Charles Bowler (c.1700-1768)

He was born at London and came to America in 1743. He first lived in Boston where he invested in much property near The Common and on Beacon Hill. In 1753, he was appointed His Majesty's Collector of Revenues for the Port of Newport, Rhode Island. He moved there and bought a farm of 70-acres at Portsmouth (see images) which served as his (and afterwards his son's) country residence. According to N.P. Bowler's history of him and his descendants, this picture is of him, whereas a copy in the New York Public Library names the sitter as his son, which is more likely incorrect.