Son of Capt. Fielder Bowie and his wife, Elizabeth Clagett (Eversfield) Bowie, was born in Nottingham, Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1771, and was educated at Charlotte Hall and in Baltimore. He received from his father a farm near Queen Anne, which the latter had inherited from Allen Bowie, Sr., and there he resided for a number of years prior to his marriage in February, 1801, to his third cousin, Mary Mackall Wootton, widow of Turner Wootton, and oldest daughter of Gov. Robert Bowie. The cousins had grown up together in Notting- ham, and young Bowie early lost his heart with his fair relative, who is said to have been one of the beauties of her day. She at that time preferred Mr. Wootton, a talented and wealthy Prince Georgian, living near Queen Anne, at his ancestral home, "Essington," and married him in 1794. After achieving an enviable reputation in the State Legislature, Mr. Wootton died in 1797, leaving his widow with one child, William Turner Wootton, named for his grandfather. Thomas Contee Bowie had not outlived his early attachment, and, after the death of Mr. Wootton, again offered his hand. Some of his impassioned love letters (in the possession of his descendants long years after his death) proved him an eloquent suitor. He was rewarded for his patience and persever- ance by winning the hand of the beautiful widow four years after her first husband's death. Thus was brought into one two straight lines of descent from John Bowie, Sr. Thomas C. Bowie was named in honor of his father's old friend and partner. Col. Thomas Contee, of "Brookefield," and is described as a man of splendid physique, remarkably handsome, possessing unusual muscular strength and mental energy. He inherited the family love of politics and was a frequent and eloquent speaker on the hustings. Some of his speeclies, preserved by the family, ably present his views in clear, vigorous language, indicating considerable talent, and, further, that he was a candidate for office, but his election is not shown. He is said to have been a man of quick temper, determined will, and prompt to adjust a difficulty without resort to the courts. As illustrative of this trait, an advertisement which he inserted in the Annapolis Gazette of February 13, 1806, is of interest. He offered twenty-five dollars for the return of a runaway servant boy, and added, " I have good reason for believing the Negro has been enticed away and is being harbored by a very disreputable person; I will, therefore, give an additional fifty dollars for such information as will enable me to justify my feelings by inflicting proper punishment upon that dishonorable scoundrel." Upon the death of his brother, Allen, he was made administrator of the estates of his father and brother, and was bonded by his uncle. Dr. John F. Bowie, and Gov. Robert Bowie, his father-in-law. After his marriage he resided at "Essington" during the minority of his stepson, William Turner Wootton, for whom he was appointed guardian. He died suddenly April, 1813, in the prime of life and was buried at "Essington." That he was a good business man is shown by the settlement of his estate.