Hi,

My father, David Allender Bowerman, recently passed away and in his possessions we came across a family heirloom that is tied to his middle name - Allender. It's a miniature portrait cica 1800 with the initials JA on the reverse and several braided lockets of his hair - see attached photo. Family history tells us this portrait was passed down through the family to my father and that it is a portrait of Joseph Tolley Allender 1770-1834.

Joseph was a well-known physician in Baltimore's Fells Point who married a Mary Biays. Joseph and Mary had six children: Joseph (1800), Elizabeth Ann (1802), Walter Tolley (1807-1886), James Biays (1809), Margareita (1812) and Charles (1815-1875).

My family tie comes from marriage via Joseph's wife Mary Biays who was the daughter of Colonel Joseph Biays. The Biays and Bowerman (my family) families were closely related from several angles, and it appears that the Allenders in Maryland had a close history and relations with the Bowerman's and Biays' as well.

Joseph was the son of William (1739) and Sophia Allender, grandson of Joshua Allender (d: 1749) and great-grandson of William Allender (d:1698).

Joseph's siblings were: Thomas Foley (1764), Mary, Elizabeth, Walter and William.

I am interested in any information regarding Joseph Allender's current descendants who might want to know of the existence of this portrait.

Thank you.

David L. Bowerman