Chief's Bio And Messages From The Chief

Charles Bowman Bio

My name is Charles Delaware Bowman Jr. “Sprit Eagle” of the Kiskiack Chickahominy Tribe of southeastern Virginia.

Charles, “Sprit Eagle,” is a native Virginian from York County, VA. I come from a small community named Cary’s Chapel. It is very close to a city named Poquoson – a Native American name meaning “Great Marsh Land.” Poquoson was inhabited by the Kecoughtan, Powhatan, Nansemond, and Kiskiack members before the European settlers in the early 17th century. The new Poquoson included the areas of York County, known as Poquoson, Tabb, Grafton, Dare, and Seaford. Around 1628, an English settlement was established at Kecoughtan, Hampton, VA.

I attended York County schools in the Tabb, VA, area, starting with elementary, intermediate, and Tabb High School, graduating in 1976. I attended Thomas Nelson College from 1976 to 1978.

I joined the military, Army, and National Guard from 1980 to 1986. I received a host of achievements, commendations, awards, and medals. My final rank was E-5 / Spec 5 food service – (94B).

Mary Hudgins, my mother, and her family are connected to the Hudgins, Slade’s, Hopson’s, Comb’s, Wallace’s, Elliott’s, Banks’, Anthony’s, Russell’s, Griffin’s, Kirby’s, Jubray’s, Hamilton’s, Wright’s, and many more surnames. They grew up in Poquoson, Tabb (Elizabeth City), and Hampton.

Charles D. Bowman, my father, and his family are connected to the Bowman’s, Brown’s, Jone’s, Adkins’, Bradby’s, Miles,’ Cotman’s, Barbour’s, Allen’s, Wallace’s, Gibson’s, Redcross,’ Scott’s, Morris’, and many more surnames.

My fourth great grandparents were John Adkins (Chickahominy) and Mary Elizabeth Bradby (Pamunkey).

My great grandparents were Edward Franklin Bowman (Cherokee) and Mary Susie Adkins (Chickahominy).