Andrew BOWER (Sr.) ¹

   Another name for Andrew was Andrew BOWERS.

  Research Notes:

Proving this Family:

This family has not been proven by conventional documentation; instead, it is a construct from connections that are highly suggestive of a family relationship. I am comfortable these connections "prove" the family, but I appreciate that others may disagree.

Tracking Andrew and his Family:

1753-c1769

Andrew was born in York County, Pennsylvania and probably lived there until about 1769, the year when it appears his father and family moved to Frederick County, Virginia. They settled in the area that later became Berkeley County, Virginia. [At the time of the Civil War, Berkeley County became part of West Virginia.]

c1769-1786

Revolutionary War pension records establish Andrew lived in Berkeley County, Virginia in 1777, when he joined the Virginia Line of the Continental Army. Personal property tax lists after the War establish Andrew continued to live in Berkeley County. He was listed with Henry Sr., George, Jacob and Henry Jr., which I submit is convincing evidence these were his father and brothers.

1788-1797

Since my working theory has been that Andrew married a Campbell, I thought he may have followed the Berkeley County Campbells to Rockbridge County, Virginia. Sure enough, personal property tax lists show an Andrew Bowers lived in Rockbridge County from 1788-1797. His was the only Bowers family there at the time. While his presence there does not prove Andrew married a Campbell, it is at least consistent with that theory. Unfortunately, no records have yet been found that connect Andrew to any of the many Campbell families in Rockbridge. Deed records, however, show Catherine was the given name of Andrew's wife. Hopefully, more research into the Campbell family will ultimately prove she was a Campbell and lead to the identification of her family.

Research to date suggests Andrew may have formed a friendship with John Hill of Rockbridge County. Andrew purchased his Rockbridge land from John and Catherine [James] Hill and John Hill was the witness to the sale of such land after Andrew had moved to Grayson County, Virginia. John Hill, as well as his father, also moved to Grayson County. By 1810, these Hill families had moved to Grainger County, Tennessee. After the death of John Hill in Grainger County, his widow and second wife, Nancy, became the second wife of Andrew Bowers (Jr.). For information about these Hill families, see http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mjr6387&id=I185541.

1798-1812

Another working theory of mine for many years has been that the Andrew Bowers, who tax lists show lived in Grayson County, Virginia from 1798 to 1812, was the father of Andrew (Jr.) who later settled in Grainger County, Tennessee. The discovery of Andrew in Rockbridge County supports that theory, for deed records there show Andrew lived in Grayson County when he sold his Rockbridge land in 1799. Grayson County records indicate not only the existence of Andrew (Jr.), but also of George and possibly William, who were also probably older sons.

The John Hill connection discussed above may explain why Andrew Bowers (Jr.) selected Grainger County when he struck out on his own. Although no family connection with the Hills is known to have existed, apart from the later marriage of Andrew (Jr.) and Nancy Hill, John Hill's widow, it may well be that the Bowers and Hill families were close enough so that Andrew (Jr.) followed the Hills to Grainger County. At the very least, the Hill family history shows that Grainger County was a destination for more than one Grayson County family.

[ N.B. Unlike Berkeley and Rockbridge Counties, there were other Bowers families in Grayson County. There was a Jacob Bowers, who appeared on the 1793 Wythe County, Virginia tax list and seems to have lived in the area that became Grayson County in 1793. While he does not appear on the personal property tax lists of Grayson County, he does appear in a 20 Mar 1804 deed (not recorded until Mar 1814 deed at Bk 3, p 186), in which he (name spelled Bougher) sold 395 acres on Wilson Creek to Robert Parson. Note that Andrew's brother, Jacob, lived in Berkeley County until 1799. There was also Peter Bowers, who first appeared on the 1796 personal property tax list for Grayson County. He appeared annually on the tax lists through 1807. By deeds dated 21 Jun and 1 Jun 1813 (one of the deeds was probably misdated) (Bk 3, p 149-150) (also see tax deed at Bk 3, p 370 in Dec 1816), Peter and Matilda Bowers of Ashe County, North Carolina sold their property on New River and Ben's Creek to William Welsh. That Peter and Matilda Bowers moved to Ashe County after 1807 is confirmed by purchases of land there in 1810. Peter appears in the 1810 and 1820 censuses for Ashe County, North Carolina. He does not appear to be related to Andrew. (Those interested in Peter's family are advised to contact Mac Hartsock at hartsockl@hotmail.com.) Finally, there was a John Bowers who appeared once on the 1803 tax list, who was too old to be the John who was Andrew's son. Might he have been Andrew's brother?]

1813-1825

Andrew's whereabouts from 1813-1825 are still unknown. There was an Andrew Bowers in Montgomery County, Virgina. He received a land grant there in 1805, which is when our Andrew lived in Grayson County. He appears on tax lists sporadically (these particular tax lists are very difficult to read) from 1813 to 1824. While that would a pretty good fit for our Andrew, we don't really know whether the Montgomery County Andrew wasn't there as early as 1805, since the tax lists for that time begin with 1813. Moreover, the Montgomery County Andrew never has any other male in his household over the age of 16, which our Andrew certainly had. Finally, beginning in 1822, a Jacob Bowers joins this Andrew in the tax lists. This Jacob is too old to be our Andrew's Jacob and he also appears in later records when it is clear our Andrew's Jacob had moved to Grainger County, Tennessee.

1826-1831

That brings us to the 1826 enumeration list for Grainger County, Tennessee, which is where we begin to flesh out the rest of Andrew's (Sr.) family. Although grouped with the tax lists of the period, the 1826 list was referred to as an enumeration and contained no tax information. The following Bowers were listed: David Bower and Andrew Bower (Sr.) in Capt. Wm. Sharp's company and Andrew Bower (Jr.) and John Bower in Capt. Atkins' company. In 1827, Henry Bower was added to the tax list, in 1829 William Bower was added, and in 1831 Jacob Bower was added. [It is interesting that Andrew Bower (Sr.) does not appear in any tax list from 1827-1831. I believe this is because he was too old to be taxed. It appears the only reason he appeared on the 1826 list was that it was an enumeration of free white males.] This confluence of Bowers in the latter half of the 1820s and early 1830s suggests the rest of the Bowers family had decided to join Andrew (Jr.), who came to Grainger County about 1815, and John, who came to Grainger County about 1823. But, by the early 1830s, all but Andrew (Jr.) and John had moved on.

1831-1833

Andrew's (Sr.) son, David Bowers, moved to Indiana in the early 1830s, finally settling in Shelby County. He is the source of most of the family connections that can be shown. First, he gave a power of attorney in connection with the Estate of John Bowers, Dec'd of Grainger County, in which he stated he was one of John's brothers. Second, David can also be connected to Jacob Bower of Marion County, Missouri, by virtue of the fact David's son, Jacob, moved from Indiana to Missouri and lived with or nearby his brother Jacob. Finally, David can also be connected to Henry Bower of Montgomery County, Indiana, by virtue of the fact that Henry's son, Oliver, not only married in Shelby County, but also married a Talbert, a family which was associated with David and also a family into which Jacob, presumed son of Andrew (Jr.), married. Henry Bower and Andrew Bower (Sr.) moved to Montgomery County, Indiana in the early 1830s, where Andrew (Sr.) died in 1833.

To summarize, Andrew (Sr.) is connected to Henry, who is connected to David, who is connected to John (and Andrew (Jr.) by virtue of the connection to John) and to Jacob. Only William of the Grayson County and Grainger County records has not been found. Note that Jacob was the only son to live until the 1880 census and in that census he stated his father and mother were born in Pennsylvania.

Possible Daughters:

One would expect Andrew (Sr.) and Catherine also had daughters, but none, except possibly Clarissa Bowers of Grainger County, Tennessee, has been identified. Clarissa married James Brock in Grainger County on 2 Aug 1846. In the 1850 census, James and Clarissa were neighbors of Andrew's (Jr.) married daughters. She was age 43 in 1850, which means she was born about 1807 and was married at about age 39. While she may have been a spinster daughter of Andrew (Sr.) who remained in Grainger County with her brothers who stayed there, she might also have been a childless widow of an unknown son.] ^{3 4 5 6}

  Death Notes:

The cited source does not itself provide any source for Andrew's date of death, but such date is consistent with the probate of his estate in 1834. The primary source for the date of his death still needs to be found.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military Service: 1777-1781, Virginia. ¹

Andrew Bower served three separate 3 month terms in the Revolutionary War: first, in 1777 he entered into service in Berkeley County, Virginia and served as a fifer in P Company under Captain Isaac Evans; second, in 1781 he again entered into service in Berkeley County, Virginia, but as a substitute for Robert Campbell, and served as a private under Captain William Porter (under General Muhlenberg); and third, shortly after his discharge from his second term, he entered service a third time as a private under Captain Permeter (either Horace or John).

2. Tax List: 1783-1786, Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. ³

1783: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List (No.3)
Andrew Bowers: 1 white tithable, 1 horse, 2 cattle, value 0.12.6 Lbs

1784: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
Andrew Bowers: 1 white tithe, 1 horse, 2 cattle, value 0.12.6 Lbs

1785: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
Andrew Bowers: 1 white male 21+, 2 horses, 2 cattle, value 0.7.3 Lbs

1786: 1st Battalion, James McCalisters List
Andrew Bowers: 1 white male 21+, 1 horse, 1 cattle, value 0.12.3 Lbs

3. Tax List: 1788-1797, Rockbridge County, Virginia. ⁴

1788 - Joseph Walker District
Andrew Bowers listed 14 Apr; 1 taxable white male 16+, 1 horse

1789 - Hugh Barclay District
Andw Bowers listed 30 May; 1 taxable white male 16+, 2 horses

1790 - Hugh Barclay Jr. District
Andw Bowers listed 3 Jun; 1 taxable white male 16+, 2 horses

1791 - Hugh Barclay Jr. District
Andw Bowers listed 9 Jun; 1 taxable white male 16+, 2 horses

1792 - Andrew Alexander District
Andrew Bowers listed 17 Apr; 1 taxable white male 16+, 3 horses

1793 - Andrew Alexander District
Andw Bowers listed 17 Mar; 1 taxable white male 16+, 3 horses

1794 - Andrew Alexander District
Andw Bowers listed 20 Mar; 1 taxable white male 16+, 3 horses

1795 - William Bailey District
Andrew Bowers listed 30 Apr; 1 taxable white male 16+, 1 horse

1796 - Hawkins Windell District
Andw Bowers listed 10 May; 1 taxable white male 16+, 1 horse

1797 - James Steele District
Andw Bowers listed 20 May; 1 taxable white male 16+, 1 horse

[Although the name of the Tax Commisioner changed over time, Andrew was always listed in the second of the two tax districts.]

4. Deed: 1794, Rockbridge County, Virginia. ⁷

Dated 10 Feb 1794, Recorded 1 Apr 1794, Bk C:47
John Hill and Catherine his wife of Rockbridge County, Virginia to Andrew Bowers of Rockbridge County, Virginia; 180 pounds Virginia for 123 acres on the waters of Buffaloe Creek; adjoining James Hamilton, James Davies, and Gose.

5. Deed: 1799, Rockbridge County, Virginia. ⁸

Dated 1 Oct 1799, Recorded 1 Oct 1799, Delivered to Buyer 18 Apr 1800, Book D:157
Andrew Bower and Caty his wife of Grayson County, Virginia to Matthias Firestone of Rockbridge County; $400 for 123 acres on the waters of Buffalo Creek. Metes and Bounds description references James Hamilton and Gose. Signed by Andrew Bower and Carathrine (her mark) Bower. Witnessed by John Hill, Jas. Finney and Jesse Hiatt. Wife's name spelled Cathrine in record of acknowledgement.

[It appears Andrew and Catherine returned to Rockbridge County in order to consumate this sale, since it was acknowledged in Court and she was examined regarding her dower rights.]

6. Tax List: 1798-1812, Grayson County, Virginia. ^{9 10}

Code: Number of white males above 16 - Blacks above 12 - Blacks above 16 - Horses, mares, colts and mules.

1798: Andrew Bowers, 1 white male 16+, 1 horse

1801: Andrew Bowers, 1 white male 16+, 2 horses

1802: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses [Suggests first son, presumably George, was born about 1785]

1803: Andrew Bowers, 1 white male 16+, 2 horses

1804: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses [Suggests second son, possibly William, was born about 1787]

1805: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1806: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1807: Andrew Bowers, 1 white male 16+, 2 horses

1809: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses [Suggests third son, presumably Andrew Jr., was born late 1791 or 1792]

1810: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1811: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

1812: Andrew Bowers, 2 white males 16+, 2 horses

7. Deed: 1799, Grayson County, Virginia. ^{11 12}

By deed dated 27 Aug 1799, Thomas Blair sold 236 acres on Chestnut Creek, a branch of New River, to Andrew Powers [sic] for 90 pounds current money of Virginia. This land was originally part of a tract of 339 acres bearing the date 25 Jun 1785.

8. County Road Order: 1806, Grayson County, Virginia. ^{12 13}

On 27 Aug 1806, it was ordered (1) that "Philip Gaines, Greenberry McKenzie, George Jones and Andrew Bowers be appointed to view the nearest and best way for a wagon road from the forks of the road in Blair's old coaling ground to the Brush Creek road near George Jone's and make a report thereof to court" and (2) that "Greenberry McKenzie, Andrew Bowers, Jacob Linberry and Jeremiah Coulson be appointed to view the road from Crooked Creek by the Cover ford on Chestnut Creek to Grayson courthouse and make report."

9. Court: 1809, Grayson County, Virginia. ¹⁴

At the April term 1809 of the Virginia Superior Court, bills of indictment were returned against the following persons for breach of the peace: George Bowers, Andrew Bowers, John McMullin, James Leonard and Jonathan Bentley.

At the Sept term 1809 of the Virginia Superior Court, all those indicted at the April term were found guilty of assault, except John McMullin for whom no entry was found. George was fined $1.00, Andrew was fined $.12, James Leonard was fined $.50, and Jonathan Bentley was fined $.01. The fines suggest George was judged primarily to be at fault.

[It is not clear whether this record is for Andrew Sr. or Andrew Jr. Since George seemed to be the instigator of whatever took place, I suspect it was Andrew Jr. who was involved. Andrew Jr. was then 17 years old.]

10. Militia: 1809, Grayson County, Virginia. ¹⁵

"BOWERS, ANDREW, on Grayson County Militia Delinquents list of 1809."

The Grayson Co. militia "was composed of all able bodied men in a county between the ages of 18 and 45, and in Grayson County militia musters were held monthly. Those that did not attend were fined 75 cents per absence which was collected at the end of the year. The year 1809 was a bad year for militia attendance and many were fined."

[It is unclear whether this record applies to Andrew Sr. or Andrew Jr. Andrew Sr. would have been 56 in 1809 and thus was too old for the militia, but Andrew Jr. did not become 18 until 6 Nov 1809. Most likely it was for Andrew Jr., even though he was not listed as a Jr. It appears he may have missed an end of the year muster.]

11. Deed: 1812, Grayson County, Virginia. ^{12 16}

By deed dated 26 Oct 1812, Andrew Bowers sold 215 acres on Chestnut Creek, branch of New River, to Robert Smith for $215. This land was originally part of a 339 acre tract of land bearing the date 25 Jun 1785.

[Note that there is a 21 acre difference between what was purchased and what was sold. Since son, George, remained in Grayson Co., did he take this 21 acres?]

12. Tax List: 1826, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹⁷

1826 Capt Wm Sharp Company: #46 Andrew Bower

[This Andrew was Andrew (Sr.), who along with his son David at #45 made their first (and in the case of Andrew (Sr.) his only) appearance in the records of Grainger County. Andrew Bowers (Jr.), who had resided in Grainger County since 1815, appeared in Capt. Atkin's Company along with his brother John.]

13. Military Pension: 1833, Montgomery County, Indiana. ¹

Pension Declaration [transcribed as it was written]:

"State of Indiana
Montgomery County

"On this 19th day of March 1833, Personally appeared in open court before John R. Porter, President Judge & James Stitt and Absalom Ketcham associate Judges of the Circuit Court of the County aforesaid now sitting Andrew Bower a resident in the County of Montgomery aforesaid & State aforesaid aged Eighty years. Who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of congress passed June 7th 1832 -- That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein stated, namely under Capt. Isaac Evans (colonel name not recollected) in the year 1777 as fifer in P company, which was not long after the battle at German town & the British lying in Philadelphia at the time. that he entered the service at Barkley County Virginia, and continued in the service on this call for the term of three months in the Militia Service -- principally engaged in scouting parties. watching the movements of the enemy. that he was honorably discharged by his said captain by orders from General whose name he is not sure of but which discharge is lost by time & accident. that Afterwards in the year 1781 this applicant again entered the service in the Militia as a Substitute for Robert Campbell in the company commanded by Wm Porter. went from Bartley Co. Va , and Entered the service under General Mulenburgh and served for three months. principally engaged in watching the enemy. and at the expiration of this term we left the Brish at or near Richmond, Va. where we were relieved & returned home. Soon after we returned home, another call was made and this applicant again entered the service in the Millitia under Capt. Horace Permeter (or perhaps John Permeter) for three months. in this tour Lord Cornwallis & troops surrendered at Little York. after which this applicant about the expiration of this last term or soon there after it he was again discharged. that he received pay in congress or continental paper which was of little or no value to him. that he has no documentery evidence & knows of no person living by whom he can prove his services whose testimony he can procure.

"[T]hat he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declairs that his service is not to his knowledge or belief on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State.

[The next paragraph from the Declaration appears to be in response to the standard interrogatories propounded by the Court. Unfortunately, no answers were recorded for the interrogatories that dealt with where he lived when he was called into service and where he had lived since the war.]

"That he was born in York County Pennsylvania. have no record of his age at this time. was born from best information in the year 1753 -- 16th of February -- he was drafted into service the first & last time -- he was a substitute the second time -- each a tour was 3 months in all nine months or a little over. that he did receive regular discharges for said terms but has lost the same . . . Laverna Hays [followed by a blank which presumably was reserved for the name of Daniel Daugherty] of his present neighborhood can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution."

/s/ Andrew Bower

Sworn to in open court
March 19th 1833
/s/ John Wilson Clk

[The next paragraph contains statements of support by his neighbors.]

"We Laverner Hays and [left blank, although it appears Daniel Daugherty's name should have been inserted] in the County of Montgomery State of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Andrew Bower who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be Eighty years of age. that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. and that we concur in that opinion. /s/ Lavener (his mark) Hays and Daniel Daugherty."

[The final final paragraphs reflect the findings of the Circuit Court and the Certification by the Clerk]

"And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states -- and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Laverner Hays and Daniel Daugherty, who has signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. /s/ John R. Porter, James Stitt and Absalom Ketcham

"I John Wilson clerk of the court of Montgomery County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Andrew Bower for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 19th day of March AD. 1833. /s/ John Wilson Clk"

Certificate of Pension:

A Certificate of Pension was issued to Andrew Bowen of Montgomery County, Indiana on 29 May 1833. It was numbered 13598 and was recorded in Book E, Vol. 7, Page 105. The pension was for $31.00 per year, beginning 4 Mar 1831. He was entitled to arrears of $62.00 from 4 March 1831 to 4 March 1833. It appears the semi-annual allowance of $15.50 for the next six months was added to the arrears, resulting in a total payment of $77.50. Query whether he received the next semi-annual payment since he died 3 Nov 1833.

A letter written by Andrew to the Pension Department appears in the file, in which he asks the Certificate be amended to reflect his name was Andrew Bower, not Andrew Bowen. [Somehow it seems fitting that Andrew encountered the same problem that has caused me much grief in my years of research.] The Certificate was amended, although the jacket cover for the pension file continued thereafter to identify him as Bower, Andrew or Bowen.

14. Estate Administration: 1834, Montgomery County, Indiana. ¹⁸

The Probate File for Andrew Bower contains only a Settlement of the Estate dated 11 Aug 1834, along with accompanying vouchers. Nonetheless, it contains useful information: Henry Bower is identified as the Administrator of the estate; it appears Henry was Andrew's caregiver in his later years; the only asset of the estate was the Revolutionary War pension that had been awarded Andrew in 1833; and certain statements by Henry in his voucher suggest they came to Montgomery County, Indiana about 1831, which corresponds to the time they left Grainger County, Tennessee. Set forth below are summaries of the Settlement and Henry's voucher in support of same.

The only asset of the estate was $82.83, being the amount of pension payments received by Henry after Andrew's death. Expenses of Administration paid to persons other than Henry included $4.72 to John Wilson for county court clerk's fees, $4.50 to Major Anderson for a coffin, and $7.00 to P. M. Currey for attorney's fees. Henry submitted a voucher for himself, as Administrator and also individually, in the amount of $78.74, which exceeded the assets of the estate remaining after paying the other expenses by $12.13 (mistakenly reported as $11.13 in the Settlement). Thus, there were no assets available for distribution to heirs.

The voucher filed by Henry indicates there was a problem in collecting the pension benefits due Andrew at the time of his death. He charged the estate $18.00 for twelve days for him and his horse, including ferry charges, for a journey to Corydon in the southernmost part of Indiana to deal with pension matters. He also charged the estate for $2.83 paid to attorneys in Corydon. Other reimbursements that were sought which were related to the administration of the estate included $2.00 paid to the doctor in connection with the final illness of Andrew, $0.25 for medicine, $1.41 for a burial shroud and other funeral expenses, $0.25 paid to Joseph M. Miller to settle a small account, $0.50 for postage, and $0.50 paid to Owen Morehead for services rendered the estate. Henry also put in for $3.00 for his services as Administrator and $50.00 for providing and caring for Andrew for the last two years and for paying "for bringing him out to this country."

[While it was certainly fair for Henry to claim the balance of Andrew's estate for taking care of him in his final years, from the standpoint of genealogy it would have been far preferable had he not done so. If there had been assets available for distribution to heirs, there may have been a determination of heirship which would have provided a definitive list of Andrew's children. So it goes.]

Andrew married Catherine. (Catherine was born in Pennsylvania ¹⁹.)