The Bowdoin Armorial Tomb

Of this next heraldic tomb, The Heraldic Journal, Vol. II, pp. 135-136, tells of this family:

        This stone is placed at the entrance of the Bowdoin tomb, and probably the arms were assumed on good authority. The family here originated with Pierre Baudoin, a physician of La Rochelle, who fled to Ireland, in 1685, on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Thence he came to Casco and Boston, where his name was translated into Peter Bowdoin, and after a prosperous career as a merchant, he died here in September, 1706. He had two sons, William, who left an only daughter who married her cousin James Bowdoin, and James. This James Bowdoin was one of the wealthiest men in Boston, a member of the Council, &c., and died 8 September, 1747. By his three wives, he had sons William and James, and three daughters.

Of James Bowdoin, Preachers, Patriots & Plain Folks: Boston’s Burying Ground Guide to King’s Chapel, Granary and Central Cemeteries, by Charles C. and Suzanne Austin Wells, tells us:

        Hon. James Bowdoin (1726-1790), ae 64, Loc B-T6, 2nd MA Gov. 1785-87. Owned extensive lands in Main and Boston. Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, is named in his honor. A friend of Benjamin Franklin, he was the 1st president of American Academy of Arts & Sciences 1780-90. Also 1st president of present-day Bank of Boston. As governor, he was even handed in his treatment of the participants in Shays’ Rebellion in 1786 in Western MA, much to the opposition of Samuel Adams who advocated harsh punishment. His marker has the Bowdoin Coat of Arms. Son James Jr (1753-1811), graduate of Harvard and Oxford, was minister to Spain and associate minister to the French court. Interest in agriculture, he bred fine horses and cattle.  

The inscription below the arms reads: “Hon. James Bowdoin first of that name built this tomb before 1744 probably much earlier. In it were buried perhaps Pierre Baudouin the Hugueot without doubt Gov. James Bowdoin of Revolutionary memory and numerous other members of the Bowdoin family.

Bolton’s An American Armory cites: Bowdoin. Azure a chevron or between three teazels* proper.
        Crest: A swan. (The “swan’s” wings are elevated and addorsed, and it appears to be “vulning itself.” Is this depiction really supposed to be “a pelican in it’s piety”? Asking for a friend.)



* "Teazel bird" refers primarily to the European Goldfinch, which is famous for feeding on the seeds of the Teasel plant during winter. These birds use their specialized, slender beaks to extract seeds from the spiky, dried seed heads.

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