History of the House and Family
The Henry Bowers, Sr. family moved from York County, Pennsylvania to Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia) in 1767. Henry Bowers Jr. (1765-1837), the owner of this farm, grew up on his father's farm, a farm closer to Martinsburg, and eventually inherited it from his father Henry Sr.. In 1805 after experiencing some success in farming he expanded his holdings by purchasing 313 acres (1767 Lord Fairfax Grant) and a small stone house (circa 1770's), at the headwaters of the Tuscarora, from John Bishop for 1500 Pounds. He built the large existing stone mansion house, and called this house and farm "The Home Place". The earlier, Revolutionary War period, small stone house continued to be used as a summer kitchen until about 1900 when it's walls were pushed into the cellar and covered up with dirt.
It should be noted that in 2003 during the excavation for the new addition, the foundation for the 18th century house was uncovered. In about 1900 the revolutionary period small stone house, then being used as a summer kitchen, had fallen into disrepair and with the advent of the cast iron wood burning cook stove, the summer kitchen was no longer needed. The walls were pushed into the foundation and the remains were covered with dirt. The old foundation was restored and re pointed and the new addition was built over it and it is preserved today. A 1770's King George III half penny and a 1798 US penny were found during this excavation.
Henry Bowers Jr. was married to Elisabeth Young in 1787 and thirteen children were born to them between the years of 1788 and 1812, the last three being born in this house. There is evidence that Henry served in the Virginia Militia in 1781 near the end of the Revolutionary War. His father provided wheat to the Continental Army and he had bothers and a brother-in-law who also served. Henry Bowers died in 1837, and in his will he left his estate to his wife, to be sold two years after her death. In 1842 the real property in Henry Bowers' estate was put up for sale, including three large parcels totaling 500-1/2 acres. (He had also owned some city lots in Gerrardstown and Martinsburg.) The 277-1/2 parcel is the "The Home Place".
The farm was purchased by Martin Luther Pitzer (1789-1870), son-in-law of Henry Bowers. Martin married Henry's daughter Rachel Susan Bowers in this house in 1813. Martin was a widower by the time of the Civil War but remained on "The Home Place" until his death in 1870. There are stories of the Civil War events taking place on the farm, as told by Martin Pitzer's daughter-in-law, Susan Pitzer, wife of John W. Pitzer. John and Susan Pitzer lived in a two story log tenant house on the south end of the farm during the Civil War. John Pitzer was the first Sheriff of Berkeley County once West Virginia became a state.
Upon Martin's death his son-in-law, Benjamin Busey purchased the farm. Benjamin was married to Martin Pitzer's daughter Rachel. They continued to live there until 1877. It then passed to the Clohan and Crouch families. Alexander Clohan was the owner and president of numerous orchard companies, president of the West Virginia Horticultural Society, appointed to the State Board of Agriculture, and appointed Martinsburg Postmaster serving for 12 years. Beginning in 1910 the property was owned by orchard companies. Upon returning from World War I, Albert Kirk Smith worked for the orchard company and occupied the stone house. By 1952 the Smith family took possession of the house where ownership remained until 1999 when Gary and Bobbie Bettcher purchased it and began the outstanding restoration process. In 2018, Mark Burkhardt and his wife Roxanne, purchased the home and the surrounding farmland.
The farm was purchased by Martin Luther Pitzer (1789-1870), son-in-law of Henry Bowers. Martin married Henry's daughter Rachel Susan Bowers in this house in 1813. Martin was a widower by the time of the Civil War but remained on "The Home Place" until his death in 1870. There are stories of the Civil War events taking place on the farm, as told by Martin Pitzer's daughter-in-law, Susan Pitzer, wife of John W. Pitzer. John and Susan Pitzer lived in a two story log tenant house on the south end of the farm during the Civil War. John Pitzer was the first Sheriff of Berkeley County once West Virginia became a state.
Upon Martin's death his son-in-law, Benjamin Busey purchased the farm. Benjamin was married to Martin Pitzer's daughter Rachel. They continued to live there until 1877. It then passed to the Clohan and Crouch families. Alexander Clohan was the owner and president of numerous orchard companies, president of the West Virginia Horticultural Society, appointed to the State Board of Agriculture, and appointed Martinsburg Postmaster serving for 12 years. Beginning in 1910 the property was owned by orchard companies. Upon returning from World War I, Albert Kirk Smith worked for the orchard company and occupied the stone house. By 1952 the Smith family took possession of the house where ownership remained until 1999 when Gary and Bobbie Bettcher purchased it and began the outstanding restoration process. In 2018, Mark Burkhardt and his wife Roxanne, purchased the home and the surrounding farmland.