The surname Farnam is identical with Farnum, Farnham, Framan and Varnum, and is spelled in various other ways in the early records. Many of the New England families are descended from Ralph Farnum, who settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635.

(I) John Farnam, the immigrant ancestor, probably related to Ralph Farnum, was born in England. He came, it is thought, from Devonshire or Somersetshire, England and settled in Dorchester, Mass., before 1638. He was admitted a freeman May 13, 1640, and followed the trade of a carpenter. In 1647 he moved to Boston, having bought a shop and land there. He belonged to the second church of Boston, of which he was made a deacon in 1650.
His first wife was Elizabeth ____, whom he married in England. He married (second) April 7, 1654, Susanna, daughter of Thomas Arnold, of Watertown.
Children of first wife:
John and Jonathan, who died young.
Henry, mentioned below.
Hannah, Joanna and Elizabeth.
Children of second wife:
John, Jonathan, David and Thomas.

(2) Henry Farnam, son of John and Elizabeth Farnam, was born in 1636, died Jan. 13, 1700. He lived at Roxbury for a time, and was a carpenter and joined by trade. He was a member of the Boston Artillery Company. He moved to Long Island, but later came to Killingworth, Conn., where he settled as early as 1666. In this place he was a deacon of the church, and the records show that he was a man of considerable influence in the community.
He married Joanna, daughter of Thomas Rutke. She died Aug. 11, 1689, at Killingworth.
Children:
Peter (mentioned below).
Elizabeth, probably married Thomas Swanne.

(3) Peter, son of Henry and Joanna (Rutke) Farnam, was born in 1660, died Feb. 14, 1703. He married, at Killingworth, Dec. 8, 1686, Hannah Wilcoxson.
Children, born at Killingworth:
Joanna, Peter, Hannah, Nathaniel, Josiah, Phebe, John (mentioned below).

(4) John (2), son of Peter and Hannah (Wilcoxson) Farnam, was born Nov. 30, 1702, died July 22, 1768. He moved from Killingworth to North Guilford about 1725, and on account of the flooding of his lands from raising levels of Lake Quonapaug he moved to Litchfield about 1749.
He married, at Killingworth, Oct. 29, 1725, Hannah Crittenden, who died Sept. 9, 1777, aged seventy-five years.
Children:
John, Lucy, Ruth, Seth, Gad, Nathan, Joseph (mentioned below), Benjamin and Hannah.

(5) Joseph, son of John (2) and Hannah (Crittenden) Farnam, was born at Litchfield, Conn., Sept. 10, 1740. He and his brother Benjamin settled in Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Mass., before the revolution. He was a first lieutenant in Captain Ebenezer Newell's company, Colonel Benjamin Simond's regiment, 1777-78, and fought with his company at Bennington. He appears also to have volunteered again in 1780 in the same company.
He married Anna ____.
Children:
Elizabeth, Lavina, John (mentioned below), and Hannah.

(6) John (3), son of Joseph and Anna Farnam, was born at Lanesboro, Mass., Oct. 27, 1767, died July 18, 1856. He married Electa Linsley.
Children:
Lydia, born April 11, 1794.
Oren J., March 12, 1797.
Electa M., Dec. 23, 1802, who married Levi Bowen (see Bowen).

(II) Farnam J. Bowen, son of Levi and Electa M. (Farnam) Bowen, was born in Lowville, Lewis county, N.Y., July 26, 1830, died Jan. 12, 1903. His education was acquired in the common schools and Lowville Academy, where he was an industrious and faithful student. Shortly after leaving the academy he engaged in farming on his own account and became one of the most successful farmers in the town.
In 1865 he removed to the village of Lowville, and in company with the late Charles H. Curtis, established a general produce and commission business under the firm name of Curtis & Bowen. The firm transacted a large and profitable business until 1887, when Mr. Curtis retired on account of ill health, Mr. Bowen continuing the business successfully during the active years of his life.
In connection with his large business interests Mr. Bowen found time to assist and become associated with other enterprises in Lowville. Upon the organization of the Black River National Bank he became one of the first directors, and in 1881 was chosen vice-president, which position he held until his death. He took a deep interest in educational affairs, and for many years was trustee of the Lowville Academy, and was a trustee of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Bowen was a quiet, unostentatious man, governed by a high sense of honor, of strict integrity, honorable and upright in all his dealings, and won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.
In politics he was a staunch Republican, but never sought public office.
Mr. Bowen married, Sept. 26, 1853, Sarah Frances Sterling, born in Root, Montgomery county, N.Y., Oct. 15, 1834, daughter of Solomon Shuler and Eliza (Sammons) Sterling.
Children of Farnam J. and Sarah F. Bowen:
John F., born Sept. 3, 1868, died Oct. 22, 1875.
Jay S., see forward.

Solomon S. Sterling was born in Florida, Montgomery county, N.Y., June 9, 1804, son of John and Esther Sterling. Eliza (Sammons) Sterling was born in Johnstown, N.Y. Oct. 19, 1813, daughter of John and Emma (Standring) Sammons. John Sammons was born in Albany, N.Y., July 28, 1783, son of Benjamin Sammons, who was born in Holland, and when a small child, about 1760, his parents, accompanied by an older child, a daughter, sailed for America, but the parents died on the voyage. The children were brought to Montgomery county, N.Y., where Benjamin found a home with an uncle, Samson Sammons, with whom he resided until he was nineteen years old. He later went to Albany, N.Y., established a tanery, and became a prominent business man of that place.
He married Hannah Mintline, in Albany.
During the revolutionary war he served in Captain Robert Hunter's company, Colonel Albert Pawling's regiment, New York militia.
Emma (Standring) Sammons was born in Newburyport, Mass., Dec. 11, 1795, daughter of Benjamin and Emma (Smith) Standring. Benjamin Standring was born in England, in 1762, son of John and Nancy (Taylor) Standring. Benjamin Standring came to America and brought the first carding machine ever brought into this country. Emma (Smith) Standring was born in Newburyport, Mass. May 5, 1775.

(III) Jay S. Bowen, son of Farnam J. and Sarah Frances (Sterling) Bowen, was born in Lowville, Lewis county, N.Y., April 22, 1871. He was educated at Lowville Academy and Williams College, acquiring a practical education which fitted him for th duties and activities of life. In 1892 he became associated with his father in business, and since the death of the latter he has continued the business successfully under the firm name of F. J. Bowen & Son. He has always been interested in the enterprises and efforts for the advancement and welfare of the community in which he resides, and has been chosen to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He is serving in the capacity of director of the Black River Bank of Lowville, director and secretary of the Lowville & Beaver River Railroad Company, trustee of the Presbyterian church, trustee of Lowville Academy, and is a member of the board of governors of the Lowville Club. He has also served as a member of the board of education, acting as chairman of the board for three years.
In politics Mr. Bowen is a Republican.
He married, Sept. 19, 1893, Georgiana, daughter of George Byron and Julia (Greene) Beach. (See Beach).
Their chldren are:
Farnam Jay, George Byron and Richard Herkimer.

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