The birth of Ephraim Bowen was recorded in the Bristol Parish records.

Ephraim son of Robt & Avis Bowen born 12th Feby 1731 bapt 30th July 1732

By the old calendar, the year changed on March 25, not January 1. By our modern calendar, Ephriam's date of birth would be considered 12 Feb 1732.

Although a Robert Bowen appeared in the Brunswick Co records in 1741 at almost the same time that William Bowen Sr appeared, and a Robert Bowen - or maybe several Robert Bowens - appeared in the later Lunenburg and Mecklenburg records, we can't be sure which one, if any, was Ephraim's father. A Robert Bowen was listed on the 1748 Lunenburg tithes list. Although Ephraim would have turned 16 by 1748, Robert listed only himself. A Robert Bowen died in Mecklenburg Co about 1788/89, but his legatees did not include Ephraim or any of Ephraim's children.

Ephraim was never listed for tithes in Lunenburg Co under Robert Bowen's name or under his own name from 1748 to 1752 or in 1764, the only tithes lists that included Bowens from this area. No record has been found for him in the deed books. However, he did appear in the Lunenburg Co Order Books:

Vol. 5
p. 83:  William Bowing plaintif against Ephrahim Bowing defendant in debt. The parties having agreed the difference subsisting between them therefore this suit is ordered to be dismissed.
May Court, 1758
p. 88:  Ephraim Bowen petitioner against Thomas Wright defendant on a peto.
It was ordered that 2 pounds 10 shillings be paid to Bowen.
June Court, 1758

Vol. 6 (1759-1760)
p. 10:  William Bowing against Ephraim Bowing for debt; plaintiff to recover agst dfdnt & Lyddal Bacon Sheriff
June Court, 1759
p. 105: Richd Hanson agst Epharim [sic] Bowen dfdnt; petitioner to recover debt
May Court, 1760
p. 202
Jas Williams aptd surveyor rd from Three Mile Tree to head of Haw branch to cart path leading from Caliham's Rd to the Chappel, with assistance Geo Vaughan, Saml Kirk, Jas Thomason, Jas Campbell, Abraham Merriman, Epharim Bowing, Wm Sho[?]le, Henry C[h]avus, Wm Slaughter, Wm Bowing Sr, Robt Bowing, Jesse Brown, Wm Bowing Jr, David Bowing, Isaac Johnson, Jas Williams.
December Court, 1760

Vol. 8 (1761-1762)
p. 74:  Richd Hanson agst Ephraim Bowing dfdnt (Wm Burgamy bail); jury: Wm Cook et al; plaintif to recover
July Court, 1762
p. 100:  Nicholas Edmunds agst Ephraim Bowing defdnt; petitioner to recover
Sept Court, 1762
p 103: Wm Pennell agst Ephraim Bowing dfdnt; plaintif nonsuited for failing to give security
Sept Court, 1762
p. 112:  Ephraim Bowing against John Wilson  1762

Vol. 9 (1763-1764)
p. 277:  Samuel Marshall against Ephraim Boing for debt
p. 282:  Ephraim Boing sued and it is dismissed

Vol. 10  (1764-1765)
p. 24:  John Smith against Ephraim Bowing & John Ladd for a debt, dismissed
p. 31:  Joseph Parish against Ephraim Bowing
p. 41:  Samuel Marshall against Ephraim Boing - is dismissed
p. 90:  David Garfield against Ephraim Bowen

It's possible that Ephraim may have lived in the western part of Lunenburg Co that became Charlotte Co for a short period of time. Or perhaps his wife came from that area. The family records for the birth of Ephraim's youngest son James state that he was born in Charlotte Co in 1765. (More below.)

Two of Ephraim's sons' Revolutionary service pension applications give a little more insight into Ephraim's history.

Son Micajah Bowen's Albemarle Co, VA pension application (S.29643) dated 5 Nov 1833 gave his age as 80 and his birth date as 8 Aug 1753. It also stated that Micajah had moved with his family to Albemarle Co "when a small child". His pension started 11 Dec 1833. At that time, Micajah was age 81. (More below)

Son Reuben Bowen's Hawkins Co, TN pension application (5851) dated 28 Nov 1832 stated he was age 76 and had been born in Lunenburg Co on the "Herron River" (Meherrin River). His pension started on 2 May 1833. At that time, Reuben was age 78 which would place his date of birth at about 1755. (More below)
 
 

As early as Aug. 24, 1766, Ephriam Bowen was in Albemarle Co, VA. for on that date, with Charles Lambert and William Daily, he witnessed the will of Michael Daugerty. (Book B, page 213)

Oct. 18, 1773--Deed Book 6, page 269
Ephraim Bowing (Bowen) borrowed 41 pounds from John Henderson, and mortgaged personal property and "my whole crop tabs. made this present year except enough to pay Wm. Hamner my rents due to him to this date". Witnesses: Henry Hasper, Turner Hamner, Randolh Johnson.

1782
Ephriam Bowing (Bowen) was listed on the personal property tax list of Albemarle Co., VA for 1782, and was taxed on 14 cattle and 4 horses. John Bowing was also on the list with one cow and 2 horses.

Albemarle County Land Deeds, 1784-1785, pp. 8-9
Deed Book 9, page 8
Woolfolk to Bowing
This indenture made this Eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four; between Richard Woolfolk of Albemarle County on one part and Ephriam Bowen on other part of the within County; Witnesseth that Richard Woolfolk in consideration of sum of eighty one pounds current money to him in hand paid by Ephriam Boing, the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge, hath and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto Epheram Boing and to his heirs one certain parcel of land lying in the within County on both sides of the North Fork of Hardware River and bounded; Begining at a white Oak in John Boing's line and runing new lines ten degrees West one hundred and fourteen poles to pointers, North eighty two degrees West one hundred six poles crossing Hardware River and a small Branch to a Hickory, South forty sever degrees West one hundred fifty eight poles to pointers in Gay's line, and with Gay's line Niorth severnty two degrees West eighty poles to a white Oak, sixty five degrees West forty poles to a Hickory, thence new lines North fifty four degrees West one hundred forty poles to pointers, North fifty three degrees East forty two poles to a red Oak, South eighty one degrees East forty one poles to a white Oak, North fifty three degrees East two hundred and forty crossing Harware River to the first station; containing by estimation three hundred acres of land be the same more or less together with all houses orchrds and water courses thereunto belonging; To have and to hold the three hundred acres of land together with the aforesaid premises and every of their appurtenances unto Epheram Boing his heirs and Richard Woolfolk his heirs against all other persons shall warrant and for ever defend by these presents; In Witness whereof Richard Woolfolk hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written.
Sealed and delivered in present of John Wharton, Talton Woodson, Thos. West

Memorandum:  That on the Eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four quiet and peaceable possession and seisen of the land and tenements was had and taken by Richard Woolfolk in his proper person and by him was delivered to Ephram Boing according to the form of the with Deed.  In presence of John Wharton, Talton Woodson, Thos. West, Richard Woolfolk

At Albemarle August Court MDCCLXXXIV [1784] This indenture and Memorandum were acknowledged by Richard Woolfolk, party thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Tests:  H. Martin, Dy. Clk.

It is interesting that Ephraim purchased property in 1784 at the age of 53. According to notes included under Reuben Bowen below, Reuben's discharge papers were lost when his father's (Ephraim's) house burned in 1782.

Ephraim Bowen left his will in Albemarle Co, VA (WB 3 p 162, 163) dated 7 Jan 1790, proved July 1792, naming wife Anne and sons John, Reubin, William, Micajah, and "younger son" James.

In the name of God amen, Ephriam Bowen, of Albemarle County, being of advanced years, infirmed of body, but perfect of mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say permissibly and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of the almighty God, who gave it, and my body commanded to the earth to be buried in a decent burial at the discretion of my Exors and as touching such worldly estate as it has pleased almighty God to bestow me with in this life. First I desire all my debts to be paid.  I give and bequeath unto my son John, one shilling sterling. I give my son Reubin, one shilling sterling. I give to my son William one shilling sterling to them and their heirs forever.  Lastly I give and bequeath unto my wife after payments of said debts all the rest of my estate during the rest of her life.  Both and Personal after her decease to go to my son Micajah Bowen, under the burden of furnishing my younger son james Bowen a good horse and saddle and a good suite of clothes.  I hereby institute and appoint my wife Anne Bowen and Micajah Bowen to be my soul executors of this my last will and testament and I hereby utterly disallow all and every other will by me made ratifying this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament, in witness where of I have hereunto put my hand and seal this seventh day of January 1790.
Witness:  Robert Harris, John Harris, Hannah (may be Harrah) Updegrove.
Signed by his mark  X  Ephraim Bowen
Probated July 1792.

Question:  Did Anne ever appear in any earlier records for Ephraim? If not, I don't think it's safe to assume she was the mother of his children. It's certainly possible that she was, but she also could have been a later wife that Ephraim married after some or all of his children were born. Unless further documentation for Anne can be found, we can only be sure she was Ephraim's wife at the time of his death.

Many thanks to Linda who contributed the Albemarle Co records above!! Linda also sent information concerning the Revolutionary pension applications for Ephraim's sons John, Micajah, Reubin, and William below. I do not have copies or transcripts of the complete records and in some cases I suspect or know this information is not complete. If anyone has copies of the complete records and would be willing to contribute them to be posted here so they will be available to others, I'd be thrilled to include them. Meanwhile, I would suggest that anyone who wants to be absolutely sure they have all the information contained in these applications exactly as it appears in the original documents with no possible omissions or transcription errors or interpretation errors make arrangements to order copies. The information below will at least give you some idea what records exist and what they are believed to contain.
 
 

W.5851
John Bowen, a private of Albemarle Co. VA, died 1817. Widow, Elizabeth Bowen makes application, 2 Mar 1840, accompanied by affidavits of Micajah Bowen, Howell Lewis and John Harris.
 
 

We know from Ephraim's will that he had a son named William Bowen. The following records at first would seem to be Ephraim's son based on when he was born, where he enlisted, and even the captain he served under - Capt. John Marks, the same captain that Reuben Bowen served under. However, either this was a different William Bowen or there is some confusion in the records. One of the records states he was from Culpeper Co, VA and died in Rappahannock Co, VA. However R.1067 states this William Bowen was born in Aug 1758. S.8081 which is supposedly referring to the same William Bowen indicates he was 70 in 1832 which would place his date of birth at 1762. The birth dates from these two records don't agree.

R.1067 24 April 1837. Nicholas Co., Ky. William (X) Bowen of said county, aged 79, declares he enlisted at Charlottesville with Capt. John Marks and served in Col. Charles Scott's regiment of Virginia State Troops. He marched from Charlottesville through Hagerstown and Philadelphia to Trenton and was in battle at Trenton and Jamestown and at the siege of York. He served four years and about six months. 2 Sept. 1852. Nicholas Co. Ky., William Bowen, one of the sons of William Bowen. appoints George H. Monsarrat of Louisville, Ky., his attorney to prosecute his father's claim.

14 March 1837. William (X) Bowen of Nicholas Co.Ky., aged 79 next August, makes a declaration similar to his previous one. He served four years, six months and seventeen days. Rejected because his name was not found on the rolls.

From "Abstracts of Rev.War Pension Files"
William, R1067, Va. Line, Appl 24 Apr. 1837
Nicholas Cty KY aged 79, enl at Charlottesville in Albemarle Cty VA, sol was b in Aug 1758, in 1852 a son, William Bowen was mentioned as one of his surviving sons.

R.1067
William Bowen was born in the month of August 1758, place not stated, nor parents names given. William Bowen applied for pension March 14, 1837, then a resident of  Nicholas Co. KY, and alleged that he enlisted in Charlottesville, Albemarle Co. VA, served in Capt. John Marks' Co., Col. Charles Scott's VA Regt, that he was in the battles of Trenton, Jamestown, and siege of Yorktown, and that he served, four years, six months, and seventeen days. The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of the alleged service was not furnished. (Reference was made to the preceding claim of William in S.8081.)

"Virginia Revolutionary War Records"
R.1067 24 April 1837. Nicholas Co., Ky. William (X) Bowen of said county,aged 79, declares he enlisted at Charlottesville with Capt. John Marks and served in Col. Charles Scott's regiment of Virginia State Troops. He marched from Charlottesville through Hagerstown and Philadelphia to Trenton and was in battle at Trenton and Jamestown and at the siege of York. He served four years and about six months.

S.8081
William Bowen, VA, 1 Oct 1837, Rappahannock Co. Daughter Anne Bowen, who married John Beam; sons William, Thomas and Silas Bowen. Thomas Bowen died previous to his father, leaving children, John and Polly (over 21) and Thompson, (an infant). Silas died previous to his father, leaving a child, Anne. These are the heirs and only heirs and distributers of the said William Bowen deceased. Pension allowed on his app executed Sep 17, 1832, at which time he gave his age as 70 years and was a res of Culpeper Co. VA. He signed William Bowen, Senior. He died 1 Oct 1832 in Rappahannock Co. VA, and his wife died about two months later. (No data on his wife.)
 
 

Revolutionary War records for Rueben Bowen, son of Ephraim Bowen:
Revolutionary War Soldier Pension App. 5851 states he was born Lunenburg, Va. on the Herron River and resided in the state of Va. and Tn., but had lived in Lee Co., Va. shortly before that.

Dorman, John Frederick, "Abstracted and Compiled, Virginia Revolutionary
Pension Applications," Washington, D.C. 1963, vol. 8,
pp. 80-81:

Bowen (Boin), Reuben (Sarah).  W5852
    28 Nov. 1832. Hawkins Co., Tenn.  Reuben (X) Boin (sometimes spelled Boing) of said county, aged 76, declares he enlisted in 1775 with Capt. John Dewitt for three years in the 5th Virginia Regiment under Capt. John Marks and Maj. McElhany.  He resided in Albemarle Co., Va., and enlisted in Charlottesville.  They remained ten or fifteen days and then the recruits were marched to Williamsburg and then to Hampton.  The latter end of October they arrived there after marching all night.  The enemy were firing upon the town from their shipping.  They forced the enemy to retire after receiving a brisk fire from our troops.  The enemy lost some men and a small vessel was captured.  They then marched to Norfolk to defend that place and were under Col. Stephens, although Col. Woodford  took command when the battle took place at Great Bridge, were Col. Fordyce, one of the enemy, was killed.  The American commander raised some breastworks on the north side of Elizabeth River not far from the British fort and after a few days the British attempted to storm the work about 9 December, and in marching up under a galling fire Fordyce was killed.  The enemy proceeded to Norfolk and after some time burned a great part of the town, and it becoming sickly, he was marched to Baltimore and Philadelphia where they joined Gen. Washington.  He marched back to Baltimore and then to Charleston.  He was on duty at Fort Moultrie when the battle took place in the latter part of June 1776.  He was afterward in the battle of Brandywine in Sept. 1777 and shortly afterward at the instance of Gen Washington became one of his life guards and continued as such until the latter part of the summer of 1778 when he received a discharge from Gen. Washington.
    Shortly after his term expired he was drafted in the milita for eighteen months under Capt. John Hudson in the 9th Regiment in Albemarle County and continued doing duty in Virginia and Maryland.
    His discharges were left with his father and burned in his father's house in Albemarle in 1782.
    He was born in Lunenburg County on Meherrin River 17 June 1744.  Lee Co., Va. Mrs. Sarah (X) Bowen of said county, aged 81, declares she is widow of Reuben Bowen who was a pensioner.  She was married 10 June 1787 and he died 17 May 1839.
    Marriage return, Albemarle Co., Va., 1788:  Reuben Bowen to Sarah R. Hicks, married by me Wm. Woods.
    Reuben Boin of Hawkins Co., Tenn., private in the company of Capt, Dewitt in the regiment of Col. Marks in the Virginia Line for two years, was placed on the Jonesborough, Tenn., pension roll at $80 per annum under the Act of 1832.  Certificate 7563 was issued 3 Mary 1833.
    Sarah Bowen of Lee Co., Va., widow of Reuben Bowen who died 17 May 1839, private in the Virginia line for two years, was placed on the Richmond, Va., pension roll at $80 per annum. Certificates 8908 under the Act of 1838 and 6447 under the Act of 1843 were issued 30 Nov. 1844.

[Note:  The lower part of this record gives Reuben's date of birth as 17 June 1744, but the upper part states he was age 76 in 1832 which would place his date of birth at about 1756. Perhaps the explanation for this confusion can be found in the information below which contains a very similar date.]
 

(According to Mark and Mariah's webpage, Reuben's widow applied again from Lee City, Va. on Jun. 17, 1844. W5862

1835 Tennessee pension Rolls
Reuben Boin
Hawkins County
Private
Virginia Line
$80.00 Annual Allowance
$240.00 Amount Received
May 2, 1833 Pension Started
Age 78
 
 

Dorman, John Frederick, Abstracted and Compiled, Virginia Revolutionary Pension Applications, Washington, D.C., 1963, Vol. 8, pp. 80-81.

"Bowen, Micajah.  S.29643.  5 Nov. 1833. Albemarle Co., VA. Micajah (X) Bowen of said county, aged 80, on 8 Aug. 1753 and when a small child moved with his parents to Albemarle. He was drafted in the militia at Charlottesville in March in the year Cornwallis surrendered and York in a company commanded by Capt. John Harris, St. Leake and Ens. Thomas Jones and marched to Richmond and then to Williamsburg, Yorktown and the halfway house, from which they retreated to Williamburg where he was encamped for a month. He then marched to Richmond as a guard over a number of sailors who had been taken prisoners, and was discharged there. He returned to Albemarle County and in a few weeks was drafted in the militia for a two month tour and march from Charlottesville under Capt. Mask Leake to Richmond, which place they were compelled to leave by the approach of Arnold. They marched to the neighborhood of Raccoon Ford on the Ripidan where they joined Generals Wayne and LaFayette. Col. Lindsey was still his colonel. They marched to the old well along what is called the Marquis Road and then pursued the enemy to Bottoms Bridge and on to Jamestown where he remained until discharged. He returned to Albemarle and in a few days was drafted in a two month tour and marched from Charlottesville under Captain John Burke and Lt. William Jarman to Richmond where they remained about two months. Instead of being discharged at the end of his tour he continued in service and marched to Yorktown where he remained till the surrender of the enemy. He served about four months. He was commanded by Col. Feuben Lindsay. John Hoff declares he served with Micajah Bowen the first and second tours. Leonard Drumheller declares he served with Micajah Bowen the first and second tours. Arrears of pension were paid to the children of Micajah Bowen the 24 December 1845 (day of his death) Macajah Bowen of Albemarle Co., VA. Private in company of Captain Harris in the regiment of Col. Lindsey in the Virginia Line for 8 months, was placed on Virginia pension roll at $26.66 per annum under the Act of 1832. Certificate 23254 was issued 11 December, 1833.

Micajah Bowen
Albemarle County
Private
Virginia Militia
$26.66 Annual Allowance
$79.98 Amount Received
December 11, 1833 Pension Started
Age 81

Va. pensions.
John Hogg's Declaration, October 16th, 1832: Born in Hanover, VA September 15th, 1763; in 1781 was drafted under Capt. John Harris, Ralph Thomas, Lieut. Thomas Jones, Ensign William Jarman; again, on the 4th of May, 1781, he was drafted and marched under Capt. Nicholas Hamner, Ensign Charles Hudson; was attached to the Light Infantry under Capt. Woodford, Lieut. _____ Ruffin, Ensign _____ Bacon, under the command of Gen. Muhlenberg.
Leonard Drumheller and Micajah Bowen testify that they were fellow soldiers in all the tours with John Hogg.

Leonard Drumheller, aged 70, born near Reading, Penna.; filed his Declaration on October 12th, 1832.

A note included with the above:
Leonard Drumheller is the father of Nancy Drumheller who married Reuben Bowen, son of Micajah Bowen and they served together in the war.
 
 

James Boian born 10 July 1765, Charlotte Co.,Va., died 30 May 1817 Nelson/Albermarle Co., Va., marr Zeroiah Eubank, Albemarle Co., before 22 Apr 1801. Had 8 children: Malinda, Martha, William, Sophia, John, Emily, Dicey, Nancy. After his death, Zeroiah Boian migrated with her children and John Eubank family to Monroe Co., Ky. I am descended from William Boian, Estill Co., Ky. Boian name also spelled Bowen, etc., but James and his children used "Boian".

I [Marie Loebig] placed James Boian's birth and death dates through his son William Boian's family Bible, his obituary and a letter written in 1874 by the son of James Boian's oldest daughter, James B. McPherson, answering a request from William Boian for family dates.

Apparently William Boian had written a letter to his sister, Malinda McPherson, asking about the "old record".  Her son replied:  "We do not have the old record, we have a copy."  James Boian was born 10 July 1765 in Charlotte Co., Va. and died 10 May 1817 in Nelson/Albemarle Co., Va.  I could never find he owned any property.

I have not found the actual date Charlotte Co. was formed from Lunenburg Co., just the year 1765.  According to the "Handy Book for Genealogists" the records begin in 1766.  So I guess the actual place of birth for James Boian would depend on the date Charlotte Co. was formed from Lunenburg.