Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 49, Leonard Bowars, Md.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md
CONTENTS 

Bowars or Bowers, Leonard
Rebecca. 

NUMBER 
W. 49

Page 2

[left side]
5118. 
Tennessee, East. 
Leonard Bowars of Carter Co in the state of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Grasland of the Regt commanded by Colonel H Williams in the Mayflower line for five years from 1778. 
Inscribed on the roll of Tennessee at the rate of 811 dollars 0 cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of February 1833 and sent Wm John Blau HR.
Arrears to 4th of September 1832 120.00
Semiannual allowance ending 4 March 1833 40.00 
DW 160.00
________

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Henry H. Sylngy Clerk,
Book 20 Vol. 9 Page 96

[right side]

See Carter 29 March 1836 to Hon
W.B. Carter

Dead

Paid at the treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838/6 from 4 Sept to 5 Oct 1840. Act notified 17 March 1843.

Page 3

[two panel scan; left side below]

5131
Tennessee, Jones ~
____________________
Rebecca Bowars
widow of Leonard Bowars
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Md
____________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 ~ Dollars ~
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
____________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
13th day of October 1849
and sent to 
C. W. Meeks ~
Jonesboro
Tenn: -
____________________
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 282 Vol. 3,

[right panel below]

certificate corrected 
& returned to Hon A. Johnson
Jan 21. 1850 -sss letter
Let. to Hon. A. Johnson
March 14: 1850.
____________________
Let John Blair
July 18/50
____________________
Let to MG Male 4 Jun 51

Page 4

The Rev
Leonard Bowers.




Jno Blair
Jonesboro E Tenn.

Page 5

State of Tennessee Carter County.
September Term 1832.
On this 18th day of September 1832, personally appeared
in open court before the Honorable Samuel Powel
Judge of the Court Court of Law & Equity for said
County now setting Leonard Bowars ^aged seventy two years & resident of sd county^ who being duly
Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed Jan 7th
1832. that he is seventy two years of age that he
enlisted in the army of the United States under
the following named officers and served as herein
stated. towit that being at the time a resident citizen
of Hagerstown Maryland and cased therein he in
the spring of the year 1778. Enlisted in Frederick Town
in the State of Maryland for the Term of three years.
under Colanal Otto H. williams of said Lawn
was put under the command Capn. Garland and
marched to the Valley forge when had been the
winter quarter of Washingtons Army during the
preceeding winter. & then placed under the command
of Capn. James Summervell. Colonal Ford & Majr.
Handman. where he remained a short time

Page 6

when he was marched to Monmouth where the army arrived about the last of June. where there was a seen battle in which the American army kept the graave when night had caused the Armies to cease firing & the British retreated from there was marched to the White Plains where he remained untill toward the fall of said from there was marched to the Baskan Ridge when he with the army took winter quarters and remained until spring. He states that during the summer of 1779 he was stationed at the Buttermilk Falls on the North River & worked at the west point Fort on said river about one mile & half above the Buttermilk Falls. He states that he does not recollect his particular marches during said summer & fall but the Army took winter quarters at Weekses farm. said to be about four miles from Morristown in the spring of 1780. was marched to Trentown and to Barrington when he with the army took watter and sailed by Philadelphia. and to a better town called Middle Town in the state of Delaware as well as now he attested whom he was marched to the head of Elk Creston Bridge then to Baltimore Fredericksburgh Va Richmond, Petersburgh, Hellsboro he states that he also was marched through Salsbury

Page 7

Charlot North Carolina to Rugeley's Mill said to
be within twelve miles of Camden where he remained 
same days when the Battle was fought in which
General Gates was defeated in which Battle this declarant
was was taken prisoner by the British. & taken
again by the Americans. the american army again
rendezvoused at Hillsborough at which place as
Charlat as well as now recollected General Green
took the command does not know what became of
General Gates after the said Battle at Camden
he remained under General Green untill General
Morgan took three hundred infantry out of General
Greens army at what ^particular^ poles he was placed under General
Morgan he does not now recollect was marched under
General Morgan across Broad River and lay some
days between Broad River & Pecolate River was then
marched up between the two said Rivers with Colonels
Washington & Le has to the Battle of the Cowpens
near Broad River in which Battle the Americans
were successful, said to have taken five hundred
prisoners & Eleven hundred stand of arms from 
then was marched as well as now recollected to
o0 a small village called Morgantown. from
there to Salsberry across the Yadkin River

Page 8

and an untill he joined General Greens army in Va
having been closely pursued by the British from the
Cowpens untill he joined General Greens army as aforesaid and he states that shortly after he joined General Greens
army he was marched to Guilford Courthouse where
there was a hard Battle between the Americans &
British in which the Americans barely kept their
ground, which was in the month of March
which was the last engagement he was in
& after which he was discharged in the
course of said short time his three years
having expired.  When he was discharged
by his said Captain Somerville under whom
he had served throughout the whole of his
servitude & returned home which
discharge he has in the lapse of time
lost.  He states that he has no documentary
evidence, nor is there any person by whom
he can prove his said services; nor is there
any resident minister of the gospel by whom
he can establish his said services from
reputation, as directed by the instructions
of the War Department.  He hereby relinquishes

Page 9

and an untill he joined General Greens army in Va
having been closely pursued by the British from the
Cowpens untill he joined General Greens army as aforesaid and
he states that shortly after he joined General Greens
army he was marched to Guilford Courthouse where
there was a hard Battle between the Americans &
British in which the Americans barely kept their
ground, which was in the month of March
which was the last engagement he was in
& after which he was discharged in the
course of some short time his three years
having expired.  When he was discharged
by his said Captain Somerville under whom
he had served throughout the whole of his
servitude & returned home which
discharge he has in the lapse of time
lost.  He states that he has no documentary
evidence, nor is there any person by whom
he can prove his said services; nor is there
any resident minister of the gospel by whom
he can establish his said services from
reputation, as directed by the instructions
of the War Department.  He hereby relinquishes

Page 10

every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any state.

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 15th  September 1832.

Lionard Bowers



Test A. M. Carter clk
By Wm B Carter DC

On this 18th September 1832
Isaac Taylor & Alfred M Carter personally
appeared in open Court & made oath
that they are well acquainted with
the Revd Leonard Bowers, who has
sworn to & subscribed the foregoing
declaration, that they believe him to be
seventy two years of age, that he is reputed
& believed in the neighborhood where
he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier & that they concur in that
opinion.

Test A. M. Carter clk  Isaac Taylor
By Wm B Carter DC   A. M. Carter

Page 11

And the said court as hereby declare their opinion 
  after the investigation of the matter and after propounding the interrogatories 
prescribed by the war Department that the Revd. Leonard Bowers, who subscribed to the aforesaid
declaration & was sworn to the same, was a soldier of the Revolution & served as he has stated, I further certify that Isaac Taylor & Alfred M Carter who subscribed the aforesaid certificate are resident citizens of the County of Carter, known to me as such, and are reputable & their statement entitled to credit. 
[signature] L Bowers Judge of the circuit  court of the state of Tennessee

I Alfred M Carter Clerk of the Circuit Court of Law & Equity in and for the County of Carter do certify that the foregoing contains the required proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the Revd Leonard Bowers for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal there being no public seal of office the 18th Sept 1832
[Signatures] A.M. Carter clk by Wm B Carter DC
[left side at bottom is handwritten: SEAL with a circle around it]

Page 12

I certify that I am acquainted with Alfred M Carter the clerk of the Circuit Court of Carter County, as also William B Carter his deputy, and know them to be regularly appointed to the respective officers - I also know the fact that there is no public seal of the office in said County, that being one of the Courts in which I have been a practitioner of the law since the year 1811 when the said A M Carter Esq was elected clerk of the sd Court.

 John Blair MC for the 1st Congress records of the District of Tennessee

Page 13

10.703.
Rebecca Bowers Ten.
Act of July 38
M 85 died '40

Page 14

State of Tennessee } 
Carter County }

On this 9th day of November one
 thousand eight hundred and forty four
personally appeared before the subscriber one of the
acting Judges of the Circuit Court of the state of
Tennessee Rebecca Bowers the widow of Leonard
Bowers Deceased late a pensioner and a resident of Carter
County and State of Tennessee aged seventy five years
the twenty fourth day of March eighteen hundred and
forty four as per family record.

Who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on her oath make the following declarations
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made
by the Act of Congress passed July seventh eighteen
hundred and thirty eight entitled an Act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows.

That she is the widow of Leonard Bowers deceased
who served as a private in the army of the Revolution
she further declares that she was married to the
said Leonard Bowers on the second day of August 
Seventeen hundred and eighty five and
that her husband the aforesaid Leonard Bowers
died on the fifth day of October eighteen hundred
and forty.  That she was not married to him prior
to his leaving the service but the marriage took place
on the day and year aforesaid and previous to the first day
of January seventeen hundred and ninety four and that
she has never married since the death of Leonard Bowers
deceased and that she is yet a widow further deponent
sayeth not. Sworn to and subscribed the and year above
written

Before the subscriber one of 
the acting Judges of the Circuit {  Rebecca X her mark Bowers
Court of Tennessee {
Robt M Anderson {
Judge [illegible]  {

Page 15

State of Tennessee } I William H. Smith
Washington County } Clerk of the County
Court of said county do certify that
previous to the year Eighteen hundred
and thirty eight there was no law
requiring the clerks to record Marriage
License and that I have search my
office for the Marriage License & Bond
of Leonard Bowers to Rebecca Nave
and cannot find either and I do
further certify that the Court house of
said county was burnt a few years
since, and think it likely that many
of the papers of said office may
have been lost or burnt at the time
Given under my hand and seal of
office at office in the town of
Jonesborough this 27th day of
November 1844.

W.H. Smith
Clk

State of Tennessee Carter County

I Isaac P Tipton clerk of the Circuit Court
for Carter County do here certify that Robert M Anderson is
one of the Judges of the Circuit Court for the State of Tennessee
and presided as the Judge for Carter County at the November
term for the year 1844 and that faith and credit are due
to his official acts as such, as well out as in Court given
under my hand and private seal, there being no public seal of office
this 8th day of July 1845.  I. P. Tipton Clerk [word Seal encircled]
of the Circuit Court of
Carter County

Page 16

State of Tennessee } On this 9th day of November one
Carter County } thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Judges of
the Circuit Court of the state of Tennessee Abraham
Nave aged Seventy two or more years who being first
duly sworn upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that some
where as he believes in the year Seventeen hundred and
eighty five or there abouts the said Rebecca Nave now
Rebecca Bowers widow of said Leonard Bowers deceased
married somewhere about the time above mentioned viz
Seventeen hundred and eighty five to the said Leonard
Bowers deceased the above marriage spoken of took place
on the tract of land where the said Rebecca now
lives and has resided ever since and that she has never
intermarried with any person since the death of her
husband and that she is yet a widow further the deponent sayeth not

Sworn to and subscribed before me {
on the day and year above written {  Abraham Nave

Robt M Anderson
_______________
Judge H

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }

I Robert M Anderson one of the Circuit
Judges in and for the state of Tennessee do certify
that the above deponents to wit Rebecca Bowers
and Abraham Nave appeared before me on this
9th day of November 1844 and were duly sworn
according to law to the truth of the facts stated in
the foregoing statements respectfully, and that they both
signed the same as above represented.  Given under my
hand this 9th Novr 1844.
Robt M Anderson
_______________
Judge H

Page 17

State of Tennessee } I James L Bradley Clerk of the
Carter County } County Court for said county
do hereby certify that I have made diligent search
in my office for the Record of the Marriage of
Leonard and Rebecca Bowers and find no Record
of their Marriage in said office and I do further
certify that heretofore there has been no Record Book
kept in said office and that within the last four
years there has been several Marriage License handed
to me by the Justice of the peace that has married
some ten or fifteen years previous in addition to
that there has been no regularity in the returns of
the marriages heretofore made. Witness my hand and 
seal office at office in Elizabethtown this 18th day of
November 1844.  Jas L Bradley clerk

Page 18

Rebecca Bowers
widow
Leonard Bowers
Tennessee

Revolutionary
==========



W. G. Wade (Atty,
Rose
N.Y

Page 19

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }  November Tenn 1849

At a meeting of the County Court opened and held in the Court
house in Elizabethton on the 1st Monday it being the 5th day of November 
1849   Present the worship full

M N. Folsom Chairman
Robert J Allen Pleasant Williams A S Y Lurk Issac Tipton George W.
Peoples J J Wilson J H Martin & A Carden Esquires

The Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Bowers Decd was exhibited and red in open court and proven by the subscribing
witnesses Joseph Powell and Mark W Nave and ordered to be
recorded

Ordered by the Court that Lenard Bowers the Legatee be
appointed Administrator to the Last Will and Testament of Rebecca
Bowers Decd and therefor the said Lenard Bowers came into open
Court and entered into bond for to prosecute the provissions
of the said Last Will and Testament with Thomas J Powell his
security, and it is further ordered that Letters of Administration 
to him which are as follows (to wit)

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }  To Lenard Bowers a citizen of Carter County
it appearing to the Court that Rebecca Bowers has died having
a written Will to which you are appointed Administrator which
has been duly proved in open court and you having given
bond and qualified according to law and it having been
ordered by the court that Letters of Administration issue to you

These are therefore to empower you the said Lenard Bowers
to enter upon the execution of said Will and take into your possession
all the property and to make within ninety days to this Court
a true and perfect inventory thereof and make due collection of
all debts and after paying all the just demands agains the estate
and settling up the business of said estate according to law, you
pay over and deliver the property and effects that may remain
in your hands and all other things that may be required of you
according to the provisions of the said Will and the laws of

Page 20

The Land Witness James L Bradley Clerk at office this 5th day
of November 1849   Jas L Bradley clerk

The Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Bowers-

In the name of Almighty god Amen

I Rebecca Bowers of sound mind, but of advanced age with much
bodily affliction, and feeling sensable, that according to the ordinary 
dispensation of an all wise Providence my days on earth are
well nigh numbered; do hereby of my own free will and accord
make this my Last Will and Testament, revoking any and all other
wills heretofore made

In consideration of the affection and special regard for my
son Lenard Bowers; and his increasing attention and kindness
toward me in my declining age and helpless condition I give
and bequeath to my said son Lenard Bowers for the only
use and behoof of himself and his heirs all my effects of
every description personally or otherwise, he first paying my
funeral expenses, and all other just debts against me at the time
of my deceased I also give and bequeath to my son Lenard Bowers
the use and hire of my life Estate in two negros, slaves Sarah
and Stephen [illegible]-with all the debts of whatever amount and
description that is now owing to me or that may hereafter be-
come due to me by principle or interest including that part of
of my Pension received from the General Government not [illegible]
by me, as well as whatever sum that may yet be due and coming
to me under the act of Congress Granting Pensions to the widows
of Revolutionary Soldiers-

I also give and bequeath to my son Lenard Bowers the following
other property (to wit) one cow and yearling calf one oven and lid
one skillet and lid two milk pails-one set of tea cups and saucers
two boles one coffee pot one churn eight crocks [illegible] ten cups 1 [illegible]
towels two table clothes one sheet three pillow slips & one washing tub

It is also null and desire that the bond now in the
possession of William Rockhold made between my son Lenard
Bowers and myself in which certain provissions were made

Page 21

for the benefit of my grandson called Allen Bowers and illigetim-
ate son of Nancy Aern Hays (formerly Nancy Arne Bowers)be made null and
void the said Allen Bowers having left me without any cause and thereby re-
moving and obligation on my part carry out the condition in said
bond.  Given under my hand seal this 31st day of March 1849
(this Will was [illegible] before signing)

Witnesses   Rebecca } her mark Bowers [word Seal encircled]
J Powell
Mark W Nave

Lenard Bowers Administration is as follows (term)

State of Tennessee } Know all men by these presents that we Lenard
Cater County } Bowers and Thomas J Powell are held and firm-
ly bound unto the state of Tennessee in the sum of one thousand
dollars for which payment will and truly to be made we bind
ourselves our [illegible] Executers and Administrators jointly and
severally firmly by these presents signed with our names and
sealed with our seals this 5th day of November 1849

The condition of the above obligation is such that when as the
above bound Lenard Bowers being appointed Admtr to the Last
Will and Testament of Rebecca Bowers Decd and now qualified as
such according to law now if the above bound Lenard Bowers
do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory
of all and singular the goods and chattels [illegible] credits of
the deceased which have or shall come to the hands knowledge
or possession of the said Lenard Bowers or into the hands or posses-
sion of any person or persons for him the said Lenard Bowers and the
same so made do exhibit on oath to the next County Court where
orders for letters of Administration passed and the goods chattels
and credits of the Decd at the time of her death or which at any
time here after shall come into the hands or possession of the said
Lenard Bowers or into the hands or possession of any other person
or persons for him do will and truly administer according to law
and surrender up such legacies to the person to whom they may be-
queathed agreeable to the Last Will and Testament of the Deceased
and further to do make or cause to be made a true and

Page 22

First account of said Administration within two years after the date of these pments and all the [illegible] and [illegible] of said estate which shall [illegible] remaining upon said Admin account the same being first [illegible] and allowed by the court of the said county shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respecting to whom  the same shall be due agreeable to the Acts of Assembly as such case made and provided them this [illegible] to be void and no effort otherwise to remain in full force and virtue
signed, sealed and acknowledged
in open court
Leonard Bowars
Tho__ Percell
Ja ,, ,, Bradley clerk

State of Tennessee
Carter County
I James L Bradley clerk of the county court in and for said County do here by certify that the within or fore going contains a true transcript  of the record and probate the last will and Testament of Rebecca Bowars [illegible] and Alson a true copy  of the Letters of Administration and [illegible] the said Leonard Bowars And also a true copy of the last will and testament of Rebecca Bowars [illegible] now of Record in the county clerks office of said county to which I am clerk which my hand and seal of office at office in Elizabethton this 8 day of February 1851
Ja Bradley clerk

Page 23

FAMILY RECORD.
[Two columns]
[Left column]

MARRIAGES.

Leonard Bowars was born
in the 1760 in the fall of
the year
_________________________
Rebekah Bowars was born in the
year 1769 the 24 day of mach
__________________________
William bowars was born
in the year 1787 the 22 day of may
__________________________
Valantine bowars was born in the
year 1788 the 23 day of September
___________________________
Henry bowars was born in the
year 1790 the 2d day of august
___________________________
John[illegible] bowars was born in the
year 1792 the 27 of January
___________________________
[illegible]beth Bowars was born
in the year 1795 the 6 day
of march

David Bowers was born 
in the year [date smudged] the 2d
day of December

Leonard Bowars Jr. was born
in the year [date blotted out] the 30th day of
October [year illegible]

[Right column]

MARRIAGES.

Rebekah Bowers was born
in the year 1803 the 22 day
of September

Mary Bowers was born in
the year 1806 the 13 day
of october

Anna Bowers was born 
in the year 180[illegible] the 10 day
of october

Jessey Bowars was born
in the year 1809 the
30 day of october

Margait Bowers
was born in the
year 1812 the last
day of September

[illegible] Bowers was
[illegible] in the year [illegible] of the
[remainder of the entry is illegible]

Page 24

[illegible]
FAMILY RECORD.
[Two columns]
[Left column]

BIRTHS.

Leonard Bowers [illegible]

Leonard Bowers
was born in year
18[illegible] 6 day of [illegible]

[Entry is illegible]

[Right column]

BIRTHS.

Lenard Bowers
was born in the
[illegible] the 30 day of [illegible]

Mary Bowers was
born in the year
and

David P Bowers
was born in 
the year 1832 the 11 day
of June

Page 25

State of Tennessee} 
Carter County } I James L Bradley clerk of the County Court held
in and for said County certify that satisfactory proof
has been made in open Court of said County that Leonard Bowers late
of said County a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate
of Eighty dollars per annum died on the 5 day of October in the
year Eighteen hundred and forty leaving a widow named
Rebecca Bowers who did not again intermarry after the death of her
said husband but who was herself a pensioner of the United States at the
rate of Eighty dollars per annum and who died on the 20th day of
September Eighteen hundred and forty nine that the said Leonard and
Rebecca Bowers died leaving one child now surviving them whose
names is Leonard Bowers and who is the [word blotted out] Administrator of the said
Rebecca Bowers Deceased, with a will annexed.  I further certify that M N Folsom
[Blurred seal of Court] Esquire whose genuine signature appears to the within
Declaration and certificate is now and was at the time
of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in
and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned
and qualified that all of his official acts as such are
entitled to full faith and credit.  Given under my hand
& seal of said Court at office in Elizabethtown the 8th day of
February A D 1851

Jas L Bradley clerk

Know all men by these presents that I Leonard Bowers of the County of
Carter and State of Tennessee have this day nominated constituted and appointed
Moore & Diberall my true and lawful attorneys for me and in
my name to prosecute my claim against the Government of the United States
for an increase of Pension due to my Deceased Mother and Father as Pensioners
of the United States which is due and coming to me as the Legal heir and as the
Administrator of Rebecca Bowers Deceased with the will annexed to give [illegible] acquaintances the and
to do any and all things necessary to recover the same hereby notifying con-
firming and allowing all the acts of my said attorney in the [illegible] in
as full and ample a manner as if I was personally present and
doing the same myself.  Given under my hand and seal this 8th day of
February A D 1851

Attest
{ Nathaniel M Taylor  Leonard Bowers [word Seal encircled]
{ L W Hampton
[Written in left hand margin before the attestations:]
2 Witnesses

Page 26

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }  On this 8th day of February A D 1851
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Leonard
Bowers a resident of said County aged 49 years who
first being duly sworn according to Law make the following Declaration
in order to obtain the amount due to him as the Legal heir of
Leonard Bowers and Rebecca Bowers Deceased under the acts
and joint Resolutions of Congress passed 7th July 1838 3rd March 1843 17th
June 1844 joint Resolution of 23 January 1845 1st July 1848 7th June 1832 2d Febry 1848
This Declarant states that he is the Lawful child of Leonard Bowers Decd
and Rebecca Bowers Deceased late of said County and that he
is the only heir and Administrator according to the Will of Rebecca Bowers
Deceased and that his said Parents were each of them Pensioners
of the United States at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum that the
said Leonard Bowers died on the fifth day of October in
the year Eighteen hundred and [following word struck out: and] forty leaving a
wife named Rebecca Bowers who did not intermarry after the
death of said Husband but died on the 20th day of September
Eighteen hundred and forty nine [illegible] the widow of the said Leonard
Bowers and leaving this declarant aged forty nine years her
Administrator and legal heir. And that he now asks for all arrears 
or increase of pension to which he may be found entitled under
any of the acts and resolutions of Congress applicable to his case

Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year first above written. Leonard Bowers
M N Folsom [word Seal encircled]
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }I hereby certify that from my personal knowl-
edge both with the above named affiant and his
said Parents that he is the Identical person he represents
himself to be and that he is a person of respectability in whose
statements full confidence may be placed.  Given under my hand and
seal this 8th day of February A D 1851

M N Folsom [word Seal encircled]
Justice of the Peace

Page 27

March 17, 1936

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MCS
Leonard Bowars, W. 49

Miss Edna V. Kinnaman
615 South Main Street
Independence, Missouri

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, W. 49, based upon the Revolutionary War service of
Leonard Bowars or Bowers, the name appears both ways.

He was born in the fall of 1760.  The place of his birth and the
names of his parents were not given.

While living in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he was reared, he
enlisted May 17, 1778, served as private in Captains Grasland's and
James Sommervell's companies in Colonels Otho H. Williams' and Ford's
Maryland regiments; he was in the battle of Monmouth, was taken
prisoner during the battle of Camden but was recaptured by the Americans
and rejoined the army, was in the battles of Cowpens and Guilford Court
House and was discharged by Captain Sommervell soon after the latter
battle, having served three years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18,
1832, at which time he was living in Carter County, Tennessee.

Leonard Bowars or Bowers died October 5, 1840, in Carter County,
Tennessee.

This soldier married August 2, 1785, Rebecca Nave who was born
March 24, 1769.

She was allowed pension on her application executed November 9,
1844, at which time she was living in Carter County, Tennessee, on the
same tract of land where she lived when she married.

Rebecca Bowers or Bowars died September 20, 1849, in Carter County,
Tennessee.

Page 28

Leonard and Rebecca Bowars or Bowers had the following children, but it was stated that they raised eleven children:

William born May 22, 1787
Valantine born September 23, 1788
Henry born August 23, 1790
John born January 27, 1792
Elisabeth born March 6, 1795
David born December 2, 1799
Leonard born October 30, 1801

in 1851 he [Leonard] was living in Carter County and was the administrator of the estate of widow, Rebecca Bowars or Bowers.

Rebakah born September 22, 1803
Mary born October 13, 1806
Anna born October 10, 1808
Jessey born October 30, 1809
Margait born September 14?, 1812 day of month illegible

In 1845 the widow's brothers, Abraham Nave, aged seventy-six years and John Nave, aged seventy-four years, stated that the soldier and Rebecca Nave were married "in our father's house on the same farm Leonard Bowers lived until his death and where the widow Rebecca Bowers, now lives". The name of the father of widow was not given.

One Mark W. Nave was living in 1849 but his relationship to the widow was not known.
Very truly yours
G. H. Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator

[hand written note at bottom of page]
Reference in will to grandson, Allen Bowers, illegitimate son of Nancy Ann Hayes [illegible]
Nancy Ann Bowers

Page 29

[side panel]
No 822

[right side panel]
72
Tennessee [ripped corner]
Rebeca Bowar [ripped corner]
widow of Leonard Bow [ripped corner]
who was a private
in the Maryland line
___________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate o [ripped edge]
80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence o [ripped edge]
the 4th day of March,1843.
__________
Certificate of Pension issued th [ripped edge]
22nd day of August, 184 [ripped edge]
and sent to Wm. Rockhold
Elizabethton
Tennessee
__________
[Act of March, 3, 1843.]
and 17 June, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2  Page 189

Page 30

10.703
Rebecca Bowers
[illegible]
[illegible]
Set to Mr. Rockhold Sept 4 1844
" to Ditto January 16 1845
" " " April 28 1845

Act 7th July '38

Page 31

[left side]

Tennessee
____________
Rebecca Bowar,
widow of Leonard Bowar,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832,
and who died on the 5 October 1840,
of Carter Co in the State of Tenn:
who was a private in the coy-
commanded by Captain Zealand of the
Regt: Commanded by Col. Williams 
in the Maryland line for 2 years -
___________
Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesboro
at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the
5 October, 1840.
___________
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day
August 1845 and sent to Wm Rock-
hold, Elizabethtown, Tenn.
_______
Total amount, $[illegible] .33%
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Will Stewart, clerk,
Book D, vol. 1 Page 341.

[right side]
No 10703
Rebecca Bowers
Widow of Leonard
per
act July 1838
adm 2 years/ ui
$80.00 per
commencing on 6 October 
1840-
[illegible] act 3 March 1843
and 17 June 1844
$80.00
William Rockland
Elizabeth
Ten.

Page 32

State of Tennessee }
Carter County}}

July Term 1845

On this 8th day of July 1845 personally appearing in open court John Nave [illegible] and upon his oath deposed and saith that he saw Rebecca Bowars married to Leonard Bowars, decreeing that their marriage rights were celebrated by Parson Kelly a minister of the Baptist order and that he is certain that the marriage took place at or near the time that she has set forth in her declaration toward the 2nd day of August AD 1785. the reason why she is so certain of the above mentioned fact is from [illegible] own age and the ages of said Rebeccas children which is herewith exhibited on a leaf taken out of Leonard Bowar's old bible in my hand writing done at the request of Leonard Bowars, deceased, commencing with Leonard Bowars age and then Rebecca Bowars age, then commence, William Bowars age, their oldest child who was born as [illegible] 22nd day of May 1787 and so following on with the several children, names as per record on the said leaf, deposed further saith that he has lived a [illegible] to Rebecca Bowars ever since her marriage and that he has never heard of the validity of her marriage called into question, and the reason why he is certain of her marriage previous to 1794 was his minority at the time of the marriage, deposed further saith that he has lived in this county some sixty odd years and that he is well acquainted with most or nearly all the old citizens of said county that lived cotemporary with said marriage and that he does not know an individual living in or near said neighborhood all of said old citizens that were at the time of said marriage have either removed or deceased as said deposed has taken a [illegible] survey to ascertain if any of the inhabitants of said neighborhood or county in 1785 were still living and further deposed said not. John Nave

Page 33

Said Abraham Nave comes into court on this day and giveth aforesaid and after having heard the foregoing affidavit was and carefully examining the same deposes to all the facts therein contained touching the premises exceptith the keeping of the record, and that he knows nothing about , except on examination he believes it to be in John Nave's hand writing further deposed said not.
Abraham Nave

State of Tennessee}
Carter County}

July Term 1845

The undersigned James W. Nelson deputy sheriff of Carter County and James L. Bradley clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid, appearing personally in open court and upon their oath depose and say that they have lived long in Carter county and that their acquaintances with the citizens in general and that they  do not know of any old citizens that moved residents in said county at the time of alleged marriage of Rebecca Bowars to Leonard  Bowars, deceased, and it is their deliberate opinion that all who lived [illegible] with said marriage have either did or moving from said county except Abraham and John Nave who have given the foregoing affidavits and that it is their opinion that faith and credit are due to their statements, as presented in said affidavit and further deponent say not.  
James W. Nelson, Deputy Sheriff
James L. Bradley, Clerk of Carter County

Page 34

State of Tennessee Carter County
July Term 1845
The [illegible] and foregoing affidavits were sworn to and acknowledged in open court by John Nave Ser, Abraham Nave, James W. Nelson, and James L. Bradley before his Honor Seth J. W. Luckey, judge for the first judicial circuit for Tennessee this 8th day of July 1845
Isaac P. Tipton, Clerk
of Daivd W. Carter Clerk
of Carter County, [illegible] state

State of Tennessee Carter County
I, Seth J.W. Luckey, one of the judges of the state of Tennessee do certify that the above deponents  in said affidavits by John Nave Ser, Abraham Nave, James W. Nelson, and James L. Bradley appearing before me in open court on this 8th day of July 1845 and were duly sworn according to [illegible] to the truth of the facts stated respectively in said affidavit, and that they all signed the same as aboved representation given under my hand this 8th day of July 1845
Seth J. W. Luckey
Ju [illegible due to ink smudge]

State of Tennessee Carter County
I, Isaac P. Tipton, clerk of the circuit court for Carter County do hereby certify that Seth J.W. Luckey presided in Carter County at the July term for the year 1845 and is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of the State of Tennessee and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such as well out as in court, given under my hand and private seal - there being no public seal of office - this 8th day of July 1845
Isaac P. Tipton Clerk
of the Circuit court of 
Carter County

Page 35

Elizabethtown 2 [illegible]1844--

Sir

Yours of the 4th Sept. covering Rebecca
Bowers Declaration is before me.  The first object-
ion is [illegible] by calling him to court and
authenticating the papers before one of
the Judges in court.  The second & last
objection is removed as [illegible] as in their
power to [illegible] and in strict accor-
dense with the instructions of Mr. Edwards of the
17th July 1838 in his presented sheet 2. Rules
says where there is no record proof testamo-
nay of one more witnesses to prove the
facts & in the present we have established
the marriage by Mr Nave, & further by the
clerk of Carter County that deligent search
has been made in his office and no record
of their marriage is to be found and few of
any others.  We have also the certificate of
of the clerk of Washington County County
of which Carter was a part at the time 
the marriage certifying the burning of the
courthouse & the loss of papers & and that
in 1838 there was no law in Tennessee
making it the duty of the clerk to keep
such record, hence the applicant has done
all & more than could be reasonably
required.  It is known in your depart-
ment as well as else when in the absence
of record proof that [illegible] the nature of this
case will admit of is required.  Hence I
presume Mr. Edwards will see that proof
is before him and decide accordingly.  Your
early attention is respectfully solicited

Page 36

as Im [illegible] think to ask for more will be asking
for [illegible] possibilities, you was pleased to say
in your letter two years service of Leonard
Bowers was acknowledged, also the declaration
how [illegible] at the department of his death was
the same.  Hence Im [illegible] their decision
will be favorable & speedy.

Very respctly obt. srvt.
Wm Rockhold

Page 37

Elizabethtown Carter County Tenn
Sir 20th Febr. 1844

Enclosed is the Declaration of Rebecca 
Bowers with the accompanying papers.  Will
take action on it at the earlyest oppor-
tunity and if any thing more required
advise me of the same &

Yours [illegible]
Wm Rockhold

Mr Humphries' claim forwarded some
three months since will you attend
to it and advise accordingly &

W. R.

Page 38

Sir.   Elizabethtown Tenn
5th March 1845

Your note of the 16th Janry 1845 is
before me.  I here inclose the declaration
of Mrs Bowers as recvd from your office
deeming it unnecessary to copy &

And also forward the affidavit
of two witnesses done in open court
with the certificates of the Judge &

From the laps of time
[illegible] to mean well not [illegible] to a
day or year in the absence of some
record one fact they are definite
in that is that the marriage was
previous to 1790. From the [illegible]
and removals great difficulty exists
in procuring the proof it is hoped
and believed that this department
will not ask for more than as before
them

I am very respt
your obt. svt.
Wm Rockhold

Page 39

Sir. Ellizabethtown 9th July 1845

Yours of the 2d Apl. is before me with
reasons assigned why the claim of Mrs. Bowers
was rejected.  If the present papers shall be
treated in the same way I shall compose
my response. You will not be sur-
prised at Mrs. Bowers asking your early action
when taken in view the tardy this
matter has been considered &&

Very Respt obt. svt.
Wm Rockhold

Page 40

GIDEON, PRINTER
________________

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,

March 6th 1843.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners,
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United
States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pen-
sion agents, The widow of Leonard Bowers,
decd. Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough, Tenn
Agency, at the rate of Eighty ------ Dollars
[following lined through: and ------ Cents] per annum, under the law of the 7th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of Sept. ----- to the 5th Oct. 1840.

Respectfully yours,

Albion K. Harris

Comptroller

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

Page 41

State of Tennessee }
Carter County }  We the undersigned
Citizens of the State and
County aforesaid, having been calld
upon at the [illegible] of Rebecca Bowers
on our oaths do make the following
statements which we are advised she
intends using to establish her right
to a pension.  Which pension Declara-
tancy, as exhibited by her, [illegible] date
the 9th Nov 1844

I Abraham Nave, Seventy Six years of
age & I John Nave, Seventy four years
of age, deposeth & saeth, that we both
well recollect to have seen Rebecca
Bowers married to Leonard Bowers.
And the reasons why we know they were
married, it took place in our Fathers
house on the same farm Leonard Bowers
lived untill his death & where the widow
Rebecca Bowers now lives.  And I John Nave
recollect that the rites of Ceremoney was
administered in joining them together
as man & wife by the Rev. Joshua Kelley
a minister in the Babtist Church of the
[illegible] order.  And Deponents
further saeth, that said marriage took
place to the best of our recollection, in the
year 1785.  And certain that it was
previous to the year Seventeen hundred
& Ninety.  And Deponents further declare
that said Rebecca Bowers is yet a widow
and has never intermarried since the

Page 42

death of her husband L Bowers &
we do further say, [illegible] reason, that we
know they were married about the
time above stated, that we are her
brothers, and have ever since her
marriage lived immediately in
her neighbourhood, and know that
Leonard & Rebecca have raised eleven
children some of them are now
old men, and that there is no
possible chance for us to be mistaken
to their marriage further Deponents
saeth not this 5th March 1845

Sworn to in open Court this   Abraham Nave
5th March 1845  John Nave
E Alexander 
Judge

State of Tennessee }
Carter County } I Ebenezer Alexander one of the
Circuit Judges in and for the State of Tennessee do
certify that the above deponents Abraham Nave and
John Nave this day appeared in open Court before
me and were duly sworn according to Law to the
truth of the above and foregoing facts in reference
to the Declaration of Rebecca Bowers of the 9th day
of November 1844 and that they both signed the
foregoing statement respectively.  Given under my hand
this 5th day of March 1845.  Ebenezer Alexander
Judge [illegible]

Page 43

Land Office, Annapolis, Janry 19th 1833

Sir;

Your's of the 9th and 12th Inst. [words lined through]
with the declarations of John Grove and Leonard Bow-
ers enclosed, were received-the name of John Grove
I do not find upon any of the rolls-In the case
of Leonard Bowers, I have to inform you, that I
do not find any person by that name upon the rolls,
but I find the name of one Leonard Boward, who
appears to have enlisted on the 17th of May 1778 [word lined through]
[words lined through] in the 6th Maryland Regt. for the term of
three years; and was [illegible] on the 1st of November 1780.
-Leonard Bowers, states in his declaration, that he enli-
sted in the Spring of 1778, for the term of three years-
It is therefore [word lined through] possible that some mistake may
have been made in the spelling [words lined through] in entering his
name on the roll.

(In haste. )  I am respectfully
yr. obt. svt.
George G. Brewer

J. L. Edwards Esqr.

Page 44

State of Tennessee }
Carter County } On this 8th day of February A D 1851
Lenard Bowers named in the foregoing power of
attorney to me known personally appeared before the undersigned 
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State
aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer Oaths and acknowledges
the due execution of the foregoing Power of Attorney for the purposes
and things as therein expressed. Witness my hand and seal the
date above.   M N Folsom [word seal encircled]
Justice of the Peace


State of Tennessee }
Carter County } I James L Bradley clerk of the County Court in and 
for the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that
M N Folsom Esquire whose genuine signature appears
to the above Certificate is now and was at the time of signing the
same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid
duly commissioned and qualified that all of his official acts as such
are entitled to full faith and credit

[Blurred seal of the Court]

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court at
office in Elizabethtown the 8th day of February
AD 1851

Jas L Bradley--Clerk

Page 45

March 17, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MCS
Leonard Bowars, W. 49

Miss Edna V. Kinnaman
615 South Main Street
Independence, Missouri

Dear Madam;

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, Leonard Bowers, Samuel Hunter, William and John Kinnaman or Kuehneman, Abraham Nave, and Peter and Samuel Smith.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force availalbe for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of this war. 

The record of Leonard Bowars or Bowers who applied for pension from Carter County, Tennessee, is furnished you herewith. 

Very truly yours

G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator

See ??ie file under letter K
for other correspondence

Page 46

Jan 8. 1936
Veterans Administration 
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: I want to thank you for
sending me service record of Valentine 
Bowers, of Carter Co. Elizabethton, 
Tennessee. who served in the war 
of 1812. this solder is a son of Lenard 
Bowers who had service in the 
Revolutionary War. he enlisted in 
Hagerstown, Maryland in 1778, he 
applied for a pension Sept 18, 1832 
age 72 years. at that time he was 
in Carter Co. Elizabethton, Tennessee
will you please send me Revolutionary 
military records family history of 
Lenard Bowers. I will appreciate 
all family data of this soldier as I 
want it for genealogical purposes 
yours truly,
Miss Edna V. Kinnaman

Page 47

[Two columns]
[Left column]

1936 Mar. 17. hist to
Miss Edna V. Kinnaman
M.C.

[Right column]

49
Revy. WIDOW, &c.

File No. 49
Rebecca Bowars,
Widow
Leonard [Bowers lined through] Bowars*
Priv. Rev. War.

Act: Feb. 2. 1848
Index:--Vol. A, Page 71

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

*W. D. G. Oct 11, 06.

Page 48

Jonesboro Sept. 21st 1849.

J L Edwards
Dear
Sir

Enclosed I send 
you the Declaration of Mrs. Rebecca Bowers
widow of Leonard Bowers, Decd. who was
a Revolutionary pensioner on the Jonesboro
Tenn. Agency under Act 7th June 1832 and
his widow the above Rebecca Bowers
also drew a pension under the Act of 7 July
1838 & 3 March 1843 & 17th June 1844, and now
makes this declaration in order to be placed
on the Pension list again under the Act
of 2d February 1848 which when [illegible]
you will please notify me addressed
to Jonesborough, East Tennessee.

Respectfully
Your obt. Servant
C. W. Meeks

Page 49

J L Edwards Esq.   Jonesboro Agency
June 27 1850.

Dear Sir:

I return you the Pension certifi-
cate of Rebecca Bowers for the proper issue as the
death of the old lady occurred before the
issue of the certificate & that fact not being
made known to you. The certificate is issued
to one who was not in living at the time.  The
heir & administrator Lenard Bowers came
to draw the claim & on being refused payment
on the ground before suggested requests me to return
the certificate with the record of his mothers will
& his appointment of Administrator. To this
end that the certificate issued to him as the
Legatee on which in my opinion will
be the provisions of the law to Lenard Bowers
one of the heirs & administrator as well for
his own benefit as the other heirs at Law
of sd Rebecca Bowers.

Remit me the certificate [illegible]
for his, or his & their benefit.

Respectfully
John Blair
for L Bowers

Page 50

Rebecca Bowers
(widow of [word lined through] Leonard Bowers)
Pensd Act 1838--
Tennessee
5139-48
Ten

M Cole

Ex [illegible] M Wade
April 51

Page 51

Washington D.C.
Mch 8, 1851

Sir,

I am requested to examine
the papers of Rebecca Bowers of
Tennessee filed in your office
under Act of 1838.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Sevt,
W. G. Wade
___________

J E Heath Esqr
Commr of Pensions

Page 52

Act 2 Feb 1848

Te

Jonesborough Roll

C.W. Weeks
Jonesborough
Tennessee

Page 53

Declaration

In order to obtain the Benefits of the
Act of Congress of 2d February 1848 entitled
an act making further provisions for survi-
ving widows & soldiers of the Revolution

State of Tennessee } On this 10th day
Carter County }of September 1849, per-
sonally appeared before me Rebecca Bowers
a resident of Carter County and state of Ten-
nessee aged about 79 years who being first
duly sworn according to the law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to
obtain the Benefits of the provisions made
by the Act of Congress passed on the 2d Febry
1848 granting pensions to widows of Persons
who served during the Revolutionary war and
and that her deceased husband Leonard
Bowers drew a pension under the Act
of Congress of the 7th June 1832 from the
4th day of March 1831 to the 5th day of
October 1840 the day of his death at the
Rate of Eighty Dollars per annum and
that she drew a pension under the Act
of the 7th July 1838 and 17th June 1844 at the
Rate of Eighty Dollars per annum

Page 54

She further declares that she has not
intermarried but continues the widow
of Leonard Bowers, Deceased and that for
Further Proof of the above Facts she refers
to her former declaration now on file
in the War Department.

Rebecca X her mark Bowers

Witnesses Present
Thos. J. Powell
Lenard Bowers

Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year last above written before me
a Justice of the Peace for Carter County
and State aforesaid and I do hereby cer-
tify that I am well acquainted with Rebecca
Bowers and she is the identical indi-
vidual she represents herself to be in the
foregoing Declaration, in Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and affix
my seal.

John Carrigan [word Seal encircled]
Justice of the Peace
of Carter County

Page 55

State of Tennessee } I James L Bradley Clerk
Carter County } of the County Court in and
for the County of Carter and State of Tennessee
do certify that John Carrigan whose name
appears to the foregoing Certificate is and was
at the time of signing the same an acting
Justice of the Peace legally authorized and
empowered to administer oaths and that
all his official acts are entitled to
full faith & credit and that his signa-
ture appears to be in his own proper
handwriting.  Witness [words struck out] my hand and seal
[following word struck out: Clerk] of office at office in Elizabethtown
[illegible] this 10th day of September 1849.

[Blurred seal of Court]  
Jas L Bradley Clerk
By Jacob Cameron Dept Clerk

State of Tennessee } I do certify that James L Bradley
Carter County } whose name appears to the above
Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same
Clerk of the County Court of Carter County and that
Jacob Cameron is his legal deputy Given under
my hand & Seal this 17th day of September 1849

M.N. Folsom [word Seal encircled]
Chairman of the County
Court of Carter County