Gen George BOWNESS [1980]

  General Notes:

GENERAL OFFICERS LATELY DECEASED
1833
MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE BOWNESS.
This officer, who belonged to the Madras Establishment of the Honourable East India Company service, was, on his first arrival in India, attached to the grand army, then lying a little beyond the Mount, and continued with it till after the battle and siege of Cuddalore. He next went on detachment to the northward with the late Colonel George Muat, to secure a refractory Ranee, who was living in a fort in the Polaveram jungle. After some trouble and delay she gave herself up and the subject of this memoir was ordered to escort her within a march of Masulipatam, where he was relieved, and ordered to march through an unsettled district to Muddipullam, and place himself under the chief of that factory, Mr. John Chamier, who, on his arrival, gave him the charge of the fort of Mugleetore, four miles distant from his residence, wherein resided the widow of a late Rajah, with particular instructions to prevent all intercourse between her and her late husband's prime minister, Bopiah, a clever and intriguing character. After some time Bopiah waited upon this officer by night, and requested he would permit his admission into the fort, at the same time offering a present, which was, of course, refused. Before, however, taking his leave, he said, that if his request was reconsidered and complied with, he would make the fortune of the young officer. Early on the following day, our subject wrote to Mr. Chamier all that occurred, who, in reply, complimented him in the most handsome manner fur his conduct.
From Mugleetore he was detached into the Noozed Zemindary, and for his services received a letter of thanks from General Braithwaite, the chief and council of Masulipatnm. He was also frequently detached into the jungles after the disturbers of that part of the country. Mr. Gambier, being subsequently appointed collector of Mugleetore, Bopiah, finding he could make no impression upon that gentleman's integrity, resolved to attempt to carry by force what he could not effect by intrigue. He accordingly came upon Mugleetore at the head of n large chosen hand of Rajpoots. with the view to plunder the Company's cash chest, and carry off the collector. To oppose this force, Lieutenant Bowness had only one company of sepoys and a few invalids. Bopiah's intentions were, however, completely frustrated, and Mr. Gambier wrote to Lord Hobart, then Governor of Madras, an account of the whole circumstance, at the same time requesting that a revenue corps might be formed for the protection of his district, and the command given to the subject of this memoir. The request was immediately complied with a battalion was formed, and it was commanded by Captain Bowness for twelve years, during part of which period the regular regiment to which he belonged accompanied the army against SeringnItatam, and Captain Bowness solicited permission to join it but, situated as he then was, leave could not be granted to him.
Some time after this, General Braithwaite appointed this officer, then Major Bowness, to the command of Nellore, in his division, where, shortly after assuming the command, he received an express from Madras, by night, to remove with all the force that could be spared from the garrison with the utmost expedition. He accordingly quitted that place early in the morning, with five companies, and reached the Presidency early on the third day following, a distance of 102 miles.
After the Newaub was placed upon the musnud, Major Bowness carried the battering train into the Mysore country, preparatory to the formation of the grand army. He remained with that part of it that was left on the banks of the Toombuddra, and was from thence detached with a large sum of money to Hyderabad. On his return thence, he received an order, as his tents were pitching, for them to be struck immediately, and marching off through very thick jungle, arrived about six in the same evening in time to prevent a second attack upon the Company's treasure, three lacs of pagodas, under charge of Lieutenant Wight.
From the encampment on the banks of the Toombuddra, this officer marched under the command of the late Colonel Alexander Macleod to the Malabar coast, to settle disturbances in that quarter, which object was effected by this force.
When in the ceded districts, Sir W. Clarke selected this officer to the command, which government were pleased to approve of on the termination of the service.
Whilst in command at Masulipatam, he received an express from Hyderabad, that a large force of freebooters had passed the Residency, with a view, as he was well informed, of plundering the pettah of Masulipntam. He instantly consulted the civil judge, and proposed to march with part of the garrison to the northern frontiers, to prevent their making a dash into the Company's territories, but was told, in reply, that the panic of the inhabitants in the pettah and the surrounding country was so great, that if Major Bowness left the garrison, he, the judge, believed all the numerous inhabitants would quit their houses. As no time was to be lost, Major Bowness immediately ordered a strong detachment, and selected some active officers to command (including the late Lord Molesworth). It immediately marched, and thus prevented any thing happening to Masulipatam or the pettah.
Soon after, Colonel Bowness found his health giving way to the effects of the climate, and he was consequently obliged. in 1817, to return to England, after a residence in India of upwards of thirty-three years without a furlough. He attained the rank of Lieut-Colonel, 21st September, 1804; of Colonel, 4th June, 1813; and of Major-General. 12th August, 1819. He died at Sutton Benger, Wiltshire, on the 6th of July last, very generally respected.
Ref: The United Service Journal 1833

George in his Will left a Benefaction of £100 to the Township of Bolton for the benefit of the poor, it was invested in the Broughham Trust. Recorded on a board of Benefactors in All Saints, Bolton, Cumbria.


George Bowness
Last Will and testament of George Bowness of Sutton Benger a major general in the service of the honourable East India Company, revoking all former Wills by him made.

First I devise that my funeral be conducted with as little expense as decency will permit and that no hearse be used except where necessary to move my body to the place of burial, but my body be carried to the grave by a proper number of underbearers to each of whom I direct my executors to pay one sovereign for their trouble.

I give and devise to my only son John Bowness a captain in His Majesty's eightieth regiment of foot and to his heirs etc. all my estate, land, etc. in the parishes of Bolton and Appleby and one in the county of Westmoreland called Peat Gates etc., and all other my real estate at Appleby or elsewhere in Westmoreland etc. to his use and his heirs, etc.

I give all my copyhold messuage, appurtenances etc. at Sutton Benger new in my own occupation and which I hold for lives under the Lord of the manor of Sutton Benger and all right of renewal or other benefit to be derived therefrom, all such estate and interest I give to my daughter Emma Bowness for herself, her executors, etc.

All my household goods, furniture, plate, linen, china, books, etc., with my horse and carriage (but not my wine, liquor, etc.) I give to Emma Bowness.

I give to my daughter Harriet Carr, the wife of George Bowness Carr of Saint Lawrence Pountney Hill in London Esquire £2000 for her own use.

To my daughter Ann Hodges Smith late widow but now the wife of Doctor Latham 100 guineas, and the like sum to my daughter Caroline Russell wife of George Edward Russell Esquire, my daughters being well provided for by their respective families.

I give my friend Reverend John Watson Beadon rector of Christian Malford my single barrel gun by Joe Manton.

I give my good friend Reverend Edward Jackson vicar of the parish of Bolton, Westmoreland 10 guineas, and also £100 upon trust to be given by him to the poor of Bolton.

I give my friend William Gundry of Chippenham, Wiltshire banker whom I've appointed one of my trustees and executors 20 guineas.

I give my friends Charles Bailey of Chippenham surgeon and William Poole of the same place banker £300 in trust.

For my executors to pay all legacies within 3 calendar months of my decease.

For all the residue and remainder of my monies and securities for stocks in the public funds and all other my personal estate and effects as well as my wines, liquors, and spirits (which I direct to be sold) to my brother James Bowness now residing at Lisbon Merchant and William Gundry, their executors etc. upon trust to pay each of my grandchildren 20 guineas at age 21 within one year of my decease.

To pay one equal fourth part of the residue of my estate each to my son John Bowness, my daughter Emma Bowness, my daughter Harriet Carr, and the final fourth part for my friends Charles Bailey and William Poole, their executors, etc. for the benefit of my daughter Hester Davies and her children (exclusive of her husband Alfred Eilos Davies).

I have lately put £3,000, 3.5% stock into the names of Charles Bailey and William Poole settled by indenture dated 5th June 1832.

£300 given to executors Charles Bailey and William Poole, their executors, etc. (and any interest) to go towards the education of my grandchildren to my daughter Hester Davies in whatever ways they see fit.

My brother James Bowness and William Gundry to be joint executors, each being chargeable only for what they actually receive, and not to be accountable for the other executor or executors.

For my executors, their executors, etc. to appoint any new executors if ever necessary and for any new executors to act with the same powers, etc. as any original executors.

For my executors to reimburse themselves for any costs or expenses involved in execution of the trusts.

Signed
25th April 1833
George Bowness

In the presence of us
Broome Pinniger solicitor, Chippenham, Wiltshire
Sarah Messiter, Sutton Benger, widow
Susanah Wheeler of Sutton Benger, servant to George Bowness

Codicil
25th April
Where in my said Will I have appointed my brother James Bowness as one of my trustees and executors, since realising that
he is not resident in this country, I do revoke his appointment as such and all gifts, trusts, powers, etc. given to him
and instead give unto Charles Bailey of Chippenham, Wiltshire surgeon jointly with William Gundry of Chippenham, Wiltshire
banker, their assigns, etc. all the residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects and make Charles Bailey my
co-executor in place of James Bowness. I give Charles Bailey 20 guineas as a small acknowledgement for his trouble to be paid him by 3 months after my decease free of legacy duty.
Signed
29th May 1833
George Bowness

In the presence of us
Broome Pinniger
Sarah Messiter
Susanah Wheeler

Proved at London with a codicil 26th July 1833 by the oaths of William Gundry and Charles Bailey executors to whom admon was granted.

Transcribed and summarised by C. L. O'Sullivan 21.04.2023.

George married Harriet Martha ROBINSON [1966] [MRIN: 634], daughter of Martin ROBINSON [1964] and Mary ELLITHORNE [1963]. (Harriet Martha ROBINSON [1966] was born on 6 Jan 1777, baptised on 16 Feb 1777 in St James Clerkenwell and died in Jun 1857 in YKS West Riding.)