Andrew Bowne facts for kids

Captain Andrew Bowne (born around 1638, died around 1708) was an important politician and judge in the early American colonies. He worked in different government jobs in both New York and New Jersey.

Andrew Bowne's Early Life

Andrew Bowne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, around 1638. His parents were William and Ann Bowne. When he was about seven or eight years old, his family moved to Gravesend, which was an English settlement in New Netherland.

Andrew Bowne became a sailor, also known as a mariner. By 1680, he lived in New York City and worked as a merchant, buying and selling goods. In 1686, he moved to Middletown Township, New Jersey. There, he bought a large piece of land, about 1,000 acres. This land is now known as Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach. He lived there until he passed away.

Andrew Bowne's Political Career

Andrew Bowne held many important positions in the colonial governments of New York and New Jersey.

Serving in New York

Andrew Bowne started his public service in New York.

• In October 1683, he was chosen by Governor Thomas Dongan to be a judge in the Admiralty Court. This court handled cases related to the sea and shipping.
• He also served as an Alderman for New York City. He held this role in November 1684 and again in October 1685. An alderman was like a city council member, helping to govern the city.

Serving in East New Jersey

Andrew Bowne also played a big role in the government of East New Jersey.

• From 1690 to 1698, he was a justice of the peace for Monmouth County. This meant he helped keep order and settle minor legal issues.
• He was also a judge in the Court of Session, and he was the main judge (Presiding Judge) several times between 1693 and 1699.
• In 1698 and 1699, he served as a judge for the East Jersey Court of Common Right. This was the highest court in the colony at that time.

Joining the Council

In 1692, Andrew Bowne became a member of the East New Jersey Provincial Council. This council was like the upper house of the colony's legislature, helping to make laws. He stayed on the Council through the time of Governor Andrew Hamilton and Governor Jeremiah Basse.

Becoming Deputy Governor

On May 9, 1699, Governor Basse needed to go to London. He suggested that the Council appoint a deputy governor to act in his place. Andrew Bowne was chosen for this important job. He took his official oath on May 15. However, Governor Hamilton was reappointed in August 1699 and arrived in December, taking over from Bowne.

A Challenge for Governor

Andrew Bowne and Governor Hamilton had some political disagreements. In 1701, Bowne presented a document that said he was appointed Governor of East New Jersey by some of the colony's owners (Proprietors) in England. However, the Proprietors living in East Jersey questioned if this document was valid. They said it was signed by only a few of the owners and protested against it.

Governor Hamilton refused to give up his office. He and the Council believed that Bowne's appointment was not proper. They worried that if Hamilton stepped down, the colony would be left without a proper government. The Council even announced to the public that Bowne's appointment was "defective," meaning it wasn't valid.

Serving in the Province of New Jersey

By the late 1690s, the governments of East and West Jersey were having many problems. Because of this, the owners of both colonies gave up their right to govern to Queen Anne of Great Britain. Queen Anne's government then combined the two colonies into one, called the Province of New Jersey. This new colony was a royal colony, meaning it was directly controlled by the King or Queen.

New Roles in the Unified Colony

Many politicians, including Andrew Bowne, tried to gain influence in this new government.

• Some people, like Lewis Morris, asked the Queen's advisors not to appoint Andrew Bowne as governor.
• However, other important owners suggested that Bowne should have a seat on the new New Jersey Provincial Council.
• In late 1702, Queen Anne chose her cousin, Viscount Cornbury, to be the first governor of the unified New Jersey. This was done to avoid choosing someone who was already part of the local political groups.

Andrew Bowne was given a seat on the Council, representing the Eastern Division. When the Council's president, Lewis Morris, was suspended in 1704, Andrew Bowne became the new president.

Judicial Appointments

Governor Cornbury also appointed Andrew Bowne to judicial roles:

• On December 11, 1704, he became a judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas.
• On November 6, 1705, he was promoted to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Governor Cornbury did express some concerns about the health of Bowne and others on the Council. Captain Andrew Bowne passed away around 1708.

Andrew Bowne's Family Life

Andrew Bowne had five brothers: John, James, Philip, and Gershom. He also had one sister. His brothers John and James both served in the East Jersey General Assembly, which was another part of the colonial legislature. John was even the Speaker (leader) of the Assembly from 1680 to 1683.

Andrew Bowne was married to a woman named Elizabeth. They had one daughter, who was also named Elizabeth.