Bowman, William, 1800 – 1874

William Bowman (1799-1874), pastoralist and parliamentarian, was born at Richmond, NSW, son of John Bowman (1763-1825). Bowman was granted two thousand acres of land on the Talbragar River in 1825 and later acquired further land at Bathurst. He acquired five acres of land at Bong Bong and built the Argyle Hotel and when the hotel was resumed for a new road he obtained six hundred acres at Berrima where he lived until 1841 when he returned to Richmond. Bowman travelled to England to select immigrant workers for his properties.

Bowman was an elected member of the old Legislative Council (1843-1851, 1853-1856). He was elected by a majority of one vote to the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Cumberland Boroughs (1856-1857). [ref:ADB 1 p 139]