Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Abbeville in Abbeville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Bowie

Christian Pioneers

 
 
Bowie Marker<br>Front (East) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
1. Bowie Marker
Front (East)
Inscription.
Front (East) Inscription
Abraham Boey came from Sterlingshire, Scotland to Charles County, Md. about 1700. His son John had six sons, one being Rhodi who married Ann Price. Rhodi's six children moved to Abbeville County, S.C. ca. 1802-1815. Four are buried in Old Bowie Burial Ground ½ mile north. They are:

Eli Bowie, Rhodi's oldest son, came to S.C. about 1802. Married Katherine Franklin. Founded Gilgal Methodist Church. Many descendants.

Catherine, Spinster. First burial Old Bowie Burial Ground.

Reverse (West) Inscription
Richard Price, Presbyterian. Children by Catherine Hodges. Moved to Miss. ca. 1850. Child by second wife, Jane Milford married Eli's grandson. Many offspring.

Hezekiah, Presbyterian. Widow, Lucinda Simms and eight children moved to Miss. 1850. Large subclan.

Nancy's and Frances' gravesites unknown.

End markers are for later generations.
 
Erected 1986.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial SitesSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1700.
 
Location. 34° 16.583′ N, 82° 20.95′ W. Marker is in Abbeville, South Carolina, in Abbeville County. Marker can be reached
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
from Gilgal Church Road (County Road 1-74). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abbeville SC 29620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Marilyn Anne McKinney (here, next to this marker); Bowie Family Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Angela Marlow Newton (approx. 4.4 miles away); Rev. J.I. Bonner Monument (approx. 4˝ miles away); Bryson College Memorial (approx. 4˝ miles away); Erskine College (approx. 4˝ miles away); Abbeville County (approx. 4˝ miles away); William Moffatt Grier (approx. 4˝ miles away); Camp-Walker Plaza (approx. 4˝ miles away); Due West (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abbeville.
 
Also see . . .  Descendants of Rhodi Bowie. Showing the descendants of Rhodi Bowie seven generations. (Submitted on June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.) 
 
Additional commentary.
1. History of Gilgal United Methodist Church
Two church histories have been published.

1. The Heritage of Abbeville County. According to this source, "in 1821 a society was formed for the purpose of religious worship near the waters of Jobs Creek by the Reverend Keisy and the following families, namely, Auntly, Bowie, Carter, Close, Johnson, Lawson, and Plucket. Later
Bowie Marker<br>Front (East) Inscription image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
2. Bowie Marker
Front (East) Inscription
the following families were added: Buckhannons, Kirkpatricks, Richardson and others. Worship was first held in the homes of individual families. A brush arbor was soon constructed on the same plot where the church now stands. From that time, a preacher has been supplied and regular services have been held until this day. In 1839 a small plot of land was conveyed to the church by Joseph Eakin and George Nickles and a log building was constructed and the building was named Gilgal. Apparently, the land did not belong to the group in the beginning. Tradition claims that neighbors complained to Mr. Eakin and Nickles about giving land to this new type of religious worship. The reply was, 'If they are not of God they will not last.' Eli Bowie lived very near to the site of the church and took a very active part in the worship. This has had a long lasting effect on the Bowie family. A large percentage of the present-day members are of Bowie ancestry. Gilgal is considered by many Bowies as the mother church."

2. WPA survey of Abbeville rural churches completed in 1939 by Ben Carlton. According to Carlton, the "church was organized in 1820 by the Rev. Kelsey, a circuit rider, and it was a Methodist society, which consisted of 9 families. The first building was of logs and lasted until 1840 when it was replaced by a rectangular frame one which had a bell and was smaller than the
Franklin Bowie Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 6, 2009
3. Franklin Bowie Tombstone
In
memory of
Franklin Bowie
born January 9, 1804
died November 23, 1860.
Aged 57 years.
"Thy word if a lamp unto
my feet, and a light unto my
path."
current church. The latter was built in 1884 and was set on a lot of 2½ acres, which included a cemetery. It was 30' by 47', surrounded by large oaks on the side, but no bell. In 1939, its pastor was the Rev. Jessie H. Manly, Abbeville, RFD #3, who had been there since 1935, and it had a membership of about 85."
    — Submitted June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
 
Eli Bowie Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 6, 2009
4. Eli Bowie Tombstone
In
memory of
Eli Bowie
who departed this life
June 24, 1844
Aged 70 years.
"Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord, for they
rest from their labours, and
their works do follow them."
Katherine Franklin Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 6, 2009
5. Katherine Franklin Tombstone
In Memory of
Katherine
Franklin
wife of Eli Bowie
Died May 28, 1869
Age 84 Years.
T.F.M. Bowie Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 6, 2009
6. T.F.M. Bowie Tombstone
d. March 21, 1870
Bowie Marker<br>Reverse (West) image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
7. Bowie Marker
Reverse (West)
Bowie Marker<br>Reverse (West) Inscription image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
8. Bowie Marker
Reverse (West) Inscription
Hezekiah Bowie Tombstone<br>Eli Bowie's Second Son image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
9. Hezekiah Bowie Tombstone
Eli Bowie's Second Son
Sacred
to the Memory of
Hezekiah Bowie
who died
on the 1st day of Oct. 1850
in the 56th year of his are.

He was for many years
a regular member
of the Presbyterian Church
Greenville Congregation.
Richard P. Bowie Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
10. Richard P. Bowie Tombstone
To
the memory of
Richard P. Bowie
who departed this
life February 23, 1855
Aged 69 years.
He was a consistent
member of the
Presbyterian Church.
Jane D. Bowie Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
11. Jane D. Bowie Tombstone
In Memory of
Jane D. Bowie
Died
Jan. 9, 1864
Age 59 years, 4 mo
& 13 days
She was a member
of the Presbyterian
Church for many
years & lived a
Christian life & left many
friends to mourn
her lost.
Bowie Infants Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
12. Bowie Infants Tombstone
M.L. Bowie
May 20, 1854
Oct. 2, 1855
F.G.Z. Bowie
July 20, 1862
Aug. 27, 1762
Infants
of F.E. & S.A.
Bowie
Bowie Marker<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery in Background image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 13, 2011
13. Bowie Marker
Gilgal Church Cemetery in Background
Franklin Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
14. Franklin Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Eli Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
15. Eli Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Katherine Franklin Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
16. Katherine Franklin Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
T.F.M. Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
17. T.F.M. Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Hezekiah Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
18. Hezekiah Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Richard P. Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
19. Richard P. Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Jane D. Bowie Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
20. Jane D. Bowie Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Thomas C Botts Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
21. Thomas C Botts Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Botts was related to the Bowies by marriage. His daughter Martha, was married to Asa Bowie, son of Eli Bowie.
John R Botts Tombstone<br>Old Bowie Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, May 14, 2005
22. John R Botts Tombstone
Old Bowie Cemetery
Was born
Jan 5, 1856
and died
Aug 20, 1857
Gilgal United Methodist Church<br>Founded on Land Donated by<br>Eli Bowie image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, June 6, 2009
23. Gilgal United Methodist Church
Founded on Land Donated by
Eli Bowie
Gilgal United Methodist Church -<br>Founded 1817 image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
24. Gilgal United Methodist Church -
Founded 1817
James Price Bowie Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery<br>Eli Bowie's First Son image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
25. James Price Bowie Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Eli Bowie's First Son
Oct. 8, 1808
Aug. 30, 1879
Mary Flory Bowie Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery<br>Wife of James P. Bowie image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
26. Mary Flory Bowie Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Wife of James P. Bowie
Born
Nov. 18, 1810
Died
Nov. 13, 1887
William B. & Ellen Irvin Bowie Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery<br>Eli Bowie's Third Son image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
27. William B. & Ellen Irvin Bowie Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Eli Bowie's Third Son
W. Bright Bowie
May 16, 1858
April 7, 1928
Ellen Irvin Bowie
Oct 28, 1860
June 2, 1922
Asa Bowie Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery<br>Eli Bowie's Fourth Son image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
28. Asa Bowie Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Eli Bowie's Fourth Son
Mar. 31, 1818
July 4, 1899
Martha A Botts Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
29. Martha A Botts Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Wife of
Asa Bowie
Feb. 13, 1818
Sept. 18, 1896
Henry Browner Bowie Tombstone<br>Gilgal Church Cemetery<br>Eli Bowie's Fifth Son image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Brian Scott, February 2, 2003
30. Henry Browner Bowie Tombstone
Gilgal Church Cemetery
Eli Bowie's Fifth Son
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,695 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. submitted on June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   24. submitted on July 20, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   25. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   26. submitted on June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   27, 28. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   29. submitted on June 27, 2011, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.   30. submitted on August 22, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

Share this page.  
m=43827

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 19, 2024