JOHN BOWDEN III
(ca:  1725-1788)

by Mrs. F.M. Gossum, Jr.

John Bowden III (also spelled Bowdoin, Beaudoin, Bowdin, Bourden, Bowdown, 
and Baudoiun) was probably born in Somerset Co., MD. Ca 1825.  He was the 
son of John Bowden II and a mother whose name is not known.

John Bowden III must have remained in Somerset Co., MD., at least until after
1749 for in that year he is on a list of troops in Somerset Co., under the 
command of Captain Joseph Miller.  By 1857 John was evidently well established 
in Isle of Wight Co., Va., where his name is found many times on the record 
books.  His will was recorded in Isles of Wight Co., 4 Dec 1788. Named in the 
will were wife Peggy; sons John, Thomas, William, and Elias; daughters, Frances, 
Mary, Hannah, Chloy, and Rhody Powell; and brother Richard.  Executors of the 
will were sons Thomas and Elias.  Witnesses were William Bridger.  James A. 
Bridger, and Robert Eley. It is believed that John Bowden III's wife was named 
Margaret Webb, but that has not been definitely proved.

Although too old to serve in the Continental army, as did all four of his sons, 
one of whom was killed, John Bowden III furnished supplies for the American 
troops.

John Bowden III was the gr-grandson of colonist Pierre Bowdoin and his wife 
Elizabeth who were natives of LaRochelle.  France.  Pierre and his wife, both 
Huguenots, fled their native country some time prior to 1682 and lived for about 
five years in Dublin, Ireland.  In 1687 the Bowdoins came to the United States, 
arriving at Casco, Maine, near Portland.

Pierre Bowdoin died in September 1704, and his wife Elizabeth died 18 August 
1720 in Boston, Mass.  They had at least four children: James, who remained in 
Boston and whose son became governor of Mass., and whose grandson was a generous 
benefactor of Bowdoin College;  John I who came to Virginia and married Susannah 
Harmanson; Elizabeth who married a Robins; and Mary who married Stephen 
Bontineau.

John Bowden I probably married Susannah Harmanson in Northampton Co., Va., but 
record of that marriage has not been found.  The will of John Bowden I is found 
recorded in Northampton Co., Va., April 1717.  In the will of John I named wife 
Susannah; sons Peter and John II; and daughters Susannah and Mary.

It was this John Bowden I, born in France some time prior to 1680, who was to 
become the ancestor of most of the Bowden families in Virginia, North Carolina, 
Tennessee and Kentucky.

(Descendants in the Jacob Flournoy Chapter, DAR are:  Mrs. M. E. Simons and Mrs. 
F.M. Gossum, Jr., Mrs. Ed. N. White of the Martin, Tn. DAR chapter is also a 
descendant.