Free-Issue Death Certificates: BOWSER.
by Lisa Y. Henderson
William Hardy Bowser. Died 19 April 1928, Alligator, Tyrrell County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 9 September 1859 in Tyrrell County to Zion Bowser and Nansy Hill. Buried home cemetery. Informant, Linton Bowser, South Shores.
William Franklin Bowser. Died 28 June 1917, Alligator, Tyrrell County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 14 July 1862, Tyrrell County to Zion Bowser and Nancy Hill, both of Tyrrell Hill. Buried South Shore. Informant, Ardel Liverman, South Shore.
Ellin E. Sykes. Died 10 Dec 1930, Alligator, Tyrrell County. Colored. Widowed. Age 65. Born Tyrrell County to Zion Bowser and Nancy O. Buried at Twiddy graveyard. Informant, John W. Sykes.
In the 1860 census of Tyrrell County: Zion Bowser, 24, mariner, wife Nancy, 20, and son Hardy, 9 months.
Polly Bowser. Died 19 November 1932, Gum Neck, Tyrrell County. Negro. Widow of Randell Bowser. Midwife. Age 89. Born in Gum Neck to Abner Hill and Litha Hill, both of Gum Neck. Informant, Tom Barrow.
In the 1860 census of Tyrrell County: Abner Hill, 67, farmer, wife Elitha, 54, and Edmund, 23, William, 19, Elizabeth, 17, Mary, 12, Asa, 10, Agga, 8, and Eliza, 4.
John Bryant. Died 28 November 1923, Alligator, Tyrrell County. Resided Fort Landing. Colored. Married to Burney Bryant. Farmer. Age about 70. Born Alligator to Martin Bryant of Gum Neck and Nancy Bowser of Alligator. Buried South Shore cemetery. Informant, Bunch Bryant.
In the 1860 census of Tyrrell County: Martin Bryan, 50, farm laborer, wife Nancy, 25, and children Victoria, 12, Mary, 10, Sarepta, 7, Martha, 6, John, 4, Affa, 1, and Nelson Bryan, 11.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 
These are my relatives. William Hardy Bowser is my father’s maternal grandfather and John Bryant is my father’s paternal grandfather. Are you related to the Bowsers, Bryants, Hills, and Livermans of Tyrrell County?
Hi, Trish! Thanks for posting a comment! My FPC ancestors lived in Onslow, Wayne, Sampson, Duplin, Greene and Nash Counties, but I look for interesting material from every corner of North Carolina. Glad you found your people here! — Lisa H.
My maternal grandmother’s family is from Nash County. They were Jones, Locust (Battle) families.
DNA testing suggests that I may have Locus ancestry. I have a Battle line, and I’m related to several members of an extended Locus/Brantley/Eatman family. I also grew up with many Jones descendants in Wilson NC.
Hello,My name is Chris Bowser. William Hardy Bowser is my great-grandfather.Trish Bryant is my cousin.Lisa,Thanks for the posting.
Hi, Chris! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I’m always glad when I connect with a descendant of free people of color.
These are my relatives as well. You can e-mail me at yva.mendez@yahoo.com Nancy Hill is the sister to my 4th Great Grandmother Polly Hill.
Hi Trish, my name is Elona spencer. John Bryant was my great grandfather. His son Noah Bryant was my grandfather. I spent my childhood in Alligator. Lol I would love to talk with you.. Elons