Notes and ephemera relating to the history of the Meyer and Bowman families that were created or accumulated by Hervey Bowman. Includes genealogy records of Meyer family members in Switzerland and in Iowa, one item of correspondence from a family member seeking copies of the information, notes on the life of E.M. Bowman, a death certificate for Henry Rudy who died in Nashville, Tennessee during the American civil war, a list of Ferguson grandchildren, a note regarding Mr. Right's fence in Woolwich, and a note certifying John Meyer as an agent of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Thirteen items of correspondence between members of the Bowman family. The topics of correspondence include updates on relatives, current issues and news in Waterloo Region, the American Civil War, and more.

The members of the Bowman family represented in the correspondence include children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Rev. Joseph O. Bowman (1766-1849) and Christian Bowman (1766-1824). Although the families share a common distant ancestor the commonality of families in the set of correspondence represented here comes from Elizabeth Bowman (b. 1844) and Nancy Bowman (1839-1925), both children of Samuel B. Bowman, marrying brothers Allan (1841-1928) and Simon (b. 1844) Bowman, children of Samuel W. Bowman. A more complete family tree is included in file 1 of the fonds.

One item of correspondence from Allan Bowman to his brother Simon Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed December 2, 1895, Galt. The letter mentions that Allan is in Chicago and talks about his wife Nancy moving with him to California, but that funds mean this is now not possible. Allan also mentions that he is training Ben Unger to assist him with the malting season.

One item of correspondence from Benjamin Baer Bowman to his brother Samuel B. Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed March 31, 1865/April 1, 1865, Gains, Kent Co., Michigan. The letter discusses money of Benjamin's that Samuel is looking after as well as inquiring after Samuel's wife Elisabeth and their brother Elias.

One item of correspondence from D. L. [Daniel Lewis] Bowman to his cousin Simon Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed September 10, 1889 Berlin [Kitchener]. The letter discuss family members, including D's wife and two children recently being unwell as well as the weather and the hope for more rain. D teases Simon about becoming a "Yankee" and moving to "Pensyltucky" [a portmonteau of Pennsylvania and Kentucky] and mentions that he will be going to Toronto for the Toronto Industrial Exhibition [now the Canadian National Exhibition]. The letter also discusses D selling a property of Simon's referred to as "Mt. Zion."

One item of correspondence from Israel D. Bowman to his cousin Simon Bowman in Escondido California. The letter is dated and addressed September 21, 1895, Berlin [Kitchener]. The letter discusses family and friends including Simon's brother Allan who lives in Blair as well as Israel's children Bert, David and Sally, his brother William and their mutual cousin Dan. Israel also mentions that he was a student at the first log school in Waterloo which is now located in Waterloo Park and recently went to a reunion of fellow surviving students.

One item of correspondence from Joseph Bowman to his father Samuel B. Bowman and his sisters. The letter is dated and addressed December 9, 1870, Berlin [Kitchener]. In the letter Joseph discusses that he has married Nancy [Huber] and that he has been unwell. He discusses life on their farm including harvesting apples, potatoes and pumpkins keeping livestock, and dealing with pests. He also mentions that he is currently fixing their stable which he believes to be the oldest in Waterloo Township. As well, Joseph discusses the recent death of Joseph E. Erb without a will and that Joseph owed him $1200.

One item of correspondence from Joseph Bowman to his father Samuel B. Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed September 23, 1864, Carlisle Mills, Canada West. In the letter Joseph is writing to his father who is currently in Illinois. He makes mention of local happenings such as the Blenheim Union meeting, an auction and what his brothers are doing, as well as asks questions about the Civil War situation in the United States. Joseph wonders how the "copperheads" feel about Old Abe and Little Mack. This references Democrats who were against the war and their position on Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan. Joseph also updates his father on a local troupe of Civil War fighters who are currently in the Waterloo Region area but who are headed back to Kentucky and Alabama.

One item of correspondence from Maud Bowman addressed to her Aunt and Uncle [Simon and Elizabeth Bowman]. The letter is dated and addressed October 13, 1893 Goderich St., Perth [Australia]. Maud and her husband Oliver are recently married and Maud discusses life in Australia including a dried flower competition that she entered and that she is no longer teaching. She also complains that Oliver is away a lot, leaving her a "grass widow." Maud also asks after Annie and Howard, presumably the children of her aunt and uncle.

One item of correspondence from Maud Bowman addressed to her Aunt and Uncle [Simon and Elizabeth Bowman]. The letter is dated and addressed October 13, 1893 Goderich St., Perth [Australia]. Maud and her husband Oliver are recently married and Maud discusses life in Australia including a dried flower competition that she entered and that she is no longer teaching. She also complains that Oliver is away a lot, leaving her a "grass widow." Maud also asks after Annie and Howard, presumably the children of her aunt and uncle.

One item of correspondence from Oliver Bowman address to his aunt and uncle [Simon and Elizabeth Bowman]. The letter is dated and addressed October 13, 1893, Perth [Australia]. In the letter Oliver discusses family news, the Chicago Exhibition, plans for a trip to America and opportunities for importing tinned fruit to Australia.

One item of correspondence from Samuel Bowman addressed to Samuel Ensley. The letter is dated and addressed June 28, 1837, Waterloo. The letter discusses the purchase of timber between Samuel Ensley and Wendel Bowman that was otherwise intended for the mill of Samuel Bowman.

Correspondence from the Department of the Interior, Technical Branch, addressed to A.M. Bowman, Dominion Land Surveyor, in answer to his queries regarding interpretation of the instruction manual for filling out returns, as well as one draft letter in his hand. The geographical area in question is not mentioned but is probably the Township of Gladman[sp?], Nippissing, as a survey crew for this area is listed in SCA274-GA417-2-17 Notebook, for the fall of 1890.)

This volume documents the establishment and operation of an early local educational institution, and consists of one minute book containing directors minutes, some laid in, constitution, roll of members and directors, and accounts. Isaac L. Bowman was the first person hired to teach in the school. One item laid in is a piece of local ephemera with ms accounts on the verso, and reads: Grand Entertainment by the Girls of the Preston Public School, at George Roos' Hall ...May 20, 1871.

One item of correspondence from Maria and John Gerrie to her father Samuel B. Bowman and sister Nancy Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed July 2, 1878, Hamilton. In the letter Maria discusses recent Dominion Day celebrations in Toronto and taking the boat from Hamilton to their. She also mentions strawberry picking, friends visiting and that she is planning on going to the Mechanic's Institute Library. She also entreats her father to come visit her soon by taking the Great Western and Hamilton line.

One item of correspondence from Maria Gerrie to her father Samuel B. Bauman and brother-in-law Allan Bowman (husband of sister Nancy). The letter is dated and addressed March 18, 1878, Hamilton. In the letter Maria mentions that she has recently married John Gerrie and that they have just moved from Stratford to Hamilton. She also describes their new home in detail and compares it to the previous one.

Material relating to members of the Isaac Lucius Bowman family, their interests and activities. Some of the most significant local material in the fonds originates with the Bowman family. Isaac Lucius Bowman was born at Freeport in 1830, and was founder and principal of the Freeport Academy from 1867-1872. This very early educational institution is here documented with Proceedings of the Academy, ephemera, and two photographs of the members of the Academy. I. L. Bowman then trained to be a Provincial Land Surveyor, and many of the very early plans and maps in the fonds are from the Bowman Family belongings. Of his four sons, three also became surveyors and Engineers, while Hervey attended the Universities of Toronto and the Leipzig. His files relate mostly to his educational pursuits, but include some other family-related materials.

A notebook containing entries by more than one person including the following: "Construction Notes: Wahnapitae Bridge C.P.R., Pratt Truss (Iron), by F.M. Bowman, Wahnapitae, Nippissing, Sept. 22nd, 1888, consisting of 17 p. of plans and elevations. The t.p. is also signed "Hervey Bowman, Steelton, Pennsylvania", and contains his personal accounts and expenses for a trip taken in May-July 1891, as well as inserted notes and ephemera. This notebook also contains lists of survey crews (which included H.M., F.M. and A.M. Bowman) for areas of Northern Ontario: Township of Hess Algoma District (Summer, 1888), Townships 24 and 28, Manitoba (Aug-Sept.1890), Township of Gladman, Nippissing (Fall 1890), Township of Ware, Thunder Bay (Aug.-Sept. 1891).

A small notebook containing Hervey's notes, timetables, expenses, calculations, as well as transcription and explanation of humorous German anecdotes, and what appear to be transcriptions of headstones of Weaver and Bowman family members, with comments on the stone and condition.

This notebook was used by Isaac L. Bowman, and may also contain items written by Hervey Bowman. It contains notes and calculations regarding deeds and descriptions done, a list of medicines and clothes to pack to take to Port Arthur for survey work (1892), list of books (1892), several pages of cash accounts, receipts and disbursements, for Council, of which Isaac L. Bowman was Treasurer (1889).

One item of correspondence from H.W. Peterson to Samuel Bowman. The letter is dated and addressed July 31, 1841, Berlin [Kitchener]. In the letter H.W. Peterson, J.P. [Justice of the Peace] instructs Samuel Bowman, in his role as Clerk of the Township of Waterloo, to give money from Benjamin Bowman (poundkeeper) to Jacob E. Schneider (overseer of highways).

Correspondence with the Commissioner of Crown Lands regarding the quality of the survey work and payment due. Includes report from Robert T. Johnston, who re-inspected the survey, and also contains drafts and copies of correspondence, and a small plan of the Township of Hess. Correspondence not indexed.

Daily entries by Isaac Lucius Bowman in which he records his and his family's work and leisure activities. Isaac would appear to have been very busy man in 1885, as he records many surveying contracts, deeds registered, plans drawn up, etc., as well as his work as treasurer of the Town Council, a post to which he was appointed on January 9 of that year. His cash accounts for the Council are to be found in a notebook later used by his son, Hervey Bowman, now in SCA274-GA417-3-30. He also records (on Feb. 4) that he performed a marriage. Although the entries are fairly straightforward accounts of activities, they cast light on some little-explored aspects of life in nineteenth-century Berlin, as in this entry from Saturday, July 18, 1885: "Attended Love feast, it was a precious sacrament, Receiving of Members in forenoon Baptism in the afternoon at 2 o'clock P.M. in Grand River. 7 immersed and 2 sprinkled. Sunday School Children's meeting at 3 p.m. 6 speakers took part. It was an interesting time ..."

Trip diary, notes, sketches, and tourist ephemera relating to a trip taken by Hervey Bowman and George Wiegand in 1929, to Pennsylvania, on the 150th anniversary of the death of Christian Meyer. Hervey and his brothers Frank and Arthur tracked down family gravestones and re-erected Christian Meyer's stone in 1929. Blueprints of gravestones, actual size, were made by Arthur Bowman.