Bolling and Bowling Generations (Abridged)

Rufus B. Bird

BOLLING AND BOWLING GENERATIONS. (Abridged) It is not our aim to detail a complete chronography relative to the

generations of the Boiling or Bowling families of Virginia, North Carolina or West Virginia, and elsewhere in the United States, Canada, or England, The Boilings of United States belong to the English family of that same name. Since coming to America a confusing departure of spelling the name grew out of the original family tree.It is now spelled Bolling, Bowling, Bolin, Bolen, Bolyn, and Bolan.

The name Bolyn, portrays a vivid chapter of savagery in English history. It may not bear any relation to the name or names herein considered. Bolyn however drew its prominence from the tragedical death of Anne Bolyn, the mother of the great Elizabeth, whose father Henry VIII. Anne was the wife of this notorious king, who was the most efficient and heartless rake in world history; Solomon not excepted. There is a tradition that Anne Bolyn was a member of the Bowling clan. This however may not be verified in fact. She was the-daughter of Sir Thomas Bolyn, wooed by King Henry, who showered wealth and honor on her father. Afterwards married him secretely before he obtained divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Soon after Elizabeth was born, he applying the common standard of all libertines of all ages, became very jealous and had her committed to the Tower. A special commission of court sycophants held a secret trial of course found her guilty of infidelity. Four men of this presumed amorous league were found guilty at the same time. One was hanged, three lost their heads, with the unfortunate Queen. The English Protestant historians contend with much supporting evidence that Anne was innocent. Catholic historians assert that she was guilty, but their reason was colored by expediency. They wanted Mary, Elizabeth's half sister and Phillip, of Spain, her cold hearted Catholic husband on the English throne.

In the New England states the name Bolan occurs. In many cases prominently, probably no relation.

Our motive here is to investigate the status and obtain the facts pertaining to the Boiling or Bowling family of Virginia beginning in 1660. They were evidently and obviously the same family which began Col. Robert Boiling who came here from London at the age of fourteen years October 2, 1660. He married (1675) Jane Rolfe the daughter of Lieutenant Thomas Rolfe, who was the son of John Rolfe and Poca­hontas the daughter of Powhotan of the Powhotans, the largest confederation of Indians in the South. Thomas Rolfe inherited a considerable tract of land from his Grandfather Powhotan.

Col. Robert Boiling and Jane Rolfe Boiling had one son. Col. John Boiling, and seven daughters married to Col. Richard Randolph, Col. John Fleming, Dr. William Gay, Thomas Eldridge, and Mr. James Murray. The Hon. John Randolph, the most eccentric personality, United States Senator from Virginia, was a lineal de­scendant of Pocahontas in the sixth degree. Randolph florished in Henry Clays time. In fact fought a duel with the resolute Kentuckian.

Col. John Boiling was born January 27, 1676. He married Miss Mary Kennon of Cobbs. Major John Boiling, his son, born Jan. 20, 1700, died Sept. 6, 1757. He was 30 years in the House of Burgess. He entered 20,000 acres of land in Amherst, Buckingham and Appomatox counties. He was twice married, no issue by first

marriage. August 24, 1728 he married Elizabeth Blair, by this union he had two sons. Captain James Bolling born 1735, died 1820. He afterwards changed his name to Bowling which reason will be hereinafter given.

John Boiling the second son of Maj. John Bolling and Elizabeth Blair Bolling was born June 24, 1737. He inherited from his father large boundries of land in Campbell, Bedford counties. He also inherited the landed estates in Amherst, Buck­ingham, and Appomatox counties as hereinbefore mentioned. The -law of entail was then in Virginia a live rule of action, conformed to and governed by the law of England, which ruled that the oldest son inherit the estate. The second great council held at Westminster in 1285 A.D. granted a further extension of right to the individual owner in respect that he is permitted not merely to alienate or bequeath the property to another, but also determine who shall be the owner on the death of the latter as per any and all heirs upon sound and sufficient reason. James Boiling in this case was cut off for flagrant disobedience of his fathers principles of royalty to the King of England. Major John Boiling was a Tory. His oldest son James, was a Revolutionary Patriot of the Jeffersonian type.

For the foregoing reason, John, became the sole heir. He married Martha Jefferson, a sister of Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Indep­endence. She was born 1746, died 1765, nineteen years after she married. The mother of 13 children, death was inevitable under those circumstances. Probably the Major did not appreciate the fact that his son John incidently married into a half breed aristocratic family with revolutionary ideas, but acquiesced in the fact that John was a staunch Tory. The numerous progeny of John Boiling is disseminated well over the regions of Virginia. Many whom in after years became prominent in different walks of life. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, second wife of Pres. Woodrow Wilson is one of the family. John Boiling seemed to be a profligate, lost his property, and at one time Thomas Jefferson and the Randolphs kept him out of jail for debt.

Now we come to the parting of the way. If James Boiling the Patriot and the outcast was not owned and recognized as one of the family of Boilings; he with equal resolution ceased to claim their relationship, thus he from that time for­ward spelled his name James BOWLING. He possessed the stability of the gods, a heart of gold, and the principle of tempered steel. The worthy sire of an American family of noble men and women. Of such type were the soldiers of the Revolution, who marched and stood with Washington in his masterly strategy and retreat across the Jerseys, who froze with him at Valley Forge, who crossed the Delaware with him in snow and ice. Whose emotions were raised to white heat with Washington's anger at Henry Lees scandalous disobedience at Monmouth. Who carried on and still carried on through the dark and yet darker trials of uncer­tain contingencies to final triumph at York Town. And such was the temper of James Bowling.

James Bowling was medium height, probably five feet seven inches, muscular inclined to flesh, when old he became very fat. His hair was dark and straight, parted in the middle and bobbed as was then the custom. Broad high forehead, aquiline nose, large mouth but firm lips, Strong chin but not abnormal.

James Bowling enlisted in Washington's Virginia army in 1775. Transferred to General Nathanael Greene's regiment at Trenton. To obtain the company and

number of regiment, see records at Lynchburg and Richmond. He participated in the battle of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. He with other picked Virginians accompanied Greene, and army south, when the latter succeeded Gates, who was completely whipped by Cornwallis. Greene found a badly discouraged and in need of food and clothes. By dint of great activity he got the army into better condition. James Bowling was now made captain. He was in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs, and at York Town the end. Mustered out of the army from Amherst county at Lynchburg. Discharged tinder honorable conditions. The surrender at York Town occured Oct. 19, 1781. Captain James Bowling married a Miss Carter of Amherst County soon after this. The Carters were a powerful Virginia family of Revolutionary stock. Mr. T. T. Carter, the pioneer architect of Bluefield was a member of this family. Carter Glass, U. S. Senator from Virginia another.

It is pertinent at this stage to disclose concerning Capt. James Bowlings religion. His father Maj. John Boiling, was a member of the Established Church of England, in other words the Galvanized Catholics, patented by Henry VIII, and the Wolsey process. This church was very strong in the South when war began be­tween the 13 States and Great Britian. This was the church of the aristocracy, and they with the clergy were largely Tories. Most of the clergy withdrew to England and to Canada. But sneaked back however, in time to object to Virginias move under Jefferson to establish education under state laws, and build the Uni­versity of Virginia, and further to repeal the law which authorized the state to tax the people to pay the clergy. These reform laws were enacted with others giving the people unbounded religious liberty, much to the disgust of the Galvan­ized Church, and the F. F. Vs. They hated Jefferson and spared no scruple to defame his character. James Bowling became a Baptist, a characteristic of the Clan.

I shall call Capt. James Bowling's wife "Ruth" to give her a name. This name antedates all aristocratic names, even French which is so popular for actress to simulate. Ruth was the virtuous maid who gleaned the wheat in Boaz's field. Noted for her innocents and high character. Captain James Bowling and Ruth Carter Bowling had two sons. Gabriel was born about 1784. And Markus about 1786. Gabriel went to North Carolina and dropped out. Markus married a Miss Elizabeth Wright about 1805. To this union 7 children were born. Washington, John, James, William, Catherine, Elizabeth and Ester Bowling. Washington Bowling resided all his life in Patrick county, where he raised a large family of intelligent and educated girls. John Bowling moved to Mercer County, had two children Andrew, and Mary Ann. He was buried at the Mills private cemetery. William went to Stokes county North Carolina, where he married. Catherine and Elizabeth married and lived in Patrick County. The amount of family unknown. Ester married Fred­erick Shelton and moved to Mercer County where she died. She was the mother of 6 children, John, Robert, Hudson, Martha, Tildy, and Mary Ann.

The Bowlings are generaly related to the Rosses, Dallards, Raynolds, Houghins, and Stewarts. General J. E. B. Stewart, Confederate cavalry leader was a relation Harding Reynolds the founder of the tobacco dynasty of that name was a close re­lation through the Wrights.

Before we introduce the Bowling in whom we are fundamentally and cardinally interested, we will give a brief summary of the remote English Bollings. They obtained prominence in the reign of Edward IV. (1442-1438) Edward succeeded

Henry VI, who died in the Tower. He was the son of Richard, Duke of York. After his accession to the throne he drowned his brother Clarence in wine. He was at first very popular with the nobility, but became extremely licentious, therefore not so popular. In our time we would look for anything from a man who heinously murdered his brother. Custom and style was quite different in that age. He died suddenly worn out before his time by debauchery. In this Edward's reign, Robert Bolling of Bolling Hall, Bradford Yorkshire, England, his ancestrial home, was raised to the nobility, and became Sir Robert Bolling. We will grant that he possessed hitherto a noble heart. Sir Robert Bolling's son Robert, II, lived in Bolling Hall. And his son Robert III, and Mary Bolling lived in the parish of All-Halloway or All Hollows, Barkin Parish, Tower Street, London. And his son Robert IV, came to Virginia as aforesaid, and hereinbefore outlined.

Coat of Arms Specifications: The escutcheon denotes marriage with an heiress. Ermine

signifies Royal authority and was used only for the coats of the cloaks of the Dukes and Kings, and denotes dignity and royal birth. (Ermine, a weasel-like carnivore, its fur becomes white in winter. Used in Europe for facing the Royal Robes). The Mortlets, (black birds without feet), denote Celebrity and Conatency. The Helmet symbolizes rank of Knighthood.

This arms is of remote antiquity; granted in time of Edward IV, to Sir Robert Bolling of Bolling Hall, Bradford Yorkshire, England.

Arms, Argent, an escutcheon ermire an orle eight mortlets, sable. From Burkes General Armory.

Having remote antiquity in King Edward IVs' ,time, it would bear much greater antiquity now. And having ancient and noble significance honorable appeal of com­forting pride in the resolute stability in our distinguished family, may our walks in life be truly noble.

We have followed the generations of the Bollings through the changing and eventful vicissitudes of human progress. Where kings made nobles and bestowed favors, to the American Revolutionary period, when a father cast out a son for his political principle. The son retaliated by changing his name, thereby disowning his father. Through this hate and strife and period of perplexity to James Bowling, the son of Markus Bowling and Elizabeth Wright Bowling, (1811-1893) he was reared in Patrick County, Virginia. Received a fair education. Developed an affable temper which drew a large number of friends. But he was profoundly decided and sincere in opinion, having an inflexible will to stick regardless of popular persuasion in behalf of a move he deemed unwise and destined to defeat. He needed not to kneel before a licentious king to receive the rank of nobility. For this cannot germinate in the virus of a corrupt heart. Nobility is natures heritage given by the exalted spirit of God, and not in the gift of man. It is a scandalous presumption for man to assume to give that which he does not possess. He was opposed to slavery as were many Virginians because the institution was morally wrong and financially foolish. Freed Negros worked in his fields at the prevailing wage, a shilling per day and meals. He then realized more money from tobacco than slave owners, who were compelled to feed and clothe their people through months

when they were a liability. Harding Raynolds, a first cousin of James Bowling, owned a large number of slaves. He deplored the fact that he could not get rid of his people honorably. He offered James Bowling 14 negros, which were refused. The slave owners of Virginia with few exceptions detested the expediency of sell­ing slaves south.

James Bowling married Ruth Harbor 1832, at the age of 21 years. Ruth Harbor was 16 years; born 1816. There were 6 children born to this union. Lucendy Elizabeth, Issah, James Macknely, Purrias Abreham, Mintoriah Delilah Ruth, and Samuel Green. All born in Patrick County Virginia.

We will now disclose the family history of Ruth Harbor. Samuel Harbor mar­ried Elizabeth Jefferson 1760, or there about. She was the sister of Thomas Jefferson, the famous author of religious liberty and freedom of the press and speech, the founder of real democracy, and two terms President. One child, Thomas Harbor, was born 1765. Elizebeth died 1773, at 29 years. Thomas Harbor was twice married, His children by the first wife objected to his second marriage with Lida Foley. He consunmated a secret marriage with Miss Foley, and she lived apart. The marriage license came from North Carolina. Upon presumption of clandestine irregularity, one Burnette precipitated a duel with Thomas Harbor, who felt the urge to defend the honor of his wife, in which he was killed. He was much in debt at this time. The property was sold. There was two children born to this union. Ruth Harbor and Thomas Harbor. Subsequently the two families became inseperable friends. Thomas Harbor the son of Lida Foley Harbor, received a fine education; taught mathematics in college. Died at 24 years of brain fever. Born 1818, died 1842. Mrs. Harbor afterwards married Markus Bowling in his old days a widower. They raised Cindy Foley, an orphant child by adoption. Markus Bowling died 1855. Lida Bowling died 1886, at the age of 96 years. The truthfulness of this disclo­sure comes from a man whose honor and veracity is incontestable, James M. Bowling, late of Green Valley. Lida Bowling was the first person buried in the Bowling private cemetery in Green Valley. She was born one year before the Constitutional Convention met at Philadelphia. Grover Cleveland was President when she died. She was tall, a typical blond, large blue eyes, sunny bronzed hair. Said to have been a very beautiful woman in youth. Possessed remarkable intelligance, having acquired the Jeffersonian doctrine of free thought by her first husband. She was no member of any church. She gave this writer a laconic lecture upon the destiny incident to strong drink. "Little boys musten's take wine or strong drink. One drachm calls for another. After a while you become a drunkhard, and all hate you. Folks will say, 'There goes that lowdown drunkhard, ' and will shun you. Now get for home you little devil, your ma wants you." Ruth Harbor Bowling, daughter of Thomas and Lida Harbor died 1898.

James Bowling let his kindness ruin him financially by securing people who fail to pay, among other delinquents was his brother John Bowling. He came to Mercer County with his family, and his Mother in law Lida Bowling in 1858, to get a new start in life. He worked for a time on John A. McKenzie's farm. The same farm which A. W. Raynolds now owns near Ingleside. Later he bought a tract of land, 350 acres in Green Valley, where he and his boys with energy and thrift developed a good farm. The major part of this farm is now owned by J. Otis Bowling, Mary Green Bowling, and their mother Mrs. Mary A. Bowling, where they conduct a large dairy. James Bowling was always a Whig, and when that party disintergrated, he joined the youthful and resolute Republican party under the Lincoln banner,

He voted for Abraham Lincoln 1860. He had the characteristic decision of purpose that marked his ancestors. When the election on the question of cecession came up he voted to sustain the Union. The distinguished Confederate soldier, judge, and historian, Hon. David E. Johnston, in his history "The Middle New River Settlements," refers to him with others in terms of praise as follows. "Notwith­standing the apparent unanimity of sentiment among the people of Mercer County in favor of southern rights and armed resistence to the Federal attempt at coercion there were quite a number of good men in the County opposed to the war, and who remained steadfast in their convictions for the Union throughout the conflict; among them, Colonel Thomas Little, George Evans, Andrew J. Thompson, John A. McKenzie, James Sarver, David Lilley, Sylvester Upton, Augustus W. Cole, Augustus W. J. Caperton, James Bowling, William C. Honaker, W. J. Comer, Russel G. French, and many others. Some of these men believing it unsafe to remain in the country went within the lines of the Federal army, and there remained during the entire period of the war, others remained quietly at home taking no part in the contest." James Bowling remained quietly at home, and observed strict neutrality.

After the war James Bowling was elected justice of peace and appointed county judge by the magistrates of Mercer County to preside over the magisterial court, but owing to the New State taking over authority under the laws and doing away with the old county court system creating therewith some confusion, he resigned but remained as justice, which position he held for eight years, at the end of which time he declined to continue the office. He was Princeton's first Federal Postmaster following the war. Mrs. Isaiah Bee, wife of Dr. Isaiah Bee was sworne in by him assistant, after he and Dr. Bee stictened out all objectionable features from the oath required of the Government. Mrs. Bee, was a Confederate sympathizer and prohibited, but the obligation was received.

The ragged half starved amaciated Confederate soldier was haulting and wand­ering back to his home land, to find in many cases ruin and waste. Health broken and fortune gone. All he desired was peace and the right to restore and reestab­lish as best he could his diminished or ruined home, and to hold inviolate his inalienable right of free voting citizen. But Governor Boreman and his fanatical henchmen disfranchised him. James Bowling voted only for the presidents while this disability existed. It was a violation of Lincoln's anxious desire, and he stood with the great man's principles. He voted for William Henry Harrison, a Whig, 1836, when he ran against Martin Van Bruen. His last vote was cast for the old Whig's grandson Benjamin Harrison 1892. He died in 1893.

James Bowling was a short fat man. His height and diameter measured about the same. He had Saxon round black eyes, large well shaped head, wore his hair chopped off bob fashion parted in the middle, roman nose, strong face, clean shaved, save a well trimmed gray mustache. His wife Ruth Harbor Bowling was fair, large clear blue eyes. A soman of good practical common sense with much managing energy and thrift. Besides those mentioned, she was related to the Pedigoes, Burnettes, Morrisons, Branchs, Davises, Foleys and others in Patrick and Henry counties. In fact Captain Richard B. Foley, a noted and faithful Confederate soldier of Mercer County, was a first cousin. Capt. Foley was also Clerk of the Circuit Court of Mercer from 1873 to 1879. He carried a wound in the hip from a yankee bullett which never healed, developed a running sore which shortened his days. The Federal Government by the advise of General R. B. Hayes, offered a reward of $5,000 for his capture, dead or alive. This was in 1862 when he held an independent command but associated with the Confederate command under Colonel Jenifer as a scout.

Hayes thought he was a snipper. He afterwards obtained command from the Conf­ederate was department.

Ruth Harbor Bowling, was a plain speaking woman, decided in her opinion. This brave and good mother and grandmother died the winter of 1898. When she was born James Monroe was president, William McKinley was president when she died.

All men have a religion, even the Atheist. He worships that which is Not. The wicked man travels in darkness, misery and doubt, fearing that restitution may overtake his wavering steps. Hiding the coveted gem as a burglar does a diamond, under cover of lothsome blasphemy. But not all men are of like faith, and no man possesses a faith of fixed constancy. A great man said to his small group of faithful adherents. "0 ye of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt." It is human to doubt. All doubt. But the brave man even in doubt holds stead­fastly to the high principles. The boy faulters and whistles as he passed the country grave plot at night, mends his gait when by; but hangs onto the coveted nickel. Life is beset with unforseen adverse changes from affluence to poverty, from health to sickness. Friends betray him. His faith may hover around the zero point; yet if he has faith in God, who preserves and himself, he will get out of the woods. James and Ruth Bowling had such faith. Their journey through life was not upon smooth seas, velvety cushions, perfumes and flowers. But they posse­ssed the religion of work and untility. The hungry they turned not away, and the wayworn traveler received their hospitality. The sick received material comfort. Neighbors could rely on them in time of need. They were faithful members of the Primitive Baptist Church, and strict adherents to this confession of faith.

James Bawling was a famous joke smith. He carried an inexhaustable supply, which fit into every occurence. Mr. H. W. Straley, II, one of Princeton's dis­tinguished citizens, a member of the West Virginia Historical Society, said that as a boy hearing men talk of great men; he thought of James Bowling, who carried himself with so much dignity and poise, and rode a horse with inimitable grace. This may not and does not define greatness; but it does define a worthwhile character. This quality is always at par, while greatness may suffer a fearful discount.

Before we begin to climb out on the limbe of the Bowling tree, we will go back to ancient Britian and dig up a few old Rolfe skeletons. They are part of the primordial root and stem of the present Bowling generation. The Rolfe family was an ancient one in Heacham, Norfolk County England. The parish register shows that Eustace Rolfe and Joanne Jener, were married May 27th, 1560. They had a son, John, born Oct. 17, 1562; married Sept. 24, 1582, Dorothea Mason , and died 1594.

John and Dorothea (Mason) Rolfe with other issue, (1) Eustace, and (2) John-twing, baptised May 6, 1585; (3) Edward, baptised Feb. 22, 1591; (4) Henry, after­wards a merchant of London. One of the Rolfes of Heacham Hall was sheriff of Norfolk about 1760. In 1837, S.G.E. Neville Rolfe, Esquire, who took the name and arms, succeeded to the property.

John Rolfe, son of John and Dorothes (Mason) Rolfe, is said to have been educated at an English University; married in England, and in May 1609, sailed for Virginia. The ship on which he came over was wrecked in the Bermudas and

here his first child Bermuda, was born. They reached Virginia in May, 1610,, and he soon became a prominent member of the colony. His wife having died either at the Bermudas or soon after reaching Virginia, he next married in April 1614, Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan. Two years after this marriage, in 1616, Rolfe and Pocahontas went to England, where her beauty, her intelligence and her great personal charm gave her instant social success in aristocratic English circles. She died in England in 1616-17, leaving one child, a son named Thomas. John Rolfe left his infant son at Plymouth uner the care of Sir Lewis Stuckeley, but he was afterwards transferred to the care of his uncle, Henry Rolfe of London, with whom he remained until manhood. In 1617, John Rolfe was appointed Secretary and Recorder General of the colony, and in 1619 was a member of the Council. He married for his third wife, Jane Pierce. A daughter, Elizebeth, born 1620. He died 1622. Rolfe is spoken of by early writers as an honest and worthy gentleman.

Thomas Rolfe, John's son came to Virginia, in 1646, was lieutenant, and married Jane Poythress, the issue being one child, a daughter named Jane, born 1656.

Jane Rolfe married in 1676, Colonel Robert Bolling, the first of his name in Virginia. He was the son of John and Mary Bolling of Barking Parish, Tower Street, London, England, and descended from the Bollings of Bolling Hall near Bradford in Yorkshire. He was born Dec. 16, 1646, came to Virginia in 1660, set­tled at "Kippax" or Farmingdale, Prince George County, Virginia, where he died July 17, 1709. Jane (Rolfe) Bolling died in 1678, leaving one child a son named John, born Jan. 27, 1676. This John Bolling married Dec. 29, 1697, to Mary Kennon (see Bolling family). (This is erroneous according to Stith's geneology on page (1) this Ms. Colonel Robert Bolling had one son Colonel John Bolling and five daughters.)

Reference: Pocahontas and her Descendants. By Wyndham Robertoson, Virginia Historical Magazine.

Taken from "Our Kin" by Mary Donham Ackerly and Lula Eastman Jeter Parker. At this time 1934, 288 years since Thomas Rolfe came to Virginia, and took

over his grandfather, Powhatan's estate and subsequently married Jane Poythress, so to sum up the total of kinship we have but a small skimtion, a mere speck of Rolfe in our characteristic systems. No Powhatan to brag about, and a very little Bolling. For there are other who joined in the division, and who legiti­mately hold their share. The Kennons, Blairs, Carters, Wrights, Jeffersons, Har­bors, Randolphs, Foleys, besides the 12 aforementioned families who became partners to this amalgamation, which may be call prefered stock; we have now other to reckon with. McKenzies, Davises, Birds, Wimmers, Sheltons, all bringing their seperate antecedent subdivision, in the recessive and progressive scale. But we may all claim in equal propertion a due and benevolent allowance of Scot, Irish or Celt, Anglo Saxon, or Teutonic, a people who conquered Britian in the 5th and 6th centuries, and proceeded to make themselves at home.

The ancient Britians were Celts or Kelts. The Kelts were the largest and most important group of the Aryan people for many years. They conquered and over­ran the more ancient Ibreians, or the dark whites, about the Mediterranean sea the Greeks, Italiane, and Gauls, and on the Atlantic, the Portuguese, Welsh,

Britains, Scotch, and Irish. Subsequently the Nordic or Norse, overrant the Goths, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, in short conquered Europe and Rome, and sailed the seven seas. They ultimately became the conquering race, and now dominate the races of mankind. It is from this that we get our typical blond.

The ancient Kelts possessed a knowledge of hieroglyphs, evidently borrowed from the Egyptians; but employed its ude strictly in business transactions. It was a sort of symbol for value without vowels. They were employing this form of bookkeeping probably 2000 years B.C.

Hence we have other tribes and races of the conqueror and the conquered who hold a part in character and kinship besides a few outstanding families of recent times, who also have hundreds of other combinations. A wise old Hebrew general and king, said that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

There are only a few outstanding figures in any race or combination of races. Shakespeare, was one whom it is said came from a very obscure family. Benjamine Franklin another whose father made soap, and Ben was an oiley diplomat. Soap having possibly an important influence. And Thomas Jefferson, the Scoth-Welsh democrat, who worked for independence, and expansion of libert of education, rel­igion, and domains. Lincoln, born in a log cabin, who finished the Jefferson program, and others. Like Halley's comet, they are not visible very often.

It is probable apparant that the foregoing is irrelavant. In proof thereof that it is pertinent and material collateral evidence in behalf of certain types of character dominant of the Bowlings; we herewith produce certain elements of natural and restricted selection. We hope by this indefeasible extenuation to exonerate and absolve those whom we have a profound and tender regard, from any implied irregularities, or small propensities natural to all flesh. The Bowlings are not angels, neither are they what saints are reputed to be. And moreover the Bowlings do not commit crime, nor do they hold communion with Lucifer. They are just genuine good American citizens.

Man as well as other animals in the wild state follow the law of natural selection. Man at large heed this law in the civilized state. With animals and all organic creation the law of survival of the fittest is supreme. The weak and inefficient are wiped out, the strong, the versatile, intelligent and beauti­ful remain, to multiply and inhabit. The great tropical earth of thirty to two hundred million years past was inhabited by damp heavy air, mud and slime, and luxuriant vegetation, and giant lizzards, and gigantic reptiles in numerous variety. The glaciar period wiped them out. They could not adapt themselves to this changing environment. But smaller fur bearing animals came along with man or a man like animal. The female of the species of man as other animals dominate natural selection. They have a clever eye for beauty and physical per­fection. In case of man intelligence is a factor. Women have the faculty of simulating an admiration for one type, while going deeply into another. That is why the heiress may marry the chauffeur instead of the puny grand duke. Women are not blind by a damsight. In the future this rule will become strictly en­forced by the qualified restrictions of education and hygene.

Thus we see the Bowlings have passed through many generations of ramificationS and vicissitude and adverse environment from Edward IV, 1442 to this time. By the process of natural and restricted selection many distinct families are

ingrafted into the Bowling family tree, which heritage in consequence has in the main benefited the family. All men are prone to sin; but this evil germe in a well regulated system is arrested in its development. Withall this eve: sent quality sometimes tends to an abnormal growth, which involves the victim in degeneracy, ignominy, and misery, rendering him an unprofitable servant to his tribe, his community and country. There has in fact been shady members in this distinguished family; but they are a remote exception to the rule, and unaccounted for. However there may have been in the past a few who were hanged, or richly deserved this form of departure, which only prove if this be so that exceptions prove the rule. With every good quality we may dig up, and leaving the closet securely locked; this is not an age of miracles.

The horse racing fraternity have been training such aristocratic and noble breeds for eight hundred years under restricted selection, that they may train out all unfavorable features and remote defects; but not infrequently a horse that may show every sign and promise, developes a number of unstable characteristics of his ancient ancester. Charles Darwin, trained pigeons for years trying to pro­duce certain satisfactory types, which would run true to form, with small success. They seemed to have the inflexible habit born of long ages of reflecting the early type. A brunette father and mother often have a typical blond in the family; but a going back a few generations, they will find the guilty party, A person born into this world may be a closer relative to his forebears a dozen generations back than to his own parents. Thus it is readily seen that off color in character crops out in the best of families; even when they observe all the rules of decorum withall practiced zealously for many years, by many generations. This is not a defense in behalf of the Bowlings, They are their own defense. It is the rule of life. While this people justly claim the distinction of noble ancestors, there are others not so noble.

The Bowlings through all generations by tradition and scrupleous habit of respect maintained a profound reverence for law and order. Such esteem that when their liberty and immiunities were grossly violated by the king and his council, this king was repudiated by the usual Anglo Saxon appeal to arms. This extreme resort thanks to English history furnished a noteworthy precedent. Oliver Crom­well, the great Protector not only deposed a worthless Stewart king, but the said king was tried for treason and beheaded. There is an old maxim of English law that "the King can do no wrong," but this didn't bother Oliver. This is the heritage this people gave America.