Abigail (MORGAN) BOWMAN METCALF

The Story of Abigail (MORGAN) BOWMAN METCALF

Abigail's history is kind of interesting, I find. She was born the 7th of 8 children to Evan B. MORGAN and Abigail (NETHERTON) on 7 February 1809 in Cocke County, Tennessee. The Morgans moved to Missouri in 1817, first to Saline County. By 1819 Evan has unclaimed mail in Franklin (published in newspaper) and is presumed dead. Abigail (NETHERTON) MORGAN moves her family to Ray County before 1821. The daughter Abigail MORGAN marries William BOWMAN on 1 June 1828 in Ray County. William BOWMAN becomes the sheriff of Daviess County. Later Abigail's brother (William MORGAN) becomes sheriff there and William BOWMAN is his deputy.

The late 1830's was the time of the "Mormon Wars" in north-west Missouri. As sheriff, William MORGAN became entangled in these turbulent times. Here is a published account of what happened to the sheriff and his deputy and how Abigail (MORGAN) BOWMAN became a widow:

Story provided by Tom Keller.

      Date: June 12, 1847

      On the Oregon Trail, Wyoming:


At 8 a.m., the pioneers continued their journey along the North Platte River. [...] Stephen MARKHAM learned from Judge BOWMAN, the leader of one of the Missouri companies, that his son, William BOWMAN had been murdered for aiding in the escape of Joseph and Hyrum SMITH from Liberty Jail, Missouri, in 1839. The mob had been led by Obediah JENNINGS. [JENNINGS was said to be one of the murderers who also participated in the Haun's Mill Massacre.] The Missouri mob had rode William BOWMAN on a bar of iron until he died. [Hyrum SMITH told the tale that while Joseph and Hyrum were being transported from Daviess County to Boone County, in a change of venue, Sheriff William MORGAN and the guard, William BOWMAN let them escape. The Sheriff purposely drank freely from a jug of whiskey and three other guards did too. "They also went to bed, and were soon asleep and the other guard went along with us, and helped to saddle the horses. Two of us mounted the horses, and the other three started on foot, and we took our change of venue for the State of Illinois; and in the course of nine or ten days arrived safely at Quincy, Adams county, where we found our families in a state of poverty, although in good health." The story told in the History of Daviess County states: "The sheriff reported that the prisoners had all escaped in the night, taking the horses with them, and that a search made for them proved unavailing. The people of Gallatin were greatly exercised, and they disgraced themselves by very ruffianly conduct. They rode the sheriff on a rail, and BOWMAN was dragged over the square by the hair of his head." Judge BOWMAN told Brother MARKHAM that Sheriff MORGAN was in Oregon.]


After William BOWMAN's death, Abigail married William METCALF on 6 October 1844, whose first wife (Elizabeth ELKINS) died on 26 December 1843. She is also buried next to William BOWMAN in the Tate-Metcalf Cemetery. Census records from 1850 show that Abigail and William METCALF are married and living with children of their own and with children from both of their previous marriages.

The Story of Abigail (MORGAN) BOWMAN METCALF

Story provided by Tom Keller.

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	Date: June 12, 1847
	On the Oregon Trail, Wyoming:
	At 8 a.m., the pioneers continued their journey along the North Platte River. [...] Stephen MARKHAM learned from Judge BOWMAN, the leader of one of the Missouri companies, that his son, William BOWMAN had been murdered for aiding in the escape of Joseph and Hyrum SMITH from Liberty Jail, Missouri, in 1839. The mob had been led by Obediah JENNINGS. [JENNINGS was said to be one of the murderers who also participated in the Haun's Mill Massacre.] The Missouri mob had rode William BOWMAN on a bar of iron until he died. [Hyrum SMITH told the tale that while Joseph and Hyrum were being transported from Daviess County to Boone County, in a change of venue, Sheriff William MORGAN and the guard, William BOWMAN let them escape. The Sheriff purposely drank freely from a jug of whiskey and three other guards did too. "They also went to bed, and were soon asleep and the other guard went along with us, and helped to saddle the horses. Two of us mounted the horses, and the other three started on foot, and we took our change of venue for the State of Illinois; and in the course of nine or ten days arrived safely at Quincy, Adams county, where we found our families in a state of poverty, although in good health." The story told in the History of Daviess County states: "The sheriff reported that the prisoners had all escaped in the night, taking the horses with them, and that a search made for them proved unavailing. The people of Gallatin were greatly exercised, and they disgraced themselves by very ruffianly conduct. They rode the sheriff on a rail, and BOWMAN was dragged over the square by the hair of his head." Judge BOWMAN told Brother MARKHAM that Sheriff MORGAN was in Oregon.]
	After William BOWMAN's death, Abigail married William METCALF on 6 October 1844, whose first wife (Elizabeth ELKINS) died on 26 December 1843. She is also buried next to William BOWMAN in the Tate-Metcalf Cemetery. Census records from 1850 show that Abigail and William METCALF are married and living with children of their own and with children from both of their previous marriages.