John Bowman (pioneer) facts for kids

Col. Johannes "John" Bowman (17 December 1738 – May 4, 1784) was an important American pioneer and soldier in the 1700s. He was a brave leader who helped settle Kentucky and fought in the American Revolutionary War. He became the first sheriff of Lincoln County, Kentucky. He also served as the first military governor of Kentucky County, Virginia.

Col. Bowman often worked with General George Rogers Clark. He was second-in-command during the Illinois campaign. This campaign helped the United States double its size. John and his brothers Joseph, Isaac, and Abraham Bowman were known as the "Four Centaurs of Cedar Creek." They were all excellent horsemen and important officers in the Continental Army.

Biography

Early Life: Growing Up in Virginia

Johannes Bowman was born on December 17, 1738. His parents were George Bowman and Mary Hite. They lived on Cedar Creek in Virginia. When he was about 22, he became a captain in the local militia. A militia was a group of citizen soldiers who protected their area.

In the late 1760s, John lived in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was involved in land deals and public duties. In 1769, he became a justice of the peace in Augusta County, Virginia. This meant he was a local judge. He was also appointed as a commissioner for Botetourt County.

John married Elizabeth McClung. She was a widow and a bit older than him. He later moved his family to a place called Bowman's Station.

Soldier and Frontiersman: Leading the Way

In 1775, John Bowman visited Kentucky, which was a wild frontier at the time. The next year, he joined the safety committee in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. This committee helped keep the settlers safe.

In the fall of 1776, Virginia Governor Patrick Henry made him a Colonel of the Kentucky militia. On July 14, 1777, Bowman was named the first county-lieutenant of Kentucky County, Virginia. This made him the main military leader for the area. He marched with 100 men to Kentucky County. They arrived in Harrodsburg on September 2, 1777. Soon after, he became a presiding judge in the first court held there.

During the Illinois campaign, General George Rogers Clark asked Bowman for help. Clark planned to capture Detroit. Bowman promised to bring at least 300 men. He started gathering soldiers and supplies in the spring of 1779.

In May 1779, Bowman led 160 to 300 militiamen against the Shawnee town of Chillicothe. He attacked with Benjamin Logan. They burned much of the camp and took over 300 horses. They fought off the Shawnee as they marched south. Later, they joined Clark's expedition along the Little Miami and Ohio Rivers.

Even though they didn't capture the Indian blockhouse, the raid on Chillicothe was a big win for the Kentuckians. They destroyed a major Shawnee settlement. This discouraged other Native American war parties from attacking Kentucky colonists.

In the fall of 1779, John and his brother Abraham helped found Bowman's Station. This settlement was in what is now Mercer County, Kentucky. It housed seven families during the harsh winter of 1779–80. The settlement grew to thirty families the next year. Bowman used this station as his base to organize the defense of Kentucky County.

Later Years and Death

In 1781, John Bowman became the first Sheriff of Lincoln County, Kentucky. He also presided over the first county court held in Kentucky. He and others were appointed justice of the peace on January 16, 1781. Benjamin Logan later took over his roles.

John Bowman spent his last years at Bowman Station. He hired people to tap the maple trees on his land. He sold the maple sugar for a good profit. John Bowman became ill and died at his home on May 4, 1784. People admired him for his bravery, even though he was known to be opinionated.

After his death, his brother Abraham managed his estate. John's widow, Elizabeth, received one-third of his property. The rest went to his son, John Bowman, Jr., for his education. John Bowman, Jr. later built a large brick house called the Mt. Pleasant Estate. This house is still standing near where his father's old station was.