Individual Details

This connection not yet absolutely proved, but indicated through circumstantial evidence.

An exact birthdate of 13 Feb 1776 is seen in databases, but that's a different John Bowles - see the notes at the end.

John's father, left in his will of 1830, an equal part of the remainder to the heirs of his deceased son John Bowles, but did not name the heirs.

I believe it is possible this is the John Bowles who died in Logan Co, KY, circa 1824.
John Bowles Will dated 3 Feb 1824. To Elizabeth, wife, all of estate. Children indicated but unnamed, implied as young. Wit: Thomas Bowles, Lewis Wood, Elizabeth Bowles. Probate 6 Sep 1824.
Logan Co WB C, p.101
Notice that a Thomas Bowles and Elizabeth Bowles were witnesses to this will. I have found evidence of a Thomas Bowles living in Warren Co KY since about 1808. Is this the Thomas Bowles also named in the will of John Bowles of South Carolina? John did not say specifically that Thomas was his son-in-law, but the implication is there that he was the husband of John's daughter Betsey [Elizabeth]. If so, it's likely that John and Thomas found in Logan & Warren Counties, respectively were probably 1st cousins, as well as brothers-in-law.


John is said to have been the founder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in their home near South Union, KY.

1820 Census. Logan Co KY, Russellville
John Bowles, 2m under 10, 2m 10-16, 1m 16-26, 1m 26-45; and 1f under 10, 1f 10-16, 1f 16-26, 2f 26-45.

John Bowles Will dated 3 Feb 1824. To Elizabeth, wife, all of estate. Children indicated but unnamed, implied as young. Wit: Thomas Bowles, Lewis Wood, Elizabeth Bowles. Probate 6 Sep 1824.
Logan Co WB C, p.101

A letter appeared for sale on Ebay describing the death of John "Jack" Bowles - It was written from his brother-in-law, Benjamin Hughes Perkins to Benjamin's brother, Joseph Stephen Perkins. Dated 24 Apr 1824 from Logan Co, KY to Joseph of Fluvanna Co, VA. Benjamin mentioned a letter that had arrived in March from Joseph that he had not answered due to the illness of John Bowles. He thought that John was improving and had wanted to write good news, but on the 27th of March, John's son Ben had come with the message his father was dying. John Bowles had died some seven minutes before Benjamin Perkins could get to his house. Benjamin stated that John Bowles had been confined to his bed almost eleven weeks and had an ulcer on his lungs.

1830 Logan Co KY Census.
Elizabeth Bowls: 1m 15-20, 1m 20-30; 1f 5-10, 1f 10-15, 1f 20-30, 1f age 50-60.

Division of lands of John "Bowls". Jan 1832. Commissioners: William Stewart, William Marrs, John Barnett. To Stephen P. Bowls, 10a; John C. Bowls, 30a; Elizabeth P. Bowls, 30a; Sally Bowls May, 30a; Matilda Bowls White, 83a; Benjamin K. Bowls, 137a.
Logan Co WB E, p.55
The allotments would seem to indicate various relationships. Doesn't seem to be an equal allotment among children. Either there were other properties or slaves that were divided, or there were other considerations. There are six heirs, the same number as in the agreement in October in 1832. Husband of Sally Bowles May was apparently George D. May; husband of Matilda Bowles White was apparently William White.

Settlement, Elizabeth & John Bowles. 1 Jul 1833. Adm: Stephen P. Bowles
Logan Co WB E, p.186

Articles of agreement among heirs of John & Elizabeth Bowles. Dated 25 Oct 1831, recorded 1 Jul 1833. Adm: Stephen P. Bowles.
Heirs listed as Stephen P. Bowles, William White, John C. Bowles, George D. May, Elizabeth P. Bowles, Benjamin R. Bowles.
Logan Co WB F, p.37

John is said by some Internet databases to have been the son of Knight & Sarah Curd Bowles but I believe this to be an error - he cannot be the same John Bowles. Children of deceased son John listed in the will of Knight Bowles in 1817 were Richard K. Bowles, Lucy A. Bowles, and Augustus Knight Bowles, none of whom appear in the Logan Co records. Knight's son John was already deceased in 1817 and could not be this John in Logan Co in the 1820's. A family member has possession of a Bible that indicates John was born 13 Feb 1776, in Henrico Co and died, still in that place, 16 Mar 1816. I believe it is possible that John's sister was married to Thomas Bowles who was a son of Knight and Sarah Curd Bowles. It seems likely these two Johns were very close in age.

Birth	13 Feb 1776	Goochland County, Virginia
Marriage	4 Jun 1798	Elizabeth Perkins
Death	27 Mar 1824	Logan County, Kentucky

Spouse	Elizabeth Perkins (1775 - 1833)
Child	Stephen Perkins Bowles (1801 - 1865)
Child	John C. Bowles ( - )
Child	Elizabeth P. Bowles ( - )
Child	Sally Bowles ( - )
Child	Matilda Bowles ( - )
Child	Benjamin K. Bowles ( - )

Father	John Bowles (1743 - 1836)
Mother	Elizabeth Curd ( - 1830)
Sibling	Benjamin Bowles (1765 - 1857)
Sibling	Sarah Waddie "Sally" Bowles (1769 - )
Sibling	Nancy Bowles (1771 - 1818)
Sibling	Elizabeth Price "Betsey" Bowles (1781 - )
Sibling	Charles Knight Bowles (1787 - 1860)