Louise, Thank you very much for all the Bowden info. Perhaps I can put something together with the notes. I have the Elizabeth Smith [Grandmother of Elizabeth Bowdon] Will, but am wondering if I'm reading it correctly. Was she was previously married to a Bowdon and Arthur is her son by a previous marriage? Thanks again, Verna ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Louise Pettus" <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NCMECKLE] Arthur J. Bowdon Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 22:25:19 -0500 Verna, I have a few Bowden notes that may have something you don't have, so, just in case, I send them along to you. Bowdon/Bowden Bowdons mentioned in records of Flint Hill Baptist Church, north of Fort Mill, SC: 1. Authur J. Bowdon, baptized 1836. Excommunicated 1843, died in Dec. 1851 2. William K. Bowdon, baptized. Excommunicated 1844, died in 1850 3. Elizabeth Bowdon, baptized, dismissed 1848 4. Margaret Bowdon, formerly Smith, baptized. 1850 Census, Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, NC: W. K. Bowden, 42; Margaret Bowden, 34; Richard Bowden, 7; Louis Bowden, 4; Patty, 1.; Robert M. Smith, 30, James Reeves, 45. Mecklenburg County Wills, Book I, #977, p. 153: Elizabeth (X) Smith. 26 Sep 1843, probably in Jan 1849 Ct. ³I give to the heirs of my son Stephen Smith the parcel of land on which he now resides, and to [my granddau] Elizabeth Bowden, dau. of Arthur Bowdon, a bed, bedstead, and bedding. My mare, the negro Lucy, and all remaining household and kitchen furniture are to be sold, from the proceeds my just debts are to be paid, and the balance together with my clothing, is to be divided equally between my two daus Elizabeth Bowden and Jane Pettus. [Jane Pettus was the second wife of George Pettus; she was previously married to a Glover]. Executors: my two sons Benjamin and Stephen. Wit: Jos. P. Pritchard, Jurat and R. T. Cheek. Signatures proved by S. H. Elliott and S. A. Davis. B. Oates, CCC. Mecklenburg County Wills, Book C, #219: John Dinkins¹ will, 18 Sept 1809, probated in Aug 1811. ³. . . . I lend to my dau Elizabeth Bowden the negroes Edith and her three children Jasper, Kate and ______(not named) for her natural life and at her demise to be divided among her children.² In a codicil, 31 May 1810, to the will, Dinkins wrote that he had sold Jasper and that in lieu of him he was leaving Elizabeth the negro woman Sarah. Mecklenburg County Wills, Book J, #1137, p. 146: Fanny Smith¹s will: 19 Sept 1861, probated Oct 1862. Gives to daughter Margaret K. Bowdon, ³during her lifetime, the negro Jane, about six, and at Margaret¹s demise Jane is to descend to her children, and said negro is not to be subject to the debts of Margaret¹s husband... . I give my saddle to my granddau Martha Bowdown. . . .² Mecklenburg County Wills, Book D, #374, p. 147: John Kendrick, 18 Sept 1823, pobate Nov. 1823, ³. . . .to my daughter Margaret Bowdon, the use of the negroes Hannah, Venus and her children Rachel, and Sarah and their increase, who, with the other property I gave to her earlier, are to descend to her children at her demise,. . .² William K. Bowden married Margaret H. Smith (1 Jan 1814-26 Dec 1837), dau. of Edward Smith (16 Mar 1789-6 Feb 1849) and Mary Frances (³Fanny²) Daniel (25 Jan 1787-28 Oct 1861 both buried at Flint Hill Baptist Church Joshua D. Bowden married Mary Elizabeth Smith(16 Aug 1825-30 Oct 1839) (sister of Margaret H. Smith above). Emeline Smith, sister of Margaret H. and Mary Elizabeth Smith above, married 1st a Bowden and had a son Samuel D. Bowden and married 2nd a Grier. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com