Captain William Bowie facts for kids
Captain William Bowie was an important person in early Maryland history. He was one of the first settlers in the Maryland colony. He also played a big part in the American Revolutionary War, helping the colonies gain independence from Great Britain. He was a member of the Assembly of Freemen and a delegate to the Annapolis Convention (1774–1776).
Early life of William Bowie
William Bowie was born in 1721. His parents were John Bowie, Sr. and Mary Mulliken. He was born at their home called Brookridge, near Nottingham in Prince George's County, Maryland.
When William was 21, his father bought him a large piece of land. This land was called "Brooke's Reserve" and later became known as "Mattaponi". William built a big brick house there.
It is thought that William Bowie might have led one of the local military groups, called militia. These groups helped protect the colony.
In 1753, William Bowie was chosen to be a tobacco inspector for Nottingham. Later, he became a justice of the peace, which meant he helped keep law and order. He also served in his local church as a member of St. Paul's vestry and later as a warden.
Around 1770, people heard that ships from Great Britain might bring goods to the Patuxent River. The people of Prince George's County wanted to stop these goods from landing. They held a meeting in Upper Marlboro. William Bowie and his brother Allen Bowie were chosen to watch the river and make sure no unwanted goods came ashore. They were trusted to protect the colony's interests.
Bowie and the American Revolution
William Bowie was a representative from Prince George's County. He went to the Annapolis Convention on June 22, 1774. At this meeting, leaders decided to stand up for the colony's rights. They were ready to use force against Great Britain if needed.
In November of the same year, another meeting happened in Upper Marlboro. A committee was formed to make sure the decisions of the Continental Congress were followed in Prince George's County. William Bowie, his brother Allen Bowie, and his sons Walter Bowie and Robert Bowie were all part of this important committee.
Robert Bowie was also on a committee that shared information. William Bowie and Walter Bowie were chosen to go to another convention in Annapolis. They were allowed to vote for delegates to attend a congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This congress was planned for May 10 of the next year.
In June 1775, these representatives met in Annapolis. On July 26, 1775, this convention created the Declaration of the Association of the Freemen. This document declared the colonists' commitment to their rights.
On September 12, 1775, William Bowie and his son Robert were given permission to start a company of minutemen. Minutemen were citizen soldiers who were ready to fight very quickly. William Bowie's exact role after this in the Revolution is not fully known.
Family life
Captain William Bowie married Margaret Sprigg in 1745. They had seven children together. Their children were Elizabeth (born in 1746), Walter Bowie, Robert Bowie, William Bowie, Osborn Sprigg Bowie, Ann Bowie, David Bowie, and Margaret Sprigg Bowie.
