Settlers: Bowden Family, Franklin Parish Submitted by: DeWanna Robinson Lindo April 2001 Source: Franklin Parish Library ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm **********************************************   Bowden Family A proud name in old Boef Prairie history was that of Colonel Lemuel H. Bowden who settled in the "upper prairie" in 1812 or 1816, coming from Georgia, via boat. An educated southern gentleman of the old school, Colonel Bowden acquired vast holdings and owned slaves to till the estate located just below what is now Ft. Necessity. Of Scot-Irish ancestry, the Bowdens married into the old Adams family, adding still more to the family holdings. The family is also closely related to the Browns, a pioneer parish family. Lemuel H. served as a Colonel in the Confederate army. He was also a member of Franklin Parish's first police jury. The family employed tutors for their children; and later sent them to private schools. A son, Andrew Jackson Bowden married Sallie Adams. She owned many acres of land, which sold after the Civil War for $1 an acre. The Bowden and Adams families were leaders in the vicious under cover, fight against carpetbaggers and scalawags. Colonel Bowden was also instructional in building the famed old Boeuf Prairie Church. It is said that he was one of the best-informed men in the community, having New York newspapers boated in from New Orleans. Unfortunately, Colonel Bowden is now probably best known for something, which must have been extremely distasteful for a man of his cultured disposition. He killed infamous Outlaw John Word who rode up to the Bowden home demanding to see Colonel Bowden ... after first sent word that he would kill him on sight. Today, no Bowdens live in in Boeuf Prairie. Andrew Jackson Jr. and Lemuel Jr. died several years ago. Like many old plantations, the Bowden holdings gradually slipped away from family control.