2.1.3) William Bowling (c. 1706 – c.1787) was the son of John Bowling and Mary Langworth. He lived a long, well-documented life in Charles County with hundreds of descendants named Bowling.
His year of birth can be determined fairly closely from the age he gave at several depositions: aged 58 on 7 May 1764 and aged 60 in 14 February 1767 (Charles Co. Land Liber 56:589; 60:195). He is titled “Carpenter” in several deeds, but later “Planter”.
His wife Mary is thought to be a Boarman, partly based on families ties and a deposition by William Bowling in May 1764, at a land commission about “Keeth’s/Keeches Rest” (once owned by the Bowlings) in Newport Forrest, that mentioned William Boarman and his cousin Mary Bowling (Charles Co. Circuit Court, Liber MNo. 3, pp. 590-1). When James Boarman (of William and Monica) died intestate, letters of administration were issued to his widow Mary (Pile) Boarman on 25 October 1756 with Joseph Pile, William Bowling, and Joshua Sanders as her sureties (H.W. Newman, Maryland Semmes, p. 214). Accordingly, based on process of elimination among the many Mary Boarmans, one could guess that William Bowling’s wife Mary was the daughter of James Boarman (1687-1715, of William and Anne Neale). Mary Boarman Bowling would thus have been a first cousin of James Boarman (d. 1756) and his brother William Boarman (d. 1767) whose estate William Bowling appraised. But note that this is speculative rather than demonstrated.
William’s extensive network of friends and neighbors is seen from various Charles County court documents. He was next of kin for his brother John’s estate (1735), a witness for the will of Thomas Bates (1755), appraiser for the estates of Mary Doyne (1756) and John Montgomery (1771), mentioned in the estate proceedings of Sarah Hagan (1759) and John Gardiner (1764).
His three sons Thomas Bowling, Francis Bowling, Joseph Bowling (and grandson John Bowling) are on the March 1778 list of those who signed the Oath of Fidelity in Charles County, but written before them is the simple name “Bowling” (uniquely without a first name), perhaps that is how their father signed. The March 1778 list of adult men of Charles Co, Bryan Town Hundred, includes William Bolling and the same four other Bowlings.
William Bowling died in 1789, leaving property to his children (his detailed will is transcribed in full at the bottom of this page). His wife had predeceased him; she is recorded waiving dower on land sales up to 1755 but probably lived longer.
Land
At the last will of his father in 1711, he inherited jointly with his brother John the plantations in St. Mary’s County. His brother Thomas was devised the plantations Charley and Chessam, which William later acquired from his brother who settled in Prince George’s County.
William Bowling became a large owner of contiguous property in the vicinity of Bryantown in Charles County as evidenced by various real estate transactions. In 1731, he purchased from Richard Barron of St. Mary’s County 100 acres of Cuckhold’s Delight which bordered on Charley. He followed this in 1743 by patenting 17 acres of Venture, adjacent to Cuckhold’s Delight. In 1733/4, he and his wife sold 50 acres of St. Thomas on the west side of Pile’s Creek to Thomas Simpson. In 1740, Thomas James Boarman, Gent. assigned to him a portion of Coventry lying on the east side of Zachia Swamp, bounded by Charlie. In 1744, for £50 he purchased from Thomas James Boarman Indian Field and another adjoining being part of Boarman’s Manor, containing 152 acres (the boundary of Indian Field was later disputed and thirty years later Thomas James Boarman and William Bowling agreed to plant locust trees on the line). In 1750, he purchased 5.5 acres of Charley from Francis Wheatley (who had it from his wife’s family, the Stimsons). (CC Land M#2:263; 1642-1753 Rent Rolls Charles County, pp. 45-469; CC Land O#2:31, O#2:401; Z#2:4, V#2:252 and V#3; 524; Z#2:446).
William had several land or financial transactions with his family, through which he was able to obtain most of the family land in Charles County, since his brother Thomas had taken residence in Prince George’s County. On 14 June 1737, his brother Thomas Bowling conveyed to him 21 acres of Charley for 600 lbs tobacco. (CC Land Liber O#2:197). Most importantly, in January 1749/50, William made an arrangement with his mother and stepfather, Joseph and Mary Routhorn, to care for them during their natural lives in return for the tract Charlie and the “profits” of nine enslaved persons and the “use” of four others, as well as household furniture, etc. (CC Land Z#2:377). But this arrangement only worked for a few years for some reason, because in March 1753,”Joseph Routhorn and William Bowling of Charles County, Maryland, carpenters,” passed on the care of his parents to his brother “Thomas Bowling of Prince George’s County”. But, on 10 November 1756, presumably after the death of their mother and Thomas’ inheritance of the property, Thomas Bowling “of Prince George’s County” sold his brother William Bowling “of Charles County” 100 acres of Charley, lying on the south side of Horse Run, for 10,000 lbs of tobacco. Also, in 1760, William bought 8 acres of Chessam from his nephew Roger Bowling (Chas Co. Land. G#3: 59, G#3: 453).
In January 1755, William and his wife Mary sold property to two sons, now of age. They conveyed to “Joseph Bowling, Carpenter” 100 acres of a tract of land in Charles Co., being a part of Boarman’s Manor, bounded by William Bowling’s land and Pole Branch. To John Bowling was sold 52 acres, part of Boarman’s Manor adjoining property owned by Joseph Bowling. (Chas Co Land A#2:289, A#2:318) .
As an older man, William continued to acquire property. In 1767, he bought from Thomas James Boarman 10 acres of Coventry lying on the east side of Zachaia Swamp and adjoining Charley. On 21 October 1771, he bought from William Hagan, Sr. three tracts (73.5 acres altogether): part of Boarman’s Manor, St. James, and Hagan’s Addition on the east side of the High Road which led from Bryan Town to Newport beginning at a side of a branch which led to William Hagan’s plantation. William Hagan was apparently tidying his final affairs because he then wrote his will the following month, witnessed by three of William Bowling’s sons. (CC Land O#3:336, S#3:202).
His sons and other neighbors were witnesses when in 1781 William Bowling arranged for the deposition of Francis Wheatley, aged 57 that, between 30 and 40 years previously, Thomas James Boarman Sr and William Bowling got “old Peter Montgomery” to run a line of Marsham Warring’s land that lies in Charles County. His deposition was taken by Joshua Sanders with the following witnesses: James Boone, John Boone son of Charles, John Wheatley, Raphael Wathen, Jerome Wathen, Joseph Bowling, Thomas Bowling, Francis Bowling, John Bowling son of Joseph (Charles Co. Land Liber V#3:524).
In total, the Assessment of 1783 for Charles County showed him with the following acreage: Charley 120, Coventry 17, Boarman’s Manor 40, Chisam 8, Hagan’s Addition 73. Finally, in 1784 he purchased from Barton Wathen the part of Charley that his brother Thomas had sold him in 1761. (CC Land Z#3:61)
N.B. Also named William Bowling at this time were this man’s nephew William Langworth Bowling (1748 – 1803) of PG Co., his grandson William (b. 1760s, son of Joseph), his great-nephew William of St. Mary’s (b. 1765, son of James of Thomas), and the unrelated William Bowling of St. Mary’s Co. (apparently from Virginia).
Children of William Bowling and Mary (birth order uncertain):
2.1.3.1) John Bowling (bef. 1734 — 1791), marr. Sarah —
Children: Walter, Edward, Basil, John Francis Regis, Elizabeth Aloysius, Mary, Anne, Sarah, Priscilla. The only descendants with the surname Bowling are from John Francis Regis Bowling.
2.1.3.2) Joseph (bef. 1734 — 1790), marr. Catherine Queen
Children: Mary, John, William, Anne, James Marsham, Eleanor.
2.1.3.3) Mary Bowling (1736 — 1789/1799), marr. Joseph Boarman
In his will, William Bowling bequeathed enslaved persons and money to his daughter Mary Boarman. Mary Bowling married Joseph Boarman Sr. (1733-1800/3) before 1759 (when she waived dower). He was the son of John Baptist Boarman (1689-1750) and Elizabeth Edelen (?).
He lived in Prince George’s County. In the 1776 census of Prince George’s County, Joseph Boarman was aged 44, with wife Mary aged 40, four sons aged 21, 18, 15, 10; and 14 enslaved. In the 1790 census for Prince George’s County, his household had 5 adult males, 1 boy under 16 (who?), 1 female, and 30 enslaved. Francis Bowling’s will (1800) names his three sons at that time and in the 1800 census, he was reported in P.G. Co. with a household that looks like himself and his three sons (with wives): one male over 45, three males 26-45, one male 16-25, one female 26-45, two females 16-25 and 28 enslaved. Mary is not mentioned in her brother’s wills or her husband’s estate proceedings (1803 etc.) so she must have predeceased them. On 6 August 1803 a deed was recorded in Charles County between “Joseph Boarman, Raphael Boarman and Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman sons of the late Joseph Boarman Sr., all of Prince George’s County, Maryland and Joseph Boarman and John Baptist Boarman sons of the late Raphael Boarman of Charles County of the one part and William Barton Smoot of Charles County of the other part.” The Joseph Boarmans who were enumerated in the 1790 census for Charles County were Joseph’s cousins.
Children: Joseph Boarman, Raphael W. Boarman, and Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman (executor for his uncle Francis Bowling, see his will below), and probably a son who died between 1790 and 1800.
2.1.3.4) Thomas Jr. (bef. 1742 — 1801), single.
To distinguish him from his uncle Thomas (d. 1775), he was sometimes called “Thomas Bowling, Jr.” He often signed documents along with his brothers or father. For example, the 1764 will of John Gardiner of Charles County included mention of William Bowling and was witnessed by “Thomas Bowling, Junr.” and Henry Boarman. The 1767 will of Mary Askin was witnessed by “W., Thos, Jr., and Frans. Bowling”. The 1771 will of William Hagan of Charles County was witnessed by Francis Bowling, Joseph Bowling, Joseph Lancaster, and “Thomas Bowling, Jr”, but he was called simply Thomas Bowling as one of the estate’s appraisers in 1772. The 9 April 1763 marriage of Richard Biven and Charity Hagan was witnessed by “Thomas Bowling, Jr.” and Adriana Askin (Jesuit Md. Prov. Arch, Georgetown Univ. #6.4). Thus he is probably the Thomas Bowling, Jr., who receives a payment from the estate of his uncle Thomas (d. 1775).
Thomas apparently never married and lived at home, because in addition to several farms his father’s will (1789) gives him “liberty of one room in my house during his single life”. Then the will of his brother Francis (1800), leaves his nephew Marsham Bowling “my dwelling plantation whereon I now live being a tract of land called Charley containing 152 acres . . . provided he lets my brother Thomas Bowling live with him, have an equal use of my dwelling house and work his negroes during his natural life.”
In the 1790 federal census for Charles County, his household had only him and 10 enslaved. The elderly Thomas Bowling was enumerated in the 1800 census in Trinity Parish, Charles County near several Bowling relatives: only 1 male over 45, with 9 enslaved. He died the next year, and his will (BELOW) names a few of his nephews and nieces, as well as other friends or those in need. He named his brother Francis executor, but Francis pre-deceased him.
2.1.3.5) Francis Bowling (c. 1743 — d. 1800), single.
He was witness to various documents, e.g. appraiser of inventory of Joseph Hagan of John (1792). In the 1790 federal census for Charles County, his household is simply him and 14 enslaved.
In 1790, Joseph Boarman of Charles Co, planter, sold (his brother-in-law) Francis Bowling of Charles Co. planter, “about 9 acres and 150 perches” of Boarman’s Manor. On 8 July 1791, Joseph Boarman sold John Bowling of Charles County, planter, about 10.75 acres of Boarman’s Manor for 15£ 1 shilling, and the same day John Bowling then sold Francis 10.5 acres of that property for 15£. This John Bowling is presumably the son of Joseph Bowling, i.e. Francis’ nephew.
Francis died in September-October 1800. Knowing his death was imminent, he was able to list his property in detail, including mention of “six barrels of corn (now in the field)”. His will, abstracted BELOW, lists in detail his nieces, nephews, and other friends. He named his nephews Marsham Bowling (of Joseph) and Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman executors. He also twice mentions “Mary Worthing”, which is perhaps a spelling of Wathen, a local family.
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Will of WILLIAM BOWLING
(Signed 17 September 1787; Probated 13 March 1789 )
In the name of God Amen–
I William Bowling of Charles County in the State of Maryland being inform of body but of sound & perfect memory do now make my last Will & testament as followeth.
—Impr. I bequeath my soul to God who gave it to me and my body to the earth after my decease to be decently buried at the charge of my estate and discression of my Executors hereafter named.
—Item—I will that my just debts and funeral charges be first paid. I nominate constitute and ordain my two loving sons Thomas Bowling and Francis Bowling to be my whole and sole Executors of this my last Will & testament.
—Item—I give and bequeath unto my loving son Joseph Bowling that part of the ten acres of land I bought of Thomas James Boarman that is to say as far as the main ditch that runs through the ten acres of land to him and his heirs forever.
—Item—I give unto my son Joseph Bowling the two following Negroes Charity and Hanner & their increase, also one cow & calf and all my wearing aparel and my Sadel and bridel.
—Item—I give and bequeath unto my loving son John Bowling two Negroes, one called Abram the other Terasa and her increase also one ewe and lamb also one heifer.
—Item—I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Mary Boarman two Negroes one named Mike the other Henny & her increase –also one heifer and ther feather bed I lay on with the bolster and covering.
—Item—I give & bequeath unto my son Thomas Bowling all that tract or parcel of land that I bought of William Hagan being part of a tract of land called Hagan’s addition –also part of a tract of land called St. James and part of Boarman’s Mannor containing aand lay’d off for seventy three & a half acres of land more or less to him and his heirs forever.
—Item—I give and bequeath to my loving son Thomas Bowling the ten following Negroes. Jerry Charles Stephen Moll Nan Nell Jo. Lulda(?) Mitta and young Pat and their increase.
—Item—my will is that my son Thomas Bowling shall have liberty of one room in my house during his single life–also half my orchard & pasteredge for his creatures during the said time of his single life–my will is that my son Thomas Bowling shall let his people help to keep up the Orchard & pasture fences during the said term.
—Item—I give & bequeath unto my loving son Francis Bowling the dwelling plantation I now live on as far as my land runs next to Mr. John Medley & down to the pole branch until it comes to the main ditch that leads down the hoise Run (?) then binding with the the said ditch as far as my land runs that bing part of a tract of land called Coventry and part of Boarman’s Mannor also part of a tract called Chessam aslo the whole tract of land called Charley to him and his heirs forever also my Water Mill.
—Item—I give and bequeath unto my son Francis Bowling the ten following Negroes to wit Old Pat Bazel Bob Antony David Jane Juda Rachal Sal and Sinder and their increase.
—Item—I give unto my friend Elizabeth Clark one Negro girl named Agness during her natural life and I desire she will give the said Agness and the increase if any there be to one of my granddaughters which ever she shall think prosper.
—Item—I give five pounds currency for the use of our Chapple to be layd out in that manner that shall be thought most proper, also two pounds currency or to that value to the poor of this congregation.
—Item—my will is that what money of any country(?) I have by me at my death may be equally divided amongst my five children.
—Item—I give & bequeath unto my two sons Thomas and Francis Bowling all the remaining part of my personal estate to be equally divided between them–also I desire if there should be any Tobacco or money due me to receive after my discease it may be equally divided between my two sons Thomas and Francis when paid.
I nominate constitute and ordain this present Will to be my last Will & testament, in witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of September one thousand seven hundred & eighty seven–signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us.
Joseph Montgomery Wm. Bowling
William Montgomery of Peter
Charles Montgomery
(Charles County, Will Book AI#10, 1788-1791; pp. 56-58)
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Will of THOMAS BOWLING
(numerous scribal mistakes, esp. in beginning formula–someone has even marked them for correction)
Maryland–In the name of God. Amen;
I Thomas Bowling of Charles County in the state of Marlyand being infirm of Body but of sound and perfect memory do now make my last will and testament as followeth.
—Imprimis–I bequeth my soul to God who give it me and my Body to the earth after my desease to be decently buryed at the charge of my estate and discresion of my Executors hereafter named.—Item–I will that my just debts and funeral charges be first paid; I nominate constitute and ordain my loving Brother Francis to be my whole and soul Executor of this my last will and testament.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my ghostly farther Revd. John Baptist David, my negro woman named Nell and her increase forever and also one of my best cattle.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my God Darter Margret Boarman the two following negroes, my negro man named Stephen and my negro boy named Jo–also all my sheep, also one of my best cattle, also my feather bed which I make use of and my bolster and all my best coverings to cover the bed.
—Item–I give and bequeath to my loving niece Mary Bowling my negro boy named Lewis and my young black horse.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my god Darter Sarah Bowling my negro girl called Liddy and her increase forever.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my loving nephew John Bowling my negro man named Charles and my negro woman named Mob.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my loving nephew William Bowling my negro man called Jerry, and all my land that was left me by my farther to him forever.
—Item–I give and bequeath five pounds current money for the use of the church.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto the Rev. Charles Neal, seven pounds current money for the use of Monistary of Charles county.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto Jane More three pounds current money and five barrels of corn.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto Nancy Osborn three pounds current money and five barels of corn.
—Item–I give unto Mary Boarman my Mear that I got from her farther.
—Item–my will is that what money I have left after my debts, and those which I mentioned to be first paid, I give also the remainder of my money and also what is due me to my brother John Bowling’s darters to be equally divided among them.
—Item–I give and bequeath unto my loving brother Francis Bowling all the remainder part of my estate.
—I nominate constitute and ordain this present will to be my last will and testament. In witness hereof I have set my hand and seal this twentienth day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine.
Thomas Bowling
Sined sealed and acknowledged in the presents of us.
Edward Simms
Raphael Boarman, Jr.
Michael Boarman
(Chas. Co. AK#11, pp. 636-639; Written 20 January 1799; Recorded 12 May 1801)
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Will of FRANCIS BOWLING (abstract)
I, Francis Bowling of CC being sick and infirm of body but of sound mind and memory
To Reverend John David, five pounds current money of Maryland to offer up sacrifices for the good of my soul, also six bushels of wheat.
To nephew John Bowling (of Joseph), a parcel of land lying on the north side of a line drawn or running from my bounds post standing near branch near said John Bowlings as far as my land extends towards Francis Wheatleys.
To nephew Marsham Bowling (of Joseph), my dwelling plantation whereon I now live being a tract of land called Charley containing 152 acres, also part of another tract called Indian Fields, also part of a tract called Boarmans Manner, and also some other small parcels which I bought of different people, provided he lets my brother Thomas Bowling live with him, have an equal use of my dwelling house and work his negroes during his natural life. Also three negroes, Pat, Jenny and Jude.
To brother Thomas Bowling, negroe Elsa.
To nephew John Francis Regis Bowling (of John), negroe Davy.
To niece Elizabeth Bowling (of John) negroe Mary. Also one young bay horse three years old.
To niece Sarah Bowling (of John) negro Let.
To niece Priscillah Bowling (of John), negroe Charity.
To niece Mary Smith, negroe Linder and hogshead of good tobacco.
To niece Anne Johnson, negroe Rachel.
To niece Mary Bowling, negroe Lisha.
To sister Catharine Bowling, one cow and one ewe and one black draft horse. [Catharine = sister-in-law, widow of brother Joseph]
To nephew Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman (of Joseph), negroe Sal.
To Reverend Jno David, my riding horse.
To niece Mary Bowling, one bay draft horse.
To nephew John Bowling (of Joseph), negroe Basil, and one bay colt.
To nephew William Bowling (of Joseph), negroe Bob, two hogs and one ewe.
To nephew John Bowling (of Joseph), three hogs, one red sow and eight pigs.
To nephew Marsham Bowling (of Joseph), four hogs, and one white sow big with pigs.
To nephew Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman (of Joseph), four hogs.
To nephew Marsham Bowling (of Joseph), one ewe, and one ram lamb.
To nephew Basil Bowling (of John), four hogs and one black sow and six pigs.
To nephew Marsham Bowling (of Joseph), one Gilt and four pigs.
To nephew Walter Bowling (of John), four hogs and one ewe.
To nephew Edward Bowling (of John), negroe Killy. Also my brown Coat and Jacket.
To sister Catharine Bowling, three hogs.
To nephew Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman, one red staire {sic}.
To nephew Walter Bowling (of John) negro John.
To nephew Marsham Bowling (of Joseph, negro Joe. Also one cow and calf.
To nephew William Bowling (of Joseph), one cow and calf.
To nephew John Bowling (of Joseph), one cow and calf.
To niece Elanor (of Joseph), one heifer.
To Anne Bowling, (daughter of nephew John), one heifer.
To nephew Basil Bowling (of John), one bull.
To Mary Smith, (daughter of my niece Mary), one hogshead of good tobacco.
To Mary Worthing, one hogshead of second tobacco.
To sister Catharine Bowling, one hogshead of good tobacco.
To nephew John Bowling, one hogshead of good tobacco.
To William Bowling, one hogshead of good tobacco.
To brother Thomas Bowling, one hogshead of good tobacco. Also one china bowl and all the rest of my household furniture, I give for the use of my dwelling house.
To sister Catharine Bowling, five bushels {of wheat}
To nephew John Bowling (of Joseph), five bushels {of wheat}
To the Church, five pounds for use of the congregation. Also five pounds and six barrels of corn (now in the field) to the poor of the congregation.
To sister Catharine Bowling and her son John Bowling, twelve barrels of corn.
To Mary Worthing, three bushels of wheat
Executor: nephews Marsham Bowling (of Joseph) and Richard Bennett Aloysius Boarman
Signed: September 9, 1800 Francis Bowling
Wit: Ralph Boarman (of Thomas James), Michael Boarman, Thomas Wathen
Charles County Maryland Will Book AF-11, 1791-1801, Page 601. (Abstract by Mike Marshall)
Written September 9, 1800; probated October 7, 1800