Manuscript heading: Major Bowmar
Joseph Bowmar enlisted as an ensign in Tennessee's 4th Infantry in 1798 at about age 21. In 1804, he became the first commander of Fort Miro in Ouachita Parish,Louisiana a site previously established by Don Juan Filhiol in 1791 and named for Governor Estavan Miro. The fort was the early governmental center of what is now Monroe, Louisiana.
Bowmar was promoted to Captain in 1804, bought land from the Bastrop grant in 1805, and married Celeste Hutchins of Natchez. After his daughter's birth in 1805, he resigned from the Army in 1806. Major Bowmar died around 1816 in Louisiana.
Source: Journey Through The Piney Woods, PDF p. 9.