Datestone of carved sandstone from mill of Wendell (Vantil) and Anne Bowman. Thick slab of sandstone with tombstone shape. Face is carved in bas-relief. Within a molded edge is a double-headed eagle perched atop a floral/scrolling motif ending in two double-leafed tulips. Below is an incised text in English: "Built by vantil/ & anne boman/ 1797."
According to Our Present Past, Bowman's Mill was on Penn Grant Rd., south side, east of Pequea Creek. It was a three story, three bay by five bay stone mill, with keystone lintels. At the time of the 1985 survey, the mill was abandoned and deteriorating quickly with no roof. After Bowman, the mill was sold to the Brackbill family in 1805 and then to Henry Neff in 1874. The Ellis & Evans account differs in dates and names (p. 1066).
There was a Wendel Bowman (1670-1735) who was among the first party of about ten Swiss Mennonite families who settled in Lancaster Co. in 1710. He immigrated to Germantown in 1707 before coming to Lancaster (Ellis & Evans, p. 685). He had a son Christian, who had a son Christian II (1724-1790), who had a 3rd son WENDELL (1758-1842) who married ANNE and built the mill. Thus, he was great grandson of the immigrant ancestor. Ellis & Evans note that Wendell Bowman operated a tavern in what is now Strasburg Twp. (p. 23) as well as the mill (p. 1066).
Provenance
Since the mill was in a state of disrepair, the owner hired Benuel King, an Amish demolition contractor, to raze the building, apparently sometime within the past year (2000). The datestone subsequently turned up at the Conestoga sale with no explanation as to origin.
Overall good condition but heavily pitted. Multiple losses, esp. around outside corners. Small fissures/scars, especially from "B" of Built extending to "e" of Anne, as well as a smaller one at top of arch. Significant portions of the right claw of eagle are missing. Remnants of mortar still attached to sides.
Object ID
P.01.17.1
Notes
Copyright photos provided by Frank Heatwole Dec. 2004
Charles Bauman (descendant) of Michigan visited July 2010 and purchased photo of datestone.
Ellis & Evans History of Lancaster County
Our Present Past
The unusally ornate design depicts the mix of cultures prevalent in Lancaster County. The double-headed eagle, the emblem of the Holy Roman Emperor, is not what one would expect from a Mennonite whose family had fled these very lands to escape the sufferings and deprivations of war and religious persecution. The design unexpectedly includes tulips to accompany the eagle. Finally, the Bowmans wanted their datestone written in English instead of their native German, likely an attempt to connect with their English-speaking neighbors whom they hoped would become customers. (Wendell Zercher)
Place of Origin
Strasburg Twp.
Usage
Bowman's Mill
Credit
Gift of John J. Snyder, Jr., in honor of the Krote cousins, Heri
oil on canvas portrait of two standing girls. Taller girl faces slightly right; shorter girl's body faces sister, embracing her waist, while face is turned sharply to nearly fully front. Tall ggirl has light brown hair with center part, tied with blue bows at back. Gray eyes. Multiple strand coral beaded necklace and gold hoop earrings. Blue wide necked dress with elbow length sleeves and buttons on sleeve cuff ans well as down front of dress. Skirt is pleated with 3 flounces. Lace trim at neckline and sleeve edge. lace blooms show below blue skirt. Red shoes with lback toe. younger girl has brown hair with center part. Multiple strand coral beadednecklace. Same ensemble only pink. Bows at shoulder. Older girl has flowers in right hand and corner of gold fringed shawl that drape down to bottom right. Basket of flowers at lower left. Large trees behind and to right of girls. Pastoral scene in distance through an open gate at background. Back has paper sticker at upper left "ART 64/120" Canvas stamped "A.Armstrong/Artist/Lancaster, Pa." "1849" painted below.
Painting: Oil on linen, Fair/Good, canvas sagging, cracking throughout, some paint loss in faces, abrasions.
Painting conservation needs: Surface clean.
Frame: None.
Frame conservation needs: None.
(eta, 08/08/2017,VAP) sagging cavas; semi-gloss, sheen on overall surface. Four areas of paint loss along older sister's nose on forehead and shoulder of younger girl and fourth loss at center right, approx. 3in from edge. Canvas edges worn with paint loss. Electrical tape covers all outside edges of stretchers. No frame.
Amanda Haldeman Armstrong, this is a companion portrait to Elizabeth Groff Armstrong. (Identifications based on names on brass plaques, which were probably added for a 1989 exhibition. At least a few of the identifications are unclear/questionable/contradictory. Aug 1 2017, VAP)
Oil on canvas portrait of seated woman facing slightly left. dark hair, center part, curled at sides and gathered at back of crown. Brown eyes. Pendant earrings have stone. Light colored wide necked dress with pleats over the soulders and center front. Pink rose at center of collar. Hands clasped on lap. Ring and bracelet with stone on left arm. Tan or yellow fringed shawl end held across lap and draping over forearm to bottom right. Another shawl held across lap and draping over right arm. Upholstered reddish chair seen at right. Large reddish drapery with fringe and tassel covers background and is pulled back to reveal window at left wiht outdoor scene. Brass plaque reads "Amanda H. Armstrong/1830-1913/Armstrong." Frame is 4in wide with molded profile and gilding.
Painting: Poor, 3 previous silk patches on back, surface grime, 15" tear lower center, 13" tear left center, 5" tear right center, some minor paint loss throughout.
Frame: Poor/Fair, 4" Sully-type gold frame with plaque on bottom, mildew damage and minor losses throughout.
Frame conservation needs: Surface clean, spot patch and gild.
(eta, VAP, 08/02/2017) Poor. Sagging loose canvas with dark grime overall. Some craquelure in lower half of cnavas. Large 4in irregular hole with extended tears at arm and bracelet. 15in long verrtical tear with 3.5in offshoot tear at left in window area. Irregular tears 3.5in by 1.5in at conter right. Adjacent area of white paint is 8in by 4in. Smaller L-shaped tear at bottom right is approx 1.5in x 1.25in. Back has 3 silk patches. Frame: fair to good. very dark stain under plaque at edge. Multiple gesso chips at all edges. Gilding somewhat darkened overall with scattered dark blotches.
White porcelain commemorative plate with black printed image of Colemanville Bridge. Surrounded by, "3rd International Volksmarch / Pequea, Pennsylvania"; "IVV / AVA"; "7 - 8 October 1989 / Penn Dutch Pacers"; signature, "G. Robert Wagner"
