Jabez Bowen, Sr. (June 2, 1739 – May 7, 1815) was an American shipper, slave trader and politician.

[citation needed] Bowen was Deputy Governor of Rhode Island for a total of seven years from May 1778 to May 1780, and from May 1781 to May 1786.

[7] He served as a Superior Court judge from August 1776 to May 1778, and became chief justice in February 1781 following the death of Shearjashub Bourn, holding that office until May 1781.

[8][9] Bowen was an ardent federalist (pro-Constitution) supporter, and was on the city committee which negotiated a peaceful end to William West's antifederalist protest on the Fourth of July in 1788.

[1] Bowen's son Henry served as Rhode Island Secretary of State from 1819 to 1849.