BOWERS

[wincott]

My 3x Gt Grandfather was Robert Bowers, Bn Ifield, Sussex in 1788.
 I am trying to establish if William bn c1807, & Nehemiah bn c1805, and Stephen in 1796 ( all at Ifield, and listed as shoe/bootmakers) were siblings, with a possible sister Mary who married a James Mitchell at Ifield in 1818. I have been unable to find parents for any of them, so it would seem likely.
A John Bowers married a Mary Edwards at Horley ( very close to Ifield) in 1760, and  was also a shoemaker, so may be their Grandparents - or even at a long shot the parents, with earlier unknown children. Any addition info gratefully received.
JC

[kerryb]

Hi Wincott

I searched the SFHG baptisms for Robert's baptism and came up with the following:

? Bowers baptised on 30 December 1821
born 15 April 1788
son of Robert Bowers
abode Crawley

at Cuckfield Providence Chapel

There seem to be a number of children around the time baptised to a robert and Jane

Is there any chance the family could have been nonconformists?

Kerry

[kerryb]

There is a marriage of a Robert Bowers to Jane Woodger on 5 March 1810 at Crawley, he is a bach from Ifield and she is of this parish.  One of the witnesses is a Judith Bowers.

Kerry

[wincott]

Hi kerryb
Thanks for your reply. I have all the info on Robert, and his children etc, but am trying to establish the relationship between him and several others, who I think are probably siblings, but possibly cousins. I have been unable to trace who the parents of Robert are. All of these possible siblings, ( Mary, William, Nehemiah etc had children baptised in the Cuckfield Providence Chapel). There have been Bowers in Cuckfield, inc I seem to recall at the Manor House, way back to the 1600's, but again have not tied them in with my family. The family have also always had connections with Southwark, and two are  quite well known painters of Victorian scenes.
Many thanks for your interest
Regards
JW