In a message dated 4/24/2005 6:31:08 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Luckyhummer@aol.com writes: Their first son is named Benjamin H. Bowles b. 1793 in Bedford died in 1864 of consumption in Bedford Co., VA Mary Bowles, his sister married Edward TAylor Elizabeth Bowles another sister md. Richard P. Anderson Jane "Jincy" Bowles, yet another sister md Joseph Parker or Barker Sarah Bowles md. William P. Anderson and Zenith Virginia Bowles md. Elijah Wills Here are a few comments on this family and possible links: 1. My line in NC (also a Benjamin Bowles) has ties to Parkers from southern VA (Brunswick and Lunenburg Co. area). Other surnames connected with this Parker line in VA are Garrett, Simmons, Ragsdale, possibly Crowder. All of these families moved south to the Bute/Franklin Co. area of northern NC. Also, there were connections between Parkers and Andersons in the 1600s -- eastern VA. 2. John Bartley Bowles who died in Iredell Co. NC married in Brunswick Co. VA Elizabeth Barker. Her line is pretty well researched, so she is definitely a Barker, not a Parker. 3. My line also may have connections to the Wills surname. There are connections between a Benjamin Bowles and Matthew Wills in Amelia Co. VA. Then later, a Jeremiah Bowles appears at the estate sale of Matthew Wills in Bute Co. NC, the same area where my Benjamin Bowles was located after the Rev. War. 4. Mary Ann Null's Bowles line may also be connected to Wills. Her line descends from Sarah Bowles who d. abt 1783 in Caswell Co. NC. Sarah's husband has not been identified, but he may be the Benjamin Bowles who appeared in Amelia Co. records in 1750 with wife Sarah (see record below). Her line also married into the Miles Wells line -- possibly part of the same Wills line. I'm not sure this tells you much. I think there's some evidence that branches of the same Bowles line migrated both south and west resulting in common connections between lines in western VA and in KY and in northern NC. The big question, of course, is who is the original ancestor who creates the common link for all these families. Do you have anything concrete on the Robert Bowles who is supposed to be father of Benjamin who died in Cumberland Co.? The Farquar book mentions a Robert as connected to Mary Ann's line, but none of us have ever found any documentation on the guy. I will copy some records below that are related to the connections discussed above. Hope this is somewhat helpful. Brenda Pflaum From Amelia Co.: Book 6 pg 50, Mar. 26, 1757. MATTHEW WILLS, BENJAMIN BOWLES and John Hood witness deed between John Smith to Matthew Tucker, land on Tuckers Branch Book 5, pg 358 July 20, 1755. JAMES BOWLES, James Decks and William Booker wit deed between Henry Farley to Richard Booker, Francis Anderson and Edmound Booker, land in Raleigh Parish on Flat Creek. Court of Oyer and Terminer Held Nov. 15, 1750 Prisoners were brought to bar, the mittimus read, and they plead not guilty, after which several witnesses were heard. *William Booker, Gent.. made oath that the several goods found in possession of Limas were his property and were taken out of his store house. *SARAH BOWLES said that her husband, BENJAMIN BOWLES, brought into the house several goods which he bought out of Lymus’ cabin. *BENJAMIN BOWLES said he searched Limas’ cabin and found one piece of linen and several goods in a wallet. * On hearing the evidence in behalf of prisoners belonging to Bradby, trail of Lymas & Pompy was referred to Saturday next, and they were committed to jail. *Henry Anderson moved that trial of his negro, Job, also be referred until Saturday next, and this was granted. Job was committed to the county jail also. BOWLES // 1764 // Lunenburg Co. VA // Titheables: Cornwall Parish: Thos., Joseph & Wm. Bouldin; Robt., James & Wm. Gilliam; James Bouldin; James & Robert Garrot; Thomas Garrott, Thomas Garrot, Jr., Humphrey Garrott, Wm. Howle, John Parker, Wm Parker & sons Wm., Jr. & Jesse; JEREMIAH BOWLES; Jessey Bowing, Joshua Crowder, Robert Crowder, Wm. Ragsdale, James Crowder, Stephen Crowder, Jeremiah Crowder, Batt Crowder, John Howel. (Note: These are the same people in Franklin Co. NC with Benj. Bowles) BOWLES // 1766 // Bute Co. NC // Account of Sale of Estate of Matthew Wills, dec’d held 16 October 1766 by Julius Nichols, Sherriff. Mentions Abra Ellis, Robt. Alexander, John Faire, Jeremiah Bowles, The Widow. Recorded October Court 1766.