Daniel Bowly (1745-1807)
of "Furley Hall" Baltimore, Maryland; Merchant, Town Commissioner & State Senator
He was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. His mother's family ran a shipping business from Baltimore that was well-known for transporting criminals from England to the Colonies to labor as indentured servants. Under their auspices, he too became a shipping merchant and was among those pioneers who contributed to Baltimore becoming the second largest in America in the first half of the 19th century. He owned Bowly's Wharf at the foot of South Street and his ships traded between Maryland and England. He was also a financier and after the Revolution he was appointed Town Commissioner, becoming one of the seven men who ran Baltimore. He was also Warden of the Port of Baltimore and served five terms as a State Senator.
As his fortune grew he bought up valuable real estate, notably between Seneca Creek and Middle River that became known as Bowly's Quarters (now spelled "Bowley's Quarters"). This was were he kept his slaves who fed themselves on the giant rockfish that were abundant in the surrounding waters. "Bowley's Lane" in Baltimore is also named for him and it was here, at the end of the lane, that he built his manor house, "Furley Hall" (see images), that was damaged by fire in 1906 and was eventually demolished in 1953.
A fervant Patriot during the Revolution, he was a Member of the Committee of Observation and together with his uncle, William Lux, they procured arms and supplies for the Maryland troops. He also helped to equip a number a privateers and raised money for the Marquis de Lafayette in 1781. In addition, he enlisted in Captain Sterrett's Company that was principally comprised of Baltimore merchants and saw action either as a Private or an Ensign at Germantown under "Mad Anthony" Wayne, at the Battle of Monmouth (1778), and at the Tory Uprising in Worcester, Massachusetts.
He fell in love with Ann, the beautiful daughter of Captain Alexander Stewart, but their family objected to the union as they were first cousins. In an unsuccessful attempt to cool his ardour, he was sent for a period to England but they were married on his return and they had eleven children, eight (listed) of whom survived childbirth. At his death his estate was valued at $30,327 and he owned 2,563-acres in both the city and county of Baltimore.
As his fortune grew he bought up valuable real estate, notably between Seneca Creek and Middle River that became known as Bowly's Quarters (now spelled "Bowley's Quarters"). This was were he kept his slaves who fed themselves on the giant rockfish that were abundant in the surrounding waters. "Bowley's Lane" in Baltimore is also named for him and it was here, at the end of the lane, that he built his manor house, "Furley Hall" (see images), that was damaged by fire in 1906 and was eventually demolished in 1953.
A fervant Patriot during the Revolution, he was a Member of the Committee of Observation and together with his uncle, William Lux, they procured arms and supplies for the Maryland troops. He also helped to equip a number a privateers and raised money for the Marquis de Lafayette in 1781. In addition, he enlisted in Captain Sterrett's Company that was principally comprised of Baltimore merchants and saw action either as a Private or an Ensign at Germantown under "Mad Anthony" Wayne, at the Battle of Monmouth (1778), and at the Tory Uprising in Worcester, Massachusetts.
He fell in love with Ann, the beautiful daughter of Captain Alexander Stewart, but their family objected to the union as they were first cousins. In an unsuccessful attempt to cool his ardour, he was sent for a period to England but they were married on his return and they had eleven children, eight (listed) of whom survived childbirth. At his death his estate was valued at $30,327 and he owned 2,563-acres in both the city and county of Baltimore.
