DAR I D. Number: 84108

Mary Cranston Bowen buried: Bowen Family Lot, Read Farm, Warren, R. I.

Mary L. Bowen was a school teacher.

Nathan Bowen served, 1780, as private in Capt. John Perry's company, Col. Abiel Mitchell's regiment, Massachusetts Line. He was born and died in Rehoboth, Mass.

Esther Carpenter was the daughter of Jotham Carpenter and Desire Martin. She is listed in his will and also in the genealogy of the Billington Family. Her grandmother was Mercy Billington

Nathaniel Bowen was an innkeeper.

Many of the children of Noah and Mary settled in Warren Center, Bradford County, Pennsylvania

Obadiah Bowen took the oath of Fidelitie in the Town of Rehoboth in 1657 and then went to Swanzey, where he was Representative in 1681.

From Plymouth Colony Records: October 28, 1681 term. The verdict of a jury impaneled August 21, 1981 for the viewing of the corpses of Mr. George May and Timothy Venor included Obadiah Bowen - foreman, Thomas Estabrooke, Samuel Luther, Sr., Zacheriah Eddy, Sr., John Wheaton, Joshua Lumbert, Job Winslow, Jarett Bourne, Jr. Their verdict read as follows: "We found these two men below high water marke, and, according to our best understanding, theire death was by drowning".

Obadiah and his wife were members of the First Baptist Church in Swansea, MA, which broke off from Rehoboth in 1667. Although members of the congregation, church records indicate that they were warned continuously for lack of attendance. As they lived about two miles away from the church when the church was at North Swansea, and much further away when it was in the center of present day Barrington, it is easy to understand the absence, as they probably would have to walk the distance. The original church location was off George Street in South Seekonk, Massachusetts, about five miles from Obadiah's home. (In the inventory of Obadiah's estate there are no horses, oxen or mules listed, only cows.)

How Richard adjusted to his son becoming a Baptist is unknown, but the Baptists were persecuted by the early Puritans, although less strenuously than the Quakers, four of whom were hanged in the Bay Colony. The last to be hanged was William Leddra.

Obadiah's will* was recorded in Book II Page 290 and Book III Page 1 found in Bristol County, Massachusetts, Registry of Probate, at Taunton. Obadiah's will dated 11 December 1708; grown ancient; probated October 14, 1710; beq to sons Samuel and Joseph and dau Hannah Brooks; gr. ch. Aaron, Daniel and Nathan, sons of dec. son Obadiah; four pewter platters, given to him when he was baptized, he beq to four gr. daus. Katherine, Sarah, Alice and Elizabeth B.; some land recorded in Rehoboth he gave to James and Hezekiah B.; also beq to Lydia Mason.

* See attatched: Will of Obadiah Bowen

The town of Swansea was named by Obadiah Bowen after the town in Wales from which he came.

Will of Obadiah Bowen stated: "All my property to my father, Jabez Bowen, Providence, and make him my sole executor."

Source: ABSTRACTS of WILLS, VOL XIV, 1786-1796, page 213