James Bowie, free man of color

MAPS

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Louisiana, 1835

Catahoula Parish, 1864

This is a Civil War military survey of the part of Catahoula Parish that the Bowies lived in: Bushley Bayou, Little River, etc. (The above maps are courtesy of Sharon Pierce of the Rootsweb Catahoula Parish website)

This is a present-day GoogleEarth satellite picture of the area depicted in the 1864 Catahoula Parish map

James Bowie, FMC lived on 640 acres on the Bushley Bayou or Bushley Creek, according to surviving documents. Exactly where his land was located is under research. The map on the left shows the location of early Catahoula Parish property locations, including the properties of Rezin and Rhease (Rhesa) Bowie. The map on the right shows those same lots against a late 20th century Catahoula Parish map. Bushley Creek is highlighted on the map.

Why are the 19th century lots irregular in shape and alignment? The answer can be found in the following:

"Sir:

In obedience to an order from H. B. Cenas, the register of this district, I proceeded to survey the claim confirmed to the heirs of Louis de Lahoussaye, but was stopped by Stephen Bowie, saying that he would forcibly prevent the survey. I have been stopped before by James Bowie. I supposed that I could call in the assistance of the marshal to protect the surveyor, and with this expectation I went to New Orleans, and called on the marshal; but, on examination, we found there was no law to authorize him to protect the surveyor. This being the case, the surveys must now stop. The persons holding land under Bowie will never allow the survey of those lands to made in a manner different from their wishes." - Extract of a letter from A. F. Rightor, principal deputy surveyor of the southeastern district, Louisiana, to J. Dunbar, surveyor, Washington, dated March 29, 1830