George BOWERS ¹

   Another name for George was Joh. George BAUR.³

  Birth Notes:

See Research note for Henry Bowers, Sr. regarding possible, though not proven, birth and christening dates.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military Service: 1780, Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. ⁶

From Appendix A of Historic Shepherdstown, which lists Revolutionary War soldiers connected with Shepherdstown and its environs: "Bowers, George. Drafted into the army in 1780 out of Captain Campbell's militia company."

2. Tax List: 1782-1813, Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. ^{7 8 9 10}

Real Property:

1782: George Bower, 100a, value [in pounds] 50.0.0

1783-1784: [records appear to be missing]

1785: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1786: [records appear to be missing]

1787: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1788: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1789: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1790: [Unreadable]

1791: George Bowers [details unreadable]

1792: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1793: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1794: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1795: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.10.8

1796: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1797: George Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1798: Geo Bowers, 100a, value 35.16.8

1799: George Bowers, 100a, value $120

1800: [not found -- difficult to read]

1801: George Bowers, 100a, value $120

1802: [not found -- difficult to read]

1803: George Bowers, 95a, value $115.20


Personal Property:

1783: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List (No.3)
George Bower: 1 white tithable, 4 horses, 3 cattle, value [in pounds] 0.18.9

1784: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
George Bower: 1 white tithe, 4 horses, 3 cattle, value 0.18.9

1785: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
George Bowers: 1 white male 21+, 3 horses, 3 cattle, value 0.18.4 1/2

1786: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
George Bowers: 1 white male 21+, 2 horses, 3 cattle, value 0.14.9

1787: 1st Battalion, entered 4 Sep
George Bowers: 1 white males 21+, 3 horses, 5 cattle

1788: 1st Battalion, entered 20 Aug
George Bowers: 3 horses

1789: 1st Battalion, entered 7 Oct
George Bowers: 3 horses

1790: 1st Battalion, James Wilson Commissioner, entered 9 Aug
George Bowers: 1 white male 16+, 4 horses

1791: 1st Battalion, James Wilson Commissioner, entered 10 Jun
George Bowers: 1 white male 16+, 4 horses

1792: 1st Battalion, James Wilson Commissioner, entered 14 Jun
George Bowers: 1 white male 16+, 4 horses

1793: James Wilson Commissioner
George Bowers, 1 white male 16+, 3 horses

1794: James Wilson Commissioner
George Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 3 horses.

1795: Winn Winship Commissioner
Bowers, Geo & son, 2 white males 16+, 3 horses

1796: Winn Winship Commissioner
Bowers, George & son, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1797: Winn Winship Commissioner
Bowers, George, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1798: Winn Winship Commissioner
Bowers, George, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1799: William Slaughter Jr. Commissioner
Bowers, George, 1 white male 16+, 3 horses
[Note that at the same time as George dropped down to only one while male 16+ in his household, a Christopher Bowers appears on the same tax lists. It seems likely that Christopher was George's eldest son, born about 1778, even though he is not mentioned in George's 1810 will.]

1800: William Slaughter Jr. District
Bowers, George, 1 white male 16+, 3 horses
[Note that while Christopher Bowers -- see 1799 list -- does not appear, a Christian Bowers appears near Boston Bowers.]

1801: William Slaughter Jr. District
Bowers, George, 1 white male 16+, 3 horses
[While Christopher/Christian Bowers does not appear, Boston Bowers now has 2 white males 16+ in his household.]

1802: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 3 white males 16+, 4 horses
[The increase from 1 to 3 taxable white males may indicate Christopher/Christian returned home. Since Boston is not separately listed, perhaps he also joined George's household. But, it may also be the case that the sons named in George's will were beginning to reach taxable age. Not enough is known about the ages of the sons named in George's will to be sure one way or the other.]

1803: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 4 white males 16+, 5 horses

1804: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 4 white males 16+, 4 horses

1805: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 4 white males 16+, 7 horses

1806: James Wilson District
[No entry found for George.]

1807: [Tax District for Bowers seems to be missing]

1808: [No Tax Lists for this year]

1809: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 4 white males 16+, 8 horses

1810: James Wilson District
Bowers, George, 4 white males 16+, 8 horses
[Presumably the 4 white males 16+ were George, Jacob, Henry and George Jr. John, the youngest, appears to have been under 16 when George died.]

1811: James Wilson District
Bowers, Jacob, 3 white males 16+, 8 horses
[Jacob, presumably George's oldest son, became head-of-household after George's death.]

1812: Wm Riddle District
Bowers, Henry (of Geo), 3 white males 16+, 8 horses
[Query whether there is any significance to Jacob no longer being considered the head-of-household.]

1813: James Wilson District
Bowers, Geo Jr & Henry, 4 white males 16+, 9 horses
[Again, query whether there is any significance that Jacob was not named as a co-head-of-household. It also appears John reached taxable age this year.]

3. Agreement: 1788, Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. ¹¹

Agreement, Dated 26 Feb 1888, Recorded 17 Jun 1788, Deed Bk 8:269

[This represents my best effort to faithfully transcribe the Agreement, adding only such punctuation as I believe was necessary for clarity. I have transcribed this Agreement because I believe it is revealing about the personal dynamics of this family and about the kind of farm they had. In reading this Agreement I was struck by a couple of things: first, although it is clearly intended to serve as a will substitute, at least as far as George was concerned, it does not read like Henry expected to be dead by June; and second, the distrust each had for the other is palpable, suggesting their relationship had deteriorated over the years. It appears as if each thought the other might try to take advantage of him. They even believed punitive damages were necessary to secure compliance with the Agreement. It's probably just as well that Henry died within a few months, otherwise the stage was set for protracted feuding and litigation.]

"Articles of an Agreement made and concluded this 26th day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty eight Between Henry Bowers Senior of the County of Berkeley State of Virginia of the One Part and Geo Bowers of the same County and State aforesaid of the Other[.] [W]itnyseth that the said Henry Bowers hath Rented unto him the said George Bowers all that Tract of Land or Plantation which the said Henry Bowers at Present Occupies containing 100 Acres during life of the said Henry Bowers and his Wife Catharine Bowers and after the Death of the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers said Land is to be the Property of the said George Bowers but should the said George Bowers die before the said Henry Bowers or Catherine Bowers the Widow of the said George Bowers is to keep Possession of said Land in such form and Conditions as will be hereafter Mentioned as long as she Remains unmarried but should she bind herself in the bands of wedlock his [her new husband] Claim to said Land shall be Void and of none effect and the bodily Children of the said Geo Bowers shall be instituted Propietors of said Land but it shall be at the Opinion of the said George Bowers whether they all or only one of his Children shall be Peacebable Possessors of said Land and Plantation[.] [T]he said George Bowers his heirs or Assigns are to pay unto them the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers during life year by year and every year the one third Part of all produce that is of all grains Pulse or any fruit whatsoever is Raised upon said Plantation during the life of the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers for the use of said Land. The said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers except for themselves for their Own use and behoof the Old House in which they at the Presents lives the Smoke house as also the use of one half the Corn for their Grain and Stallege for ther cattle[.] [T]hey the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers also except for their own use and behoof all that field of grown[?] January[?] the barn and all the fruit Trees therein at Present Planted and the[y] furthermore except to themselves the walk for their Cattle and Poultry without Restriction and the Liberty of Raising such a number of Cattle and Poultry as they Please[.] The said Henry Bowers and Catherine Bowers also except the Old Garden for themselves with the Liberty of making Pailings for said fence as also Locust Potts and should the fence of the large field already mentioned be Rotten said Henry Bowers is to find other Rails for the said fence wherever he may and can and find Timber upon said Plantation ahead of mentioned[.] [F]urthermore should the Old house want a Roof the said Henry Bowers is to cover it upon his own Cash[?] the Timber for the Shingles is to be taken from the Plantation already Mentioned[.] The said George Bowers is to keep the cover of the barn in such condition that New Grain may be Safe from being damaged and if any New Roof is wanting they said George Bowers is to find the Shingles and Nails and to Pay the workmen and geat[?] the cost of all Changes whatsoever[.] [S]hould any Pastures be upon said Plantation in any of the Fields both Parties shall have the liberty to Put their Creatures therein[.] The said George Bowers intends to Clear one acre of Land for a garden and whatsoever as the sd George Bowers shall Raise in that Piece of Ground Mentioned the said George Bowers is to give no Part thereof unto the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers it being excepted the said Henry Bowers and Catharine Bowers[.] Except also this should the[y] clear any Land upon said Plantation the[y] shall have all the Produce thereof as long ever they think fit, and all the Grain at Present in the Ground is and shall be the Property of the said Henry Bowers and Catherine Bowers and they except the time Allotted by Nature to Clear the field[.] <A>nd for the better Performance of the Above Articles they Parties mutually bind themselves their Heirs and Assigns in the Penal Sum of One Thousand Pounds Current Money. In witness whereof they have interchangebly affixed their hands and seal the day and year above written."

Signed by George Bowers and Henry Bowers
Witnessed by John Shover, Valentine Lindy and George (his mark) Panten

"N. B. Whereas Henry Bowers and George Bowers have agreed upon the[this?] day of February 1788 Concerning a Tract of Land they said Parties have agreed furthermore in the following Articles[.] That no Wood is to be sold from said Land by no Party except Dead wood and that both Parties have liberty to burn as much as the[y] please[.] The above is included in the Penalty within as witness their hands and seal.

Signed by George Bowers and Henry Bowers
Witnessed by John Shover, Valentine Lindey and George (his mark) Panten

On 17 Jun 1788, this Indenture of Writing was proved in court by the oath of Valentine Lindy, a witness thereto, and was ordered to be recorded.

4. Estate Administration: 1810, Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. ⁴

Will of George Bowers, Book 4:344

"In the name of God, amen. I George Bowers Senior of the County of Berkeley and Commonwealth of Virginia, being sick and weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding, do therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in manner anf form following; That is to say:

First and principally, I commit my soul into the hands of almighty God, and my body to the earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor herein after named, and after my debts and funeral charges are paid, I devise and bequeath as follows:

I give and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Burke one bed, bedsted and all belonging or appertaining to the said bed and also one chest to have the sd bed immediately after my decease, and I also devise give and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Burke the sum of one hundred and five dollars to be paid to her or her heirs, by my executor herein after named whenever my youngest son John Bowers shall attain to the age of Twenty one years.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Bowers one mare by name Poll to have the said mare immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry Bowers, one horse, Fox by name, to have the said horse immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son George Bowers one mare, Nell by name, and to have the said mare immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son John Bowers, one Ball [?] horse to have the said horse immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Bowers one good bed bedsted and beding and a side saddle that she calls hers to have both immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Bowers all my Property both real & personal not already disposed of to her until my youngest son John Bowers shall arive to the age of twenty one years and that my sons Jacob Bowers, Henry Bowers, and George Bowers, may have liberty to farm the Land that I die seised and possessed of until my son John Bowers shall be twenty one years of age, on the express condition that they give my wife Margaret Bowers one third of all that shall be made or raised on the plantation and that they Clothe and Board my son John Bowers so as not to lessen his share when a division shall take place and in case they shall neglect to do as above directed or in case my wife shall be dissatisfied with their conduct or treatment, in either of which case she shall be at full liberty to rent the place above mentioned to whom she will until my son John Bowers shall be twenty one years of age.

Item. It is my will and desire that when my youngest son John Bowers shall attain the age of twenty one years that all my Property both real and personal be sold and that my wife Margaret Bowers receive one third of the money, after my daughter Catharine Burke shall have received her legacy; and the rest and residue of the money I devise and bequeath to be equally divided among my sons Jacob Bowers, Henry Bowers, George Bowers and John Bowers and my daughter Mary Bowers their heirs and assigns in equal portion, share and share alike.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my sons Jacob Bowers and Henry Bowers, the only executors of this my last will and testament, revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this second day of May in the year of our Lork one thousand eight hundred and ten."

Signed by George [his mark] Bowers

Witnessed by Enoch Matthews, Henry Bowers Jr., and George Bender

Proved in court on 18 Jun 1810 by the oaths of Enoch Matthews and Henry Bowers Jr. and recorded in Book 4, Page 344. Jacob and Henry Bowers also appointed as co-exeutors.

George married Margaret. (Margaret was born about 1743 ¹² and died on 7 Jul 1833 in Berkeley County, (West) Virginia ¹³.)