David Bowman

M, #5058, b. 1806, d. 6 Aug 1860
Birth*1806 Scotland. 
Marriage*5 Jul 1828 Spouse: Janet Watt. Scotland.
 
Land-UBeac24 Jan 1851 Mount Misery. Transfer from Thomas Jackson to David Bowman. Melbourne, 24th January, 1851.
IT is hereby notified, for general information, that the interest of the former licences in the undermentioned runs of Crown Land, has been transferred, with the sanction of Government, to the persons hereinafLer particularised, in accordance with the Regulations
of the 1st January, 1848.
C. J. LA TROBE.
WESTERN PORT DISTRICT
No. FORMER LICENSEE. NAME OF RUN. TO WHOM TRANSFERRED
36 .. John Burkitt .. Mount Misery .. C. Cochran
111 .. Thomas Jackson .. Panty Gurn Gurn .. William Bowman.1 
Land-Beac*12 Jan 1855 Pre-emptive selection 1A. Victoria Land Purchase. Whereas in conformity with the laws now in force for the sale of Crown lands in our Colony of Victoria, and our Royal Instructions under our Signet and Sign Manual issued in pursuance thereof David Bowman has become the purchaser of the land herinafter described, for the sum of two hundred pounds Sterling. ... all that piece of land in our said colony containing by Admeasurement two hundred acres be the same more or less, situated in the County of Mornington Parish unnamed at the crossing of the Melbourne and Mount Ararat Road over the Cardinia Creek, Portion one of Section A commencing at a Stake on the Cardinia Creek bearing to Messmate Tree East one hundred links, bounded on the North by the Melbourne Road bearing East seven chains and North forty five degrees East, nine chains twenty six links thence by a line bearing East forty six chains on the East by a line bearing South forty two chains on the South by a line bearing West fifty three chains sixty links and on the West by the Cardinia Creek Northerly to the point of commencement. Being the land granted to the said David Bowman under the regulations of the eight day of December One thousand eight hundred and fifty one with all the rights and Appurtenances whatsoever those belonging; To hold unto the said David Bowman.2 
Land-Berwick3 May 1858Selection: BER-Town S1-2. 2r 0p - consideration L4 5s.3,4 
Land-Berwick*3 May 1858Selection: BER-Town S1-1. 2r 0p - consideration L4 5s.5,6 
Land-Berwick9 Nov 1858Selection: BER-Town S7-9. 2r 0p - consideration L7 10s.7,8 
Land-Berwick23 Feb 1859Selection: BER-Town S1-3. 2r 0p - consideration L11 10s. Originally selected by Michael Higarty for L4 on 3 May 1858, but not entered on Parish plan.9,10 
Land-Note*7 Jul 1859 Pre-emptive selection 1A: Mortgagee: Thomas Rhind Archibald Fisken. Mortgage No 545 for £280, to pay twelve pounds ten shillings per centum per annum interest. Mortgagor was David Bowman.11 
Death*6 Aug 1860 Gipps Land Hotel, Beaconsfield, VIC, Australia, #D9462 (Age 54) [par James BOWMAN & Beenie NICOLL].12 
Death-Notice*8 Aug 1860 On the 6th inst., at his residence, Gipps Land Hotel, Cardinia Creek, Mr. David Bowman, an old colonist, aged 54 years, formerly cloth manufacturer, Kirriemuir, Scotland.
THE Friends of the late Mr. DAVID BOWMAN are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Dandenong Cemetery. The funeral procession to move from his late residence, the Gipps Land Hotel, Cardinia Creek, on Thursday the 9th inst., at 11 o'clock precisely.13 
Probate (Will)*27 Sep 1860 3/369 & 134/105 (26 Jun 1914 -      AWADBN.)14 
Land-Note*10 Jul 1868 Pre-emptive selection 1A. Janet Bowman Re-Conveyance to the executors of the will of D Bowman, deceased. The interest having been paid, the executors now paid off the principal sum of £280.15 
Land-Beac*10 Jul 1868 Pre-emptive selection 1A. Transfer from David Bowman to Helen Sarah Ann Gibbes. The executors of the will of David Bowman, deceased sold the land to Mrs Helen Sarah Ann Gibbes for the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds (£1,500). On the same day the executors of the will of David Bowman lent Helen Gibbes seven hundred and fifty pounds (£750), to be paid to the mortgagees on 10 July 1871. The interest per year was 8%, paid twice yearly. A condition of the mortgage was that the any buildings had to be insured against fire for at least £300, and that in case of a fire she had to re-erect the destroyed buildings to the mortgagees satisfaction. On 23 Nov 1869, Mrs Gibbes paid the estate of David Bowman the sum of £750, and was released from the mortgage.16 

Grave

  • Plots 560-561-562, Dandenong Cemetery, Dandenong, VIC, Australia17

Family

 Janet Watt b. 23 Nov 1810, d. 21 Jan 1904
Child 1.Alexander Watt Bowman+ b. b 7 Feb 1830, d. 3 Jun 1877

Newspaper-Articles

  • 14 Aug 1849: Superintendent's Office, Melbourne, 8th August, 1849. CROWN LANDS BROUGHT WITHIN
    THE SETTLED DISTRICTS. (REQUIRING PAYMENT OF RENT FOR APPROVED SELECTIONS UNDER PRE-EMPTION.)
    HIS Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified, for the information of all persons concerned , that in pursuance of the 22nd Clause of the Regulations of the 29th March, 1848, his Excellency has been pleased to approve of the Claims which have been made by the parties enumerated in the annexed list, lo the pre-emptive right to leases of the several portions of Iand referred to.
    2. It is necessary that the rent, viz., Twenty Shillings per section of 640 acres, for the remainder of the present year, for the Lands in question, be paid into the Sub-Treasury, at Melbourne, within one month from the present
    date; in default of which the leases of the Lands will, in accordance with the 26th Clause of the Regulations, he put up to sale by auction.
    By his Excellency's Command, C. J. LA TROBE.
    COUNTY OF MORNINGTON. David Bowman, applicant, Western Port, lots 1 to 8, 640 acres each, Western Port, Mon Bolk creek.18
  • 25 Aug 1860: IN the SUPREME COURT of the COLONY of VICTORIA : in its Ecclesiastica Jurisdiction - In the Will and Codicil of DAVID BOWMAN, late of Cardinia Creek, in the District of Western Port, in the Colony of Victoria, Licensed Victualler, Deceased, Notice is hereby given, that, after the expiration of fourteen days from the day of the publication hereof, application will be made to this Honourable Court, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the WILL and CODICIL of the above named David Bowman be granted to John Brisbane, of Berwick, in the said colony ; Alexander Watt Bowman, of Dandenong, in the said colony ; and Janet Watt Bowman, widow of the said David Bowman, the executors and executrix named in and appointed by the said will and codicil.
    Dated this 24th day of August, 1860.
    WILLIAM DAVID ATKINSON, proctor for the executors and executrix.19
  • 20 Dec 1871: NO. 3993.—TRANSFER of LAND STATUTES— JANET WATT BOWMAN, JOHN BRISBANE, and ALEXANDER WATT BOWMAN, of Dandenong and Berwick, as devisees of the late David Bowman, of Pakenham, publican, deceased, have APPLIED to bring the LAND described at the foot hereof under the above statute ; and the Commissioner of Titles has directed notice of the application to be advertised in The Age newspaper, and has appointed fourteen days from such advertisement, after which time the land will be brought under the operation of the statute, unless a caveat shall be lodged forbidding the same. Dated the 27th day of July, 1871.
    LAND REFERRED TO :
    Crown allotment 9 of section 7, town and parish of Berwick, county of Mornington.
    WILLIAM HENRY ARCHER, Registrar of Titles.20

Citations

  1. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette Port Phillip Government Gazette, No 7, 5 Feb 1851, 97 - p103.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Entered into Register No 33 Folio 247 on 16 April 1855.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tue 4 May 1858, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7293863
  4. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 11866/P0001, Book J, Auctions & Selections, 29 Jan 1858 - 30 Dec 1858.
    Folio 967. Date of Sale. Melbourne 3rd May. Report 447
    David Bowman. Parish of Berwick. Section 1, Lot 2. 2r. Estate for which granted/Enrolled 8a 143 Deed forwarded and where to 7th July 1858 Melbourne.
  5. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tue 4 May 1858, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7293863
  6. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 11866/P0001, Book J, Auctions & Selections, 29 Jan 1858 - 30 Dec 1858.
    Folio 967. Date of Sale. Melbourne 3rd May. Report 447
    David Bowman. Parish of Berwick. Section 1, Lot 1. 2r. Estate for which granted/Enrolled 8a 142 Deed forwarded and where to 7th July 1858 Melbourne.
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 10 Nov 1858, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7304288
  8. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 11866/P0001, Book J, Auctions & Selections, 29 Jan 1858 - 30 Dec 1858.
    Folio 1034. Date of Sale. Melbourne 9th November 1858. Report 532
    David Bowman. Parish of Berwick. Section 7, Lot 9. 2r. Estate for which granted/Enrolled 16a 194 Deed forwarded and where to 31 Dec 1858 Melbourne.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tue 4 May 1858, p6
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7293863
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 24 Feb 1859, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5676918
  10. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 11865/P0001, Auctions, Feb 1859-Dec 1859,
    Land Sale 593, Melbourne, 23 Feb 1859 Folio 9
    https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/…
  11. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Deed 545 Book 81 received into office on 12 July 1859.
  12. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  13. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 8 Aug 1860, p4+p8.
  14. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
    http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
    (Administration in 1914).
  15. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Reconveyance of land to the Bowman family after the payment of £280 and interest. Book 181 Deed 279.
  16. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Conveyance to Mrs Gibbes. Book 181 Deed 280. Mortgage Book 181 Number 281. A memorial of release was received into the Office of the Registrar General on 25 Nov 1869 Book 196 No 229.
  17. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, http://www.australiancemeteries.com/vic/greater_dandenong/…
    561/562 BOWMAN David 6/8/1860 54 Janet f/o James                
    561/562 BOWMAN James 7/7/1942 92 s/o David & Janet
    561/562 BOWMAN Janet 21/1/1904 94 David m/o James                               
    560/562 BOWMAN John Nicol 18/11/1849 9
    560/562 BOWMAN Peter D.W. 26/6/1907 62      
    560/562 BOWMAN William Watt 13/3/1860 22.
  18. [S14] Newspaper - The Melbourne Daily News (Vic.), Tue 14 Aug 1849, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226473589
  19. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 Aug 1860, p3.
  20. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 20 Dec 1871, p1
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/203016295
Last Edited3 Nov 2023

Janet Watt

F, #5059, b. 23 Nov 1810, d. 21 Jan 1904
Place in Upper Beac* Bowman Road. 
Married NameBowman. 
Birth*23 Nov 1810 Kirriemuir, Scotland. 
Marriage*5 Jul 1828 Spouse: David Bowman. Scotland.
 
Widow6 Aug 1860Janet Watt became a widow upon the death of her husband David Bowman.1 
Land-Note*10 Jul 1868 Pre-emptive selection 1A. David Bowman Re-Conveyance to the executors of the will of D Bowman, deceased. The interest having been paid, the executors now paid off the principal sum of £280.2 
(Witness) Land-Beac10 Jul 1868 The executors of the will of David Bowman, deceased sold the land to Mrs Helen Sarah Ann Gibbes for the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds (£1,500). On the same day the executors of the will of David Bowman lent Helen Gibbes seven hundred and fifty pounds (£750), to be paid to the mortgagees on 10 July 1871. The interest per year was 8%, paid twice yearly. A condition of the mortgage was that the any buildings had to be insured against fire for at least £300, and that in case of a fire she had to re-erect the destroyed buildings to the mortgagees satisfaction. On 23 Nov 1869, Mrs Gibbes paid the estate of David Bowman the sum of £750, and was released from the mortgage.3 
Death*21 Jan 1904 Langhorne Street, Dandenong, VIC, Australia, #D1124/1904 (Age 93) (par Alex WATT & Elizth TARBETT) - as Janet VIGERS.4 
Death-Notice*22 Jan 1904 BOWMAN. -On the 21st January at her residence, Langhorne-street, Dandenong, Janet, relict of David Bowman, late of Berwick and Dandenong, a colonist of over 60 years, in her 93rd year. At rest.5 
Village Bell*May 1987 BOWMAN'S INN AND MRS. BOWMAN
"Bowman's Inn", now the "Central Hotel" at Beaconsfield, played a part in Upper Beaconsfield's history, though not strictly a part of Upper Beaconsfield. For most of the following information about it we are indebted to Mr. & Mrs. Moore of Mount Waverley, whose interest in the matter arose because Mrs. Marie Moore is a great-grand-daughter of Mrs. Janet Bowman. It was Mrs. Bowman who organised the cutting of Bowman's Track, which for a dozen years provided the only access from the Gippsland Road to the settlement which became Upper Beaconsfield.
An obituary notice about Mrs. Bowman in the Dandenong Journal in January 1904 records that David Bowman and his wife Janet arrived in Melbourne from Scotland in 1840, and shortly afterwards opened a hotel at Darebin Creek, which was then wild bush. Two years later they had a bakery at Fitzroy. About 1846 Bowman leased the Monbulk Cattle Run extending from near Dandenong to the Ranges of Gembrook, and "infested with wild dogs, kangaroo, wallaby and blacks". Subsequently he leased the Panty Gurn Gurn Run, formerly Thomas Jackson's Run, covering about three square miles from Cardinia Creek to Pakenham.
By January 1855 he had selected and purchased the title to 200 acres east of the Cardinia Creek where Beaconsfield is now, and the family is thought to have lived in a cottage in the vicinity of the present "Villa Maria" near the foot of O'Neill Road. Here they were so beset by travellers asking for food and shelter that they saw the need for an inn, and built the "Gippsland Hotel" so called because the Cardinia Creek was then the boundary of Gippsland. It was first licensed in April 1855.
Bowman died in 1860, and the license was transferred to his wife. A son, William, was drowned in the Creek while shepherding sheep. In 1868 the widow, with her sons Peter, Richard, James and David joined the eldest son Alexander who had a business in Dandenong. Richard set up in a saddler's, next door to the "Kangaroo Store" which was owned by his Mother; when the tenant's lease expired, Mrs. Bowman carried on the Store business with sons James and David. She died in January 1904, and was buried in the Presbyterian section of Dandenong Cemetery, aged 93.
The Hotel licence was transferred to Helen Gibbs in July 1868; Charles Souter in December 1868; Mrs. Griffin in 1872; John Cougle in 1895; Mrs. White in 1909/1912; Frederick Umhauer 1914; A Bragg 1915; N. Parslow 1927.
One of the Hotel licensees mentioned above was John Vail Cougle, born in St. John, Nova Scotia, Canada, who subsequently lived in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. Having sided with the loyalists in the American Civil War of 1854 he was obliged to escape, in the warship "Richmond", and came to Victoria. He had two sons and two daughters. With a couple of partners in 1891 he paid half-a-crown (25 cents) an acre for 640 acres behind the Hotel, but was swindled, because the land belonged to another man who had paid rates on it for years! In 1895 he bought the Hotel for £3000, ($10,000) though his widow sold it for £900 the year after his death in 1901. His son Frank lived at the Hotel and went to school at Beaconsfield and Berwick College. The creek once silted up near the Sports Reserve and the lad Frank was given £1 to dig it clear, which took him six months. He died aged 94. The third generation lived in Berwick in the 1960's.6 
Village BellJul 1987 BOWMAN's TRACK - THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY
In previous issues we described the cutting of Mrs. Bowman's track in the mid 1850's, which crossed 50 miles of densley forested trackless wilderness. It opened up for land selection and settlement, the areas that are now Upper Beaconsfield, Mt. Burnett, Gembrook, Beenak and beyond. In the 1860's Mrs. Bowman applied for compensation for her work, and a Select Committee of Inquiry was held in November 1876, twenty years after the track was cut.
The sitting members were Messrs. Crews, Inglis, King, Munro.
Absent were Bent, Grant, Jones, Purves. Eleven witnesses supported Mrs. Bowman - three public servants reported adversely.
Mrs. Bowman stated that she applied for compensation on account of two notices in the "Argus" newspaper. The first, by the Surveyor General Mr. Ligar, stated that settlers who made tracks that were proved to benefit the public could apply for compensation. The second, in Sir John O'Shannessy’s name, that the Government was ready to receive applications. Part of her track could be used by drays, the remainder was wide enough for two pack ponies to pass. Selectors had taken up land beside 40 miles of the track; tin mines had been opened as a result of it; the well known doctor and politician L. L. Smith had built a house beside it; Mr. LeSoeuf’s Acclimatisation Park was on the track; there was no other route to these places. The local Member Mr. McCulloch and the Minister Mr. Francis had praised her work. She spent a total of £1,500 ($3,000.00) on tools, supplies, the work of four sons with four pack ponies who did the "packing" (taking supplies on pack ponies) in two years.
Witnesses for Mrs. Bowman had all lived locally, some for 20 years. All confirmed that she had the track cut, and all used the track, most of them regularly. It was agreed to be a necessity for selectors and miners, there being no other route. The State sold thousands of acres made access able by the track. It started from existing timber cutters' tracks branching from the Gippsland Road. The tin mines were up to 50 miles along the track, at William Wallace Creek, and the Upper Latrobe River.
Witnesses were Jacques Martin (on whose land the Upper Beaconsfield Hall was built) who said it was difficult country, "fearfully long miles up there", A. G. LeSoeuf the "first big settler in Gembrook. The Hon. James Buchanan of Berwick, William Brisbane of Berwick, who supplied materials for the track, Charles Souter of Beaconsfield who had seen the track improved in 20 years by settlers at their own expense, Alex Crichton of Gembrook (Jambrick) grazier and butcher, William Brown of Berwick, P. Bowman of Dandenong who said his mother cut the track in expectation of compensation, Thomas Giblin of Berwick, a labouring man who worked for Mrs. Bowman, including 2 years on the track, "No white man had put his foot where I worked". He and Brisbane said that people thought Mrs. Bowman was eccentric, or "cranky" to cut the track at her own expense to benefit others, trusting to get a State reward.
P. Labertouche Acting Secretary for Railways, knew nothing of the track, nor of Mr. Ligar's notice in the "Argus". The track was no use to his Department.
C. Johnson Roads and Bridges Department, had seen the track once, 11 years ago, and estimated he could have cut it for £6 ($12) a mile.
M. Calloman Crown Lands Department, had only seen a portion of the track, only 6 weeks ago. It was no use to anybody, and could have been cut for £5 a mile. (This man's evidence reads like that of a big-headed, big mouthed ignorant know all)
The Committee awarded Mrs. Bowman £300 ($600) compensation.7 

Grave

  • Plots 560-561-562, Dandenong Cemetery, Dandenong, VIC, Australia8

Family

 David Bowman b. 1806, d. 6 Aug 1860
Child 1.Alexander Watt Bowman+ b. b 7 Feb 1830, d. 3 Jun 1877

Newspaper-Articles

  • 7 Sep 1865: SMALL SHEEP STATION, unstocked, for SALE or to Let. Apply on property, Panty Gurn Gurn, Berwick.9
  • 21 Dec 1876: The following is the report of the select committee of the House upon the claim of Mrs Janet Bowman, of Brighton:—''The track shown upon the Government plans as 'Bowman's track,' was cut by Mrs. Bowman at her own expense ; and a large quantity of land has been and still is, being selected, and several thousands of acres have been sold by the Government in its immediate vicinity ; and your committee are of opinion that the settlement that has taken place in that part of the colony is entirely owing Mrs. Bowman having cut that track. The committee are of opinion that encouragement was held out to Mrs. Bowman from time to time by various Governments, as shown by the papers submitted, to them, and therefore recommend that Mrs Bowman should receive the sum of £300 in recognition of her public spirit in accelerating the opening up of the country for settlement."10
  • 22 Nov 1877: To Mrs Janet Bowman, in recognition of her public spirit in accelerating the opening up of the country for settlement by cutting "Bowman's Track" towards the Jordan Goldfields. (Recommended by select committee, session 1876) .. .. .. .. .. 30011
  • 26 Nov 1877: In like manner Mrs. Janet Bowman may be a most worthy person, but her services in cutting a track towards the Jordan goldfields are at least twenty years old. During the greater portion of that time she has been a constituent of Sir James McCulloch, and the fact that he never thought the claim sufficently good to allow is a tolerably fair proof that there is not very much in it.12
  • 26 Nov 1877: To the editor of The Age. Sir, — In your issue of yesterday you refer to one of the present claimants in the supplementary estimate of the Government—a Mrs. Janet Bowman—who claims three hundred pounds for cutting a track to the Jordan goldfields. I beg to state for your information that she has no more claim to it than the writer. In the month of September, 1863, a subscription was got up by the late Mr. George Hughes and other publicans, as well as storekeepers, all on the road from Prahran to the Bunyip, and all I may say interested in the opening of a road to the Jordan. The publicans and storekeepers agreed to contribute ten pounds each, which was done, Mrs. Janet Bowman then, but now Mrs. Janet Vigor, among the rest. The track was partly cut, but failed for want of funds to go further, and of course the publicans got all the ready cash, the storekeepers all the credit for supplying stores for which they never got paid. The present supplicant, Mrs. Janet Vigor (now), bas been a great speculator in Government expectations for cutting tracks to some unknown place in the bush, vide tin mines, and then politely telling the Government officials, who invariably stopped at her house when passing through to Gippsland, what a grand thing she was doing for the country.
    I enclose my card. — Yours, &c., ONE OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.
    22nd November.13
  • 26 Nov 1877: BOWMAN'S TRACK. To the editor of The Age.
    Sir,—In your issue of Thursday there are a few editorial strictures upon the claims af three widows whose names are included in the supplementary estimates submitted to Parliament on the previous day. Please allow space for brief reply by one of the injured three. You state, in reference to the £300 set down as compensation to me that "Mrs. Janet Bowman may be a most worthy person, but her services in cutting a track towards the Jordan goldfields are at least twenty years old," and you go on to assert that as Sir James M'Culloch "never thought the claim sufficiently good to allow, is a tolerably fair proof that there is not much in it." You are erroneous in both statements. My services are not "at least twenty years old," and Sir James M'Culloch did think "the claim sufficiently good" for submitting to a select committee of the Assembly. In 1864—three years after my late husband's death—when the first rush took place to the Jordan goldfield, I expended £1500 in cutting a track from Berwick towards Jordan, extending fifty miles in a north-easterly direction. The benefits at the time from the track were immense, and more recontly the advantage to selectors has been appreciated by that energetic body of men. The country opened up through the means of my track is of an exceedingly rich character, both as to soil and minerals. It has been since occupied along the track by energetic selectors, and a population of industrious workers is fast increasing. Your space will not permit of a description of the difficulties I experienced in making my track through an unexplored region, but you can readily understand that expensive means and firm determination were requisite to accomplish a work the magnitude of which would have deterred most persons from even attempting. The changed aspect of the country is certainly a great pleasure to me, but I think compensation is also due for my labor and outlay in bringing about the change, beneficial to both selectors and the State. All the Gembrook and Beenak selections are on Bowman's Track, and there can be no doubt that but for this track that large amount of settlement would not have taken place. In fact, the interior was inaccessible before the track was made, and now the quantity of land in that direction which can be profitably taken up by selectors is virtually unlimited. When I commenced the undertaking I did so under the impression that in the event of this track proving useful in opening up the country I would receive all my outlay back from the Government, believing that certain sums had been voted for such purpose ; but up to this time l have not received any sort of consideration as a reward for my enterprise, though I have been given to understand that, in the event of the track being found useful for general purposes, I would certainly he entitled to compensation from Government. The lapse of time has proved its usefulness in opening up the country, and thereby causing a large revenue to the Lands department. Am I not, Mr. Editor, "a most worthy person" as regards my claim ? A committee of the Assembly has thought so, but I regret your "may be" implies you differ in opinion. The M'Culloch Ministry submitted my claim to the committee alluded to, and the gentlemen composing it gave the matter close attention. They inquired carefully, examined professional and other competent witnesses, and scrutinised every particular put forth in support of the claim. What was the result of this impartial investigation? That Mrs. Janet Bowman should receive £300 compensation. Not one-fourth of what I thought full remuneration, but I did not complain. I bowed with respect to the decision. The M'Culloch Ministry went out of office before the recommendation of the committee could be carried out, but I am pleased to see that Mr. Berry has justly determined to effect the intention of his predecessor's committee. I have full faith in the integrity of the Assembly, and therefore feel confident the members will act equitably towards me in this matter. An honest claim will never be disregarded by the gentlemen forming it. — Yours, &c., JANET BOWMAN.
    Dandenong, 23rd November.14
  • 1 Dec 1877: BOWMAN'S TRACK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AGE.
    Sir, — Allow me space for a few lines in reply to "One of the Subscribers " in to-day's Age. He seems to confound my track with that partially cleared by the late George Hughes. There is no connection between the two tracks. His was entered upon by subscription, to which I contributed £20. Mine was effected at my own cost exclusively. The whole of the stores supplied to my employes came from the shop of Mr. William Brisbane, of Berwick, who was paid every shilling by myself. He is alive, and can corroborate this assertion. No publican or storekeeper subscribed to open up Bowman's Track, but, on the contrary, every sixpence came out of my own pocket. — Yours, &c., JANET BOWMAN.
    Dandenong, 26th November.15

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Reconveyance of land to the Bowman family after the payment of £280 and interest. Book 181 Deed 279.
  3. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Application File 28640. Conveyance to Mrs Gibbes. Book 181 Deed 280. Mortgage Book 181 Number 281. A memorial of release was received into the Office of the Registrar General on 25 Nov 1869 Book 196 No 229.
  4. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "#D1124/1904 (Age 93) (par Alex WATT & Elizth TARBETT) - as Janet VIGERS, Death registered at Dnong, Australia."
  5. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 22 Jan 1904, p1.
  6. [S15] Newspaper - Village Bell 056-1987 p10 by John Milligan.
  7. [S15] Newspaper - Village Bell 057-1987, p15 by John Milligan.
  8. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, http://www.australiancemeteries.com/vic/greater_dandenong/…
    561/562 BOWMAN David 6/8/1860 54 Janet f/o James                
    561/562 BOWMAN James 7/7/1942 92 s/o David & Janet
    561/562 BOWMAN Janet 21/1/1904 94 David m/o James                               
    560/562 BOWMAN John Nicol 18/11/1849 9
    560/562 BOWMAN Peter D.W. 26/6/1907 62      
    560/562 BOWMAN William Watt 13/3/1860 22.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 7 Sep 1865, p3.
  10. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 21 Dec 1876, p2
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/200239274
  11. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 22 Nov 1877, p10
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5946027
  12. [S14] Newspaper - Bendigo Advertiser (Vic.), Mon 26 Nov 1877, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88208766
  13. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 26 Nov 1877, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206920161
  14. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 26 Nov 1877, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206920159
  15. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 1 Dec 1877, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206921290
Last Edited26 Jan 2023

Alexander Watt Bowman

M, #5060, b. b 7 Feb 1830, d. 3 Jun 1877
Father*David Bowman b. 1806, d. 6 Aug 1860
Mother*Janet Watt b. 23 Nov 1810, d. 21 Jan 1904
Birth*b 7 Feb 1830 Kirriemuir, Forfar, Scotland, baptised 7 Feb 1830.1 
Marriage*25 Mar 1851 Spouse: Janet Craig. Methodist / Wesleyan, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, #M3632 / 35C.2
 
Marriage-Notice*26 Mar 1851 MARRIED. At the Wesleyan Chapel, on the 25th instant, Mr Alexander Theophilus Bowman, Compositor, of this City, to Miss Janet Anastatia Craig, of Collingwood.3 
Trustee*19 Nov 1857 Dandenong Cemetery: Trustee of Dandenong Cemetery 19 Nov 1857 to 3 Jun 1877.4,5 
Land-Berwick*9 Nov 1858Selection: BER-Town S7-8. 2r 0p - consideration L8.6,7 
Archive*1867 Insolvent Estate 11288. Alexander Watt Bowman, Dandenong, Hotelkeeper.8 
Death*3 Jun 1877 Dandenong, VIC, Australia, #D4473 (Age 47.)2 
Death-Notice*5 Jun 1877 BOWMAN. -On the 3rd inst., at his residence, Dandenong, Alexander Watt Bowman, aged 47 years.9 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 6 Jun 1877: Mr. A. W. Bowman, an old resident of Dandenong well known in the neighborhood, died on Sunday night.
    He arrived in the colony thirty-seven years ago, being then ten years of age. Shortly after arrival his father and family settled in the Berwick district, and for some years were engaged in squatting pursuits. The deceased gentleman started the first store in Dandenong, when the township bore the aspect of wild bush country; and afterwards built the Dandenong Hotel (afterwards re-built by the late Mr. Dunbar). At another time he kept the Bridge Hotel, and, we are informed, owned about half of the township at one period. In the early days of Dandenong Mr. Bowman was most energetic in promoting the advancement of the place and took a lively interest in public matters, but during later years lived a comparatively unassuming life. His constitution had been failing for some years, and, after a brief illness, he breathed his last at twelve o'clock on Sunday night last, after having suffered from pleurisy in a severe form.
    Mr. Bowman leaves a large family and had only attained the age of forty-seven years. The funeral will probably take place on Wednesday morning, which, no doubt, will be attended largely by deceased's friends and acquaintances.10

Citations

  1. [S215] Unknown author, Bowman Exchanging one country for another, p31.
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 26 Mar 1851, p2.
  4. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 21 Nov 1857, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7142342
  5. [S405] Dandenong Cemetery Trust, Minutes 27 June 1863 memtioned that AW Bowman had resigned as secretary of the Trustees, and convener of meetings.
  6. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 10 Nov 1858, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7304288
  7. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 11866/P0001, Book J, Auctions & Selections, 29 Jan 1858 - 30 Dec 1858.
    Folio 1034. Date of Sale. Melbourne 9th November 1858. Report 532
    Alexander Watt Bowman. Parish of Berwick. Section 7, Lot 8. 2r. Estate for which granted/Enrolled 16a 193 Deed forwarded and where to 31 Dec 1858 Melbourne.
  8. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), Proceedings in Insolvent Estates (VPRS759)
    11288. Alexander Watt Bowman, Dandenong, Hotelkeeper
    VPRS 759/P0000, 11288.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 5 Jun 1877, p1.
  10. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), Wed 6 Jun 1877, p2
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70009913
Last Edited2 Nov 2023
 

NOTE

Some family sections show only the children who were associated with Upper Beaconsfield.

Some individuals may be featured because members of their family were associated with the Upper Beaconsfield area, even though they themselves never lived here.