On 12/3/00, at 23:58, JUDE45@webtv.net wrote: >Do you have any idea if they were Indian or not? I doubt it. Going up the tree ... Matthew Turner Bowden (m.Amanda Elizabeth Atkins 13 Nov 1850) Thomas Bowden b. 13 Sep 1790 m. Elizabeth Turner Elias Bowden b. 6 Apr 1763 m. Celia Tynes Lawrence John Bowden b. 10 Mar 1717 m. Margaret Webb Elias was from Isle of Wight County, Virginia. I am told by my family that the Bowdens of this line were of English origin. They always pronounced it Bouden (ou as in house). If there is any Indian blood I would be surprized (but I've been surprized before). Perhaps someone who has researched Indian surnames could shed more light. The later generations were of the "Old School" Baptist persuasion, but I do not know how far back that affiliation went. There is a periodical of that tradition entitled "Signs of the Times", published I think in Middleton New York, which contained a couple of Bowden obituaries. The following source is useful and interesting: Graves County Kentucky Bible Records, 2 volumes in one binding (Mayfield Kentucky: Graves County Genealogical Society, 1966, printed by Simmons Historical Publications Melber Kentucky) volume one, page 78, Bowden Bible. Edinburgh, printed 1762 by Alexander Kincaid, His Majesty's printer MDCCLXII, purchased by John Bowden on 14 Feb 1767. Data: John Bowden His Book. Bought 14th February 1767, price 8 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence ... said John Bowden was born 10th March 1717 and Peggy his wife Born 4th Oct 1726 and we was married 10th September 1744 ... In the same source I found the following (my summary): The Bowdens were farmers. The uncertainties of the weather were of major importance to them, and unusual weather conditions were a matter of note. The family Bible records some of these events. On October 23rd, 1749, "their came a very Large snow". Severe winds were noted on 8 September 1769, 11 August 1778, 2 September 1784, and 4 September 1785. In January of 1792 "Theare Came a large Sleet". On September 5th, 1775 "a very severe Gust, and the Largest fresh that Ever was kown[sic] in blackwater" (I assume he means freshwater fish). The annotation adds that Blackwater Creek ran through both Isle of Wight and Southhampton Counties in Virginia, and formed part of the boundaries of several Bowden farmlands. So from this the precise location of John Bowden's farm can probably, with a little research, be ascertained. The annotation also adds that the Turner family of Isle of Wight Virginia were close friends of the Bowdens of Henry County Tennessee. Some of the Bowdens owned slaves and a few were quite wealthy. Stuart Armstrong mail to: stuarta@aros.net web page: http://cgi.aros.net/~stuarta