Elizabeth Isabella (Bowles) Sims (bef. 1740)

Descendants

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Biography

The wife of Capt. Charles was Sybella, daughter of John Knight Bowles of Hanover, Va. She was a woman of high courage, of firm, true principles, suffered all the distress and privations incident to the time. The marauding Tories robbed them of everything they could carry off, servants, stock, clothes and bedding. The only horse they had left was an old mare called "Knotty Head," from an immense swelling on the side of her head. The old lady must mount "Knotty" with her bundle of medicines and bandages, with her young son, Billy, to trot behind to switch Knotty's legs, when she heard of an engagement with the enemy, and be on hand to administer to the wounded and dying. Finally the Tories burnt the house, and they were left without shelter, goods or clothing in the bitter winter weather. In some way Capt. Sims managed to convey them to Virginia under the escort of Lieutenant Ellis Fowler, as far as "Roanoke Mats," where they were received with the warmest sympathy, fed and clothed, and afterward sent on to the James River. Mrs. Sybbie Sims was very successful in her ministrations. I have a curious old document, copied with her own hand for her daughter, Mrs. Shelton. A receipt for making "green salve" by the application of which she performed some wonderful cures. One old Hughes was run thru the body by a British sword at the Battle of Cowpens. The sword passed entirely thru his body, and Hughes grasped the blade, when the British soldier, touched by his bravery said, "let go, my good fellow, I will draw it out as easily as I can." He placed his knee on Hughes and drew the blade out. Mrs. Sibbie Sims doctored Hughes with some of her famous salve, and he recovered and lived to quite an old age.

The Gee Family of Union County, South Carolina BY WILSON GEE June, 1935

Sources

• Alton Rogers Ancestry.com file