Francis Bowen Senior

1. In 1814, Francis Bowen was a planter in St Mary’s. He was selling land in St Thomas in the Vale: “Bagnals, Sep. 17,1814. FOR SALE, in St. Thomas in the Vale, 180 ACRES LAND, adjoining Charlton and River Head Estates, and comes within a few chains of the Road. It abounds with hard Timbers and Santa-Maria, and is well calculated for a Sugar-Estate, wanting Provision land. A Purchaser may be accommodated with more Land, should he want it. FRANCIS BOWEN.”

2. In 1815, Francis Bowen subscribed £5 6s 8d for the relief of sufferers by the fire at Port Royal.

3. In 1818, Bowen was promoted to be a Major in the Middlesex Regiment of Horse.

4. In 1819, “George, [enslaved] to Francis Bowen, Esq. for being an incorrigible runaway; found guilty, and sentenced to be transported off the island for life. William, enslaved, belonged to Francis Bowen of Derry; and Jack, to Francis Bowen, Derry Pen.”

5. Francis Bowen died in 1825. The death notice reads: ‘At Derry plantation, in St. Mary's, Francis Bowen, Esq. He had been for many years a Magistrate and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Middlesex Regiment of Horse, was universally esteemed for his hospitality, cheerfulness and benevolence.’

6. His executors and trustees were William Bowen, Francis Bowen and William Kelly.

7. In 1826, Allick, who was enslaved to Francis Bowen, Derry plantation, St Mary’s, was marked D on right shoulder and FB on the left.

We are grateful to Steven Carter for his assistance in compiling this entry.

1. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, 4 June 1814, p.2 and 8 Oct 1814, p. 7.
2. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, 18 November 1815, p. 12.
3. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, 4 July 1818, p. 19.
4. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, 10 April 1819, p. 18; 17 April 1819, p. 15; 24 April 1819, p. 15.
5. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, Saturday 3 December 1825, p. 24.
6. T71/36 p.35. T71/41 p. 44. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, Saturday 1 April 1826, p. 12.
7. Royal Gazette of Jamaica, Saturday 29 April 1826, p. 24.