Information on family Bowden Auckland
I am looking for any relatives of Josiah Bowden my greatgrandfather.
Josiah Bowden owned Hansom Cabs and boarding houses in the early 1900s in Auckland and was married to Martha Best? they had three sons, Richard, Samuel and Ernest. Samuel Bowden (my grandfather died 1932) married Doris Anne Phillips and had issue Rex Lawrence Bowden and Keith Bowden. Any information on Josiah Bowden would be appreciated.
Comments
I am Josiah Bowdens Great Grand child I am the Grand Daughter of Martha Jane Bowden Daughter of Josiah Bowden she married Alfred James Weavers in Ashburton I was never told that she had any other sibblings if you would like to know more of this side of the family please dont hesitate to phone me at 094059467 or email at Judestours@yahoo.com my name was Judith Ann Weavers
my husband's grandmother was Eliza Jane Bowden, who had a brother Josiah. The parents were Richard Morcom Bowden and Elizabeth Rowe. Josiah was b. 1861 in Cornwall. Richard went to Brazil mining and Elizabeth married John Thomas. Josiah, and his siblings, migrated to Auckland when he was a child, with his mother and step father. Could this be your Josiah?
It would appear that this family did not register their marriage and children's births until they became eligible for the old age pension.
On 10 June 1932 Martha Patterson and Josiah Bowden *were registered* as married. (reference) NZBDM marriages 10/6/1932 1932/8490 Martha Patterson, Josiah Bowden
They also registered the births of their three children at the same time.
1932/6537 Bowden Richard Martha Josiah
1932/6539 Bowden Ernest Martha Josiah
1932/6538 Bowden Samuel Martha Josiah
On 12 October 1898 Richard Bowden was born to Martha and Josiah Bowden. (reference) NZBDM births 12/10/1898 1932/6537 Bowden, Richard, Martha, Josiah
On 4 July 1900 Samuel Bowden was born to Martha and Josiah Bowden. (reference) NZBDM births 4/7/1900 1932/6538 Bowden, Samuel, Martha, Josiah
On 20 April 1902 Ernest Bowden was born to Martha and Josiah Bowden. (reference) NZBDM births 20/4/1902 1932/6539 Bowden, Ernest, Martha, Josiah
On 1 September 1956 Martha Bowden passed away, aged 85 (reference) NZBDM deaths 1/9/1956 1956/23176 Bowden, Martha, 85Y
On 18 April 1943 Josiah Bowden passed away, aged 78 (reference) NZBDM deaths 18/4/1943 1943/19600 Bowden, Josiah, 78Y
In fact, there is more to this story. Martha (Best) Patterson was separated from her husband, moved in with Josiah, had 3 sons with him, and was not divorced until 1932 when she was free to marry Josiah. By this time the sons were in their thirties.
More detail is in the wikitree record https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Bowden-2999