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Sharing the Past While Looking Ahead The Roots, and Branches of My Bowen,Frazier,Grimm and Garrison Family
I became interested in my family roots in Jan. 2007. Someone was doing a family search that was connected to a branch on my husband's side. It perked my interest to find out about my ancestors as well. I started by asking my father and anyone else that showed an interest. I have come up with quite a few surprizes to say the least. I found out that more than a few made some pretty bad choices. It was like my heart was going back in time and reliving these choices with them. I found myself grieving over their troubles and trials. It became an adventure that I never want to stop.
Where to begin my search, that was a question that was easy to answer. My love for my grandfather made that my starting point. What draws little girls to their grandfathers? I know what drew me to mine. He was a man of gentle spirit. He was 20 years older than my grandmother so he was always an elderly man in my eyes. He came from the mountains, Sugar Hollow, to be exact. He was uneducated and would not be considered very productive in the eyes of most. But, that didn't matter to me. He just drew me in like a magnet with his sweet soul. So, I want to dedicate this site to him as well as all the others that went ahead of me... Lets begin!
My Grandaddy Bowen's Story My grandfather was the son of James William Boyne/Bowen and Mary Susan Ella Sipe. He was born in Albemarle County 02 June 1887. This is only my side of the story. Every story has two sides. But, from the stories I have heard that have been passed down about my Great Grandfather James Bowen (current spelling of surname) he was not a man of great character. He was married to my Great Grandmother- Mary Sipe- but he was also living with her sister, Madelia Sipe, and having her children as well at the same time. I don't know how this living arrangemant came about, but, I do know this is how it ended. It was hard for me to believe at first but the facts proved it to be true. Times were very difficult for the women back in those times. They had no money or power. James was born in Albemarle County about 1859. He was the son of Richard Boyne, born about 1808 and Elizabeth H. Coleman, born about 1836. I believe James might have actually been born in Crozet and moved to Sugar Hollow later. I have no information on his date of death and he has no maker and even his grave site is in very poor condition. Hugh trees have overgrown the area. Mary was the daughter of Peter Henry Sipe and Amanda Marshall. She was born in Rockingham County, Va. in 1861. Her and James wed on 17 March of 1884. From the stories I have heard she worked very hard doing anything she could to bring in a little income to help provide for her little chidren. She was living on one side of the house with her children by James and her sister was living on the other side of the house with her children by James. Mary died in 1907 trying to deliver her 10th child.The child had, unfortunately, died in the womb before being born and this caused complications during the delivery. There was hestitation to go for the doctor, I'm told by James, and she died because of this decision. The year was 1907. She is buried in the Via Cemetery. James married Madelia on 29 Dec. 1907. SHe had bore him three children previous to this marriage, all during his marriage to her sister. I have often wondered what the parents of Mary and Madelia felt about this living arrangement and their son-in-law. I am sure they loved all the grand-children equally. Madelia was born in 1871 (ten years younger than Mary)in Albemarle County and died 03 Sept. 1943. She is buried in the Harriston United Methodist Cemetery. The church is a very small community church, a little country church. It is just off of 340, now called Eastside Highway, about four miles south of Grottoes. Children of James Willaim Boyne/Bowen and Mary Susan Ella Sipe: Robert Warner (3), James William (2), Richard Bowen (1) *1a. Robert Warner Bowen-born 02 June 1887 (Simmons Gap, Albemarle County, Va.), died 28 Dec. 1966,in Harriston, Augusta County, Va. Buried in the Harriston United Mtthodist Church Cemetery just off of 340, about 4 miles south of Grottoes. Annie Lou (3), James William (2), Richard (1) *1b. Annie "Lou" Bowen-born about 1888 in Albemarle County, Va., died Dec. 1951 in Harriston, Augusta County, Va. Buried in the Mill Creek Church of the Brethern Cemetery, just off Port Road going towards Harrisonburg, Va., Port Republic Area, Rockingham County, Va. Ed (3), James William (2), Richard (1) *1c. Ed Bowen- no date of birth or death. Buried in the Harriston United Methodist Church Cemetery, just off 340 between Grottoes and Crimora. No marker, I believe near the fence to the further side. Jerry (3), James William (2), Richard (1) 1d. Jerry Bowen- no information on Jerry Fannie (3), James Willaim (2), Richard (1) *1e. Fannie Bowen- no dates of birth or death. Buried in Via Cemetery Betty (3), James Willaim (2), Richard (1) *1f. Betty Bowen- no dates available. Buried in the Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethern Cemetery in Crimora, Augusta County, Va. She has no marker. Harry (3), James Willaim (2), Richard (1) 1g. Harry Lee Bowen-born 16 Oct. 1896 and died Dec. 1954. He is buried in the Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethern in Cromora just off 340, Augusta County, Va. Buried in the back row. Johnny (3), James (2), Richard (1) 1h. Johnny F. Bowen- born 10 May 1901 and died 01 May 1947. He is buried in The Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethern Cemetery in Crimora just off of 340. Buried on back row beside his brother Harry. Cora (3), James Willaim (2), Richard (1) 1i. Cora Lee Bowen-born 10 Aug. 1904 and died 22 Sept. 1970. She married George "Pete" Washington Grimm. He is the son of George Washington Grimm and Sara Mary Becks. She is buried in the Pleasant View Church of the Brethern Cemetery in Weyers Cave, Va., Augusta County. Had no children. Children of James William Bowen and Madelia Bell Sipe are: Willie Ann Bowen (3), James William (2), Richard (1) *1k. Willie Ann was born 08 April 1891 and died on 15 June 1983 in Waynesboro, Va. To be continued...Work in progress.
Here are some of my favorite websites:
A Really Cool page (http://www.countrygrandmam.tribalpages.com)