1758 Wendel Bowman, son of Christian Bowman, was born on February 25, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. [1] [2] [3] [4]
1760 Maria Huber was born on May 20, near New Holland. [5] [6] [7]
1777-78 Christian, Wendle, and Jacob Bauman were listed for exercise fines (not appearing for military exercises) in Captain Rheim's company, Berks County. [8]
1782 Benjamin Bowman and Windle Bowman were listed in the district of the Sixth Company, First Battalion of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [9]
1784 Wendel Bowman and Marie Huber, daughter of John and Margaret Huber, were married on May 4. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
1785 Wendel Bowman [Bauman] was listed as 3 class on a class roll of Capt. Weidner's Company of April and May 1765 of the First Battalion of Berks County, commanded by Col. Lutz. [15]
1787 John Kendig and wife sold the estate of his father, in Conestoga, Lancaster County, to Wendel Bowman, of Lampeter Twp, Lancaster County, perhaps this Wendel Bowman, for 300 pounds. Dated August 3.[16]
1790 Wendle Bowman lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [17]
1791 Christian Bowman of Cumru Twp, Wendel Bowman of Cumru Twp, Joseph Bowman of Robison Twp, all three of Berks County, and John and Barbara Good of Brecknock Twp, Lancaster County, the heirs of Christian Bowman, deceased, released the executors of Christian's will from further claims. Dated December 31. Their signatures were witnessed on that date. [18]
Wendel Bowman lived in the house his father had built in 1749. [19].
1800 Wendel Bowman, age 26-44, lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania with 3 boys, 3 girls, and wife. [20]
1808 Lands of Christian Bowman and Wendle [Windle] Bowman were mentioned in the will of Peter Eshelman, dated September 15. "It is my will and order that my daughter Christenah Eshelman shall have twenty five acres beginning at the land of Windle Bowman running a straight line to Andrew Gerdners line. It is my will and order that my sone Martin Eshelman shall have fifteen acres beginning at the land of Windle Bowman Christian Bowman and Conrad Watts a straight line of the land of Peter Russner. It is my will and order that my sone Peter Eshelman shall have twenty five acres beginning at the land of Windle Bowman running a straight line to the land of Peter Russner." [21]
1810 Wendel Bowman lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [22]
1816 Maria Bauman died on April 20 and was buried at Allegheny Mennonite Cemetery, Alleghenyville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]
1820 Wendel Bowman lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [29]
1830 Wendel Bowman (age 70-80) lived in Brecknock Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania with wife (age 60-70). Several nearby listings are the same as in the 1820 Cumru Twp listing, suggesting this 1830 Brecknock Twp was the same community. [30]
1840 Wendel Bowman (age 80-90) lived in Brecknock Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania with wife (age 70-80). [31]
1842 Wendel Bauman died on November 20 and was buried at Allegheny Mennonite Cemetery, Alleghenyville, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [32] [33] [34] [35] [36]
1842 The will of Wendel Bowman was proved on December 6 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The will named wife Elizabeth and children Benjamin, Elizabeth, Esther, Susanna, Joseph, Christian, and Barbara. [37]
Research Notes:
c 1780 Windel Bowman was listed, for exercise fines (not appearing for military exercises), in Capt Henry's company, Lancaster County. [38]
Elizabeth Weber, born 22 Dec 1764; died 4 Feb 1843. Married 1) Jacob Huber March 1790. Married 2) Wendel Bowman 17 Aug 1817, born 25 Feb 1758, died 20 Nov 1842. [39]
These notes were transcribed from a Bowman website [40]:
Wendel Bauman and his wife, Maria Huber, resided in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the house built by his father in 1749. They are buried in the Alleghany Cemetery. Wendel was married a second time. On the one side of Wendel's own grave was buried the above mentioned Maria, his wife. On the other side, it is presumed, lies his other wife, made mention of in his will. The inscription on this tombstone reads-E.D. 1843. This would mean that the "Stiefmutter" died in the year following that of Wendel's death.
The following letter, written the day following the funeral, referring to the death and funeral of their aged father, Wendel, was sent by Christian H. to his brother, Joseph B. Bauman, in Waterloo Twp, Ontario. The text of the letter is as follows:
Brecknock Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania,
November 23, 1842.
Einen Herzfreundlichen Grusz und Wohlwunsch an alle meine Bruder, Schwestern und Schwaeger, in Canada, wie auch an mein onkel, Joseph Bauman (No. 1757), und sein Weib Maria, Gottes Gnade zuvor.
Der gegenstand, der mir in dieser zeit ursache giebt an euch zu schreiben ist dieser, dasz naemlich unser alter Vater Wendel Bauman aus diesser Zeit in die Ewigkeit gegangen ist, die naehren umstaende seiner krankheit, oder viel mehr seiner ablebens, sind ehngefaehr diese: Man verspuerte diesem ganzen nachsammer eine zunehmente alters schwaeche an ihm. ohngefaehr um die mitte vom September fing sein othem an schlechter zu werden, der Appetit zum essen wurde schlechter, und die kraefte schienen zichmlich stark abzunehmen, um den 20 ten October vurde seine lage ziemlich bedenklich, er hatte naemlich sehr viel mehe mit seinem Wasser zu lassen, das mit etwas schmerzen wieder gut, nach dieser Zeit kante er ohrgefaehr 2 wochen auf und bekleidet war, nach verlauf von ein paar ochen, wurde dieses jedoch nieder, unde war abwechseind in seinem bett und auf seinem stuhl, die letzen zwey wochen schieri das Lebens lichtlein immer kleiner und schwaecher zu werden, er wierde vest bettligerich, in diesenzwey wochen war er mehrentheils in einem schlaf und schiummer, das essen war die einte woche sehr wenig, und die letzten 4 tage gar nichts, er klagte keine schmerzen und sein othem war sehr leight, aus genommen bey der geringsten bewegung war er sobald sehr schwer, bisz die paar letzten tage, da war er haerter und kurizer, bisz er endlich auf ietzten sonntag abend bey onnen untergang den Geist aufgab, sanft und stille schien scin Tod zu seyn. Gestern wuerde sein Leib, bey einer zahireichen Leichenbekeidung zur erde Bestattet, Wobey unser diener Samuel Guth eine schickliche anrede hielt, und unser diener Christian Gehman eine schickliche Abhandlung hicit ueber die worte offenbarung Johannes Cap. 2 der letzte theil des 10ten verses. Leichen Lied, Ach Herr lehre mich bedenken &c ... Sein alter belauft sich zu 84 jahr 8 monat und 25 tag. Unsere stiefmuter ist so ziemlich in ihren alten elendigen zustand, dem verstorbenen Franze Eschliman seine hinteriassene Witwe ist gegen-waertig hart krank an einer Fieberartigen krankheit, uebrigens Sind die leuete von dieser gegend ziemlich gesund, und wir wuenschen dasz dieses auch alle gesund antreffen moge. Ich will beschliesen, und euch und uns nochmals der Gnade Gottes anbefehien.Wir hoffen in einigen wochen wieder an euch zu schreiben. Euer Bruder, Schwager, Freund und Wohlwuenscher alles guten,
Here is the will of M. Wendell Bauman: In the name of God, Amen. I the undersigned, Wendel Bowman of Brecknock Township, Berks County, and State of Pennsylvania, am far advanced in years and weak in body but of a sound mind, memory and understanding, for which thanks be to God, do make, declare this my last Will and Testament as follows, namely:
First, it is my will and I do order that my worldly estate which I at present own shall be distributed and bequeathed the same as follows, to wit: To my beloved wife, Elizabeth, for and during her natural life or as long as she remains my widow, all such house, home, widowseat rights and privileges, yearly income and advantages, either yearly or in some other way as such is agreed upon and named for in an agreement that is in power which is dated the twenty-ninth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, which is an agreement between me and my son Christian Bowman for the giving over to my said son Christian the Tenement Plantation and Farm, consisting of a piece of land of ninety-one acres and eighty perches, on which I at present live as such in the said agreemert is recorded in Reading for further accommodation. Item: I give and bequeath to my said wife, Elizabeth, or her heirs forever the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds money in gold or silver and three beds and bedstead with double, Covering, and three blankets, one cow which she will choose, one copper wash kettle, one large cedar tub, two small tubs, one churn, one dough trough, one drawer, one kitchen dresser, two chests, the clock and case, one table, two iron pots, two pans, four pewter dishes, seven pewter and seven earthen plates, one dozen pewter spoons, one dozen knives and one dozen forks, two tin buckets, four chairs, one woman's saddle, one bridle, fifty yards of flax, twenty yards of linen, one spinning wheel, one reel, seven tablecloths, seven hand towels, one Bible, four other books, seven three-bushel bass, and one barrel; every article in this item named, I bequeath to my said wife, Elizabeth, or her heirs forever, and she may choose the same out of my estate and shall be delivered to her in the space of four weeks after my decease.
Item: I give and bequeath to my said wife for and during her natural life or widowhood, the stove with pipe which we have in use at the time of my decease.
Item: I have a particular Family Book in use in which each of my children, especivily those who have sums of money charged to them which they have received from me as a part of their inheritance out of my estate and each of my children that have any sums charged against him or her shall be added to the remainder of my estate and be divided in equal shares between all my children. Further, it is my will and I do order that it shall begin at the oldest of my children and pay him his full share or portion of my estate, both real and personal, and so in rotation according to age down to the youngest of my children until each of my children, viz: Benjamin, Elizabeth, Esther, Susanna, Joseph, Christian and Barbara have their full share out of my whole estate, share and share alike.
Item:Since my daughter Esther died, I give and bequeath her share or portion to her two children namely, Maria and Solomon, such I bequeath to my children and pay him his full share or portion of my estate, both real and (personal?)
And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint as executors of this my last Will and Testament my aforesaid son, Christian Bowman, and my friend Henry Weber. Witnessed by Adam redge and Joseph Horning. written in 1839?
A biosketch of George F. Bowman reports [41]:
George F. Bowman, of Minersville, junior member of the firm of Spayd & Bowman, dealers in books and stationery, bears a name which for generations has stood for industry and integrity in this section of Pennsylvania. He is of old Mennonite ancestry, a descendant of Wendell Bowman, a native of Switzerland and one of the founders of the Mennonite faith in Brecknock township, Berks county, this State. He came into the Allegheny valley in 1/60, owned considerable land, and was rated among the well-to-do farmers. He was twice married, but his children were all by his first marriage. They were: Christian; Wendell and Joseph, who both settled in Canada; Susanna, who married a Bechtol, and also went to Canada; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Gehman; and Esther (born July 31, 1790—died Sept. n, 1827), who married Henry Weber (born June 7, 1794—died Jan. 16, 1873).
[1] "Genealogical Tips Baumann/Bowman," [cites a bible assumed printed in 1720 and assumed to have belonged to Wendel Bowman (1681-1735), but which was actually printed in 1753, and belonged to Christian Bowman (1724-1790) and his son Wendel] Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 9 (April, 1986), 46.
[2] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 65, [GoogleBooks].
[3] Harry M. Hoover, The Huber-Hoover Family History (1928), 45, [FamilySearch FSCatalog].
[4] Jerold A Stahly, "The Family of Jacob Oberholtzer (1704-1755) of Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (April, 1989), 13-26, at 23, person O14.
[5] "Genealogical Tips Baumann/Bowman," [cites a bible assumed printed in 1720 and assumed to have belonged to Wendel Bowman (1681-1735), but which was actually printed in 1753, and belonged to Christian Bowman (1724-1790) and his son Wendel] Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 9 (April, 1986), 46, reports date May.
[6] Jerold A Stahly, "The Family of Jacob Oberholtzer (1704-1755) of Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (April, 1989), 13-26, at 23, person O14.
[7] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 66, reports date 20 May, [GoogleBooks].
[8] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 286, right, and 274, for description of the list, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[9] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, Volume 7 (Militia Lancaster) (1906), 65, 67, [GoogleBooks].
[10] "Genealogical Tips Baumann/Bowman," [cites a bible assumed printed in 1720 and assumed to have belonged to Wendel Bowman (1681-1735), but which was actually printed in 1753, and belonged to Christian Bowman (1724-1790) and his son Wendel] Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 9 (April, 1986), 46.
[11] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 66, [GoogleBooks].
[12] Harry M. Hoover, The Huber-Hoover Family History (1928), 45, [FamilySearch FSCatalog].
[13] Jerold A Stahly, "The Family of Jacob Oberholtzer (1704-1755) of Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (April, 1989), 13-26, at 23, person O14, reports 4 May.
[14] Barbara B. Ford, The Oberholtzer Book (1995), 117, [GoogleBooks].
[15] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Volume 3 (Muster Rolls Bedford-York) (1907), 55, [GoogleBooks].
[16] Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed UU-71 to 76, at 73, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[17] United States Federal Census, 1790, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[18] Berks County, Pennsylvania, Deed 13-116, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[19] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 65, [GoogleBooks].
[20] United States Federal Census, 1800, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[21] USGenWeb Archives, [USGenWeb].
[22] United States Federal Census, 1810, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[23] Find A Grave Memorial 84278641, [FindAGrave].
[24] "Genealogical Tips Baumann/Bowman," [cites a bible assumed printed in 1720 and assumed to have belonged to Wendel Bowman (1681-1735), but which was actually printed in 1753, and belonged to Christian Bowman (1724-1790) and his son Wendel] Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 9 (April, 1986), 46.
[25] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 66, [GoogleBooks].
[26] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Huber B2148, [Website].
[27] Harry M. Hoover, The Huber-Hoover Family History (1928), 45, [FamilySearch FSCatalog].
[28] Jerold A Stahly, "The Family of Jacob Oberholtzer (1704-1755) of Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (April, 1989), 13-26, at 23, person O14.
[29] United States Federal Census, 1820, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[30] United States Federal Census, 1830, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[31] United States Federal Census, 1840, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[32] Find A Grave Memorial 84278521, [FindAGrave].
[33] "Genealogical Tips Baumann/Bowman," [cites a bible assumed printed in 1720 and assumed to have belonged to Wendel Bowman (1681-1735), but which was actually printed in 1753, and belonged to Christian Bowman (1724-1790) and his son Wendel] Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 9 (April, 1986), 46.
[34] Ezra E. Eby, A Biographical History of Waterloo Township, Vol. 1 (1895), 66, [GoogleBooks].
[35] Harry M. Hoover, The Huber-Hoover Family History (1928), 45, [FamilySearch FSCatalog].
[36] Jerold A Stahly, "The Family of Jacob Oberholtzer (1704-1755) of Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage 12 (April, 1989), 13-26, at 23, person O14.
[37] Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Berks County Estate Files, [FamilySearchImage].
[38] William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 6 (Revolution 1777-1789, Lieutenants) (1896), 417, left, [InternetArchive], [GoogleBooks].
[39] Lawrence Berger-Knorr, The Relations of Milton Snavely Hershey (2005), 290, [GoogleBooks].
[40] Bowman Ancestors, citing "Bauman Family History" (August 1967), [URL].
[41] Schuylkill County Pennsylvania, Genealogy, Family History, Biography, Vol. 2 (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Company, 1916), 1178, [GoogleBooks].