Col James "Jim" Bowie Born 10 Apr 1796 in Terrapin Creek, Logan, Kentucky, United States Ancestors Son of Reason Bowie Sr. and Elvira Ap Catesby (Jones) Bowie Brother of David Bowie, Larissa Bowie, John Jones Bowie, Martha (Bowie) Sterrett, Mary (Bowie) Bird, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Sarah (Bowie) Davis, Stephen Bowie and David Bowie Parents. Although not possessing the sprakling talents of his brother Rezin, he was however endowed with much native eloquence. In 1829, he became engaged to Cecilia Wells, but she died in Alexandria on September 29, two weeks before they were to be married. San Antonio He has been described as having high cheek bones, deep set piercing gray eyes, and light colored hair-not quite red. (bio by: Iola) Colonel Bowie became weaker and weaker, finally delirious, and died about three o'clock on the morning on Mar. 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. James Bowie gained fame as an Indian fighter in 1832. When the customs officers offered the slaves for auction, Bowie purchased them and received back half the price he had paid, as allowed by the state laws. Lacking the capital required to buy large tracts,[25] in 1818 they entered into a partnership with pirate Jean Lafitte. I have traced the Bowies back to Scotland. Many of them are without foundation, though unhappily he was the principal actor in a number of bloody and desperate altercations. [68] Before the group reached the building housing the town officials, they were attacked by a force of 100Mexican cavalry. He was known as a formidable knife fighter after a violent feud with local sheriff, Norris Wright. [109], When Bowie's mother was informed of his death, she calmly stated, "I'll wager no wounds were found in his back. Maria Ursula Veramendi Bowie Daughter of Juan de Veramendi and Josefa Candida Gertrudis Navarro de Veramendi Wife of Col. James Jim Bowie (commander of Alamo Volunteers) Married April 25, 1831, in San Fernando de Bexar, Tx. On February 24 Bowie collapsed and took to his bed. Other areas assembled similar volunteer militias. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Updates? A number of films have depicted the events of the Battle of the Alamo,[120] and Bowie has appeared as a character in each. Other areas assembled similar volunteer militias, and Bowie commanded a group of the volunteers. In disposition he is represented as cool, determined and enterprising. Rezin Pleasant Bowie (1793 - 1841)* Peggy married Haywood 'John' Stenton Jones in 1946 and gave birth to David the next year. It is said that "To him the meaning of the word fear was absolutely unknown." [110] Beginning with that article, "romanticized stories" about Bowie began appearing in national press. [8] The children learned to survive on the frontier, how to fish and run a farm and plantation. Bowie and eighteen companions ambushed the fleeing army and, after Piedras fled, marched the soldiers back to Nacogdoches. Of the twelve men who took part in the affray, Wright and Cuney were killed Bowie, Carine, and Blanchard badly wounded: The remaining seven men escaping any serious injury. Corrections? [71], In July 1832, after hearing that the Mexican army commander in Nacogdoches, Jos de las Piedras, had demanded that all residents in his area surrender their arms, Bowie cut short a visit to Natchez to return to Texas. [42] In a letter to The Planter's Advocate, his brother Rezin claimed to have designed the knife. He chose the Bowie eponym because he admired James Bowie and the Bowie knife, although his pronunciation uses the BOH-ee (/boi/) variant.[123]. [37] Rezin Bowie's grandchildren, however, claimed that Rezin merely supervised his blacksmith, who was the creator of the knife. James Bowie Birth 7 Jul 1799 - Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland Death 2 May 1867 - Castlecary, Cumbernauld Mother Anne Henderson Father John Bowie Show more Quick access Family tree Records 185 Photos 29 New search James Bowie family tree Family tree Explore more family trees Parents John Bowie 1770 - 1848 Anne Henderson 1772 - 1855 Spouse (s) James Bowie - New World Encyclopedia [22], There is disagreement among scholars as to whether the knife used in this fight was the same kind of knife now known as a Bowie knife. Bowie), David Bowie, Lavissa Bowie, John Jones Bowie, Sarah Bowie, John James Bowie, Sarah Bowie, Mary Bowie, Martha Bowie, Martha Bowie Mar 6 1836 - "ALAMO" San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Elvira "elve" Ap-catesby Bowie (born Jones). [1], James "Jim" Bowie was born April 10, 1796 to Rezin Bowie and Elvira Catesby Jones. [2][3][4] [5] [5][13][22] The plantation became known as a model estate, but, on February 12, 1831, they sold it and 65 slaves for $90,000. 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. Every man sold his life desperately. [5] In his 1948 book, Bowie Knife, historian Raymond Thorp gives Bowie's birth date as April 10 but does not support it with any documentation. Six miles (10 km) from their goal, the group stopped to negotiate with a large Indian raiding party following them. Other accounts have him born in April. After moving to Texas in 1830, Bowie became a Mexican citizen and married Ursula Veramendi, the daughter of Juan Martn de Veramendi, the Mexican vice-governor of the province. Bowie, on business in Natchez, heard of his family's deaths in November. 6, 1836 The battle ended on March 6, one day after the infamous line drawn in the sand, when all 188 remaining defenders . [59], Between 1830 and 1832 the Mexican Congress passed a series of laws that seemed to discriminate against Anglo colonists in the province of Coahuila y Tejas, increasing tension between the Anglo citizenry and Mexican officials. James Bowie (1907-1985) *78, Grave #29822115 - Sysoon Neill went on furlough on February 11 to visit his sick family, leaving Travis, a member of the regular army, in command. Agness Liddell Bowie 1848 - Unknown. [66] Captain WilliamY. Lacey, who spent eight months living in the wilderness with Bowie, described him as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities. Jim Bowie - Knife, Alamo & Death - Biography For the next 20years, efforts were made to establish who owned what land. [60] After a second battle in which Piedras lost 33 men, the Mexican army evacuated during the night. Bexar County His power of will was remarkable, and in the presence of real danger the fiery impulse of his nature was instantly subdued into cool caution, though the flash of his bright eye and the compression of his thin lips told in a moment that he considered himself in the presence of an enemy. As Colonel of Texas Rangers he gained a great reputation at the battle of San Saba, Nov 2,l83l. James Bowie: Ottawa lawyer facing new accusations | CTV News The ashes were interred at the Cathedral of San Fernando. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. We are featuring this profile in the Connection Finder this week. He was the son of Reason (or Rezin) and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones (or Johns) Bowie. [114], Bowie also is the namesake of rock star David Bowie, who was born David Robert Hayward-Jones. About James . Some claim that Bowie designed it, while others attribute the design to noted knife makers of the time. Bowie also lied about his age, claiming to be 30 rather than 35. [22], The Anglos in Texas began agitating for war against Santa Anna, and Bowie worked with William B. Travis, the leader of the War Party, to gain support. It sacrifices everything in favor of ground attack, HP, and speed. Early Life. [48], Bowie became a Mexican citizen on September 30, 1830, after promising to establish textile mills in the province of Coahuila y Tejas. At the end of the fight, the Texians had two wounded men but had captured many horses and mules. [17], In late 1814, in response to General Andrew Jackson's plea for volunteers to fight the British in the War of 1812, James and Rezin enlisted in the Louisiana militia. With the latter he also bought and improved a sugar plantation in Louisiana, where he served for a time in the state legislature and spent much time in New Orleans society. 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. Despite conflicting accounts of the manner of his death, the "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[1] accounts maintain that he died in his bed after emptying his pistols into several Mexican soldiers. He registered for military service in 1778. [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. [55] To fulfill his promise, Bowie entered into partnership with Veramendi to build cotton and wool mills in Saltillo. On October 22, Austin asked Bowie, now a colonel in the volunteer militia, and James W. Fannin to scout the area around the missions of San Francisco de la Espada and San Jos y San Miguel de Aguayo to find supplies for the volunteer forces. Dr. James W. Bowie is a family medicine doctor in Westminster, Colorado and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Mt. Bowie was born in Kentucky. Bowie visited several Indian villages in East Texas in an attempt to convince the reluctant tribes to fight against the Mexican government. The Bowies moved frequently, first settling in Georgia, before moving to Kentucky. The soldier maintained that Bowie castigated a Mexican officer in fluent Spanish, and the officer ordered Bowie's tongue cut out and his still-breathing body thrown onto the funeral pyre. Colonel Bowie did not again marry, and "Left no descendants to inherit his indomitable will and fearless spirit. For many years a feud existed between two parties in the Parish of Rapides, on Red River. Mary Bowie Bird (1792 - 1842)* [49] With his citizenship assured, Bowie now had the right to buy up to 11 leagues of public land. His name is revered and honored to this day by the citizens of that great State, where a movement is now on foot to erect a monument commemorating his brave deeds and gallant death. [116] His larger legacy is his position as "one of the legendary characters of the American frontier. He was appointed as a land commissioner, tasked with promoting settlement in the area purchased by John T. Mason. Family Time Line. Inscription. Bowie captured a six-pounder cannon and thirty muskets and lost one man. [64], To the town's surprise, the surviving members of the group returned to San Antonio on December 6. 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 Parents: Birthdate: June 26, 1794. [8] "[111] Various eyewitnesses to the battle gave conflicting accounts of Bowie's death. In November he asked to be relieved of his command. Edmondson (2000), p.122. [22][45], On January 1, 1830, Bowie left Louisiana for permanent residency in Texas. In 1827, he was in a brawl in Mississippi which resulted in his being wounded and several men killed. [4] On October 22, Austin asked James W. Fannin and Bowie, now a colonel in the volunteer militia, to scout the area around the missions of San Francisco de la Espada and San Jos y San Miguel de Aguayo and find supplies for the volunteer forces. Enter a grandparent's name. Jim Bowie, fmc - oocities.org Family, friend, or fan this Collaborative Biography is for you to show & tell James' life so that he is always remembered. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [87] Fearing for the safety of his wife's relatives in San Antonio, Bowie invited her cousins Getrudis Navarro and Juana Navarro Alsbury, as well as Alsbury's 18-month-old son, Alijo Perez Jr., to stay inside the walls of the Alamo. Bowie may have been the first to induce settlers to apply for empresario grants, which could be sold in bulk to speculators, as Bowie had. [29][79] He distinguished himself again in the Grass Fight on November 26. [55], Bowie renounced his American citizenship and became a Mexican citizen on September 30, 1830, after promising to establish textile mills in the state of Coahuila y Tejas. They chose Bowie, infuriating Travis. Bowie was shot in the hip, and, after regaining his feet, he drew a knife, described as a butcher knife, and charged his attacker. By this time, Juan was his business partner. It is eight inches long. [54] Although the Rangers would not be organized officially until 1835, Austin had founded the group by hiring 30 men to keep the peace and protect the colonists from attacks by hostile Native Americans. Bowie was forced to flee Monclova and return to the Anglo areas of Texas. 10, 1796 Jim Bowie entered into the annals of history . The Arcadia plantation sold for ninety thousand dollars, and in the will he made just before entering the Texan Army, much property was mentioned and handsome bequests were made to the son and daughter of his deceased brother Stephen. James Bowie (A), 59 Public Records - Memphis Tennessee They sold that property in 1800 and relocated to Missouri before moving to Spanish Louisiana in 1802, where they settled on Bushley Bayou in Rapides Parish. [84] In early January 1836, Bowie went to San Felipe and asked the council to allow him to recruit a regiment. In response to the rumblings, Mexican troops established military posts in several locations within the province, including San Antonio de Bxar. 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. The Mexicans suffered over thirty casualties. Rezin Bowie, claimed to have invented the knife, and many Bowie family members and authorities agree with that claim. Spouse: Bowie supported duelist Samuel Levi Wells III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris Maddox. He was a sugar planter, and together with his brother, Rezin P. Bowie, owned several very valuable estates in La Fourche and Rapides Parishes, and in the Opelousas District. Elvira Jones Bowie (1766 - 1837) WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. This provider currently accepts 31 insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. [81] Travis became the sole commander of the forces when Bowie was confined to bed. At the end of the fight, the Texians had two wounded men, but had captured many horses and mules. Several days before the ceremony, he signed a dowry contract promising to pay his new bride 15,000pesos (approximately $15,000 then, or $382,000 today[59]) in cash or property within two years of the marriage. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas, United States, Apr 10 1796 - Spring Creek, Logan County, Kentucky, Mar 6 1836 - San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA, Maria Ursela Fructuosa Bowie (born Veramendi), Apr 10 1796 - Logan County, Kentucky, USA, Mar 6 1836 - Battle of the Alamo, Alamo Mission, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, USA, Rezin, (Reason) Pleasant Bowie, Elvira Bowie (born Jones), Nineteenth-century American Pioneer, Soldier, Smuggler, Slave Trader, And Land Speculator, Played A Prominent Role In The Texas Revolution, Apr 10 1796 - Logan County, United States, Mar 6 1836 - Alamo Mission in San Antonio, United States, Apr 10 1796 - Logan County, Kentucky, United States of America, Mar 6 1836 - San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States of America, John Jones Bowie, Sarah Davis, Martha Sterrett, Mary Bird, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Stephen Bowie, David Bowie, Mar 6 1836 - San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, Mar 10 1796 - Terrapin Creek, Logan County, Kentucky, USA, Mar 6 1836 - The Alamo, San Antonio, Coahuila, Mexico, Rev Dr. John Iii Bowie, Iii, Bowie, Iii, Sarah Davis (born Bowie), Mary Bird (born Bowie), Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Rhesa Bowie, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, I, Elve Ap-catesby Bowie, I (born Jones). [58], 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. Bowie, on business in Natchez, did not hear of his family's deaths until November. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [16], The Mexican Army arrived February 23, 1836, led by General Santa Anna and began the attack on the Alamo, which lasted from February until March 6, 1836. All of the defenders were killed the final day, including James Bowie. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [60], The couple built a house in San Antonio, on land Veramendi had given them near the San Jos Mission. James Bowie | American soldier | Britannica [89] In another letter, to Governor Smith, he reiterated his view that "the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bxar out of the hands of the enemy. James Bowie (abt.1789-1875) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree Birth: Apr. James Bowie, MD Specialties: Family Medicine and Hospitalist Mt. [47] The design of the knife continued to evolve, but a Bowie knife is now generally considered to have a blade 8.25 inches (21.0cm) long and 1.25 inches (3.2cm) wide, with a curved point, a "sharp false edge cut from both sides", and a cross-guard to protect the user's hands. He removed with his parents to Louisiana while still a child. *Calculated relationship Prior to James' birth, Rezin had moved the family from Tennessee, where he had operated a gristmill. I live a half mile from the Brazos River & Nacogdoches is a long, long way away & NOWHERE near the Brazos River. [96] Thirty-five years after the Alamo fell, a reporter identified Louis "Moses" Rose as the only man to have "deserted" the Texian forces at the Alamo. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved! [22], Bowie never talked of his exploits despite his increasing fame. Titles to the new lands were constantly being disputed and many enmities were fostered. Or at least I found them in Texas doing land speculation. Siblings: They sold that property in 1800 and relocated to what is now Missouri. Erected by The City of Opelousas and the Opelousas Historic . David Bowie, 1970. 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. Believing the war was over, many of the Texian volunteers left the army and returned to their families. Edward Burleson was chosen as temporary commander of the troops in San Antonio. "[69], 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. [91] Santa Anna and his army began a siege of the Alamo on February 24. [6] [58] Captain William Y. Lacey, who spent eight months living in the wilderness with Bowie, described him as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities. [111], A number of films have depicted the events of the Battle of the Alamo,[112] and Bowie has appeared as a character in each. [12][19] He supported himself by sawing planks and lumber, and floating them down the bayou for sale. John Jones Bowie (1785 - 1860)* Bowie's reputation was cemented by his role in the Texas Revolution. Jones changed his last name in the 1960s because he feared confusion with Davy Jones, a member of the already famous The Monkees. The war ended on December 24 of that year with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, and the Bowie brothers arrived in New Orleans too late to participate in the fighting. All of the Bowie children learned to read and write in English, but Jim and his elder brother Rezin could also read, write, and speak Spanish and French fluently. At the same moment Edward Blanchard shot Bowie in the body, but had his arm shattered by a ball from Jefferson Wells. [29][30] Other members of the groups, who had various reasons for disliking each other, began fighting. This name has been the synonym of personal bravery, and a hundred tales are told of alleged duels and quixotic encounters in which he is made to figure as a hero. John Jones Bowie, "Early Life in the Southwestthe Bowies,". Within two years, they had established there the first steam mill in Louisiana for grinding sugar cane. IMPORTANT LINKS. e, John Jones Bowie, Sarah Davis Bowie, John James Bowie, Martha "patsy" Bowie, David Bowie, Mary Bowie, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, United States, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, United States, Bexar County, Texas, United States of America, Texas and Counties, Cities, and Towns Project, Jim, (James), Colonel, American Frontiersman, (Bowie Knife) Bowie, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/BB/fbo45.html. 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. [63], After hearing that the Mexican army commander in Nacogdoches, Jos de las Piedras, had demanded that all residents in his area surrender their arms, Bowie cut short a visit to Natchez in July 1832 to return to Texas. [25] Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District 4544 Interstate 10 East Baytown, Texas 77521 Tel: 281.420.4800. The Indian tribes which were then so powerful and so dangerous called him "Fighting Devil" His Texan followers, who idolized him, called him "the young lion." The doctors who had been present for the duel retrieved the bullets and patched Bowie's other wounds. James Bowie (lawyer) - Wikipedia [43] Many Bowie family members, as well as "most authorities on the Bowie knife tend to believe it was invented by" Rezin. This, and other stories of Bowie's prowess with the knife, led to the widespread popularity of the Bowie knife. [27] The knife he carried had a huge blade that was 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) long and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide. He again was turned down, as he "was not an officer of the government nor army. [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. Bowie visited several Native American villages in East Texas in an attempt to persuade the reluctant tribes to fight against the Mexican government. Site of Bowie Residence Historical Marker. [112] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. [22][71] He distinguished himself again in the Grass Fight on November 26. Spears (2000), p.184. Travis ordered all the Texan forces into the Alamo. Tribute & Message From The Family. After a short time, however, they moved into the Veramendi Palace to live with Ursula's parents, who supplied them with spending money. He married Sarah Whitehead in 1752, in North Carolina, United States. Bonham signed the resolution first, with Bowie's signature second. James and Rezin Bowie,7 other men,and 2 servant boys repel 164 native americans near the San Saba River only one Texan died and one man was injured Jan 1, 1833 . [80] The council refused his request, probably because of lingering animosity over his land dealings. Thanks Frankie, actually the land speculation was in Texas. James Bowie Childhood - 449 Words | Internet Public Library This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Bowie, Electric Scotland - Biography of James Bowie, Texas State Historical Association - James Bowie, Spartacus Educational - Biography of James Bowie, James Bowie - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), James Bowie - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up).