Jesse Tobias Bowles was the father in law of John Binford Knibb. Jesse was a native of Fluvanna Co VA, and fared badly at the hands of invading Northern soldiers during the War Between the States, they having burned his mill and other buildings, leaving them in poverty. His children were grown, and Jesse and wife were left alone, so John B. Knibb invited them to live at Little Genito. Jesse was a miller, millwright, and gifted carpenter, and he built an addition at the rear of Little Genito for himself and wife. There was a built in all-wooden-works clock. The story is told that when the Northern soldiers destroyed all of the property of Jesse Bowles, he was told that they would not harm him personally, but that they would like to know just what he thought of them. His answer was: "If all hell was combed with a fine tooth comb, no greater villains would be found!" per page 20 of a chapter "LITTLE GENITO" by Helene Agee, in a monograph pub. aft. 1964.
Three of their sons died in the War of Northern Aggression. One of the boys age 17 was a scout whose job it was to secret himself through the Union lines and report back on troop locations. Before leaving for his last duty, he bought his sister a decorative pin as a farewell present (Frances passed this pin to daughter Tina who passed it to her brother Lemuel Knibb's daughter Dorothy Knibb).

1850 Census; Caladonia Post Office, Goochland, VA;
Jesse Bowles; 44; b abt 1806; b VA;
Anne E Bowles 43; b MD
Zacharia H Bowles 19, machinist, b VA;
Benjamin F Bowles 18; Manager of Farm, b VA
Mary E Bowles 10, b VA
Ruth A Bowles 14; , b VA
Malvina V Bowles 11, b VA
Julia M Bowles 10,, b VA
Maria C. F. Bowles 7, b VA
Isaac N Bowles 5, b VA
John S Bowles 5, b VA
Archer S Bowles 10/12, b VA

1860 Census; Fluvanna, Virginia;
Jesse Bowles 54;b abt 1806; b Virginia; Machinist; real estate $5000; pers prop $800;
Ann Bowles 54, b abt 1806, b MD;
Julia M Bowles 20;
Maria F Bowles 18;
Isaac Bowles 16;
John S Bowles 15;
Archer S Bowles 10;
David J Bowles 9;
Thos H Bowles 5;

1870 Census: Goochland Co VA:
"Jessee" Bowles 64, mill wright. b abt 1806; b VA; value of real estate $800; value personal effects $585.
Anne E Bowles 64; keeping house; b abt 1806, b VA. Household had various other Bowles:
David J 19;
Thomas H 15;
Betty A 32;
Alphie 13;
Broadus 11;
Daniel 6.

American Civil War Soldiers; Jesse Bowles, Enlistment Date: 14 Apr 1862, Confederacy, Virginia,
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 14 April 1862,. Enlisted in Company H, 55th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 14 Apr 1862.Enlisted in Company H, 55th Infantry Regiment Virginia