Rees Tate Bowen (1729 - 1780)

Born 10 Apr 1729 in Augusta, Rockingham County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Louisa (Smith) Bowen — married 1756 in Rockingham Co, Virginia

Descendants

Died 7 Oct 1780 at age 51 in Cherokee, South Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: David Richards [send private message], David Stearns [send private message], Angela Trigg [send private message], and Chris Wallace [send private message]

Biography

Lieutenant Rees Bowen served with Washington County Militia, Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

Lieutenant Rees Bowen was Killed in Action, Battle of Kings Mountain during American Revolution.

Rees Bowen is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A012723.

Rees Bowen is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 118510
Rank: Lieutenant

Rees Bowen was born in 1729, the fifth child and second son of John Washington Bowen and Lillian "Lilly" Stella Mcllhaney, apparently named in part after his grandmother Rhys on his father's side. ^[1] Their oldest son John Bowen, Jr. was born, then, before 1729. It was proven John Bowen, Jr. was the elder brother of Rees Bowen in a Frederick County court on April 30, 1821 and that he thereby inherited land bounty awarded to Rees Bowen for his Rev. War service as Ensign. ^[2]

Lt. Rees Bowen and wife, Louisa "Levisa" Smith, were said to be the second white family on the frontier in SW Virginia in 1772. Their old home place still stands today in Tazewell Co, VA.

Children of Rees Bowen and Margaret Louisa Smith are:

John Bowen

Rees Bowen

Margaret Bowen

Rebecca Bowen

Lily Bowen

Arthur Bowen

Louisa Bowen

Henry Bowen

Nancy Bowen

Rees was killed in the Battle of King's Mountain - North Carolina/South Carolina border.
Death: Oct. 7, 1780
Burial: Bowen Family Cemetery, Cove Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA ^[3]Alternative non cemetery virtual memorial at Blacksburg, Cherokee County, South Carolina, USA. ^[4]

Daughters of the American Revolution information:

• BOWEN, REESE
• Ancestor #: A012723
• Service: VIRGINIA
• Rank(s): LIEUTENANT
• Birth: POST 1737 ORANGE CO VIRGINIA
• Death: 10-7-1780 BATTLE OF KINGS MTN SOUTH CAROLINA
• Service Source: GWATHMEY, HIST REG OF VA IN THE REV, P 81; SANCHEZ-SAAVEDRA, A GUIDE TO VA MIL ORGS IN THE AM REV, P 143
• Service Description: 1) COL CAMPBELL, 1780
• RESIDENCE: Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:55.3, Updated: 2010-10-22 09:07:41.0, By: 1) County: WASHINGTON CO - State: VIRGINIA; Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:55.3, Updated: 2013-03-08 09:02:48.0, By: 1503727 2) State: NORTH CAROLINA
• SPOUSE: LOUISA MARGARET SMITH; Created: 2002-03-27 23:17:13.16, Updated: 2010-10-22 09:07:41.0, By: 1)
• Child daughter: NANCY BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] JOHN WARD
• Child daughter: LILLY BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] JEFFREY HILDRETH
• Child daughter: LAVICY BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] JOHN THOMPSON
• Child daughter: MARGARET BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] THOMAS GILLESPIE
• Child daughter: PEGGY BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] THOMAS GILLESPIE
• Child son: HENRY BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] ELLEN STUART TATE
• Child daughter: LOUISA BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] JOHN THOMPSON
• Child daughter: REBECCA BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] SAMUEL DUFF
• Child son: JOHN BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] NANCY GILLESPIE
• Child son: REES BOWEN, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] REBECCA BOWEN
• Notice: PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WITH AT LEAST ONE PREVIOUSLY VERIFIED PAPER - SEE ANCESTOR’S FULL RECORD (WHY?)
• COMMENTS: (Overview); Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:50.97, Updated: 2010-10-22 09:07:41.0, By: 1) EL- ARTHUR BOWEN A012665 WHO MARRIED MARY MCMURRAY NOT THE SON OF THIS MAN. Created: 2002-03-27 23:23:50.97, Updated: 2013-03-08 09:13:41.0, By: 1503727 2) SEE DATA IN CORRECTION FILE. 08/1996
• EL; ARTHUR RESSE, [Spouse #] Spouse: [1] MARY MCMURRAY

Research Notes

Biographical background for for Rees Bowen: ^[5]

Rees married Louisa Smith, whose parents then lived in that section of Augusta now known as Rockingham County. It is said that, after his marriage, he took up his abode on the Roanoke River close to where the city of Roanoke is now situated.

In some way Rees Bowen learned of the fertile lands and abundance of game that could be found in the Upper Clinch Valley; and he concluded to abandon his home on the Roanoke River and settle in this region, where he could locate and occupy, without cost, a large boundary of fine unoccupied land. It is known from tradition that when he arrived with his family in the vicinity of the great spring, to which he gave a peculiar name, he had not then selected the boundary of land upon which he would settle. After they went into camp, on the evening of the day he reached the place that has since been the home of the Bowens, he went out to find and kill a deer to get a supply of fresh meat. While thus engaged he discovered the spring. Bickley thus tells of the discovery of the immense fountain and what followed:

"When Mr. Bowen first saw the spring, he discovered a fine young female deer, feeding on the moss within the orifice from which gushes the spring. He shot it, and when he went to get his deer, saw a pair of elk horns standing on their points, and leaning against the rocks. Mr. Bowen was a very large and tall man, yet he had no difficulty in walking upright under the horns. He chose this place for his, and the spring and river have since been known as Maiden Spring and Fork."

The first four years after he and his family located at Maiden Spring were free from any hostile demonstrations by the Indians against the Clinch settlements. he was possessed of great physical strength and was very industrious, and in the four years he erected a large and strong log house, extended his clearings into the forests and added considerably to the number of horses and cattle he brought with him from his home on the Roanoke. Then came trouble with the Ohio Indians, in 1773, when the whole frontier of Virginia was threatened by the red men; and Rees Bowen built a heavy stockade around his dwelling, converting it into an excellent neighborhood fort.

In the meantime, his four brothers, John, Arthur, William and Moses had moved out from Augusta to find homes in the country west of New River. When Dunmore's War came on the three brothers, Rees, William and Moses, went with Captain William Russell's company on the Lewis expedition to the mouth of the Kanawha River; and were prominent figures in the eventful battle at Point Pleasant. Moses Bowen was then only twenty years old; and on the return march from the Kanawha he was stricken with smallpox, from which frightful malady he died in the wilderness.

After his return from Point Pleasant, for two years Rees Bowen, like all the pioneer settlers, was actively engaged in clearing up fields from the forest and increasing the comforts of his new home. While thus occupied the war between the colonies and Great Britain began; and the British Government turned the Western Indians loose on the Virginia frontiers. This caused the organization of a company of militia, expert Indian fighters, in the Clinch Valley. The two Bowen brothers were members of the company, William being captain, and Rees, Lieutenant. This company, composed of pioneers, did effective service for the protection of the settlers in the Clinch and the Holston valleys.

When Colonels Shelby and Sevier, in the fall of 1780, appealed to Colonel William Campbell to join them in the expedition to King's Mountain, with a volunteer force from Washington County, Virginia, the company from Clinch Valley volunteered to go. Owing to illness from a serious attack of fever, Captain William Bowen was unable to lead his men on the expedition, and the command of the company devolved upon Lieutenant Rees Bowen. He marched with his company and joined Campbell at Wolf Hill (now Abington), and thence on to the Carolinas, and gave his life for American freedom, while leading his men in the memorable battle at King's Mountain.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL AND THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN
It is beyond the scope of this narrative to discuss the Battle of Kings Mountain in any great detail. The noted military historian, Henry Lumpkin, gives a very good and objective account of the battle in his book From Savannah to Yorktown, at pages 91-104. The official report of the engagement, signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby and Cleveland, was published in the Virginia Gazette on 18 November 1780 and was included in Lyman C. Draper's book Kings Mountain and Its Heroes, at pages 522-524. Prior to issuance of this official report, a shorter account had already been made in a letter written by the American commander, Colonel William Campbell, a few days after the battle. A transcript of Colonel Campbell's letter is as follows:

"October 25th, 1780

"Dear Sir,

"Ferguson and his party are no more in circumstances to require the citizens of America. We came up with him in Craven County, South Carolina posted on a height called Kings Mountain, about 12 miles north of the Cherokee ford of broad River, about two o'clock in the evening of the seventh instant, we having marched the whole night before. Col. Shelby's regiment and mine began the attack, & sustained the whole fire of the enemy for about ten minutes while the other troops were forming around the height, upon which the enemy was posted. The firing then became general, & as heavy as you can conceive for the number of men. The advantageous situation of the enemy, being on the top of a steep ridge, obliged us to expose ourselves exceedingly, and the dislodging of them was equal to driving men from strong breastworks; though in the end we gained the point of the ridge where my regiment fought, and drove them along the summit of it nearly to the other end, where Col. Cleveland and his country men were. Then they were drove into a huddle, and the greatest confusion; the flag for a surrender was immediately hoisted, and as soon as our troops could be notified of it, the firing ceased, and the survivors surrendered. The estimated prisoners at discretion. The victory was complete to a wish. My regiment has suffered more than any other in the action. I must proceed with the prisoners until I can in some way dispose of them, probably I may go on to Richmond in Virginia.

"I am etc.

"/S/ Wm Campbell, Col. Cdr." ________________________________________

The Bowens, of Tazewell ^[6]
This family is of Welch extraction, and the immediate ancestors of those that came hither were, long prior to the American Revolution, located and settled about Fredericktown, in western Maryland. Restive in disposition and fond of adventure, like all of their blood, they sought, fairly early after the first white settlements were made in the Valley of Virginia, to look for homes in that direction. How early, or the exact date, that Reece Bowen, the progenitor of the Tazewell family of that name, came in to the Virginia Valley from his western Maryland home, cannot be named with certainty; doubtless he came as early as 1765, for it is known that for a few years prior to 1772, when he located at Maiden Spring, he was living on the Roanoke River, close by where the city of Roanoke is now situated, then in Augusta County, he married Miss Louisa Smith, who proved to him not only a loving and faithful wife, but a great helpmeet in his border life. She was evidently a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and cultivation for one of her day and opportunity. She was a small, neat and trim woman, weighing only about one hundred pounds, while her husband was a giant in size and strength. It is told as a fact that she could step into her husband's hand and that he could stand and extend his arm, holding her at right angle to his body.

Prize fighting was quite common in the early days of the settlements, by which men tested their manhood and prowess. The man who could demolish all who chose to undertake him was the champion, and wore the belt until some man flogged him, and then he had to surrender it. At some period after Reece Bowen had settled on the Roanoke, and after the first child came into the home, Mrs. Bowen desiring to pay a visit to her people in the Valley, she and her babe and husband set out on horse-back along the narrow bridle way that then led through the valley, and on the way they met a man clad in the usual garb of the day--that is , buck-skin trousers, moccasins, and hunting shirt, or wampus. The stranger inquired of Mr. Bowen his name, which he gave him; proposed a fight for the belt. Bowen tried to beg off, stating that he was taking his wife and child, the latter then in his arms, to her people. The man would take no excuse; finally Mrs. Bowen said to her husband; "Reece, give me the child and get down and slap that man's jaws." Mr. Bowen alighted from his horse, took the man by the lapel of his hunting shirt, gave him a few quick, heavy jerks, when the man called out to let him go, he had enough.

It is also related of Mr. Bowen, that in a later prize fight, at Maiden Spring, with a celebrated prize fighter who had, with his seconds, come from South Carolina to fight Bowen, and when he reached Bowen's home and made known to him his business, he, Mr. Bowen, did what he could in an honorable way to excuse himself from engaging in a fight; but the man was persistent and Bowen concluded to accommodate him and sent for his seconds--a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Clendenin. The fight took place and the gentleman from South Carolina came off second best.

Just when Reece Bowen first saw the territory of what is now Tazewell County cannot be definitely stated. Whether he was one of the large hunting party organized of men from the Virginia Valley, North Carolina and New River, which rendezvoused at Ingles' Ferry in June, 1769, and hunted on the waters of the Holstein, Powell's River, Clinch, and in Kentucky, is not known; his name does not appear among the number, but the writer, "Haywood's Civil and Political History of Tennessee," does not profess to give all the names of the party. Nevertheless it is highly probable that Bowen was along, or he may have gone out with the party the next year, or he may have met with the Witten's, and others, on their way out in 1771, and joined them. He seems not to have made his settlement at Maiden Spring until the year of 1772. He went with Captain William Russell's company to the battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774, leaving home in August of that year, and leaving Daniel Boone in command of that part of the frontier. As already stated in this volume, Boone had been forced to give up his journey to Kentucky in September, 1773, on account of the breaking out of the Indian War, and had spent the winter of 1773-4 in the neighborhood of Captain William Russell, near Castleswoods.

Captain Russell's company belonged to Colonel William Christian's Fincastle Regiment, the greater part of which did not participate in the battle of Point Pleasant, being in the rear in charge of the pack horses carrying provisions for the army; but Shelby's and Russell's companies went forward with the main body and took an active part in the conflict. Moses Bowen, a relative of Reece, was with Russell's company, but died on the journey, from smallpox.

From 1774 to 1781, when Reece Bowen marched away to the battle of King's Mountain, the border on and along the Clinch was harassed by bands of marauding Indians, and in many of the skirmishes and troubles Reece Bowen took a hand. During the period from the date of Bowen's settlement at Maiden Spring until his death, to procure salt, iron, and other necessary materials he had to travel across the mountains to Salisbury, North Carolina, carrying them on a packhorse, and would be absent for weeks, leaving his wife and children alone. His trips, however, were always made in winter, when there was no danger from the Indians. He left rifle guns and bear dogs at home, and with these his wife felt safe from danger, for she was a good shot with a rifle, often exceeding the men in ordinary rifle practice. Mr. Bowen had selected a lovely country for his home, and around and adjacent thereto, prior to the fall of 1780, had surveyed and secured several thousand acres of that valuable land, of which his descendants today hold about twelve square miles.

When it was known that Lord Cornwallis' Army was marching northward through the Carolinas, and that Colonel Ferguson, who commanded the left wing of his Army, had sent a threat to the "Over Mountain Men" that if they did not cross the mountains and take the oath of allegiance to the King, that he would cross over and destroy with fire and sword, Evan Shelby, John Sevier, and William Campbell determined to checkmate Colonel Ferguson by crossing the mountains and destroying him and his army. Colonel Campbell commanded the Washington County Military Force, and William Bowen a company that belonged to Campbell's Command, though a part of his company lived on the Montgomery County side of the line. In this company Reece Bowen was a First Lieutenant, his son John a Private, and James Moore a Junior Lieutenant. When the order came for Bowen's company to join the regiment it found its Captain, William Bowen, sick of a fever, and this situation devolved the command of the company upon Lieutenant Reece Bowen, who led it into the battle of King's Mountain, and there, together with several of his men, was killed and buried on the field. His remains were never removed, for the reason that when opportunity was offered for their removal the spot in which he was buried could not be identified. Campbell's Regiment lost in this battle 35 killed and wounded; among the killed, other than Lieutenant Reece Bowen, were Captain William Edmondson, Robert Edmondson, Andrew Edmondson, and Henry Henninger, and among the wounded, Charles Kilgore and John Peery, the two latter and Henninger from the Upper Clinch Waters.

Additional Account of King's Mountain Battle: A Statement of the proceedings of the Western Army, from the 25th of September, 1780, to the reduction of Major Ferguson, and the army under his command.

On receiving intelligence that Major Ferguson had advanced as high up as Gilbert Town, in Rutherford county, and threatened to cross the mountains to the Western waters, Col. William Campbell, with four hundred men from Washington county, of Virginia; Col. Isaac Shelby with two hundred and forty men from Sullivan county, North-Carolina, and Lieutenant-Col. John Sevier, with two hundred and forty men from Washington county, North-Carolina, assembled at Watauga on the 25th of September, where they were joined by Col. Charles McDowell, with one hundred and sixty men from the counties of Burke and Rutherford, who had fled before the enemy to the Western waters.

We began our march on the 26th, and on the 30th, we were joined by Col. Cleveland, on the Catawba River, with three hundred and fifty men from the counties of Wilkes and Surry. No one officer having properly a right to the command-in-chief, on the 1st of October, we despatched an express to Major General Gates, informing him of our situation, and requested him to send a general officer to take command of the whole. In the meantime, Col. Campbell was chosen to act as commandant till such general officer should arrive.

We reached the Cow Pens, on the Broad River, in South Carolina, where we were joined by Col. James Williams, on the evening of the 6th October, who informed us that the enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee Ford of Broad River, about thirty miles distant form us. By a council of the principal officers, it was then thought advisable to pursue the enemy that night with nine hundred of the best horsemen, and leave the weak horses and footmen to follow as fast as possible. We began our march with nine hundred of the best men about eight o'clock the same evening, marched all night, and came up with the enemy about three o'clock P.M. of the 7th, who lay encamped on the top of King's Mountain, twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford, in the confidence they could not be forced from so advantageous a post. Previous to the attack, in our march the following disposition was made:

Col. Shelby's regiment formed a column in the centre on the left; Col. Campbell's another on the right; part of Col. Cleveland's regiment, headed by Major Winston and Col. Sevier's, formed a large column on the right wing; the other part of Col. Cleveland's regiment composed the left wing. In this order we advanced, and got within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we were discovered. Col. Shelby's and Col. Campbell's regiments began the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack. The troops upon the right having gained the summit of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge where Col. Cleveland commanded, and were there stopped by his brave men. A flag was immediately hoisted by Captain Dupoister,(1) the commanding officer, (Major Ferguson having been killed a little before,) for a surrender. Our fire immediately ceased,(2) and the enemy laid down their arms--the greater part of them loaded--and surrendered themselves to us prisoners at discretion. It appears from their own provision returns for that day, found in their camp, that their whole force consisted of eleven hundred and twenty-five men, out of which they sustained the following loss:--Of the regulars, one Major, one captain, two lieutenants and fifteen privates killed, thirty-five privates wounded. Left on the ground, not able to march, two captains, four lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, five sergeants; three corporals, one drummer and fifty-nine privates taken prisoners.

Loss of the Tories, two colonels, three captains, and two hundred and one privates killed; one Major and one hundred and twenty-seven privates wounded and left on the ground not able to march; one colonel, twelve captains, eleven lieutenants, two ensigns, one quarter-master, one adjutant, two commissaries, eighteen sergeants and six hundred privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, eleven hundred and five men at King's Mountain. 3

Given under our hands at camp, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, ISAAC SHELBY, BENJAMIN CLEVELAND

The loss on our side--

Killed—1 colonel, Wounded—1 Major, 1 Major, 3 captains, 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 2 lieutenants 55 privates 4 ensigns, 19 privates 62 total wounded.* 28 total killed.

Published by order of Congress 4

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary

Reece Bowen has in Tazewell County many highly respected, prominent and influential descendants, among them Mr. Reece Bowen, Colonel Thomas P. Bowen and Captain Henry Bowen, all brave and distinguished Confederate Soldiers; the latter, Captain Henry, being frequently honored by his people as a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and a Representative in Congress. The present Mr. Reece Bowen married Miss Mary Crockett, of Wythe; Colonel Thomas P., Miss Augusta Stuart, of Greenbrier, and Captain Henry, Miss Louisa Gillespie, of Tazewell.

May/June, 2009 issue of the D.A.R. Magazine: "Fort Maiden Spring Chapter, Tazewell, VA, joined the Clinch Mountain Militia Chapter, S.A.R. for a memorial dedication for Patriots Rees Bowen and Thomas Gillespie. The celebration was of great interest to the chapter because its namesake, Fort Maiden Spring, was the home of Rees Bowen. Bowen settled in the town in 1769 and led the local militia to the Battle of King's Mountain. There he died and was buried. After the battle, Thomas Gillespie married Bowen's daughter, Margaret."

"The S.A.R. and government markers were placed in the cemetery at the Bowen home....The Bowen and Gillespie families were both well represented at the event. The two families have remained close through the years, and this event renewed those ties."

Bowen, Arthur, Captain, DAR Ancestor Number A012665

Bowen, Charles, DAR Ancestor Number A012667

Bowen, Henry, DAR Ancestor Number A012683

Bowen, John, DAR Ancestor Number A012707

Bowen, Reese, Lieutenant, DAR Ancestor Number A012723

Bowen, William, Captain, DAR Ancestor #A012747

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/LRF1-R2Q Evan AP Owen AP Pentoc Chart A
2. ↑ https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE2523893&from=fhd | Bounty land warrant records. Warrants 6442-6454 inclusive, issued May 8, 1821-p. 577
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #128299564 Rees Bowen 1750 - 7 October 1780
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #90242808 ENS Rees Bowen (1729-1780)
5. ↑ Pendleton's History of Tazewell County, Virginia (pages 407 - 410)
6. ↑ David E. Johnston A History of The Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory 1906

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 06 Mar 2024), "Record of Reese Bowen", Ancestor # A012723.
• Pendleton, William Cecil, History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia, 1748-1920 1920 Richmond, Va. : W. C. Hill printing company.
• https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/092-0002 | Rees Bowen's homeplace on Maiden Spring History for Historic Register
• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-76H6]: "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch. Lieut. Reece Bowen; citing Military Service, (Campbell's Riflemen), Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711079.
• https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-T9KV: "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch. Rees Bowen; citing Military Service, (Campbell's Riflemen).
• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSFF-L9XV-6?cc=2546162&wc=WD6Q-R9N%3A1597372301: Connecticut-Virginia, Historical register of officers of the Continental Army > image 111 of 690; Reese Bowen (Va.)
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MRY6-GMV: With family and 24 sources.