at age 36. x. [16][4][17], In 1829, Jim joined the Masonic Order in Opelousas, Louisiana. "[77], An hour after the battle ended, Austin arrived with the rest of the Texian army to begin a siege of San Antonio de Bxar, where General Martn Perfecto de Cs, the overall commander of Mexican forces in Texas, and his troops were garrisoned. and believed all difficulties should be settled promptly on the spot. On January 26, one of Bowie's men, James Bonham, organized a rally which passed a resolution in favor of holding the Alamo. He was the ninth of ten children. When he was a boy, one of his Native American friends taught him to rope alligators. Bexar County In 1810, the family relocated to Madrid, Missouri, where they lived for two years before moving again to Louisiana in 1802. [14] Raised on the frontier, the Bowie children worked from a young age, helping to clear the land and plant and cultivate crops. Thirty-fiveyears after the Alamo fell, a reporter identified Louis "Moses" Rose as the only man to have "deserted" the Texian forces at the Alamo. [81] In another letter, to Governor Smith, he reiterated his view that "the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. His possessions were auctioned for only $99.50. Every man sold his life desperately. as his name became a terror throughout the Southwest to threaten reckless class of law-breakers who infest a new country. BORN IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. [113] Various other stories circulated. James Bowie family tree. [109] In many cases, "these stories were pure melodrama, with Bowie rescuing some nave planter's son or damsel in distress. He placed these in a coffin inscribed with the names of Bowie, Travis, and Crockett. Omissions? [82] Bowie was older than Travis with a better reputation and considered himself a colonel, thus outranking Travis, a major. His appointment ended in May 1835, when President Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna abolished the Coahuila y Tejas government and ordered the arrest of all Texans (including Bowie) doing business in Monclova. Although the Superior Court originally confirmed most of those claims, the decisions were reversed in February 1831, after further research showed that the land had never belonged to the Bowies, and that the original land grant documentation had been forged. Siblings: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the reversal in 1833. HE MARRIED CHANEY (B. CIRCA 1795, D. after 1850) AROUND 1817. He could legally transport the slaves and resell them at a greater market value in New Orleans or areas farther up the Mississippi River. It sacrifices everything in favor of ground attack, HP, and speed. Believing the war was over, many of the Texian volunteers left the army and returned to their families. The Bowie Family papers contain genealogical information, correspondence and legal documents documenting the Bowie, Davis, Hall, and Pottinger families as well as important information about plantation life and the family's history of enslavement before the American Civil War. Most Southern states gave incentives for informing on an illegal slave trader: Informers could receive half of what the imported slaves would earn at auction, as a reward. Bowie had been stricken down with typhoid fever, and a Mexican woman known as an experienced nurse was brought into the building to attend him before it had been surrounded Santa Ana demanded Travers to surrender, but he defiantly refused and was supported by the other leaders, including Bowie and the noted Davy Crockett. Bowie and the Alamo commander, James C. Neill, decided they did not have enough oxen to move the artillery, and they did not want to destroy the fortress. He was the grandson of the late Wallace and Mary Lou Bowie of Ware Shoals, SC and the late Claude and Sallie Watt of Hartsville, SC. In disposition he is represented as cool, determined and enterprising. Former leader, Col. Neill, needed to leave for home to care for family, and requested Lt. Col. William Travis to command the Texas Alamo military. [6][5], By February 20, 1830 James was in San Antonio de Bexar to present more letters of introduction to a wealthy settler, Juan Martn de Veramendi. In 1794 Reason Bowie had moved his family from . James Bowie was born in Kentucky and is most closely associated today with Texas, but most of his life was spent in Louisiana and Mississippi. Agness Liddell Bowie 1848 - Unknown. He was known as a formidable knife fighter after a violent feud with local sheriff, Norris Wright. San Fernando Cathedral Austin requested to be relieved of his command of the army, and Sam Houston was named army chief. James and Maria settled in San Antonio. Death: Immediate Family: Son of James Bowie and Margaret Bowie. Tribute & Message From The Family. An unyielding adversary he pursued unrelentingly, but was ever ready to forgive when properly approached. [109], When Bowie's mother was informed of his death, she calmly stated, "I'll wager no wounds were found in his back. JAMES BOWIE OBITUARY James was called "Pop" by his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren and was known as "Uncle Tootsie" by his relatives. Not a single man was left alive. Immediate Family Mary Bowie wife John Bowie, II son James Bowie son Eleanor Clagett daughter Allen Bowie, I son Lucy Bowie daughter Capt. [5][13] In June 1819, he joined the Long expedition, an effort to liberate Texas from Spanish rule. Bowie, on business in Natchez, heard of his family's deaths in November. When the citizens purchased the grants, James bought the leagues from them. Edward Burleson was chosen as temporary commander of the troops in San Antonio. The NPI number of James Bowie is 1720581523 and was assigned on March 2018. Bowie had supported Wright's opponent in the race for sheriff, and Wright, a bank director, had been instrumental in turning down a Bowie loan application. By then, the United States had outlawed the importation of slaves, and most southern states allowed anyone who informed on a slave trader to receive half of what the imported slaves would earn at auction as a reward. [33] After a confrontation in Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie, after which Bowie resolved to carry his hunting knife at all times. On April 25, 1831, Bowie married nineteen-year-old Maria Ursula de Veramendi, the daughter of his business partner, who had become the vice governor of the province. The duelists each fired two shots and, because neither man had been injured, resolved their duel with a handshake. [28] The mine had been operated by local Indians before being seized by the Spanish. This memorial website was created in memory of James Bowie, 78, born on March 30, 1907 and passed away on November 0, 1985. [75] One of the men under Bowie's command during the battle later praised him "as a born leader, never needlessly spending a bullet or imperiling a life, who repeatedly admonished Keep under cover boys, and reserve your fire; we haven't a man to spare. [56] Bowie's report of the expedition, written in Spanish, was printed in several newspapers, further establishing his reputation. The "Bowie knife" is now known as one of the most effective arms of its kind manufactured, and takes precedence over the old dagger. Children. [112] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. James Millar Bowie 1836 - 1879. It was written by a reporter who has threatened me personally with litigation and with personal violence. [28][35][63] In the meantime, a party of friendly Comanche rode into San Antonio bringing word of the raiding party, which outnumbered the Bowie expedition by 14 to 1. Edmondson (2000), p.122. At the time of Bowie's birth, his father owned eight enslaved African Americans, eleven head of cattle, seven horses, and one stud horse. "[117], Jim Bowie was inducted posthumously into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the 1988 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, in recognition of the impact that his eponymous design had upon generations of knife makers and cutlery companies.[119]. Shortly before the senior Bowie died, circa 1820, he gave ten slaves and horses and cattle to both James and Rezin. When the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory in 1803, it promised to honor all former land grant claims made to French and Spanish colonists. James Bowie became proficient with pistol, rifle, and knife,[16] and had a reputation for fearlessness. James married Margaret Belle Bowie (born Laughlin) on month day 1916, at age 34 at marriage place. "[109] Although Bowie's name and his knife were well-known during his lifetime, his legend grew after October 1852, when DeBow's Review published an article written by his brother John Jones Bowie, called "Early Life in the SouthwestThe Bowies." He then drew a mark on the floor with his sword and requested all who wished to stand and fall with him to cross the line to his side the others might endeavor to escape by cutting their way through the enemy under cover of darkness. There was conflict between the two leaders and their troops in the tiny Alamo. His portrait owned by his great nephew shows a strong, determined face, with traces of sorrow. James Bowie (/bui/ BOO-ee[1][2][3])[a] (c.1796 March 6, 1836) was a 19th-century American pioneer, slave smuggler and trader, and soldier who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. [22][45], On January 1, 1830, Bowie left Louisiana for permanent residency in Texas. Family Time Line. 500 Words2 Pages. Search for yourself and we'll build your family tree together Top record matches for James Bowie James Bowie found in Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 James Bowie found in Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 James Bowie found in Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 James Bowie found in 1861 Scotland Census Bowie soon partnered with Lafitte in illegally importing slaves by smuggling them from Texas . American Western Frontiersman. A number of hostile Indian tribes roamed the area, including Comanche, Lipan Apache, and Karankawa, and without government troops to keep the tribes at bay, mining ceased. Their quarrels finally resulted in arrangements for the fight on the Sandbar, the principals, however being Dr. Maddox and Samuel L. Wells, the others as witnesses, seconds, and surgeons. [44] However, Rezin Bowie's grandchildren said that Rezin only supervised his blacksmith, who was the designer of the knife. [61] The couple had two children, Marie Elve (b. [1][2][3][7] (Some reference works refer to an incorrect alternate pronunciation /boi/ BOH-ee[7][8][9]). [35], The following year, on September 19, 1827, Bowie and Wright attended a duel on a sandbar outside of Natchez, Mississippi. Santa Anna responded to the rumblings by ordering large numbers of Mexican troops to Texas. Margaret was born on July 27 1892, in Paris, Texas, Lamar County. Bowie was born in Kentucky. In Houston's correspondence with Governor Brown he states he had selected Colonel Bowie for this important service on account of his great ability, perfect coolness in the presence of danger, and remarkable courage. Some claim that Bowie designed it, while others attribute the design to noted knife makers of the time. Rezin Bowie's grandchildren, however, claimed that Rezin merely supervised his blacksmith, who actually . [73] The scouting party left with 92men, many of them members of the New Orleans Grays, who had just arrived in Texas. [26][27] Using this scheme, the brothers collected $65,000 to use for their land speculation. In 1802, they moved south to Spanish Louisiana, where they settled on Bushley Bayou in what soon became Rapides Parish. Their left hands were tied together, and, as the Spaniard drew his arm back to strike, Bowie thrust forward and drove his awful knife through his antagonist's body; then coolly cutting the cords that held them, allowed the corpse of his adversary to sink to the ground .. Also, place of death should read "Republic of Texas" instead of just "Texas. [26] After a confrontation in Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie. Edward Burleson was chosen as temporary commander of the troops in San Antonio. Texas, USA, Folk Figure, Alamo Defender. They were never arrested or charged. Tension was only exacerbated by the fact that there was no heat in the Alamo, due to it being a mission. [68][69] Although much of the military supported the administration of President Anastasio Bustamante, Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna led an insurrection against him in 1832. San Antonio THIS IS AN ERROR. Groce's farm on the Brazos River was near Hempstead, Texas, which is a 2 hour & 38 minute drive by car & over 150 miles away as the crow flies from Nacogdoches. Opportunist that he was, he clearly saw the benefits. "[41] Bowie's reputation as a superb knife fighter was set across the South. [67][68] Although the Mexican army was able to get within 200 yards (183 m), the Texian defensive position protected them from fire. Travis ordered all the Texian forces into the Alamo. The Kentucky frontier offered boundless opportunity, and the Bowies prospered. 26 15 189 Show this thread James BowieRetweeted The cholera epidemic instead struck Monclova, and between September 6 and September 14, Ursula, their children, her brother, and her parents all died of the disease. Dr. His father had been injured while fighting in the American Revolution, and in 1782 married the young woman who had nursed him back to health. Another account claims that Bowie designed the knife himself. James Bowie (born 1983) is a Canadian lawyer specialising in criminal law, based in Ottawa. James Bowie gained fame as an Indian fighter in 1832. It's unclear who designed the original version of this iconic knife. Many craftsmen and manufacturers made their own versions, and major cities of the Southwest had "Bowie knife schools", which taught "the art of cut, thrust, and parry. It serves as the frontier picquet guard, and if it were in the possession of Santa Anna, there is no stronghold from which to repel him in his march toward the Sabine. [20][21], In 1825, the two brothers joined with their younger brother Stephen to buy Acadia, a plantation near Alexandria. Three years before the death of Colonel Bowie he lost his wife and two infant children by Cholera. [35] However, in a letter to The Planter's Advocate, Rezin Bowie claimed to have invented the knife,[36] and many Bowie family members as well as "most authorities on the Bowie knife tend to believe it was invented by" Rezin. According to his older brother, John, James Bowie was born in Logan County, Kentucky, on March 10, 1796 (Historical marker: 36 46' 25"N 86 42' 10"W). [19][20] Using this scheme the brothers collected $65,000 to be used for their land speculation. The perilous adventures of his early life heralded his name to the country coupled with exaggerated accounts of desperate deeds, and he was thus credited with many sanguinary acts entirely foreign to his really generous and heroic character. In his early years of life Jim Bowie was wild and free, when he wasn 't . The stalemate ended shortly after Bowie led a charge to seize one of the Mexican cannons, at that time only 80yards (73m) away. Thus, Bowie had allied himself to one of the most powerful families in Texas and with the Tejano community. Edmondson (2000), p.107. [94][95] On February 26, David Crockett reported that Bowie, though suffering from his affliction, continued to crawl from his bed around noon every day and presented himself to the Alamo's inhabitants, which much boosted the moral of his comrades. [29], The Texas Revolution began on October2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales. Colby James Price, 16 of Bowie, TX went to be with our Heavenly father on Monday, January 2nd, 2023. He assumed Mexican citizenship, acquired land grants, and married Veramendis daughter, Ursula (1831). "[103] Various eyewitnesses to the battle gave conflicting accounts of Bowie's death. Inscription. In the ensuing fighting, the Texians suffered only a few casualties, while the Mexican army lost many troops to death and desertion. Born in Logan County (present day Simpson County), Kentucky, one of ten children of Rezin and Elve Bowie. [15] Bowie left a "frustratingly sparse paper trail" of his life, and, for many, "where history failed, the legends prevailed. Witness accounts agreed that Bowie did not attack first, and the other combatants had focused their attack on Bowie because "they considered him the most dangerous man among their opposition. [88] Bowie also brought several black servants, some of which worked at the Veramendi Palace, into the security of the Alamo fortress. In 1827, Bowie was embroiled in the so called Sandbar Fight which marked his first notable use of the heavy bladed knife that would be named for him; he gained a reputation as a formidable knife fighter. Bowie commanded a group of volunteers. Rezin Pleasant Bowie (1793 - 1841)* They chose Bowie, infuriating Travis. [29] Bowie later served as a delegate to the Convention of 1833, which formally requested that Texas become its own state within the Mexican federation. William Bowie son Thomas Bowie son Mary Beanes daughter Jonathan Johne Bowy father Jane Smith mother James Bowie brother About John Bowie, I [43] Bowie was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in San Antonio on April 28, 1828, sponsored by the alcalde (chief administrator) of the town, Juan Martin de Veramendi and the wife of the administrator, Josefa Navarro. He spent most of his life in Louisiana, where he was raised and where he later worked as a land speculator. San Antonio The name "Texian Army" is sometimes applied to this militia. TOGETHER THEY HAD SEVEN CHILDREN: STEPHEN, JAMES, HEMAN, RUFUS (MY GGG-GRANDFATHER), ALBERT, Cs surrendered and returned to Mexico, taking with him the last Mexican troops in Texas. [4][5][6], The Bowie family moved again in 1809, settling on Bayou Teche in Louisiana before finding a permanent home in Opelousas in 1812. Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912 Bowie Family Biography. Crain killed Cuney and shot Bowie through the hip. Bowie made three trips to Lafitte's compound on Galveston Island. 12. American lawyer and politician; president of Republic of Texas. ", Terrapin Creek, Logan, Kentucky, United States, Jim Bowie by George Peter Alexander Healy, Jim Bowie Display & Museum, Opelousas, LA, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/bowie-james, https://www.thealamo.org/remember/james-bowie, First Settlers of Catahoula Parish, Louisiana: 1808-1839, https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-jim-bowie-2136241, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/act-prohibit-importation-slaves, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/groces-retreat, https://officialalamo.medium.com/fatal-distraction-the-origins-of-the-matamoros-expedition-3722b374ad64, Texas Counties and Who They're Named After, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89063005888;view=1up;seq=425, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89063005888&view=1up&seq=426, True matriarch of the famous Bowie family of Louisiana, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Slave Owners, Hopewell, Clifford (1994), James Bowie Texas Fighting Man: A Biography, Austin, TX: Eakin Press, ISBN 0-89015-881-9. "[34] The fight cemented Bowie's reputation across the South as a superb knife-fighter. With their profits, Bowie and Rezin bought a plantation in Arkansas. James was born in Logan County, Kentucky, on April 10, 1796, to Rezin Bowie, Sr., and Elve Catesby Jones Bowie. "[4], They had two children,[10] Marie Elve Bowie, born March 20, 1832 and James Veramendi Bowie, born July 18, 1833. On the "Arcadia" plantation the brothers introduced the first steam mill for grinding sugar cane ever used in the State, mules having been the motive power prior to that date. Although not possessing the sprakling talents of his brother Rezin, he was however endowed with much native eloquence. Fact from Texas Historical Society. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Bowie joined the Texas militia, leading forces at the Battle of Concepcin and the Grass Fight. Titles to the new lands were constantly being disputed and many enmities were fostered. As the Mexicans stopped to reload their cannon, the Texians climbed a bluff and picked off some of the soldiers. Jim Bowie was born in Logan County, Kentucky in 1796. [35] According to legend, the mine had been operated by local Native Americans before being seized by the Spanish. Yet he was a very wealthy man for that era, and at the time of his marriage, when certain provisions were made for the bride, he stated his property to be worth about two hundred and ten thousand dollars.