Patrick Henderson was one such ambitious Scotsman, born at Morayshire, Scotland 2, May 1767. He was the son of Alexander Henderson and Catherine Taylor who emigrated from Scotland in 1776 with Patrick and his six brothers and sisters. (All the children were under the age of seventeen.) Henderson’s were the first Anglo-Saxon family to settle the river east of Davidson’s grant. Alexander died in 1785; his children would carry out his dream of establishing his family name.

John Henderson was to become a prominent businessman in Newcastle before his death in 1819. Patrick along with his younger brother George were to become traders and merchants at Chatham. The two brothers constructed a palatial structure with elaborate carved woodwork, a second story Ballroom, gatehouse and manicured grounds for Patrick and a less formidable structure next door for George. Lot #36 was also to include Henderson’s Wharf, retail store and coopers shop.

At French Fort Cove he established a double gear sawmill, it was damaged twice by fire. First in 1816 and again in the Great Fire of 1825, it was rebuilt once again and was listed for sale in 1836 including a parcel of 1200 acres of land including a quarry.

In 1833 the Henderson House on Water Street was sold to Joseph Cunard.

Joseph Cunard was the brother of Samuel of Halifax and Henry of Woodburn Cottage at Clarks Cove, Miramichi. The Cunard brothers were all to leave behind legacies; Joseph is our local connection here. He was a lumberman, trader, shipbuilder, foundry owner and gristmill operator, JP, JCP, MLA, MLC born Halifax 1799, son of Dutch father Abraham Cunard and Irish mother Margaret Murphy.

On the Miramichi the Cunard brothers were to find financial success for more than twenty years. Their financial and political enjoyments were to come to an end in 1847 when Joseph declared bankruptcy. Henry retreated from business and was to spend many years at Woodburn Cottage enjoying agriculture as a hobby.

Georges Kerr was to settle the estate on Water Street with its sale to Henry Bowser in 1853. Mr. Bowser with some alterations to the structure converted it to the Bowser House Hotel. He was also owner of the Jenny Lind Hotel at Bathurst and operated it for ten years previous.

Bowser House was to become a very popular establishment and provided the local community wit a very distinguished dining, drinking and gathering spot. It was also a stopover for the stagecoach lines of the time. Henry Bowser died in 1846 leaving behind his widow Kate and daughter Susan or the "Misses Bowser" she was to be known as. Bowser House was operated for the Bowser family for more than fifty-years, during that time it was home to many prominent names. Residents there included, John Saddler-Accountant, Philip Cox-Educator, James Baxter-Physician, Dr. John S. Bensen, and James Stewart-Newspaperman. For many years the Bowser House was the location for the Highland Society Balls and gatherings.

In 1903 it was sold to Thomas Flanagan who leased it to his brother Roger.

Roger Flanagan was for seventeen years to provide his guests with genial hospitality and was referred to as a comfortable host. On more than one occasion Roger was to run afoul of the Canada Temperance Act. Roger was also a member of County Council for more than twenty-years. Records show that at the death of Vincent Flanagan happened there in 1917 as a result of wounds suffered in WW I.

As the demise of many wooden structures, it was ravaged by fire. The ruins being, torn down in the mid 1900’s.

In 2004 the structure referred to as Bowser House is long since gone. The location of the former structure is home now to a modern office building. Hundreds of people each day to visit the location, in the summer months thousands pass by as they stroll the promenade of Historic Water Street Business District. If questioned, how many of these people would remember or know of this once elegantly constructed mansion of Patrick and Georges Henderson?