Samuel and Mary Bowne, of Flushng, and Their Friends.

SAMUEL AND MARY BOWNE, OF FLUSHING.85 SAMUEL AND MARY BOWNE, OF FLUSHNG, AND THEIR FRIENDS.1 "Samuel Bowne (1667-1745), the sixth child [and second son] of John and Hannah (Pheakes) Bowne, of Flushing, New York, was born in 1667. Of his early life we know nothing but what may be inferred from the character of his parents. He became a minister in the religious Society of Friends, and travelled as companion to Thomas Chalkley, Samuel Bownas 2 and others in the service of Truth." Samuel Bowne married Mary Becket on 4th of 8th month, 1691, being then in his twenty-fourth year. Mary Becket is described as an English Lady who, it is claimed, crossed the Atlantic in 1682 in company with William Penn.3 This tradition cannot be verified and how and when she came to Pennsylvania must be left at present unsolved. " She was the daughter of Elinor Percy, of whom family tradition relates that she became from causes which are not mentioned , a ward in Chancery, and that while so situated, she was addressed by a [Captain] Becket, who persuaded her to contract a runaway marriage. In consequence of this act, which by law subjected Becket to severe penalties, he is said to have been obliged to fly the realm, and to have perished in one of the Continental wars." Such is the statement which the old people re1A sketch of John Bowne, of Flushing (1627-1673), written by the late Charles Yarnall, of Philadelphia, was published in the Bulletin, Vol. II, pp. 44-67. The present paper is compiled and written from letters and notes left by the same Friend, and from other sources. 2 " The next day we had a meeting at Oyster Bay. . . . Next day, Samuel Bowne being with us, we went to visit a young woman that was weak in body, but lay in a comfortable frame of mind." " Journal of Thomas Chalkley," London, 1818, p. 231. See also " Life, Travels, etc., of Samuel Bownas," 2d ed., London, 1761, pp. 67, 95, 108, 141. 8 Her name does not appear in the list of passengers as given in H. M. Jenkins' "History of Philadelphia" (Philadelphia, 1895, pp. 78-80) ; nor is it found in Thompson Westcott's list " History of Philadelphia," Sunday Dispatch). The researches of these and other careful students have destroyed a number of traditions. f.5BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. ported of the father of Mary Becket. Her mother seems to have become a Friend and subsequently married a Haydock, under which name we find her addressing her daughter. " However doubtful some parts of this account may be, that Mary Becket had some pretensions to rank and that there was some unusual circumstance connected with her birth and parentage is pretty certain. She seems to have possessed higher qualities, and to have greatly endeared herself to her friends." It appears that her residence in this country had been with Phineas Pemberton 4 at the Falls of the Delaware in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The following letter was written in the year and probably soon after the date of the marriage of Samuel and Mary Bowne : Phineas and Phebe Pemberton to Mary Bowne. 2ist day of ( ?) mo. 1691 Dear Mary That parental love and care which we have had hitherto for thee has taken such deep root and impression upon our minds that we cannot forget thee—but much the contrary, very often have thee in dear remembrance and therefore speak often together concerning thee, as we have been even at this time before the writing hereof. Sometimes we have presentations of an expectation of seeing thee, in or about the house, about thy accustomed business ; and often to meet thee in thy usual walks in the garden, or the grove or on the river's bank. But when duly considered it is not so! being only a presentation of what in the mind is desired, as accustomed, and as yet not weaned from, but by degrees may. Sometimes we call thee!—but thou art too far removed to give answer. Thy morning salutations, and constant inquiry of our welfare, ceases. Thy wonted care for our rest and repose fails...