My Paternal Dowden Ancestors

Most of the information presented here is found in published genealogical sources, magazines, books, the web, etc., and sources are identified. I must also thank the people who have generously shared information on family compositions. They are each identified, along with their email address, with the family group sheet for which they supplied information. My comments and speculations are identified in green and red should be explored further before being acknowledged as valid.   "?" signifies that no official records have been found to verify name or data.

Use the "find" feature of your browser to locate a surname.

If you have any questions or comments regarding what appears on this page please email me at: ran.raider@wright.edu,  I would be more than happy to reply.

Sincerely,
Ran Raider

7. Michael Dowden, b. 1791 at Montgomery County, Virginia, d. 23 February 1862 at Rockcastle County Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery at Macedonia, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
| Will | Land Warrant 1823 | Land Grant 1847 | Land Grant 1851 |

Michael and Nancy were both members of Silver Creek-Scaffold Cane church before they were married. Both Elizabeth and Susan Dowden listed their father as being born in Virginia.

Spouse: 7. Nancy A. Hoskins , b. 27 September 1793 at Virginia, d. 30 March 1866 at Rockcastle County, Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery at Macedonia, Rockcastle County, Kentucky

Married 16 December 1815 at Madison County, Kentucky

Children:

  1. Nancy Dowden, b.ca. 1815 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Spouse: Hiram W. Gabbard, b.ca. 1823 at Madison County Kentucky, (f. John Gabbard, b. 1787 at Tennessee, m. Elizabeth_____, b. 1800 at Tennessee)
    Marriage Date: bnd. 22 July 1841 at Madison County, Kentucky
    1. Elizabeth Gabbard, b.ca. 1842 at Madison County Kentucky
    2. Sarah Gabbard, b.ca. 1844 at Madison County Kentucky
    3. Nancy Gabbard, b.ca. August 1849 at Madison County Kentucky
    Listed with family in 1850 Madison County census are Sally Campbell (b.ca. 1810) and John Campbell (b.ca. 1833).  Michael Dowden signed the marriage bond, 22 July 1841.
  2. Elizabeth Dowden, b. July 1817 at Madison County Kentucky, d.bef. 1910 at Jackson County Kentucky, buried at Williams Family Cemetery, Sand Gap, Jackson County, Kentucky
    Spouse: William E. Williams, b.ca. 1813 at Virginia
    Marriage Date: 27 September 1838 at Madison County, Kentucky
    She was living with James W. Williams family when she died.
  3. Susan Dowden, b.ca. 1819 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Spouse: James Cook Hart, b. November 1821 at Madison County Kentucky (mother Polly Hart)
    Marriage Date: bnd. 3 January 1842 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Michael Dowden signed the marriage bond, 3 January 1842 at Madison County Kentucky. In the 1880 census, James and Susan were living at Glade, Madison County, Kentucky, pg. 494A. An Allen Skinner is identified as Grandson in the 1880 household, age 11 born at IND?. James Cook Hart's brother was Caleb Hart, b. January 1816, m. Elizabeth Jane Johnson. Birthdate for James and Caleb furnished by Gerri Nordell.
    1. Nancy A. Hart, b.ca. 1843 at Madison County Kentucky
    2. Mary J. Hart, b.ca. 1845 at Madison County Kentucky
    3. George W. Hart, b.ca. 1846 at Madison County Kentucky
    4. Martha Hart, b.ca. 1848 at Madison County Kentucky
    5. Susan F. Hart, b. 12 September 1850 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 13 January 1865 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
    6. Infant, b. 3 November 1854 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 27 November 1854 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
    7. Reuben C. Hart, b.ca. 1856 at Madison County, Kentucky
    8. William H. Hart, b. ca. 1858 at Madison County, Kentucky
      Spouse: Mary M. ____
      Marriage Date:
      1. Mattie Hart, b.ca. 1879 at Glade, Madison County, Kentucky
        Spouse:
        Marriage Date:
    9. Allen M. Hart, b.ca. 1862 at Madison County, Kentucky
    10. Albert M. Hart, b.ca. 1862 at Madison County, Kentucky
    11. Charles G. Hart, b. 15 March 1865 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 9 March 1867 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery, Rockcastle County, Kentucky
  4. James M. Dowden, b. 3 January 1822 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1 May 1884 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Ballard/Jarman Family Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
    Owned land near Scafford Cane School.
    Spouse: Elizabeth Houston Jarman, b. 2 September 1822 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1 March 1875 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Ballard/Jarman Family Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
    Marriage Date: 13 January 1848 at Madison County, Kentucky
    James Hart signed the marriage bond, 13 January 1848 at Madison County, Kentucky. In the 1880 census, James Dowden was living in Glade, Madison County, Kentucky, census pg. 497C. In his household were Margaret Dowden, dau. b.ca. 1851 and Michael Dowden, son, b.ca. 1862.
    1. Malissa W. Dowden, b.ca. 1849 at Madison County Kentucky, d. at Springfield, Greene County, Missouri
      Spouse: George Ames, b.ca. 1843 at Kentucky
      Marriage Date: 6 March 1869 at Madison County, Kentucky
      Enos Davis, Jr. signed marriage bond. George Ames parents were born in Massachusetts. In the 1880 census, George and Malissa were living at Glade, Madison County, Kentucky, pg. 501D. A Susan J. Parker, age 19, was living in the household in 1880.
      1. Esther H. Ames, b.ca. 1870 at Madison County, Kentucky
        Spouse:
        Marriage Date:
      2. James W. Ames, b.ca. 1873 at Madison County, Kentucky
        Spouse:
        Marriage Date:
    2. Margaret Ann "Maggie" Dowden, b. 1851, d. 1917 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky,
      Spouse: James Martin Baker, b. 1844, d. 1922, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky, div. from Lucinda Baker at Jackson County, Kentucky (James had custody of children)
      Marriage Date 16 November 1881 at Madison County, Kentucky
    3. Sarah Elizabeth "Sweet" Dowden, b. 23 July 1853, d. 4 June 1933 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky, Sec. 11, Lot 7.
      Spouse: John Davis, b. 17 May 1851 at Kentucky, d. 2 April 1928 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, buried at the Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky, Sec. 11, Lot 7.
      (father ? Samuel M. Davis)
      Marriage Date: 13 December 1876 at Madison County, Kentucky
      Marriage bond signed by William Johnson. In the 1880 census, John and Sally were living at Glade, Madison County, Kentucky, pg. 496B. There are no children in the household. In the same Section 11, Lot 7 at the Berea Cemetery are buried James M. Dowden, b.ND, d. May 1920 and Ryan Richardson, b. 1856, d. 1950.
    4. Michael A. Dowden, b. 1862 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1893 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
      Spouse: ? Amanda Richardson, b.ca. 1862 (f. John Richardson, m. Martha ___)
      Marriage Date: 2 March 1881 at Madison County, Kentucky
      From Doris Stone:

      "After I sent that message to you, my memory came back a little! I do remember that Forest had a brother, Jim, but don't remember ever hearing of Ernest. Jim owned a resort in Wisconisin and Forest and Pearl came to our place (Rockford,Il) often, and sometimes would go there. The summer I was 15 or 16, my parents and I went too. One of the girls who worked in the dining room didn't show up for work one evening and Jim asked if I would help wait on tables that night - so how could I forget that? I can't even remember the location, but it was by a lake and a lovely vacation place."

      "Forest never live in Indiana that I know of. They made many trips there because my Mom's (and Pearl's) sister lived in Indiana, near Greencastle. My Mother's Father died when she was 2 years old and her Mother took the children and went to Kentucky to live, she had two (half) brothers who were teachers and she knew they would see that her children received an education. The half borthers of my grandmother were Charles and John Lewis. Pearl and Forest were married in Ky, her brothers went to Illinois to farm, and eventually all the rest of the family moved there, but Pearl and Forest were established in Berea by then. She was a school teacher too."

      "I can still remember Uncle John and Aunt Sweet, they lived in a little house where Forest farmed when I was young. And yes, his middle initial was B but I never knew what it stood for, nor did my Mother."

      Family composition supplied by Doris Stone

      1. James Dowden, b.ca. 1876? at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky
      2. Ernest Dowden, b.ca. 1877? at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky
      3. Sarah Elizabeth Dowden, b. August 1887 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky
      4. Forest B. Dowden, b. 25 February 1890 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, d. 12 May 1968 at Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
        Spouse: Rebecca Pearl "Pearl" McClure, b. 10 March 1889 at Spencer, Owen County, Indiana, d. 23 September 1979 at Madison County, Kentucky, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
        Marriage Date: 26 May 1917 at Madison County, Kentucky
        1. Michael Andrew Dowden, b. 27 April 1918 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, d. 22 April 1977 at Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
        2. Forest Gene Dowden, b. 1 November 1921 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, d. 28 April 1940 at Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky, buried at Berea Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky
      5. Fannie Dowden, b. April 1893 at Berea, Madison County, Kentucky
  5. Hannah Dowden, b. 22 April 1824 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1 May 1860 at Rockcastle County Kentucky buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery at Rockcastle County, Kentucky )
    Spouse: Enos Davis, b. 13 November 1818 at Rockcastle County, Kentucky
    Enos Davis married second, Nelly Mullins, bnd. 20 February 1843 at Madison County, Kentucky. David Campbell signed the marriage bond for Enos and Nelly, 20 February 1843 at Madison County Kentucky. Enos and Nelly, his second wife, moved to Illinois in 1888. They took some of the children of Hannah with them.
    Marriage Date:
  6. Martha Jane Dowden, b. 23 August 1826 at Madison County Kentucky, d. 2 April 1850 at Rockcastle County Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Witt Cemetery at Rockcastle County, Kentucky
    Spouse 1: Eli B. Gabbard, b.ca. 1825 at Madison County, Kentucky,
    Marriage Date: bnd. 11 March 1848 at Madison County Kentucky
    James Dowden signed the marriage bond, 3 January 1842 at Madison County Kentucky. Eli Gabbard's mother was Esther Johnson. Eli married second Franky Johnson, bnd 27 December 1851 at Madison County, Kentucky
    1. James M. Gabbard, b.ca. 1849
  7. John H. Dowden, b. 4 April 1829 at Madison County Kentucky, d. 4 March 1854 at Rockcastle County Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Macedonia Community Cemetery at Rockcastle County Kentucky
  8. Manervy Dowden, b. 11 October 1831 at Madison County Kentucky, d. 19 May 1855 at Rockcastle County Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Macedonia Community Cemetery at Rockcastle County Kentucky

Sources:

Davis/Witt Cemetery, Macedonia, Rockcastle County Kentucky

1850 Madison County Census

Vockery, Bill and Kathy. 1870 Federal Census of Madison County Kentucky. 1994

Hay, Charles and Jerry Dimitrov. Inventory of Burials Berea (KY) Cemetery Inc. Richmond: Madison County Historical Society, 1993.

Moore, Frances. Minutes of Silver Creek-Scaffold Cane Baptist Church Madison County, Rockcastle County, KY.. Privately published.

NOTES:

Michael signed the marriage bond for John Hoskins (4th mar., b. at Virginia age 72) and Sally Dowden Kimbrell (2nd mar. age 50) 3 April 1860 at Madison County, Kentucky

The following are names appearing in the sale of property for Michael Dowden on 26 April 1862:
David Kinnard, Richard Davis, Elisha Dobbs, W.H. White, James M. Cornelison, Harrison Burnam, David Williams, Steven [Stephen] Witt, E.D. Mitchell, William Wright, W.B. Lain, William Williams, Martin Jones, James Dowden, and Enis [Enos] Davis.
The above William Williams married Elizabeth Dowden and Enos Davis married Hannah Dowden, both daughters of Michael Dowden.

Forest G. Dowden, b.ca. 1922 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 28 April 1940 at Madison County, Kentucky. Death Index, Vol.22, Cert. 10681, Deathvol. 40.

Forest B. Dowden, b.ca. 1890 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 12 May 1968 at Madison County, Kentucky. Death Index, Vol.25, Cert. 12324, Deathvol. 68.

Pearl Dowden, b.ca. 1889, d. 23 Spetember 1979 at Madison County, Kentucky (possibly wife of Forest B. Dowden?) Death Index, Vol.50, Cert. 24795, Deathvol. 79.










8. James Dowden, Sr., b. 14 October 1757 at St. Mary's County, Maryland(?), d.ca. 10 August 1835 at Madison County, Kentucky
| Pension Application | Land Grant - Montgomery County, Virginia | Will | Land Warrant 1819 | Land Warrant 1819 |
| Land Warrant 1823 | Land Warrant 1823 |

James Dowden first enlisted in Rawlings Regiment on 27 July 1776 as a volunteer in the militia.  He next appears on a muster roll of Capt. Thomas Beall, Maryland Corps. in service of the United States for the period of January to October at Ft. Pitt.  The muster roll was signed by Lt. J. Crawford, 8th Pennsylvania Regiment and by Col. John Gibson, commander at Ft. Pitt.  Next James' name appears on the roll as a private for Capt. Joseph Marbury's Company of Infantry, Maryland Line ordered to Ft. Pitt, August to December 1782.  James re-enlisted on 10 May 1782 for three years.  For the year 1783 his name appears on the rolls of the Northern Detachment commanded by Capt. Walker Muse and Lt. Henry Chapman.

James Dowden is listed as a Revolutionary War pensioner in Madison County, Kentucky.   He is listed as a Private in the Maryland/Virginia Line, age 77 at 1833.  James received a land grant for 100 acres in Montgomery County, Virginia on 3 February 1795.  The land was located on the west side of New River and was known as "Round Bottom."   It is also possible that a Michael A. Dowden, who is listed in the 1789 Tax List for Montgomery County, is the father or brother to James Dowden, Sr.  Michael Dowden, b. 1737, is found in Montgomery County Maryland during the same time period as James Dowden, Sr.   Is this Michael Dowden the father of James?  Both served during the Revolutionary War, Michael with the State Militia and James with the Maryland Line.  After James' discharge, in 1785, he lived in Montgomery County, Virginia for 5 years, then moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky for 1 year, then finally to Madison County, Kentucky in 1792.

James Dowden was a member of the Silver Creek-Scaffold Cane Baptist Church in Madison/Rockcastle County, Kentucky. From the minutes of the church: 4 January 1804, Saturday, "Brother Thomas Singleton brought a charge against Brother [James] Dowden for too sharp a reproff for his going to a race. The approved of Bro Dowdens conduct and laboured to reconcile sd Brother Singleton but he chose to be excluded and was." 3 August 1804, Friday, "Brother [James] Dowden laid in a complaint against Brother Grimes." 4 September 1804, Saturday, "The church met agreeable to appointment and after divine services proceeded to business a motion made and seconded to appoint a committee to settle the dispute between Bro Dowden and Bro Grimes. They went out and settled to the satisfaction of all." (I wonder who won the fight :-) 4 Janaury 1805, Saturday, "The church met at Bro Dowdens and after singing and prayer set to do business." 4 February 1805, Saturday, "Brother Patterson laid in a complaint against Bro [James] Dowden for abuse and non payment of debts the church received the complaint and after a trial sd Patterson's charge were found to be groudless and he was excluded for falsehood."

Spouse: 8. UNK

Married UNK

Children:

  1. James Dowden, Jr.
    Spouse: Jinnet Rose/Row (mother Sally Row)
    Marriage Date: 4 February 1819 at Madison County, Kentucky
  2. Jane Dowden, b.bef. 1790 at Virginia
    From the minutes of Silver Creek-Scaffold Cane Church: "4 March 1805, Saturday, a complaint was laid in against Sister Jane Dowden she was cited to attend the next church by two members Brother John Osbern and Brother ___ Sister failed to attend and was excluded for being pregnant which she denied and falsehood." The next meeting of the church, "4 April 1805, Saturday, The church met and after divine service she proceeded to business Brother Thomas Hooten was called forward to answer the charge of Miss Jane Dowden that is of being father of her child which he pointed and positively denies and afterwards he requested the church to erase his name from the church list without giving any satisfactory reason which the church denied and laid it over to next meeting in course and he was ordered to attend." Jane eventually removed herself from the church.
    Spouse: James Veatch
    Marriage Date: bnd. 15 December 1808 at Madison County, Kentucky
  3. Sarah "Sallie" Dowden, b.ca. 1790 at Virginia
    | Family Bible | Sarah's Marker |
    Thanks to Mike Kimbrell for sharing the above images.
    Spouse 1: Joseph Kimbrell, (f. Jackson)
    Marriage Date: bnd 4 August 1830 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Green Kimbrell signed the marriage bond, 4 August 1830 at Madison County Kentucky
    Spouse 2: John Hoskins, b.ca. 1788 at Kentucky
    Marriage Date: Bond 3 April 1860 at Madison County, Kentucky. Michael Dowden signed the marriage bond. Sarah's age is given as 50 and John Hoskins' age is 72.
  4. Michael Dowden, b. 1791 at Bourbon County, Virginia, d. 23 Fedruary 1862 at Rockcastle County, Kentucky, buried at the Davis/Macedonia Community Cemetery at Rockcastle County, Kentucky
    Spouse: Nancy A. Hoskins
    Marriage Date: 16 December 1815 at Madison County, Kentucky
  5. Robert Dowden, b.ca. 1791 at Madison County, Kentucky Some researchers show Robert Dowden as son to James Dowden Sr. They also show his birthplace as Madison County, Kentucky, however, Michael Dowden was born in 1791 at Montgomery County, Virginia according to his father's pension application and Michael's tombstone. Robert's name does not appear in the Scafford Cane Church minutes.
    Could Martha Jane Dowden listed for Michael Dowden's household be actually James' daughter?
  6. Nancy Dowden, b. at Madison County, Kentucky
    Nancy was unmarried in 1835 as she appears in her fathers will as "Nancy Dowden."
    Spouse:
    Marriage Date:
  7. Susannah Dowden, b.ca. 1802
    Spouse: Levi Parker
    Marriage Date: 17 September 1818 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Issue:
    1. James Parker, b.ca. 1820 (husband to Elizabeth?)
    2. Elizabeth Parker, b.ca. 1823 Madison County, Kentucky
    3. Sally Ann Parker, b.ca. 1828 Madison County, Kentucky
    4. John Parker, b.ca. 1829 Madison County, Kentucky
    5. Nancy Parker, b.ca. 1833 Madison County, Kentucky
    6. Francis Parker, b.ca. 1835 Madison County, Kentucky
    7. Robert Parker, b.ca. 1837 Madison County, Kentucky
    8. Michael Parker, b.ca. 1839 Madison County, Kentucky
    9. Margaret Parker, b.ca. 1843 Madison County, Kentucky
    10. Elysia Parker, b.ca. 1842 Madison County, Kentucky
  8. Elizabeth Dowden, b.ca. 1805 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Spouse: Jesse Dale, b. 14 April 1803 at Madison County, Kentucky, d. 20 August 1888 at Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, buried at Shay Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa
    Marriage Date: 10 February 1825 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Michael Dowden signed the marriage bond, 7 February 1825 at Madison County Kentucky. Jesse and Elizabeth can be found in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 census for Talyor County, Iowa.
    1. John Dale, b.ca. 1835 at Madison County, Kentucky
      Spouse: Frances Moore, b. at Ohio
      Marriage Date: 25 April 1858 at Taylor County, Iowa
      1. Thomas P. Dale, b.ca. 1860 at Taylor County, Iowa
    2. Silas Dale, b.ca. 1845
      Spouse:
      Marriage Date:
    3. Jane Elizabeth "Jennie" Dale, b. 29 September 1846 at Illinois, d. 17 August 1881 at Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa. Buried at Bedford Fairview Cemetery, center section, row 4, Bedford, Talyor County, Iowa
      Spouse: Francis Eells Walker, b. 17 January 1841 at Bellville, Richland County, Ohio, d. Saturday, 13 Novermber 1926 at Seattle, Washington.
      Marriage Date: 14 December 1862 at Taylor County, Iowa
      Francis Walker was listed as Mayor of Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa in the 1880 Census. He married second Mary E. Clark. Francis served in the 29th Iowa Volunteers, Co. F. In the 1880 census, Francis and Jennie were living in Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, pg. 112D.

      From the 1881 Taylor County History:

      "WALKER, F.E., hardware and lumber merchant, Bedford. Mr. Walker, a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Richland County, Janury 17, 1841. In the summer of 1858 he came to Bedford and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he has since continued. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry, and was with the company in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, Jenkin's Ferry, Spanish Fort and in other minor engagements. He served as quartermaster-sergeant during part of his servce; was mustered out in the fall of 1865, and engaged in the banking business in which he continued about four years. He is now extensively engaged in the real estate, hardware and lumber business and is numbered among the most substantial business men of Bedford."

      OBIT, Bedford Times-Republican 25 November 1926: "Francis Eells Walker was born at Bellville, Richland County, O., Jan. 17, 1841, and died at his daughter's home in Seattle, Wash., on Saturday morning, Nov. 13th, 1926, being 85 years, 8 months and 26 days old. He is survived by a brother W.F. Walker residing in Bedford, Ia.; his widow, Mary E. Walker residing in Long Beach, Calf.; two daughters, Mrs. J.B. Combs and Mrs. F.M. Fitts, both residing in Seattle, Washington, and a son William D. Walker residing in Boston, Mass. Mr. Walker arrivied here in the spring of 1858 when Bedford had a population of less than fifty people. He was a young man seventeen years of age. There are but a very few who are now living who were here at that time, perhaps not more than a half dozen. Mr. Walker married Jennie Elizabeth Dale, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Dale in August, 1862 [unk. why the difference in marriage dates], and shortly thereafter enlisted in the 29th Iowa Infantry volunteers and served three years and 1 day in the Civil War. From this union were born three children, all of whom are living. The wife Jennie Elizabeth Walker died Aug. 17, 1881. All of these years Mr. Walker made his home in Bedford, and later married Mary E. Clark of Denver, Colo. Mr. Walker was very active in business in Bedford, and will be remembered by the older settlers as being identified in the Pioneer Real Estate Business, later he engaged in the lumber business and afterwards in the hardware business. In the seventies he was interested in banking for a time. In 1898 when the Bedoford National Bank was orgaized he became one of its incorporators and held the office of vice president until he retired. W.F. Walker, brother of F.E. Walker, is the only surviving member of his family. Mrs. Cordelia E. Turner, an older sister passed away a few years ago. Her husband, Captain Joseph H. Turner, made his first appearance in Bedford prior to 1858, before the days of train service, and he walked from Des Moines, Iowa to Bedofrd and established here the Iowa Southwest newspaper which was the first newspaper of Taylor county. Mr. Turner set the tpe and printed the paper with a hand press, and in the beginning carried on all the work himself, and it was he who was Bedford's first mayor, and at later dates both W.F. Walker and F.E. Walker held that office. Mr. Walker was one of the first to forsee Bedford's need of a new cemetery and together with John Graff, A.J. Sowers, W.F. Evans and J.W. Combs purchased the ground now known as Fairview Cemetery and was largely reposnsible for its development. Funeral Services were held at the home of W.F. Walker on last Friday afternoon. In charge Rev. Paul Luce. Burial was made in Fairview cemetery".

      1. William Dale Walker, b. 24 July 1866 at Allerton, Taylor County, Iowa, d. 24 July 1959 at Los Angeles, California. Buried at Bedford Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Talyor County, Iowa
        Spouse: Maude V. Berkeyb. 25 May 1869, d. 17 May 1943, Buried at Bedford Fairview Cemetery, Bedford, Talyor County, Iowa
        Marriage Date: 12 January 1888 at Taylor County, Iowa
      2. Dodie Walker, b.ca. 1869 at Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa
        Spouse:
        Marriage Date:
      3. Mamie Walker, b.ca. 1872 at Bedford, Taylor COunty, Iowa
        Spouse:
        Marriage Date:
  9. Mary "Polly" Dowden
    Spouse: William Reynolds (2nd marriage to Agnes F. Rhodus, James Dowden signed bond)
    Marriage Date: bnd 1 March 1828 at Madison County, Kentucky
    Michael Dowden signed the marriage bond, 1 March 1828 at Madison County Kentucky

Sources:

Davis/Witt Cemetery at Macedonia, Rockcastle County Kentucky

Moore, Frances. Minutes of Silver Creek-Scaffold Cane Baptist Church Madison County, Rockcastle County, KY.. Privately published.

Pension Application for James Dowden, Madison County Kentucky, file number S30996, application date 13 August 1832.

Maryland Historical Society. Muster Rolls and Other Records of Service of Maryland Troops in the American Revolution, 1775-1783,  in Archives of Maryland, vol. 18. Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1900. see pages 105, 350-351, 352, 420, 465, and 500, for James Dowden service.

Pennsylvania Archives, vol. 11, second series, pg. 602

NOTES:

 A Thomas Dowden is found in Bourbon County, Kentucky in the late 1790's.  James remarked on his pension application that he spent a short time in Bourbon County before moving to Madison County Kentucky.

Grants Vol. 22, pg. 407












Dowden Gleanings


The following Dowdens took the "Oath of Fidelity and Support to this State," administered by Will Deakins, Montgomery County, Maryland, 3 March 1778: Michael Dowden, Thomas Dowden, Jr., Zachariah Dowden, and Zepheniah Dowden and the following Dowdens took the "Oath of Fidelity and Support to this State," administered by Elisha Williams, 2 March 1778, Montgomery County, Maryland: Thomas Dowden and John Dowden.

Clementius Dowden: Private, 6th Class, 2nd Co., Middle Bn, Militia, Montgomery County, Maryland, July 15, 1780. Applied for a pension (S30995) in Bourbon County, Kentucky, where he lived for four years, on December 3, 1832, aged 70, stating he was born on January 11, 1762, in Prince George's County, Maryland. He had been drafted in 1779 or 1780 in Montgomery County, Maryland, and served in Thomas Bell [Beall] for one month, and then volunteered and served another month. In the fall of 1780 he moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1781 he volunteered and served one month under Col. Edward Richardson.

Edward Dowden: received patent for 240 acres in Southampton County, Virginia on the north side of Nottoway River; adj. James Marsingall, Albridgton Jones, William Hickman, Ricard Price and John Turner. 16 November 1752. Patent Book 30, pg. 527.

Fredryck Dowden: Baptised 18 February 1665 at Barbados, RL/1, 1665, p. 100. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders. Barbados Records Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1982.

James Dowden: Private, Capt. Thomas Beall's Co., Maryland Line, 1780.

John Dowden: owned the following tracts in Prince George's County, Maryland: John and Molly, 106 Acres, 26 November 1743; John and Molly Resurvey, 343 Acres, 18 March 1747; Jone's Poplar Spring, 42 Acres, 24 January 1746.

John Dowden: owned the following tracts in Frederick County, Maryland: Dowden's Luck, 90 Acres, 28 May 1752; Fatigue, 100 Acres, 30 August 1762; Johnny and Molly's Conclusion 291 Acres, 10 December 1764.

John Dowden: (b. 1741). Private, 1st Co., Upper Bn, Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, Aug. 30, 1777.

John Dowden: Will dated 21 June 1767 at Frederick County, Maryland, probated 21 May 1772. Wife: Mary ___, children: John, Rebecca, Martha. In: Maryland Calendar of Wills, v.14, pg. 218.

John Dowden: pension application of , 1808, in Virginia, lists his son as James Dowden. A Thomas Dowden signed the affidavit as to the service and as to John Dowden's heir.

Joseph Dowden: received a land grant on 16 May 1796 in Grayson Co. Va. for 95 acres on the south side of New River and at the mouth of Little River on the "westside of said river." Grants vol. 35, pg. 227

Mr. (Mrs.?) Dowden: Live near Richard Watts, 20 June 1774 in Frederick County, Maryland. In: Stefanie R. Shaffer. Inhabitants of Frederick County, Maryland: Volume 1, 1750-1790. Westminster: Willow Bend Books, 1999.

Mary Davis Dowden: Appears in the will of Vachel Davis, 3 July 1773, Frederick County, Maryland, as sister.

Michael Dowden: (b.1737). Private, 1st Co., Upper Bn., Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, Aug. 30, 1777

Michael Dowden: in 1750 received a license for keeping an ordinary. From: Frederick County, Maryland, Tavern Licenses, November 1750.

Michael Dowden: owned the following tracts in Frederick County, Maryland: Black Oak Thicket, 50 Acres 29 September 1755; Hammer Hill, 40 Acres, 10 November 1752; Luck's All, 64 Acres, 4 May 1752.

Michael Dowden: Will dated 2 April 1759 at Frederick County, Maryland, probated 25 April 1759. Wife: Rachel; children: Dorcas, son Ashford, sons-in-laws: Phillip Coffee, James Coffee and Hugh Larkin. In: Maryland Calendar of Wills, v.11, pg. 244.

Michael Dowden: received a land grant on 19 July 1790 in Augusta Co. Va. on Stewarts Creek below the land of Leonard Bell.

Michael Dowden: a William Greenup appears on a list of debtors of the estate of Michael Dowden, Frederick County, Maryland, 1759. Early Families of Southern Maryland, v.1, pg. 230.

Michael Ashford Dowden: owned the following tracts in Frederick County, Maryland: Apple Orchard, 6 Acres, 4 January 1776; Dabster's Tryal, 13 Acres, 4 January 1776; Three Neighbors, 42 Acres, 4 January 1776.

Nancy Ann Dowden: married John Burcham on 6 July 1795 at Clark County, Kentucky. Nancy was the daughter of early Kentucky settlers, Nathaniel Dowden and Susannah ___, who came from Western Maryland. From: Burcham Family of Lawrence County Ohio

Sarah Dowden, spinster: Thomas Mellerson married Sarah Dowden, spinster. 25 January 1758, St. Michael Parish, Barbados. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders. Barbados Records: Marriages 1643-1800 v.1. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1982. pg. 200.

Susanna Dowden: b.ca. 1758 at Frederick County, Maryland, d.ca. 1826 at Henry County, Kentucky. She is the daughter of Nathaniel Dowden and Susanna ___. Susanna Dowden married John Charles Linsay, b.ca. 1759 at Baltimore County, Maryland, d. 10 September 1838 Hancock County, Kentucky. Their children were: John Lindsay, b.ca. 1777, m. ___ Calvinger; Joshua Lindsay, m. 26 March 1818 at Henry County, Kentucky to Catherine Mattox; Elizabeth Lindsay, b.ca. 1780, m. 8 March 1805 at Henry County, Kentucky to William Little; James Lindsay, b.ca. 1784 at Kentucky County, Virginia, d. at Indiana, m 17 March 1809 at Henry County, Kentucky to Elizabeth Baker; Anthony Lindsay, b.ca. 1787, m. 28 January 1821 at Bourbon County, Kentucky to Rosanna Ford; Katherine Lindsay, b.ca. 1790, m. Samuel Bartlett; Orlando Lindsay, b.ca. 1794, m. Sarah Hardin; Nathaniel Lindsay, b. 14 February 1797 at Shelby County, Kentucky, d. 2 Janaury 1872 at Henry County, Kentucky, m. 22 March 1828 at Henry County, Kentucky to Mary Clubb; Elijah Lindsay, b.ca. 1799; Hazael Lindsay, b. 18 February 1801 at Henry County, Kentucky, d. 17 September 1874 at Montgomery Twp., Crawford County, Illinois; m.ca. 1821 at Henry County, Kentucky to Sarah Ford; Cyrus Lindsay, b.ca. 1805 at Henry County, Kentucky, m/1. 24 October 1826 at Dearborn County, Indiana to Mary Jackson, m/2. 28 January 1841 to Elizabeth Patterson. In: Early Families of Southern Maryland. vol.1, pgs. 230-31.

Rachel Dowden: Her name appears in a list of those who have stray animals on their farm. Date: 27 November 1774 in Frederick County, Maryland. In: Stefanie R. Shaffer. Inhabitants of Frederick County, Maryland: Volume 1, 1750-1790. Westminster: Willow Bend Books, 1999.

Richard Dowden: His name appears in a list of those who are holding stray animals on their farms. Date: 28 September 1765 in Frederick County, Maryland. In: Stefanie R. Shaffer. Inhabitants of Frederick County, Maryland: Volume 1, 1750-1790. Westminster: Willow Bend Books, 1999.

Samuel Dowden: Samuel Dowden married Mary Burton, 13 November 1753, St. James Parish, Barbados. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders. Barbados Records: Marriages 1643-1800 v.1. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1982. pg. 413.

Capt. Thomas Dowden: Mentioned in the will of John Grove. St. Lucys Parish, Barbados, 30 July 1675. RB6/9, pg. 309. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders, ed. Barbados Records: Wills and Administrations, 1661-1700. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1980.

Capt. Thomas Dowden: Mentioned in the will of Capt. Miles James, Gent. St. Lucys Parish, Barbados, 7 August 1678. RB6/13, pg. 517. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders, ed. Barbados Records: Wills and Administrations, 1661-1700. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1980.

Thomas Dowden: Private, 4th Class, 2nd Co., Middle Bn, Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, Aug. 30, 1777

Thomas Dowden, Jr.: took the Oath of Allegiance before the Hon. William Deakins, Jr. before March 3, 1778. Private, 3rd Co., Middle Bn, Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, September 1777.

Thomas Dowden: Heads of Family listed in the 1784 Surry County, Virginia Census. At: Heads of Families Surry Co. Va

William Dowden: William Dowden married Elizabeth Batt. 1 March 1688/89 at St. Michael Parish, Barbados. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders. Barbados Records: Marriages 1643-1800 v.1. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1982. pg. 69.

William Dowden: William Dowden married Mrs. Elizabeth Ashenden. 1 July 1693, St. Michael Parish, Barbados. From: Joanne Mcree Sanders. Barbados Records: Marriages 1643-1800 v.1. Houston: Sanders Historical Publications, 1982. pg. 81.

William Dowden: Will Book 11, 1782, Surry County, Virginia, pgs. 261-262

Zachariah Dowden: (d. 1821). Private, 3rd Co., Middle Bn., Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, September 1777. Died testate in Montgomery Co., wife named Sarah, in 1821.

Zephaniah Dowden: Private, 3rd Co., Middle Bn., Militia, Montgomery Co., Maryland, September 1777.

The following Dowdens are found on the Tax Assessment of 1783 for Montgomery County, Maryland:

John Dowden. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 3. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51 |S John Dowden. Disappointment, 100 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 12. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Mary Dowden. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Mary Dowden. Johny and Molly, 169 3/4 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 13. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Michael A. Dowden. Apple Orchard, 6 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 11. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Michael A. Dowden. Johny and Molly, 17 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 13. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Michael A. Dowden. Dowdens Luck, 90 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 12. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Robert D. Dowden. Tanis Chance, 46 acres. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 14. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Thomas Dowden, Sr. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 3. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Zephaniah Dowden. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 3. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

Michael Ashford Dowdin. MO Sugarland and Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-4 1/4/5/51

John Dowden Coffer. MO Linganore and Sugar Loaf Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-1 1/4/5/51

Zachariah Dowden. MO Upper Newfoundland and Seneca Hundred, p. 17. MSA S 1161-8-5 1/4/5/51 |S James Downes. MO Upper Newfoundland and Seneca Hundred, p. 25. MSA S 1161-8-5 1/4/5/51

Thomas Dowden, Jr. MO Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-6 1/4/5/51

Zachariah Dowden. MO Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-6 1/4/5/51

Zephaniah Dowden. MO Upper Potomac Hundred, p. 2. MSA S 1161-8-6 1/4/5/51


Please send your comments or suggestions about this family group sheet to:
Ran Raider: ran.raider@wright.edu

Copyright 2005