1938, Benjamin Bowring & His Descendants, Arthur C. Wardle

Benjamin Bowring and His Descendants: A Record of Mercantile Achievement (1938) by Arthur C. Wardle is a comprehensive genealogical and historical account of the Bowring family, focusing on their significant role in Newfoundland's mercantile development. Published by Hodder & Stoughton, the book traces the family's lineage back to 1303 and highlights the entrepreneurial endeavors of Benjamin Bowring, who established a successful watchmaking business in Newfoundland in 1811.

📘 Overview

• Full Title: Benjamin Bowring and His Descendants: A Record of Mercantile Achievement

• Author: Arthur C. Wardle

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, London

• Publication Year: 1938

• Length: 229 pages

• Features: Includes illustrations, facsimiles, genealogical tables, and portraits

• Subjects: Bowring family, Newfoundland history, shipping, and mercantile trade

The book provides detailed accounts of the Bowring family's ancestors and their contributions to Newfoundland's economic growth. It also includes a list of vessels owned by the Bowring firm from 1818 to 1937 and a compilation of Newfoundland sealing masters, reflecting the family's involvement in the maritime industry. 

🧭 Significance

Benjamin Bowring (1778–1846), the patriarch of the family, was a watchmaker and businessman who founded a trading, shipping, and insurance business in Newfoundland. His ventures laid the foundation for what would become Bowring Brothers in Canada and C.T. Bowring & Co. in the United Kingdom. The family's enterprises played a pivotal role in the economic development of Newfoundland and had a lasting impact on its mercantile history.