Samuel was the first of three sons named in his father's will andrecei ved a third of his father's land when the will was probated in1782.
Samuel's attitude during the war is given in a biographic sketch ofJos eph I. BOWLSBY of Neligh, NE, who is believed to be a grandsonthrough S amuel's son, Samuel. Several items given inthe sketch are ofdoubtful v alidity, but in light of what is now knownof Samuel's life,this has th e ring of truth:
"His grandfather, Captain Samuel BOWLSBY. .. served for sometime inthe m ilitia, which was organized for protection against theIndians.When the R evolutionary War broke out he resigned his position asanofficer in the m ilitia, as he was too old to enter the service hadhe been so inclined. His sympathies were with the British, as thesympathies of his family, s tillhe took no active part either way."
A quitclaim on 3 Nov 1801, for 35 acres from Samuel BOWLBY to HenryDUS ENBERY reveals that at that time Samuel owned practically all ofwhat i s today New Hampton with exception to the six acres bequeathedin his f ather's will to assorted grandchildren.These were the landsthat fell i n dispute in 1823. A manuscript map by D, Stanton HAMMONDof Hunterdon C ounty drawn from early deeds showsthat Samuel held afifty acre tract b efore his father's death that lay along the southbank of the Musconetc ong River in the vicinity of New Hampton inHunterdon County. The land i nherited from his father is said to haveincluded the family grist mill a t Imlaydale on the northbank of theMusconetcong River in Syssex, now W arren County.
Tom Chase at Ancestry.com said:
Samuel's estate was introduced into the Prerogative Court, Sussex Co.,2 2 Nov1823, at which time it was stated that Samuel "... died in themon th of November last past intestate seized of land and real estate,lyin g on both sides of the Musconetcong creek."
From the Prerogative Court Petition of the heirs of Samuel BOWLBYdated N ov. 1824: Samuel died "in the month of November, 1822 (no agegiven).. leaving heirs at law to whom it (property) hath descended, towit,
Samuel BOWLBY, his son, entitled to one share.
Hannah PIATT, wife of Benjamin PIATT, his daughter, entitled to onesha re.
Mary LACY, widowof John LACEY dec'd. his daughter, entitled to oneshar e.
Joseph L.BOWLBY, John S. BOWLBY, Henry BOWLBY, Samuel BOWLBY and JamesB OWLBY,sons of John BOWLBY his son who was entitled to one share.
Sally Martin HESS, wife of John Martin HESS his daughter who wasentitl ed to one share. Samuel LACEY, Elizabeth MORSE late LACEY, wifeof Robe rt MORSE, and Mary LACEY, a minor, children of Ann LACEYdeceased who w as the wife of Garret LACEY and daughter of said SamuelBOWLBY deceased and entitled to one share of his said real estate.
Also states that the property is "clear of all debt and that the saidr eal estate is not depreciating in value".
At the time of his death, Samuel held land described as "... the farmi n the counties of Hunterdon and Sussex on both sides of theMusconetcon g River, containing two hundred and fifty acres more oless, and also t he farm situate in the county of Sussex nearthevillage of Washington, c ontaining one hundred and seventy-fiveacresmore or less...."
