In 1815 he was on the way to serve in Louisiana, but the war had ended. In May 1824, Congress authorized the superior courts of each territory to hear suits from people who claimed they had been overlooked. [105] After this article appeared, several other eyewitnesses confirmed the account,[106][107] but because Rose was deceased the story can only be authenticated by the word of the reporter, who admitted to embellishing other articles, "and thus many historians refuse to believe it. [29][91], On February 23, the bells of San Fernando sounded the alarm for the approach of the Mexicans. "[117], Jim Bowie was inducted posthumously into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the 1988 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, in recognition of the impact that his eponymous design had upon generations of knife makers and cutlery companies.[119]. James and Maria settled in San Antonio. Believing the war was over, many of the Texian volunteers left the army and returned to their families. [108] His larger legacy is his position as "one of the legendary characters of the American frontier". The whole Bowie family owned slaves including my 3rd great grandfather. He always dressed with good taste, and his extreme politeness and fascination manners captivated those who knew him best. [87] Fearing for the safety of his wife's relatives in San Antonio, Bowie invited her cousins Getrudis Navarro and Juana Navarro Alsbury, as well as Alsbury's 18-month-old son, Alijo Perez Jr., to stay inside the walls of the Alamo. [19][20] Using this scheme the brothers collected $65,000 to be used for their land speculation. John Bowie, the first of his name in the annals of Maryland, came from Scotland, according to family tradition, about the year 1705-06, at the invitation of his maternal uncle, John Smith, who preceding him many years had settled on the Patuxent river, a few miles above the present village of . Some claim that Bowie designed it, while others attribute the design to noted knife makers of the time. [81] In another letter, to Governor Smith, he reiterated his view that "the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. A lot of people lost money and title to land that they were promised. After two ineffectual exchanges of shots, Wells and Maddox shook hands, but Cuney stepped forward and said to Colonel Crain. Anne [25], Bowie became internationally famous as a result of a feud with Norris Wright, the sheriff of Rapides Parish. Maddox, of Charles County, Maryland; Maj. Morris Wright, of Baltimore; Col. Robert A. Carin of Fauquier County,Virginia; Alfred and Edward Cary Blanchard, of Norfolk, Virginia (The latter the father of Senator N.C. Blanchard,) And Dr. Denny, composed the leaders of the two parties. Jim Bowie Every man except one it is said stepped to the side of Travers, and Colonel Bowie, who was too weak to stand, had his cot taken up by two men and carried across the line. Edmondson (2000), p.122. JAMES BOWIE OBITUARY James was called "Pop" by his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren and was known as "Uncle Tootsie" by his relatives. San Antonio Some believed that the Lipan took over the mine after the Mexican citizens left the area.of [62], After obtaining permission from the Mexican government to mount an expedition into Indian territory to search for the legendary silver mine, Bowie, his brother Rezin, and ten others set out for San Saba on November 2, 1831. [54] Although the Rangers would not be organized officially until 1835, Austin had founded the group by hiring 30 men to keep the peace and protect the colonists from attacks by hostile Native Americans. [41], After recovering from the wounds he suffered in the Sandbar Fight, in 1828 Bowie decided to move to Texas, at that time a state in the Mexican federation. The cholera epidemic instead struck Monclova, and between September 6 and September 14, Ursula, their children, her brother, and her parents all died of the disease. Prior to James' birth, Rezin had moved the family from Tennessee, where he had operated a gristmill. [108] Santa Anna ordered the alcalde of San Antonio, Francisco Antonio Ruiz, to confirm the identities of Bowie, Travis, and Crockett. "[106] One year after the battle, Juan Seguin returned to the Alamo and gathered the remaining ashes from the funeral pyre. [22][83], On February 23, the bells of San Fernando sounded the alarm of the Mexicans approach. [29], The Anglos in Texas began agitating for war against Santa Anna, and Bowie worked with William B. Travis, the leader of the War Party, to gain support. Austin requested to be relieved of his command of the army, and Sam Houston was named army chief. They had 2 children: James Royal Bowie Jr and one other child. [64], The following year the Mexican government passed new laws allowing land sale in Texas, and Bowie returned to land speculation. [29], Scholars disagree as to whether the knife Bowie used in this fight was the same design as the blade, now known as a Bowie knife, fabricated by a knifemaker in Arkansas who created another renowned large blade known as the Arkansas toothpick. [5]. By then, the United States had outlawed the importation of slaves from Africa. [118] Beginning with that article, "romanticized stories" about Bowie began appearing in national press. His rise to fame began in 1827 on reports of the Sandbar Fight. James Bowie was born on March 10, 1796, in Logan County, Kentucky. He married Sarah Whitehead in 1752, in North Carolina, United States. Erected by The City of Opelousas and the Opelousas Historic . It was there that he developed his spirit of adventure and was reported to have ridden alligators for sport. [16] [5] This Land Speculation irritated Stephen F Austin, but finally allowed James to settle there and accepted the tracts of land as part of the colony. Marie Elve Bowie (1832 - 1833)* Col James "Jim" Bowie Born 10 Apr 1796 in Terrapin Creek, Logan, Kentucky, United States Ancestors Son of Reason Bowie Sr. and Elvira Ap Catesby (Jones) Bowie Brother of David Bowie, Larissa Bowie, John Jones Bowie, Martha (Bowie) Sterrett, Mary (Bowie) Bird, Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Sarah (Bowie) Davis, Stephen Bowie and David Bowie The Bowies moved frequently, first settling in Georgia, before moving to Kentucky. Just do what you can. He was appointed a land commissioner and was tasked with promoting settlement in the area purchased by John T. Mason. [76] In early January 1836, Bowie went to San Felipe and asked the council to allow him to recruit a regiment. It is said that "To him the meaning of the word fear was absolutely unknown." The citizens of San Antonio believed the members of the Bowie expedition must have perished, and Ursula Bowie began wearing widow's weeds. "[103] Various eyewitnesses to the battle gave conflicting accounts of Bowie's death. In 1829, he became engaged to Cecilia Wells, who died in Alexandria on September 29, two weeks before their wedding. when he delivered them to Bowie's Island in Vermilion Bay. "[89], On February 3, Davy Crockett appeared with thirtyTennesseans. Several days before the ceremony he signed a dowry contract, promising to pay his new bride 15,000 pesos (approximately $15,000) in cash or property within two years of the marriage. Many craftsmen and manufacturers made their own versions, and major cities of the Old Southwest had "Bowie knife schools" that taught "the art of cut, thrust, and parry. [22] Bowie later served as a delegate to the Convention of 1833, which formally requested that Texas become its own state within the Mexican federation. [83] Bowie celebrated his appointment by getting very drunk and causing havoc in San Antonio, releasing all prisoners in the local jails and harassing citizens. The family moved to what eventually became Missouri in 1800 before settling in Bushley Bayou in Spanish Louisiana in 1802. [29], Bowie never talked about his exploits, despite his increasing fame. After Mexico won independence from Spain, government interest in mining waned. 72,182. During the War of 1812, Bowie and his brother joined the Louisiana militia, but saw little action. About December 17, Smith told Houston to begin planning for an expedition to Matamoros, Mexico. "[39] His fame, and that of his knife, spread to England, and by the early 1830s many British manufacturers were producing Bowie knives for shipment to the United States. Husband of Ursala Bowie (de Veramendi) Original name: James Bowie [29] Most of the noncombatants in the fort, including Bowie's relatives, survived. You can read all about it on his Wikipedia page and other books as well. Record added: Jan 01, 2001 James Bowie lived here with his family from 1815 to 1824. As Known As: Jim Bowie Born: 1796 in Kentucky Parents: Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones Bowie Died: March 6, 1836 in San Antonio, Mexican Texas Spouse: Maria Ursula de Veramendi (m. 1831-1833) Children: Marie Elve, James Veramendi Early Life James Bowie was born in Kentucky in 1796 and was raised in present-day Missouri and Louisiana. He stopped at Nacogdoches, at Jared E. Groce's farm on the Brazos River, and in San Felipe, where he presented a letter of introduction from Thomas F. McKinney, one of the Old Three Hundred colonists, to Stephen F. Austin. He married Margaret Frances Neville on 15 September 1814, in Louisiana, United States. Bowie met the attack, and, seizing his assailant, plunged his "Bowie knife" into his body, killing him instantly. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. We will remember him forever. On April 25, 1831, Bowie married Ursula de Veramendi in San Antonio; a little more than two years later, Ursula, her parents, and her child died in a cholera epidemic and Bowie reportedly turned to the bottle. Bowie, Sarah Davis (born Bowie), Martha Nugent / Sterret (born Bowie), Mary Bird (born Bowie), Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Jr., James Rezin Bow Bowie), David Bowie, Lavissa Bowie, John Jones Bowie, Sarah Bowie, Sarah Bowie, John James Bowie, Mary Bowie, Martha Bowie, Martha Bowie Mar 6 1836 - San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA, Rezin (Reason) Bowie, Elvira "elve" Bowie (born Jones). As the Mexicans stopped to reload their cannon, the Texians climbed a bluff and picked off some of the soldiers. James Bowie Birth 7 Jul 1799 - Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland Death 2 May 1867 - Castlecary, Cumbernauld Mother Anne Henderson Father John Bowie Show more Quick access Family tree Records 185 Photos 29 New search James Bowie family tree Family tree Explore more family trees Parents John Bowie 1770 - 1848 Anne Henderson 1772 - 1855 Spouse (s) This enhanced his reputation, although they didn't find the mine. He convinced 14 or 15 other citizens to apply for land and transfer it to him, giving him 700,000acres (280,000ha) for speculation. As Colonel of the militia, Bowie organized and led a party of 26 men west into the Indian . The Texians returned fire and, after the cavalry retreated, initiated a siege of the garrison. He was the son of Reason (or Rezin) and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones (or Johns) Bowie. At 35, Bowie was still a handsome, beguiling man; with de Veramendi's consent, he wooed and won the then-18-year-old Ursula, and they were wed in April 1831. One Texian and ten Mexican troops had been killed. James had 4 brothers: Robert Robertson Bowie and 3 other siblings. "[46] Bowie's fame, and that of his knife, spread to Great Britain, and by the early 1830s, many British manufacturers were producing Bowie knives for shipment to the United States. Jim Bowie Research Paper. Their quarrels finally resulted in arrangements for the fight on the Sandbar, the principals, however being Dr. Maddox and Samuel L. Wells, the others as witnesses, seconds, and surgeons. [80], Through Bowie's connections because of his marriage and his fluency in Spanish, the predominantly Mexican population of San Antonio often furnished him with information about the movements of the Mexican army. Dr. James Bowie, is a Family Medicine specialist practicing in Westminster, CO with 5 years of experience. Bowie's older brother John recorded his birth date as March 10, 1796. In his right hand he grasps the hilt of a sword. Bowie was born in Kentucky in 1796. Both Bowie, Texas and Bowie County, Texas are named in honor of Jim Bowie. On April 25, 1831, Bowie married nineteen-year-old Maria Ursula de Veramendi, the daughter of his business partner, who had become the vice governor of the province. broad, single-edged and with a curved point. Cs had sent 100 soldiers to cut grass for the horses. Already confined to his cot by illness, Bowie was killed with the other defenders when the Alamo finally fell to numerically superior Mexican forces. Sarah Bowie Davis (1787 - 1819)* [22] On August 2, 1832, he joined a group of other Texians and marched into Nacogdoches to "present their demands" to Piedras. Bowie and the Alamo commander, James C. Neill, decided they did not have enough oxen to move the artillery, and they did not want to destroy the fortress. With the latter he also bought and improved a sugar plantation in Louisiana, where he served for a time in the state legislature and spent much time in New Orleans society. [44] However, Rezin Bowie's grandchildren said that Rezin only supervised his blacksmith, who was the designer of the knife. Tragically, his young wife and her parents died in Monclova in 1833 when a cholera epidemic swept across northern Mexico. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. When the citizens purchased the grants, James bought the leagues from them. There was conflict between the two leaders and their troops in the tiny Alamo. [105] Various other stories circulated, with some witnesses claiming that Bowie shot himself and others saying he was killed by soldiers while too weak to lift his head. Bowie visited several Indian villages in East Texas in an attempt to convince the reluctant tribes to fight against the Mexican government. Thirty-fiveyears after the Alamo fell, a reporter identified Louis "Moses" Rose as the only man to have "deserted" the Texian forces at the Alamo. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Bowie joined the Texas militia, leading forces at the Battle of Concepcin and the Grass Fight. "[4], They had two children,[10] Marie Elve Bowie, born March 20, 1832 and James Veramendi Bowie, born July 18, 1833. . Stories of him as a fighter and frontiersman, both real and fictitious, have made him a legendary figure in Texas history and a folk hero of American culture. The soldier maintained that Bowie verbally castigated a Mexican officer in fluent Spanish, and the officer ordered Bowie's tongue cut out and his still-breathing body thrown onto the funeral pyre. TOGETHER THEY HAD SEVEN CHILDREN: STEPHEN, JAMES, HEMAN, RUFUS (MY GGG-GRANDFATHER), ALBERT, [48], In 1828, after recovering from the wounds he received in the Sandbar Fight, Bowie decided to move to Coahuila y Texas, at that time a state in the Mexican federation. 12. "[69], An hour after the battle ended, Austin arrived with the rest of the Texian army to begin a siege of San Antonio de Bxar, where General Martn Perfecto de Cs, the overall commander of Mexican forces in Texas, and his troops were garrisoned. The NPI number of James Bowie is 1720581523 and was assigned on March 2018. It sacrifices everything in favor of ground attack, HP, and speed. After learning that Santa Anna had 4,500troops and was heading for the city,[88] Bowie wrote several letters to the provisional government asking for help in defending the Alamo, especially "men, money, rifles, and cannon powder". Though he gained such a terrible reputation as a duelist, he is especially noted for his efforts to free Texas from her Mexican oppressors. They proceeded to Saltillo, located in NW Mexico (160 miles west of the now Texas border). On October 22, Austin asked Bowie, now a colonel in the volunteer militia, and James W. Fannin to scout the area around the missions of San Francisco de la Espada and San Jos y San Miguel de Aguayo to find supplies for the volunteer forces. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Bowie, Electric Scotland - Biography of James Bowie, Texas State Historical Association - James Bowie, Spartacus Educational - Biography of James Bowie, James Bowie - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), James Bowie - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). He chose the surname Bowie because he admired James Bowie and the Bowie knife.[115]. But it was as a soldier that he shines forth in all his greatness. [112] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. [94][95] On February 26, David Crockett reported that Bowie, though suffering from his affliction, continued to crawl from his bed around noon every day and presented himself to the Alamo's inhabitants, which much boosted the moral of his comrades. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. James R Bowie of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota was born on November 28, 1957, and died at age 44 years old on March 11, 2002. . If so, login to add it. After the carnage was over and the heroes of this modern Thermopylae had all been slain, their corpses were burned by the savage Santa Ana, who lost in the eight days fight against one hundred and eighty-five men, more than two thousand of his best troops. Colby James Price, 16 of Bowie, TX went to be with our Heavenly father on Monday, January 2nd, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the reversal in 1833. David Bowie (1798 - 1816)* [66] Captain WilliamY. Lacey, who spent eight months living in the wilderness with Bowie, described him as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities. A number of films have depicted the events of the Battle of the Alamo,[120] and Bowie has appeared as a character in each. Bowie County in northeast Texas, and the city of Bowie in Montague County, Texas, were both named in honor of James Bowie. He is best known for documenting the court appearances of people who protested at the Canada Convoy protest in 2022. [22], The Texas Revolution began on October 2, 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales. They chose Bowie, infuriating Travis. [92], Bowie and Travis began sending out couriers with pleas for provisions and assistance. James Bowie was born in 1728, in Orange, North Carolina, United States. [71], In July 1832, after hearing that the Mexican army commander in Nacogdoches, Jos de las Piedras, had demanded that all residents in his area surrender their arms, Bowie cut short a visit to Natchez to return to Texas. [58], On April 25, 1831, Bowie married nineteen-year-old Maria Ursula de Veramendi, the daughter of his business partner, who had become the vice governor of the province. John was affectionate to his son. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Last edited on 26 December 2022, at 01:39, films have depicted the events of the Battle of the Alamo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Bowie&oldid=1129555526, This page was last edited on 26 December 2022, at 01:39. [33], Newspapers picked up the story, which became known as the Sandbar Fight, and described in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. Others said he was killed by soldiers while too weak to lift his head. Three years before the death of Colonel Bowie he lost his wife and two infant children by Cholera. Parents: [44] For the next eighteen months Bowie travelled through Louisiana and Mississippi. [79] Houston knew that there were not enough men to hold the fort in an attack and had given Bowie authority to remove the artillery and blow up the fortification. James Bowie - Builds. At the end of the fight, the Texians had two wounded men but had captured many horses and mules. James Veramendi Bowie son Elve Ap-Catesby Bowie mother Rezin Pleasant Bowie, I father John Jones Bowie brother Sarah Davis sister Martha Nugent / Sterret sister Mary Bird sister Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Jr. brother Stephen Bowie brother David Bowie brother About Col. James "Jim" Bowie (commander Alamo volunteers) In later years Bowie and Crain became reconciled, and, each having great respect for the other, remained friends until death. A number of hostile Indian tribes roamed the area, including Comanche, Lipan Apache, and Karankawa, and without government troops to keep the tribes at bay, mining ceased. "[106] According to Wallace O Chariton, The "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[1] version is that Bowie died on his cot, "back braced against the wall, and using his pistols and his famous knife. "[109] Jim Bowie posthumously was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the 1988 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia in recognition for the impact that his eponymous design made upon generations of knife makers and cutlery companies. [72] The council refused Bowie's request, likely because of lingering animosity over his land dealings. This knife, it is asserted, was used by Col. James Bowie in nineteen deadly encounters. [99] Santa Anna and his army began a siege of the Alamo on February 24. In response to the rumblings, Mexican troops established military posts in several locations within the province, including San Antonio de Bxar. He again was turned down, as he "was not an officer of the government nor army. [6] [102][103] On February 26, Crockett reported that Bowie, though suffering from his affliction, continued to crawl from his bed around noon every day and present himself to the Alamo's inhabitants, which much boosted the morale of his comrades. Previously city included Kennesaw GA. James also answers to James Arnett Bowie, James Dowie, James A Bowie, James H Bowie and James A Bowie, and perhaps a couple of other names. Witness accounts agreed that Bowie did not attack first, and the others had focused their attack on Bowie because "they considered him the most dangerous man among their opposition. Very similar to his father and grand father before him Jim Bowie was an adventurer. Source The Bowies & their kindred by Walter Worthington Bowie. [56] Bowie's report of the expedition, written in Spanish, was printed in several newspapers, further establishing his reputation. The Bowie brothers arrived in New Orleans too late to participate in the fighting. The "Sandbar duel" as it was called, which took place on a little island in the Mississippi River opposite Natchez, Sept l9.l827 has been more written of perhaps than any other of his numerous fights. This left Fannin who was intending to go with Johnson.[24]. At the same moment Edward Blanchard shot Bowie in the body, but had his arm shattered by a ball from Jefferson Wells. I. [93][94] Bowie hurried to gather provisions and herd cattle into the Alamo compound. Bowie was forced to flee Monclova and return to the Anglo areas of Texas. Without government troops to keep hostile natives at bay, mining and mineral exploration were impossible. [40], Newspapers picked up the story and named it the Sandbar Fight, describing in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. Hopewell (1994), p. 119. [3] Bowie was the ninth of ten children born to Elve Ap-Catesby Jones and Rezin Bowie. Bowie led an expedition to find the lost San Saba mine, during which his small party repelled an attack by a large Native American raiding party. Bowie is a Scottish and Irish surname.The name can be derived from the Gaelic nickname buidhe, meaning "yellow", "fair-haired".The surname can also be an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Buadhaigh; [better source needed] this surname means "descendant of Buadhach" and is also rendered as Bogue and Boyce. James married Veramendi's daughter, Maria Ursula de Veramendi, age 19, April 25, 1831 in San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio de Bexar, Texas Colony. [45], After the Sandbar Fight and subsequent battles in which Bowie used his knife in self-defense, the Bowie knife became very popular. Family tree of Jim BOWIE Industrialist, Businessman Born James Rezin BOWIE American pioneer, slave trader and soldier who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution Born on April 10, 1796 in Logan County, Kentucky , United States Died on March 06, 1836 in Alamo Mission, San Antonio , United States Born on April 10 63 Deceased on March 06 49 [73] The scouting party left with 92men, many of them members of the New Orleans Grays, who had just arrived in Texas. The following year the family acquired 200 acres (80 ha) along the Red River. [6] Soon Jim became ill with either pneumonia or tuberculosis, mentioned in reports, but it isn't clear which. James Bowie, byname Jim Bowie, (born 1796?, Logan County, Ky., U.S.died March 6, 1836, San Antonio, Texas), popular hero of the Texas Revolution (183536) who is mainly remembered for his part in the Battle of the Alamo (FebruaryMarch 1836). [26] After a confrontation in Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie. [22], Bowie never talked of his exploits despite his increasing fame. [29][52], On January 1, 1830, Bowie left Louisiana to live in Texas, permanently. Shortly before the senior Bowie died, circa 1820, he gave ten slaves and horses and cattle to both James and Rezin. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 8 daughters. "Remember the Alamo" became the war cry of the Texans, and Santa Ana, a short time afterwords, had his army annihilated and himself taken prisoner with that shout ringing in his ears. Despite conflicting accounts of his death, the "most popular, and probably the most accurate" accounts maintain that he died in his bed while defending himself against Mexican soldiers.[4]. [8] Immediate Family Mary Bowie wife John Bowie, II son James Bowie son Eleanor Clagett daughter Allen Bowie, I son Lucy Bowie daughter Capt. General Houston had directed Colonel Bowie to raise a company and cooperate with his advance against Santa Anna. James and Rezin Bowie,7 other men,and 2 servant boys repel 164 native americans near the San Saba River only one Texan died and one man was injured Jan 1, 1833 . [58] Captain William Y. Lacey, who spent eight months living in the wilderness with Bowie, described him as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities. Bowie was the ninth of ten children born to Reason (or Rezin) and Elve Ap-Catesby (ne Jones, or Johns) Bowie. [83], Shortly after Bowie left San Antonio, Ben Milam led an assault on the city. A statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior . James Bowie, who became known on Twitter this year for chronicling the court appearances of various 'Freedom Convoy' organizers, is the subject of an official complaint to the Law Society of Ontario. [16][17], Shortly before their father died in 1818 or 1819, he gave ten slaves, and horses and cattle to both Jim and his brother Rezin. [113] The show, which starred Scott Forbes, was based on the 1946 novel Tempered Blade. In 1810, the family relocated to Madrid, Missouri, where they lived for two years before moving again to Louisiana in 1802. James Bowie family tree. The Texans returned fire and the Battle of Nacogdoches began. Bowie and the Alamo commander, James C. Neill, decided they did not have enough oxen to move the artillery, and they did not want to destroy the fortress. Everett is a descendant of Rhodi Bowie, Jr. of Maryland, and later SC. On February 20, Bowie swore an oath of allegiance to Mexico and proceeded to San Antonio de Bexar. The Bowie family lived in Franklin, Kentucky near Terrapin Creek and on Bowie's Mill Road (later Turnertown Road). [71], On November 3, 1835, Texas declared itself an independent state, and a provisional government was formed with Henry Smith of Brazoria elected provisional governor. After moving to Texas in 1830, Bowie became a Mexican citizen and married the daughter of the vice governor of the province. *Calculated relationship He has been described as having high cheek bones, deep set piercing gray eyes, and light colored hair-not quite red. IMPORTANT LINKS. His mother was a slave owned by their father. [37] Rezin Bowie's grandchildren, however, claimed that Rezin merely supervised his blacksmith, who was the creator of the knife. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. On October 22, Austin asked James W. Fannin and Bowie, now a colonel in the volunteer militia, to scout the area around the missions of San Francisco de la Espada and San Jos y San Miguel de Aguayo and find supplies for the volunteer forces. [14][15] The group encountered little resistance and, after capturing Nacogdoches, declared Texas an independent republic. Bowie captured a six-pounder cannon and thirty muskets and lost one man.