name: Daniel Bowen dates:1831 - 1907

author: Mary Beth James
relationship to author: great great grandfather to my husband

A Unitarian preacher and family historian, Daniel leaves much behind in writing. From a letter dated April 25, 1888 we learn that his first wife, Betsey Jane Colvin, died in childbirth. Their son, Carroll Everett Bowen was raised by his maternal grandmother, Zorada Jane Barker Colvin. When Zorada Jane dies in 1888 Daniel writes his son a letter of condolance and advice, which you may view (side1, side2). A transcript of the letter follows.

Jacksonville Fla.
Apr.25 ’88
My Dear Carroll:
The news of your grandmother’s death could not be surprising in the circumstances and we cannot deplore an event so natural and inevitable. At the same time it brings us grief and many tender recollections. To you especially she has been like a mother and such she was to me as far as she could be. It seems so providential that she was spared to bring you up after she was stricken almost to death by the untimely loss of your mother—
You scarcely realize how much she has been to you. Beside what you plainly see I have the feeling that she has been to you a certain ballast—a conservative steadier of your life so far. I do not so much refer to lessons of words and good advice though I mean them too, as to the very fact of her presence. Possibly you are not unconscious of having sometimes sighed for a certain freedom which now you are glad you did not possess.
I have no suspicion that you are about to fly off on a tangent. I only want to suggest to you that in the loss of a conservative factor of your past life you will be obliged to fall back upon yourself to make good the loss, as far as possible, by deliberation and a careful selection of good counsel.

Did it ever occur to you that in our Bowen blood there is something of rashness. I see it in myself and my brothers. We tend to be radicals. I am not going back on that tendency. It is good only it needs to be balanced and its promptings need to be held in check.

Do not be too ready to make some heroic venture. Trade now a days too often takes the character of gambling. I hope much from the influence of the careful and business like ways of Simon and Henry Brewster. Every courageous and capable young man wants to go into business for himself but I notice that while there are many men who can do finely as employees, there are few who succeed in business on their own account.

Pardon the suggestions – I did not sit down intending such a letter. It has written itself and it must go. Julia joins me in sympathy and in greetings to the family and friends. Your affectionate father: Daniel Bowen

Written in the left margin: Of course we want a long letter as soon as convenient.