Watercolor of Lancaster County farm, title "FAIRVIEW FARM/ HOME OF AMOS BOWMAN" at bottom. Done on paper pasted down on acidic board (on reverse is printed: "WINSOR & NEWTON'S...38, RATHBONE PLACE, LONDON, ENGLAND." Paining is done over a pencil sketch, lines still visible. Artist employed a muted palette with a predominant use of gray.
Within a line border is a stone farmhouse surrounded by tall trees, barn and other outbuildings. Five people are busy working on the property. Road passes in front of farm and is bordered by two white picket fences. An uncovered Conestoga wagon and a horse and buggy are passing on the road. In the forground is an open pasture with grazing cows.
Amos Bowman was born in Providence Twp, Sept. 25, 1849. His father was a Reformed Menno. minister & bishop, but Amos became a farmer and eventually bought his present 60-acre W. Lampeter farm from Abraham Herr in 1868. He married Barbara Weaver, also a child of a Ref. Menno. minister (Joseph Weaver). The had no children and were active in the Reformed Mennonite Church. Amos was also active in the affairs of the twp., but since 1870 has been retire from both public affairs and farming. (p. 829 of Biog. Annals)
More information in file.
(Written by Wendell Zercher)
A monogram "JCR" is painted by artist at bottom right. Attributed to Julius R. Capel Rowley, artist & illustrator, who painted similar watercolors of homesteads for many individuals who were subjects of the 1903 Biog. Annals of Lanc. Co. Interestingly, Amos Bowman did not pay to have his farm included in the publication like so many other. Artist resided at 115 N. Lime St. in 1903 (City Directory). Rowley was the son of Rev. Julius Henry Rowley, M.A., rector of Walsby, near Market Rasen, England
