It was Thomas Barker of Mansfield-Woodhouse (near Barleyboro England) county of Nott. Who invested so much in N. Jersey land whose daughter, Martha, marries Thomas Bowlby, our first Ancestor who is known to have made his home in America.
James Barker and wife of Essex, England had two children: James and Christiana who married for second husband Captain Thomas Beecher and sailed with him to America in 1630 settling in Charlestown, Massachusetts. On the death of the wife about 1620 the first James made up his mind to move to Christiana in Massachusetts. So taking the younger James he set sail on 3-24-1634 the older man dying on the sea. A Mr. Nicholas Easton took care of James, Jr. and he later married (as third husband) Christiana, herself. After the death of Governor Coddington James was made Deputy Governor. In 1644 he married Barbara daughter of Wm. And Frances Latham Dungan b 1628. She was granddaughter of Lewis Latham Falconer to the King Charles I. This James was "of Rhode Island" and left descendants.
Edward Barker of Branfors, Conn was born about 1625 and emigrated to America in 1640 was a very prominent man. He died about 1703, leaving numerous descendants. Wife's name unknown.
The link between the lines of Robert Barker of Plymouth Colony, his brother John of Duxbury, Mass. and English ancestors is clearly shown by the coat-of-arms used by the brothers and their father in England. "Barry of then or and sable, over all a bend or". The Principal Visitation of Shropshire, England commenced the pedigree of the Barker family with Randulph de Calverhall, tenant in fee of the Manor of Calverhall in 1200, his son was William de Calverhall of Balnominster (1219) and his great grandson (1278) bore the first Barker arms. This man was Randulph de Calverhall whose son William was forded to flee when his king, Edward II became unpopular. He appeared in Hallon as William le Barker which soon became plain "Barker". His son was Roger le Barker, his son was William Barker, his son Henry Barker, his son was William, his son was John, his son was John of Colchurst, his son was George and his sons were John and Robert. They came (it is said) to New England about 1628-30. They left numerous descendants. John Barker, the direct descendant of Randulph de Calverhall of England (1200). He also shows many descendants. Richard Barzillai came with the twenty Puritan families who arrived at Salem Massachusetts under the leadership of the Reverend Ezekel Rogers in 1638. Left a numerous family. In 1682 William Pern came to America on the Ship "Welcome" and with him came his friend Samuel Barker who belonged to the Society of Friends. His descendants lived in the old homestead near Wilmington, Delaware until 1840. He is buried in the Old Swades Church in Wilmington, Delaware. While there were Barkers in Virginia as early as 1624 the first record found of James Barker is that he was born in England in 1726. That he was Captain of a British Man of War and came to America and was with George Washington at Braddock's defeat in 1755. He married Mary Smith of Portsmouth, England. One of his descendants of the fourth generation Mary Barker married James Burwell. The Barkers of West Virginia came from Delaware and their son "Joseph" settled at "Red Stone".
The name Bowlby (now the usually accepted spelling) has had numerous changes in its day. The following table sent in by various person is of interest.
In 1145 spelled De Bolebec in England and France
In 1186 spelled Bolesbic
In 1600 spelled Boulsby
In 1700 spelled Bowlsby
In 1724 spelled Boulbie
In 1776 spelled Bowlsby
In Frank Allaben's "History of Greens of Green-Norton". He tells us that "Just as the De Clares sprang from the dukes of Normandy, so were the Giffards of the same family as Gunnora wife of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Avelina, sister of Gunnora, married Osbern De Bolebec, Lord of Longueville in Normandy and his son was the above mentioned Walter or Gauthier Giffard who came over with the Conqueror and was father of above mentioned Rohese or Rohais, who married Richare (Fitz Gilber) de Clare. This Walter Giffard, first Earl of Buckingham, contributed thirty vessels and a hundred men-at-arms to the Conqueror's army and in the battle against Harold was urged by Duke William to bear the Royal Standard, which honor he declined on account of his age, exclaiming, "For the Mercy of God, Sire, look upon my white and bold head!" Now of Pienfaite and Orbec in Normandy, who accompanied his cousin, the Conqueror to England, was a great leader, and received 176 lordships in the partition of the estates to the Conqueror's followers, becoming Chief Justiciar of England. His wife was Rohese or Rohais the daughter of the first Walter Giffard, a famous leader in the Battle of Hastings or Senlac and afterwards Earl of Buckingham. "From the Journal of American History Vol. XII 2nd Quarter 1918 p. 246. "The Fitz-Richard mentioned above was Gilbert de Clare styled �Fitz-Richard de Tunbridge, Lord of Cardigan who married Adeliz the daughter of Hugh, Count of Claremont in Beauvaisis, and his wife, Margurite the daughter of Hilduin, Count of Monydidier and Roucy." Same source.
So you see the family does not want for titled forbears nor yet coats of arms. However they would be equally entitled to these though the several ecclesiastics who were Bishops of Durham when that sea was even as powerful as the kingdom itself. Several are buried in Durham grounds.
Wish to call you attention to the notes on N.J. history on these two pages which will give you an idea of how hand titles were transferred and land taken up which will throw much light on these records. Notes of N.J. history from Bowlby point of view gathered by Wm. A. Reeves from the archives of that state. "After the Dutch and surrendered to the English their claim to the ownership of what they called New Amsterdam, Charles II, king of England granted to his brother James, Duke of York, March 12, 1663/64 all that vast tract of land extending from the St. Criox to the Delaware and from the River of Canada to the "main sea" and the Duke of York conveyed to John, Lord Berkely, and Sir George Cartaret, June 23 of the same year 1664, the comparatively small part of this great tract which, in the conveyance was for the first time described and named Nova Vesarea or New Jersey.
About 25 years ago a man by the name of W. A. Reeves of Clinton, N.J. became interested in the history of his grandfather's people. This grandfather was David Bowlby who married Margaret Safer. Reeves found several thing of much interest to us and which he has passed on. After the Dutch had surrendered New Amersterdam to the English, Charles II, the English king granted to his brother, James, a vast tract of land in America Which extended from the St. Criox River in Canada down to and including the region along the Delaware River and eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. James who was Duke of York, in June 1664, granted that section of this vast holding Which was afterward called New Jersey to George Cartaret who had been governor of the Isle of Jersey and to John, the Lord of Berkely. Berkeley deeded his half-interest to John Fenwick of Fenwick in trust for Edward Bylings. Now Byllings and his trustee fell out and William Penn was called in to settle the fuss. Penn divided this half which now belonged to Byllings onto 100 equal portions and gave 10 (10/100)m of these protions and a large sum of money to Fenwick, and other 90 (90/100) portions to Bylings who was so deeply in debt that he assigned his 90/100 portions to Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas. These last two men were his principal creditors should anything be left after his debts were paid. Fenwick meanwhile who had been given the 10 portions conveyed his share to John Eldreidge and Edward Warner, who, in turn, gave it into the land of William Penn, Gawan Laurie and Nicholas Lucus. These three men, last named, were now trustees for all that portion of land which had been held by Lord Berkeley and which constitiuted an undivided one-half of the entire state of New Jersey�Sir George Cartaret yet holding his undivided on-half. By an agreement between Penn and his party and Cartaret the state (as we know it) was divided north and south into two unequal parts (halves), Cartaret taking the Eastern Half. With this transfer or settlement we take leave of the eastern part of the state. However the western half which was now in the hands of Penn and his associates was divided into 100 shares which were sold and conveyed to numerous people. John Eldridge and his partner Warner took 10 shares. Numerous Quakers took shares. Among those who bought up this land was a group of English men consisting to Thomas Hutchinson of Beverly, Thomas Pierson of Benwick, Joseph Helmsley of Great Kelke, George Hutchinson of Sheffield, and Mahlon Stacy of Hansworth. All residents of York England. On January 28-29 1677-1678 Samuel Barker bought of Mahlon Stacy 1/5 of 1/7 share. Now this Samuel Barker who now held several shares of what was later the state of New Jersey had a daughter, Martha, who had married Thomas Bowlby in England. Her fathers place of residence is given as Mansfield Woodhouse (now Mansfield I think) in Derby County England. Her husband's home during his life with her seems to have been in the adjoining county of Nottingham, England. This Barker signs himself "Gentleman." Thomas Bowlby, himself had not been idle, for he purchased of young John Hitchinson (son of Thomas) 1/24 of a share. Thus it came about that Thomas Bowlby and Martha Barker his wife owned, at the death of Thomas, 1 and 1/5 that shares or proprietories (Proprieties) of N.J. with the right, of governing the same. As divided a share now consisted of 35,000 acres and as Thomas Bowlby disposed of 11/5 shares by will, his estate must has consisted of about 42,000 acres at the time of his death. This land was situated in the northwestern part of the state along the Laritan River, Washington being now the heart of it. Cartaret had been Governor of the Isle of Jersey hence the name New Jersey. Berkeley having deeded his half-interest to John Fenwick in trust for Edward Byllings disagreeing, William Penn, called upon to arbitrate between them, awarded the ten-one-hundredths (10-100ths) of the undivided half of the province and a considerable sum of money to Fenwick, and the other 90 one hundredths of Byllings, who assigned his share to Penn (a disinterested person) and Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, two principal creditors, in trust for the benefit ofcreditors, he claiming an equitable interest. Fenwick having conveyed his share to John Eldridge and Edmond Warner, who conveyed to Penn, Lawrie and Lucas for purposes of facilitating a partition of the province between them and Cartaret, they, (Cartaret, Penn, Lawrie, Lucas and Byllings) agreed by Quintipartite Deed, July 1, 1676 to make a Harbor to Delaware River; Cartaret to take the eastern hlf to be called East Jersey. This tract of "East New Jersey" was afterwards, by his (Cartaret's) will devised to six trustees, one of whom deeded his interests to the other five, who sold an interest to two others and these with the widow, Elizabeth, conveyed the province to the twelve proprietors, one of whom was William Penn; these twelve sold and undivided half interest to twelve others and this increased the number of proprietors to 24, who received a new grant from the Duke of York for the land and rights of government dated March 14, 1682-3. Thus it came about that a proprietary right in East Jersey was an undivided one-twenty-fourth part of the province. The Wester half of the Province to be called "West Jersey", came into the possession of Penn, Lawrie and Lucas subject to the equity of Byllings, and they conveyed the ten-hundredths to Eldridge an Warner (this western division having been divided into one hundred shares of proprieties). They also gave deeds to various creditors to satisfy their claims, and sold shares or parts of shares to other parties. Many of the owners were Quakers. Among the deeds given the same March 1, 1876-7 to the same persons, one for seven and other for three shares, to Thomas Hutchinson of Beverly, Thomas Pierson on Benwick, Joseph Helmsly of Grat-Kelke, George Hutchinson, of Sheffield and Mahlon Stacy of Hansworth�all of the County of York in England. On January 28, 29, 1677-78, Samual Barker bought of Mahlon Stacy on fifth of a share, part of the above mentioned seven, and on March 16, 1696, of George Hutchinson, one twentieth of a share. These, with other parts of shares bought of other persons, afterwards became the property of Barker's son-in-law. Thomas Bowlby, who had also bought of John Hutchinson, April 10, 1697, on twenty-fourth of a share, so that Thomas Bowlby was a proprietor of West New Jersey, owning at the time of this death in 1731, one and one-fifth shares of proprietaries. From the original grant by Charles II till surrendered to the crown in 1702 the rights to govern as well as to title to the soil belonged to the proprietors, whose laws however must not be contrary to the laws of England. After 1702 the two divisions were united under the same Royal Government, but the soil belonged to the proprietors as before. The method of taking up land by the proprietors was to present the deeds before the Council of Proprietaries, who issued warrants to the Surveyor General to survey the required number of acres of land not previously taken, usually in certain limits, and the Deputy Surveyor, having surveyed as ordered by the General Surveyor, filed a return, which, if approved, was recorded. There was an allowance of 5% for roads and the surveying was so loosely done that usually the tracts ran over, the overplus often being considerable. The claims of the Indians to the land were bought by the Council of Proprietaries, individuals purchases not being recognized, or allowed, and the Council made a dividend from time to time the total amount of land allotted in all the divisions to each share be 35,00 acres.
West New Jersey was divided into four counties, which in 1699 were computed to contain 832 "free hilders," as follows: Burlington 302; Gloucester 134; Salem 326; and Cape May 70 and 266 of these were Quakers, who were more numerous in Burlington then in all the Northern Part of New Jersey above the Assumpink (at Trenton) including nearly all of the present counties of Mercer, Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren. Morris County was formed March 15, 1736-37 including then all north of the Musconetcong. The official records were origin kept by the Sec. Of the Colony of New Jersey at Elizabethtown, the first seat of Government. When the colony was divided into East Jersey and West Jersey the records of the two division were preserved in their respective capitals�Berth Amboy and Burlington, and it was provided that the records of conveyances and wills pertaining to Government, should be transferred from Burlington, and it was provided that the records of conveyances and wills pertaining to Government, should be transferred from Burlington and Perth Amboy to Trenton (by Act of the Legislature Nov. 26, 1790 that city had been made the capitol) as soon as proper quarters could be provided for them at the new capitol. The records of warrants and surveys were retained in the offices of Registers of E and W. N. J., respectfully, at Perth Amboy and Burlington. The state has made appropriations from time to time for the erection of and maintenance of suitable buildings, for these later offices and records." Copied from records by William Reeves of Clinton, New Jersey.
The marriages of both East and West Jersey were influenced by the laws and customs of the several nationalities whose representatives had come into this new land for the purpose of founding homes. However the New Englanders, perhaps, influenced the enactment of the laws on that subject more than other districts or creeds. Many had come down from New England and settled here, especially, in the Piscataway District. At first (that is after the Dutch interregnum) the Governor, Sir George Cartaret, had the issuance of marriage licences whereon Justices of the Peace as well as Pastors might perform the ceremony. As the facilities for districts was performed without being duly recorded. The facts are these: the ministers resisted the privilege of given the Justices and in all too many cases did not, out of spite record marriages performed by them. This has led to a lot of confusion and many a record is lost forever because of this circumstances. Not to find either banns, or licence is not to say that no marriage occurred but rather it has taken place during this unsettled time of colony.
As for the records contained in this list of generations I can say that so far as my own branch (Samuel Barker, Thomas (1) John (2) John (3) and Thomas (4), I have taken no liberties but in the land records of Samuel Barker as well as in the wills of Thomas (1); John (2) and John (3) much evidence is to be had on those families. The first wife of Thomas (4) is not known to me at this date (April 12, 1936) but the dates from there on have been taken from Bible records, head-stones, and land records. Also the later ones have been known to me personally so that of them I can speak with authority�at least to a considerable degree of accuracy. The lateral branches gathered by Mr. Reeves and Mrs. Kelly, I feel, have been verified with equal care so that this list of the decedents of Samuel Barker through Thomas Bowlby and his wife, Martha Barker, is fairly accurate in every detail. Extracts from the records in the offices of the Secretary of State of New Jersey at Trenton and the Surveyor's General's office of West Jersey at Bultington and from other sources as indicated, taken by William Reeves, Clinton, N. J. in Oct. 1904.
Samuel Barker of Barleborough of Denby, gentleman. Book 10, p 303 (205) Names "Neice Mary Bullus who dwells with me: Grandson Samuel Boulsby (who is given 1/2 of all my lands in West Jersey of which I have in the whole 3/4 (?) Of a propriety); Mary Bullus (2000 A in other half and gives to "such of my grandsons and granddaughters Boulbies as shall go to and reside in West Jersey when of the age of 21 or when released from their apprenticeship 200 each; to Martha Bowlsby (the wife) from Samuel 30 lb; the same to her from Thomas; The grandson Jordan Bowlsby 20 pounds (but to whom seems not clear; names also a daughter, Martha, and husband." Will dated January 9, 1724.
John Bowlsby, Senior, of the County of Sussex and Township of Mansfield Woodhouse, State of New Jersey. Yeoman (an affectation shurely) being weak in body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God therefor. Unto my beloved wife Mary Bowlsby all and singular my personal estate during natural life, and it is my will that my said wife shall dispose of such part of personal estate as she shall not want to home, to will six acres; also to this daughter Hannah Bowlby, ditto; his daughter Sarah Bowlsby, ditto; and his daughter Ann, ditto; son of John Bowlsby's daughter, Mary Bowlsby, half an acre; also his daughter Hannah Bowlsby, ditto; son Thomas Bowlbys' daughter, Olive, my daughter Hannah Palmer's son Phillip Palmer ditto; his daughter (I suppose he meant Phillip Palmer's daughter) Mary Daley, ditto; also his daughter Rhuhannah Palmer, ditto; and I also will and order that all the remainder part of my land and proprietary rights indisposed of here-to-fore, I order to be divided into three equal parts-to my beloved son, Samuel Bowlby on equal third; the other two thirds part to be equally divided between my two grandsons, John and James Bowlby. To my nephew Edward Bowlby, son of my brother Jordon B. Bowlby, the sum of Five shillings.
Sworn at Greenwich Forge 31 of December Isaac Lanning, Altiye Lanning
1728 before me, Hugh Hughes Edward Lanning, Witnesses.
Surrogate Book 25 p 249 (John had married Mary Lanning)
(A dividend of each Proprietor's share was 5000 acres---six dividends additional having been made-the total assignments comprised 35,000 A. To each.) From History of Burlington and Merdcer Counties 1883 p 12)
May 31, 1737, From John Bowlby, late of Springfield to Burlington So W. J., to Joseph Reeves of North Hampton, same county, "whereas Thomas Bowlby on of the Proprietors of West Jersey became lawfully seazed of one whole Propriety and a fifth-part, as by several good conveyances from the executrix and Trustees of Samuel Barker" for 5 pounds proclamation money, 100 acres to be surveyed and taken up in West Jersey below the Falls of Delaware River out of Fifth Dividend. Book G. H. p 310. Other land grants, conveyance & to the several Bowlsbys show that they large land-holding both inheritance and purchases.
Samuel Bowlby of Hunterdon County New Jersey. Ensign. Sept. 9, 1797 Made Cap on Sept.5, 1804.
Continental Troops in revolutionary War.
Samuel Bowlsby (private) also Militia. Captain Stull's Co. 2nd Regiment.
There is a roll of the State Troops of N. J. of the men who defended the state from 1791 to 1815 on this later Roll appear the names of five Bowlbys who served in the same company for the same length of time during the war of 1812. They all served in Captain Samuel Pell's Company of Light infantry. Third Regiment, N. J. Detailed Militia from Sept. 1814 to Dec. 4, 1814 at which time a new call or reorganized regiment became effective.
Martin Bowlsby served in Captain John S. Darcy's Company of Infantry, Second Regiment, N.J. detailed Militia, from Sept. 5, 1814 to Dec. 4, 1814.
Luthre C. Bowlby, elisha, William, William, Hamilton, Samuel, Peter and Tomas Bowlby were all in the Civil war.
World War, Joseph F. McGuire a descendent of Samuel Barker was Ensign in the U. S. Flying Madron from June 1918 to June 12, 1922.
Miles Crumbaugh Grizzelle, son of John Martin and Eva Crumbaugh Grizzelle of LeRoy, Illinois, volunteered (at Peoria) on August 31, 1918. Placed on Reserve on Dec. 11, 1918. Discharged Sept. 30, 1921. Chief-quarter-master in Naval Aviation, Flight 10, Seattle, Washington.
Under the minutes of the Provincial Council and Committee of Safety Feb. 12, 1776, Richard Bowlby of Sussex was declared a public enemy (for his Tory leanings) was committed to gaal for an indefinite time and fined 500 pounds.
From local History:
"In Asbury, N. J., 1812 a temperance wave was on and as a result of the meetings, John R. Ribble (who kept tavern on the present Ira Mitchell farm) between Port Coldon and Anderson, cut down his sign-post and went out of business." Francis K. Hornbaker and his cousin, John cruse, had quite and exciting time as the result of throwing a stone on �Old Forte's (a slave) house.
Again:
"Francis K. Hornbaker lived at Washington. Thomas Bowlby, eldest son of John married Sarah Cowell and built a large stone house below the Valley Church. (In 1812 it was known at the Jocob Skinner farm.) John Bowlby, Jr. and his died, Robert their son became owner of the old home-stead. One Christmas there was a double wedding at the Bowlby home. Samuel A. Hornbaker and Martha Bowlby and Francis K. Hornbaker and Mary Jane Bowlby stood up before the Reverend Jacob R. Castner and were married. The grooms were brother and brides were sisters. Francis purchased a house and a number of acres of land on the "king's highway (won Hornbaker Street) in Washington. The house is still standing is occupied by John Myers" (that is Jan. 1890).