[5][13] In June 1819, he joined the Long expedition, an effort to liberate Texas from Spanish rule. He left the active management of their lands to his brother, and took more interest in politics, especially in the trend of events in the neighboring Republic of Texas. [35], The following year, on September 19, 1827, Bowie and Wright attended a duel on a sandbar outside of Natchez, Mississippi. 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 .. Spears (2000), p.184. Notice to Persons with Disabilities (opens external link in new window) Jones changed his last name in the 1960s because he feared confusion with Davy Jones, a member of the already famous The Monkees. James worked with William B Travis in their effort to stand up for the Texans' rights. Categories: USBH Heritage Exchange | Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, Slave Owners | Louisiana, Slave Traders | Logan County, Kentucky | Texas, Notables | Texas History | The Alamo | Siege of Bexar | Namesakes US Counties | Battle of the Alamo, KIA | Example Profiles of the Week | Featured Connections Archive 2022 | Texas Project-Managed | Notables, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. 1. [29] On August 2, 1832, he joined a group of other Texans and marched into Nacogdoches to "present their demands" to Piedras. They chose Bowie, infuriating Travis. Bowie, still bedridden with his illness, asked to be carried across the line. The famous Bowie knife became a legend in Opelousas prior to his heroic death at the Alamo. Colonel Bowie became weaker and weaker, finally delirious, and died about three o'clock on the morning on Mar. JAMESBOWIE 1796-1836. by William R. Williamson. 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. Brother of John Jones Bowie; Sarah Davis; Martha Nugent / Sterret; Mary Bird; Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Jr. and 4 others; Stephen Bowie; David Bowie; Orpha McDaniel and John Jones Bowie less 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. Inscription. 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." John Bowie, the first of his name in the annals of Maryland, came from Scotland, according to family tradition, about the year 1705-06, at the invitation of his maternal uncle, John Smith, who preceding him many years had settled on the Patuxent river, a few miles above the present village of . Elvira Jones Bowie (1766 - 1837) [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. By this time, Juan was his business partner. The "Bowie knife" is now known as one of the most effective arms of its kind manufactured, and takes precedence over the old dagger. On January 26, one of Bowie's men, James Bonham, organized a rally which passed a resolution in favor of holding the Alamo. 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. Dr. Soon Jim became ill with either pneumonia or tuberculosis, mentioned in reports, but it isn't clear which. James Bowie was born near Terrapin Creek (now Spring Creek) where it crosses Bowie's Mill Road (Turnertown Road), nine miles northwest of Franklin, Logan County (now Simpson County), Kentucky, probably on April 10, 1796.He was the son of Reason (or Rezin) and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones (or Johns) Bowie. 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). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [better source needed] The personal name Buadhach means "victorious". [38], After the Sandbar Fight and subsequent battles in which Bowie successfully used his knife to defend himself, the Bowie knife became very popular. As the Mexicans stopped to reload their cannon, the Texians climbed a bluff and picked off some of the soldiers. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. The volunteers defending the Alamo, led by Bowie, and William B Travis' troops finally resolved to co-share the defense. Colby James Price, 16 of Bowie, TX went to be with our Heavenly father on Monday, January 2nd, 2023. [29], 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. [49][50] The Mexican government passed laws in 1834 and 1835 that stopped much of the land speculation. [16][17], Shortly before their father died in 1818 or 1819, he gave ten slaves, and horses and cattle to both Jim and his brother Rezin. The citizens of San Antonio believed the members of the Bowie expedition must have perished, and Ursula Bowie began wearing widow's weeds. He was turned down again, because he "was not an officer of the government nor army. Bowie supported duelist Samuel Levi Wells III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris Maddox. 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. BORN IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. "[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. James married Margaret Belle Bowie (born Laughlin) on month day 1916, at age 34 at marriage place. This page has been accessed 20,865 times. [57] He set out again with a larger force the following month, but returned home empty-handed after two and a half months of searching. *Calculated relationship Bowie was shot in the hip, and, after regaining his feet, he drew a knife, described as a butcher knife, and charged his attacker. He convinced fourteen or fifteen other citizens to apply for land in order to turn it over to him, giving him 700,000 acres (280,000 ha) for speculation. "[89] The letter to Smith ended, "Colonel Neill and myself have come to the solemn resolution that we will rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy. 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. "[111] Various eyewitnesses to the battle gave conflicting accounts of Bowie's death. [122], Rock star David Bowie, who was born David Robert Jones, adopted the folk legend's surname. "[4], They had two children,[10] Marie Elve Bowie, born March 20, 1832 and James Veramendi Bowie, born July 18, 1833. Everett is a descendant of Rhodi Bowie, Jr. of Maryland, and later SC. [82] Bowie was older than Travis with a better reputation and considered himself a colonel, thus outranking Travis, a major. [34] The knife he carried had a blade that was 9.25 inches (23.5cm) long and 1.5 inches (3.8cm) wide. I live a half mile from the Brazos River & Nacogdoches is a long, long way away & NOWHERE near the Brazos River. As Known As: Jim Bowie Born: 1796 in Kentucky Parents: Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones Bowie Died: March 6, 1836 in San Antonio, Mexican Texas Spouse: Maria Ursula de Veramendi (m. 1831-1833) Children: Marie Elve, James Veramendi Early Life James Bowie was born in Kentucky in 1796 and was raised in present-day Missouri and Louisiana. Jim grew up in Ware Shoals, SC. We know it's short notice, so don't fret too much. [8] Parents. [12][20] In June 1819, he joined the Long Expedition, an effort to liberate Texas from Spanish rule. 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. American lawyer and politician; president of Republic of Texas. [117] In many cases, "these stories were pure melodrama, with Bowie rescuing some nave planter's son or damsel in distress. [11][4], He and brother joined the War of 1812. He was appointed as a land commissioner, tasked with promoting settlement in the area purchased by John T. Mason. He was among the Americans who died at the Battle of the Alamo. James U. Bowie - UCLA Graduate Programs in Bioscience (GPB) UCLA Home DGSOM Life Sciences Home About Home Areas Admissions Faculty Training & Development News & Events Resources James U. Bowie Email: bowie@mbi.ucla.edu Phone: 1 (310) 206-4748 Laboratory Address: Paul Boyer Hall 659 Work Address: Paul Boyer Hall 655 Work Phone Number: Just another normal day. After the cavalry retreated, they laid siege to the garrison. A newspaper article claimed that a Mexican soldier saw Bowie carried from his room on his cot, alive, after the conclusion of the battle. San Rafael Hospital team in 2021, and serves as a family medicine physician in our Rural Health Clinic. [73], Houston offered Bowie a commission as an officer on his staff, but Bowie rejected the opportunity, explaining that he wanted to be in the midst of the fighting. The battles wit the Indians and Mexicans, at Nocogdoches, Conception and "Grass Fight," in l835, were occasions when James Bowie displayed his great military genius and intrepid courage. This account has been disputed by numerous other witnesses, and it is thought to have been invented by the reporter. [6] Andrew Bowie 1845 - 1912. [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. [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. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. In his early years of life Jim Bowie was wild and free, when he wasn 't . [12][19] He supported himself by sawing planks and lumber, and floating them down the bayou for sale. Edward Burleson was chosen as temporary commander of the troops in San Antonio. They had 2 children: James Royal Bowie Jr and one other child. Bowie and two brothers subsequently got into the slave. James Bowie Elementary. 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. when he delivered them to Bowie's Island in Vermilion Bay. Geni requires JavaScript! In his right hand he grasps the hilt of a sword. When Wright attempted to retrieve his blade by placing his foot on Bowie's chest and tugging, Bowie pulled him down and disemboweled Wright with his large knife. James Bowie lived here with his family from 1815 to 1824. This left Fannin who was intending to go with Johnson.[24]. In November he asked to be relieved of his command. The attempts at parley failed and Bowie and his group fought for their lives for the next 13 hours. 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. From 1956 to 1958, Bowie was the subject of a CBS television series, The Adventures of Jim Bowie, which was primarily set in 1830s Louisiana, although later episodes ventured into the Mexican province of Texas. Bonham signed the resolution first, Bowie's signature came second. Disgraced Ottawa lawyer James Bowie is being sued for $325,000, plus damages, in a sexual harassment and defamation lawsuit filed by a former client. Just do what you can. James is 17 degrees from Jennifer Aniston, 20 degrees from Drew Barrymore, 20 degrees from Candice Bergen, 23 degrees from Alexandre Dumas, 16 degrees from Carrie Fisher, 30 degrees from Whitney Houston, 19 degrees from Hayley Mills, 18 degrees from Liza Minnelli, 15 degrees from Lisa Presley, 21 degrees from Kiefer Sutherland, 18 degrees from Bill Veeck and 22 degrees from Brian Nash on our single family tree. [20][4] After he reportedly killed a man in a duel, Bowie went to Texas about 1828, where at Bexar (now San Antonio) he became friendly with the Mexican vice governor, Juan Martn de Veramendi. [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. Already confined to his cot by illness, Bowie was killed with the other defenders when the Alamo finally fell to numerically superior Mexican forces. They proceeded to Saltillo, located in NW Mexico (160 miles west of the now Texas border). [33], Newspapers picked up the story, which became known as the Sandbar Fight, and described in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. James was born in Logan County, Kentucky, on April 10, 1796, to Rezin Bowie, Sr., and Elve Catesby Jones Bowie. [96] Bowie also brought several black servants, some of whom worked at the Veramendi Palace, into the security of the Alamo fortress. HE MARRIED CHANEY (B. CIRCA 1795, D. after 1850) AROUND 1817. Some of the writers alleging that more than a dozen men lost their lives in the affray. Cs surrendered and returned to Mexico, taking with him the last Mexican troops in Texas. On February 20, Bowie swore an oath of allegiance to Mexico and proceeded to San Antonio de Bexar. Bowie was born in Kentucky in 1796. [40], Newspapers picked up the story and named it the Sandbar Fight, describing in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. It was erected by the Grand Lodge. [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. A lot of people lost money and title to land that they were promised. Others said he was killed by soldiers while too weak to lift his head. Peggy married Haywood 'John' Stenton Jones in 1946 and gave birth to David the next year. . Lacking the capital required to buy large tracts,[25] in 1818 they entered into a partnership with pirate Jean Lafitte. [70] Anglo colonists in Texas supported Santa Anna and General Jos Antonio Mexa, who led soldiers into Texas to oust commanders loyal to Bustamante. In 1794 Reason Bowie had moved his family from . They were the parents of at least 1 son and 8 daughters. [80] The council refused his request, probably because of lingering animosity over his land dealings. 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. Bowie had supported Wright's opponent in the race for sheriff, and Wright, a bank director, had been instrumental in turning down Bowie's loan application. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Bowie joined the Texas militia, leading forces at the Battle of Concepcin and the Grass Fight. [64], The following year the Mexican government passed new laws allowing land sale in Texas, and Bowie returned to land speculation. His father's name was Rezin and his mother's name was Elve. His mother was a slave owned by their father. [93][94] Bowie hurried to gather provisions and herd cattle into the Alamo compound. The Texians returned fire and, after the cavalry retreated, initiated a siege of the garrison. [97] After its publication, several other eyewitnesses confirmed the account,[98][99] but as Rose was deceased the story can only be authenticated by the word of the reporter, who admitted to embellishing other articles, "and thus many historians refuse to believe it. James Bowie's birthday is 01/02/1964 and is 59 years old. The family moved yet again in 1809, this time to Bayou Teche, Louisiana before finally settling in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1812 where they ran their farm and plantation. From then on, he drank heavily and became "careless in his dress. The man hit Bowie over the head with his empty pistol, breaking the pistol and knocking Bowie to the ground. On April 25, 1831, Bowie married Ursula de Veramendi in San Antonio; a little more than two years later, Ursula, her parents, and her child died in a cholera epidemic and Bowie reportedly turned to the bottle. The Bowies operated several sawmills along the bayous of St. Landry Parish. At the time of his marriage, James listed more assets than he may have owned; however, he at least had an interest in the Acadia Plantation in Louisiana, which sold later for $90,000. [82] The Mexican troops quickened their pace in hopes of reaching the safety of the city, but Bowie and his cavalry chased them. Edward Burleson was chosen as temporary commander of the troops in San Antonio. Bowie appeared before the council at some point and spoke for an hour, asking for a commission. Omissions? Also, place of death should read "Republic of Texas" instead of just "Texas. At the time, Bowie claimed to have a net worth of $223,000 ($5,670,000 today), mostly in land of questionable title. [53] The couple had two children, Marie Elve, born March 20, 1832, and James Veramendi, born July 18, 1833. You can read all about it on his Wikipedia page and other books as well. [64], To the town's surprise, the surviving members of the group returned to San Antonio on December 6. "[77], After Houston received word that Santa Anna was leading a large force to San Antonio, Bowie offered to lead volunteers to defend the Alamo from the expected attack. The cholera epidemic struck Monclova, and between September 6 and September 14, Ursula, their children, her brother, and her parents all died of the disease. He was the son of Reason (or Rezin) and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones (or Johns) Bowie. It was believed that after the Mexican citizens left the area, the Lipan Apaches took over the mines. [29] At the time, the city was known as Bexar and had a population of 2500, mostly of Mexican descent. After a short time, however, they moved into the Veramendi Palace to live with Ursula's parents, who supplied them with spending money. He died in February 1797, in Washington, Georgia, United States, at the age of 69. . [105] After this article appeared, several other eyewitnesses confirmed the account,[106][107] but because Rose was deceased the story can only be authenticated by the word of the reporter, who admitted to embellishing other articles, "and thus many historians refuse to believe it. [55] To fulfill his promise, Bowie entered into partnership with Veramendi to build cotton and wool mills in Saltillo. Neill went on furlough on February 11 to visit his sick family, leaving Travis, a member of the regular army, in command. James Wallace "Jim" Bowie passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015 following a brief illness. Spurned by Bowie's family his son, Duncan Jones, has refused to allow any of his father's music to be included in it and Bowie's ex-wife, Angie, has threatened legal action Stardust also . On March 6, 1836, Bowie became an. "[106] According to Wallace O Chariton, The "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[1] version is that Bowie died on his cot, "back braced against the wall, and using his pistols and his famous knife. [81], Houston offered Bowie a commission as an officer on his staff, but Bowie rejected the opportunity, explaining that he wanted to be in the midst of the fighting. Though he gained such a terrible reputation as a duelist, he is especially noted for his efforts to free Texas from her Mexican oppressors. [1], James "Jim" Bowie was born April 10, 1796 to Rezin Bowie and Elvira Catesby Jones. Obituary For Colby James Price. [11] After mustering out of the militia, Bowie settled in Rapides Parish,[5][12] where he supported himself by sawing planks and lumber and floating it down the bayou for sale. [13], Bowie and his brother John were involved in a major court case in the late 1820s over their land speculation. [91] Bowie celebrated his appointment by getting very drunk and causing havoc in San Antonio, releasing all prisoners in the local jails and harassing citizens. Witness accounts agreed that Bowie did not attack first, and the others had focused their attack on Bowie because "they considered him the most dangerous man among their opposition. 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. Six miles (10 km) from their goal, the group stopped to negotiate with a large Indian raiding party following them. Colonel Carin, himself wounded, brought water for his adversary, Colonel Bowie. 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). San Antonio James' next endeavor was in land speculation. [20] Louisiana's population was growing rapidly, and the brothers hoped to take advantage of its rising land prices through speculation. [95] Bowie supported duelist Samuel Levi Wells III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris Maddox. [106] Alcalde Ruiz said that Bowie was found "dead in his bed. Then the Bowies sold them in St. Landry Parish. After Jims death at the Alamo, the masonic apron was found with his possessions. [5][6][7][4], James was described as 6 ft. tall, 180 lbs., with light hair, grey eyes, and a temper. "[41] Bowie's reputation as a superb knife fighter was set across the South. Since 1810 to about 1820, John J. Bowie and Rhesa Bowie lived on the Rhesa Bowie, land, Section 44 and 52. Corrections? The stalemate ended shortly after Bowie led a charge to seize one of the Mexican cannons, at that time only 80yards (73m) away. [18] After mustering out of the militia, Bowie settled in Rapides Parish. What began as a duel between two other men deteriorated into a melee in which Bowie, having been shot and stabbed, killed the sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife. In January 1836, Jim was in charge of the group of volunteers at the garrison of the Alamo. Travis arrived in February, accompanied by a group of army troops to bolster the numbers defending the Alamo. [114] Alcalde Ruiz said that Bowie was found "dead in his bed. Source The Bowies & their kindred by Walter Worthington Bowie. Wright's friends intervened and stopped the attack, after which Bowie resolved to carry his hunting knife at all times. Stephen Bowie (1797 - 1833)* [109] After first ordering that Bowie be buried, as he was too brave a man to be burned like a dog,[110] Santa Anna later had Bowie's body placed with those of the other Texians on the funeral pyre. 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. Erected by The City of Opelousas and the Opelousas Historic . On one side Was Col. James Bowie, Gen Momfort Wells, D+SAnyek ?wells, General Cuney, Dr. Cuney, and Mc Whorter. "[106] One year after the battle, Juan Seguin returned to the Alamo and gathered the remaining ashes from the funeral pyre. [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. James had 4 brothers: Robert Robertson Bowie and 3 other siblings. [92], Bowie and Travis began sending out couriers with pleas for provisions and assistance. He has been described as having high cheek bones, deep set piercing gray eyes, and light colored hair-not quite red. After discovering a good defensive position near Mission Concepcin, the group requested that Austin's army join them. Lavinnia Bowie, John Jones Bowie, Sarah Davis, Martha Bowie, Martha Sterret, Mary Bowie, Mary Bird, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Sarah "sa Apr 10 1796 - Middleton, Simpson, Kentucky, United States, Mar 6 1836 - San Antonio, Republc of Texas, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Elvira Elve Catesby Bowie (born Jones). After a short time, however, they moved into the Veramendi Palace, living with Ursula's parents, who supplied them with spending money. [104] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. His possessions were auctioned for only $99.50. James and Maria settled in San Antonio. [23] In Spanish Texas the Bowies learned Mexico was selling 11 league land grants to Mexican citizens. In his section of the country the duel was a recognized law of the social system; from that appeal there was no retreat; the man who flinched would have been publicly branded as a dastard. Wright shot at and missed the prone Bowie, who returned fire and possibly hit Wright. Other family members and associates include Jasmine Bowie, James Bowie, Teva Bowie, Kimberly Bowie and Victor . James is described as six feet tall, slight, but graceful and very muscular; gray or hazel eyes, and chestnut brown curling hair.
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