Person Page - 106

     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 Christ's Hospital, 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 were recorded on the 1881 census in 5 Albemarle Ter, Kingston upon 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 also known as Matilda Hodson in records. She 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 Hodson, daughter of James & Elizabeth, grocer.
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 were recorded 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 was recorded 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 at the Principal Probate Registry.

     May Bowker was born on 1 September 1874 in London, England. She was the daughter of Francis William Bowker and Susannah Turner.
     May died on 1 January 1894 in South Africa aged 19.

     May Wembridge Bowker was born circa 1887 in Swindon, Wiltshire. She was the daughter of Arthur Bowker and Susanna Crossley.

     Miles Bowker was christened on 19 September 1758 in All Saints, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. He was the son of Thomas Bowker and Dorothy Monkhouse.
Miles Bowker married Anna Maria Mitford on 8 March 1800 in Mitford, Northumberland.
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'.. Miles Bowker 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.

     Myrtle Mary Bowker married Patrick MacIntyre. Myrtle Mary Bowker was born on 28 May 1885. Mary Myrtle?. She was the daughter of Francis William Bowker and Susannah Turner. Myrtle Mary Bowker was the informant at the death of Francis William Bowker, on 24 November 1929.

     Nancy Wharton Bowker was christened in 1924 in St Mary, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. She was the daughter of John Weldon Bowker and Annie Wharton.
Lady of the Manor of Whittlesey.

     Nicholas died circa 1498.
     His will was proved in 1498. Nicholas Bowker, fuller of Northampton..

     Octavius Bourchier Bowker was christened on 27 May 1815 in Almer, Dorset, England. He was the son of Miles Bowker and Anna Maria Mitford.
     Octavius died in 1899. He married Mary Anne Wilmot and had 5 known children.

     Patty Bowker was christened on 11 June 1756 in Farcett, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of David Bowker and Lydia Jennings.
     A marriage settlement between Patty Bowker and Samuel Wells was made on 7 March 1774. Deeds relating to a farmhouse and 144 acres in Middlemoor district, Ramsey... (And subsequent deeds) (for the purpose of showing Mrs Wells is barred of her dower.) Samuel Wells, eldest son and heir at law and devisee named in the will of the late William Wells, to William Bowker and Daniel Gray, trustees. In consideration of the marriage intended between Wells and Patty Bowker and £500 paid by David Bowker as a marriage portion for his daughter Patty. His estate called Honey in the hamlet of Wimblington, Isle of Ely, Cambs., to hold to certain users, including, on the death of Wells, to use of themselves to the intent that Patty Bowker might receive out of the premises an annuity of £650 in lieu of all dower which might have out of Wells's real or personal estates.
Patty Bowker married Samuel Wells on 22 March 1774 in Farcett, HUN. Married by licence.

     Patty Bowker was born before August 1789 in Walton, Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of James Bowker and Anne Lowe. Patty Bowker was christened on 19 April 1790 in Paston, Northamptonshire.
     Patty died before 4 August 1819 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. She was buried on 4 August 1819 in St John the Baptist, Peterborough.

     Peter Bowker was born circa 1766 in Huntingdonshire. No record of baptism has been found. He was the son of Burgess Bowker and Elizabeth (Mary) Higby. Peter was a farmer in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire.
     In Burgess Bowker's will dated 21 October 1790 in Alconbury Weston, Peter Bowker was named as heir. He was an executor of Burgess Bowker's estate on 27 December 1790 in Huntingdonshire.
Peter Bowker married Mary Marshall on 24 October 1791 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. Married by licence.
     Peter died on 18 June 1819 in Alconbury Weston, Huntingdonshire. He is buried with his wife Mary and his memorial inscription states Peter Bowker who departed this life 1st June 1819 aged 53. He was buried on 21 June 1819 in Alconbury Weston.

     Peter Bowker was born circa 1860.
     Peter died in 1926 in New Zealand.

     Peter Jennings Bowker was also known as Booker in records. He was christened on 17 July 1743 in Farcett, Huntingdonshire. He was the son of David Bowker and Lydia Jennings.
     Peter was buried on 7 October 1743 in Farcett, HUN. Peter Booker, son of David & Lydia.

     Phyllis Stanser Bowker was born on 26 September 1903 in Dungog, New South Wales. She was the daughter of Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Alice Annie Trader. Phyllis Stanser Bowker and Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker were on the passenger list of the "Miltiades" with Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Alice Annie Trader on 18 September 1914 in London.
     Phyllis Stanser Bowker was listed with Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Alice Annie Trader on the passenger list of the "Demosthenes" arriving at London on 4 April 1924.
     Phyllis Stanser Bowker was engaged in January 1930 in New South Wales. The Engagement is announced of Phyllis, only daughter of Mrs Bowker of Coonong, Ocean- street Edgecliff and the late Dr C Stanser Bowker, Randwick, to Henry H B Ive, only son of Mr and Mrs H B Ive of Edgecliff.
     Phyllis Stanser Bowker was engaged on 14 January 1932 in New South Wales. The Engagement is announced of Phyllis, daughter of the late Dr. C. Stanser Bowker and Mrs. Bowker, of Beresford-road, Rose Bay, to Noel James Allen, son of the late Rev Ewing Thomson and Mrs M Thomson, of Tara, Neutral Bay.
Phyllis Stanser Bowker married John A Hunt on 7 July 1937 in St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore. He was a member of the staff of Fogden, Brisbane & Co, engaged on works at the Seletar Air Base. They had no issue.
     Phyllis resided at 4 St Nicholas Flats. River Valley Rd, Singapore.
     Phyllis died on 19 September 1987 in Singapore aged 83.
     Her will was proved in January 1988 at Singapore. Mrs Phyllis Stanser Hunt (nee Bowker) late of Cavenagh House, 03-109B clemenceau Avenue, Singapore, 0922, who died testate on 19 Sep 1987.

     Rebecca Bowker was christened on 26 November 1786 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Bowker and Elizabeth Dawson.
     In Thomas Bowker's will dated 24 February 1802 in Blackfriars Rd, London, Rebecca Bowker was named as heir.
Rebecca Bowker married William Duncan Campbell on 3 May 1809 in York, Yorkshire.
     Rebecca Bowker was recorded on the 1841 census in Mansion House St, Lambeth, Surrey. Rebecca Cambell, 45, Independent, Frances Cambell, 22, Peter Cambell, 25, Col/lab??, all born in the county.
     Rebecca Bowker was recorded on the 1851 census in 5 Washington Place, Peckham, Surrey. Rebecca Cambell, 57, head, married, fund holder, born Yaxley, Hunts; Isabella Cambell, 37, daughter, unmarried, born Retford, Ntt, William Cambell, 3, grandson, born Kingsland, Mdx, Bd [Blind?].
     Rebecca died on 16 January 1862 in 29 Crown St, Hammersmith, London, aged 75.
     The administration of her estate was granted to William Duncan Stuart Campbell on 24 September 1872 at the Principal Probate Registry, London. Administration of the effects of the estate of Rebecca Campbell, late of Hammersmith in the county of Middlesex, who died 16 January 1862 at 29 Crown St, Hammersmith, was granted ... to William Duncan Stewart Campbell, of 23 Clapham Rd, Surrey, gentleman, the son and one of the next of kin. Effects under £100.

     Rebecca Bowker was christened on 8 December 1741 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Bowker and Rebecca Robinson.
Rebecca Bowker married Edward Nottingham on 22 April 1776 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire. The Stamford mercury on 25 April 1776 reported: Last week was married Mr Edward Nottingham of Evedon in Lincolnshire to Mrs Rebecca Bowker, one of the daughters of Mr Bowker, of Yaxley in Huntingdonshire. Rebecca Bowker was an executor of Thomas Bowker's estate on 24 August 1792 in Huntingdonshire.
     Rebecca Bowker was mentioned in the will of Thomas Bowker dated 24 February 1802.

     Rebecca Burnham Bowker was christened on 27 October 1833 in Buckworth, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Thomas Burgess Bowker and Rebecca Burnham.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker was recorded on the 1841 census in Brampton, Huntingdonshire. Rebecca Bowker, aged 7, pupil, born in the county.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker was recorded on the 1851 census in Westgate, Louth, Lincolnshire. She was a pupil aged 17, born Buckworth, in the household (school) of Jane Smith, along with a Mary A Burnham, aged 8 of Whittlesea, and two Vorgette girls - cousins of the head.
     She was listed in the 1851 census in Westgate, Peterborough.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker was recorded on the 1861 census in Hansbury Hill Farm House, Hardingstone, Northamptonshire. Rebecca B Bowker, aged 27, born Buckworth, unmarried was a boarder and governess in the household of John & Ann Shaw, a farmer of 320 acres.
Rebecca Burnham Bowker married John Wood on 29 February 1864 in Winwick, Oundle RD, Huntingdonshire & Northamptonshire.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker and John Wood were recorded on the 1871 census in North St, Dryden House, Oundle, Northamptonshire. John Wood 47, draper, employing 10 men and 1 boy, born Market Harboro', Leics; with his wife Rebecca B aged 38, born Buckworth, Hunts and children William Burnham aged 5, and Kate Rose aged 3, both born at Oundle.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker were recorded on the 1881 census in Oundle, Northamptonshire. Rebecca B Wood, widowe, 47, draper, born Buckworth, Hunts: her children William B 16, drapers son, Carrie B, 14, draper's daughter, Rose K 12, scholar, all born at Oundle, with an assistant, apprentice and servant.
     Rebecca Burnham Bowker was recorded on the 1891 census in North Street, Oundle. Rebecca Burnham Wood, widow, aged 57, draper, born Buckworth Hunts, with her unmarried children William Burnham Wood, aged 26, draper's assistant, Carrie Bowker Wood, 24, ditto, Rose Kate 22, ditto, all born at Oundle; with a milliner & a general servant.
     Rebecca died on 26 December 1905 in Oundle, Northamptonshire, aged 72.

     Rebecca Mary Bowker was christened on 24 March 1780 in St Michael, Stamford, Lincolnshire. She was the daughter of James Bowker and Mary Roades.
     Rebecca Mary Bowker married Francis Weldon as his second wife, on 11 July 1803 in Stamford St Michael, Lincolnshire. Rebecca Mary Bowker was buried on 29 September 1854 in Kirton in Holland, Lincolnshire. Rebecca Weldon, infant - so not correct person.

     Reginald Maclean Bowker was born on 3 October 1880 in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Francis Bowker and Margaret Ellen Peed.
     Reginald died on 9 April 1881 in Lakefield, ONT, CAN.

     Richard Bowker was born before 1640 in England.

     Richard Bowker was born in England. He was the son of Richard Bowker.
     Richard died on 17 November 1661 in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire.

     Richard Bowker was born in England.

     Richard Bowker was born circa 1675 in Haverhill, Suffolk. He was the son of Richard Bowker.
     Richard Bowker and Elizabeth Unknown obtained a marriage licence before 27 October 1697 in Suffolk.
Richard Bowker married Elizabeth Unknown on 27 October 1697 in Icklingham, Suffolk. She was a widow aged 20 and he was single aged 22 of Haverhill.

     Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker was commonly known as Stanser. He was born on 3 September 1905 in Dungog, New South Wales. STANSER-BOWKER - September 3, at her residence St Cyr, Dungog, the wife of C. Stanser Bowker, of a son. He was the son of Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Alice Annie Trader. Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker and Phyllis Stanser Bowker were on the passenger list of the "Miltiades" with Dr Charles Stanser Bowker and Alice Annie Trader on 18 September 1914 in London.
     Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker was engaged on 7 February 1930 in New South Wales. The Engagement is announced of R M Stanser Bowker, only son of Mrs Bowker, Edgecliff, and the late Dr. Stanser Bowker, to Frances Stuart, youngest daughter of Mrs Stuart, Dundee, and the late Mr David Murie Stuart, of Pitlochry, Scotland. Home papers, please copy.
Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker married Dorothy Mawson in 1935 in Chatswood, New South Wales.
     Richard resided at 17 Henson St, Merrylands, New South Wales. He also had a farm at Leppington, NSW.
     Richard died on 24 December 1981 in New South Wales aged 76. He was buried after 24 December 1981 in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney. Richard Marlow Bowker, aged 76, husband of Dorothy. Father of Richard & Charles.

     Richard Mawson Stanser Bowker was born on 11 April 1936 in Camperdown, New South Wales. BOWKER (nee Dorothy Mawson).— April 11, at Milby private hospital, Camperdown, to Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Stanser Bowker-a son (Richard Stanser).. He was the son of Richard Marlow Stanser Bowker and Dorothy Mawson.
     Richard resided at 14 Gretel Close, Nelson Bay, New South Wales, 1989.
     Richard died in February 2008 aged 71.