Bowditch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bowditch or a variant listed above:

Bowditch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• William Bowditch, who landed in New England in 1677 1

Bowditch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Walter Bowditch, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1878

Bowditch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. William Bowditch, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
• John Bowditch, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Sea Park" 3
• Mrs. Mary H Bowditch, (b. 1864), aged 23, Cornish domestic servant travelling aboard the ship "SS Abyssinia" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 24th March 1887 4
• Miss Lydia L Bowditch, (b. 1868), aged 19, Cornish domestic servant travelling aboard the ship "SS Abyssinia" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 24th March 1887 4

• Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838), early American mathematician, known for his book The New American Practical Navigator (1802) which is still carried on board every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel, eponym of numerous ships including the USCS Bowditch, USS Bowditch (AG-30), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-21) and the USNS Bowditch (T-AGS-62)
• James Bowditch (1904-1978), United States Army Corporal
• Henry Pickering Bowditch (1840-1911), American professor of physiology at Harvard University Medical School, and a founding member of the Society for Psychical Research, London
• Henry Ingersoll Bowditch (1808-1892), American physician, antislavery crusader, who established the first board of health in Massachusetts
• Sherwood Hornsby Bowditch (b. 1976), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Virginia, 2004 5
• Ben Bowditch (b. 1984), English football midfielder
• Dean Peter Bowditch (b. 1986), English footballer
• Steven Bowditch (b. 1983), Australian professional PGA golfer
• Clare Bowditch (b. 1975), Australian musician, writer, coach and occasional actor from Melbourne, Victoria
• Brian Hayward Bowditch (b. 1961), British mathematician