Bertram Egerton Bowker, 1820 Settler^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]}

1808 - 1904  (96 years)

• Name	Bertram Egerton Bowker
  Suffix	1820 Settler
  Birth	24 Nov 1808	Morpeth, Northumberland, England   [7, 8]
  Baptism	7 Jan 1809	Mitford, Northumberland, England   [9]
  Gender	Male
  Baptism	4 Oct 1813	Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England   [10, 11]
  Parish of Almer BAPTISMS 1731 - 1879 These records have been transcribed from the Bishop's Transcripts.
  Residence	1816	Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England   [1]
  Settler	7 Jan 1820	Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
  	Bowker's Party on the Weymouth
  Residence	25 Jun 1820	Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  Residence	Between 1825 and 1836	Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  Death	28 Dec 1904	Santa Clara, Parktown, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa   [12]
  	Estate File MOOC 6/9/1756 R7165 and TAB MHG 207 Death Notice Ref TAB MHG 6307
  		Bowker, Bertram Egerton [161] dn#2 Caption Note: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BK-5T53 Keywords: Death Notice
  		Bowker, Bertram Egerton - death notice Caption Note: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BK-5T53 Keywords: Death Notice
  Death	1907  [13]
  1820 Lineage	Yes
  Settler ID	103
  Name	Bertram Egerton Bowker 1820
  Burial	Rand Pioneer Memorial, Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa   [14]
  		Rand Pioneer Memorial 01 Caption Note: http://www.graves-at-eggsa.org/main.php?g2_itemId=741009 Keywords: Gravestone
  Person ID	I161	master
  Last Modified	19 Sep 2024

  
  

  Father	Miles Bowker, 1820 Settler,   b. 1758, Deckham Hall, Gateshead, Durham, England d. 25 Mar 1839, Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 81 years)
  Mother	Anna Maria Mitford, 1820 Settler,   b. 1782, Mitford Manor, Mitford, Northumberland, England d. 8 Jul 1868, 'Kruisfontein', Alexandria, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 86 years)
  Family ID	F102	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Anne Maria Simpson,   b. Abt 1815   d. 31 Oct 1879, Berlin, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 64 years)
  Marriage	30 Aug 1838	Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa   [4, 5, 6, 15, 16]
  		Bowker, Bertram Egerton to Ann Simpson marriage Caption Note: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TWM-SS5S Media Date: 30 AUG 1838 Keywords: Marriage
  Notes	Bathurst, Cape of Good Hope Bertram Egerton Bowker, Bachelor, of this District, and Anne (with the “e” crossed out) Simpson, Spinster, of the District of Graham’s Town, were married by Banns according to the rites and ceremonies of the United Church of England and Ireland in this Church this thirtieth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. By me, James Barrow, Colonial Chaplain This marriage was solemnized between us { B. E. Bowker (signed) { B (crossed out) Ann Simpson (signed) In the presence of { M. E. Bowker { T. J. Biddulph { W. Bowker (not certain?)
  Children	1. Ellen Bowker,   b. 27 Mar 1839 + 2. Mary Ellen Bowker,   b. 26 Sep 1840   d. 19 Feb 1915, Willowfountain, Albany, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 74 years)   3. Sybilla Bowker,   b. 4 Nov 1841   d. 17 Apr 1843, 'Klip Fontein', Grahamstown District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 1 year)   4. Bertram Egerton Bowker,   b. 8 Oct 1843, Died In Childhood,,, + 5. Anne Elizabeth Bowker,   b. 1844   d. 13 Apr 1933, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (Age 89 years)   6. Thomas Holden Bowker,   b. 1847   d. Fort Jackson, Eastern Cape, South Africa   7. Bertha Bowker,   b. 24 Mar 1848, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa d. 24 May 1946, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa (Age 98 years) + 8. Fanny Bowker,   b. 30 Dec 1849, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa d. 28 Jul 1941, St Catherine's Nursing Home, Spring Road, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, England (Age 91 years) > 9. Catherine Agnes Bowker,   b. 23 Jul 1851, Oakwell, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa d. 19 Nov 1925 (Age 74 years)   10. Alexander Bowker,   b. 1853   d. 27 Apr 1921, Kijabe, Kenya (Age 68 years) + 11. William Russell Bowker,   b. 1855, Oakwell, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa d. 1916, Kenya (Age 61 years) + 12. Gordon Cross Bowker,   b. 1857   d. 24 Apr 1946, Kenya (Age 89 years)
  Family ID	F119	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	27 May 2020

  
  

• Event Map

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  Birth - 24 Nov 1808 - Morpeth, Northumberland, England Baptism - 7 Jan 1809 - Mitford, Northumberland, England Baptism - 4 Oct 1813 - Parish Church of Saint Mary, Almer, Dorset, England Residence - 1816 - Manor Farm, South Newton, Wiltshire, England Settler - 7 Jan 1820 - Portsmouth, Hampshire, England Residence - 25 Jun 1820 - Olive Burn farm, Kleinemonde, Eastern Cape, South Africa Residence - Between 1825 and 1836 - Tharfield, Kleinemonde, Bathurst District, Eastern Cape, South Africa Marriage - 30 Aug 1838 - Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Settler Photos » Slide Show	8 Settler Photos
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums - with the Bettingtons Keywords: Picture
  	Bowker, Bertram Egerton Caption Note: from Ammy's albums Keywords: Picture
  	Bowkers, Mary Eliz, Bertram, James Henry Keywords: Picture

  
  

  Miscellaneous

  Bertram Bowkers fiddle Caption Note: photo taken by Paul TT in the Albany Museum, Grahamstown. Keywords: Miscellaneous

  
  

• Notes

  A member of the expedition party into Kaffirland, and a Member of the Legislative Council from 1879 to 1883. Published his 'Diary of B. E. Bowker'. . Bertram took part in the campaign against the M'fecani in 1828 and served in the Corps of Guides in the war of 1834-1835. In the war of 1846-1847 he was Commandant, Mill River Station and was in charge of the laager at Oakwell in the war of 1850-1853. He was commandant of the Rovers in the war of 1877. In 1879 he was Member of the Legistalative Council for Eastern Province. The following is quoted from H.E.Hockley's book, Story of the British Settlers of 1820 in South Africa: "On the outbreak of the Ninth and last Kaffir War in 1877, not many of the original settlers were still living, and most of those still surviving were certainly too advanced in years to take an active part in the campaign. Several of those still able to do so, however, joined the Rovers, a mounted force raised at the request of the Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, and commanded by an original settler, Bertram Egerton Bowker. This unit rendered yeoman service throughout the campaign, and on its return to King William's Town, the old and grey haired commandant was specially congratulated by the Governor, who declared that the volunteers had saved the country from being overrun by the natives." The Berlin Volunteers (Cavalry) Corps, was raised in 1877 and was commanded by Captain BE Bowker. Bowker later headed his own Rovers, the 5th also known as the Berlin cavalry troop of the Kaffrarian Volunteer Rifles. He was succeeded as head of the Berlin volunteers by Lieutenant (promoted Captain, 1 January 1878). L. L. Vincent, field cornet of Berlin. The unit disbanded in July 1880. "The Frontier War Journal of Major John Crealock 1878" ............................................... Very skilled with his hands, making many things including wagons and several violins. from 'Major T C White and his Descendants' by FDC White, page 65. "Bertram was taught to read by his elder brother Holden after the days work was done and he was the most skilled with his hands. Whether making a wagon, violin or walking stick, it was sure to be a work of art, perfect in detail and finish. The following is an extract from his diary regarding the making of a fiddle: "Then there came an old blind man, his name was Commons. He had been a bandmaster in the Cape Corps. Now Holden would learn to play the fiddle. Mother bought him one from Commons for 30/-. As soon as he began to play a tune I wanted to learn also but had no fiddle. What was to be done. I looked at his and said to Holden 'I never tried to make anything but could always do it and I think I can make a fiddle'. He said ' to be sure you can if you try'. So I set to work to get the green wood out of the bush - three different sorts - hard for the back, soft wood for the belly and tough for the sides. The wood dried as I went on with the work. Soon I had a fiddle just as good as the bought one. Soon learnt to play, then we both used to play together. As soon as the neighbours found we could play they began to be merry and get up dances and parties and were always wanted, to play the fiddle. The people began to think no small beer of us and our fiddles. We enjoyed it as much as the others and as we were getting big boys and begun to find out that there was girls in the world as well as boys." Bertram's fiddle is on display in the Albany Museum in Grahamstown, A member of the expedition party into Kaffirland, and a Member of the Legislative Council from 1879 to 1883. Published his 'Diary of B. E. Bowker'. After the war of 1835, Bertram was the first of the brothers to leave Tharfield, going sheep farming on the Koonap. About 1840 he moved to the Fish River Rand to a farm called Klipfontein, near Bowden, but after the death of one of their children (Sybilla) he sold the place and in 1845 bought Oakwell. Farmed at Oakwell near Grahamstown where his brother Mitford was buried. He moved to the Goldfields in Johannesburg in 1887. from:British South Africa A History of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope from its Conquest 1795 to the Settlement of Albany by the British Emigration of 1819 [A.D. 1795 - 1825] WITH NOTICES OF SOME OF THE BRITISH SETTLERS OF 1820 BY COLIN TURING CAMPBELL [Residient at Graham's Town, 1845-1871]:- Bertram Egerton Bowker, J. P., a farmer, lived on the eastern Frontier of the Colony since 1820. In 1827 he was commandeered by Captain John Crause against marauding Kafirs; in 1828 commandeered under Major Dundas to put down marauding Zulus under Matawani their leader, served eight weeks, together with commando and Tambookie army, retook 50,000 head of cattle ; in 1834 commandeered on Christmas Day, remaining in active service until peace was proclaimed, after which had charge of 6,014 head of Government cattle ; in 1846 had command of a camp with fifteen English and Dutch families, patrolling the neighbourhood till the end of the war ; in 1851 again had charge of a large camp, doing good service in constantly patrolling ; in 1873, when the police were dead beaten at the Ibeka, volunteered for active service, when Kreli's house and kraal were burnt and his tribe driven over the Umtata. On returning from the Transkei was put in command of East London district. Was on active service when Tainton and Brown were murdered ; caught two of the murderers, who were hanged. The Government offered a reward of £200 for the capture of the leader; Bertram caught the leader, who died in gaol, but never received the reward. During the last skirmish with the rebels had two men killed, one wounded, and two horses shot. In 1876 was returned as a member of the Legislative Council for East London. ~~~~~ There is a discrepency between MD Nash and E Morse-Jones;E Morse Jones feels he came out in 1822 with brother John - see the letter to Gouldburn under John Mitford Bowker's notes. He was 10 when he came out to the Cape with his father Miles. He was taught to read by his brother Holden. Very skilled with his hands, making many things including wagond and several violins. He was involved in several of the wars. Farmed at Oakwell near Grahamstown where his brother Mitford was buried. He moved to the Goldfields in Johannesburg in 1887 and died there in 1907. [13]

  
  

• Sources

  [S444] Tanner - Tremaine, Paul, BOWKER 1820 GEDCOM, (http://www.geocities.com/settlers1820). [S6] M D Nash, "The Settler Handbook", (Chameleon Press ISBN 0 620 10940 8), 11 Feb 2003, p 47. [S387] Morse Jones, E, "Roll of the British Settlers in South Africa", (A.A. Balkema / Cape Town). [S380] Bathurst English Episcopal Church, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1829 Bathurst English Episcopal Church, (Cory PR 3448). [S3116] Bathurst English Episcopal Church, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials - 1829 Bathurst English Episcopal Church, (Cory PR 3448). [S390] Grahamstown Methodist - Commemoration Chapel, Register 29/3/1822 -1860, (CORY MS 15 899/1). [S20] Death Notice or Certificate. [S243] Baptism Records - 1813, Parish of Almer, Dorset. [S3828] England, Northumberland Parish registers, 1538-1950, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRH-VCLB (Reliability: 2). [S2808] Parish of Almer baptisms. [S3124] Baptisms - Parish of Almer, Dorset. [S2181] Family Search website, (www.familysearch.org), https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BK-5T53 (Reliability: 3). [S5018] Jervois, Wiliam. [S2594] eGGSA Library, https://www.graves-at-eggsa.org/main.php?g2_itemId=4994044 (Reliability: 2). [S2181] Family Search website, (www.familysearch.org), https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TWM-SS5S (Reliability: 3). [S15] Grahamstown Journal, https://www.1820settlers.com/genealogy/documents\Grahamstown Journal 1832-1890.pdf#page=56.