was attached for all the
aforementioned period of service in the Militia he was drafted or
ordered out by competent authority , was held to do duty during
the whole of said period, he received rations in the same manner
as the state troops, and he was not employed in any civil pursuit
during said period. And he, the said William Bowen further
declared that he enlisted in the Army of the United
States, on or about the first of April A.D. 1782 in"

p. 6
"Captain Brown's Company in Colonel Jeremiah
Olney's Regiment as a private soldier for the term of nine
months and that he served as a private soldier in said Company
and Regiment during said term of nine months and was discharged
in the fore part of the month of January A.D. 1783. he marched
from Providence to Philadelphia and joined said Regiment at Philadel-
phia said Captain Brown's Company was composed in part of colored
persons who had personally enlisted therein, and this declarant and
others enlisted to fill vacancies in said Company, said Regiment
were stationed a part of the time at Philadelphia and this Declarant
marched with his Company & Regiment from Philadelphia to the
Highland near West Point in New York when they were encamped
for a period of time, and then removed to Saratoga when said
Company and Regiment were encamped until they were discharged
John J. Dexter was major of said Regiment. He received a written
discharge from said Captain Brown's Company at the expiration
of said term of nine months which discharge he has since lost.
He received no written discharge from the other services aforementioned
but was discharged by the commanding Officer at the expirations of
each of the aforesaid periods of service. He has no documentary evidence
of his service. The following named persons can testify to his revolution
service to wit. James Goff, John Sissen, Jeremiah Pearce, Seth Cole, Ichabod
Cole, and David Maxfield whose depositions are hereunto annexed.
He is known to the following persons in his neighborhood who can
testify to his character for truth and veracity and their belief of his
services as a soldier of the Revolution, viz Rev John C. Welsh
and Col. Benjamin Cole.
He, the said William Bowen hereby relinquish every claim relative to a pension
or annuity except the present and here declares that his name is not
on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid

Atty. Samuel Randall Clerk
William Bowen

Rev John C. Welsh Clergyman residing in Warren aforesaid
and Benjamin Cole residing in said Warren, do hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with William Bowen, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him
to be upwards of seventy two years of age, that he is respected and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in _____ _________.
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid. John C. Welsh.
Benj Cole
Samuel Randall Clerk

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the
interrogations prescribed by the War Department
William Bowen the above named Applicant was 177__(?)"
[corner missing – last word "approved" maybe or year?]

p. 7
"Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
And (?) the Court further certify, that it appears to
Nhaines (?), that John C. Welsh, who argued the preceding
certificate is a clergyman, resident in the Town of
Warren aforesaid, and that Berryamin (?) Cole,
who has also argued the same is a resident in
said Town of Warren and are credible persons, and
that their statement is entitled to credit.
### Samuel Randall Clerk
I, Samuel Randall, Clerk of the Court of Probate, for the
Town of Warren, in said County of Bristol, do hereby
certify, that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings
of the said Court, in the matter of the application of the
aforementioned, William Bowen, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and Seal of office, this Second
day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred
thirty three.
Samuel Randall Clerk"

p.8
***********************
"State of Rhode-Island and } TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE,
Providence Plantations, } WARREN, August 28th, 1833,
William Bowen so of Nathaniel Bowen
and Esther ----- his wife, was born on the 25th day of
September A.D. Seventeen hundred Sixty-----
A true copy of record.
Witness Samuel Randall Town Clerk."
***********************
"information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. William Bowen S. F. 21654
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: ...."

p. 9
"State of New York
County of Sempronius:
Jeremiah Pearce of the Town
of Sainfieles (?) in said County aged seventy two years
and upward, being duly sworn doth defore (declare?) and
secy (?) that he is well acquainted with William Bowen
that in the year 1776 he and this ______ resided (?)
in the Town of Warren in the County of Bristol
in the State of Rhode Island and this _______ further
_______ that he knows of the said William Bowen
served in the War of the Revolution as fellow (?) ____
...."

p. 10
" Thomas Allen's Company in Col. Archibald Pearce's (?)
Regiment in the State troops (?) for the term of nine
months, and he & this declarant were marching to
Bristol aforesaid station in the State G_____
at Bristol under the command of Capt. Allen and
during the term they served at th___ ____ they were _____

...."

p. 11
"State of New York
County of Sempronius. On this sixteenth day of
August 1832...."

p. 12
"I David Maxfield, of Bristol in the County
of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations, of the age of seventy seven years and
upward, being sworn according to law, do testify
and say, that William Bowen, now resident in
Warren in said County of Bristol, but lately resident
in Sempronius in the State of New York, on or about
the first of April A. D. 1782, enlisted in Caption
Brown's Company in Colonel Jeremiah Olney's Regiment
in the Continental line for nine months, as a private
soldier, and that said William Bowen served as a
private soldier in said Captain Brown's Company
and Colonel Obney's Regiment during said term
of nine months, and said William Bowen was discharged
in ********* [ink blot] part of the month of January A.D. 1783,
at ************ a. I served as a private soldier in said
Regiment during said term of nine months. John
J. Senter (?) was major of said Regiment. Said Regiment
marched from Provident to Philadelphia and served there
a part of said time, & thence marched to the Highland
near West Point in New York, and thence marched to
Saratoga when said Regiment encamped until it
was discharged. As I further testify and say, that
I was with acquainted with said William Bowen
during the Revolutionary war, and that said William
Bowen served as a private soldier in the Continental
line, in the state thereof, and militia, at different
pan'cs (?), and in different companies, during the
principal (?) part of the revolutionary war, the prive (?)
peniad (?) of which nev'er(?) I do not now recollect.
David Maxfield
The State of Rhode Island in
County of Bristol ss. In _______ August the 17th A.D. 1833.
This day the above named David Maxfield personally appearing
before me, the Subscriber, and being sworn according to law made
oath to the truth of the above written deposition, to which he
subscribed his name in my presence, taken at the request of the
above named William Bowen to be used in his application
for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, entitled
"An Act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of certain
surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution." And I hereby
certify, that I am well acquainted with said David Maxfield
that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Attest. Levi Haile Justice of the Peace

p. 13
"The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
County of Bristol s. s.
I Samuel Randall Clerk of the
Court of Probate for the Town of Warren in said County
of Bristol, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify
Levi Haile, who has certified the taking of the
aforewritten depositions of James Goff, John Sissen, Seth Cole,
Ichabod Cole, and David Maxfield, was at the time of
taking said depositions and now is a Justice of the Peace
for said town in said County of Bristol, authorized by
by law to take depositions, and that the signatures to
the aforewritten certificates of captian, purporting to be
his, are in his proper hand writing.
The witness whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
County, at said Warren this second day of
September, A.D. 1833
Samuel Randall Clerk

The Court hereby certify, that it appears to them
that James Goff, John Sissen, Jeremiah Pearce, Seth
Cole, Ichabod Cole, and David Maxfield, who have
subscribed and sworn to the a[n]nexed (?) and aforewritten depositions
are credible persons, and that their statements are
entitled to credit.
Atty. Samuel Randall Clerk

p. 14
"March 2-1908.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
From the Adjutants (?) General's
office I rec'd the following
information:
The records above that one
William Bowen was a private of
Captain Moses White's company,
Colonel Moses Hayar's Regiment
Continental Troops, Revolutionary
War. He enlisted May 3-1778"

p. 15
"to serve during the war and was
discharged by the commander-
in-chief June 30-1788
Family records of Bowen family
give one William Bowen as being
born Sept 25-1760 making him
23 years at close of war.
Where [underlined] he was born and when [underlined] also
from what colony he enlisted
should like to have verified or
certified by official records.
Was he a pensioner?
If he were, when did the pension
cease! Can you give me date of
birth, death and also place & date
of enlistment? Mrs. Ada Goodrich"

p. 16
"PENSION
A
U. MAR S.
4
1908
OFFICE"

"RECORD
MAR
5
1908
DIVISION"

"Address
Mrs. Ada Goodrich
200 Third St.
Ft. Atherson (?)
Wisconsin"

p. 17
"I James Goff of Bristol in the County of Bristol in
the State of Rhode Island and Providence of Plantations, of the age
seventy four years & upward, being sworn according to law,
on solemn oath, do testify and say, that I have been well
acquainted with William Bowen, now resident in Warren
in the County and State aforesaid, for upwards of sixty
years, that said William Bowen served as a private
in the fore part of the month of October A.D. 1776,
said William Bowen enlisted into Captain Thomas Allen (?)
Company in Colonel John Cask's (?) Regiment of the Rhode Island
______ for the term of three months, & he served as a private soldier
in said Company in Newport in said term of three the
British fleet arrived at said Newport, when he retreated with
said company to Bristol in said State, where he served until the
expiration of said three months when he was discharged.
On or about the 16th day of June A.D. 1777, said William
Bowen enlisted into Captain Thomas' _____ Company in Colonel
Archibald Carary's (?) Regiment of the Rhode Island ___ for the
Term of nine months, and he served as a private soldier in said
Company said Regiment during said term of nine months. He was
Discharged on or about 16th of March A.D. 1778. He served a part
Of said nine months in Bristol & the remainder of said term at
Little Compton. He was at said Little Compton in said State with said
Company at the time of General ______ ________ on Rhode Island.
Julius (?) _________ was Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment
and ________ was lieutenant of said company, said
Regiment was attached to the Brigade (?) commanded by _______
General Cornell. On or about the 6th day of August 1778,
Said William Bowen was drafted in Captain Curtis ___'s
Company of Militia and served as a private soldier in said
Company twenty days in the e______tion of Major General
Sullivan, on Rhode Island. Thomas _____________
Was Lieutenant & Ichabod Cole was ______ of said company.
I served as a private soldier in the aforesaid Company &
Regiments during all the aforesaid periods, and _____ in
the same ____ with said William Bowen during all said
periods of service, for which service I have _____ a _____.
James Goff
The State of Rhode Island ss.
County of Bristol ss. In Warren, August 28th, 1833.
This day the abovenamed James Goff personally appearing before
me the subscriber & being sworn according to law, ____ oath to
the truth of the aforewritten deposition to which he subscribed
his name in my presence; then at the request of the above named
‘William Bowen to be served in his application for the benefits of the
Act of Congress passed June 7, 1833, entitled "An Act ___________
To the "Act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the
Revolution." And I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with
Said James Goff, and that he isa credible person & his statement
Is entitled to credit.
Levi Heide Justice of the Peace.

p. 18
"I John Sissen, of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State
of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations of the age of seventy five,
& upward, being sworn according to law, on solemn oath, do testify
and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as fellows (?),
in the fore part of the month of October 1776 I enlisted into
Captain Thomas Allen's Company in Colonel John Cook's (?) Regiment
of the Rhode Island line for the term of three months I served as
a private soldier in said Company during said term of three months,
and that William Bowen, now resident in said Warren, enlisted
at the same time as a private soldier in said Company &
Regiment for said term of three months & that he served as a
private soldier in said Company & Regiment during said term
of three months, at the expiration of which term he was
discharged; that this
...."

p. 19
"I Seth Cole, of Warren, in the County of Bristol in the
State of Rhode Island & Providence Planatiation of the age of
seventy three years and upward, being sworn according
to law, on solemn oath, do testify and say, that ...."

p. 20
"said Company, at that time belonged to Colonel
Wathan (?) Millan's (?) Regiment. For the fore law of the
month of September A.D. 1778, said William Bowen
volunteered and joined a corps detached by said Capt.
Curtis (?) ...."

p. 21
"of Ichabod Cole, of Warrent in the County of Bristol
in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, of the age
eighty four years and upward, being sworn according to
law, on soleum oath do testify and say, that I ...."

p. 22
"aforesaid William Bowen as he said in his application
for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1838,
entitled "An Act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of
the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution. And I
hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the said
Ichabod Cole, and that he is a credible person and his
Statement is entiled to credit.
Attest Levi Haile Justice of the Peace.

p. 23
"21654
Revolution
INVALID.
File No. 21,654
William Bowen
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1908 Mar. 10 Hish (?) to Ada
Goodrich V.L.M."
--------------------
---------------------
4 children: Elizabeth, Rebecca, William, & George W. (Family Researcher).

Children in Will: Mercy (Rogers) & Polly (Rogers) & George W. Bowen.
Grandson in Will: William Brace.

Heirs listed in the Proof Probate before Will (children & grandchildren named):
William Bowen, [son William Bowen, Jr.]
Polly Rogers, [daughter, Polly Bowen]
Mercy Rogers, [daughter, Mercy Bowen]
Ethan Daniels of the State of Ohio. [grandson from ? Bowen]
John Mills, [daughter Rebecca's son John M. Mills]
Rensselaer Mills, [daughter Rebecca's son Rensselaer Mills]
Marshall Mills, [daughter Rebecca's son George Marshall Mills]
Warren Mills, [daughter Rebecca's son Warren P. Mills]
Edward Mills, [daughter Rebecca's son Edward Mills]
Harriet Moseman, [daughter Rebecca's daughter Harriet Mills]
Eliza Mills, [daughter Rebecca's daughter Eliza A. Mills]
Pierce Belden, [daughter Rebecca's daughter Pierce Ann Mills]
Elizabeth Hunt of the State of Michigan. [daughter, Elizabeth Bowen?]
Ethan Daniels of the State of Ohio, [grandson from ? Bowen]
William Brace [daughter Lydia Bowen's son Wm. Bowen Brace?]
whose place of residence cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, heirs at law and next of kin of William Bowen late of Moravia, Cayuga County [New York].
George W. Bowen [son and Executor]
[NOTE: Daughter Rebecca died in 1847 so her children stepped forward as heirs.]

Granddaughter who testified:
Mrs. Delilah Bodine, daughter of his son William Bowen.

-----------------
A huge legal battle took place over William Bowen's recently changed Will which gave all his vast estate to only one child, George W. Bowen, instead of being divided among all of his four children as in his prior Will. The essential allegation is that George took advantage of his increasingly feable-minded father in encouraging him to execute a new will, but no fraud or duress was found by the court.
-----------------

15 Jun 1852:
P. 118 [Numbers added.]
17 Will
18 The Last Will and Testament of William Bowen of Moravia, Cayuga
19 County, New York. I William Bowen, considering the uncertainty
20 of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory
21 blessed be Almighty God for the same Do make and publish
22 this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form follow-
23 ing to wit: /1 I hereby give and bequeath unto my daughter
24 Mercy Rogers the sum of 200 Dollars (200.00)
25 /2 I hereby also give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Rogers
26 the like sum of 200 hundred Dollars (200.00) /3 I also give and
27 bequeath unto my Grand Son William Brace the sum of five
28 hundred Dollars (500.00) And Lastly I give and bequeath all
29 the remainder of my estate unto my son George W Bowen
30 to him his heirs and assigns whom I hereby appoint sole
31 Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking
32 all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have
33 hereunto set my hand and seal the fifteenth day of June
34 Eighteen hundred and fifty two. William Bowen
35 The above instrument of one half sheet of paper was at the
36 date thereof declared to us by the Testator, William Bowen to
37 be his Last Will and Testament and he then acknowledged
Pg 119
01 as each of us that he had subscribed the same and we at his re-
02 quest sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses.
03 Hugh McDowell }
04 Geo. H. Brinkerhoff } Files Cayuga County
05 _______________ }


Heirs listed in the Proof Probate before Will (children & grandchildren named):
P. 116
05 William Bowen, Polly Rogers, Mercy Rogers, Ethan
06 Daniels of the State of Ohio. John Mills, Rensselaer Mills, Marshall
07 Mills, Warren Mills, Edward Mills, Harriet Moseman, Eliza
08 Mills, Pierce Belden, Elizabeth Hunt of the State of Michigan.
09 Ethan Daniels of the State of Ohio, William Brace whose place of
10 residence cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, heirs at
11 law and next of kin of William Bowen late of Moravia, Cayuga
12 County


Proof of Probate - Will (Pages 115 - 119):
Pg 115
01 William Bowen
02 To the Surrogate of the County of Cayuga the Petition of George W Bowen
03 of the town of Moravia, County of Cayuga and the state of New York Re-
04 spectfully showeth that William Bowen late of the town of Moravia in
05 the County of Cayuga aforesaid departed this life on or about the fif
06 teenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
07 hundred and fifty four. That the said Deceased was at the time of
08 his death an inhabitant of the said County of Cayuga that he has
09 left a Last Will and Testament which is dated the fifteenth day
10 of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
11 fifty two. That in and by the said Will the said Deceased appointed
12 your Petitioner sole Executor thereof that the said Deceased left the follow-
13 ing heirs at law and next of kin, to wit: William Bowen, Polly Rogers,
14 Mercy Rogers of Huron County, in the State of Ohio and your Petitioner
15 Children of the Deceased: John Mills, Rensselaer Mills, Marshall Mills,
16 Warren Mills, Edward Mills, Harriet Moseman, Eliza Mills, Pierce
17 Belden, Elizabeth Hunt of the State of Michigan. Ethan Daniels of
18 the State of Ohio, William Brace whose place of residence cannot
19 after diligent inquiry be ascertained grand children of the Deceased
20 that the said Deceased left no widow. That said Will relates to both
21 real and personal estate that your Petitioner is desirous of proving
22 said Last Will and Testament as a Will of Real and Personal estate
23 that the same may be recorded as such in pursuance of the Stat-
24 ute in such cases made and provided your Petitioner therefore prays
25 the Surrogate aforesaid that the necessary steps may be taken be-
26 fore him for that purpose. Dated March 30, 1854. George W Bowen.
27 Cayuga County ss: George W Bowen the above Petitioner being duly
28 sworn deposes and says that the facts stated in the above

Pg 116
01 Petition by him Signed are true to the best of his knowledge
02 and belief. George W Bowen
03 Sworn this twentieth day of March, 1854 before me Jacob How Surrogate.
04 The People of the State of New York by the grace of God free and in-
05 dependent: to William Bowen, Polly Rogers, Mercy Rogers, Ethan
06 Daniels of the State of Ohio. John Mills, Rensselaer Mills, Marshall
07 Mills, Warren Mills, Edward Mills, Harriet Moseman, Eliza
08 Mills, Pierce Belden, Elizabeth Hunt of the State of Michigan.
09 Ethan Daniels of the State of Ohio, William Brace whose place of
10 residence cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, heirs at
11 law and next of kin of William Bowen late of Moravia, Cayuga
12 County, Deceased _______ you and each of you are hereby cited and
13 required personally to be and appear before our Surrogate of our
14 County of Cayuga at his office in Auburn in said County on
15 the Eighteenth day of May next at ten o'clock in the forenoon
16 of that day to attend the Proof and Probate of the Last Will and
17 Testament of the said Deceased wherein relates to both Real and
18 Personal Estate and is presented for Proof and Probate by George
19 W Bowen Executor there in named and hereof fail not.
20 In testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of
21 office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed Witness
22 Jacob R How Surrogate of said County at Auburn the
23 thirtieth day of March in the year of our Lord One
24 thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
25 Jacob R How Surrogate
26 State of New York, City and County of Albany ss: Elephalet J Burn-
27 ham of the City of Albany being duly sworn says that he is the
28 Foreman in the office of the Albany Assigns the State Paper and
29 that the notice of which the annexed is a printed copy has
30 been regularly published in said Albany _______ once in each
31 week for six weeks successively commencing on the first
32 day of April 1854. E. J. Burnham
33 Sworn before me this 10th day of May, 1854.
34 J. J. Johnson Commissioner of Deeds
35 At a Surrogate Court held at the Surrogate's office in the
36 city of Auburn in and for the County of Cayuga on the
37 eighteenth day of May A D 1854 Present: Jacob R How Surrogate

Pg 117
01 The instrument in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Tes-
02 tament of William Bowen late of Moravia in said County deceased
03 was offered for Proof and Probate as a will of real and personal es-
04 tate pursuant to the statute ______ due. Proof of the publication
05 of the citation _______ in this matter, the same was now brought
06 on to be heard and two of the subscribing witness to said Will
07 were produced in open Court and testified as follows
08 In the matter of the proof Cayuga County ss: George H
09 Probate of the Last Will and Testa- Brinkerhoff of Files in said
10 ment of William Bowen Deceased County being duly sworn
11 deposes and says I was well acquainted with William Bowen late of
12 Moravia in Said County Deceased I was present when a certain in-
13 strument in writing now here shown to me dated the fifteenth day of
14 June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two,
15 and purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of the said Deceased was
16 executed I saw the Deceased execute the said instrument by signing his name
17 to the instrument and heard him publish and declare the same _____ the day
18 that it bears date to be his Last Will and Testament the Deceased re-
19 quested me to become a subscribing witness to the execution thereof.
20 I did so and signed my name thereto as such witness in his presence.
21 The said Deceased was in my opinion at the time of the execution
22 of said instrument of a sound and disposing mind and memory and
23 in all respects Competent to make and publish a Last Will and Testa-
24 ment and to devise real estate that he was of full age and under
25 no restraint that I know of. I drew up said instrument at the request