Notes for Christian O Bowman and Anna Huber

Christian Bowman married twice, to Anna Huber and then to Anna Gehman. Christian Bowman was a miller, successor to his father in owning and operating the Bowman Mill. Christian was a Mennonite. He was born and died at the Christian Bowman Mill, which he inherited from his father. [1][2]

1753 Christian Bowman, son of Christian Bowman and Elizabeth Oberholtzer of Alleghenyville Berks Co, was born 21 October, 1753. [3]

1756 Anna Huber was born on 17 September, 1756 in Earl Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Martin and Magdalena Huber. [4]

1779 Christian Bowman was taxed as a freeman [unmarried] in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania. [5]

1782 Anna Huber and Christian Bowman were married on 17 February, 1782. [6]

1785 Christian [Bowman] Bauman was listed as first class and Christian Bauman, "wits son" was class 5 on a class roll of Capt. Weidner’s Company of April and May 1765 of the First Battalion of Berks Co, commanded by Col. Lutz. [7]

1790 Christian Bowman Jr lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania in a household with one male under age 16, two males over age 16, and five females. Christian [senior?], Jacob [of Chrn.], Peter, and Wendle Bowman were in adjacent listings. [8]

1792 Anna Huber Bowman died on 10 March 1792. [9] This is inconsistent with the will and census records, unless Christian remarried.

Christian Bowman married Anna Gehman.

1800 The family of Christian Bowman lived in Cumru Twp, Berks County, Pennsylvania in a household with Males: one age 0-10 (Daniel), one age 10-15 (Samuel), one age 15-25 (Joseph), one age 26-44 (Christian Bowman would have been age 47) and Females: one age 0-10 (Mary), two age 10-15 (Ann Marie should be 6, Elizabeth), one age 15-25 (Magdalene), and one age 26-44 (wife Anna should be age 44). [10]

1807 The will of Christian Bowman was dated June 8, 1807 in Cumru Twp, Berks County. Administration bond to son Joseph and son-in-law John Good, both of Brecknock Twp dated 8 June 1807 and they exhibited and inventory the same date. On 30 June, 1807, Eldest son Joseph petitioned the court that his father had died intestate leaving a widow named Ann and eight children: Joseph, Magdalena married to John Guth, Elizabeth married to Jacob Guth, Samuel, Anna, Daniel, Mary, and Salome, the last five in their minority. The intestate died with a tenement, grist mill, a 21 acre tract in Cumru Twp adjoining Wendel Bowman, David Eshelman, Peter Kush? and others. Also another 12 acre tract in Cumru Twp adjoining David Eshelman, Peter Eshelman, and Henry Waber. Joseph Bowman petitoined for an appraisal of the lands. On 8 July, an inquest returned an appraisal of 1300 pounds and stated that the estate could not be divided without causing harm. On 7 August, 1807 Joseph Bowman petitioned that guardians be appointed for Anna, Daniel, Maria, and Salome, all under age 14. The real estate distribution recorded £108.6.8 to each of the eight heirs, and £54.3.4 after widows death; naming Christian Guth (of Cumru) for minor Samuel, John Oberholtzer for minors Anna and Daniel, and Christian Gehman for minors Mary and Salome. Anna the widow renouncing. [11][12]

1807 On 26 May, Christian Bowman died and was buried in the Mennonite cemetery at Allegheny. [13]

1808 On 15 September, lands of Christian Bowman and Wendle [Windle] Bowman were mentioned in the will of Peter Eshelman. "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." [14]

1818 A map of Berks county showed several Bowman residences in Cumru Twp, Berks County. Photocopy 1818 map of Cumru Twp, Berks County showing Bowman properties. Photocopy 1818 engraved map of Cumru Twp, Berks County showing Bowman properties. These might be residences of descendants of Christian O Bowman. [15]

1810 Joseph Bowman (age 16-26) lived in Cumru, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The household had 1 male age 10-16, 2 males age 16-26, 1 female age 0-10, 1 female age 10-16, 1 female age 16-26, and one female age 45+. This is a good fit for widow Bowman and her children. [16]

1820 Ann Bowman (age 45+) lived in Cumru, Berks County, Pennsylvania with 2 females age 16-26. [17] 

Footnotes
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[1] Edward Bowman Espenshade. My American Ancestors and Their Descendants, (1949), 250
[2] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[3] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[4] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[5] William Henry Egle. Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 18 (Berks Taxables). (1897):194, [Archives]
[6] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[7] PA Archives, 6.3.55
[8] FamilySearch.org, citing GS film 0568148 of US census, 1790, [Link]
[9] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[10] FamilySearch.org, citing US census, Berks, Cumru, paginations 590 and 172, [Link]
[11] familysearch.org, Pennsylvania Probate records, Berks, estates
[12] Website, USGenWeb Archives Wills: Abstracts: Berks County, Pennsylvania  1804-1807, [Link]
[13] Harry M Hoover. The Huber-Hoover Family History. (1928), 46
[14] Website, US genweb Eshelman will, [Link]
[15] Henry M. Richards, mapmaker, (published version of 1818 map), Library of Congress S#709
[16] FamilySearch.org, citing US census, 1810, page 701, line 9 from bottom, [Link]
[17] FamilySearch.org, citing US census, 1820, top page line 3 from bottom, [Link]