Maria (Stites) Bowering (abt. 1772 - abt. 1821)

Born about 1772 in New York

Ancestors

Wife of Caleb Bowering — married 4 Apr 1803 in Rhode Island

Descendants

Died about 1821 at about age 49 in St. Francisville, West Feliciana, Louisiana, United States

Biography

Maria was born about 1772. She was the daughter of John Stites and Susanna Brasher. She was also known as Mary (see letter below). It appears she was formally Maria but to known as Mary informally.

She married Archibald M'Lean in June 1793 :-
Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia) - 24 Jun 1793. ^[1]
Married, a few days since, Mr. Archibald M'Lean, Printer and Publisher of the New-York Daily Gazette, to Miss Mary Stites, daughter of John Stites, Esq. of Elizabeth-Town.

She married 2nd Caleb Bowering on the 4 April 1803 in Rhode Island.

She passed away about 1821 in Francisville, Louisiana.

Maria's sister Cornelia visited America on holiday in as evidenced in the following letter sent on her return to her sister Maria / Mary back in New York : ^[2]

Mrs Maria McLean Franklins Mead Pearl St. New York

London 2 December 1796

My Dear Mary, We arrived at Portsmouth after a Pleasant Passage of 28 days, the Company Agreeable with but one exception, and he was too insignificant to give any uneasiness. I found my Darling Boys in excellent health and very much improved in there [sic.] manners - my sister was not returned from Scotland, but expect her this week. The rest of the family were here to receive me and very happy they seemed. I have not yet received my Cloaths, for the Ship has not yet got up. I have wrote Margaret a little of fashions but the truth is, I cannot at present say much as I have not yet been out, except to purchase a bonnet which is not yet come home the front is exactly like a postilions Jockey Cap, all made of black velvet, or plush, trimmed with purple, Rose, or Coquelicot, the last about two inches longer than they were, and round Dresses [?] altogether - when I left America I supposed it probable that we should return in a year, but at present do not think that will be the case, as we are about purchaseing [sic.] the lease of a House at Highbury Terrace - they have just been in to tell me I must close my letter immediately. God bless you my Dear Sister, give my love to your excellent Husband from his and your Affectionate Sister. Cornelia Galbreath

my David desires me to say everything that is affectionate for him, to you both. I will write by next opportunity. Mr Elmes is much better and likes England better than America.

Note - of interest is that she formally addresses the letter as Maria but then calls her sister Mary.

Sources

1. ↑ American Historical Newspapers - Proquest.
2. ↑ Original letter in possession of Andrew Trotter of Washington D.C., a descendant of Maria.

• Family records