As America prepares for its 250th anniversary, CV Weekly will be working with the Daughters of the American Revolution – Don José Verdugo Chapter to gather information on those recognized by DAR as American patriots. 

PVT Thomas Franklin Bowen, whose descendant is local resident Beverly Bowen de Lucia, answered the call to service in 1777. He was a private. His place of residence was Pennsylvania and he was born on April 16, 1747. He died on Dec. 19, 1832.

PVT Thomas Franklin Bowen was the son of Welsh immigrants John William Bouen and Anne Morgan. After arriving in America, he married Nancy Agness Crea on March 22, 1768 at New London in Chester County, Province of Pennsylvania. 

They had these known children: George Bowen (1769–1837), Robert Bowen (1770–1770), Sarah Bowen (1771–1859), Elizabeth Bowen (1773–1823), Elizabeth Bowen (1778–1864), Alexander Bowen (1780–1864) and Isaiah Bowen (1784–1838). 

After his wife died he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Spicer on Oct. 16 1791 at Muddy Creek in Greene County, Pennsylvania. They had these children: Spicer Bowen (1792–1792), Corbley Bowen (1794–1853), Mary Bowen (1796–1862), William Bowen (1798–1874), Thomas Bowen Jr. (1800–1851), Nancy Agnes Bowen (1801–1890) and Elizabeth Spicer Bowen (1826–1894).

He has registration #79099 with SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) and #A012738 with DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) due to his service during the American Revolution. He served in the company of Capt. George Forepaugh’s, 5th Battalion, Philadelphia militia, from 1777–1778. Recruited again, he served with the regiment of Col. Timothy Matlock’s in 1781–1782.

He lived to be 85 and is buried at Milburn Cemetery in Green County, Pennsylvania.

To learn more, visit https://donjoseverdugo.californiadar.org/.