My latest story is about a member of the very colourful Bowen Family. They came to Australia in the late 1840’s and took up four farms in the Newham area. The newspapers of the times are littered with references to family bickering and assaults. However one member of the family seems to have steered clear of most of the disputes.
Cr Richard Bowen JP was my great, great, great uncle. He is said to have brought an acorn from Wales which he planted. It grew to be one of the biggest oaks in Victoria. I wonder if it is still there…..
Leaving his farm in in around 1855 he moved to Jeffcott Street, West Melbourne and married his first wife Eliza Capelin. He soon became very involved in community and business affairs in the city. He served in many positions including on a school board, Director of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, Secretary of the West Melbourne Literacy Institute and also became a Councilor and Alderman for the Bourke Ward of the City of Melbourne. In 1879 he was named as a Commissioner to assist with running the International Exhibition which would be held at the newly completed Exhibition Buildings in 1880.
You can read the full story, as I currently know it, here
A Genealogy Journey 