Bowden Photographic Collection
The Bowden family name is still one of the most prolific surnames in the Stroud area with many inter- action to other pioneer families of the 1800’s. It is understood approximately 2000 descendants attended a Bowden family reunion at the Stroud Showground in 2004.
The family of William Bowden (1824-1914) and his wife Elizabeth (nee Godfrey) (1798-1838) who were from Benenden, Kent, England, were assisted migrants arriving in Sydney in November 1838 on the ship “Maitland”. Elizabeth and a baby son died not long after arriving. (Ref: The Benenden Bowdens by Colin King 1988)
William’s brother Joseph and his family also migrated around the same time.
Many of the two families stayed in the Sydney area whilst others gravitated towards the Hunter region – Paterson, Raymond Terrace, Newcastle and Stroud where they worked in many diverse trades.
Thomas (1824-1914), the third son (4th child) of William and Elizabeth, married Hannah Wattus (1831 – 1905) in Stroud in 1849 and they produced 16 children. Two of their sons, Thomas III (1857-1911) and James (1862-1950), married local girls Mary Barnes and Emily Bate respectively and it is believed these two lines are the most prevalent in the Stroud district for carrying on the name.
Date 2019-02-14Other CollectionStroud and District Historical Society![Unidentified young wedding couple, [n.d.]](/img/placeholder.gif?1734981411 "Unidentified young wedding couple, [n.d.]")
Scanned byKaren Moller