Person Page - 96

     Mary Bowker was christened on 19 January 1752 in Farcett, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of David Bowker and Lydia Jennings.
     Mary Bowker married Pyot Stafforth on 23 May 1771 in Farcett, HUN.

     Mary Bowker was born say 1775 in Huntingdonshire, England. She was the daughter of Burgess Bowker and Sarah Robinson.
     Mary died before 20 July 1779 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire, England. She was buried on 20 July 1779 in Alconbury Weston, HUN, ENG.
     Mary Bowker and George Robinson Bowker, Ann Robinson Bowker, Judith Bowker, Burgess Bowker, Thomas Bowker and Elizabeth Bowker were beneficiaries in Burgess Bowker's will dated 12 June 1810 in Alconbury Weston.

     Mary Bowker was christened on 8 October 1780 in Glatton, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Burgess Bowker and Sarah Robinson. Mary Bowker witnessed John Buck and Judith Bowker's wedding on 11 May 1806 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire, England. Mary Bowker was named as an heir in the codicil on 3 January 1822 to the will of Mary Bowker. ...my daughter Mary Bowker ... my newly created messuage or tenement in Alconbury Weston wherein I now dwell ... 3 Jan 1822.

     Mary Bowker was christened on 1 January 1746 in Stanground, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Burgess Bowker and Elizabeth (Mary) Higby.
     Mary Bowker married John Andrews on 27 June 1766 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire, England.
     Mary Bowker married Unknown Lord after 1766.
     Mary died on 2 February 1834 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire, aged 88. She was buried after 2 February 1834 in Alconbury Weston. Monumental inscription at Alconbury Weston - Mary Lord sister of the late Burgess Bowker (d 1825) at Alconbury Weston adjacent graves.

     Mary Bowker was christened on 17 October 1813 in Water Newton, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of George Robinson Bowker and Joanna Aveling.
     Mary died before 6 November 1813 in Water Newton, HUN. She was buried on 6 November 1813 in Water Newton.

     Mary Bowker was born before 1808 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire.
     Mary Bowker married Richard Craddock Thompson on 3 January 1826 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire, England. Married by licence.

     Mary Bowker was born circa 1805? In Stanground, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of David Bowker and Elizabeth Doggit.
     Mary Bowker married William German on 23 January 1827 in Stanground, HUN. Married by licence.

     Mary Bowker was christened on 28 January 1776 in Easton, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Samuel Bowker and Hannah Bridgeford.

     Mary Bowker was christened on 9 September 1742 in St John the Baptist, Peterborough, Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Bowker and Mary Harris.
     Mary died in 1763 in England.

     Mary died before 28 March 1768 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. She was buried on 28 March 1768 in Yaxley.

     Mary Bowker was born after 1695 in Huntingdonshire, England.
     Mary died before 26 January 1705/6 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. She was buried on 26 January 1705/6 in Yaxley, HUN.

     Mary died on 1 October 1690 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire.

     Mary Bowker was born before 1790.
     Mary Bowker married Edward Scrimshaw in 1804 in Leverington, Cambridgeshire, England.

     Mary Bowker was born before 18 January 1704 in Conington, Huntingdonshire, England. She was the daughter of William Bowker and Elizabeth Coles.

     Mary Bowker was born on 29 April 1885 in Club St, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. She was the daughter of Robert Stanser Bowker and Mary Dove. Mary Bowker was christened on 11 June 1885 in St Mary Magdalene, Sutton in Ashfield.

     Mary Bowker was born before April 1822 in Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of David Bowker and Maria Sampey. Mary Bowker was christened on 2 March 1823 in Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire.
     Mary Bowker was mentioned in the will of James Bowker dated 10 June 1828. Mary and Maria were listed as the children of David Bowker in the 1851 census in Ryhall, Rutland.

     Mary Ann Bowker was christened on 10 July 1797 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Peter Bowker and Mary Marshall.
     At Peterborough St John on 30 November 1818 a Polly Bowker named Benjamin Ball of Gloucester Place, London in a Bastardy Bond [PSJ/238/89 #89]
She may be the Mary who married Richard Craddock Thompson in 1826.
     Mary Ann Bowker married John Cobb on 24 March 1833 in Woodston, Huntingdonshire. Mary Ann Bowker & John Cob of Alconbury, at Woodstone.
     Mary Ann Bowker and John Cobb were recorded on the 1851 census in Church St, Stilton, Huntingdonshire. John Cobb, 49, cottager, born Alconbury; his wife Mary A, 53, born Alconbury, daughters Eliza 13, Sarah? 11, both scholars, born Stow in Long? Huntingdonshire.
     Mary Ann Bowker and John Cobb appeared on the 1861 census in High St, Stilton, Huntingdonshire. John Cobb, 59, ag. lab., born Alconbury, his wife Mary A 63, born Alconbury and unmarried daughter Eliza, 23, formerly house servant, born Stow Long.

     Mary Ann Bowker was born say 1800 in England. She was the daughter of David Bowker and Elizabeth Doggit. Mary Ann Bowker was christened on 1 September 1802 in Paston, Northamptonshire.
     This may be the Polly Bowker who named Benjamin Ball of Gloucester Place, London as the father of her child on 30 Nov 1818 at St John's parish, Peterborough [PSJ/238/89].
     Mary Ann Bowker married William Underwood on 28 November 1820 in Paston, Northamptonshire.

     Mary Ann Marshall Bowker was born on 30 July 1792 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Peter Bowker and Mary Marshall. Mary Ann Marshall Bowker was christened on 30 August 1792 in Alconbury Weston.
     Mary died before 16 September 1792 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire. She was buried on 16 September 1792 in Alconbury Weston.

     Mary Ann Marshall Bowker was christened on 10 October 1793 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire.
     Mary died on 10 October 1793 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire. She was buried on 10 October 1793 in Alconbury Weston. She was the daughter of Peter Bowker and Mary Marshall.

     Mary Anne Bowker was christened on 13 October 1740 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Bowker and Mary Ann Riss.

      Mary Edna Steer Bowker was also known as Edna Mary Steer in some records. She was born before September 1894 in Pontnewydd, Pontypool RD, Gwent/Monmouthshire, Wales. She was aged 6 in the 1901 census. She was the daughter of Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Mary Sarah Hale Scudamore Bond. Robert, Mary and Richard were listed as Mary Sarah Hale Scudamore Bond's children in the 1901 census in 40 Chepstow Rd, Newport, Gwent/Monmouthshire, Wales. Mary was a teacher, Newport, Gwent/Monmouthshire, Wales. She taught for many years at Newport Technical College.
     She inherited Cumbran house and gave it to the County Council who run it as an old people's home. She was an executor of Dr Charles Stanser Bowker's estate on 1 June 1937 in the Principal Probate Registry, Wales.
     Mary died in December 1971 in England.

     Mary Elizabeth Bowker was born on 5 January 1818 in Wiltshire, England. She was the daughter of Miles Bowker and Anna Maria Mitford. Mary Elizabeth Bowker was christened on 22 February 1818 in Newton South, Wiltshire.
     Mary died in 1899.

     Mary Layard Bowker was born on 26 April 1863 in Cape Town, South Africa. She was the daughter of Thomas Holden Bowker and Julia Eliza MacGowan.
     Mary Layard Bowker married Henry Mitford Barber Mitford Barberton on 28 March 1894 in Bathurst, South Africa.
     Mary died on 8 March 1928 in Kenya aged 64.

     Mary Louisa Bowker was born on 23 November 1843 in London. She was the daughter of Henry Francis Bowker and Eliza Alice Keep. Mary Louisa Bowker was christened on 17 January 1844 in Christ Church, Newgate St, (Greyfriars), London. Alice, Mary, Ellen, Alfred and Edith were listed as the children of Henry Francis Bowker in the 1851 census in 37 Amwell St, Clerkenwell, St James, Middlesex.
     Mary Louisa Bowker married Arthur Henry Easten as his second wife, in 1874 in Camberwell RD, Surrey. He maried his first wife Eliza Gray Lunn in the March quarter of 1871 who died in the Dec quarter of 1871.
     Mary Louisa Bowker and Arthur Henry Easten appeared on the 1881 census in 5 Albemarle Ter, Hull, Yorkshire. Arthur H. Easten 33, Furnish warehouseman?, born Hull, Mary Louise Easten 28, born London, Violet Bowker Easten 6, Edith Mary Easten 5, Henry Paget Easten, all born Hull; Edith Annie Booker 23, sister in law, unmarried, born London ;servants - Fanny Maria Burton 26, Ellen Ward 22, Betsey Robinson 23, Sarah Green 51.

     Maryann Bowker was christened on 11 October 1772 in Moulton Near Spalding, Lincolnshire. She was the daughter of William Bowker and Elizabeth Gibbs.

     Matilda Hodgson Bowker was born circa 1818?. She was the daughter of James Bowker and Elizabeth Hodgson. Matilda Hodgson Bowker was christened on 9 April 1818 in Stamford St John, Lincolnshire.
     Matilda Hodgson Bowker married John Bunning on 24 December 1849 in St John, Stamford, Lincolnshire. She was the daughter of James and he was the son of John.
     Matilda Hodgson Bowker and John Bunning appeared on the 1861 census in Waltham On The Wolds, leicestershire, England. John Bunning 40, farm bailiff, born Ketton & his wife Matilda H Bunning 48, born Stamford.
     Matilda Hodgson Bowker appeared on the 1871 census in Ketton, Rutland. Matilda Bunning head, widow, 49, governess, born Stamford.
     Matilda's death was registered in the quarter ending on 5 August 1887 in Woburn RD, Bedfordshire.
     Her will was proved on 17 September 1887 in the Principal Probate Registry.

     Miles Bowker was christened on 19 September 1758 in All Saints, Newcastle, Northumberland. He was the son of Thomas Bowker and Dorothy Monkhouse.
     Miles Bowker married Anna Maria Mitford on 8 March 1800 in Mitford, Northumberland. Miles Bowker was born on 13 April 1801.
     He was of Deckhams Hall and Tharfield, Sth Africa. He headed "Bowker's party" in 1820 to the Cape of Good Hope on teh SS Weymouth.
He was a ship owner, successful sheep farmer iin Cheviot and later merinos in Devon, had Cherborough Park for 8 years. Leased manor farm from Earl of Pembroke for 3 years.
They settled at Lower Albany - Olive Burn which was extended to become 'Tharfield'. He was buried in Tharfield, near Bathurst, South Africa.
     Miles died in 1838.
     The Bowkers, who were among several 1820 Settler families in the Eastern Cape fortunate to be given a land grant in the attractive and sought after Albany district, found their homesteads bitterly besieged during the numerous Kaffir and Frontier wars of the last century.
The homestead at Thorn Kloof, the well-known Bowker farm in the Grahamstown district, which now belongs to Mr. Francis Bowker, was destroyed during the War of the Axe in 1846-7. The farmhouse had formed a valuable laager and refuge for other neighbouring members of the Bowker family during these Kaffir Wars, as it was best suited for protection purposes.
Several other farmhouses, belonging to the Bowkers, were burnt down in this period. Today there are few Bowkers left in the Albany district. This large and respected family, with a long line of distinguished personalities, has now scattered to various parts of the Eastern Cape and South Africa. The adventuring lust was evident among the Bowkers from the early days.
During the diamond and gold rushes of the second half of the last century, several Bowkers tried their luck at finding a fortune. Other members of the family, not content to stay still, ventured outside South Africa, some going as far as Kenya to farm and settle. Farming has always been the main occupation of the Bowkers, and they have been efficient, model farmers. Thorn Kloof is a fine example.
Thorn Kloof also contains a lot of history. Next to the main farmhouse, built in 1935, stand two others built about the middle of the last century - the one being rebuilt on original walls of even earlier date. These old buildings are full of valuable Africana, portraits of Bowker ancestry, old hunting trophies and relics of peace and war on the frontier.
Other direct descendants of Miles Bowker, the Wiltshire landowner who led his party of 23 which arrived at Algoa Bay aboard the Weymouth in early 1820, today farm at Schoombee, near Middelburg, and at Cathcart and Bedford. Miles Bowker had nine sons and two daughters.
They and their descendants were to play a key role in the early colony's growth. They made their impression in agriculture, administration, politics, science and war.
Tharfield, is regarded as the original Bowker homestead in South Africa, and now belongs to Mr. Thomas Guard Webb, of Bathurst. The house in which the Webbs stay was built in 1835, and not much has been changed since then, as it was built in stone. The farm is situated in the undulating countryside between the Riet and Kleinemond Rivers, near the coast. The Webb family acquired it in 1925. It is at Tharfield that Miles and his wife are buried. The small cemetery is still there.
There are two Bowker families now owning farms in the Cathcart district. John is the head of Dunskye and Julian of Oakdene.
Four of the sons of Miles were members of the Cape Parliament.
One of the best stories concerning the Bowkers is that of the lost family silver, which had been missing for 138 years. It was bundled up hastily in a tablecloth, straight off the dinner table when the family fled from the invading Xhosa hordes in the Kaffir War of 1835. Four of the sons of Miles Bowker buried it in an antbear hole - and never found it again.
Since then, several Bowkers have enlisted the help of witchdoctors in an effort to trace the spot where the missing silver was buried, but all to no avail. The incident happened when the Bowkers still farmed at Tharfield. At first the 70-year-old Miles refused to leave, and it was only when his sons threatened to drag him away bodily, tied to a horse, that he reluctantly took refuge in the church at Bathurst along with the other families of the district. Miles Bowker was the first settler to introduce merino sheep to South Africa from England. However, they were unsuited for the area at Tharfield and were moved to the north in the valley of the Koonap River.
Other families with close ties with the Bowkers are the Atherstone and Mitford Barbertons from the marriage of Miles Bowker's two daughters, Anna Maria and Mary Elizabeth.

Transcribed from scrapbooks at the Port Elizabeth library that contains miscellaneous newspaper cuttings pertaining to the 1820 Settlers, by
Becky Horne, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

     Miles Brabbin Bowker was born on 27 January 1805 in Mitford?, Northumberland. He was the son of Miles Bowker and Anna Maria Mitford. Miles Brabbin Bowker was christened on 15 January 1807 in Mitford. He was christened on 4 October 1813 in Almer, Dorset.
     Miles died in 1864. He was buried at 'Thorn Kloof', of Tharfield, Thorn Kloof & Groenfontein. He marreid Barbara Petronella Oosthuisen c. 1830 who died 1895 aged 87 and is buried with him. They had no issue and his property was left to his nephew Miles Robert.
     Mr Francis Bowker is a descendant of the Hon. William Monkhouse Bowker, MLA, the second son of Miles. William and his younger brother, Miles Brabbin, showed their quick assimilation to a South African way of life - they were young men in their late teens when they made the voyage on the Weymouth - by marrying Oosthuizen sisters, daughters of a friendly Dutch wagoner who transported the Bowker family to their first farm, Oliveburn, which was soon rejected for Tharfield.
The Bowkers at Cathcart are closely related to the Thorn Kloof Bowkers, for they also descend from William Monkhouse Bowker. His grandson, Meyrick Brabbin Bowker, inherited the farm Dunskye, at Cathcart in 1913, after the death of his father, Miles Meyrick Bowker who had previously run the farm.

     Miles Egerton Bowker married Katherine Mitford Bowker, daughter of Thomas Holden Bowker and Julia Eliza MacGowan. Miles Egerton Bowker was born in 1860. He was the son of Robert Mitford Bowker.
     Miles died in 1933.