007 John Buck Gowen – Gowen Manuscript

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John “Buck” Gowen, son of William Gowen and Sarah [Allan?] Gowen

John “Buck” Gowen, [William5, John4, William3] son of William Gowen and Sarah [Allan?] Gowen, was born about 1740, maybe in Granville County, North Carolina or in Lunenburg Co, Va, or possibly born out of country and immigrated with father (unknown). A diversity of opinion exists among his descendants as to his birthplace. Mary Evelyn Neilson Delbridge, Oxford, Mississippi, stated that he was born in 1740 in Branford Precinct, Beaufort District, South Carolina. Adeline Evans Wynn of Atlanta, Georgia, also a descendant, states that he was born in Virginia before 1740. Elizabeth Durant England, DAR No. 180862, Memphis, Tennessee, states that John “Buck” Gowen was born before 1743 in Beaufort District, South Carolina. 

NOTE: As of Jan 17, 2023, new YDNA evidence of a descendant of James Gowen (presumed brother of John “Buck” Gowen), suggests that John “Buck” Gowen’s line descends from the same line as William Gowen b. est 1728/30 of Bedford County, Va. (Possibly brothers?). Maybe William Gowen b. est 1728/30 is the sibling named William Gowen.  He appears to be the 2d oldest child of William Gowen b est 1700-1712 – the eldest sibling appearing to be Joseph Gowen b est 1734/37 (my birth year estimates may be off – but Joseph shows up on tithes first for William Sr, then William Jr shows up – which is why Joseph is presumed to be the eldest child of William Gowen b est 1700-1712).   

Parents of John Gowen: 

Children born to John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen include:

Siblings: 

  • Joseph Gowen b. 1737 (not in will, but listed as son in tithes in Granville NC)
  • John Gowen b. 1739 (listed in will)
  • William Gowen Jr b. 1740 (not in will, but listed as son in tithes in Granville NC)(Question: Is this the same person as William Gowen b. est 1730 of Bedford Co, Va?).
  • James Gowen b. 1742 (not confirmed, but records show related in some way)
  • Anne Gowen Easley b. 1750 (listed in will)
  • Christiana Elizabeth (Gowen) Rains (1755-1826) m. John Rains Sr 1753-1834 of Davidson Co, TN (presumed daughter)

John “Buck” Gowen is identified as the brother-in-law of William Ridge, Sr. and also the brother-in-law of Nathaniel Allen, according to the research of Barbara Stacy Matthews. William Ridge, Sr. was married to Winnifred Combs, the daughter of William Combs and Seth Stacy Combs and the granddaughter of Mason Combs and Sarah Combs. Barbara Stacy Matthews states that all lived in Surry County, North Carolina at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.

John “Buck” Gowen was married about 1759 to Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden, daughter of John Bearden and Lettice Winn Bearden and a descendant of Minor Winn, Sr. and Margaret O’Connor Winn. John Bearden was born in 1717 to Francis Bearden and Sarah Blassingame Bearden. On October 15, 1784 John Bearden was located on the north side of Tyger River near the homestead of John “Buck” Gowen, according to South Carolina Land Grant Book 3, page 427. John Bearden died in 1797 in Spartanburg County.

In 1761 and 1762 “John Gowen, planter,” appeared in the legal records of Granville County. On August 14, 1764 he conveyed land to Edmund Bearden, his brother-in-law, according to Granville County deed records.

John “Buck” Gowen apparently joined his father in removing from Granville County. It is possible that they lived in Beau­fort District for a time and made other moves in a search for new land that lasted several years interspersed with military service.

On May 16, 1770 “John Gowing,” received a land grant of 200 acres in Craven County, South Carolina, according to Craven County Deed Book 2, page 267. His grant was located on Downing Creek fork of Little Pee Dee River and is now in present-day Horry County, near the South Carolina coastline, according to the speculation of Addie Evans Winn in “Southern Lineages.” This grant was probably made in recognition of colonial militia service.

Apparently his military service began in North Carolina. A reference was made of his service in “Sketches of Western North Carolina” regarding the military career of Capt. Samuel Caldwell:

“Samuel Caldwell born in Orange County, North Carolina, on the 10th of February, 1759, and moved to Tryon county, afterward Lincoln, in 1772.

He first entered the service in Capt. Gowen’s company in 1776, and marched against the Cherokee Indians beyond the mountains. In 1779, he volunteered in Capt. William Chronicle’s company in the ‘nine months service,’ and joined Gen. Lincoln’s army at Purysburg, South Carolina. In March, 1780, he joined Capt. Isaac White’s company and marched to King’s Mountain.

In the battle which immediately followed, he and his brother, William Caldwell actively participated. Shortly after this celebrated victory, he attached himself to Capt. Montgomery’s company and was in the Battle of Cowpens, fought on the 17th of January, 1781. Soon afterward he marched to Guilford, and was in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse fought there on the 15th of March, 1781. In the following fall, he substituted for Clement Nance in Capt. Lemmonds’ cavalry company in the regiment commanded by Col. Robert Smith and Maj. Joseph Graham.

At the Raft Swamp, they attacked and signally defeated a large body of Tories; and in two days afterward defeated a band of Tories on Alfred Moore’s plantation opposite Wilmington, North Carolina. On the next day, the same troops made a vigorous attack on the garrison, near the same place.

After this service, he returned home and was frequently engaged in other minor, but important military duties until the close of the war. After the war, Capt. Caldwell settled on a farm three miles southwest of Tuckaseege Ford where he raised a large family. He was a kind and obliging neighbor, attained a good old age, and is buried in the graveyard of Goshen church in Gaston County, North Carolina.”

On November 19, 1772 John “Buck” Gowen received a land grant in Prince William Parish, Beaufort District probably as a military bonus. There were other grants in this district to his brother James Gowen as late as 1788. These various militia “hitches” advanced John “Buck” Gowen to the rank of major as well as making him a citizen of means and property.

Included in the audited account of John “Buck” Gowen in South Carolina Archives File AA 3014 is the following un­dated request from him addressed to the Commissioners of the Treasury:

“Gentlemann, Please to deliver to Mr. C. C. Schutt or order past Indents I may have in the Office and his re­ceip shall be sufficient.

Gentlemann, I am Your humble Servant,
John Gowan
To the Commissioners of the Treasury
Vioss
SFM WD TH JI”

The penmanship was a bold flowing stroke obviously written with a quill, and his signature was misspelled.

The Gowen family pioneered in the northwestern section of South Carolina, then known as the “Apex Cession,” being ceded to the state by the Cherokee Indians in 1776, but not oc­cupied until after the Revolution. The community of Gowensville was named for John “Buck” Gowen.

He received a royal grant of 100 acres of land probably in re­cognition of military service. The survey order was given February 2, 1773, according to “South Carolina Archives, Colonial Plats,” Volume 16, page 173:

“South Carolina, Ninety Six District Pursuant to a pre­cept from under the hand and seal of John Bremar, Es­quire, Deputy Surveyor General dated February second day, 1773, I have admeasured and laid out unto John Gowan a plantation or tract of land containing one hun­dred acres situate lying on the North side of Tyger River bounded Eastwardly by Daniel Bush’s land, Northward by vacant land, Westwardly by Tyger river and hath such shape, form and marks as the above plat rep­resents. Given under my hand this 20th day of March, 1773.

Andrew Thompson, Deputy Surveyor”

A surveyor’s notation appeared on the plat describing the Tyger River:

“Tyger river is in many places not five inches deep and not navigable for any craft of any kind and lies high upon said River.”

The land lay in a part of District 96 in February 1773 which was in Craven County at the time of the grant which was dated August 19, 1774, according to “South Carolina Archives, Royal Grants,” Volume 32, page 205. Later the land was lo­cated in Greenville County, South Carolina. The grant was recorded in Greenville County Deed Book 32, page 205. The site was near Gowensville, about 10 miles from the grant re­ceived by his brother [father?] William Gowen in December of the same year.

The grant read:

“South Carolina, George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, De­fender of the Faith, and so forth, To All To Whom These Presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye, that we of our special Grace, certain Knowledge and mere Motion, have given and granted, and by these Presents, for us, our heirs and successors, Do Give and Grant unto John Gowen, his heirs and assigns, a plantation or tract of land containing One hundred acres situate in Craven County, bounding East on Daniel Bush and West on Tyger River, And hath such shape, form and marks, as appear by a plat thereof, hereunto annexed: To­gether with all woods, under-woods, timber and timber-trees, lakes, ponds, fishings, waters, water-courses, profits, commodities, appurtenances and hereditaments whatsoever, thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining: Together with privilege of hunting, hawking and fowling in and upon the same, and all mines and minerals whatsoever; saving and re­serving nevertheless, to us, our heirs and successors, all white pine trees, if any there should be found growing thereon: And also saving and reserving nevertheless to us, our heirs and successors, our heirs and successors, one tenth-part of mines of gold and silver only: To have and to hold the said tract of One hundred acres of land and all and singular other the premises hereby granted unto the said John Gowen, his heirs and assigns for ever, in free and common foccage, the said John Gowen, his heirs and assigns yielding and paying therefor unto us, our heirs, and successors, or to our Receiver General for the time being, or to his Deputy of Deputies for the time being, yearly, that is to say on the twenty-fifth day of March, in every year, at the rate of three shillings sterling, or four shillings proclamation money for every hundred acres, and so in proportion according to the number of acres, contained herein; the same to commence at the expira­tion of two years from the date hereof. Provided always, and this present Grant is upon condition, nevertheless, that the said John Gowen, his heirs or assigns shall and do yearly, and every year, after the date of the presents, clear and cul­tivate at the rate of three acres for every hundred acres of land, and so in proportion to the num­ber of acres herein con­tained; And also shall and do enter a minute or docket of these our letters patent in the office of our Auditor-General for the time being in our said Province within six months from the date hereof: And upon condition, that if the said rent hereby reserved, shall happen to be in arrears and unpaid for the space of three years from the time it shall become due and no distress can be found on the said lands, tene­ments and hereditaments hereby granted: or if the said John Gowen his heirs or assigns shall neglect to clear and cultivate yearly and every year at the rate of three acres for every hundred acres of land, and so in proportion, according to the number of acres contained, or if a minute or docket of these our letters patent shall not be entered in the office of our Auditor-Gen­eral for the time being, in our said Province, within six months from the date hereof, that then and in any of these cases, this patent Grant shall cease, and determine and be utterly void. Lands, tenements and heredita­ments hereby granted and every part and parcel thereof, shall revert to us, our heirs and successors, as fully and absolutely, as if the same had never been granted.

Given under the Great Seal of our Said Province.

Witness the Honorable William Bull, Esquire, Lt. Gov­ernor and Commander in chief in and over our said Province of South-Carolina, this Nineteenth Day of August Anno Dom. 1774 in the Fourteenth Year of our Reign.
[L.M.S.]
Williams Bull

Signed by his Honor, the Lt. Governor in Council And hath thereunto a plat thereof annexed, representing the same certified by John Bremar, Deputy Sur­veyor-Gen­eral. May 20, 1773.
Thomas Winstanley, GCC”

John “Buck” Gowen commanded a militia company in 1775 and 1776, and Samuel Caldwell, in an affidavit, stated he “served in Capt. Gowen’s company in 1776,” according to “Sketches of Western North Carolina” by C. L. Hunter. Militia companies were raised in the northwestern corner of South Carolina–to face the Cherokees on the northwest and the British on the southeast. Capt. Gowen was in command of Gowen’s Fort near the north end of the Indian line. Augustine Clayton who was born in 1755, stated that he served under Capt. John “Buck” Gowen in 1755 against the Indians. William Lynch stated that he lost an eye in a battle with the Indians in July 1776, serving under Capt. Gowen, according to Debbie Jackson, a Lynch descendant.

James McElroy, South Carolina Pension No. S-2786, came into court in Allen County, Kentucky August 23, 1832 at age 73 and “deposes that in 1776 about September 1, he volunteered to fight against Indians under Capt. John Gowan. He then lived in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. This service was about 15 months.” Then he was drafted under Lt. Edward Hampton and was at the attack of Savannah. On many other occasions he was called on to fight the Tories and the British. He thinks he served about four years from September 1, 1776.”

War swirled into the Gowensville area from the northwest in 1776 with Cherokee and Tory attacks. The Tories were led by “Bloody Bill” Bates and “Bloody Bill” Cunningham who cut a gory trail of destruction across the area. Whenever the Tories were victorious, the result was a massacre. No quarter was given to men, women or children who were surrendered to them. All were killed and scalped.

While the colonists were holding out in the west against the Tories and the Cherokees in 1780, the British and their Tory allies advanced from the southeast, rolling up their defenses. They defeated the forces of Gen. Huck on July 12, obliterated the troops of Col. John Thomas, Jr. on July 13 and captured Gowen’s Fort. While they were relaxing and enjoying their victory, the colonists came roaring back under the command of Col. Jones the following day and recaptured Gowen’s Fort. Capt. Gowen, whose company was part of the forces of Col. Jones resumed command of the fort.

Col. John Thomas, Sr. organized the Spartanburg County Militia Regiment and served as its first commander. George Salmon was Quartermaster of the Spartanburg County [Roebuck’s] Regiment.

The Redcoats withdrew from the apex area completely after their defeat, but the Tories returned with their guerilla warfare. They made their next attack on Gowen’s Fort in September 1781. In November, while part of his command was away, Capt. Gowen’s fort was attacked and overrun. “Bloody Bill” Bates agreed to accept their surrender and to spare their lives. Suddenly, his Cherokees fell upon the defenders. Men, women and children who were in the fort were all slaughtered and scalped. One woman lived through the massacre. Mrs. Abner Thompson, when the fort fell, lay on the ground, feining death. Suddenly she was grabbed by the hair, felt a scalper’s knife circling her crown and held back her screams as her scalp was jerked from her skull. She survived her wounds and lived in Greenville for many years afterward.

During the war, Gowen’s Fort changed hands five times as the winds of war swept back and forth. “Bloody Bill” Bates sur­vived the war, only to be arrested shortly afterward for horse stealing. He was lodged in the Greenville jail. A man whose father had been killed by Bates heard of the arrest. He gathered a party of armed men and went to the sheriff and demanded that Bates be delivered to them. The sheriff complied and Bates was escorted to a vacant lot next door, given a minute to make peace with his maker and shot dead. He was unceremoniously buried where he fell, and the Greenville post office was later built over his grave.

In 1778 “John Gowen” was shown as a member of St. David’s Society, a group organized to sponsor an academy on the upper Pee Dee River in Cheraws District [presently Marlboro County]. It is suggested by H. T. Cook, researcher of Greenville, that John “Buck” Gowen and other members of the family migrated from the Charleston area to the Pee Dee sec­tion, back to Granville County, North Carolina, then to Stokes County, North Carolina, later to Surry County, North Carolina with stops of unknown duration at each place. Finally in 1778 John Gowen arrived in District 96 [later Greenville County] to claim the land that was granted to him four years earlier. Dis­trict 96 [96 miles from Keowee] had been formed in 1769 and was divided into counties in 1789.

Capt. John “Buck” Gowen and his troops appeared in District 96 in February 1778 on military duty. His brother-in-law John Bearden filed a pension application, recorded in “Kings Mountain Manuscripts,” Volume 2, page 239:

“Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. State of Tennessee, Bedford County John Bearden, Senior, a resident of this county and aged eighty-nine [89] years, two [2] months, four [4] days. Entered service of United States under following officers and served as here stated. Born in Spottsylvania County, Virginia, March 11, 1744, agreeable to his family record, but has no record of it at this time. He says he entered the service of the United States as a private and volunteered in a company of rangers, or spies, commanded by Capt. Joseph Wofford and Lt. D. Graham, Spartanburg District, South Carolina some time in the month of April, 1777, the precise day he cannot recollect. He was marched to a fort on the head of Enoree River to Prince’s Fort, and there was stationed, but was frequently out on a scouting or spying expeditions against the Cherokee Indians and a Tory family named Bates. [The town of Batesville, South Carolina is located 10 miles east of Greenville on the Enoree River.] Four in number: William, Harry, Isaac and their father–who were skulking about with the Indians, were frequently engaged with the Indians in murders of frontier settlers; and there remained in service until some time in January, 1778, when he was dismissed agreeable to orders. Thinks in February, 1778 he volunteered again and joined a company of spies or rangers under command of Captain John Gowen, and marched to a fort on the south side of the Pacolet River [probably near present-day Landrum, South Carolina] and was frequently raiding on the frontier settlement on the Tyger River.

He states that on one of the scouting expeditions he was on, Captain Gowen arrested and took prisoner two men, one by the name of Fanning, the other by name of Smith; that they brought them back into a white settle­ment [probably Gowensville] and delivered them up to a magistrate, as they were both Tories, and both had stolen horses, each taken from a Mr. James Ford and a Mr. John Patten. Deponent says he was marched back to the last-mentioned fort [near Landrum] on the south fork of the Pacolet River, where he remained in service until some time in the month of August, 1778, and was again dismissed, it being thought and frequently said by Captain Gowen that the Indians had become quiet and that there was no further use for the troops at that time. He states that he served in the last-mentioned town [Landrum] not less than six months.

Deponent further says that he removed shortly after that into Union District, S.C, and there entered the service of the United States again, about one week before the siege of Ninety-Six. That he was marched off that place a drafted soldier and was in the engagement at that place.

He says he was then transferred from Captain Blassingame’s company and marched through the country in a different direction in search of a band of Tories under the command of Jesse Gray. That he continued in service under the last-mentioned captain a tour of duty of not less than four months, and says he was finally dismissed from service, after serving in all, a tour of actual service of not less than nine months, for which he claims a pension.

Applicant says he remained a citizen of South Carolina until 1824 when he removed to Bedford County, Ten­nessee, where he now lives. He further says that he was not acquainted with any regular officers with the troops when he served or any regiment of regulars whatever.
s/s John Bearden”

Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen was probably a member of Friendship Baptist Church which met near Otts Shoals on the Tyger River in Greenville District. The congregation had been organized in 1765 by Rev. Jacob Roberts and was sometimes referred to as “Jacob Roberts’ church.” Extant records go back only to 1801. Since Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen does not appear on the church roster in 1801, it is assumed that she died before that time. Until his death in 1797, John Bearden, father of Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. A report of the Bearden family is detailed in “Southern Lineages.”

Mourning Bearden Smith, sister to Lettice “Letty” Winn Bear­den Gowen was probably another member of Friendship Bap­tist Church. She was born June 15, 1763, according to Draper Wisconsin Historical Collection of “King’s Mountain Manuscripts,” Volume II, page 268. She was married to Maj-Gen. William Smith and was so harassed in her husband’s absence by the Tories that she had to leave her home and live with her sister during the latter years of the war. Maj-Gen. William Smith, who was a congressman from Pinckney District, died June 22, 1837.

On June 1, 1840 Mourning Bearden Smith of Spartanburg District, age 77, appeared in the “Census of Pensioners,” page 43, as “the widow of Gen. Smith.” She survived until October 2, 1842 and was buried beside her husband in the Smith family cemetery, one and a half miles south of Glenn Springs, South Carolina, according to descendants Minnie Smith, Glenn Springs and W. S. Williams, Pauline, South Carolina.

South Carolina Archives has preserved the audited accounts of John “Buck” Gowen in its File AA 3014 in 24 pages of mate­rial. One of the entries disclosed that he had received orders to commandeer provisions for the militia if necessary in his section in February 1779. This authorization was probably written during a campaign against the Indians and the Tories on the frontier. It reads:

“I hereby appoint Captn. John Gowin Commissary in the north part of the Indian line in the name of Edward Hampton [one word illegible] to wit, at Gowins and Hamilton Stations, with power to im­press provisions if not to be bought. Given under my hand the 6th day of February 1779.
John Thomas”

Apparently John “Buck” Gowen was lax in his accounting. A notation in his audited accounts reveals this shortcoming:

“Mr. John Gowen for sundry provisions supplied the Militia, but being charged in depreciated money and no month nor year given when supplied, cannot be au­dited–neither is there vouchers.
Examined, O.W. J.Mc. A.G.”

“Mr. John Gowen his account of 2663 Rations sup­plied the Militia in 1779, Sixty Six Pounds, Eleven shillings & Six Pence Sterling.

Received of Captain John Gowin, Provisions for Cap­tain William Blassingame’s Company, one Lieutenant and XIX [Nineteen] Privets from the first Day of February to the 4th day of March, 1779.

Certified by me
Robert Bishop
Letenant 640 Rations”

“Resed of John Gowen three hundred and ninty-six ras­sons for the use of Captain Bobo Compny in the lin servis. March 15, 1779.
Sertifid by me.
Wm. Young
Letenant”

“March 17th, 1779 Received of Capt. John Gowen Ra­tions for nine Men on day for the Publick use received.
Wm. Wood, Capt. 9 Rations”

Included in the papers is a report from John “Buck” Gowen re­garding service in April 1779:

“This is to certify that Captain John Gowen [word il­legible] was 24 days in the service under the Com­mand of Col. John Thomas on the line.

Captain John Gowen

Capt. John Gowen for Waggonage, forage and driver on the line of this State April 10, 1779. 24 days [illegible] Three hundred Fifty-one pounds currency.

Examined, A.D.
[illegible] Certificate

Attested to before me this 12th day of April 1779 by Captain John Gowen that the above account is true and no part received.
James Wood, J.P.”

John “Buck” Gowen was authorized to rebuild a fort in the western extremity of South Carolina as detailed in the fol­lowing order:

“To John Gowen, Dr: To building one stockade fort for the use of the publick by order of Colonel William Wofford, S.C. Valued to 440. I hereby certify that I ordered John Gowen, Captain, to build, or rather rebuild, a fort at Jamison’s station on the line, April 14, 1779. Hood, L.C.

“John Gowen for rebuilding a stockade fort at Jami­son’s Station on the line in 1779. Amt. £5:15:3. Five pounds; fifteen shillings; three pence farthing; sterling. Ex’d. W.G. J.M.C. N.G. South Carolina, Ninety-Six District. By James Wood, a justice assigned to keep the peace in the District aforesaid. Personally appeared before me Captain John Gowen and made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that the within ac­count is just and true, and no part thereof received. Sworn to before me this 12 day April, 1779.

James Wood, J.P. £440 1 966 £9 407 of £5-15-3″

Three years later John “Buck” Gowen was still serving as commissary:

“John Gowen for Provisions for the Militia in 1782, charged. Amount, Thirty Pounds, seventeen shillings one penny, half penny Sterling.

To John Gowen Dr: To[tal] Provisions for the use of a Station on the Indian Line in the Spartan Regiment by Order of Col. Benjamin Roebuck in the year 1782: 13 Beef Cattle, 9 Hogs, 1 Beef for the expedition against the Indians, £216 pounds.

Ninety Six District, J.P. Captain John Gowen made oath before me that the above account is just and true, and that part of said provisions were furnished by himself and that part which belonged to others shall not be brought against the public by any other person.

Certified by Bayliss Earle, J.P. John Gowen

A valuable horse, his personal property, was stolen from John “Buck” Gowen while he was on militia duty. Notes in the ac­counts reveal:

“John Gowen’s Account for a horse stolen. Claimed for him by Major John Ford. Postponed. Given him a copy of the claim. The time when the horse was stolen should be set forth & the cercumstances should be certified.
Examined J.G. Ct. C.J.”

“The State of South Carolina To Captn John Gowen Dr.

To a black horse stole when on duty on the Indian line by order of Col. Benjamin Roebuck, which said horse was appraised by William Brasher and John Motlow Upon Oath.

Ninety Six District

Personally appeared John Gowen before me and made Oath as the Law Directs that the above said horse was lost in the Service of this State in the manner above mentioned, and that he has never re­ceived the said horse or any part of the value thereof, and further declares upon oath that if he should ever get the aforesaid horse, that he will re­turn him to the Commanding Officer of This Reg­iment or the price that shall be allowed for said Horse.

The aforesaid appraisers being duly Sworn made Report that they valued the above Horse to £190:0:0.
John Gowen

Sworn before me 20th of May 1783 Certified by me
Bayliss Earle, J. P. John Ford, Major

“Public Dr to John Gowen

331 L. of Bacon 2.00 per pound 662:00:0
2 4-year old stear 200 each 400:00:0
4 3-year-old stears 175 each 700:00:0
3 2-year old stears 110 each 330:00:0
15 hogs, 2250 wate 65 per hundred 1,412:00:0
4 bushels of salt 130 per bushel 520:00:0
185 cwt of port 70 per hundred 129:10:0
100 wt of pork 60 per hundred 60:00:0
662 wt of beaf 40 per hundred 264:07:6
Provision for Deferant Companey 35:12:0
100 wt of Bacon 2 per pound 200:00:0
125 wt of flouer 1 per pound 125:00:0
=========
£4,899:00:0

Captain John Gowen this Day made Oath that he sup­plyed the Militia on the line with the above Mentioned Provisions. Sworn to before me this 21st August, 1779.
W. Wofford TO
John Gowen

Captn. Gowen made Oath that he never before made any return of the above account nor received any pay in part nor in full. Sworn to the 27th of May 1783 Before me.
Bayliss Earle, J.P.”

Robert McDowell of DeKalb County, Georgia referred to the military duty of Capt. John “Buck” Gowen in a pension appli­cation statement dated February 2, 1838, according to “Kings Mountain Manuscripts,” Draper Collection:

“Robert McDowell, of DeKalb County, Georgia, states that Robert Henderson was a private soldier under the command of Captain Gowen of the American Line. He was acquainted with him for the term of two years, un­der the command of Captain Gowen, as necessity re­quired his services as a soldier in the company of Light Horse; also that they were both in the battle that was fought at the Pacolet River in South Carolina, as they were engaged in guarding a company of prison­ers from Spartanburg, South Carolina to Salisbury, North Car­olina and that both belonged to Colonel White’s Regi­ment.”

On June, 1937, a letter from Mrs. B. K. Scott of Tallahassee, FL stated that Stephen Thompson was the father-in-law of William Whiddon of Cheraw District, Darlington County, South Carolina.

John “Buck” Gowen received a land grant of 400 acres located on the middle forks of the Saluda River October 15, 1784, ac­cording to Greenville County Deed Book 1, page 593. This land was located about 10 miles southwest of his earlier grant on the Tyger River.

John “Buck” Gowen waited several years to collect a rather large bill for provisions supplied to the South Carolina militia. It is assumed that he was not allowed to make a profit on the supplies he collected and sold to the militia. Without profit the investment required would represent quite a financial sacrifice on the part of the patriot while waiting for the defunct state treasury to re­cover sufficiently to reimburse him for the ex­penses in­curred during the course of the war. Indents were is­sued to John “Buck” Gowen in 1785 and in 1786 to reimburse him for rations delivered to the militia in 1779 and other ex­penses.

These indents, retained in South Carolina Archives, read:

“Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly passed 16th of March, 1783, We the Commission­ers of the Treasury, have this Day delivered to Mr. John Gowen this our Indented Certificate, for the Sum of Thirty-six pounds, twelve shillings and four pence Sterling for Provisions for the Militia in 1782 for rebuilding a Stockade fort at Jamison’s Station on the Line in 1779 per 2 accounts audited the said John Gowen, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, will be entitled to receive from this office the Sum of two pounds, eleven shillings and three pence on Demand for one Year’s Interest on the principal Sum of Thirty-six pounds, twelve shillings four pence and the like Interest annually.

The said John Gowen, his Executors, Administra­tors or Assigns will be entitled also to receive, and shall be paid, if demanded, the principal Sum of Thirty-six pounds, twelve Shillings and four pence on the twenty-seventh of September 1789 and the said John Gowen, his Executors, Administrators or Assigns may make any Purchase at any Public Sales of Confiscated Property, except such as shall be ordered by the Legislature for special Purposes; and this Indent shall be received in Pay­ment.

For the true Performance of the several Payments in Manner above-mentioned, the Public Treasury is made liable, and the faith of the State pledged by the aforesaid act.

Given under our hands at the Treasury-Office, in Charleston, the twenty-seventh day of September, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-five.

Peter Boucquet
Commissioners of the Treasury
£36-12-4 Principal
£2-11-3 Annual Interest
[Box X, No. 3522]

On the same day he received “5 pounds, 15 shillings, 3 pence farthing Sterling for rebuilding a Stockade fort at Jamison’s Station on the Line in 1779.” [Box X, No. 760]. Apparently this compensation was interest on the indebtedness.

Another indent was issued by the Treasury Commission­ers August 14, 1786 in the amount of 76 pounds, 11 shillings, 5 pence to John “Buck” Gowen to compensate him for “duty done in the Militia as a Capt. in Roebuck’s Regiment since the fall of Charleston [1780].” It also provided for annual interest of five pounds, seven shillings and two pence. [Box X, No. 3522]

A penciled notation on the bottom of the indent signed by John “Buck” Gowen indicated that he received eight shillings interest on the indent in November 1790. Another notation below that reveals, “Rec’d. 7th Jany. 1790 Int. to 1st April last. L0-4-0. William Benson.”

Another indent was issued by the Treasury Commissioners January 26, 1786 in the amount of 66 pounds, 11 shillings, 6 pence for John “Buck” Gowen to reimburse him for 2,663 rations supplied the militia in 1779. Yearly interest of “L4:13:2” was provided by the indent. [Box X, No. 1443].

He finally received “21 pounds, 8 shillings, 6 pence, three far­things Sterling” for the horse that was stolen from him in the Indian campaign in additional compensation. After the Revo­lution, Col. John Thomas who had been one of the commanding officers of John “Buck” Gowen was appointed Land Commissioner for District 96. From the state he received 15 land grants.

It is interesting to note that the number of one of the Audited Accounts of John “Buck” Gowen was 3522. The Audited Account of “David Gowen, dcsd” was 3520 and that of Edward Gowen was 3521. This consecutive sequence suggests that the men were closely associated, perhaps kinsmen and that were submitted at the same time by Capt. Gowen. All three received payment for militia duty “in Roebuck’s Regiment per [Lt. Col.] Anderson’s return.”

Lt. Col. Benjamin Roebuck lived in Spartanburg County and commanded a militia regiment in Pickens’ Brigade. Roebuck was wounded and captured by the British in the Battle of Mud Lick March 2, 1781 and taken to Charleston. He was confined aboard a prison ship in Charleston harbor until August 1781. “Per Anderson’s return” suggests that Lt. Col. Anderson, also a regimental commander in Pickens’ Brigade certified the service of the Gowen men in the absence of Col. Roebuck. The Fairfield County Gowen men served in Lt. Col. John Winn’s Regiment of militia in Gen. Sumter’s combined brigade of state troops and militia.

The indents, issued by the Treasury August 14, 1786, were approved long after the death of David Gowen of Fairfield County, son of Daniel Gowen and Rebecca Gowen. David Gowen was killed by Indians in the winter of 1779-80 at Manskers Station in Davidson County, Tennessee. William Gowen, regarded as his grandfather, was the executor of his estate at Nashville. Levi Gowen, “who passes for mulatto,” brother of David Gowen, applied successful for the administration of the estate in Fairfield County and gave “John Gowen, gentleman of Daverson County” his power of attorney. John Gowen, son of William Gowen, was a kinsman of Levi Gowen and David Gowen.

Edward Gowen who received Audited Account 3521 was also a resident of Fairfield County. On August 9, 1786 Edward Gowen received “70 pounds, 1 shilling and 5 pence sterling for duty in Robuck’s Regiment,” according to “Stub Entries to Indents.” His pay on one occasion was requested to be delivered to Capt. John “Buck” Gowen.

“John Gowin” was granted “a license to retail Spiritous Liquors and to keep a private house of entertainment,” according to the minutes of the Spartanburg County Court in its September 1785 term.

In 1785 John “Buck” Gowen was deeded 294 acres of land in Abbeville County, District 96, “above the branches of Twelve-Mile River,” according to Abbeville County Deed Book B, page 153. This land lay some 60 miles south of his property on the Tyger River. On October 20, 1785, Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, “citizen” received a land patent of 256 acres in Abbeville County, south of the Saluda River on a small creek of Twelve-mile River, according to Abbeville County Deed Book B, page 73. She and her husband sold the property December 13, 1785 to Benjamin Barton of Greenville County for £100. The deed was recorded October 20, 1788 in Anderson County, South Carolina. Allan Gowen, kinsman of John “Buck” Gowen and William Anderson were witnesses to the deed December 13, 1788 before John Ford, J.P.

Also in 1785 John “Buck” Gowen received a land grant of 340 acres in District 96 “on both sides of George’s Creek of Saluda River, adjoining Edmund Bearden,” according to a letter writ­ten May 8, 1961 by Mrs. Homer N. Caswell, Georgetown, Texas. Mrs. Caswell was a descendant of Edmund Bearden, brother to Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen. John “Buck” Gowen at that time made his home on the upland grant located between the south fork of the Pacolet River and the west fork of the Tyger River.

In 1786, when Ann Gowen Easley petitioned the government for military pay for her deceased husband and son, she re­quested that the payment be made to “Captain John Gowen.” He was shortly promoted to major, and subsequently was re­ferred to as Major John “Buck” Gowen.

On May 1, 1786 Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen was granted land in District 96, located on “Twelve-Mile Creek,” according to Abbeville County Deed Book 9, page 38. “Twelve-Mile Creek” is probably identical with “Twelve-Mile River” of an earlier grant, since both were located in Abbeville County.

In the state census of South Carolina taken in 1786 the house­hold of John “Buck” Gowen appeared in Spartanburg County, District 96, page 89:

“Gowen, John white male over 16
white female
white male over 16
white female
white female
white male over 16
white male over 16
white female
white female
white female
white male under 16
white male under 16
white male under 16
white male under 16
[20 slaves]”

The “four white males over 16” were probably John “Buck” Gowen, William Gowen, James M. Gowen and John B. Gowen. Of the “four white males under 16” only Winn Bearden Gowen can be identified. Four of the “six white females” were probably Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, Mary Gowen, Sarah Gowen and Minerva Gowen . “Atlantic & Dorindas, daughters of Polly Sanders,” were later mentioned in the will of John “Buck” Gowen and may have been the other two women enumerated in the census.

On January 24, 1787 Maj. John “Buck” Gowen received a grant to 342 acres in District 96, according to Deed Book 14, page 137.

John “Buck” Gowen and Allan Gowen were witnesses to a power of attorney executed September 20, 1787 by John Combs of Washington County, North Carolina to John Molen of Greenville County, according to Greenville County Deed Book A, page 213.

John “Buck” Gowen received power of attorney February 20, 1788 from Hugh Lewis, “I Hugh Lewis, about to remove from South Carolina to Cumberland River of North Carolina, ap­point my friend, John Gowen my attorney to sell my land,” ac­cording to Greenville County Deed Book A, page 215.

On March 1, 1788 Mathias Sulser deeded 400 acres on the South Tyger River to John “Buck” Gowen for 200 pounds, ac­cording to Greenville County Deed Book A, page 245.

On October 10, 1788 John Gowen received a grant of 215 acres on Hill Creek of the Pacolet River, “adjoining land of John McClune,” according to Greenville County Grant Book D, page 93.

Joseph Vaughan who had militia duty under Col. Roebuck and Col. Anderson requested September 25, 1786, “Please pay the interest on my indent for the past three years to C. C. Schmitt.” On December 22, 1788 he requested that it be paid “to John Gowen for the purchase of 640 acres of land.”

John “Buck” Gowen was given power of attorney for Thomas Wheelwright Pearson, one of the executors of the estate of Ab­ner Nash in Spartanburg County December 1, 1790, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book C, page 230-31. Other ex­ecutors named in the will were Jacob Blount, Sr, Alfred Moore and William Blount. William Easley and Allen Gowen witnessed the instrument which was recorded April 4, 1794.

On April 11, 1791 John “Buck” Gowen was commissioned sheriff of Spartanburg County. John B. Gowen, his son; William Benson, his son-in-law and Andrew Thompson posted bond for him to the State of South Carolina, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book 2, page 472.

On April 10, 1792 the Spartanburg County Court ordered the county treasurer to “pay Maj. John Gowen, the Sheriff of this county, the sum of five pounds for his extra services for one year.” In the county court minutes of Spartanburg County, January session, 1796 the county treasurer was ordered to pay John “Buck” Gowen five pounds “for his extra fees in the year 1795 as he then acted as Sheriff for this county.” In a later conveyance of land in that county he is referred to as “John Gowen, late sheriff of Spartanburg County,” in Spartanburg County Deed Book F, page 178.

On July 5, 1792 John “Buck” Gowen sold 340 acres located “on George’s Creek on the south side of the Saluda River” that had been granted to his sister, Ann Gowen Easley in 1785 by Gov. Guerrard. This land had passed through the hands of Edmund Bearden, brother-in-law to John “Buck” Gowen, then to “Mr. Jamison,” then back to the State of South Carolina and finally was granted to John “Buck” Gowen by Gov. Pinckney. James Easley, believed to be his nephew; Jesse Moss and Winn Bearden, brother-in-law to the major, witnessed the deed.

On January 22, 1793 John “Buck” Gowen was granted 1,000 acres of land in Washington and Pinckney Counties, Union District, according to Washington County Deed Book 32, page 142 and Pinckney County Deed Book 14, page 137. He sold a tract of land granted to him in 1791 to Matthew Hawkins of Greenville County August 3, 1795 for 50 pounds, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 308.

On January 11, 1797 John “Buck” Gowen received a deed from Moses Spann to 101 acres on the South Pacolet River for 100 pounds, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 309. On January 20, 1797 he deeded 100 acres to John Kirkland for 60 pounds, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 333.

“Majer Gowen” was mentioned in a deed dated August 25, 1797 in which John Barnes of Greenville Co, SC conveyed “50 acres adjacent Mager Gowens Corner” to John Swaffer for £30 sterling. Two decades later Mary Barnes, suggested as the widow of John Barnes by Cecille Gaziano, researcher of Minneapolis, deeded March 28, 1819 100 acres “on a branch of the middle fork of the Saluda River whereon Mary Barnes and Henry Deen now live” to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, pages 534-535. Witnesses to the deed were John Gowen and James Gowen. The deed was proved February 7, 1820 by the oath of John Gowen, Junr that he saw Molly Barnes sign the deed.” The signatories are identified as James M. Gowen and John B. Gowen, sons of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen. Cecille Gaziano raises the possibility that Mary Barnes was a Gowen relative, citing that a Mary Gowen was married to Henry Barnes in Edgefield County, South Carolina May 1, 1796.

In 1800 the census enumerator recorded the household of John “Buck” Gowen as:

“Gowen, John white male over 45
white female over 45
white male 16-26
white female 16-26
white male 10-16
white female 10-16
white male 10-16
white male 10-16
white female 0-10
[34 slaves]”

In 1801 John “Buck” Gowen and two other men contracted to build a new courthouse and jail for Spartanburg County, began to run into cost overruns before its completion and petitioned the South Carolina General Assembly and the South Carolina Senate for additional money. Their petitions read:

“General Assembly Petitions, 1801, No. 49.

“To the Honorable the Senate and House of Repre­sentatives of the State of South Carolina:

“The humble petition of the undertakers of the public Building for Spartanburgh District Sheweth that whereas they have engaged to compleat the Court House and Jail for the above District at an underrate much less than you in your liberality were pleased to appropriate for that purpose in each Dis­trict. From inex­perience of the expense of so great an undertaking, the scarcity of provisions sustained by the late dearth of corn, in our District, and the shortness of time which they have been allowed, being only eigh­teen months, that unless you in compassion to their weakness lend them some assistance they must in their private property be materially injured. They also beg leave to lay before your honor that whereas they contracted to compleat the Court House of Wood they for the publick benefit have raised the same of well-burned Brick relying on your justice to make them compensa­tion. The brick work of said Court House & Jail are now nearly compleated and that the whole of the moneys which they have received are already expended. The Jail is thirty feet long, twenty-four feet wide and Three Storey in height: The Court House is Forty feet long, Twenty-six feet wide and two storey in height, the whole to be compleatly finished–equal to any in this State. And this we are bound to do for the sume of Four Thousand four hundred Dollars. This small sum we need not state to you is inadequate to the expense of so great an undertaking by at least Sixteen hundred Dollars which will be a triffle more than what was a first appropriated for that purpose. This request being so Just and mourall they sincerely hope you will not in humanity to their loss refuse it and your petition­ers in duty bound will ever pray.
John Gowen
Jno. Murrell
Alex’r. McKee”

“To the Honorable vice president of the Senate and the members of the same the Humble Petition of John Gowen, John Murrell and Alexander McKee Sheweth that your Petitioners became undertakers for the build­ings of the Gaol and the Court House of Spartanburgh District for the sum of Four Thousand Four Hundred dollars that by our contract we were to have built the Court House of Wood, but believing it be much sounder built the same of brick, resting on the generosity of the Legislature to indemnify us for the Extra expenses. That in consequence of building this Court House of brick your Petitioners have sunk the sum of one thousand dollars. Therefore your Petitioners most humbly pray that your Honorable House will pass a resolution for the payment of this sum of aforesaid and your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray.

John Gowen
Alexander McKee
Jno. Murrell

On May 26, 1801 John “Buck” Gowen and William Easley were witnesses to a deed in which Joseph Cavin and his wife Elizabeth Cavin conveyed land on Ferguson’s and James’ Creeks to Reuben Barrett, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book H, page 27.

In 1804 John “Buck” Gowen was appointed administrator of the estate of his son William Gowen who died during the pre­vious year.

The case of “John Gowan vs. West Harris” dealing with 500 acres on Little Buck Creek was tried during 1806, according to a 1936 edition of the “Spartanburg Herald.” The newspaper was quoting from Sheriff Blassingame’s execution book of 1806. The land in question was sold May 20, 1806 to James Camp for $105. The sheriff’s execution books were housed in the historical archives of the Kennedy Free Library in 1936. The newspaper article stated that the sheriff wrote in a clear, firm hand on paper water-marked with the South Carolina state crest.

On July 23, 1806 John “Buck” Gowen gave two slave girls to a kinsman Thany Sanders, according to Greenville County Deed Book H, pages 30-31 as abstracted in “Abstracts of Some Greenville County, South Carolina Records Concerning Black People, Free and Slave, 1791-1865” by Anne K. McCuen. The deed of gift read:

“Know ye that I, John Gowen, in consideration of the natural love and affection and also for other good causes and considerations shown me by Thany Sanders of Spantanburg District, daughter of a woman by the name of Polly Sanders at the time of said Thaney’s birth, but now bears the name of Polly Gentry, have given as a love [document torn] . . . to Thaney Sanders, 2 slaves, to wit, Narcissa, a negro girl about 2 [document torn] and winny, a negro girl about 1 month old, both of them children of my negro, to be owned and enjoyed [document torn], and I appoint my trusty friend Major John Blasingame of Greenville Dist. to act as Gardean [sic] for her the said Thany Sanders until she shall arrive at the age of 18 years or marry.
July 23, 1806 John Gowen

Witnesses:
William Easley Recorded Nov. 22, 1809
Pleasant Easly
R. Anderson, Jr. JP”

John “Buck” Gowen and his contracting associates continued to seek reimbursement from the state for their overrun on the construction of the Spartanburg Courthouse. On November 27, 1806 they sent another petition:

“The Petition from the Undertakers of the Public Buildings of Spartanburg District, Praying that an addi­tional sum of money be allowed to indemnify them.

To the Honorable the Speaker of the House of Repre­sentatives and the members of the same:

The Humble Petition of John Gowen, John Murrell and Alexander McKee Sheweth that your petitioners became undertakers for the building of the goal and court house of Spartanburgh District for the sum of four thousand four hundred dollars that by our contract we were to have built the court house of wood but be­lieving it to be much better built the same of brick relying on the generosity of the Legis­lature to indemnify us for the extra expense, that in consequence of building the Court House of brick your petitioners have sunk the sum of one thousand dollars.”

John “Buck” Gowen in 1807 deeded to Pleasant Easley “land in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, on both sides of the Pacolet River where Easley’s still is on,” according to Greenville County Deed Book H, page 131. The land was earlier granted to William Clayton. Witnesses were John Gowen, Jr. and William Cameron. “John Gowen, Jr.” is believed to be John B. Gowen, son of John “Buck” Gowen.

Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen died before 1809, ac­cording to the research of Chan Edmondson, Gowen re­searcher of Dallas, Texas and vice-president of Gowen Re­search Foundation. She died in 1810, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 95, page 175.

On August 20, 1809 John “Buck” Gowen being in ill health, wrote his will. It was recorded in Spartanburg County Will Book A, pages 2-3 November 10, 1809. Apparently he died shortly after writing his will and was probably buried in Spar­tanburg District. The will reads:

“In the name of God, Amen. I, John Gowen, being af­flicted by the hand of Almighty God and knowing it is once ordained for all men to die, do ordain, constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament, hereby re­voking all other Wills by me made, excepting such property, this is, viz: as I have already bestowed to my children.

I pray God who gave it to take my soul, my body to re­turn from whence it came and be buried in a Christian manner, by direction of my executors to be hereinafter named.

First: I bequeath unto my son, Winn B. Gowen, a tract of land lying and being in Greenville District on both sides of middle Tygar River, the line to begin at the mouth of a Branch emptying into the said river on the north side below the mill–thence a direct line to the up­per end of the big cove and to the line of land–then my line to the opposite, to the beginning. Also two negroes called Zed and Spence, together with a stock of cattle and hogs now on the premises before mentioned, one bed and furniture; also my part of a bay gelding that he rides.

Second: I bequeath unto my daughter, Lettie, a planta­tion by Ann Easley’s place, three negroe girls known by the names of Vina, Ede and Harriot; one bed and furniture and two cows and calves.

Third: I bequeath unto my Daughter, Minerva, a tract of land lying on the south side of Saluda where my son, James Gowen, attended; Two Ne­groes, names Cresa and Asa, one bed and furni­ture, One Hundred Dollars to purchase a horse­beast, two cows and calves and her mother’s sattle [saddle].

Fourth: I bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Wood­son, a tract of land on Tyger River called Sulsias place.

Fifth: I bequeath unto my son, James Gowen, 800 acres to begin at the ford of the river on the South Pacolet, now used between here and where he lives, and thence a North course so to include the school house spring where Davis taught, and then ’round to a line to be made for John Roddy; thence, to the beginning so as to include the Jamison fields.

Sixth: I give and bequeath to my Grandson, John Gowen, son of William, deceased, all the land between what I have given Winn and Letty that I own, also one Girl named Hannah; to my granddaughter, Mahulda, a negro boy called Buck; unto Matilda, a negroe boy called Sip; a negroe boy named Ben unto Letty, my granddaughter.

If any of these legatees died without lawful issue, the property to be returned and equally divided be­tween my children the living. I hereby appoint John and Winn Gowen, my sons, and James Blassingame and Street Thurston, my sons-in-law to be the executors of this, my last will and testament: to sell on a credit of twelve months all the real and personal property that I have not before bequeathed, except two hundred acres of land to be laid off, agreeable to deed of gift made to Atlantic and Dorindas, Daughters of Polly Sanders. My debts to be paid and, if any balance left, to be equally divided between all of my children living, borne of my wife, Lettie, deceased. In witness whereof I have set my hand this 20th day of August, Anno Domini, 1809.

John Gowen
In the presence of:
Theron Earle
C. W. McVay
Willus G. Brown”

The identify of “Atlantic and Dorindas, daughters of Polly Sanders,” is unknown, however he had three years earlier writ­ten a deed of gift to Thany Sanders “for the natural love and affection” suggesting that she was a family member.” At that time he described Thany Sanders as “the daughter of a woman by the name of Polly Sanders at the time of Thany’s birth, but now bears the name of Polly Gentry.”

The “deed of gift” to Atlantic Sanders and Dorindas Sanders may have been recorded in Spartanburg County deed records and might assist to identify the pair, who are assumed to be relatives of John “Buck” Gowen.

It is believed that John “Buck” Gowen died shortly after writ­ing his will August 20, 1809. The will was probated January 8, 1810, according to Spartanburg County probate records. Christopher Golightly, Ordinary, presided. On that date he recorded:

“Personally appeared before Theron Earle, C. W. Mc­Vay and Willis F. Brown, who being duly sworn in on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, doth make oath and say that they saw John Gowen was then of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of these deponents’ knowledge and belief, and that they, the said deponents, subscribed their names as wit­nesses at the request of the testator and in his presence. At the same time qualified John and Winn Gowen and James Blassingame and Street Thurston, executors. Given under my hand this January 8, 1810.
Christopher Golightly, O.G.D.”

South Carolina Warrant of Appraisement Order was issued to John B. Gowen, Winn Bearden Gowen, James P. Blassingame and Street Thurston, executors “to appraise the estate of John Gowen, deceased, January 8, 1810 in the thirty-fifth year of American Independence.”

Sworn statements of the Justices of the Peace Bayliss John Earle, Shields Booker, Rice F. Ross, John Whitten and John Stokes were rendered that they would make certain that the executors appraised the estate as required.

Excerpts from the annual returns of the estate of John “Buck” Gowen for 1811 reveal: “Winn B. Gowen, notes utilized, $100. Winn B. Gowen, notes received of Dr. Sam Greene, Columbia, South Carolina, balance of a note received May 20, 1810, $30 interest on three notes to that time. James Blassingame, executor, received $20 of Shields Booker, June 27, 1811.”

An inventory of the personal estate of John “Buck” Gowen made by heirs whose names follow:

“Property willed to Lettice “Letty” Gowen; property willed to Minerva Gowen; property willed to Mahala Gowen; property willed to Matilda Gowen, property willed to Mahulda Gowen; property willed to John Gowen, son of William Gowen; G. John Blassingame, son of James P. Blassingame, one negro boy named Harry, $100.

From the returns of executors of John “Buck” Gowen, January 1813: Paid to Minerva Gowen agreeable to tes­tator’s will, $400; paid to James Blassingame agreeable to his proven account rendered, $262.10.”

Included in the return of the debts of John “Buck” Gowen at the time of his death were the following notations: “One note on James Blassingame, dated July 1804, 17/3, payable to Henry Gray; one book account on James Blassingame from 1800 to November 21, 1805; balance on the second account of James Blassingame, on a Magnett, on old fork, 1805 L 1.6/6. Those acct. of date 4. llW. Blassingame thinks proper to take that exception.”

Debts due the estate of John “Buck” Gowen which were con­sidered not collectable because they had become out of date or because debtors were insolvent or had removed to locations unknown totaled $3,861.99, according to Bayliss John Earle, Justice of the Peace.

On January 21, 1813 John B. Gowen, Winn Bearden Gowen, James Blassingame and Street Thurston were summoned to make a final settlement of the estate of John “Buck” Gowen to the heirs. Apparently the estate of the deceased included prop­erty in Rutherford County, North Carolina because mention is made in this settlement of reimbursement for expenses incurred on a trip to that county by one of the executors.

On July 3, 1915 the Daughters of the American Revolution ac­cepted the following statement, published in “Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina,” authenti­cating Maj. John “Buck” Gowen as a Commissary and officer in the American Revolution:

“Among those who pursued Bates and his party was Major Buck Gowen. With a party of resolute men he overtook the Indians in their camp beyond the headwa­ters of the Tyger River, killed and captured some and routed the rest. Unfortunately he did not capture Bates, but recovered the Gilly children.

The particulars of this circumstance were related to the writer about 10 years ago by Elias Dill [now deceased], who at that time was in his 82nd year. Mr. Dill further stated that his father-in-law, Mr. Howard, was a member of Major Gowen’s command and had often related the story to him.

Mr. Dill further stated that at the time Major Gowen’s command was approaching the camp of the Indians, the little Gilly boy was breaking sticks to make a fire. He recognized Major Gowen and joyfully ran to meet him.

Major Buck Gowen was a true patriot, and but for his active exertions in getting together his militia, there is no telling to what extent Bates would have carried his bloody work on the innocent and defenseless people. His place of residence was on the present plantation of Mr. Baker Caldwell, on the South Pacolet. Nothing remains to show the old home place except a sunken place in the ground which was his cellar. The present village of Gowensville, but a short distance from where he resided, was named in honor of him.”

Other facts in the military career of John “Buck” Gowen were related in “Colonial and Revolutionary History of South Carolina” by Landrum.

“He erected Gowen’s Fort located near Gowensville during the Revolutionary War period. At this fort he gathered soldiers who fought with him and protected the families of the patriots. Gowen’s Fort was mentioned in “History of Spartanburg County,” published in the 1930s, with: “James Jordan received from Captain John Gowins three bills to discharge a debt to Heart in Charles Town. The amount was 106 pounds, 15 shillings. This John Gowen commanded Gowen’s Fort a few miles distant from Ft. Prince on the Indian Line.”

William “Bloody Bill” Bates, a notorious Tory, captured Gowen’s Fort in 1781 and killed, scalped and mutilated the people who had taken refuge there. One victim who escaped was Mrs. Abner Thompson, Greenville, who lived 50 years afterward even though she had been scalped and left for dead.

Gowen’s Fort and its blockhouse was occupied during the Civil War, some 80 years later, by Confederate deserters. To halt their foraging on the farms of local citizens, Col. J. D. Ashmore was ordered to capture the deserters. Col. Ashmore positioned a cannon before the gates of the fort. After a demonstration of cannon-power, 502 deserters filed out of the fort, on their way to courts martial. The old fort remained quiet until World War I, and then cannons boomed again on the site. The U.S. Army had chosen the site for artillery training. Today no sign of the old fort remains, and no one can locate the site for certain.

Adeline Evans Wynn writing in “Southern Lineages” men­tions that she visited the area of Gowensville in the 1930s:

“The land mentioned in the will of John Gowen seems to cover the Gowen Fort site. I went to the nearest point, Landrum, South Carolina by rail, hired a con­veyance and drove all through the section of the country where the Gowens and Blassingames lived. I passed near a spring which I believe to have been the one mentioned in Item 5 of the will of John Gowen for across the road was a Gowen field adjoining the home of a very early settler who told me that a quantity of English gold pieces were dug from it ten or more years ago.”

In 1960 the population of Gowensville was estimated at 200. When the community was visited in 1971 only a church and few buildings composed the town. No members of the Gowen family remained there at that time. Prior to the Civil War an academy was located in Gowensville.

Descendants of John “Buck” Gowen living in Oklahoma were mentioned in “DAR Lineage Book,” 1948-49.

Frank Maxwell Gowen, a Gowen researcher of Phoenix, Ari­zona, who made a study of the area in 1971 concluded that John “Buck” Gowen and his wife were buried in a pioneer cemetery in the Earle’s Mill community nearby. Earle’s Mill was located two miles north of Gowensville on the Pacolet River.

Children born to John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen include:

William Gowen b. 1762, m. Miriam Earle, lived in Greenville, SC

William Gowen [John “Buck”6. [William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] on of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1762, probably in Granville County, North Carolina where his parents lived at the time. It suggested by Adeline Evans Wynn that his family lived in Craven County, South Carolina in 1770. “John Gowing” received a land grant of 200 acres there May 16, 1770, according to Craven County Deed Book 2, page 267.

Children born to William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen in­clude:

In 1772 it is believed that his family moved to Prince William Parish, Beaufort District, South Carolina where his father re­ceived another land grant. It is believed that the family was induced to moved there by James Gowen, kinsman of John “Buck” Gowen.

In 1778 the family moved to District 96 in the western ex­tremity of South Carolina where John “Buck” Gowen had re­ceived a land grant four years earlier, probably for militia ser­vices in the Charleston, South Carolina area.

William Gowen was married to Miriam Earle, ninth child of Lt. Col. Bayliss John Earle and Mary Berry Prince Earle January 28, 1796. Miriam Earle was born November 24, 1775 in Frederick County, Virginia. She was a granddaughter of Samuel Earle, high sheriff and member of the House of Burgesses from Frederick County and Anna Sorrell Earle.

Bayliss John Earle was born August 8, 1734 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was married to Mary Berry Prince who was born April 16, 1744 to John Prince and Virginia Sarah Berry. John Prince was born February 2, 1709-10 in Frederick County. Virginia Sarah Berry was born in 1718 in Stafford County, Virginia, according to Pam Wilson.

“Bayliss Earle” was enumerated as the head of household in Spartanburg County, according to “Heads of Families, South Carolina, 1790:”

“Earle, Bayliss white male over 16
4 white males under 16
6 females
no slaves”

Col. Bayliss John Earle died January 6, 1825 in Earlesville, South Carolina in Spartanburg County. Mary Berry Prince Earle died there in 1807.

William Gowen was described as a “Revolutionary soldier” by Joseph Earle Birnie in “The Earles and the Birnes,” however it is believed that he did not see revolutionary service because of his youth. His grandfather, William Gowen served as a Revolutionary soldier under the command of his son, Capt. John “Buck” Gowen, and the author may have confused the two.

William Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1800 census of Greenville District, page 6, No. 227:

“Gowan, William white male 16-26 [?]
white female 16-26
white female 0-10
white male 0-10
[7 slaves]”

He made his home in Greenville County until his death in 1804. His father was appointed administrator of his estate which was appraised and administered between 1804 and 1806. A Warrant of Appraisement of the estate was issued to Thomas Brummet, Jesse Mayfield, John Motlow, Arch Elliot and John Goodlett in 1804 and certified by Robert Cook, justice. They were directed to “repair to William Gowen’s house and appraise his estate.”

State of South Carolina
Greenville District

We the appraisers authorized to appraise the Goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased Do Certify that these two sheets and papers contain a just and true Statement of the appraisement of the Goods and Chattles of Said Deceased. Given under our hands this 22nd June, 1804.

Thos. [X] Brummett Jesse Mayfield
John Motlow Arch’d [X] Ellett
John Goodlett”

Apparently William Gowen owned half interest in a a “store at New Market” and half interest in a tavern there. Stephen C. Woods was mentioned in the accounting as a defaulting copartner. Despite some “desperate” accounts which the admin­istrator “despaired” of collecting and which were written off, the estate was a large one for that era, suggesting that William Gowen would be considered a wealthy man.

It is unlikely that William Gowen died a sudden death. Three different doctors were brought in to treat him, according to the probate record:

“A Return of debts paid by John Gowen,
Administrator in behalf of the Estate
of William Gowen, Deceased

Expenses of last sickness $ 25.34.0
Funeral Expense 7.00.0
Doctors Fees:
Dr. B. Moore 16.87.5
Dr. Wilkerson 9.25.0
Dr. Hardwick 10.00.0
Ballence of an Execution paid to Sheriff
Anderson in behalf of Shottwell 58.00.0
Public Tax for 1804 2.00.0
Ballence of a note due Edward Nort or
His Descendants 363.12.5
Ballence of a note due
Alex. MacKinny 364.19.0
Ballence of a note due
Samuel Lanier & Int. 176.60.0
Note due Samuel Hunt & Int. 131.29.0
Note due Pleasant Easley & Ditto 73.67.5
Note due William Blythe & Ditto 42.57.0
Note due Phillemon Bradford & Int. 440.68.0
Note due Jesse Mayfield & Int. 228.00.0
Note due Jeremiah Brown & Int. 212.15.6
Note due William Beal, Prin. & Int. 20.94.0
Amount paid on a note Baylis Carder 110.00.0
Note due Samuel Law, Prin. & Int. 6.69.0
=======
2306.84.1
Note in favour of Jas. Gowen taken
up from Gideon Hunt & Int. 90.27.0
Ballence of a note in favour of Jas.
Gowen taken up from Saml. Earle 164.11.0
=========
$ 2561.22.1

Total Amount Bought Forward $ 2561.22.1
Total cash paid by James Gowen 175.00.0
Proven account in favor of Elias Earle 242.52.0
Ditto of Thomas Edward Hall 6.68.0
Ditto of Aron Evans 11.18.5
Ditto of MacDowell & Blair 43.17.0
Ditto of John Horne 4.00.0
Ditto of John Hickman 13.19.5
Ditto of Jeremiah Brown 96.00.0
Ditto of Thomas Brummette 20.00.0
Ditto of John Samuels 14.00.0
Ditto of William Carrel 16.50.0
Ditto of Henry Sharp 28.12.0
Ditto of Jesse Mayfield 27.00.0
Ditto of Thomas MacLain 194.00.0
Ditto of Jesse Goodlett 10.75.0
Ditto of John Corne 36.88.0
Amount paid James Pinnell
on proven account 100.00.0
Amount paid John MacChurchill 4.00.0
Proven account in favor of P. Bradford 13.73.0
Ditto of Thomas Ewington 15.00.0
Proven account on funeral, Dyer & Tally 7.00.00
Amount paid for Whiskey at Sale 3.95.00
Ordinary [Recorder] fees 6.00.0
Paper for Use at Sales 0.75.0
Proven account in favour of
James Gowen 270.50.0
Money laid out for the use of the family 28.73.0
========
$ 3953.88.1

Total Amount Brought up $ 3953.88.1

Proven account of Mr. John Motlow 935.12.0
Money paid for the use of the family 3.25.0
========
$ 4892.25.1
Paid note of James Gowen 205.00.0
========
$ 5097.25.1
Commission on the above
Account in favour of
Jno. Gowen, Admr. 564.10.0
========
$ 5661.25.1
A Return of the debts Paid
for the Estate of Wm. Gowen,
Deceased by Jno. Gowen, Executor, Admr.
$ 3953.88.1

Commissions 197.69
46.75
========
$ 244.44

A List of Cash on hand, Obligations, Book Accounts, Open Accounts, & Open sales & Copardnership Books Due William Gowen at his Decease, May 16, 1804.

Total Cash on Hand $ 5.37.5
One Note Given to Gideon Hester by
John Motlow on Demand
February 21, 1805 for 32.00.0
One Order Given by Elias Earle on
John Motlow July 12, 1803 for 60.00.0
One on James Pennington Due October 1,
1804 to be paid in Horses for 250.00.0
One Note on Robert Cannon due
November 1, 1804 for 65.00.0
One Note on James Gowen, Deceased
Due November 25, 1802 for 100.00.0
One Note on John Vineyard for 8, due
to be paid in goods [Desparate]* for 8.00.0
One Note on Farr due
November 11, 1802 for 100.00.0
Total Amount Due by the Widow Polly Gowen,
Combahee and acknowledged 100.00.0
Total Ballence of an Account in the hands of
Henry Elmore and acknowledged 25.00.0
Total Amount due by
Isom Draudy [Desperate]* 50.00.0
Total Amount due by Edward Herndon 45.00.0
========
$ 940.37.5

Total Amount Brought Forward $ 940.37.5
Total Book Amt. Due by John Motlow 459.64.0
Total Amount of Sugar & Salt Book
at New Market Sale, 12 pounds,
13 shillings, 01 pence, in dollars 55.25.0
Total Amount of Act. Due by
Thomas Brummett for wife 11.25.0
Thomas Wood [Desperate*] due 21.00.0
James Blassingame due 20.00.0
James Galt due 3.00.0
Benjamin Hawkins [Desperate*] due 4.00.0
James Gillison due 15.00.0
Lewis Frazer due .37.0
David Reed due 17.48.5
James Gowen due on a
Temporary Settlement 386.74.0
Total Amount of half the Store acts Kept
at New Market 76 pounds, 2 shillings,
3 pence, in Dollars 326.18.0
Total Amount of half the Tavern Books
Kept at New Market 15 pounds, 7
shillings, 5 1/2 pence, in Dollars 65.87.0
Total Half the Amount of the Goods Sold at
New Market after Gowen decease after
Paying the Sale Expense 109.60.0
Total Amount Due by Stephen C. Wood on the
Close of the Copardnership sale 65.35.5
This of Woods is [Desperate] ========
$ 2501.11.5
Jno. Gowen, Admr.

An account, calculation & reckoning of the Administration of the Estate of William Gowen, deceased as exhibited into the Ordinary’s Office of Greenville District on the 4th day of November, 1806.

Amount of First Sale $ 1683.88.7.5
Amount of Second Sale 1698.37.5
Cash on hand, Obligation Book & Open
Acts. Assumable & Copartnership
Book Debts 2501.11.5
Payment & Expense Turn Over paid
the Estate 387.97.3.5
Commissions Over & Above 264.15.0
========
$ 5935.50.1

Paid as Follows, as per Return filed
Amounting in the whole $ 5661.35
Amount of Ordinary Fees 10.00
Administrator’s Commission 261.15
====.==
$ 5935.50

This exhibit contains on oath the acc’t Calculation & Reckoning of the Administration of the said deceased’s estate.
Jno. Gowen, Admr.”

* Desperate; despairate, Considered uncollectable.

An inventory of the estate was returned to probate court July 30, 1804. A portion of the accounting of the estate of William Gowen was obtained in November 1975 by Frank Maxwell Gowen. The accounting, recorded in dollars, cents and mills, read:

“Total Amt Brought Forward 2,561.22.7
Total Cash paid by James Gowens 175.00.0
Proven accounts in favor of:Elias Earle 289.52.0
Arch Evans 11.18.5
McDowell & Blair 13.17.0
John Horde 4.00.0
John Wilkenson 13.19.5
Jeremiah Brown 96.00.0
Thomas Brummett 20.00.0
John Jameson 14.00.0
William Cannon 16.50.0
Henry Sharp 28.12.0
Jesse Mayfield 27.00.0
Thomas McLain 194.00.0
Jesse Goddlett 20.75.0
A. P. John Corne 36.88.0
Phillemon Bradford 13.73.0
Thomas Covington 15.00.0
Amount paid James Pennell 100.00.0
Amount paid John McChurchmon 4.00.0
Part account of Dyer Tally 7.00.0
Amount paid for whisky at sale 3.95.0
Ordinary fees 6.00.0
Paper for use at Sales 0.75.0
Proven account, James Gowen 279.50.0
Money pd. for use of the family 28.73.0
Proven account of John Motlow 935.12.0
Money pd. for use of the family 3.25.0
===.===
$ 4,892.25.1

Paid Account of James Pennington
vs. deceased 205.00.1
Commissions on the above
Account of John Gowen, admr. 564.10.0

A Return of the Debts paid for the
Estate of William Gowen Deceased
by John Gowen [illegible word]
administrator 3,953.88.1
Commissions 197.69.0
46.75.0
====.=====
$ 244.44.0″

A record of an estate sale of William Gowen held June 22, 1804 showed that many of the effects were purchased by Miriam Earle Gowen:

“Bill of the Sale of the Goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased, June 22, 1804 in dollars, cents and mills:

Thomas Bearden One side of leather 2.62.0
Marium Gowen Axe & file 1.75.0
Marium Gowen One sugar cannister 1.00.0
Samuel Hunt One silver watch 20.00.0
Marium Gowen 4 slays & 2 harness 1.50.0
Major John Gowen 26 hair halters 2.50.0
Phillemon Bradford One jug 1.25.0
Marium Gowen One iron bound cask 1.25.0
Marium Gowen One pair saddle bags 0.50.0
William Anderson One keg & powder 2.25.0
Major John Gowen One pair of linens 0.14.0
James Gowen Shaving box & razor 1.50.0
Samuel Hunt 13 yards black silk 17.00.0
Samuel Hunt One pair slippers 2.00.0
Jonathan Hand Four chairs 0.50.0
Major John Gowen One Waggon Cloth ?.??
Obadiah Woodson Boxes & Hub Irons 8.25.0
Major John Gowen One chain & harness 46.00.0
Marium Gowen Fire dogs, shovel, tongs 4.00.0
Marium Gowen One looking glass 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Crockary ware 2.00.0
Marium Gowen Two decanters, tumbler 1.50.0
Marium Gowen Coffee mill, Candle mould
& snuffer, two quart
bottles & one Gimblet 1.75.0
Marium Gowen Two pair cards &
Coffee Pot 1.50.0
Marium Gowen One woman’s saddle 15.00.0
Major John Gowen One Saddle & fixings 15.50.0
James Gowen One Brace Pistols 25.00.0
Jeremiah Brown Bed, Bedstead & furniture 35.50.0
Major John Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 33.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 10.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 25.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 35.00.0
Phillemon Bradford One trunk 5.56.2
Marium Gowen One churn 2.50.0
William Ker One table 1.93.7
Marium Gowen One table 1.50.0
James Gowen One grindstone 2.00.0
Jonathan Hand Two kegs 1.87.5
James Gowen One Cutting Box 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Table 0.50.0
John Carlin One Table 0.50.0
John Carlin One Table 0.50.0
Lewis Frazer One Cubbord 3.00.0
Marium Gowen One Curry Comb & Bit 0.62.5
Lewis Frazer One Loom 5.50.0
Marium Gowen Bag Sifter & Tray 3.75.0
John B. Elkin Two Fire Bucketts 0.25.0
Marium Gowen Two Kegs 0.50.0
Lewis Frazer One Cask 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Cask & Hogshead 2.35.7
Marium Gowen One Large Wheel 1.35.7
James Gowen One Small Wheel 1.00.0
Marium Gowen One Small Wheel 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Reel 0.62.5
Major John Gowen One Large Wheel 1.00.0
James Gowen One Large Wheel 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Churn 0.50.0
James Gowen One pair, Bushel 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Piggins [wooden vessels] 5.00.0
Marium Gowen Pewter & Tin Ware 10.75.0
Marium Gowen Crocks & Pans 0.85.7
Col. Henry M. Wood One Grid Iron 2.50.0
James Gowen One Frying Pan 2.12.5
Col. Henry M. Wood Ladles & Fork 2.00.0
Marium Gowen One Pot & Hooks 2.00.0
Thomas Cantrell One Pot & Hooks 1.68.7
Major John Gowen One Skillet 0.75.0
Marium Gowen Smoothing Irons 1.87.7
Marium Gowen Ovens 3.12.5
William Ker Ovens 0.56.2
Major John Gowen Mattock 1.25.0
William Ker Two Axes 2.00.0
Phillemon Bradford One Plow & fixings 2.50.0
Samuel McJunkin Doubletrees 1.75.0
Archabald Ellett Seven augers 2.18.7
Thomas Cantrell Saw, Drawing knife
& Hammer 1.31.2
James Gowen Cup Hoods & Wedges 6.62.5
Major John Gowen Bridle Bitts 1.25.0
James Gowen Frizens [?] & Bolts & C. 1.25.0
William Ker One bunch irons 1.42.2.5
James Gowen One lot bills [?] 1.50.0
Baylis E. Elkin Lot Hogs 150.25.0
Major John Gowen Lot Hogs 30.50.0
William Cannon Geese 6.37.5
James Gowen One Cow & Calf 11.75.0
James Gowen One Cow & Calf 10.25.0
James Gowen Cow, Yearling & Bull 10.25.0
Ransom Powell One Cow 9.25.0
Jeremiah Brown One Cow 10.50.0
Baylis E. Elkin Two Steers 19.27.0
Baylis E. Elkin One Steer & Bull 20.75.0
James Gowen One Steer & Heifer 11.25.0
John Gowen One Steer 2.25.0
Thomas Wood One Steer 4.75.5
Jesse Mayfield One Steer 3.00.0
James Gowen One Steer & Heifer 6.00.0
James Gowen One Horse 77.75.0
William Cannon One Horse 125.00.0
Alex’r McKinney One Horse 103.25.0
Col. Browne One Horse 132. 00.0
Jeremiah Browne One Horse 46.00.0
Col. Browne One Horse 137.12.5
Alex’r McKinney One Horse 179.00.0
Major John Gowen One Horse 172.00.0
========.===
Total $ 1,683.88.7.5
Signed this Second Day of September, 1804
John Gowen, Administrator”

Another sale of the “Goods and Chattels” of William Gowen was held January 15, 1805 and the total of “monies and ac­counts” of $1,098.37.5 [dollars-cents-mills] was reported by John “Buck” Gowen May 22, 1805:

“Bill of the Second Sale of the goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased, on the 15th day of January, 1805.

One Negroe Wench & Child 400.00.0
One Negroe Fellow 430.00.0
One Bay Gelding 60.00.0
One Bay Gelding 100.00.0
5 2/3 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.37.5
5 bbls. Corn 16.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One pair Drawing Chains 2.50.0
One pair Drawing Chains 1.50.0
One Shovel Plow 1.00.0
One Lot Iron Clevises 0.75.0
One Lot Iron Chains 2.25.0
=====.====
$ 1,098.37.5

Signed this 22nd day of May 1805
John Gowen, Administrator”

A third sale of the property of William Gowen held May 5, 1806 produced proceeds amounting to $5,361.75, according to the probate records.

Children born to William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen in­clude:

Mahala Gowen daughter of William Gowen and Miram Earle

Mahala Gowen, [William7, John “Buck”6. William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen, was born about 1797, probably in Greenville County where her parents lived at that time. Al­though she was not mentioned in the will of her grandfather John “Buck” Gowen where he made specific mention of the other children of his deceased son, but she turned up to receive property along with the other grandchildren. Mahala Gowen and her brother and sisters were mentioned in Landrum’s “History of South Carolina.”

John Gowen son of William Gowen and Miriam Earle

John Gowen, [William7, John “Buck”6. William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen, was born about 1798 in Greenville County. He was mentioned in the will of his grandfather John “Buck” Gowen. In accordance with the will he received “all the lands between what I have given him and Lettie [Letitia “Letty” Gowen] that I own, also one girl named Hannah.”

Matilda Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle

Matilda Gowen, [William7, John “Buck”6. William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen, was born about 1799 in Greenville County about six years before the death of her father. She was mentioned in the will of her grandfather John “Buck” Gowens to receive “a negro boy called Sip.” In accordance with the will Matilda Gowen received “property” in an “inventory of the personal estate of John Gowen.” Matilda Gowen was mentioned by Landrum in his “History of South Carolina.”

Letitia “Letty” Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle

Letitia “Letty” Gowen, [William7, John “Buck”6. William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen, was born about 1800 in Greenville County. She was mentioned in the will of her grandfather John “Buck” Gowen, and, as one of its stip­ulations, received “a negro boy named Ben.” She was mentioned in Landrum’s “History of South Carolina.”

It is believed that she was married about 1818 to John C. Stewart, son of Edward Stewart whose land adjoined that of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen, Absolom Thompson, John Henson and Stephen Dill. They “removed to Carroll County, Tennessee about 1830,” according to James A. Stewart, a descendant of Lakewood, California in a message dated February 2, 2002. Letitia “Letty” Gowan Stewart died in Carroll County about 1844, shortly after the birth of a son.

John C. Stewart was enumerated in the 1850 census of Carroll County as the head of a household No. 892 in the 6th Civil District:

“Stewart, John C. 54, born in SC, farmer, $250
real estate
Mary A. 27, daughter, born in SC
Elizabeth A. 17, daughter, born in TN
Joab 14, son, born in TN
Nancy M. 11, daughter, born in TN
Eliza L. 8, daughter, born in TN
Levi 6, son, born in TN”

John C. Stewart sold his property there in 1856 and is believed to have accompanied his son Joab Stewart in a move to Navarro County, Texas.

Children born to John C. Stewart and Letitia “Letty” Gowen Stewart include:

  • Milton B. Stewart born about 1819
  • Thomas Jefferson Stewart born about 1821
  • Mary A. Stewart born about 1823
  • Edward Stewart born about 1824
  • James Franklin Stewart born about 1826
  • Elizabeth A. Stewart born about 1833
  • Burrell Stewart born about 1835
  • Joab Dolphus Stewart born about 1836
  • Nancy Stewart born about 1839
  • Levi Stewart born about 1844

There were possibly other children. Names were taken from a list of siblings by a granddaughter of Elizabeth Stewart Muns. She named sister Jane, Lettie and brothers John and William. John is possibly John Wilson Stewart shown in the Navarro Country Texas census. In 1860 John and his wife Victoria Roach Stewart are living next door to Joab Dolphus Stewart.

Mary A. Stewart, daughter of John C. Stewart and Letitia “Letty” Gowen Stewart, was born in South Carolina about 1823. She appeared at age 27 in the 1850 census of her father’s household in Carroll County, Tennessee.

James Franklin Stewart, son of John C. Stewart and Letitia “Letty” Gowen Stewart, was born in South Carolina about 1829. He was brought to Carroll County, Tennessee about 1830. He was married there about 1849 to Cornelia Ann Blow, daughter of William Thomas Blow and Lucy Gurley James Blow, both from Southampton County, Virginia.

They were enumerated in the 1850 census of Carroll County, Enumeration District 6, Household No. 918:

“Stewart, James 21[?], farmer, born in SC, $60
real estate
Cornelia A. 20, born in VA
Mary J. 1, born in TN”

They removed to White County, Arkansas about 1860. Later they removed to Faulkner County, Arkansas and settled near Conway.

In 1862 James Franklin Stewart enlisted in the 21st Arkansas Infantry Regiment [CSA] in White County, Arkansas. Family lore has it that he was captured and spent a great deal of time as a prisoner of war in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After the war, he went to medical school in Kansas City, Missouri. According to the “History of Cascade Springs, Arkansas” he opened the first drug store the area. In the 1880 census his profession is listed a physician.

James Franklin Stewart died in 1885, Cornelia died in 1902, and both are buried in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Saltillo, Arkansas in Faulkner County.

James A. Stewart wrote:

“John C. Stewart and Letty Gowen Stewart provided at least five sons and a grandson for the Civil War. Edward and his son Thomas Jefferson Stewart [named for his uncle] along with brother Levi Stewart fought for the Union. These men fought under Col. Isaac Hawkins in the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, USA in west Tennessee. Edward achieved the rank of Captain, and in his pension application stated that he commanded a scout troop under Col. Hawkins in west Tennessee. About 1885, he and his wife Lucinda Ross Stewart moved to Navarro County, Texas where he died about 1907.

Levi Stewart also was in Col. Hawkins command, but was killed by bushwhackers after 1863.

Edward’s son, Thomas Stewart survived the war and lived in Carroll County, Tennessee in 1870.

The following is a narrative provided by Capt. Edward Stewart in connection with his Pension Application.

‘On this 11th day of May AD 1891 personally appeared before me, J.J. Wilson, Clerk of the County Court, a court of record within and for this county and state aforesaid,

Edward Stewart aged 66 years a resident of the County of Navarro and State of Texas, who, being sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Edward Stewart, who was enrolled as Captain in Co C,. Harrison’s Battalion, Paducah Volunteers on or about 1st day of August 1863 at Corinth, Mississippi which Company and battalion was attached to 7th Reg. Tenn. Volunteers, commanded by Col. Isaac R. Hawkins. That he was engaged in Special, Scout service and remained in Command of said Co until about Dec.1863 at Union City Tenn.

He was attacked with Varrioloid [light case of smallpox] and left Company in Command of J. West Neely [John Wesley Neely believed to be son of Andrew Neely who’s grandmother was Agnes Stewart] that he was in Command of a squad of scouts connected with the Command of Milton Hardy [Milton Hardy was later shot while trying to kidnap the Governor of Tennessee] and remained in command of said Squad until the Battle of Paducah, Kentucky that he afterward enrolled as Sgt. in Capt Sam Hawkins Co. I 7th Tennessee Regiment and Command of Col. Isaac R. Hawkins on March 8th 1865 at Paducah, KY and remained in said Co until 9th day of August 1865, when he was honorably discharged by reason of close of the war.

That while in service above named and was sent to private hospital at the residence of a Mr Goodloe and remained for about 35 days and was also attacked with Rheumatism which disease has afflicted him with more or less severity from that time until the present moment. That on or about February 1864 and at or near Johnsonville, Tennessee while on duty he became ruptured in left groin from which affliction he has never entirely recovered. Of which and of rheumatisim he has ceased about entirely from any kind of manual labor or active exercise even on horseback.

That in the spring of 1864 he was healed at private house of Dr. Thompson of Paducah, KY, that since said service he has been treated by the following named physicians and surgeons, Joe McCall MD, W.N. Murray MD, of Huntingdon and by Dr. Robt Laws of Wildersville, Tenn. and by Dr. D.L. Laws of Clarksburg, Tenn and by others and since coming to Texas in 1886. He has been treated by Drs. Jno. F. and Wm. Starley and by Dr. I.N. and J.S. Suttle of Corsicana Texas.

That since said service above named he has not been employed in the Military or Naval Service of the United States.

That since leaving said service this applicant has resided in Carroll County, Tenn. until 1876 and in Henderson County 1876 to 1880 and from 1881 until 1886 he resided in Faulkner County, Arkansas and since 1886 until the present time he has resided in this Navarro, County, Texas, and that his occupation when able to do anything has been that of a farmer and mechanic.

That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of sound, physical health, being when enrolled a farmer. That he is now totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his disabilities above described and of partial loss of eyesight and of heart trouble resulting from the disabilities received in the service of the United States. He therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.

He hereby appoints J.M. Douglas of Corsicana, State of Texas his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim to whom he agrees to pay the sum of twenty five Dollars when a pension is allowed him for said service. That he has made application No. 974730 for a pension under the act of June 27 1890.
Edward Stewart

Also personally appeared R.W. Walton residing in Corsicana Texas and John Faulk, Persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being by one duly foregoing sign his to the foregoing declaring that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be and that they have no interest in the prosecution of his claim.
R.W. Walton John Faulk

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of May A.D. 1891; and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to the applicant, and witness before swearing and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.

Sir:
In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.

First, Are you married? If so, please state your wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Answer. yes, Lucinda Stewart, Maiden name Lucinda Ross.

Second, When, Where and by whom were you married?
Answer. Nov. 23, 1843 by W.B. Shoren, [actually believed to be Shaver] Carroll County, West Tenn.

Third, What record of marriage exists?
Answer. Can’t state, but refer to record in clerks office.

Fourth, Were you previously married?
Answer, No

Fifth, Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer:

James Madison Stewart, Jan. 1, 1848
Nancy Jane Stewart Dec. 21, 1850
Mary Elizabeth Stewart Oct. 15, 1853
Eliza Ann Stewart Oct. 22, 1855
Jo Ann Stewart Oct. 27, 1857
John Wesley Stewart Feb. 22, 1860

Date of Reply August 4, 1898 Signed: Edward Stewart’

“Burrell Stewart fought on the side of the Confederacy. He was listed as a private in Company B, Newsom’s Cavalry and was under the command of Col. J. F. Newsom and Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Burrell moved to White County, Arkansas and was listed there in the census of 1870 with wife, Elizabeth Fesmire Stewart.

In 1862 Joab Dolphus Stewart was enlisted in Hoods Fourth Brigade, CSA under Capt. Wooten in Corsicana, Texas. This unit was transferred to Virginia and fought in Virginia and Maryland under General Robert E. Lee. Joab’s wife Rachel Ann Thompson Stewart applied for and received his pension in Texas. They are both buried in Kerens, Texas in Navarro County.

Thomas Jefferson Stewart, son of John and Letty Gowen Stewart, was in Company F, 8th Cavalry Regiment, also under Col. Newsom. Thomas was killed during the Civil War, according to family lore. Thomas was married twice, first to Catherine Ross [sister to Lucinda Ross] who died in 1844. They had one son named John B. Stewart born in 1842. He was remarried to Nancy Smith and has many descendants.

The following is known of the daughters of John and Letty Gowen Stewart. It is believed that Nancy M. Stewart never married and was enumerated as a cook for a family in Corsicana, Texas in 1880.

Elizabeth Stewart married Thomas Austin Munns and lived for a time in the Spring Creek area of Madison County, Tennessee. They then moved to Corsicana and are believed to be buried there.”

Mahulda E. Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle

Mahulda E. Gowen, [William7, John “Buck”6, William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen, was born about 1801 in Greenville County. She was an infant in arms when her father died in 1803. She was named in her grandfather’s will, and under its terms received “a negro boy called Buck.” She was mentioned in Landrum’s “History of South Carolina.”

Clayton Goerdel wrote January 12, 2002 of his ancestor, Mahulda E. Gowen who was married July 17, 1816 at Winchester, Tennessee in Franklin County to Zachariah Staggs, both of whom were born in South Carolina. Zachariah Staggs affirmed in his application for a War of 1812 that they were married in Winchester, Tennessee

Zachariah Staggs was one of five sons of William Staggs who was born about 1755, probably in South Carolina. Zachariah Staggs was born about 1792 in Chester County, South Carolina.

Zachariah Staggs removed to Franklin County, Tennessee. By 1839 he had bought land in Jefferson County, Alabama. The obituary of his daughter, Arrena Staggs Hicks revealed that the family moved to Hot Springs County, Arkansas in 1848.

John J. Gowin and William Gowin were securities for Benjamin F. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs, February 16, 1857, according to the research of Joseph G. Hicks, Sr.

Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs died about 1870, and Zachariah Staggs was remarried to “Elizabeth E.” Zachariah Staggs died in Hot Springs County, Arkansas about 1879.

Joseph E. Hicks wrote:

“Elizabeth E. Staggs sold his land in 1879. She was born February 8, 1822 and died October 2, 1897. She was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery here in Hot Springs. Next to her are two unmarked graves which may contain Zachariah or their children.”

Nine children were born to Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs including:

  • Arrena Staggs born about 1820
  • Benjamin F. Staggs born about 1822
  • John W. Staggs born about 1824
  • Margaret J. Staggs born about 1827
  • Vardy Addington Staggs born about 1828
  • Thomas N. Staggs born about 1829
  • Ezekiel E. Staggs born December 6, 1831

Arrena Staggs, daughter of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs

Arrena Staggs, daughter of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1820. She was married about 1839 to William K. Gill, according to Joseph G. Hicks. In the obituary of Arrena Staggs Hicks, it was stated that her parents moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1848.

William W. Gowin, age 26 was married February 25, 1851 [1861?] to Martha A. Davidson, age 16, according to Hot Springs County Marriage Book 3, page 77. Bobbie Jones McLane who published “Hot Springs County Marriage Records, 1825-1880” wrote December 14, 1993 that the marriage of William W. Gowin and Martha A. Davidson Gowin was the only Gowin marriage recorded in Hot Springs County during that 55-year period.

The marriage took place at the home of Alexander Pugh and Julia Anne Gill Pugh. Julia Anne Gill Pugh is identified as the daughter of Arrena Staggs Gill and granddaughter of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs by Joseph G. Hicks, a descendant of Malvern, Arkansas.

William K. Gill sued Samuel B. Gowin October 10, 1865 on an indebtedness, according to Hot Springs County court records.

Children born to William K. Gill and Arrena Staggs Gill include:

  • Julia Anne Gill born about 1840
  • William M. Gill born about 1841

Julia Ann Gill, daughter of William K. Gill and Arrena Staggs Gill

Julia Ann Gill, daughter of William K. Gill and Arrena Staggs Gill, was born about 1839. She was married about 1857 to Alexander Pugh. The marriage of William W. Gowin, age 26 to and Martha A. Davidson, age 16, took place in the Pugh home February 25, 1851 [1861?] according to Hot Springs County Marriage Book 3, page 77.

William M. Gill, son of William K. Gill and Arrena Staggs Gill

William M. Gill, son of William K. Gill and Arrena Staggs Gill, was born about 1841. He was enlisted in Company C, 11th Arkansas Infantry Regiment in November 1861 along with J. A. Gowin [unidentified]. William M. Gill was killed at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River April 16, 1862. J. A. Gowin was captured in the same engagement and was sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was exchanged and was again captured at Citronelle, Alabama in Mobile County. He was paroled at Jackson, Mississippi May 13, 1865.

Benjamin F. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1822.

John W. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs

John W. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1824. He was married about 1849, wife’s name Sarah. He removed to Lamar County, Texas where he was enumerated in the 1870 census. John W. Staggs, Sarah Staggs and two of their children are buried in there in Evergreen Cemetery.

Children born to John W. Staggs and Sarah Staggs include:

  • Josephine Staggs born about 1861

Margaret J. Staggs, daughter of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1827.

Vardy Addington Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1828

Thomas N. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born about 1829 in Alabama, according to Clayton Goerdell. He was married to Martha Jane Walton in Hot Springs County April 19, 1834. Thomas N. Staggs removed to Zephyr, Texas about 1874

Twelve children born to them including:

  • William Napoleon Staggs born about 1840
  • Matilda Staggs born about 1860

Matilda Staggs, daughter of Thomas N. Staggs and Martha Jane Walton Staggs, was born about 1860. She was married at Zephyr August 3, 1890 to William M. Sutton at the Zephyr Baptist Church by Rev. N. D. Bullock. William M. Sutton located in Hamilton County, Texas.

Children born to them include:

  • Lydia Sutton born October 20, 1891

Lydia Sutton, daughter of William M. Sutton and Matilda Staggs Sutton, was born October 20, 1891. At the age of 14, she was married September 5, 1906 to Henry Clayton Cox of Indian Gap, Texas as his second wife. Henry Clayton Cox had two sons by his first wife, and Lydia Sutton Cox helped to raise her step-sons.

Four more children were born to Henry Clayton Cox and Lydia Sutton Cox including:

  • Virginia Lillian Cox born June 2, 1916

Ezekiel E. Staggs, son of Zachariah Staggs and Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs, was born December 6, 1831 in Jefferson County, Alabama, according to Joseph E. Hicks, Sr. He was brought to Hot Springs by his parents. He was married December 29, 1851 to Eliza Nichols. They were divorced October 30, 1866, and he was remarried, second wife’s name unknown. The second wife was born at “Peachtree Landing.” Ezekiel E. Staggs died December 12, 1893 and was buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Texarkana, Texas.
==O==
Enumerated in the 1850 census of Hot Springs County, Arkansas, Clear Creek township, Household No. 183 was the family of John Easley:

“Easley, John, 52, born in SC
Ann 45, wife, born in TN
Wiley G. 21, born in TN
Robert 17, born in TN
Elizabeth 14, born in TN
John W. 10, born in AR”

The household of John Easley reappeared in the 1860 census of Hot Springs County, except for two children who had probably married.

Living in the same township was the household of Zachariah Staggs, husband of Mahulda E. Gowen Staggs. She was the daughter of William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen and the granddaughter of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen.

In the 1860 census of Hot Springs County, John Goines was recorded as the head of Household 311 in Fenter Township:

“Goines John 31, born in AL
Mary E. J. ..2[?], born in AR
Goines Mrs. Miram 63[?], born in SC
William 33, born in AL
James 22, born in AL”
==O==

Lettice “Letty” Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Lettice “Letty” Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1763, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. She was married about 1783 to Street Thurston, probably in Greenville County.

She was mentioned in the will of her father John “Buck” Gowen as the recipient of a “plantation by Ann Easley’s place, three Negro girls known by the names of Vina, Ede and Harriot, one bed and furniture and two cows and calves.” Street Thurston and Lettice “Letty” Gowen Thurston were still living in Greenville County on February 3, 1820 when James P. Blassingame, their brother-in-law, appointed them in his will to appraise a negro slave. Street Thurston was appointed executor of this will.

Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Elizabeth Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1767, probably in Cheraws District [presently Marlboro County], South Carolina where her family apparently lived at that time. She was married about 1785, probably in Greenville County, to Tucker Woodson.

Tucker Woodson, ascribed to be a grandson of Benjamin Woodson and Mary Tucker Woodson, was born in Fluvanna County, Virginia about 1760. Benjamin Woodson was the son of John Woodson, Jr. who died May 1, 1700. Mary Tucker Woodson was the daughter of Capt. Samuel Tucker and Jane Larcorme Tucker who were married about 1665 in Virginia. John Woodson, Jr. was a son of John Woodson, Sr. [1632-1710] and a grandson of Dr. John Woodson and Sarah Winston Woodson. Dr. John Woodson was born before 1598 and was killed by Indians in 1644.

Tucker Woodson lived for a time in Abbeville County, South Carolina, on the Georgia state line, some 60 miles south of Gowensville. On April 3, 1786 Tucker Woodson was granted 200 acres of land in Pendleton District [present-day Pickens and Oconee Counties] probably in recognition of military ser­vice. His land lay between the forks of the Kiowee and Tuga­loo Rivers on both sides of Little Beaver Dam Creek, according to Anderson County Deed Book A, page 150. A correlating reference to this deed is found in Secretary of State Record Book KK, page 312, Charleston, South Carolina.

On August 26, 1790 “Tucker Woodson of Abbeville County” deeded this 200-acre grant to Henry William Dessausure of Charleston, South Carolina.

Elizabeth Gowen Woodson received “a tract of land on Tyger River called Sulser’s place” [Mathias Salser] under the terms of the will of her father John “Buck” Gowen probated in 1810.

The Draper Collection of Preston and Virginia Papers makes a reference to Tucker Woodson as the holder of a land grant on Tygert’s Creek in Kentucky to which he apparently removed after the death of his father-in-law. Tygert’s Creek flows into the Ohio River near the site of present-day Fullerton, Kentucky in the northeastern extremity of that state. Since his land there was located near a grant received by Lt. Minor Winn, Jr. it is believed that the two families moved into the area about the same time, perhaps traveling together.

It appears that Tucker Woodson died in Kentucky and that his widow returned to Greenville County, South Carolina. Apparently she was remarried to James Adams as his second wife. When he wrote his will, he mentioned that his wife was pregnant [in her 40s?].

James Adams appeared as the head of a household in the 1810 census of Greenville County, page 952/16:

“Adams, James 10010/20010,
7 slaves”
And his neighbors.

The probate of James Adams of Greenville County showed that he died August 3, 1814 and that the will was probated December 5, 1815. Wives mentioned in the excerpts were Edith Adams, “my first wife, now deceased, Elizabeth, my 2nd wife, now living. She was the widow Woodson. Children by both wives to share equal at final division. [None by his first wife were named] His children by second wife were minors. Wife was pregnant. Two stepchildren Narcissa Woodson & William Woodson. They were to have the lands my wife got from her first husband [unnamed].

The executors were Francis Adams and George Rysell. Witnesses were W. B. Gower [Gowen], Henry Prince Jr. and Thomas Prince.

“Elizabeth Adams,” regarded as Elizabeth Gowen Woodson Adams, appeared as the head of a household in the 1820 census of Greenville County, page 79/1:

“Adams, Elizabeth 110000/21010”

Peggy B. Chapman of Lubbock, Texas made a detailed study of the census records of Greenville County to support her conclusion that Elizabeth Gowen Woodson Adams was the widow of James Adams:

“Fourth Census of the United States, 1820 Transcribed and annotated by Peggy B. Chapman, Lubbock, Texas, <pbchapman@door.net>

The document begins with hand-written page 74A; [stamped page 75] Stamped page numbers were used.

Headings:

Male: 0-10; to 16; 16-18 including heads of families; 18-26, including heads of families; 26 to 45 including heads of families; 45 & upwards including heads of families;

Female: 0 to 10; to 16; to 26 including heads of families; to 45 including heads of families; 45 & upwards including heads of families.
1820 census compared to the 1800 & 1810 census of Greenville District.

1800 & 1810 census returns are posted on the Greenville County website hosted by Mel Odom.

The purpose of this report is to to establish that Elizabeth Adams, page 79/1, was the daughter of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen and the widow [first] of __ Woodson and [second] widow of James Adams of the 1810 census.

Page 75:

1. Waidow Lee [000200/00001]
2. Martin Ayers [010100/10101], [1800 #1529; 1810 948/11, 995/15]
3. Martin Ayers Jr. [000100/10100]
4. Reubin Ayers [000100/20100]
5. Sara Barbery 300000/03110
6. Absolem Carney 100100/00001
7. Joshua Carney
8. Absolom Carney Sr.[000101/00001]
(1800 #690; 1810 990/7;1820 85/9,105/21,112/30) Lived both sides Enoree
9. Hubbard Kerns[200201/20201](1800 #21;1810 947/20)
10. William Few[03001/45010](1800 #572; 1810 961/17)
11. Wm. S? Dill[310010/10—]
12. Absolem Nelson[100010/00020]
13. Mary Huroll/Herroll[301201/12010]
14. Thomas Bowers Sr.[000101/02010](1800 #428; 1810 950/20
Lived Mush Cr. area Tyger.
15. Richard Henso [310001/00020](1800 #520 #546;1810 982/14)
Sinkhole Fork Tyger NW
Thos. Benson
16. David Smith[000010/00001]
17. George Stewart[100100/00100]
18. Lewis Bridges[200010/00010]
19. Harmon Richardson[000100/10100]
21. William Cockrum200100/20100, 0 slvs.
(Too young to be 1800 #185 &1810 980/3. 1800 #96; 1820 105/7) His nbrs
make him a resident of Tyger Riv. area. This must be
the William who bought land 1816 (DB R:111) & sold 1822 to Edward
Maddox on Jamison Mill Cr. (DB N:20) deed mentions Geo. Belew’s line
-see 80/35)
22. Nancey Hutton/Slatton[020100/00100](1810 970/16)
23. Easter Hutton/Slatton100000/11010](1810 970/15)
24. Jacob Earnest[401110/30010]
25. Joseph Chandler[000100/00100](1820 95/33)
26. Calvin Ellis
[100010/20010]
27. Tho. Hutchings
28. Moses Cook[020001/21001](1800 #1252; 1810 927/9)
29. Haniah Ray000201/12001
(1800 #689) Nbr of Carney (75/8) 1800 on Enoree.
30. James Ray[100100/10000]
31. Anthoney Savage[010001/11001](1810 923/19)
32. Jesse Elrod [100100/10110]
33. Tho. Furgason Jr. [300020/31010](1800 #681;1810 946/2)
34. Wm. Hamby Sr[021101/21101](1800 #1360)
35. William Stwart[220210/31001](1800 #152#605#616; 1810 954/18,990/12;1820 80/12)
36. Ansel Renolds210002/12011(1800 #683; 1810 948/5)
37. Wm. Brown Sr.[110001/01301](1800 #674#1100;1820 96/3)
38. James McDaniel, Esq.(1810 965/14;1820 90/39)
39. Beverley Brooksher[100010/20010]
40. Manering Brooksher[300010/30100]
41. John Gordon Jr.
42. James Finley[100100/10100]
43. Thomas Hudson
44. Tidance Bradley(1800 #89; 1810 967/5)
45. Daniel Pike (May be the spouse of Mrs. Elizabeth Pike, age 87,
2-18-1856, who gave deposition for William Holliday, when he made Revolutionary War claim.)
46. John Cox, Esq.000001/01001(1800 #458#645;1820 98/24)
47. Thomas Stone
p. 76
1. Jonathan West(1810 954/25)
2. Wm. Payne, Jr.(1810 927/16,930/13;1820 109/28)
3. Philimon Huff(1810 931/17)
4. James Huff
5. Benj. Griffith, Esq.(1800 #1346; 1810 954/19,996/1)
6. Samuel Mosley(1800 #887)
7. John Callahan[000010/10100](1810 955/22,975/10)
8. Reubin McKinsey(1800 #121;1810 968/5)
9. John Townes[000010/00100]
10. Jonathan Potts(1800 #288;1810 971/18)
11. Avery Huff
12. Leroy Green
13. James Magness
14. Joseph Magness
15. Robert Paydon(1800 #120;1810 965/8;1820 105/17)
16. John Sammons
17. James Alexander Jr.[100010/42110]
18. James Willis
19. Alexn. Thompson [200010/10010]
20. James Alexander, Esq.[000001/02211](1800 #1237;1810 955/3)
21. Ezekiel Hawkins
22. Joseph Green
23. John Cureton[300010/10100]
24. Thos. Wynne200010/10100
25. Wm. Allen
26. John Butler[000250/10110](1810 948/23,994/6)
27. David Haning
28. Elemuel Stokes[100010/20010]
29. Jonathan Stokes[110001/01001](1800 #824; 1810 947/17)
30. James Watson
31. Samuel Crayton[100120/00100]
32. Richard Houston
33. Edward Allen420010/10010(1810 947/5)
34. Bayliss I? Earle[000100/00000]
35. John Fowler[300010/00010](1800 #768)
36. Wm. McNealey
37. Jas. Fair Jr.[300010/20010]
38. Wm. Jacobs
39. Cain Wells
(May have been the son of Elhanan Wells. See Court of Common Pleas #361.
Andrew Berry vs. John cockrum 1825.)
40. Samuel Dyer[200110/11010]
41. Isaac Ford[30010/20010]
42. Barksdale Terry310010/10010(1810 974/13)
43. John Sloan(1800 #504)
44. Wm. E. Wickcliff
45. Mathew Hudson(1810 920/8)
46. Wm. Wilson(1800 #948; 1810 930/21,934/8,946/4,974/14)

p. 77
1. John H. Goodlett
2. Hugh Robertson

3. Walker Brock[100300/00101]
4. Devirous Yeargin211211/41010Son of Andrew 1800 #1395(1810 978/9)
5. Thom. G. Walker
6. Jos. S. Edwards000120/20100
7. Benagah Dunham?000000/00000 _slv.
8. Wm. H. Roberds
9. Jaremiah Cleveland[131203/30110](1810 979/3)
10. Wm. Peydon(1800 #1214; 1810 925/6)
11. Saml McNealey(1800 #93;1810 958/1)
12. David Williford
13. Frances H. McCloud
14. John Young, Esq.(1800 #68#149#240;1810 956/2)
15. Jas. A. Walker[220101/02010]
16. Ambrose Nelson
1800 #1598;1810 944/19, 985/10)
17. Isaac Green(1800 #9;1810 996/14)
18. Polley Hilley
19. Mike Waycaster
20. Jesse Morgan(1800 #727;1810 956/14)
21. Robert Foster[000010/33020](1810 Spart.)
22. Nancey Rains
23. Alexn. Waddill
(1800 #25; 1810 988/11)
24. Jesse Hawkins
(1800 #738)
25. Tho. Wingo
(1810 Spart.)
26. John Hammett
(1800 #785;1810 947/19)
27. Joel Hammell?
28. Morgan Little
29. George Ross
(1800 698; 1810 954/4)
30. Tho. Burgess
[300010/10100]
31. Carter Burgess
[200010/20010]
32. John Shockley
33. Joseph James
(1800 #660; 1810 953/11)
34. Wm. Taylor, Sr.
[400301/12003]
(1800 #715#729
1810 989/17; 1820 113/42)
35. Wm. Cunningham
[320001/20010]
36. Philip C. Lister
37. John McDade
(1800 #626;1810 993/14)
38. John Pennington
(2 in Spart. 1810)
39. Stephen Holtzclaw
(1810 992/21)
40. Joshua Cox
211201/20110
(1800 #646;1810 978/5)
41. Elizabeth Green
(1810 996/10)
42. Joshua Conner
[110010/42110]
(1810 949/14,995/12)
43. Jesse Cannon
[000010/10100]
(1810 Spart.)
44. John Crain
[200100/11010]
(1810 980/9)
45. Wm. Farmer
[100100/01200]

p. 78
1. John Farmer
2. John M. Tate
3. Jesse Rector
(1810 952/23) [Nbr. James Adams 1810, p. 952/16]
4. William Thurston
[000001/00001] [Street Thurston one of the ex. of John Gowen’s Spart.
Dist., SC will]
(1800 #61;1810 966/12; 1820 84/3)
5. Isaac Hardin
(1810 992/20)
6. Jas. Poler
7. David Mondsetter
8. Alexander Robbs
9. Robert Nelson
(1800 #573;1810 960/12,985/9)
10. Rebecca Nelson
11. Elizabeth Massey
12. Jesse Gilreath
(1800 #615;1810 951/8) [Nbr. of James Adams in 1810]
13. Henry Cannon
(1810 952/24) [Nbr of James Adams in 1818.]
14. Jesse Sparks
010001/01110 _ slv.
d 1824, Grnv. Co. will.
(1800 #1478; 1810 924/4) [first iwfe dau. of Matthew Armstrong. 2nd wife
Juda Cooley Cockrum)
15. Joab Loftis [See M:351-Lemuel Loftis]
16. Philip Moroney
(1810 945/16)
17. Arthur Barrett
021201/10201
(1800 #427; 1810 945/4)
18. David Barton [See DB T:91–Jeff. Barton]
200010/10010
(1800 #370; 1810 973/7)
19. Benj. Malin
20. Massey Asmith
000001/00001
(1800 #393; 1810 951/4) [Nbr. James Adams in 1810]
21. Jordan Holcomb
(1800 #436; 1810 952/19)
22. Joseph Barton
000010/10100
23. Benjamin West
(1800 #453;1810 989/5; 1820 78/42)
Grnv. DB M:351-352. 3 Feb 1823. Benjamin West to James Harper of
Charleston 200a tract S. Tyger Riv. James Adams Srs. heirs land..
between Harper & Lemuel Loftis & Wildcat Cr. r 4 Feb 1823.]
24. George Russell
Exec. for 78/30 when he d 1829.
(1800 #380 #753; 1810 945/14)
EX for James Adams…
Russell died 1833 Greenville Co. Apt. 6 #396.
See Elizabeth Adams p. 79/1 below.
25. Josiah Langford
26. Thos. Barton, Esq.
310010/20010
(1800 #367;
1820 79/11, 89/28)
27. Charles Camanell
(1810 930/22;1820 89/18)
28. James Ross Senr.
(1800 #414#994; 1810 950/9) [Near nbr. James Adams in 1810.][See DB
T:91-mention of Philip Ross]
29. James Ponder
(1810 986/1)
30. John Cockrum Tygar 000001/01010 0 slv.
d 1829. From Rutherford Co.,NC.
(1810 945/17) [George Russell was his ex.]
31. Henry Prince [Henry Prince, Jr. wit for James Adams’ will]
110110/10012
(1800 #457; 1810 760/15)
32. Isham Forest
[010001/01300]
(1800 #397
(1810 952/25?)
33. Abraham Chasteen
100101/10101 _ slv.
(1800 #450; 1810 987/12)
His dau. Obedience m John Pace & their dau. m John W. Cothran of
Greenville Co. & migrated to Cherokee Co., AL.
34. Wm. Barton
000010/10100
35. Joseph McKinney
36. Benj. Eque Jun.
37. Wm. Dill
[000100/00 ]
(1810 980/22)
38. Little B. Holcombe
(1800 #403; 1810 950/16)
[Near nbr. James Adams in 1810]
39. George Archer
300100/00100
40. Wm. Tucker
[400110/00100]
41. John Grist
42. Benj. West Jr.
(1810 989/5;1820 78/23)
43. John Underwood
(1810 Laurens)
44. Wm. Center
[100110/1001?]
(1810 952/11)
[See 1810 952/11. Wm. Sentor nbr. of James Adams in 1810.]

p. 79
1. Elizabeth Adams
110000/21010 [slaves not checked]
WAS THIS THE WIDOW OF JAMES ADAMS? See 1810 census p. 952/16
Jas. Adams 10010/200100, 2 slvs. Adams d 1815.
DAU. OF JOHN GOWEN? John Gowen left his dau. Elizabeth Woodson a tract
of land on Tyger Riv. called Sulsias place. Will d Aug 1809.
Adams will sd his children by E. were minors. Wife was preg., He
(Adams) had 2 step children: Narcissa Woodson & William Woodson.
This would be Tyger Riv. area.
See Leonardo Andrea “Woodson” report d c 1948, who stated James Adams
left a Grnv Co. will d 3 Aug 1814, p 5 Dec 1815. First wife, dec’d, (not
named) present wife Elizabeth, now living..widow Woodson. Children of
both wives to share equal (1st wife’s children not named) 2nd wife’s
children: Elizabeth, Mandeville, Juliet, Eliza
2 stepchildren by present wife., Narcissa Woodson & William Woodson to
have the lands my wife got from her husband, not named.
Wit: W.B. Gower (sic], Henry Prince, Jr., Thomas Prince.
Ex: Francis Adams, George Russell.
DB R:134. 5 Nov 1832. George Russell to acting ex. of will of James
Adams, dec’d, $505 pd by Wm. G. Woodson 264a waters of S. Tyger, Kinson
McVey to James Adams deed 11 Mar 1807. Sold at public auction today
proved Jan 1833.]
DB T:89. 17 May 1839. State of KY, Pendleton Co., Wm. G. Woodson of
Pendleton Co., KY POA to loving friend & relation Wm. Blassingame of
Greenville Co., SC to enter contracts relative to lands adj. Henry B. Prince, George Dill in my name to seel & dispose. S/ William G. Woodson.

Proved in Pendleton Co. 16 May 1839. r Greenville Co. 13 Jul 1839.
DB T: 91. 13 Jul 1839. Wm. Woodson Pendleton Co., KY $1200 pd by
Jefferson Barton. (No acres given) N side S. Tyger Riv. known as James Adams Tract & where Philip Ross now lives bounded Riv. on Souht, George
Dill, Reuben Barrett, dec’d, Jas. Barrett & H.B. Prince. S/ William G.
Woodson by Wm. Blassingame.

2. Darius Hamcob?
3. John Eeretton?
[100100/10100]
4. Robert D. Moon
5. Stephen Dill
331201/01010 _ slv.
(1800 #433; 1810 951/15)
[Nr. nbr. of James Adams in 1810. Stephen had a son George Dill]
6. David Forrest (sic)
[000001/00001]
(1800 #386;1810 950/22) [David Forrester near nbr. James Adams 1810]
7. Ralph Jackson
(1810 983/13)
8. Edward Stuart Sr.
[010101/00101]
(1800 #184;1810 970/4, 987/18)
9. John Hinson
(1800 #522;1810 968/21)
10. Thomas Archer
100010/10011
11. Thos. Barton
100001/00001
(1800 #363; 1810 945/1;
1820 78/26, 89/28)
12. Jacob Below
320201/20010
13. Jesse Canter
[100110/1001-]
14. Timothy Pitmons
15. Rich’d Henson, Jr.
(1800 # 520 #546;
1810 982/14))
16. George Linsey
17. Hezekiah Kitle
18. George Underwood
(1800 #1362;1810 945/2)
19. Lenerd Claybourn
110201/02100
(1800 #442;1810 949/23)
20. Matthew Garrett
21. Edward Dill
101110/30—]
(1810 951/13) [Near nbr. James Adams in 1810]
22. Richard Ward Senr.
(1800 #506; 1810 949/22)
23. Jesse Dill
[000100/00—]
24. Burnell Russell
(1800 #405; 1810 950/21)
[Near nbr. James Adams in 1810.]
25. James West
221110/41110
(1800 #608 #875;
1810 923/21,960/14;
1820 96/34)
26. Wm. Neavs
27. John Nicholas
28. Henry Springfield
[200010/10010]
29. Carey W. Jackson
30. Wm. Johnson
400010/20110
(1810 983/16; 1820 97/27)
31. John Weaton
32. Wm. Chastian
410010/30010
Son of 78/33.
33. Daniel Ross [See T:91–mention of Philip Ross.]
34. Adam R. Lister
(1810 956/10?)
35. Joseph Davis
[300010/22010]
(1800 #614)
36. John Smith
(3 in 1800)
37. Edmond Waddill
38. John Dill Jr.
[400100/00—]
39. John Dill S.T.
[200010/10—]
S.T. = South Tyger
(1800 #410;1820 80/39)
40. Polly Anders
100000/11010
41. David Jackson
(1800 #439;1810 949/16)
42. Wm. Butler
[000010/10010]
(1800 #1282;
1810 946/19, 962/9)
43. Soloman Loftis
(1800 #375; 1810 949/23)
{See M:351-352-Lemuel Loftis.]

p. 80
1. Andrew Mcrarey
Sold land 1804 to 78/30 John Cockrum Motlow Cr.
(1800 #381; 1810 993/12;1820 96/38)
2. Thos. Stanford
[100100/00100]
3. George Kilreath
(1800 #577;1810 973/8)
4. Jacob Kitle
(1800 #490; 1810 950/24)
5. Thos. Ponder
(1800 #531;1810 985/20)
6. David Cothrum
000200/00200 0 slv.
b 1798; Migrated to Lincoln Co., TN thence to Cherokee Co., AL.
Bro. of John W., Enos & Hezekiah. PROBABLY SON OF DANIEL COCKRUM & JUDA
COOLEY
7. Frances Adams
210102/12010 [Executor of will of James Adams with George Russell]
8. John P. Gass?
9. Elijah Thompson
[000100/00000]
10. Robert Pitman
(1810 951/2)
11. Absolem Blundell
[000001/00000]
12. Wm. Stewart
[220210/31001]
(1800 #152#605#616;
1810 990/12;1820 75/35;
Stewarts residents of S. Tyger
13. John Stewart
[100100/10100]
(1800 #606)
14. Absolom Thompson
[000001/00001]
(1800 #473; 1810 945/15)
Mid Tyger
15. Marian Hannah
16. Jarret Jonson
17. Geo. Sammon?
(1800 #128?)
18. Peter Fleming
[200010/00100]
19. Edward Watson
(1800 #620;1810 950/8)
20. Hugh Montgomery
1830 Hezekiah & Juda Cockrum’s land on Thompsons Beaver Dam Cr. joined
Hugh Montgomery. (DB R:49)
1782 tax list Wilkes Co., NC; Yadkin Riv. Same man?
21. Benj. Wilkerson
22. Wm. Robbs Sr.
(1800 #617; 1810 986/9)
23. John Robbs
24. Watson Robbs
25. Abram Cantwell
[200010/10100]
26. John Mason
(1810 968/6)
27. Jesse Clarke
[100010/10010]
28. John Peace Sr.
11410/10221
(1800 #508)
29. Robert Goodion
(1800 #512; 1810 949/17)
30. Jos. Emmery
[000010/10100]
31. Jonathan Ward
(1810 Spart.)
32. Stephen Johnson
33. George Bowers
(1800 #1422)
34. Clement Furgason
[100110/10200]
35. George Belew
220010/20010
His line mentioned in Wm.
Cockrum’s 1822 deed to Edward Maddox on Jamison Mill Cr. (DB N:20)
36. Wm. Lynn
37. John Ravan
38. William Howard
(1800 #140;1810 964/3))
39. John Dill
[000010/00—]
(1820 79/38-39)
40. Jacob Thompson
[000111/10111]
(1800 #493)
41. Silas Brassier
42. John A. Butler
[020011/20011]
(1800 #525)
43. Silas R. Wheaton
Wit. John Cockrum’s (81/8) deed to Wm. Turner(81/1)
1820 (DB L:224)

p. 81
1. Wm. Turner
[100010/40101]
(1800 #112 #116; 1810 947/13; 1820 88/26).
John Cockrum (81/8) sold Wm. Turner 42a 1820 both sides Green Cr.
(L:224)
2. Elijah Dill
[210010/00—]
m Edward Stewart’s dau. by 1808. (1810 951/13)
3. David Barrett 200010/1001- [1810 David Barrott
(sic) p. 945/8 & p. 945/9 Reuben Barrott (sic) 20101/21201,0,3
(David Barrett 1820 89/13)
4. Runnels Dill
[210101/10—]
(1800 #409; 1810 949/21)
5. Pleasant Hickman
6. Barklet Whorton
7. David Mosely
8. John Cockrum
310010/30010 0 slv.
(“Mocson” John Cockrum 1810 980/6?) Rec. 40a from father-in-law John
Cockrum 1819 knobs Hogback Mt. & sold to William Turner (81/1)
9. Milton Ponder
(Wit. 78/30 John Cockram’s will 1828.1850 census age 57, b SC)
10. Hiram Whitten
11. Thos. Mosley
12. George Farmer
[110100/10100]
13. Elisha Prewit
14. Chas. Gosnell
(1800 #526#542;
1810 950/19)
15. James Blassingame [Kin to John Gowen?]
220010/10010
(1800 #552;1810 956/29?
963/14?)
16. Charles Gosnell
(1800 #526#542;
1810 950/19)
17. Nimrod Stanford
[020200/00201]
18. Wm. Gottley
19. Anderson Butler
[000001/22211]
(1800 #523)
20. John Pace, Sen.
000001/00001
(1810 951/1) See 78/33;
m Obed. Chastain; Died 1825
21. Joel Graves
22. David Barnett
[000011/00101]
(1800 #1598;1810 979/7)
23. Geo. Shelton
24. John McNeal
25. Martin Adams
000100/01000
(1800 #342)
26. Peter Linderman
(1800 #1433;1810 955/8)
27. Wm. Pike
28. Joel Gibson?
29. Robt. B. Reed
30. Benj. Chandler
[000100/00100]
31. Robert Brown
[100100/00100]
32. Moses Kelley
(1800 #1097;984/15)
33. John Rice, Jr.
(1800 #195#922;1820 92/12)
34. Pick. Hawkins Jr.?
(1800 #12 #1596;
1810 957/15, 958/11)
35. Wm. Hawkins
(1800 #1594;1810 947/10)
36. John McClanahan
(1800 #16 #118;
1810 947/1)
37. Dennis Batson
300010/21100
38. Abram Spencer
39. Jno. Miller
40. John Benson
230010/10010
(1810 955/27)
41. Charles Benson
000301/01301
(1800 #60; 1810 956/3)
42. Thos. Roe & Gibson
43. Thos. Bridges
[010001/42301]
(1800 #1592; 1810 967/22)

p. 82
1. Jas. Bridges [121110/32031]
2. John Moore”

Peggy Chapman wrote:

“I am descended from Tucker6 Woodson (c 1750-1760, prob. Pitts. Co., VA- died by 19 Sep 1831, Grnv. Co.) of Greenville Co., SC. He was son of Tucker5Woodson of Pitts. Co., VA. Tucker5 Woodson, son of Joseph4Woodson & Elizabeth Murry. Joseph4Woodson, son of John3 Woodson (d 1700) & Mary Tucker, dau. Of Samuel Tucker & Jane Larcome. John3Woodson son of John2Woodson.
Robert2Woodson, bro. of John2 Woodson.

I am working on the theory that he went to SC by by Dec 1784 when he entered 200a on Little Beaverdam a water of Toogaloo. (Land he sold in Pend. Dist 1790).
That he had 2 child. in SC, Murray b 1790 & Jane b 1784 & wf died & he ret. to Pitts. & m c 1794, Anne Stotts & ret. to Grnv. by Feb 1795 when he bought land.

Leonardo Andrea states his Pend. Co. deed was recorded in KKKK 312, you
have Book KK: 312.
Do you have a copy of this?

Leonardo Andrea’s Woodson paper infers Woodson was a member of the Union
Co., SC Woodson family.
But this is not possible–I mean close kin.
The Woodsons in Union Co. were desc. from Robert2Woodson,Benjamin3
Woodson thru his son Robert4 Woodson, who d 1750 in Goochland Co.
This branch of the Woodson family has no Tucker Woodsons.

The Tucker6 Woodson who went to KY
was desc. from Robert2Woodson
Joseph4 Woodson, grandfather of my Tucker6Woodson, had a sister Jane4
Woodson, who m her cousin, Joseph3Woodson, son of Robert2Woodson.
Robert2Woodson had a son Benjamin3Woodson.

The Tucker & Murry names do not come down thru Benj.3 Woodson’s family.

Jos3Woodson & Jane4Woodson had a son Tucker4Woodson (d 1795) m (1) Sarah Hughes & had a son Tucker5Woodson, who d 1779, Albemarle Co., VA. Tucker4 Woodson m (2) 1762, Cumberland Co., VA Mary Netherland. This Tucker had a son Tucker6 Woodson migrated to KY. Valentine Papers, p. 1914 indicate he was in KY 1 Mar 1799

Gad I hope this makes sense..& have the nos. correct.

Mr. Andrea cited several refs. to the Union Co. Woodsons but I don’t have a clue as to who Elizabeth Gowen married. But it seems plain to me that she mar. (2) James Adams. (Will forward a ref. re James Adams.)

“My” Tucco [sic] Woodson was in the Abbeville Dist., SC 1790 census living near Enoch Ward Ellington, his broinlaw. Enoch had mar. Tucker5Woodson’s dau., Sarah, in Pitts. Co., VA  2 Mar 1780.

Just wanted to touch base with you & thank you so much for your information. Have you ever seen these Leonardo Andrea refs. that I have cited? If not I would be glad to share a copy.

Mr. A also cited a stub indent for Michael Blain of Abbeville Co. which tucker [sic] Woodson signed & I rec. a copy from the Archives in Columbia & this sig. appears to be same as another sig (tucker Woodson) I have for my Tucker in Greenville, when he made a statement as to the will of Ezekiel Vincent he had witnessed in 1819.

Children born to Tucker Woodson and Elizabeth Gowen Woodson are believed to include:

  • William G. Woodson born about 1790
  • Narcissa Woodson born about 1793

Children born to James Adams and Elizabeth Gowen Woodson Adams are unknown.

William G. Woodson, regarded as the son of Tucker Woodson and Elizabeth Gowen Woodson, was born about 1790, probably in Abbeville County, South Carolina.

William G. Woodson of Pendleton County, Kentucky on May 17, 1839 gave his power of attorney to William Blassingame to sell land in Greenville County, South Carolina for him. The land was possibly an inheritance. William G. Woodson is regarded as a first cousin of William Blassingame, both being grandsons of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen.

The Power of Attorney was to “loving friend and relation William Blassingame of Greenville County, South Carolina” relative to lands adjoining Henry B. Prince, George Dill and others, according to Greenville County Deed Book T, page 89.

Peggy B. Chapman reports that on July 13, 1839 William Blassingame sold this land located on the north side of Tyger River for William G. Woodson to Jefferson Barton. The transaction for the land “known as the James Adams tract & where Philip Ross now lives, bounded by River on the south, George Dill, Reuben Barrett, dec’d, James Barrett and Henry B. Prince,” according to Greenville County Deed Book T, page 91.

Narcissa Woodson, daughter of Tucker Woodson and Elizabeth Gowen Woodson, was born about 1793, probably in Abbeville County. She was mentioned as an heir to her father’s property in the will of her step-father written in 1814.

James M. Gowen, son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty Winn Bearden

James M. Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty Winn Bearden Gowen, was born in 1763 in North Carolina, probably Granville County. He was probably a namesake of his kinsman James Gowen of Combahee Ferry. It is believed that he was married about 1786 probably in Greenville County, wife’s name unknown. He appeared as the head of a household in the 1786 state census of Greenville County. He did not reappear in the 1800 census of Greenville County.

Children born to James M. Gowen include:

“Majer Gowen,” father of James M. Gowen, was mentioned in a deed dated August 25, 1797 in which John Barnes of Greenville County South Carolina conveyed “50 acres adjacent Mager Gowens Corner” to John Swaffer for £30 sterling. Two decades later Mary Barnes, suggested as the widow of John Barnes by Cecille Gaziano, researcher of Min­neapolis, deeded March 28, 1819 100 acres “on a branch of the middle fork of the Saluda River whereon Mary Barnes and Henry Deen now live” to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, pages 534-535. Witnesses to the deed were John Gowen and James Gowen. The deed was proved February 7, 1820 by the oath of John Gowen, Junr. that he saw Molly Barnes sign the deed.” The signatories are identified as James M. Gowen and John B. Gowen. Cecille Gaziano raises the possibility that Mary Barnes was a Gowen relative, citing that a Mary Gowen was married to Henry Barnes in Edgefield County, South Carolina May 1, 1796.

James M. Gowen was a purchaser of several items at the estate sale of his brother William Gowen held in Greenville County June 22, 1804 and September 2, 1804. “James Gowen” had an unpaid note, due November 25, 1802 to William Gowen.

James M. Gowen was mentioned in the will of his father written in 1809 as the recipient of “800 acres to begin at the ford of the river on the South Pacolet, now used between here and where he lives, and then a north course so to include the schoolhouse spring where Davis taught, and thence ’round to a line to be made for John Roddy; then to the beginning, as to include the Jamison fields.”

James M. Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1810 census of Spartanburg County:

Gowen, James white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 0-10″

James M. Gowen and his brother John B. Gowen witnessed a deed in Greenville County March 28, 1819 in which Mary Barnes conveyed 100 acres on the Saluda River to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book L, page 79. He did not reappear in the 1820 census of Spartanburg County. The only Gowen individual enumerated there in that year was “Charles Gowen, a single man 26-45, living alone.”

In 1833 James M. Gowen deeded land to William Love in Spartanburg County, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book 1, page 167. It is assumed that he removed from South Carolina about that time probably to Talledega or St. Clair County, Alabama to join his brother Winn Bearden Gowen.

He apparently continued in Alabama until he joined his son-in-law and daughter in a move to Texas about 1839 and lived with them in Cherokee County, Texas on their property located on the Neches River about 12 miles northwest of Rusk, Texas.

James M. Gowen, “age 83, born in North Carolina,” appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County. He was recorded on page 850, November 24, 1850 living in Household No. 306-306, believed to be that of his son-in-law James Hogan Dendy. The census enumeration rendered the name as “Dandy,” but a multitude of legal records in the Cherokee County courthouse show the name as “Dendy.” The name of John Hogan Dendy appears in “Dendy Family Register” written by Jennie McCormack Dendy, Leslie Mac Dendy and Roland Ray Dendy. In 1987 Leslie Mac Dendy lived in Hobbs, New Mexico and Roland Ray Dendy was principal of Benson Schools, Benson, Arizona.

The household appeared in 1850 as  

“Dandy, James H. 46, born in SC, farmer,
$2,000 real estate
Nancy 36, born in South Carolina
William T. 16, born in Alabama
James M. 12, born in Alabama
Gowen, James M. 83, born in North Carolina”

Two grants of land were patented to both James Gowen and James Hogan Dendy. The grants were adjoining, according to Brenda Dendy Davis. They were recorded as:

Surveyed for: Grantee: League Section Abstract No.

James McGowan J. McGowan 192 614
James McGowan J. McGowan 191 613
James H. Dendy J. Dendy 24 1091
James H. Dendy J. Dendy 23 219

It is believed that James M. Gowen died shortly after 1850 and was buried in Cherokee County.

The Texas State Railroad traversed the Gowen-Dendy land when it was constructed in 1893.

Texas State Railroad State Historical Park, 499 acres, is located in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, between the cities of Palestine and Rusk. The railroad was acquired by Legislative Act in 1971 and was restored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with help from the Texas Department of Corrections, and was opened to the public in 1976.

The State Prison System began construction of the Texas State Railroad in 1893. Inmates built the line to transport native iron ore and wood products to prison-operated iron smelting furnaces located in the East Texas State Penitentiary at Rusk. The furnace supplied the State of Texas with iron products, including the columns and dome structure for the Capitol building in Austin.

In 1906, prison crews extended the rail line to Maydelle, and in 1909 the Texas State Railroad reached its final destination of Palestine. The prisoners were paid 50 cents a day and worked from sunrise to sundown. The total cost to construct the original 32 miles of the Texas State Railroad was $573,724.

Prison crews made up the train crew, except for the engineer. When passenger service was extended to Palestine, a full-time staff of nine was employed. With the exception of the superintendent and engineer, staff members were paid $1.01 for each day they worked.

In 1913, the prison iron furnace was dismantled, and later the East Texas State Penitentiary converted into a state mental hospital. On May 1, 1921, all regular train service by the state was discontinued and the line was leased to the Texas & New Orleans [Southern Pacific Railroad Co.] The Texas Southeastern Railroad leased the line in the early 1960s and continued operation of the line until December 31, 1969.

The railroad was conveyed to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in February of 1972 for the creation of a state historical park. Reminiscent of its earliest days, state inmates were again brought in to work on the railroad. State offenders rebuilt the line; clearing brush, building bridges and replacing ties and rails. The Texas State Railroad State Historical Park was opened to the public on July 4, 1976, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. Today the Texas State Railroad is dedicated to the Education, Interpretation and Preservation of the Golden Age of Steam.

Its track crew maintains over 25 miles of track and 24 bridges. Passengers may board the historic trains at either Rusk or Palestine. Both ends of the line have turn-of-the-century style train stations. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours to reach the opposite station. The State Park’s 50-mile, round-trip steam engine excursions take 4 hours. The TSRR is known as one of the nation’s largest and most unique steam train operations. The TSRR is one of the only steam railroads in the United States that runs two steam trains simultaneously on days of operation. The East Bound and West Bound trains meet twice daily at the mid point of the run. This gives rail enthusiasts a rare chance to see two historic steam engines switch and pass. The track length is 25.5 miles; the longest trestle measures 1042 feet and crosses the Neches River. All 24 trestles are concrete.

Children born to James M. Gowen include:

  • [daughter] born before 1810
  • Nancy Gowen born in 1814

A daughter, believed to be the first child of James M. Gowen was born before 1810. She appeared as a “white female, 0-10” in the 1810 census of Spartanburg County.

Nancy Gowen, daughter of James M. Gowen

Nancy Gowen, [James M7. [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of James M. Gowen was born in 1814, probably in Spartanburg County. About 1832 she was married to James Hogan Dendy. It is believed that they accompanied James M. Gowen in 1839 in a move to Texas.

On August 1, 1841 two surveys of land, each 320 acres, were made for James Hogan Dendy “on the Neches River, between the river and the Saline Road,” according to Cherokee County Survey Book A, pages 95-96. The land was granted to him by the Republic of Texas on Fourth Class Certificate No. 125 in the Nacogdoches Section. The survey covered land “including the present residence of said Dendy.”

On May 13, 1848 James Hogan Dendy purchased the 640-acre headright of John Williams, Sr. for $200, according to Chero­kee County Deed Book B, pages 196-198. At the same time he sold to John Williams 110 acres of his original 640-acre headright located on One-Arm Creek. In the transaction he gave bond of $220 to John Williams to secure the title to him.

James Hogan Dendy received 320 acres, according to Cherokee County Deed Book A, page 390. The land was Survey No. 432, Second Class Certificate No. 335 issued by the board of Land Commissioners of Jasper County, Texas to James Ainsworth, part of the 640 acres located on the Neches River which was surveyed March 6, 1849.

On July 6, 1850 James Hogan Dendy sold 499 acres of his headright for $320 to Larkin M. Dendy, according to Cherokee County Deed Book D, pages 16-17. On June 24, 1850 James Hogan Dendy deeded to James Odom 320 acres on One-Arm Creek, located eight miles southwest of Rusk for $320, according to Cherokee County Deed Book H, page 134. This was part of the land that had been patented to him in 1841.

On February 16, 1852 for some unknown reason James Hogan Dendy deeded all of his possessions to Nancy Gowen Dendy, according to Cherokee County Deed Book F, page 239.

Included in the transfer were:

“Item 1: 320 acres in Nacogdoches District on Neches River adjoining his other 320 acres, Patent No. 456. [One hundred acres on the south end of this tract had already gone to Larkin M. Dendy.]

Item 2: 320 acres in Nacogdoches District on Neches River, Patent No. 455.

Item 3: 320 acres on the Neches River, 10 miles west of Rusk, Preemption Claim of Lucious B. Parrish, No. 404.

Item 4: 92 acres adjoining Item 3.

Item 5: 228 acres lying on the east bank of the Neches River.

Item 6: “My stock of horses–one sorrell mare, two bay mares, one bay colt, one sorrell horse, 32 hogs, 25 head of cattle, small wagon, clock, two guns, household and kitchen furniture, farming tools and implements.”

On March 15, 1852 James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy gave a mortgage to Wesley M. Dulaney on 320 acres of their property, borrowing $174 for 12 months, according to Cherokee County Deed Book F, page 326. On November 23, 1852 they deeded 400 acres on the Neches River to Evan S. Harris for $1,500, according to Cherokee County Deed Book H, page 306.

It is believed that Nancy Gowen Dendy died in 1852 because “J. H. Dendy was married to Mira Jane Baty September 23, 1853,” according to Cherokee County Marriage Book B, page 181. Brenda S. Dendy Davis stated that they lived on One-Arm Creek near Maydelle, Texas.

James Hogan Dendy sold land to Lucious B. Parrish July 23, 1853 and posted a $640 bond “to deliver a good title,” accord­ing to Cherokee County Deed Book I, page 162.

On March 3, 1854 James Hogan Dendy and “Mira Jane Baty Dendy” gave a mortgage to S. P. Donley for a $383 loan se­cured by land on the Neches River. They endorsed a note made by Lucious B. Parrish to S. P. Donley, the county clerk, according to Cherokee County Deed Book I, page 316.

In January 1855 James Hogan Dendy and Larkin M. Dendy gave a bond to Lucious B. Parrish for $640, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 490. On February 2, 1855 James Hogan Dendy gave a deed to Thomas W. Knight for 320 acres, his Patent No. 455, and received $500 in payment, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 318.

On February 9, 1855 James Hogan Dendy and Miley Jane Baty Dendy gave another bond to S. P. Donley for $374 on 160 acres of land located 12 miles northwest of Rusk which they had purchased from Thomas W. Knight January 8, 1855, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 324.

On August 28, 1855 James Hogan Dendy sold 160 acres to Jackson Smith for $700, according to Cherokee County Deed Book L, page 635. On March 26, 1856 he gave a deed to L. B. Parrish to 320 acres on the Neches River lying 10 miles northwest of Rusk. Consideration was $320, according to Cherokee County Deed Book L, page 212.

James Hogan Dendy died in 1859, and “L. A. Dendy, adminis­trator of the estate of James H. Dendy, deceased” was named in Cherokee County Deed Book P, page 348. The administrator sold 120 acres of the estate located 14 miles west of Rusk on the Neches River to L. M. Allen July 3, 1860, according to Cherokee County Deed Book P, page 348.

It is believed that children born to James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy include:

  • William T. Dendy born in 1834
  • James M. Dendy born in 1838

William T. Dendy, son of James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, was born in Alabama in 1834. He appeared as a 16-year-old in his fa­ther’s household in the 1850 census of Cherokee County. Of this individual nothing more is known.

James M. Dendy, son of James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, was born in Alabama in 1838. He ap­peared as a 12-year-old in his fa­ther’s household in the 1850 census of Cherokee County.

Apparently James M. Dendy received his inheri­tance from his father’s estate about July 1859. He sold 320 acres on the Neches River, part of the Lucious B. Parrish Sur­vey purchased by his father, for $100 to S. A. Dendy Au­gust 1, 1859, accord­ing to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 80. On the same day he sold 420 acres to James Sherman for $200, according to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 82.

Two days before his marriage he sold 120 acres, part of a 320-acre tract, Patent No. 455, to Cicero Broom Septem­ber 2, 1859, according to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 130.

He was married September 4, 1859 to Isabella R. Craig, ac­cording to Cherokee County Marriage Book D2, page 141. She was the daughter of Andrew Craig and Selena Craig, South Carolinians who had moved about 1848 to Cherokee County via Alabama. Their household ap­peared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County as:

“Craig, Andrew 33, born in SC, farmer,
$640 real estate
Selena 30, born in South Carolina
Margaret J. 11, born in Alabama
William A. 9, born in Alabama
Isabella R. 7, born in Alabama
John T. 5, born in Alabama
Luella 2, born in Texas
Craig, S. R. 23, born in SC, male, $360
real estate”

James M. Dendy, son of James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, was born in Alabama in 1838. He ap­peared as a 12-year-old in his fa­ther’s household in the 1850 census of Cherokee County.

L. H. Dendy was married to Sarah Elizabeth Box, age 15, De­cember 9, 1849, according to Cherokee County Marriage Book A, page 91. They appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County, page 844, as Household No. 267-267 Oc­tober 18, 1850 as:

L. H. Dendy was married to Sarah Elizabeth Box, age 15, De­cember 9, 1849, according to Cherokee County Marriage Book A, page 91. They appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County, page 844, as Household No. 267-267 Oc­tober 18, 1850 as:

“Dendy, L. H. 33, born in South Carolina
Sarah E. 16, born in Mississippi”

L. H. Dendy sold 320 acres on the Neches River to Randle Odom for $320 June 24, 1850, according to Cherokee County Deed Book D, page 600.
==O==
Larkin M. Dendy was married to Margaret Edgar December 8, 1859, according to Cherokee County Marriage Book D2, page 152. She was the daughter of A. Edgar and Jane Edgar who appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County as:

“Edgar, A. 74, born in Virginia
Jane 52, born in Tennessee
Isabella 32, born in Tennessee
Thomas 24, born in Tennessee
Catharine 22, born in Tennessee
Margarett 17, born in Tennessee
Lockey E. 14, born in Tennessee
Lotta A. 14, born in Tennessee
Sara A. 9, born in Tennessee”

Larken M. Dendy gave a deed to Johnson Ball March 8, 1851 for 25 acres for $25, according to Cherokee County Deed Book D, page 393.
==O==
Larkin Melton Dendy was born May 21, 1858 and died Febru­ary 16, 1925, according to his tombstone in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, Bernice, Louisiana. His wife, Martha Ann Dendy, was buried beside him, according to “Those Sacred Places.”
==O==
Lieudy A. Dendy was married to Sarah Sherman December 18, 1853, according to Cherokee County Marriage Book B, page 1917. They appeared in the 1860 census of Cherokee County, page 130 as Household 871-871:

“Dendy, L. A. 31, born in Alabama, farmer,
$468 real estate, $300
personal property
Sarah L. 24, born in Georgia
James S. 6, born in Texas
Jeffalonia 3, born in Texas”
==O==
Robert Agness Dendy, born July 20, 1883, died July 31, 1883, was buried in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery. Other members of the Dendy family were buried nearby.
==O==

Of James M. Dendy and Isabella R. Craig Dendy nothing more is known.
==O==
Other members of the Dendy family appeared in Cherokee County records:

John B. Gowen, son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

John B. Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1769, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. John B. Gowen, his brother-in-law William Benson and Andrew Thompson posted bond for John “Buck” Gowen when he was elected sheriff of Spartanburg County, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book 2, page 472.

He was married about 1805 to Mary Benson, daughter of Prue Benson, in Greenville County. “John Gowen, Jr,” regarded as John B. Gowen witnessed a deed of his father in 1807 when he deeded land to Pleasant Easley.

South Carolina Warrant of Appraisement Order was issued to John B. Gowen, Winn Bearden Gowen, James P. Blassingame and Street Thurston, executors “to appraise the estate of John Gowen, deceased, January 8, 1810 in the thirty-fifth year of American Independence.”

John B. Gowen was qualified as one of the executors of his fa­ther’s will although he was not mentioned in the will. On Jan­uary 21, 1813 John B. Gowen was summoned to meet with the other executors to culminate the estate.

John B. Gowen was elected as a Greenville County representative to the South Carolina Assembly, along with Bayliss John Earle, Bannister Stone and Joseph Ayres, according to “Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives” by Walter B. Edgar. They served during the 1818-19 term.

John B. Gowen and his brother James M. Gowen witnessed a deed in Greenville County March 28, 1819 in which Mary Barnes conveyed 100 acres on the Saluda River to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book L, page 79. “John Gowen, junior” came into Greenville County Court February 7, 1820 to prove the deed of Mary Barnes. He did not reappear in the 1820 census of Spartanburg County. The only Gowen individual enumerated there in that year was “Charles Gowen, a single man 26-45, living alone.”

John B. Gowen was mentioned as an executor of the estate of his father-in-law, Prue Benson who wrote his will October 19, 1819. An excerpt from the will, recorded in Greenville County October 1, 1821, read:

“I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Gowen, four negroes, also half of a mill built between P. I. Gowen and myself. To son, William B. Benson, five negroes; daughter, Jane, five negroes. Plantation tract of land is to be sold at public sale on a credit of twelve months and the money arising from the sale therein between John Gowen, William B. Benson and Jean Benson. I do hereby appoint John B. Gowen and William B. Benson my lawful executors.”

Thomas Benson, Evalina Benson and Henry Hall were wit­nesses to the will. John B. Gowen was a purchaser at the estate sale of Prue Benson December 1, 1821.

Of John B. Gowen no other documentation has been found. It is believed that children born to John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen include:

  • John B. H. Gowen born July 16, 1812
  • Lettie Gowen born about 1819

John B. H. Gowen, regarded as a son of John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen

John B. H. Gowen, [John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen and grandson of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen of Spartanburg County was born there July 16, 1812, according to his tombstone.

Children born to John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen include: 

On February 10, 1841, at age 29, he was married to Fannie Williamson Ellis at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, according to Christian County, Kentucky marriage records. She was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia July 23, 1822 the second child [of eight children] of Nicholas Mason Ellis and Mary “Polly” Gunn Ellis. Nicholas Mason Ellis removed from Pittsylvania County to Christian County in 1831 [one report says 1829] and died there in 1848. He was a son of Ira Ellis who wrote his will August 5, 1838, according to Christian County Will Book L, page 81. The will was probated February 1, 1841.

Mary “Polly” Gunn Ellis who was born in 1800 in North Car­olina continued to live in Christian County in 1874. Their children were “Allen W. Ellis, Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, Mary Emily Ellis Rice of Kansas City, Elvira Ann Ellis McCarroll [born March 6, 1826-May 29, 1893], Mrs. G. V. Thompson, Ira A. Ellis, Minervia J. Ellis Crafton and James O. Ellis who was born Jan­uary 22, 1832.”

He is recognized in “Christian County History” by William Henry Perrin of Louisville for reorganizing the Methodist Sunday school in 1844 in Hopkinsville. The Sunday school had been originally organized in Hopkinsville about 1825, but had died out. “Mr. Gowen was perhaps at that time the most prominent, zealous and active layman in the county,” according to Perrin.

In the 1850 census of Christian County, District 2, he was enu­merated as the head of Household No. 992-992:

“Gowen, John B. 38, born in SC, merchant,
$1,300 real estate
Fanny W. 37, born in Virginia
Emma Elizabeth 9, born in Kentucky
Mary L. 7, born in Kentucky”

In May 1851 he was named a grand juror in Christian County. A Republican, he was elected sheriff of the county and served from 1857 through 1860.

On January 5, 1857 came into Christian County Court, took the oath of office and posted bond. He appointed his brother-in-law Joseph McCarroll as one of his three deputies. The sheriff of the county also served as county tax collector at that time. Preston Gibson, William E. Price, Edward M. Buckner and James Ducker, his sureties, joined the sheriff in the bond.

Joseph McCarroll who was married to Elvira Ann Ellis, sister to Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, served as Christian County Sheriff in 1864, 1865 and 1866. Another brother-in-law, Democrat James O. Ellis who served as John G. Gowen’s deputy was elected sheriff in 1868 and county judge in 1870 for a four-year tenure.

He was marshall of the Christian County Fair in 1858 which had been organized in 1856 under a charter granted by the Ken­tucky State Legislature. “Family Histories, Christian County, Kentucky, 1797-1986” recognizes him as one of the early merchants of Hopkinsville and “one of the most popular men who ever lived in Hopkinsville.”

He was enumerated as the head of Household 286-286 in the 1860 census of Christian County:

“Gowan, John B. 48, sheriff, born in SC
Fanny 38, born in VA
Emma 18, born in KY
Lou 16, born in KY
James 3, born in KY”

Although he was 49 years old when the Civil War broke out, he joined the militia and was elected a captain in the home guard. His forces were active in the defense of Hopkinsville against the raids of Confederate Cavalry Gen. Adam Johnson. A letter from him to Maj-Gen. Bur­bridge is reproduced in “The War of the Rebellion” series:

“Hopkinsville, Kentucky, August 27, 1864
To: Major General Burbridge:

Your order to the 52nd Ken­tucky to go to Lex­ington is received. Adam Johnson’s force is scattered, but there are still hundreds of them all around us. We beg you to reconsider your order and allow them [the 52nd Ken­tucky] to remain. The citizens have aided in repelling the rebels and will now be left to their mercy.

S. M. Starling, John P. Potter, John B. Gowen”

Of John B. H. Gowen Perrin wrote in 1884, “During the war he withdrew from the church and has not since rejoined it.”

John B. H. Gowen was mentioned in the legal records of Chris­tian County in 1868 and 1870. When the City of Hopkinsville was chartered March 5, 1870, the city limits line “passed through the lands of John B. Gowan,” on the south side of the town, according to the city charter.

John B. H. Gowen was postmaster of Hopkinsville in his later years, according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis” by Thomas Ellis of Miami, Florida.

His household, No. 127-131, was enumerated in the 1880 cen­sus of Christian County, Enumeration District 10, page 15 as:

“Gowan, J. B. 67, born in SC, father born in
SC,mother born in SC,
Fanny W. 57, born in VA, wife
Coleman, Emma 39, born in KY, daughter
Fanny 16, born in KY, granddaughter
Robert 10, born in MO, grandson
Emma M. 6, born in MO, granddaughter
Milton 8/12, born in KY, grandson
Foster, Alice 17, born in KY, [boarder?]
Harry 11/12, born in KY, [boarder?]
Gowen, J. E. 22, born in KY, father born in
SC, mother born in VA, son”

In 1882 John B. H. Gowen was elected a county commis­sioner. Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen died December 10, 1886 and was buried in Section P of Riverside Cemetery i Hopkinsville. He died one month later, January 8, 1887 and was buried be­side his wife. In 1889 their son-in-law Walter Evans was ap­pointed administrator of the estate of Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, according to Christian County Court Order Book X, page 377, however no Ellis assets “came into his hand” and the court ac­cepted his resignation from the administration October 24, 1889.

No mem­bers of the Gowen family were shown in residence in Hopkinsville in 1971.

Children born to John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson El­lis Gowen include:

Children born to John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen include: 

  • Emma Elizabeth Gowen born November 11, 1841
  • Mary Louise Gowen born October 4, 1843
  • William B. Gowen born January 11, 1856
  • James Ellis Gowen born August 20, 1857

Emma Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen

Emma Elizabeth Gowen, [John B. H.8, John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born in Kentucky in 1841. She was shown at age nine in the 1850 census of her father’s household. She appeared at age 18 in the 1860 enumeration. She was married at her father’s home July 27, 1863 to Lt. Milton Jones Coleman, U.S. Army by Dennis Spurier, minister, according to “Marriage Records, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky” by Cordelia C. Gary. Witnesses were William E. Price and C. L. White. Between 1870 and 1874 they lived in Missouri. Lt. Milton Jones Coleman died about 1879, and in 1880 she, a widow and her children were living in the household of her father. She died October 11, 1897, “her husband having preceded her many years,” according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis.”

Children born to them include:

  • Fannie Gowen Coleman born May 9, 1864
  • Robert Milton Coleman born August 21, 1870
  • Emma Mamie Coleman born August 7, 1874
  • Annie Coleman born December 1, 1877
  • Milton Jones Coleman, Jr. born October 6, 1879

Fannie Gowen Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born May 9, 1864 in Kentucky. She appeared in the 1880 census of Hopkinsville as a 16-year-old, living in the home of her grandfather.

She was married December 19, 1882 in Hopkinsville to Rev. William Ernest Foulks, a Methodist preacher. He was born there January 7, 1860. They remained in Hopkinsville until 1895. In 1897 they were located in Albuquerque, New Mexico; in Alpine, Texas in 1903, and in Deming, New Mexico in 1908.

“He proclaimed the gospel for a good many years throughout Texas and New Mexico,” according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis.” “He still survives [1930], but is retired from the active ministry. Mrs. Foulks died May 27, 1929.”

“Fannie Coleman Foulks was an outstanding woman in every way. As a mother and head of the household the career of her children shows she had few equals; as a leader in her church, she was an exemplar to be followed; she was a faithful and exceptional wife and as an intellectual force she soared above the common herd as the eagle above the ground sparrow. This writer [Thomas Ellis] had the pleasure of attending the com­mencement exercises of South Kentucky College when little Fannie Coleman graduated at an early age and read the principal essay on that occasion. How the happy audience did applaud! How the bouquets and flowers flew to the stage! How delighted was she and how proud were we all at the intellectuality of this modest and pretty little girl–destined to accomplishe great good in the world.”

In 1930 Rev. William Ernest Foulks lived in El Paso, Texas “in the care of his two daughters who are both fine business women and are doing well in responsible and remunerative positions.”

Children born to Rev. William Ernest Foulks and Fannie Gowen Coleman Foulks include:

  • Walter Evans Foulks born October 25, 1883
  • Mary Browder Foulks born September 3, 1885
  • Robert Lewis Foulks born October 15, 1887
  • Edward Logsdon Foulks born December 14, 1889
  • Marshall Pierce Foulks born January 11, 1895
  • Clayton R. Foulks born December 18, 1897
  • Ernest Ezra Foulks born August 22, 1903
  • Fannie Louise Foulks born October 15, 1908

Robert Milton Coleman, son of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born August 21, 1870 in Missouri. He was enumerated as a 10-year-old in the 1870 cen­sus of his grandfather’s household. He removed to Bowling Green, Kentucky about 1890 and was married there to Lois Wooten October 10, 1898.

Children born to them include:

  • Robert Milton Coleman II born September 28, 1899
  • Catherine Ann Coleman born July 22, 1903

Robert Milton Coleman II, son of Robert Milton Coleman and Lois Wooten Coleman, was born September 28, 1899 at Bowl­ing Green. He was married October 26, 1925 to Mary Marshall McMeekin of Lexington, Kentucky. She was born April 24, 1903.

Thomas Ellis wrote, “Robert Milton Coleman II is a promising young lawyer, associated with Rodes & Harlin, leading mem­bers of the Bowling Green bar. He was graduated from the College of Law of the University of Kentucky in June 1924.”

Children born to them include:

  • Robert Milton Coleman III born September 17, 1926
  • Mary Hart Coleman born November 26, 1929

Catherine Ann Coleman, daughter of Robert Milton Coleman and Lois Wooten Coleman, was born July 23, 1903 in Bowling Green. She was married about 1921 to William Gray of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In 1930 he was an auditor with the Public Service Company of St. Louis.

Emma Mamie Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born August 7, 1874 in Missouri. She appeared at age six in her grand-father’s household in the 1880 enumeration. She was married about 1893 to Roy C. Ragsdale in Hopkinsville. They removed from Hopkinsville shortly afterward.

Children born to them include:

  • Elizabeth Ragsdale born June 25, 1894
  • Mildred Ragsdale born about 1895
  • Edward T. Ragsdale born May 15, 1897

Elizabeth Ragsdale, daughter of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born June 25, 1894 in Hop­kinsville. She was married June 23, 1912 to John S. Barnhill.

Mildred Ragsdale, daughter of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born about 1895. She died November 25, 1918.

Edward T. Ragsdale, son of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born May 15, 1897. He was married October 30, 1920 to Sarah Gertrude Judd of Buffalo, New York. In 1930 they lived in Columbus, Indiana.

Children born to them include:

  • Helen Florence Ragsdale born December 4, 1923

Annie Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born December 1, 1877. She died September 1, 1879.

Milton Jones Coleman, Jr, son of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born October 6, 1879 in Kentucky. He was enumerated at age eight months living in his grandfather’s household in the 1880 census of Hopkinsville. He was married June 12, 1912 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Mrs. May Hays. In 1930 they lived in Columbus, Indiana where he oper­ated a business. No children were born to them.

Mary Louise Gowen, daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen

Mary Louise Gowen, [John B. H.8, John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born October 4, 1843, according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis”. She appeared as a seven-year-old in the 1850 census of her father’s household. “Lou Gowen” reappeared at age 16 in the 1860 enumeration.

She was married June 9, 1868 to Walter Evans “at J. P. Gowen’s home by J. C. Petree, minister,” according to “Marriage Records, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky.” Witnesses were H. R. Littell and J. P. Ritter.

Walter Evans was born in Barren County, Kentucky September 18, 1842. During the Civil War he served in the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry Regiment and rose to the rank of colonel. In 1871 he was elected as a state representative and in 1873 to the Kentucky State Senate from Christian County on the Republican ticket.

In 1895 he was elected to Congress and served in that capacity until 1899 when he was appointed a district judge. At the turn of the century, they maintained their residence at 306 West Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky.

Mary Louise Gowen Evans died in 1905, according to her tombstone inscription. Walter Evans was remarried August 25, 1915 to Sarah Louise Wood who was born June 2, 1872 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The groom was 73, and the bride was 43. He died December 30, 1923 after having served as United States District Judge for the Western District of Ken­tucky for about 25 years. Children born to Walter Evans and his wives are unknown.

William B. Gowen, son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen

William B. Gowen, [John B. H.8, John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born in Hopkinsville January 11, 1856. He died October 17, 1857 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery at Hopkinsville.

James Ellis Gowen, son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen

James Ellis Gowen, [John B. H.8, John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born August 20, 1857 in Hop­kinsville. He was enumerated at age three in the 1860 census of his father’s household. In the 1880 census he was shown as a 22-year-old living in the household of his father. “J. R. Gowen” was later shown as a justice of the peace in Christian County, according to “Marriage Rec-ords, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky.”

In 1930, Thomas Ellis wrote of him, “He was never married, but has been a valued employee of a large manufacturing establishment at Columbus, Indiana for many years.”

Lettie Gowen, [John B.7, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen, was born about 1819 in Greenville County. She was married in 1838 in Giles County, Tennessee to William Thomas McCraw, according to “Giles County, Tennessee Lineage Book.” He was born in 1812 in Bedford County, Tennessee and died there in 1889, according to Betty Pond, a descendant of Westland, Michigan. Mrs. Pond shows the name as McGrew rather than McCraw.

Mary Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Mary Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1770, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. She was married in 1796 to James P. Blassingame in Greenville County, South Carolina, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 95, page 175.

James P. Blassingame was born about 1770, a son of Mary Gowen, [John “Buck”6,William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1770, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. She was married in 1796 to James P. Blassingame in Greenville County, South Carolina, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 95, page 175. James P. Blassingame was born about 1770, a son of Capt. Thomas Blassingame II who lived in Union District, South Carolina as early as 1785, according to “Southern Lineages.” It is speculated that he was a half-brother to Gen. John Blassingame.

Because of the large number of Blassingames who lived in the Apex area of South Carolina it is impossible on the basis of present research to differentiate between brothers, uncles, fathers and cousins who bore identical forenames. An unidentified James Blassingame received land in a deed signed by Gen. John Blassingame. A copy of the plat of this grant was made in 1814.

The Blassingame families lived in the northern end of Greenville County. “Kings Mountain and Its Heroes” mentions the Blassingame family, “On Sugar Creek, a southern tributary of Fair Forest Creek, resided in 1780 a number of determined Whigs named Blassingame, one of whom was arrested. Then [Tory Col. Patrick] Ferguson moved up into the Fair Forest settlement, on the main creek of that name, and stayed there several weeks.

Enumerated as the head of a household in the 1786 census of Greenville County, District 96 was “James Blassingame, four white males over 16, six white males under 16, eight females and 20 slaves.”

Mary Gowen Blassingame was not mentioned in the will of her father, he probably feeling that the Blassingames were sufficiently wealthy and wishing to leave his property to other less fortunate members of the family. James P. Blassingame was appointed one of the executors of his father-in-law’s estate in 1810. Apparently he did most of the collecting of receivables for the estate for his name appears frequently in the accounting. On January 21, 1813 James P. Blassingame was summoned with the other executors to terminate the probate proceedings in favor of the legatees.

James P. Blassingame lived and died in the upper end of Greenville District, according to letters written by his neighbors and associates. The Blassingames and the Gowens were neighbors. A deed in Spartanburg County Deed Book K, page 509 records, “I, John Blassingame, of Union District . . . plantation of 200 acres in Spartanburg District, both sides of Dutchman’s Creek . . . part of land granted in 1780 to Absalom Lancaster, Gowen’s line bounding thereon.”
“The names of his children and grandchildren denote relationship with Gen. John Blassingame and his family. Emigrating to Perry County, Alabama, children of each called the other “cousin” and were intimately associated in church, social and domestic affairs,” according to Adeline Evans Wynn.

James P. Blassingame wrote his will in 1820:

“Greenville, South Carolina, February 3, 44th year of American Independence.

“As I have given unto my sons-in-law, for daughters, each two negroes and other property, namely–unto George Miller, one negro girl called Linda and a boy called Daniel; unto Martin Adams, one negro girl called Shorty and a boy called Jacob; this is to be their share.

“Tract of land I live on lotted out by executors into four [4] lots equally and drawn by my sons, 1. William, 2. John, 3. Winn, 4. James.

“My wife, Mary, and myself are to be supported during our natural life on the farm. Slaves [named] are to be disposed of as she may see proper. My son, William, is to receive a boy Gilbert [slave] and his horse and saddle; my son, John is to receive a negro boy named Harold given him by his grandfather, John Gowen, when a child. Street and Lettie Thurston are to appraise this negro and William is to receive, when he becomes of age, the amount; son, Winn, negro boy, equal value as those of William and John; son, James, negro boy.

“My daughter, Polly, is to receive slaves when she becomes of age. My cattle and furniture are to be divided among my children.

My wife, Mary and Street Thurston are appointed my executors until my son, William becomes of age. Then my wife, Mary and my son, William are to be my executors.”

The will was witnessed by John Blassingame, William Johnson, C. Ambrose Williams, and Willis G. Brown. The will was probated June 23, 1821 with Spartan Goodlett, Ordinary, presiding.

Mary Gowen Blassingame continued to live in Greenville County after the death of her husband. Her son William Blassingame and his wife Mary Berry Earle Prince Blassingame lived with her on the family homestead. At one time she visited her children and orphaned grandchildren in Marion, Alabama.

In 1841 Mary Gowen Blassingame wrote to her grandchildren in Alabama, “Your grandma’s hand is tolerable better; she begins to use it a little.” In another letter dated in 1842 and postmarked “Greenville Courthouse” she mentioned that her son William Blassingame and his wife were living with her.

In her third letter, dated in 1842, she mentioned the death of a neighbor, Theron Earle, and mentions a Gowen cousin, Dr. Eber Smith. Theron Earle was a witness to the will of her father John “Buck” Gowen in January 1810. He was a son to Col. Bayliss John Earle and a sister to Miriam Earle who was married to John William Gowen.

She died in 1842 and was buried in Greenville County. “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 95, page 175 erroneously shows her death in 1841.

Children born to James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame include:

  • Elizabeth Blassingame born in 1797
  • Permelia Blassingame born June 6, 1799
  • William Blassingame born in 1801
  • G. John G. Blassingame born about 1802
  • Winn Blassingame born Feb. 18, 1808
  • James Blassingame born Jan. 25, 1810
  • Mary Benson Blassingame born in 1812

One report shows a daughter, Letty Blassingame, according to James A. Stewart. He suggests that the individual might be Letty Gowen, a niece.

Elizabeth Blassingame, daughter of James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame, was born in 1797 in Greenville County. She was married about 1817 to Martin Adams, probably in Greenville County. Sometime after that date they moved to Dalton, Georgia in Whitfield County near the Georgia-Tennesse state line.

In his will dated in 1820 James P. Blassingame stated that he left “for daughter, unto Martin Adams, one negro girl called Shorty and a boy called Jacob; this is to be their share.”

Children born to Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams include:

  • Mary Adams born about 1818
  • Martha Adams born about 1820
  • Emily Adams born about 1822
  • Rhoda Adams born about 1825

Mary Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1818, probably in Greenville County. She was still unmarried November 18, 1852 when mentioned in the estate settlement of her uncle, Winn Blassingame. Later she was married to John Morrison in Dalton, Georgia.

Martha Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1820, probably in Dalton, Georgia. She was still unmarried November 18, 1852 when mentioned in the estate settlement of her uncle, Winn Blassingame. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Emily Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1822, probably in Dalton, Georgia. She was married about 1852, husband’s name McCray.

Rhoda Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1825. A descendant of Rhoda Adams was Jim Adams, Oconee, Tennessee, according to “Southern Lineages.”

One of the Adams sisters is reported to be the ancestor of the Denton family of Georgia which included W. M. Denton, Dalton, Georgia and Dr. John W. Denton, Atlanta.

Permilia Blassingame, daughter of James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame, was born June 6, 1799 in Greenville County. In 1818 she was married to George Miller who was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina August 28, 1790, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 122, page 242.

In his will dated February 3, 1820 James P. Blassingame stated that he left “for daughter, unto George Miller, one negro girl called Linda and a boy called Daniel; this to be their share.”

Shortly afterwards the Millers joined a migration to Marion, Alabama in Perry County, in the central section of the state. Permelia Blassingame Miller died there September 6, 1835 and was buried there. Her husband survived until January 10, 1839 and was buried beside her.
Children born to George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller include:

  • Mary Missouri Miller born July 8, 1819
  • Eliza Ann Miller born January 22, 1822
  • John Henry Miller born November 7, 1825
  • William Eber Miller born June 11, 1829
  • Caroline Miller born Sept. 17, 1832

Mary Missouri Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born July 8, 1819, probably in Greenville District. She was married July 8, 1840 to Johnson McCauley, probably in Marion, Alabama to which her family had removed.

Johnson McCauley died in 1873, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 122, page 241. Mary Missouri Miller McCauley died in 1880 and was buried at Marion.

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Ann McCauley born in 1842
  • Margaret McCauley born about 1844
  • Sarah McCauley born about 1846
  • Alice McCauley born about 1848

Mary Ann McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion in 1842. She was married about 1866 to William Robert Martin who was born in 1833 as his second wife. She died in 1900, and he died in 1901.

Children born to them include:

  • John Martin born about 1868
  • William Martin born about 1870
  • Mary Martin born about 1872
  • Mittie Martin born about 1874

John Martin, son of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1868. He was married about 1894, wife’s name Walton.

William Martin, son of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1870. He was married about 1896 to Sally Reid Irby.

Mary Martin, daughter of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1872. She was married about 1892 to D. J. Ponceler.

Mittie Martin, daughter of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born in Marion about 1874. She was married about 1894 to Charles Stillwell Robinson. She was active in genealogical research, and her lineage was published in “DAR Lineage Book” Volume 122, page 241.

Margaret McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1844. She was married about 1862 to Simeon Ford.
Children born to them include:

  • Walter Ford born about 1846
  • Homer Ford born about 1848
  • Lula Ford born about 1851
  • Lallie Ford born about 1854

Sarah McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1846. She was married about 1863 to Preston Ford, believed to be a brother of Simeon Ford.

Children born to them include:

  • Willie Ford born about 1866
  • Ada Ford born about 1868
  • Anne Ford born about 1871

Alice McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1848. She remained unmarried.

Eliza Ann Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permilia Blassingame Miller, was born January 22, 1822 in Marion, Alabama. When Judson Female College opened for classes in Marion in 1838 Eliza Ann Miller was one of its students.

She was married February 26, 1840 to William Newton Wyatt who was born August 29, 1803 in Abbeville District, South Carolina. He had removed to Marion in 1838 and purchased city and farm property at Marion including a lot adjoining Judson Female College where he later built his home.

The genealogy of William Newton Wyatt, including ancestors and descendants is presented in “Southern Lineages:”

“William N. Wyatt’s home and large grounds, in the center of town, enclosed by a cedar fence with brick pillars, originally covered about 25 acres. The house was set at some distance from both front and side entrances. It was a center of social life for several decades, with five attractive daughters to bring friends and admirers to its hospitable door.”

“In ‘Deacon’ Wyatt’s home many well-known Baptist preachers of the day found comfortable lodging. He was a trustee of Judson Female College and his daughters were all graduated from that historic institution of learning. Across the street Mr. Wyatt built a handsome home with terraced gardens for his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Lovelace. Both homes have passed from the ownership of the family.”

William Newton Wyatt was baptized into the Baptist Church in 1841 and became an influential member of Siloam Baptist Church and the community. On May 7, 1842 he was appointed guardian of the minor heirs of Winn Blassingame, his wife’s uncle, according to Perry County, Alabama Deed Book F, page 618.

According to “Southern Lineages,” he was an ardent supporter of the Confederacy. He was 59 years old at the outbreak of the war and survived the conflict only three years. At his own expense he equipped a company for service in the Confederate army and looked after the needs of families of soldiers from the county. Following the war it was necessary for William Newton Wyatt to apply for a pardon from the U.S. government to retain title to his property. A pardon was required for all men who contributed annually $3,000 or more for the support of the Confederacy and who had a net worth of $20,000. Those who refused had their property confiscated. His pardon was signed by William H. Seward, Secretary of War.

William Newton Wyatt died suddenly at his home March 10, 1868 and was buried in Marion Cemetery. On his headstone was inscribed, “He illustrated his faith by the humility of his life and the earnestness of his labors. He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church and in its service for 28 years. He used the office of a deacon well.”

Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt died an invalid March 12, 1876.

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Permelia Wyatt born January 25, 1841
  • Julia Josephine Wyatt born September 24, 1844
  • William Calhoun Wyatt born August 27, 1846
  • Ida Wyatt born March 30, 1849
  • Ella Goodwyn Wyatt born January 25, 1852
  • Willie Wyatt born in July 1856

Mary Permilia Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born January 25, 1841 in Marion, Alabama. She was married June 17, 1858 to Jesse Butler Lovelace who was born January 14, 1832. She died December 12, 1876, and he died November 12, 1901.

Children born to Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace include:

  • W. H. Lovelace born August 16, 1865
  • Jesse C. Lovelace born June 16, 1867
  • Lila Wyatt Lovelace born October 28, 1871
  • Wyatt Newton Lovelace born February 24, 1873
  • Josephine Lovelace born February 24, 1875
  • Mary Wyatt Lovelace born December 3, 1876

W. H. Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born August 16, 1865 in Marion, Alabama. He was married January 12, 1892 to Julia Murfee.

Children born to them include:

  • Houston Lovelace born August 6, 1895

Houston Lovelace, son of W. H. Lovelace and Julia Murfee Lovelace, was born August 6, 1895. He was married about 1918 to Wynelle St. John Cullman, Alabama.

Children born to them include:

  • Houston Murfee Lovelace born in 1920
  • Julia Annelle Lovelace born in 1924
  • Douglass St. John Lovelace born in 1936

Jesse C. Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born June 16, 1867. About 1895 he was married, wife’s name Virginia. No children were born to them.

Lila Wyatt Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born October 28, 1871 in Marion. She was married about 1895 to Llewellen D. Scott .

Children born to them include:

  • Francis W. Scott born June 27, 1898
    Kendrick Scott born May 19, 1899

Francis W. Scott, son of Llewellen D. Scott and Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott, was born June 27, 1898 in Marion. He was married June 20, 1930 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Eleanor Sample.

Children born to them include:

  • Sarah Emma Scott born January 2, 1934
  • Lila Lovelace Scott born April 26, 1937
  • Frances Scott born about 1939

Kendrick Scott, son of Llewellen D. Scott and Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott, was born May 19, 1899 in Marion. He was married September 19, 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia to Betty Oshstadt. He died there April 1, 1928.

Children born to them include:

  • Kendrick Scott, born Feburary 19, 1924

Wyatt Newton Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born February 24, 1873 in Marion. He was married in 1910 to May Boyd. He died childless in 1915.

Josephine Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permelia Wyatt Lovelace, was born February 24, 1875 at Marion, Alabama. She was married August 17, 1904 to her brother-in-law, Llewellyn D. Scott, the husband of her deceased sister, Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott. Josephine Lovelace Scott died September 19, 1929.

Children born to them include:

  • Alice Chandler Scott born in 1906
  • Josephine Scott born December 25, 1908
  • Mary Wyatt Scott born February 14, 1915

Alice Chandler Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born in 1906. She died in September 1908.

Josephine Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born December 25, 1908. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Mary Wyatt Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born February 14, 1915. She was married June 19, 1937 to Gardner Cushman of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mary Wyatt Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permelia Wyatt Lovelace, was born December 3, 1876 at Marion, Alabama, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 124. She was married about 1900 to Dr. John Wesley Hurt. She was admitted to DAR membership in 1932 as a descendant of John “Buck” Gowen.

Julia Josephine Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born at Marion, Alabama September 24, 1844. She was married May 26, 1864 to Dr. William Augustus Evans. He was born in Morgan County, Georgia, the son of Dr. William Gilbert Evans, according to “Southern Lineages” which gives his genealogy.

Dr. William Augustus Evans received a BS degree from the University of Mississippi and an MD degree from New York University in 1859. They removed to Aberdeen, Mississippi about 1870. Both died there in 1905.

Children born to them include:

  • William Augustus Evans II born August 5, 1865
  • Adaline Evans born November 28, 1866
  • William Wyatt Evans born September 21, 1869
  • Tindall Evans born April 10, 1871
  • Walter Evans born about 1874
  • Lovelace Evans born about 1877
  • Herbert Heard Evans born April 4, 1880

William Augustus Evans II son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born August 5, 1865 at Marion, Alabama. He was graduated from Mississippi Agricultural College with a BS degree in 1883. He received an MD degree from Tulane University in 1885 and did graduate work in the medical department of the University of Illinois in 1899. In 1910 he received an LLD degree from Tulane University and in 1911 a PhD degree from the University of Michigan. In 1916 he was president of American Public Health Association. In 1921 he received an LLD degree from University of Mississippi.

He was married November 23, 1907 to Mrs. Ida May Wildberger who was born January 23, 1870. She died January 13, 1926. No children were born to this union.

Adaline Evans, daughter of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born November 28, 1866 at Marion. About 1888 she was married to James Osgood Wynn of Atlanta who was born April 16, 1853. He was southeastern manager of Prudential Insurance Company at Atlanta. He died at Clearwater, Florida November 15, 1925. She was an accomplished researcher and in 1940 published “Southern Lineages.” No children were born to them.

William Wyatt Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born September 21, 1869 in Marion. He was married to Mary Hughes of Memphis, Tennessee in June 1898. Some time prior to 1912 he removed to El Paso, Texas where he became active in Masonic work. He was elected District Deputy Grand Master of the 60th Masonic District of Texas and wrote the history of the El Paso Lodge No. 130. He died there December 20, 1934.

Tindall Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi April 10, 1871. He was married February 14, 1906 to Helen Maude Robinson who was born November 3, 1877 at Thormansby, Yorkshire.

In 1907 he was employed by Cananea Consolidated Copper Company, Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. In 1912 he lived in Denver, Colorado. Later he became president of Cananea Consolidated Copper Company. He retired in 1937 to make his home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Children born to them include:

  • William Augustus Evans III born March 5, 1907
  • Tindall Evans, Jr. born July 17, 1908
  • Helen Elizabeth Evans born April 29, 1912

William Augustus Evans III, son of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born March 5, 1907 in Cananea, Sonora. He was graduated from Eastern New Mexico Military Institute and received a law degree from Stanford University. He was married February 18, 1932 to Marguerite O’Malley in Phoenix. In 1940 he was an attorney associated with Ellinwood & Ross, Attorneys, Phoenix.

Children born to them include:

  • Patricia Evans born about 1934
  • William Augustus Evans IV born about 1936

Tindall Evans, Jr., son of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born July 17, 1908 at Cananea, Sonora. He was graduated from Eastern New Mexico Military Institute and from Stanford University. He was married in Beverly Hills, California August 14, 1935 to Mildred Stewart of Tucson, Arizona. Later they lived in Brentwood Park, California.

Children born to them include:

  • Barbara Evans born in February 1938

Helen Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born April 29, 1912 at Denver. She attended Washington Seminary, Atlanta; Castalejo School, Palo Alto, California and University of Southern California. She was married in September 1938 to E. H. Blue at La Jolla, California. In 1940 they lived in Los Angeles.

Children born to them include:

  • Hugh Evans Blue born September 13, 1939

Walter Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born about 1874 and died in childhood. He was buried at Aberdeen, Mississippi.

Lovelace Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born about 1877 at Aberdeen, Mississippi. He died in childhood.

Herbert Heard Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born April 4, 1880 at Aberdeen. He was married December 28, 1909 at Aberdeen to Marie Louise McQuiston, a native of Aberdeen who was born December 5, 1884.

Following marriage he entered and was graduated from U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, class of 1889. As a midshipman he saw service in the Spanish-American War. In 1911 they lived in Chicago. From 1919 to 1939 he was assistant superintendent, mechanical division at the Panama Canal.

Children born to them include:

  • Jane Arden Evans born July 7, 1911
  • Herbert Heard Evans, Jr. born July 25, 1914

Jane Arden Evans, daughter of Herbert Heard Evans and Marie Louise McQuiston Evans, was born July 7, 1911 in Chicago, Illinois. She was graduated from Wheeler School, Providence, Rhode Island and in 1932 from Smith College. She was married Feburary 8, 1934 at Ancon, Canal Zone to Dorrance Brown, son of Maj.-Gen. Preston Brown and Susan Dorrance Brown, who was born December 22, 1905.

She was widowed June 21, 1936 when her husband was killed at Lakewood, New Jersey. She was married for the second time December 14, 1939 at Peiping, China to Robert L. Smythe, secretary of the American Embassy there.

Herbert Heard Evans Jr., son of Herbert Heard Evans and Marie Louise McQuiston Evans, was born July 25, 1914 in Chicago. Following in his father’s footsteps he was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1936.

Ida Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born March 30, 1849 at Marion, Alabama. She was married February 7, 1878 at Marion to Theodore Welch who was born August 4, 1842 at Lake George, New York. He died in Montgomery, Alabama January 3, 1895. Ida Wyatt Welch died June 19, 1911.

One daughter was born to them:

  • Ida Theodore Welch born May 24, 1883

Ida Theodore Welch, daughter of Theodore Welch and Ida Wyatt, was born May 24, 1883. She was married April 6, 1904 to Charles Gunter Elmore. He died July 7, 1916, and she was remarried to Elwood McLaughlin December 1, 1917.

Children born to them include:

  • Theodore Elwood McLaughlin born about 1907
  • Elwood McLaughlin, Jr. born about 1918

Ella Goodwyn Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born January 25, 1852 at Marion, Alabama. She was married November 15, 1872 to Robert Baker Pegram II son of Robert Baker Pegram, a distinguished officer of the United States and Confederate navies, according to “Southern Lineages.” Robert Baker Pegram II was born in Petersburg, Virginia December 28, 1848.

She died in Memphis, Tennessee in December 1895. Robert Baker Pegram II was president of Vera Cruz &Pacific Railway at the time of his death March 4, 1905 at Memphis.

Children born to them include:

  • Robert Baker Pegram III born August 22, 1874
  • James West Pegram born April 24, 1879
  • Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegra born July 26, 1881
  • George Cargill Pegram born November 25, 1883
  • William Pegram born about 1885

Robert Baker Pegram III, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born August 22, 1874 in Marion, Alabama. He was married July 14, 1897 to Mary Susan Wright of Memphis, Tennessee who was born August 15, 1875.

To them were born:

  • Virginia Wyatt Pegram born September 7, 1902
  • Robert Baker Pegram IV born June 24, 1906

Virginia Wyatt Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram III and Mary Susan Wright Pegram, was born September 7, 1902 at Huntsville, Alabama. She was married June 6, 1923 to DeSales Harrison of Atlanta, Georgia.

Children born to them include:

  • DeSales Harrison, Jr. born March 21, 1924
  • Virginia Pegram Harrison born January 4, 1934
  • Pegram Harrison born about 1936

Robert Baker Pegram IV, son of Robert Baker Pegram III and Mary Susan Wright Pegram, was born June 24, 1906 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was married to Nancy Frederick April 13, 1932.

Children born to them include:

  • Ann Pegram born about 1934

James West Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born April 24, 1879. He was married April 7, 1909 to Nina Lucas of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They settled in Milwaukee where Dr. James West Pegram became a prominent physician and surgeon. No children were born to them.

Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, daughter of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born in Houston, Texas July 26, 1881. She was married to John Marbury of Memphis, Tennessee about 1905. He died in Norfolk, Virginia in 1911. She was remarried to Fred S. Toombs of Memphis. No children were born to either union.

George Cargill Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born November 25, 1883 in Memphis. Following the tradition of his family he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy and was graduated an ensign in the class of 1903. He was married April 21, 1910 to Jane E. Handy of Natchez, Mississippi. He was retired about 1940 as a captain.

Children born to them include:

  • Jane Handy Pegram born August 6, 1914

Jane Handy Pegram, daughter of George Cargill Pegram and Jane E. Handy Pegram, was born August 6, 1914. She died December 28, 1931 in Bronxville, New York.

William Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born about 1885. He died in childhood.

William Calhoun Wyatt, son of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born at Marion, Alabama August 27, 1846. He was married December 17, 1868 to Mary Elizabeth “Mittie” Moore who was born April 4, 1847. He died January 29, 1889, and she died March 25, 1925.

Children born to this union include:

  • Mary Josephine Wyatt born February 4, 1870
  • Will Wyatt born April 28, 1885

Mary Josephine Wyatt, daughter of William Calhoun Wyatt and Mary Elizabeth “Mittie” Moore, was born February 4, 1870. She was married January 5, 1893 to Ray Rushton. She died March 9, 1913.

Children born to them include:

  • Marion Rushton born December 27, 1893
  • Wyatt Rushton born August 8, 1895
  • Eugene Ray born October 25, 1896
  • Rachel Rushton born January 20, 1901
  • Mary Wyatt Rushton born April 5, 1903
  • Graham Moore Rushton born February 14, 1907

Marion Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born December 27, 1893. On September 29, 1919 he was married to Marian Edith Hedin who was born February 12, 1893.

Children born to them include:

  • Edith Rushton born August 22, 1920
  • Mary Wyatt Rushton born October 18, 1923
  • Olive Camilla Rushton born July 16, 1925

Edith Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin Rushton, was born August 22, 1920. She was married June 29, 1939 to Watkins C. Johnson of Tuskegee, Alabama.

Mary Wyatt Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin Rushton, was born October 18, 1923. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Olive Camilla Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin, was born July 16, 1925. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Wyatt Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born August 8, 1895. He died February 8, 1919 at sea “in line of duty” while returning from France with the American Expeditionary Force of World War I. He had no descendants.

Eugene Ray Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born October 25, 1896. He was married October 25, 1931 to Mrs. Helen Brock Smith, widow of L. G. Smith.

Children born to Eugene Ray Rushton and Helen Brock Smith Rushton include:

  • Ray Rushton III born June 14, 1933

Ray Rushton III, son of Eugene Ray Rushton and Helen Brock Smith Rushton, was born June 14, 1933 at Ithaca, New York.

Rachel Rushton, daughter of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born January 20, 1901. She was married Feburary 27, 1927 to Nathaniel Woodbridge Upham who was born April 29, 1899.

Children born to Nathaniel Woodbridge Upham and Rachel Rushton Upham include:

  • Nathaniel Rushton Upham born September 20, 1928
  • Mary Wyatt Upham born February 8, 1933

Mary Wyatt Rushton, daughter of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born April 5, 1903. She was married October 29, 1927 to Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. who was born December 11, 1898.

Children born to Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. and Mary Wyatt Rushton include:

  • Preston Hampton Haskell III born October 1938

Preston Hampton Haskell III, son of Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. and Mary Wyatt Rushton Haskell, was born in October 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Graham Moore Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born February 14, 1907. He was married May 20, 1933 to Lillian Martin who was born May 20, 1906. She died November 15, 1935. No children were born to them.

Willie Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt asnd Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born in July 1856 at Marion, Alabama. She died unmarried January 24, 1925 at Montgomery, Alabama.

John Henry Miller, son of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born November 7, 1825. Of this individual nothing more is known.

William Eber Miller, son of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born June 11, 1829. He enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War and was killed September 6, 1846 at Matamoras, Mexico, leaving no descendants.

Caroline Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born September 17, 1832. She was married about 1852, husband’s name Wyckliff. Caroline Miller Wyckliff died in Aberdeen, Mississippi in May 1895.

Minerva Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] was born about 1780, probably in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

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Capt. Thomas Blassingame II who lived in Union District, South Carolina as early as 1785, according to “Southern Lineages.” It is speculated that he was a half-brother to Gen. John Blassingame.

Because of the large number of Blassingames who lived in the Apex area of South Carolina it is impossible on the basis of present research to differentiate between brothers, uncles, fathers and cousins who bore identical forenames. An unidentified James Blassingame received land in a deed signed by Gen. John Blassingame. A copy of the plat of this grant was made in 1814.

The Blassingame families lived in the northern end of Greenville County. “Kings Mountain and Its Heroes” mentions the Blassingame family, “On Sugar Creek, a southern tributary of Fair Forest Creek, resided in 1780 a number of determined Whigs named Blassingame, one of whom was arrested. Then [Tory Col. Patrick] Ferguson moved up into the Fair Forest settlement, on the main creek of that name, and stayed there several weeks.

Enumerated as the head of a household in the 1786 census of Greenville County, District 96 was “James Blassingame, four white males over 16, six white males under 16, eight females and 20 slaves.”

Mary Gowen Blassingame was not mentioned in the will of her father, he probably feeling that the Blassingames were sufficiently wealthy and wishing to leave his property to other less fortunate members of the family. James P. Blassingame was appointed oe of the executors of his father-in-law’s estate in 1810. Apparently he did most of the collecting of receivables for the estate for his name appears frequently in the accounting. On January 21n, 1813 James P. Blassingame was summoned with the other executors to terminate the probate proceedings in favor of the legatees.

James P. Blassingame lived and died in the upper end of Greenville District, according to letters written by his neighbors and associates. The Blassingames and the Gowens were neighbors. A deed in Spartanburg County Deed Book K, page 509 records, “I, John Blassingame, of Union District . . . plantation of 200 acres in Spartanburg District, both sides of Dutchman’s Creek . . . part of land granted in 1780 to Absalom Lancaster, Gowen’s line bounding thereon.”

“The names of his children and grandchildren denote relationship with Gen. John Blassingame and his family. Emigrating to Perry County, Alabama, children of each called the other “cousin” and were intimately associated in church, social and domestic affairs,” according to Adeline Evans Wynn.

James P. Blassingame wrote his will in 1820:

“Greenville, South Carolina, February 3, 44th year of American Independence.

“As I have given unto my sons-in-law, for daughters, each two negroes and other property, namely–unto George Miller, one negro girl called Linda and a boy called Daniel; unto Martin Adams, one negro girl called Shorty and a boy called Jacob; this is to be their share.

“Tract of land I live on lotted out by executors into four (4) lots equally and drawn by my sons, 1. William, 2. John, 3. Winn, 4. James.

“My wife, Mary, and myself are to be supported during our natural life on the farm. Slaves [named] are to be disposed of as she may see proper. My son, William, is to receive a boy Gilbert [slave] and his horse and saddle; my son, John is to receive a negro boy named Harold given him by his grandfather, John Gowen, when a child. Street and Lettie Thurston are to appraise this negro and William is to receive, when he becomes of age, the amount; son, Winn, negro boy, equal value as those of William and John; son, James, negro boy.

“My daughter, Polly, is to receive slaves when she becomes of age. My cattle and furniture are to be divided among my children.

My wife, Mary and Street Thurston are appointed my executors until my son, William becomes of age. Then my wife, Mary and my son, William are to be my executors.”

The will was witnessed by John Blassingame, William Johnson, C. Ambrose Williams, and Willis G. Brown. The will was probated June 23, 1821 with Spartan Goodlett, Ordinary, presiding.

Mary Gowen Blassingame continued to live in Greenville County after the death of her husband. Her son William Blassingame and his wife Mary Berry Earle Prince Blassingame lived with her on the family homestead. At one time she visited her children and orphaned grandchildren in Marion, Alabama.

In 1841 Mary Gowen Blassingame wrote to her grandchildren in Alabama, “Your grandma’s hand is tolerable better; she begins to use it a little.” In another letter dated in 1842 and postmarked “Greenville Courthouse” she mentioned that her son William Blassingame and his wife were living with her.

In her third letter, dated in 1842, she mentioned the death of a neighbor, Theron Earle, and mentions a Gowen cousin, Dr. Eber Smith. Theron Earle was a witness to the will of her father John “Buck” Gowen in January 1810. He was probably a brother to Bayliss John Earle.

She died in 1842 and was buried in Greenville County. “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 95, page 175 erroneously shows her death in 1841.

Children born to James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame include:

  • Elizabeth Blassingame born in 1797
  • Permelia Blassingame born June 6, 1799
  • William Blassingame born in 1801
  • G. John G. Blassingame born about 1802
  • Winn Blassingame born Feb. 18, 1808
  • James Blassingame born Jan. 25, 1810
  • Mary Benson Blassingame born in 1812

Elizabeth Blassingame, daughter of James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame, was born in 1797 in Greenville County. She was married about 1817 to Martin Adams, probably in Greenville County. Sometime after that date they moved to Dalton, Georgia in Whitfield County near the Georgia-Tennesse state line.

In his will dated in 1820 James P. Blassingame stated that he left “for daughter, unto Martin Adams, one negro girl called Shorty and a boy called Jacob; this is to be their share.”

Children born to Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams include:

  • Mary Adams born about 1818
  • Martha Adams born about 1820
  • Emily Adams born about 1822
  • Rhoda Adams born about 1825

Mary Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1818, probably in Greenville County. She was still unmarried November 18, 1852 when mentioned in the estate settlement of her uncle, Winn Blassingame. Later she was married to John Morrison in Dalton, Georgia.

Martha Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1820, probably in Dalton, Georgia. She was still unmarried November 18, 1852 when mentioned in the estate settlement of her uncle, Winn Blassingame. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Emily Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1822, probably in Dalton, Georgia. She was married about 1852, husband’s name McCray.

Rhoda Adams, daughter of Martin Adams and Elizabeth Blassingame Adams, was born about 1825. A descendant of Rhoda Adams was Jim Adams, Oconee, Tennessee, according to “Southern Lineages.”

One of the Adams sisters is reported to be the ancestor of the Denton family of Georgia which included W. M. Denton, Dalton, Georgia and Dr. John W. Denton, Atlanta.

Permilia Blassingame, daughter of James P. Blassingame and Mary Gowen Blassingame, was born June 6, 1799 in Greenville County. In 1818 she was married to George Miller who was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina August 28, 1790, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 122, page 242.

In his will dated February 3, 1820 James P. Blassingame stated that he left “for daughter, unto George Miller, one negro girl called Linda and a boy called Daniel; this to be their share.”

Shortly afterwards the Millers joined a migration to Marion, Alabama in Perry County, in the central section of the state. Permelia Blassingame Miller died there September 6, 1835 and was buried there. Her husband survived until January 10, 1839 and was buried beside her.

Children born to George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller include:

  • Mary Missouri Miller born July 8, 1819
  • Eliza Ann Miller born January 22, 1822
  • John Henry Miller born November 7, 1825
  • William Eber Miller born June 11, 1829
  • Caroline Miller born Sept. 17, 1832

Mary Missouri Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born July 8, 1819, probably in Greenville District. She was married July 8, 1840 to Johnson McCauley, probably in Marion, Alabama to which her family had removed.

Johnson McCauley died in 1873, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 122, page 241. Mary Missouri Miller McCauley died in 1880 and was buried at Marion.

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Ann McCauley born in 1842
  • Margaret McCauley born about 1844
  • Sarah McCauley born about 1846
  • Alice McCauley born about 1848

Mary Ann McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion in 1842. She was married about 1866 to William Robert Martin who was born in 1833 as his second wife. She died in 1900, and he died in 1901.

Children born to them include:

  • John Martin born about 1868
  • William Martin born about 1870
  • Mary Martin born about 1872
  • Mittie Martin born about 1874

John Martin, son of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1868. He was married about 1894, wife’s name Walton.

William Martin, son of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1870. He was married about 1896 to Sally Reid Irby.

Mary Martin, daughter of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born about 1872. She was married about 1892 to D. J. Ponceler.

Mittie Martin, daughter of William Robert Martin and Mary Ann McCauley Martin, was born in Marion about 1874. She was married about 1894 to Charles Stillwell Robinson. She was active in genealogical research, and her lineage was published in “DAR Lineage Book” Volume 122, page 241.

Margaret McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1844. She was married about 1862 to Simeon Ford.

Children born to them include:

  • Walter Ford born about 1846
  • Homer Ford born about 1848
  • Lula Ford born about 1851
  • Lallie Ford born about 1854

Sarah McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1846. She was married about 1863 to Preston Ford, believed to be a brother of Simeon Ford.

Children born to them include:

  • Willie Ford born about 1866
  • Ada Ford born about 1868
  • Anne Ford born about 1871

Alice McCauley, daughter of Johnson McCauley and Mary Missouri Miller McCauley, was born in Marion about 1848. She remained unmarried.

Eliza Ann Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permilia Blassingame Miller, was born January 22, 1822 in Marion, Alabama. When Judson Female College opened for classes in Marion in 1838 Eliza Ann Miller was one of its students.

She was married February 26, 1840 to William Newton Wyatt who was born August 29, 1803 in Abbeville District, South Carolina. He had removed to Marion in 1838 and purchased city and farm property at Marion including a lot adjoining Judson Female College where he later built his home.

The genealogy of William Newton Wyatt, including ancestors and descendants is presented in “Southern Lineages:”

“William N. Wyatt’s home and large grounds, in the center of town, enclosed by a cedar fence with brick pillars, originally covered about 25 acres. The house was set at some distance from both front and side entrances. It was a center of social life for several decades, with five attractive daughters to bring friends and admirers to its hospitable door.”

“In ‘Deacon’ Wyatt’s home many well-known Baptist preachers of the day found comfortable lodging. He was a trustee of Judson Female College and his daughters were all graduated from that historic institution of learning. Across the street Mr. Wyatt built a handsome home with terraced gardens for his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Lovelace. Both homes have passed from the ownership of the family.”

William Newton Wyatt was baptized into the Baptist Church in 1841 and became an influential member of Siloam Baptist Church and the community. On May 7, 1842 he was appointed guardian of the minor heirs of Winn Blassingame, his wife’s uncle, according to Perry County, Alabama Deed Book F, page 618.

According to “Southern Lineages,” he was an ardent supporter of the Confederacy. He was 59 years old at the outbreak of the war and survived the conflict only three years. At his own expense he equipped a company for service in the Confederate army and looked after the needs of families of soldiers from the county. Following the war it was necessary for William Newton Wyatt to apply for a pardon from the U.S. government to retain title to his property. A pardon was required for all men who contributed annually $3,000 or more for the support of the Confederacy and who had a net worth of $20,000. Those who refused had their property confiscated. His pardon was signed by William H. Seward, Secretary of War.

William Newton Wyatt died suddenly at his home March 10, 1868 and was buried in Marion Cemetery. On his headstone was inscribed, “He illustrated his faith by the humility of his life and the earnestness of his labors. He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church and in its service for 28 years. He used the office of a deacon well.”

Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt died an invalid March 12, 1876.

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Permelia Wyatt born January 25, 1841
  • Julia Josephine Wyatt born September 24, 1844
  • William Calhoun Wyatt born August 27, 1846
  • Ida Wyatt born March 30, 1849
  • Ella Goodwyn Wyatt born January 25, 1852
  • Willie Wyatt born in July 1856

Mary Permilia Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born January 25, 1841 in Marion, Alabama. She was married June 17, 1858 to Jesse Butler Lovelace who was born January 14, 1832. She died December 12, 1876, and he died November 12, 1901.

Children born to Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace include:

  • W. H. Lovelace born August 16, 1865
  • Jesse C. Lovelace born June 16, 1867
  • Lila Wyatt Lovelace born October 28, 1871
  • Wyatt Newton Lovelace born February 24, 187
  • Lovelace born February 24, 1875
  • Mary Wyatt Lovelace born December 3, 1876

W. H. Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born August 16, 1865 in Marion, Alabama. He was married January 12, 1892 to Julia Murfee.

Children born to them include:

  • Houston Lovelace born August 6, 1895

Houston Lovelace, son of W. H. Lovelace and Julia Murfee Lovelace, was born August 6, 1895. He was married about 1918 to Wynelle St. John Cullman, Alabama.

Children born to them include:

  • Houston Murfee Lovelace born in 1920
  • Julia Annelle Lovelace born in 1924
  • Douglass St. John Lovelace born in 1936

Jesse C. Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born June 16, 1867. About 1895 he was married, wife’s name Virginia. No children were born to them.

Lila Wyatt Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born October 28, 1871 in Marion. She was married about 1895 to Llewellen D. Scott .

Children born to them include:

  • Francis W. Scott born June 27, 1898
  • Kendrick Scott born May 19, 1899

Francis W. Scott, son of Llewellen D. Scott and Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott, was born June 27, 1898 in Marion. He was married June 20, 1930 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Eleanor Sample.

Children born to them include:

  • Sarah Emma Scott born January 2, 1934
  • Lila Lovelace Scott born April 26, 1937
  • Frances Scott born about 1939

Kendrick Scott, son of Llewellen D. Scott and Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott, was born May 19, 1899 in Marion. He was married September 19, 1921 in Atlanta, Georgia to Betty Oshstadt. He died there April 1, 1928.

Children born to them include:

  • Kendrick Scott, born Feburary 19, 1924

Wyatt Newton Lovelace, son of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permilia Wyatt Lovelace, was born February 24, 1873 in Marion. He was married in 1910 to May Boyd. He died childless in 1915.

Josephine Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permelia Wyatt Lovelace, was born February 24, 1875 at Marion, Alabama. She was married August 17, 1904 to her brother-in-law, Llewellyn D. Scott, the husband of her deceased sister, Lila Wyatt Lovelace Scott. Josephine Lovelace Scott died September 19, 1929.

Children born to them include:

  • Alice Chandler Scott born in 1906
  • Josephine Scott born December 25, 1908
  • Mary Wyatt Scott born February 14, 1915

Alice Chandler Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born in 1906. She died in September 1908.

Josephine Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born December 25, 1908. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Mary Wyatt Scott, daughter of Llewellyn D. Scott and Josephine Lovelace Scott, was born February 14, 1915. She was married June 19, 1937 to Gardner Cushman of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Mary Wyatt Lovelace, daughter of Jesse Butler Lovelace and Mary Permelia Wyatt Lovelace, was born December 3, 1876 at Marion, Alabama, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 124. She was married about 1900 to Dr. John Wesley Hurt. She was admitted to DAR membership in 1932 as a descendant of John “Buck” Gowen.

Julia Josephine Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born at Marion, Alabama September 24, 1844. She was married May 26, 1864 to Dr. William Augustus Evans. He was born in Morgan County, Georgia, the son of Dr. William Gilbert Evans, according to “Southern Lineages” which gives his genealogy.

Dr. William Augustus Evans received a BS degree from the University of Mississippi and an MD degree from New York University in 1859. They removed to Aberdeen, Mississippi about 1870. Both died there in 1905.

Children born to them include:

  • William Augustus Evans II born August 5, 1865
  • Adaline Evans born November 28, 1866
  • William Wyatt Evans born September 21, 1869
  • Tindall Evans born April 10, 1871
  • Walter Evans born about 1874
  • Lovelace Evans born about 1877
  • Herbert Heard Evans born April 4, 1880

William Augustus Evans II son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born August 5, 1865 at Marion, Alabama. He was graduated from Mississippi Agricultural College with a BS degree in 1883. He received an MD degree from Tulane University in 1885 and did graduate work in the medical department of the University of Illinois in 1899. In 1910 he received an LLD degree from Tulane University and in 1911 a PhD degree from the University of Michigan. In 1916 he was president of American Public Health Association. In 1921 he received an LLD degree from University of Mississippi.

He was married November 23, 1907 to Mrs. Ida May Wildberger who was born January 23, 1870. She died January 13, 1926. No children were born to this union.

Adaline Evans, daughter of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born November 28, 1866 at Marion. About 1888 she was married to James Osgood Wynn of Atlanta who was born April 16, 1853. He was southeastern manager of Prudential Insurance Company at Atlanta. He died at Clearwater, Florida November 15, 1925. She was an accomplished researcher and in 1940 published “Southern Lineages.” No children were born to them.

William Wyatt Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born September 21, 1869 in Marion. He was married to Mary Hughes of Memphis, Tennessee in June 1898. Some time prior to 1912 he removed to El Paso, Texas where he became active in Masonic work. He was elected District Deputy Grand Master of the 60th Masonic District of Texas and wrote the history of the El Paso Lodge No. 130. He died there December 20, 1934.

Tindall Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi April 10, 1871. He was married February 14, 1906 to Helen Maude Robinson who was born November 3, 1877 at Thormansby, Yorkshire.

In 1907 he was employed by Cananea Consolidated Copper Company, Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. In 1912 he lived in Denver, Colorado. Later he became president of Cananea Consolidated Copper Company. He retired in 1937 to make his home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Children born to them include:

  • William Augustus Evans III born March 5, 1907
  • Tindall Evans, Jr. born July 17, 1908
  • Helen Elizabeth Evans born April 29, 1912

William Augustus Evans III, son of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born March 5, 1907 in Cananea, Sonora. He was graduated from Eastern New Mexico Military Institute and received a law degree from Stanford University. He was married February 18, 1932 to Marguerite O’Malley in Phoenix. In 1940 he was an attorney associated with Ellinwood & Ross, Attorneys, Phoenix.

Children born to them include:

  • Patricia Evans born about 1934
  • William Augustus Evans IV born about 1936

Tindall Evans, Jr., son of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born July 17, 1908 at Cananea, Sonora. He was graduated from Eastern New Mexico Military Institute and from Stanford University. He was married in Beverly Hills, California August 14, 1935 to Mildred Stewart of Tucson, Arizona. Later they lived in Brentwood Park, California.

Children born to them include:

  • Barbara Evans born in February 1938

Helen Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Tindall Evans and Helen Maude Robinson Evans, was born April 29, 1912 at Denver. She attended Washington Seminary, Atlanta; Castalejo School, Palo Alto, California and University of Southern California. She was married in September 1938 to E. H. Blue at La Jolla, California. In 1940 they lived in Los Angeles.

Children born to them include:

  • Hugh Evans Blue born September 13, 1939

Walter Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born about 1874 and died in childhood. He was buried at Aberdeen, Mississippi.

Lovelace Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born about 1877 at Aberdeen, Mississippi. He died in childhood.

Herbert Heard Evans, son of William Augustus Evans and Julia Josephine Wyatt Evans, was born April 4, 1880 at Aberdeen. He was married December 28, 1909 at Aberdeen to Marie Louise McQuiston, a native of Aberdeen who was born December 5, 1884.

Following marriage he entered and was graduated from U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, class of 1889. As a midshipman he saw service in the Spanish-American War. In 1911 they lived in Chicago. From 1919 to 1939 he was assistant superintendent, mechanical division at the Panama Canal.

Children born to them include:

  • Jane Arden Evans born July 7, 1911
  • Herbert Heard Evans, Jr. born July 25, 1914

Jane Arden Evans, daughter of Herbert Heard Evans and Marie Louise McQuiston Evans, was born July 7, 1911 in Chicago, Illinois. She was graduated from Wheeler School, Providence, Rhode Island and in 1932 from Smith College. She was married Feburary 8, 1934 at Ancon, Canal Zone to Dorrance Brown, son of Maj.-Gen. Preston Brown and Susan Dorrance Brown, who was born December 22, 1905.

She was widowed June 21, 1936 when her husband was killed at Lakewood, New Jersey. She was married for the second time December 14, 1939 at Peiping, China to Robert L. Smythe, secretary of the American Embassy there.

Herbert Heard Evans Jr., son of Herbert Heard Evans and Marie Louise McQuiston Evans, was born July 25, 1914 in Chicago. Following in his father’s footsteps he was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1936.

Ida Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born March 30, 1849 at Marion, Alabama. She was married February 7, 1878 at Marion to Theodore Welch who was born August 4, 1842 at Lake George, New York. He died in Montgomery, Alabama January 3, 1895. Ida Wyatt Welch died June 19, 1911.

One daughter was born to them:

  • Ida Theodore Welch born May 24, 1883

Ida Theodore Welch, daughter of Theodore Welch and Ida Wyatt, was born May 24, 1883. She was married April 6, 1904 to Charles Gunter Elmore. He died July 7, 1916, and she was remarried to Elwood McLaughlin December 1, 1917.

Children born to them include:

  • Theodore Elwood McLaughlin born about 1907
  • Elwood McLaughlin, Jr. born about 1918

Ella Goodwyn Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born January 25, 1852 at Marion, Alabama. She was married November 15, 1872 to Robert Baker Pegram II son of Robert Baker Pegram, a distinguished officer of the United States and Confederate navies, according to “Southern Lineages.” Robert Baker Pegram II was born in Petersburg, Virginia December 28, 1848.

She died in Memphis, Tennessee in December 1895. Robert Baker Pegram II was president of Vera Cruz Pacific Railway at the time of his death March 4, 1905 at Memphis.

Children born to them include:

  • Robert Baker Pegram III born August 22, 1874
  • James West Pegram born April 24, 1879
  • Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegra born July 26, 1881
  • George Cargill Pegram born November 25, 1883
  • William Pegram born about 1885

Robert Baker Pegram III, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born August 22, 1874 in Marion, Alabama. He was married July 14, 1897 to Mary Susan Wright of Memphis, Tennessee who was born August 15, 1875.

To them were born:

  • Virginia Wyatt Pegram born September 7, 1902
  • Robert Baker Pegram IV born June 24, 1906

Virginia Wyatt Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram III and Mary Susan Wright Pegram, was born September 7, 1902 at Huntsville, Alabama. She was married June 6, 1923 to DeSales Harrison of Atlanta, Georgia.

Children born to them include:

  • DeSales Harrison, Jr. born March 21, 1924
  • Virginia Pegram Harrison born January 4, 1934
  • Pegram Harrison born about 1936

Robert Baker Pegram IV, son of Robert Baker Pegram III and Mary Susan Wright Pegram, was born June 24, 1906 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was married to Nancy Frederick April 13, 1932.

Children born to them include:

  • Ann Pegram born about 1934

James West Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born April 24, 1879. He was married April 7, 1909 to Nina Lucas of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They settled in Milwaukee where Dr. James West Pegram became a prominent physician and surgeon. No children were born to them.

Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, daughter of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born in Houston, Texas July 26, 1881. She was married to John Marbury of Memphis, Tennessee about 1905. He died in Norfolk, Virginia in 1911. She was remarried to Fred S. Toombs of Memphis. No children were born to either union.

George Cargill Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born November 25, 1883 in Memphis. Following the tradition of his family he was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy and was graduated an ensign in the class of 1903. He was married April 21, 1910 to Jane E. Handy of Natchez, Mississippi. He was retired about 1940 as a captain.

Children born to them include:

  • Jane Handy Pegram born August 6, 1914

Jane Handy Pegram, daughter of George Cargill Pegram and Jane E. Handy Pegram, was born August 6, 1914. She died December 28, 1931 in Bronxville, New York.

William Pegram, son of Robert Baker Pegram II and Ella Goodwyn Wyatt Pegram, was born about 1885. He died in childhood.

William Calhoun Wyatt, son of William Newton Wyatt and Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born at Marion, Alabama August 27, 1846. He was married December 17, 1868 to Mary Elizabeth “Mittie” Moore who was born April 4, 1847. He died January 29, 1889, and she died March 25, 1925.

Children born to this union include:

  • Mary Josephine Wyatt born February 4, 1870
  • Will Wyatt born April 28, 1885

Mary Josephine Wyatt, daughter of William Calhoun Wyatt and Mary Elizabeth “Mittie” Moore, was born February 4, 1870. She was married January 5, 1893 to Ray Rushton. She died March 9, 1913.

Children born to them include:

  • Marion Rushton born December 27, 1893
  • Wyatt Rushton born August 8, 1895
  • Eugene Ray born October 25, 1896
  • Rachel Rushton born January 20, 1901
  • Mary Wyatt Rushton born April 5, 1903
  • Graham Moore Rushton born February 14, 1907

Marion Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born December 27, 1893. On September 29, 1919 he was married to Marian Edith Hedin who was born February 12, 1893.

Children born to them include:

  • Edith Rushton born August 22, 1920
  • Mary Wyatt Rushton born October 18, 1923
  • Olive Camilla Rushton born July 16, 1925

Edith Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin Rushton, was born August 22, 1920. She was married June 29, 1939 to Watkins C. Johnson of Tuskegee, Alabama.

Mary Wyatt Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin Rushton, was born October 18, 1923. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Olive Camilla Rushton, daughter of Marion Rushton and Marian Edith Hedin, was born July 16, 1925. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Wyatt Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born August 8, 1895. He died February 8, 1919 at sea “in line of duty” while returning from France with the American Expeditionary Force of World War I. He had no descendants.

Eugene Ray Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born October 25, 1896. He was married October 25, 1931 to Mrs. Helen Brock Smith, widow of L. G. Smith.

Children born to Eugene Ray Rushton and Helen Brock Smith Rushton include:

  • Ray Rushton III born June 14, 1933

Ray Rushton III, son of Eugene Ray Rushton and Helen Brock Smith Rushton, was born June 14, 1933 at Ithaca, New York.

Rachel Rushton, daughter of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born January 20, 1901. She was married Feburary 27, 1927 to Nathaniel Woodbridge Upham who was born April 29, 1899.

Children born to Nathaniel Woodbridge Upham and Rachel Rushton Upham include:

  • Nathaniel Rushton Upham born September 20, 1928
  • Mary Wyatt Upham born February 8, 1933

Mary Wyatt Rushton, daughter of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born April 5, 1903. She was married October 29, 1927 to Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. who was born December 11, 1898.

Children born to Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. and Mary Wyatt Rushton include:

  • Preston Hampton Haskell III born October 1938

Preston Hampton Haskell III, son of Preston Hampton Haskell, Jr. and Mary Wyatt Rushton Haskell, was born in October 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Graham Moore Rushton, son of Ray Rushton and Mary Josephine Wyatt Rushton, was born February 14, 1907. He was married May 20, 1933 to Lillian Martin who was born May 20, 1906. She died November 15, 1935. No children were born to them.

Willie Wyatt, daughter of William Newton Wyatt asnd Eliza Ann Miller Wyatt, was born in July 1856 at Marion, Alabama. She died unmarried January 24, 1925 at Montgomery, Alabama.

John Henry Miller, son of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born November 7, 1825. Of this individual nothing more is known.

William Eber Miller, son of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born June 11, 1829. He enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican War and was killed September 6, 1846 at Matamoras, Mexico, leaving no descendants.

Caroline Miller, daughter of George Miller and Permelia Blassingame Miller, was born September 17, 1832. She was married about 1852, husband’s name Wyckliff. Caroline Miller Wyckliff died in Aberdeen, Mississippi in May 1895.

Minerva Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] was born about 1780, probably in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Sarah Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Sarah Gowen, [John “Buck”6, William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born June 5, 1774 in South Carolina.

Sarah Gowen was married March 10, 1789, at the age of 14, to Thomas William Easley, probably against the will of her father. Thomas William Easley who was born May 8, 1761 [or 1767] in Granville County, North Carolina, was the son of Richard Millington Easley and Elizabeth Easley, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 37.

Richard Millington Easley and other members of the Easley family settled in Greenville District in 1783 shortly after the family of John “Buck” Gowen arrived there. In 1788, Richard Millington Easley was indicted for “raising a riot in the courtyard,” according to Greenville County Criminal Court records researched by Virginia Easley DeMarce, a descendant and a Foundation Editorial Boardmember.

Richard Millington Easley died there in 1806, and John “Buck” Gowen was mentioned frequently in his estate settlement. First Lt. John Easley, uncle of Thomas William Easley, had married Anne Gowen, aunt of Sarah Gowen Easley, about 1765.

Shortly after his marriage Thomas William Easley removed to Spartanburg District, South Carolina. In 1790 he received a sheriff’s deed of land in District 96, according to Greenville County Deed Book B, page 237. His father, Richard Millington Easley and his father-in-law, Maj. John “Buck” Gowen were witnesses to the deed.

On June 23, 1792 Thomas William Easley “of Greenville County, Washington District” received a deed to land on “the middle Tyger River” from John Clayton, according to Greenville County Deed Book C, page 292. Witnesses were his father-in-law John “Buck” Gowen, his wife’s kinsman, Allen Gowen and V. Anderson. Allen Gowen had appeared as the head of a household in the 1786 state census of Greenville County:

“Gowen, Allen white male over 16
white female”

After his wife died, he and Samuel Easley, also a widower, lived together on the South Pacolet River. He was a taxpayer in the 1793 tax list of Person County, North Carolina.

On September 17, 1792 “William Easley” and Benjamin Boyd witnessed a deed from “Levi Goyen,” possibly a Melungeon relative of Sarah Gowen, according to the research of Dennis L. Pettit, Gowen family researcher of Dallas, Texas. The deed was executed by “Levi Goyen, a free mulatto of Fairfield County, South Carolina wherein he sold land [in Davidson County, Tennessee] which he inherited from his brother David Goyen who was killed by Indians in Davidson County, Tennessee.”

On October 1, 1794 Allan Gowen deeded property on the South Pacolet River to William Easley, his niece’s husband, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 72. John “Buck” Gowen, William Gowen and William Anderson were witnesses to the deed. Thomas William Easley resold the property April 6, 1797 to Merrick Herrington, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 349.

On October 7, 1797, Thomas William Easley purchased the property of Moses Clayton who had removed to Madison County, Kentucky, according Greenville County Deed Book E, page 162. William Gowen, Samuel Bell and Isham Clayton witnessed the document.

Thomas William Easley was enumerated in the 1800 census of Greenville County as the head of a household. About the turn of the century he received a grant of 440 acres on Motlow Creek, according to Greenville County Land Grant Book D, page 246.

About 1801 Thomas William Easley received a land grant of 610 acres on Beaverdam Creek of the Middle Tyger River, according to Greenville Land Grant Book F, page 111. Shortly afterward, he and Gabriel Benson received a joint patent to 570 acres on the Tyger River, according to Greenville County Land Grant Book F, page 219.

“William Easley, sheriff of Greenville County” gave a sheriff’s deed to land of Robert Black to Daniel McMahan in 1801, ac­cording to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 489.

Thomas William Easley received a deed to land on Barton’s Creek of the South Tyger River from Henry Bates December 29, 1801, according to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 388. In 1802 Thomas William Easley sold his Barton’s Creek land to Laborn Loftis, according to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 389. Witnesses were Francis Adams, Solomon Loftis and Jesse Allen.

In 1808 Thomas William Easley sold the land on Motlow Creek he had purchased from John Clayton to Wiley H. Brown, according to Greenville County Deed Book H, page 116. Witnesses were Pleasant Easley and Jeremiah Brown. Later in the year, Thomas William Easley sold his land on the Middle Tyger River to Shields Booker, according to Greenville County Deed Book H, page 453. James Blassingame, Jeremiah Brown and Rice F. Ross were witnesses.

Sarah Gowen Easley was not mentioned in the will of her father written August 20, 1809. It may have been that he considered her a disobedient daughter. He may have been disappointed that she would leave him as he faced death. Or he may have considered it impractical for her in Tennessee to participate in the estate.

Before the death of his father-in-law in 1809, Thomas William Easley removed to Hickman County, Tennessee, settling about 30 miles southwest of Nashville along with other members of the Easley family. He purchased 240 acres on “the west side of Pine River” from William Joslin October 17, 1809, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 24. The county court met at his home in 1809. On July 22, 1811 he bought 153 acres on Duck Creek fork of Pine River from John Gary Blount, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 95. In July 1812 Thomas William Easley “of Hickman County” was witness to a deed of Shields Booker. Elizabeth Easley accompanied her son when he removed to Hickman County and died there June 14, 1814, according to Anita Louise Neilson, a descendant of Oxford, Mississippi. Thomas William Easley was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature in the 10th, 11th and 12th General Assemblies, 1813-19 as the representative of Hickman and Dickson Counties.

On November 6, 1816 Thomas William Easley received a deed from Joseph Wilson, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 232. Witnesses were John G. Easley and Millington Easley. The family owned considerable land in the 6th Civil District north of Keys Branch.

On July 4, 1819 Thomas William Easley made a gift deed of four Negroes to his daughter, Matilda Easley Estes, according to Hickman County Deed Book E, page 40. His son, Richard Millington Easley was a witness.

In 1820 he was enumerated as the head of a household in Hickman County. In 1820 he was elected to fill a vacancy and served in the 13th General Assembly from June 26, 1820 until September 16, 1821. He appeared before a notary public in Hickman County October 7, 1824 and received power of attor­ney for Gabriel Benson, a relative, before Benson removed to Marion, Alabama.

Thomas William Easley died in Hickman County May 20, 1826. Sarah Gowen Easley was recorded as the head of household in the 1830 census of Hickman County:
“Easley, Sarah white female 50-60
white male 15-20
white female 15-20
white female 10-15”

Sarah Gowen Easley appeared in the 1850 census of Hickman County at age 76 living in the home of her youngest son. She died there October 8, 1852. She and her husband were buried in Easley Cemetery, later called Hardy Petty Cemetery.

Children born to Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley include:

  • Richard Millington Easley born March 5, 1790
  • Kindness B. Easley born September 24, 1792
  • Matilda Easley born March 1, 1795
  • John Gowen Easley born January 1, 1798
  • Mahulda Allen Easley born April 21, 1800
  • Alice Letty Gowen Easley born August 5, 1802
  • Elizabeth Gowen Easley born February 23, 1805
  • Mary “Polly” Easley born August 6, 1807
  • Minerva Easley born January 10, 1810
  • Sarah Gowen Easley born August 29, 1812
  • William Benson Easley born October 29, 1814
  • Permelia Easley born June 20, 1817
  • Sarah Margaret Easley born October 5, 1819

Richard Millington Easley, son of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born March 5, 1790 probably in Greenville County, South Carolina. He was brought to Hickman County, Tennessee by his parents in 1809.

He was elected a captain in the Hickman County militia at age 20 in 1810, according to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee.” He was married about 1812 to Mary Jones, daughter of Solomon Jones and Chrissie Alston Jones. On February 6, 1813 he received a deed to 108 acres from Elisha Green, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 180. On January 20, 1814 he sold the land to William Phillips, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 180. William Easley, his father, and Wallace D. Jones were witnesses. At the same time he purchased 123 acres on Pine River from William Phoenix, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 181.

He served as a sergeant in Capt. Garrett Lane’s militia company in the War of 1812. Also included in this command were David Easley and Allen Easley. Willington Easley received a deed August 14, 1816 to 50 acres on Pine River from George Keyes, according to Hickman County Deed Book ABC, page 224.

Richard Millington Easley was elected County Court Clerk in 1820. He was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1820 census of Hickman County. He received a land grant in Hickman County in 1825. He was again captain of the militia in 1827.

He reappeared in the 1830 enumeration:

“Easley, Millington white male 40-50
white female 30-40
white male 5-10
white female 5-10
white male 5-10
white female 0-5
white male 0-5
white female 0-5
white male 0-5
white male 20-30”

He was appointed, along with his brother-in-law Robert Sheegog to solicit subscriptions for Planters Bank of Tennessee in 1833. Martha Jones Easley died in 1830, according to the research of J. Totten, and Richard Millington Easley was remarried about 1832 to Cynthia Barr, daughter of the Rev. James Barr, early Presbyterian preacher of the county. She was born about 1815.

According to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee,” “The Easleys owned most of the level bench land north of Key’s branch. On this land a circular racetrack a mile in length was situated. Here between 1825 and 1840 many dollars, horses and slaves changed hands as the result of bets on the several horses that here contested.”

Richard Millington Easley appeared as the head of Household 632-89 in the 1850 census of Hickman County. The family consisted of:

“Easley, Millington 60, born in SC
Cinthia 45, born in TN
Dennis 20, born in TN
Francis 17, born in TN
Annah 12, born in TN
Rebecca 5, born in TN
Lavena 2, born in TN”

Children born to Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley include:

  • Solomon Jones Easley born in 1819
  • Millington Easley born about 1820
  • Mary Jones Easley born about 1822
  • Samuel Easley born about 1828
  • Dennis Jones Easley born in 1830

Children born to Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley include:

  • Francis M. “Frank” Easley born in 1833
  • [daughter] born about 1834
  • [daughter] born about 1836
  • Annah Easley born in 1838
  • [daughter] born about 1840
  • Rebecca Easley born in 1845
  • Lavena Easley born in 1848

Solomon Jones Easley, son of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley and a namesake of his grandfather, was born about 1816 in Hickman County. He was married about 1838 to Jane Webb who was born about 1820. He was elected lieutenant-colonel in 1861 in the 98th Militia, according to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

Solomon Jones Easley was enumerated as the head of Household No. 629-88 in the 1850 census of Hickman County listed as:
“Easley, Solomon 31, born in TN
Jane 29, born in TN
William 11, born in TN
Millington 10, born in TN
Martha 6, born in TN
Robert 8, born in TN
Thomas 5, born in TN
Samuel 5/12, born in TN”

Children born to Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Webb Easley include:

  • William T. Easley born October 4, 1838
  • Millington Easley born in 1840
  • Robert Easley born in 1842
  • Martha Easley born in 1844
  • Thomas Easley born in 1845
  • Samuel Easley born in 1850

William T. Easley, son of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born October 4, 1838 in Hickman County. He was married about 1860 to Emily Petty, daughter of Hardy Petty. William T. Easley was killed in a hunting accident the day after Christmas in 1870, according to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee:”

“On the day of his death he was a guest of Joseph Webb who lived on Pine River below Vernon. With his uncles, J. T. Webb and D. T. Webb he was engaged in a deer chase. While they were galloping through the woods a limb struck D. T. Webb’s gun, causing a dis­charge. The contents of the gun struck Easley, killing him.”

Emily Petty Easley died March 23, 1882. Children born to them are unknown.

Millington Easley, daughter of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born in 1840. She appeared in the 1850 census of her father’s household as a 10-year-old. She was married as the second wife of a man named Brashear, according to “Ansearching News,” Volume 1968. Virginia Easley DeMarce shows her death on May 17, 1852.

Robert Easley, son of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born in 1842. He appeared as an eight-year-old in the 1850 census of his father’s household. “Robert M. Easley” enlisted in Company G, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment which was organized in the summer of 1862.

Martha Easley, daughter of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born in 1844. She appeared in her father’s household as a six-year-old in the 1850 census of Hickman County. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Thomas Easley, son of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born in 1845. He appeared in his father’s household as a five-year-old in the 1850 census of Hickman County. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Samuel Easley, son of Solomon Jones Easley and Jane Easley, was born in 1850 and appeared in his father’s household in the census of that year at age two months. “Samuel Easley” was married December 10, 1873 to Malinda Harbison, according to Hickman County Marriage Book 2, page 283.

Millington Easley, son of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley was born about 1820.

Mary Jones Easley, daughter of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley, was born about 1822. She was married about 1839 to William Benjamin Wilson.

Samuel Easley, son of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley, was born about 1828 in Hickman County.

“History of Hickman County, Tennessee” reports of him:

“In the spring of 1849 Samuel Easley, Ephriam Willey and William C. Thompson entered into an agreement to go to the California gold fields. If any one of them failed to go he was to forfeit $100 to those who went. Easley went alone, but never demanded payment of the forfeits.” He amassed a fortune in California and died there a bachelor.”

The research of Virginia Easley DeMarce shows that Samuel Easley died in 1849 shortly after reaching California, casting some doubt on the “amassed fortune.”

Dennis Jones Easley, son of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley, was born in 1830. He appeared as a 20-year-old in his father’s household in the 1850 census of Hickman County. He enlisted in Company B, 42nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment which was organized in October 1861 and served as a sharpshooter and quarter-master. When he died, he was buried in Easley [Hardy Petty] Cemetery near Vernon, Tennessee in an unmarked grave.

Francis M. “Frank” Easley, son of Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, was born in 1833. He appeared as a 17-year-old in the 1850 census of his father’s household. He became an early-day physician in Hickman County.

A daughter [Emeline Easley?] was born about 1834 to Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, according to the research of Virginia Easley DeMarce. Of this individual nothing more is known.

A daughter [Priscilla Easley?] was born about 1836 to Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, according to the research of Virginia Easley DeMarce. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Annah Easley, daughter of Richard Millington Easley and Mary Jones Easley, was born in 1838. She appeared in the 1850 census of her father’s household as a 12-year-old. It is believed that she was married about 1858 to Adam Wilson.

A daughter was born about 1840 to Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, according to the research of Virginia Easley DeMarce. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Rebecca Easley, daughter of Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, was born in 1845. She appeared in her father’s household in the 1850 census of Hickman County as a five-year-old. “Rebecca A. Easley,” was married September 26, 1866 to John V. Gray, according to “Marriages of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

Lavena Easley, daughter of Richard Millington Easley and Cynthia Barr Easley, was born in 1848. She appeared in her father’s household in the 1850 census of Hickman County as a two-year-old. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Kindness B. Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born September 24, 1792 probably in Greeenville District. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Matilda Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easleyand Sarah Gowen Easley, was born March 1, 1795, probably in Greenville District. She was married about 1813 to Robert Estes who died about 1819. Her father made a gift deed to her of four negroes July 4, 1819. She was enumerated in the 1820 census of Hickman County as the head of a household. She was remarried about 1821 to Robert Totty, Jr. who was born in 1796 in Halifax County, North Carolina. He died in 1859, and she died in 1862.

Children born to Robert Estes and Matilda Easley Estes in­clude:

  • Mansfield W. Estes born about 1815
  • Louisa Estes born about 1817

Children born to Robert Totty and Matilda Easley Estes Totty include:

  • William C. Totty born about 1823
  • Francis M. Totty born about 1827
  • John E. Totty born in 1830
  • Sarah Totty born in 1832
  • Lewis Perkins Totty born in 1835
  • Elizabeth Totty born in 1837

Louisa Estes, daughter of Robert Estes and Matilda Easley Estes, was born about 1817 in Hickman County. She was married about 1836 to James E. Sheegog. They later lived in Cooke County, Texas, according to Virginia Easley DeMarce.

William C. Totty, son of Robert Totty and Matilda Easley Estes Totty, was born about 1823 in Hickman County. He was married about 1845 to Malena Tucker, according to the research of Dennis L. Pettit.

Children born to them include:

  • Sarah Totty born in 1847

Sarah Totty, daughter of William C. Totty and Malena Tucker, was born in 1847. She was married December 24, 1875 to James A. Mathis.

Children born to them include:

  • Robert L. Mathis born October 30, 1876

Robert L. Mathis, son of James A. Mathis and Sarah Totty Mathis, was born October 30, 1876. He was married in 1912 in Red River County, Texas to Hattie P. Turk.

Children born to them include:

  • Jimmie E. Mathis born in 1913

Jimmie E. Mathis, daughter of Robert L. Mathis and Hattie P. Turk Mathis, was born in 1913 in Red River County. She was married to Walter M. Pettit in Red River County about 1933.

Children born to them include:

  • Dennis L. Pettit born September 17, 1935

Dennis L. Pettit, son of Walter M. Pettit and Jimmie E. Mathis Pettit, was born in Red River County September 17, 1935. He died unmarried in Dallas, Texas in 1989. He was a meticulous researcher of the Gowen family history and show a great con­cern for documentation.

John Gowen Easley, son of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley and a namesake of his grandfather, was born January 1, 1798 in Spartanburg District. according to the bible of Robert Sheegon reproduced in “Maury County, Tennessee Cousins.” “John Easley” received a Tennessee land grant in 1823, according to Tennessee Land Grant Book W, page 208 in Tennessee State Archives. Another grant was made to “John Easley” in Hickman County, Tennessee in 1824. He was an early-day hotelkeeper at Centerville, Tennessee, according to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

He was enumerated in the 1830 census of Hickman County as:

“Easley, John white male 30-40
white female 30-40
white female 10-15
white male 5-10
white male 5-10”

He was remarried about 1843, wife’s name Sarah. He re­moved in 1846 to Pemiscot County, Missouri in the extreme southeastern portion of the state. He was killed there in the early stages of the Civil War trying to protect his property from a foraging party. His family fled to Cairo, Illinois.

Children born to John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, ac­cording to the family bible, include:

  • Octavina Easley born September 9, 1845
  • Carolina Easley born February 5, 1847
  • Josephine Easley born May 1, 1849
  • Thomas G. Easley born October 23, 1850
  • Peter Easley born August 14, 1852
  • Jennie Easley born December 29, 1853
  • Elenore Easley [twin] born December 5, 1856
  • Robert Easley [twin] born December 5, 1856

Octavina Easley, daughter of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born September 9, 1845 in Hickman County. She was married about 1867 to D. H. Waters. She died in 1929. No children were born to them.

Carolina Easley, daughter of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born February 5, 1847 in Pemiscot County, ac­cording to the family bible.

Josephine Easley, daughter of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born May 1, 1849 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. She was married about 1869 to William Mc­Cabe. She died about 1904.

Thomas G. Easley, son of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born October 23, 1850 in Pemiscot County, ac­cording to the family bible. He was married about 1873 to Emma Gunther in Cairo.

Peter Easley, son of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born August 14, 1852 in Pemiscot County, according to the family bible. He was married about 1875, wife’s name Victoria.

Jennie Easley, daughter of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born December 29, 1853 in Pemiscot County, ac­cording to the family bible.

Elenore Easley, twin daughter of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born December 5, 1856 at Carruthersville in Pemiscot County.

Robert Easley, twin son of John Gowen Easley and Sarah Easley, was born December 5, 1856 at Carruthersville in Pemiscot County. He removed to Antioch, California about 1904. He died there in 1916. He retained the family bible which was made available to Virginia Easley DeMarce for re­search by Mrs. William Easley of Los Angeles in 1973.

Mahulda Allen Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born April 21, 1800 in Greenville District, according to “Southern Lineages.” On October 17, 1817 she was married to Charles Bowen in Hickman County, Tennessee. He was born in Pendleton District, South Carolina February 17, 1791 to Robert Bowen and Mary Gillespie Bowen who had migrated to Hickman County.

Charles Bowen removed his family to Oxford, Mississippi sometime between 1826 and 1843. He died there in Lafayette County, Mississippi May 3, 1843. His widow died October 21, 1868 in Tallahatchee County, Mississippi.

Children born to them include:

  • Narcissa Bowen born in 1818
  • Mary Caroline Bowen born October 8, 1826
  • Sarah Bowen born about 1829
  • Rebecca Bowen born about 1831
  • Anne Bowen born about 1834
  • William Bolivar Bowen born about 1836
  • Amanda Josephine Bowen born about 1840

Narcissa Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born in 1818, ac­cording to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 146, page 146. She was probably born in Hickman County, Ten­nessee. About 1835 she was mar­ried to James M. Howry who was born in 1804. They removed about 1838 to Ox­ford, Mississippi. She died in 1870, and he died in 1884. “History of Hickman County, Tennessee” shows Narcissa Bowen to be the daughter of “Charles Bowen and Naomi Carothers Bowen.”

Children born to them include:

  • James Henry Howry born in 1842

James Henry Howry, son of James M. Howry and Nar­cissa Bowen Howry, was born in 1842. In 1869 he was married to Mary Buena Vista Burney. He died in 1900, and she died in 1911.

Children born to them include:

  • Corrine Howry born about 1875

Corrine Howry, daughter of James Henry Howry and Mary Buena Vista Burney Howry, was born about 1875. She was married about 1895, husband’s name Causey. In 1920 Corrine Howry Causey lived in Batesville, Mississippi.

Mary Caroline Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born October 8, 1826 in Hickman County. She was married April 14, 1846 to William Smith Neilson who was born in 1813. He died in 1892, and she died November 20, 1902 at Oxford, Missis­sippi.

Children born to them include:

  • Francis Alexander Neilson born in 1860
  • Mary Evelyn Neilson born about 1862
  • Anita Louise Neilson born about 1865

Francis Alexander Neilson, son of William Smith Neilson and Mary Caroline Bowen Neilson, was born in 1860, prob­ably at Oxford. He was married in 1888 to Ella May Pratt who was born in 1863 to Lucius Boles Pratt and Nannie Mae Pratt. Lu­cius Boles Pratt was born in 1841 and died in 1865. He was the son of John Gill Pratt and Olivia Evans Pratt who were married in 1837. John Gill Pratt was the son of Aaron Pratt and Silence Beal Pratt, according to “Southern Lineages.”

Children born to Francis Alexander Neilson and Ella May Pratt Neilson include:

  • Nonie Neilson born about 1890

Nonie Neilson, daughter of Francis Alexander Neilson and Ella May Pratt Neilson, was born in Rogers County, Indian Terri­tory about 1890. She was married about 1910 to W. S. Blanton. Her lineage was recorded in “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 69.

Mary Evelyn Neilson, daughter of William Smith Neil­son and Mary Caroline Bowen Neilson, was born about 1862, probably in Oxford. She was married about 1883 to William H. Delbridge. She was admitted to DAR membership through Maj. John “Buck” Gowen, according to “DAR Lineage Book,” Volume 47.

Anita Louise Neilson, daughter of William Smith Neilson and Mary Caroline Bowen Neilson, was born about 1865, probably at Oxford. She was also admitted to DAR membership through Maj. John “Buck” Gowen.

Sarah Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born about 1829 in Hickman County. She was married to Edward Taliaferro. Later she was remarried to Harvey Carothers.

Rebecca Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born about 1831 in Hickman County. She was married about 1850 to Dr. Gar­land Taliaferro and lived in Brownsville, Texas, ac­cording to Virginia Easley DeMarce.

Anne Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born about 1834 in Hickman County. She was married about 1852 to William Butler.

William Bolivar Bowen, son of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born about 1836. He was married about 1859 to Emily Butler, believed to be a sister to William Butler.

Amanda Josephine Bowen, daughter of Charles Bowen and Mahulda Allen Easley Bowen, was born about 1840. She was married about 1860, husband’s name Keith. She was remarried to Robert Black. She was married for a third time to A. A. Barr of Oxford, Mississippi.

Alice Letty Gowen Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley and a namesake of her grand­mother Lettice Winn “Letty” Bearden Gowen, was born August 5, 1802, probably in Greenville District, South Carolina. She was married about 1820 to Samuel Whitson.

Elizabeth Gowen Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born February 23, 1805, probably in Greenville District.

Mary “Polly” Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born August 6, 1807 in Spartanburg District, South Carolina. She was married in Hickman County November 18, 1823 to Robert Sheegog, son of William Shee­gog, according to “Maury County Cousins.”

Robert Sheegog was born August 31, 1801 in County Down, Ireland. In 1823 he was appointed entry-taker for Hickman County by the Tennessee State Legislature. He provided funds for the construction of Montgomery Mill erected near the mouth of Pine River and later sold his interest to John Montgomery, a lawyer, for $3,000.

He was appointed along with his brother-in-law Millington Easley to collect subscriptions for Planters Bank of Tennessee in 1833, according to “History of Hickman County, Ten­nessee.” He was a merchant in Vernon, Tennessee from 1830 to 1836 and was elected a commissioner there in 1837. In 1843 he was appointed a commissioner of Duck River Steam Navi­gation Co. He died August 27, 1860 in Oxford, Mississippi. Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog died there February 27, 1871.

Children born to them include:

  • William Sheegog born August 19, 1826
  • Robert White Sheegog born July 6, 1828
  • Jane Eliza Sheegog born July 27, 1830
  • John Sheegog born June 27, 1833
  • James Gowen Sheegog born April 11, 1836
  • Anna Maria Sheegog born October 15, 1838
  • Robert Bowen Sheegog born January 19, 1846
  • Mary Catherine Sheegog born March 10, 1848

(Note – Additional Information added 3/22/2018):  (According to Louise Thornton, Robert Sheegog and Mary, are her 2nd great grandparents.   The GRF’s site is missing two of their children.  They are:

  • Edward Sheegog b. 1840 and d. 1857
  • Susan Letition Sheegog b. 1843 and d. in 1893 in Key West, Fla.

(Additional information supplied by Louise Thornton:  Robert Sheegog built Rowan Oak Plantation in Oxford, Mississippi. The house was eventually purchased by William Faulkner and is now property of the University of Mississippi.

Robert Sheegog’s mother, Susan Whyte, died in Ireland in 1819 and is buried there. Louise Thornton has been to the grave. His father came to the US (as early as 1823) and lived with his daughter, Annah, who married William Benson Easley. He died in 1865 in Tennessee).

William Sheegog, son of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Shee­gog, was born August 19, 1826 in Hickman County. He died August 3, 1830.

Robert White Sheegog, son of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born in Hickman County July 6, 1828, according to Dennis L. Pettit.

Jane Eliza Sheegog, daughter of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born in Hickman County July 27, 1830, according to Dennis L. Pettit. She was married Daniel W. Jones in Lafayette County, Mis­sissippi March 26, 1849.

John Sheegog, son of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born June 27, 1833 in Hickman County, accord­ing to Dennis L. Pettit.

James Gowen Sheegog, son of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born April 11, 1836 in Hick­man County. He was married May 24, 1862 to Joella C. Pegues in Lafayette County. She was born in 1839. He died in 1869, and she died at the age of 99 in 1938.

Anna Maria Sheegog, daughter of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born October 15, 1838. She died at age 17, August 10, 1855. “History of Hickman County, Tennessee” describes her as a schoolteacher. The volume mentions “a sister, Emily Sheegog, also a schoolteacher.”

Robert Bowen Sheegog, son of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born January 19, 1846 in Lafayette County.

Mary Catherine Sheegog, daughter of Robert Sheegog and Mary “Polly” Easley Sheegog, was born March 10, 1848 in Lafayette County. She was married March 3, 1870 in Oxford to Eugene H. Roberts.

Minerva Easley, daughter of William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born January 1, 1810 in Hickman County. “Manerva J. Easley” was married to a man by the name of Porter, according to “Marriages of Hickman County, Ten­nessee.”

Sarah Gowen “Sally” Easley, daughter of William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born August 29, 1812 in Hickman County. She was married about 1829 to William Williams, be­lieved to be a son of Gen. William D. Williams of Maury County, Tennessee. The family of the general and the family of Richard Millington Easleycamped out together at Bon Aqua Springs during the summer of 1827. William Williams and his brothers, Archibald Williams and Samuel Williams were merchants in Centerville during the decade following 1850.

Children born to them include:

  • Joshua Williams born about 1838

Joshua Williams, son of William Williams and Sarah Gowen Easley Williams, was born about 1838. He later lived in Water Valley, Mississippi in Yalobusha County.

William Benson “Long Jaw Bill” Easley, son of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born October 29, 1814 in Hickman County. He was married about 1834 to Annah Sheegog, daughter of William Sheegog and brother to Robert Sheegog, who married his sister. At one time he owned and operated Oakland Furnace on Mill Creek, according to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

William Benson “Long Jaw Bill” Easley was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1850 census of Hickman County:
“Easley, William B. 35, born in Tennessee
Annah 35, born in Ireland
Sheegog, William 75, born in Ireland
Easley, Henry 15, born in Tennessee
Edward 3, born in Tennessee
Easley, Sarah 76, born in SC”

William Benson “Long Jaw Bill” Easley was a stockholder in Columbia, Centerville & Pine River Railroad in 1859, ac­cording to “History of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

Children born to them include:

  • Henry Easley born in 1835
  • Edward Easley born in 1847

Permelia Easley, daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley, was born June 20, 1817 in Hickman County. “Permelia Ann Easley” was married to Simeion Carrigan Wright in 1849, according to “Marriages of Hickman County, Tennessee.”

“History of Hickman County, Tennessee” records that “Anna Easley,” a daughter of Thomas William Easley and Sarah Gowen Easley was married to Howell Huddleston, son of John W. Huddleston. J. D. Easley in “Three Centuries of Easley Genealogy” states that “Anna Easley” was married to Howell Huddleston. Howell Huddleston, sheriff of Hickman County in 1842, had brothers by the names of Benjamin Huddleston and Jack Huddleston.

Howell Huddleston appeared as the head of Household 894-125 in the 1850 census of Hickman County:

“Huddleston, Howell 45, born in Tennessee
Ellenor 38, born in Tennessee
James H. 14, born in Tennessee
Wilson, Samuel A. 16, born in Tennessee”

Research to date cannot confirm the relationship of “Anna Easley Huddleston” or “Ellenor Easley Huddleston.” Minerva Easley and Sarah Easley were the only two daughters born to William Easley and Sarah Gowen “Sally” Easley that would approximate the age of “Ellenor Easley Huddleston” in the above census enumeration.

Minerva Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Minerva Gowen, [John “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born in Spartanburg District, South Carolina about 1780.

Under the terms of her father’s will, she inherited “a tract of land lying on the south side of Saluda where my son, James Gowen attended; two negroes named Cresa and Asa, one bed and furniture, $100 to purchase a horsebeast, two cows and calves and her mother’s sattle.”

In January 1813 Minerva Gowen, received $400 from the estate “agreeable to the testator’s will.” Since she was about 33 at this time, it is assumed that she did not marry.

Winn Bearden Gowen, son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen

Winn Bearden Gowen, [John “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born October 18, 1787, according to the family bible in the possession of William Lister Gowen, a great-grandson, in 1972. It is be­lieved that he was born in Spartanburg District.

According to the will of his father Winn Bearden Gowen re­ceived “a tract of land lying and being in Greenville District on both sides of the Middle Tygar River, the line to begin at the mouth of a branch emptying into the same river on the north side below the mill–thence a direct line to the upper end of a big cover and to the line of my land–thence my line to the opposite, to the beginning. Also two negros called Zed and Spence, together with a stock of cattle and hogs now on the premises before mentioned, one bed and furniture; also my part of a bay gelding that he rides.”

The mill referred to in the will is possibly the one built by Prue Benson and P. I. Gowen.

Winn Bearden Gowen was qualified as an executor of his fa­ther’s estate January 8, 1810, at age 23, and served in that ca­pacity until the estate was finally liquidated January 21, 1813 when he was summoned along with the other legatees.

On July 12, 1819, at age 32, he was married to Elizabeth Hunt in Spartanburg County. She, 29, was born February 27, 1790. About 1821 Winn Bearden Gowen removed to Alabama and made his home in Talledega and St. Clair Counties. He did not appear in the 1820 census of St. Clair County. Talledega County 1820 census has not been searched for him.

Winn Bearden Gowen appeared in the 1830 census of St. Clair County, page 225, as the head of a household and the owner of 12 slaves. The family consisted of:

“Gowen, Wynn B. white male 40-50
white female 30-40
white male 30-40
white male 15-20
white female 5-10
white male 0-5
white female 0-5″

Winn Bearden Gowen died in 1883 in St. Clair County. A sale of his estate was held November 28, 1883 at his home three miles northeast of Big Spring, Alabama. William H. Shotwell who administered the estate made a final settlement of the estate April 26, 1886, according to St. Clair Count”South Carolina Historical Magazine,” y legal records.

In the May 11, 1883 edition of “Greenville [SC] Moun­taineer” there appeared the following item, according to Volume 50, page 104:

“May 11, 1883–Died in St. Clair County, Alabama on April 12, 1883, Mr. Winn B. Gowan, formerly a highly respectable citizen of this district.”

A search of the census reports of the county might reveal more of this individual. Elizabeth Hunt Gowen survived her husband for 10 years and died August 1, 1893, probably in St. Clair County. The longevity of this couple is remarkable–he lived to be 96, and she lived to be 103, according to the bible record of William Lister Gowen.

A discrepancy has appeared which suggests that the longevity of Winn Bearden Gowen is in doubt. Orphans Court Records, Vol. 1841-1844, page 176 in adjoining Jefferson County, Al­abama records the appointment February 5, 1842 of Carter T. Hamilton, son-in-law, as guardian of the minor orphans of Winn Bearden Gowen:

“Know ye that Carter T. Hamilton has this day been duly appointed Guardian of Amanda T. O. Gowen and William B. Gowen, minor orphans of Winn B. Gowen, deceased . . . . ”

John F. Forrest, Judge
County Court, Jefferson County, Alabama
Issued the 5th day of February A.D. 1842″

Children born to Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen include:

Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen

Elizabeth Gowen, [Winn Bearden7, John “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen, was born about 1820, prob­ably in St. Clair County. On December 27, 1834, at age 14, she was married to James Thompson in St. Clair County. Of this couple nothing more is known.

Nancy Gowen, daughter of Winn Bearden Gowen and Eliz­abeth Hunt Gowen

Nancy Gowen, [Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of Winn Bearden Gowen and Eliz­abeth Hunt Gowen, was born about 1822 probably in St. Clair County. She was married to Carter T. Hamilton October 1, 1839 in St. Clair County. Carter T. Hamilton was named guardian to William Bradford Gowen and Amanda T. O. Gowen, “minor orphans of Winn B. Gowen, deceased.”

William Bradford Gowen, son of Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen

William Bradford Gowen, [Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen, was born July 31, 1828, accord­ing to the family bible. It is believed that he was born in St. Clair County. He appeared in the 1850 cen­sus of Talledega County, Alabama as “William B. Gowen, age 22, laborer, born in Al­abama.” It is unknown in whose house­hold he was residing at that time. He was married February 1, 1855 at Talledega, Al­abama to Laura Virginia Oden who was born April 19, 1837, accord­ing to the family bible.

William Bradford Gowen was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1860 census of Talledega County:

“Gowen, William B. 31, born in GA, farmer
L. V. 22, born in GA
Mattie 1, born in AL”

On February 27, 1862 William Bradford Gowen enlisted in the Thirtieth Alabama Infantry Regiment at Syla­cauga, Al­abama. He was named a sergeant and later second lieu­tenant. In the Battle of Champion’s Hill, just prior to Grant’s siege of Vicks­burg in May 1863, Lt. William Bradford Gowen was captured.

While languishing in a prison camp on Johnson’s Island, Lt. William Bradford Gowen, CSA who had been captured near Vicksburg, recorded his thoughts and fears in his diary. Much of the journal was addressed to his wife at home. The open­ing entry expresses the pathos the prisoner felt:

“Mournful cries of the wounded and dying which would sometimes rise above the din of battle still ring in my ears and ever and anon the livid countenances and ghastly wounds of the dead whom I passed on the field rise before my mind. Doubtless many of the poor fel­lows had wives & children at home which a few short hours before had been as precious to them as life itself, and perhaps the hearts of those wives and children were even now, while the Husband and Father lay cold in death, filled with hope that he might soon be permitted to return to the bosom of his family and all the endear­ments of home.

But, alas, who can contemplate without tears of anguish the wail of sorrow and disappointed hope that shall rise from the broken hearts of those loved ones when in a few short days the dreadful truth shall become known. My God; who can describe the desolation of one hard fought battle.

I felt a profound sense of gratitude to the God of Mercy for my life preserved and sincere and heartfelt thanks for the kind protecting hand that had brought me safely and unhurt through the dangers of that day.

In speaking of my varied thoughts, let me assure you, dear Jennie, that yourself and our precious little Dar­lings, Mat­tie & Willie, occupy by far the largest share. You are in blissful ignorance of my situation tonight, but I am tor­mented with the thought that in a few days you will hear of the Battle of Champion Hill and hear that our Regiment was in the thickest of it and perhaps will see my name among the Missing, and then you will be tortured with the intolerable suspense of not knowing whether I am killed or captured.”

The journal, maintained from May 16, 1863 until his release and arrival home in 1865, chronicled his feelings at the time of capture and imprisonment on Johnson’s Island in the conflu­ence of Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie, off Sandusky, Ohio. The jour­nal is now in the care of Lt. Gowen’s great-grand­daughter, Mary Carrington Gowen, a Foundation member of Austin, Texas. Her father, William Lister Gowen, transcribed the diary and placed a typewritten copy in the Texas State Li­brary & Archives before his death in 1972. Gowen Research Founda­tion Library recently obtained a copy of the 160-page Journal from the state library.

William Bradford Gowen, son of Winn Bearden Gowen and Elizabeth Hunt Gowen, was born July 31, 1828, accord­ing to the family bible. He was a grandson of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen, Revolutionary soldier of Spartanburg County, South Carolina and his wife, Lettice Winn “Letty” Bearden Gowen.

He appeared in the 1850 cen­sus of Talledega County, Al­abama as “William B. Gowen, age 22, laborer, born in Al­abama.” He was married February 1, 1855 at Talledega, Al­abama to Laura Virginia “Jennie” Oden who was born April 19, 1837, accord­ing to the family bible.

On February 27, 1862 William Bradford Gowen enlisted in the Thirtieth Alabama Infantry Regiment at Syla­cauga, Al­abama. He was named a sergeant and later second lieu­tenant. In the Battle of Champion Hill in Mississippi, prior to Grant’s siege of Vicks­burg in May 1863, Lt. Gowen was cap­tured.

By steamboat he was transported up the Mississippi to Cairo, Illinois and thence over­land by rail to Sandusky. During his imprisonment he recorded in a journal the fears, the hopes and the frustrations of the Confederate prisoners.

On the first day after his capture, he wrote,

“May 17, 1863: Our breakfast this morning was quite scanty, some received none at all. The water we get from holes in a branch partly dried up, it be­ing muddy and un­palatable.”

“May 18: Saw Capt. Anderson of the 30th, and he ap­peared to be doing well. I could not find a single man of my company. It was a sad and sickening sight to look upon some with amputated limbs and others with swollen faces and countenances distorted with pain and one poor fellow who had seemingly just expired; died doubtless without anyone knowing when he drew his last breath, no kind friend to offer a word of consolation or drop a tear of sympathy.”

“May 29: Our transport Boat lay over at Memphis all day. The Bar Keeper on the Boat has been doing a thriving business today exchanging money with our men, giving one dollar of Federal for four dollars of Confederate money. I had no money at all, having given my pocketbook with its contents, $215 to Par­son Underwood, the chaplain of our Regiment for safe keeping the morning before the battle in which I was captured.”

“June 1: Arrived at Cairo at the junction of the Mis­sissippi and the Ohio Rivers at 7 a.m. We were in­formed that we would travel no farther by steamboat, but would travel by railroad to our destination. I was not sorry of this, for our trip up the river which had lasted nine days & nights was anything but a pleasant one. Our only chance for sleeping was on our blankets spread down on a filthy floor.”

“June 5: Traveled all night and arrived at Sandusky City at 11:00 a.m. We got off the cars and marched down to San­dusky Bay amidst a crowd of men, women and children who had fathered at the depot to see the Rebels. I sup­pose they were looking for our horns and tails. We boarded a steam ferryboat to convey us over to Johnson’s Island, three miles out in the Bay.”

June 7: This is the holy Sabbath, God’s sacred day of rest, how little it is regarded by many here. Some have been engaged at card playing nearly all day. I have spent the day principally in my room reading the Testatment which my friend G. M. D. Patterson gave me when I first joined the army.”

July 4: This is the 87th Anniversary of American Inde­pendence, a day once hailed with delight and still proudly remembered by every Americn Citizen as the day on which our Patriotic fore-fathers, then citizens of a fee­ble colonial government proclaimed their independence of a great and powerful nation and maintained it through a war of seven years. And many of these Patriotic Sires lived to see the gov­ernment in whose defense they had struggled to be­come one of the great and powerful nations of the earth. But now, alas! What is the condition of this once proud and prosperous Nation? Convulsed with war and drenched in blood!”

“July 7: We have news today that Vicksburg has surren­dered and that Genl. Lee has been signally de­feated in the fight at Gettysburg, neither of which we are willing to be­lieve without confirmation. The Yankees are jubi­lant.”

“September 22: Glorious news in the papers this morning. They report that Rosencrans is badly beaten and is falling back from Chattanooga and ac­knowledges a loss of 3,000 killed, wounded and missing. As soon as this news was read, the Rebels on Johnson’s Island raised a yell that made the Island tremble under our feet.”

“October 13: The best news I have heard for a long time came in a letter which I rec’d from you [his wife] this morning and which gave me joy enough for one day. Af­ter being deprived of the pleasure of even hearing from you for nearly 5 months to hear that you are well was truly glad tidings of great joy.”

“October 29: Our bible class met this morning and after going through the lesson had an interesting dis­cussion, the query being, ‘Did Jeptha slay and sacri­fice his daughter, and if so, was he justified in the act?’”

“November 29: Today the ground is covered with snow. Our rations of wood are quite short, so much so that we do not have enough to keep a fire going in the stove all the time and must therefore suffer with cold.”

“December 26: Five prisoners, among them Genl. Archer, got outside the prison wall a few nights ago. They made their way to the shore of the Bay and got out some dis­tance on the ice when some of them fell through the ice. The noise reached the ears of the pickets nearby who came up and gobbled the poor fellows up again. Another Christmas has passed which makes the second one since I left home.”

“January 8, 1864: The weather continues extremely cold. The ground is covered with snow, and we have to stay in our rooms all the time. The passing from the Island to Sandusky is done altogether on the ice now. Some ladies came over from the City on skates today. It is a very beautiful sight to see them skating on the ice. Numerous attempts have been made in the last few nights by prison­ers to escape, some of which I suppose were successful.”

“April 1: A considerable religious feeling has been mani­fested in Prison for some time past and a goodly number have professed religion and joined the church. I had the pleasure on last Sabbath of wit­nessing the baptism in Lake Erie of 12 Confederate officers.”

May 24: Nature is fast becoming clothed in the green ver­due of spring; but what is all this to me, I am still a pris­oner shut up within the walls of this detested old prison. All that I can do is to look ove the wall at the few green trees left standing on the Island and wish that I was once more at home and free to roam among the old hills over which I have so often fol­lowed the merry yelp of my hounds in the exciting chase after the wild deer.”

February 19, 1865: Our rations are so curtailed that we are barely able to sustain life. I am hungry from one day’s end to another. Many of the prisoners have resorted to catch­ing & eating rats. I have seen other prisoners picking up crumbs from the ditches & slop barrels and eating them. The exchange of prisoners for which we have so long & anxiously looked is about to be consumated at last. Some have already gone, and 100 more officers are to leave here tomor­row, and I am one of that number!”

March 22: “We mounted and started for home some 10 miles distant wher we arrived a little after dark. Besides the family there was a large crowd of relatives & friends assembled to meet us. The meeting, after three years absence, I will not try to describe, but will leave it to the imagination of any who may read this.”

Lt. Gowen very soon after the war removed his family to Lin­dale, Texas. In 1888 he moved again to Tyler, Texas. His treasured journal was kept in a safe place in each household. Once his youngest daughter slipped the book down and in­scribed a poem on its frontispiece:

“Oh, if my heart was made of glass
And through its windows you could see
You’d see your picture painted there
And know the one so dear to me.”

William Bradford Gowen was enumerated in the 1900 census of Trinity County, Texas, Enumeration District 96, page 3, precinct 2 as the head of a household:

“Gowan, William B. 71, born in AL in July 1828
Laura V. 63, born in GA in April 1837
William A. 38, born in AL in Sept. 1861”

On January 19, 1907 William Bradford Gowen filed Con­federate Pension Applica­tion No. 13071. In the applica­tion he stated that he was 78, totally disabled and had been living at Tyler for 19 years. The pension was granted by the State of Texas shortly prior to his death Au­gust 8, 1908.

On February 3, 1909 Laura Virginia Oden Gowen, at age 70, applied for a wid­ow’s pension, stating in her applica­tion that she had lived at Tyler for 30 years. This pension was also granted. In the 1910 edition of the Tyler city directory Laura Virginia “Jennie” Oden Gowen, “widow of W. B. Gowen,” lived at 408 East Line Street.

Once on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. H. F. Scheen at Bi­enville, Louisiana, she became ill and extended her visit to one year. During this period she lost her Texas residency and her pension. It was later reinstated upon her application. The pension papers referred to another daughter, Mattie Gowen Ross who also lived in Tyler on January 22, 1919. The en­dorsement of her son, William Alexander Gowen, also of Tyler, dated January 24, 1919, appeared in the reinstatement application. Laura Virginia “Jennie” Oden Gowen died at Tyler February 2, 1919 and was buried at Bienville Cemetery, Bienville, Louisiana.

Children born to William Bradford Gowen and Laura Vir­ginia “Jennie” Oden Gowen include:

By steamboat he was transported up the Mississippi to Cairo, Illinois and thence over­land by rail to the prisoner of war camp on Johnson’s Island near Sandusky, Ohio. Dur­ing his impris­onment he recorded in a journal the fears, the hopes and the frustration of the Johnson Is­land pris­oners. This journal has been edited and repro­duced in type­written copies by the Texas State Archives in Austin, Texas. In his journal he fondly refers to his children, “Mattie and Willie.”

Shortly prior to the end of the Civil War, Lt. William Brad­ford Gowen was ex­changed and returned to his home. He was paroled February 28, 1865 and very soon re­moved his family to Lindale, Texas. In 1888 he moved again to Tyler, Texas.

William Bradford Gowen received a deed to 2.38 acres of land from J. W. Og­burn about 1920, according to Smith County, Texas Deed Book 87, page 557. He sold the prop­erty shortly afterward to S. D. Swann, according to Smith County Deed Book 92, page 71.

He was enumerated in the 1900 census of Trinity County, Texas, Enumeration District 96, page 3, precinct 2 as the head of a household. The family was listed as:

“Gowan, William B. 71, born in AL in July 1828
Laura V. 63, born in GA in April 1837
William A. 38, born in AL in Sept. 1861”

On January 19, 1907 William Bradford Gowen filed Con­federate Pension Applica­tion No. 13071. In the applica­tion he stated that he was 78, totally disabled and had been living at Tyler for 19 years. The pension was granted by the State of Texas shortly prior to his death Au­gust 8, 1908.

On February 3, 1909 Laura Virginia Oden Gowen, at age 70, applied for a wid­ow’s pension, stating in her applica­tion that she had lived at Tyler for 30 years. This pension was also granted. In the 1910 edition of the Tyler city di­rectory Laura Virginia Oden Gowen, “widow of W. B. Gowen,” lived at 408 East Line Street.

Once on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. H. F. Scheen at Bi­enville, Louisiana, she became ill and extended her visit to one year. During this period she lost her Texas resi­dency and her pen­sion. It was later reinstated upon her applica­tion. The pension pa­pers referred to another daughter, Mattie Gowen Ross who also lived in Tyler on January 22, 1919. The endorsement of her son, William Alexander Gowen, also of Tyler, dated January 24, 1919, appeared in the reinstatement application.

Laura Virginia Oden Gowen died at Tyler February 2, 1919 and was buried at Bienville Cemetery, Bienville, Louisiana.

Children born to William Bradford Gowen and Laura Vir­ginia Oden Gowen include:

Mattie Gowen, daughter of William Bradford Gowen and Laura Virginia Oden Gowen

Mattie Gowen, [William Bradford8, Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Bradford Gowen and Laura Virginia Oden Gowen, was born about 1860 in Talledega County, Alabama. About 1880 she was married to Tom P. Ross, probably at Tyler. The couple con­tinued to live there in February 1919.

William Alexander Gowen, son of William Bradford Gowen and Laura Virginia Oden Gowen

William Alexander Gowen, [William Bradford8, Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of William Bradford Gowen and Laura Virginia Oden Gowen, was born in September 1861 in Talledega County. Shortly after the Civil War he was brought to Smith County, Texas by his parents. On December 2, 1902 he was married to Fannie Lister at Twitty, Texas. In 1903 the couple resided at Marlin, Texas. From 1906 until 1912 they lived at Hearne, Texas, and in 1918 they were living at Tyler. In that year he was listed as a clerk in the claims department of International & Great Northern Railroad with residence at 115 High Avenue, according to the city directory. In 1923 he appeared as a cashier for the railroad living at 841 North Bois D’Arc.

William Alexander Gowen died at Tyler April 14, 1923, ac­cording to Smith County Probate File 2969. Fannie Lister Gowen continued to live in Tyler until 1925 at which time she determined to move to Waco, Texas where her children could enter college.

On May 15, 1925 she purchased a residence from J. R. Rozell at 719 James Avenue, Waco and traded her home in Tyler to him, according to McLennan County, Texas Deed Book 367, page 579 and Smith County Deed Book 172, page 386. J. R. Rozell conveyed the Tyler property back to her July 19, 1927, accord­ing to Smith County Deed Book 193, page 324. She sold the property to W. E. Beaird of Waco, Texas for $2,000 January 25, 1928, according to Smith County Deed Book 206, page 8.

Fannie Lister Gowen deeded part of her property on James Av­enue in Waco to Baylor University April 24, 1946, ac­cording to McLennan County deed records. She was listed in each edition of the Waco city directory from 1926 through 1951 at 7l9 James Avenue. She died November 28, 1952 at 1009 South 17th Street in Waco, according to McLennan County Deed Book 935, page 563.

Children born to William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen include:

William Lister Gowen, son of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen

William Lister Gowen, [William Alexander9, William Bradford8, Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen, was born December 9, 1903 at Marlin, Texas. From 1906 until 1912 his family lived in Hearne, Texas. In 1919 they had moved to Tyler. He was listed as a student in the 1923 city directory of Tyler, living at 841 North Bois D’Arc Avenue. After the death of his father in that year the family moved to Waco. He was listed in the Waco city directory in editions from 1926 until 1936.

In 1926 he was listed as a student at Baylor University and was employed as an assis­tant cleaner at Lone Crow Laun­dry, resid­ing at the home of his mother at 719 James. He was again listed as a student in the 1928 edi­tion. In the 1934 edition he was shown as a laborer at Industrial Cotton Oil Mill. In 1936 he continued to live at the residence of his mother at 719 James Avenue.

He was married March 25, 1940 to Dorothy Carrington, ac­cording to Travis County, Texas Marriage Book 38, page 28. In 1947 William Lister Gowen was listed as a traveling audi­tor for the Texas State Highway Depart­ment, residing at 1108 Neches, according to the Austin, Texas city directory. He con­tinued at that address with the same employment through 1958.

On July 22, 1963 William Lister Gowen and Dorothy Car­rington Gowen gave a deed to W. S. Connor, Jr. to Lot 56, Block 138, Original City Addition, Aus­tin, ac­cording to Travis County Deed Book 2670, page 80. Dorothy Carrington Gowen received a deed from her mother, Maude C. Carrington to Lot 18, Block G, Allandale Park Addition, Austin, September 19, 1963, according to Travis County Deed Book 2670, page 192.

On January 14, 1967 William Lister Gowen and Dorothy Car­rington Gowen deeded their share of his mother’s home to his brother-in-law and sister, James A. Muckleroy and Emma Vir­ginia Gowen Muckleroy of Tulsa, Oklahoma. At that time William Lister Gowen resided at 2713 Greenlawn Parkway, Austin, which continued to be his address in May 1972 after his retirement.

William Lister Gowen died in Austin November 18, 1972, ac­cording to Travis County Probate File 34758. Dorothy Car­rington Gowen gave power of attorney to her daughter, Mary Carrington Gowen December 18, 1973, according to Travis County Deed Book 4900.

One daughter was born to William Lister Gowen and Dorothy Carrington Gowen:

Mary Carrington Gowen born July 16, 1944

Mary Carrington Gowen, daughter of William Lister Gowen and Dorothy Carrington Gowen, was born July 16, 1944 in Austin. In 1990 she, a member of Gowen Re­search Foun­dation, continued there, living in the home of her parents at 2713 Greenlawn Parkway.

Emma Virginia Gowen, daughter of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen

Emma Virginia Gowen, [William Alexander9, William Bradford8, Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1]daughter of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen, was born October 27, 1906 at Hearne, Texas. In 1919 she lived at Tyler with her parents and was a student. In the 1926 and 1928 editions of the Waco city directory she was listed as a student at Baylor University, living at 719 James, the address of her widowed mother. In the 1930 and 1931 editions she was listed as a teacher.

In 1932 and 1933 she was a teacher at John B. Winn School, Austin and roomed at 300 East 9th Street, accord­ing to the city directory. She was again listed in the Waco city directory in the 1934 and 1936 editions living with her mother at 719 James Av­enue.

In the 1937 edition of the Austin city directory she was shown as a music teacher liv­ing at 306 West 13th Street. She contin­ued as a music teacher in Austin, according to the 1939, 1940 and 1941 editions of the city directory. In 1939 she lived at 102 West 13th Street, at 1207 San Jacinto in 1940 and at 1105 Enfield Road in 1941.

Emma Virginia Gowen was married to James A. Muck­leroy August 2, 1941, according to Travis County Mar­riage Book 39, page 342. In 1952 they lived at 4431 South Gary Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mary Frances Gowen, daughter of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen

Mary Frances Gowen, [William Alexander9, William Bradford8, Winn Bearden7, EzrJohn “Buck”6. William5, John F.4, William W.3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Alexander Gowen and Fannie Lister Gowen, was born June 17, 1912 at Hearne, Texas. She lived with her family at Tyler, Texas in 1919. In 1925 her mother moved her family to Waco, Texas. Mary Frances Gowen appeared in the city directories of Waco from 1926 through 1936 living in the home of her mother. In the 1932, 1933 and 1934 issues she was listed as a student at Bay­lor Univer­sity.

In 1935 Mary Frances Gowen was listed as office secre­tary for Powell, Wirz, Rauhut & Gideon and lived at 1606 Congress Avenue in Austin. She was married February 6, 1937 to J. D. Hazelwood, according to Travis County Marriage Book 34, page 629. In 1952 they lived at 4528 West Amherst, Dallas, Texas.

Anne Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Sarah Allan Gowen

Anne Gowen, [William5, John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen and Sarah Allan Gowen, was born about 1742, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. Her family later lived in Stokes County, North Carolina where she met John Easley who became her husband about 1766. He was born before 1741, according to the research of Dr. Virginia Easley DeMarce, a descendant.

He was the son of Millington Easley who was a contemporary with William Gowen in Granville County. Millington Easley moved to Stokes County in the early 1750s. John Easley ap­peared in Stokes County records in 1764. Their marriage bond might be recorded there. Millington Easley was a son of John Easley [1683-1746] and his second wife, Joyce Millington. John Easley was a son of Robert Easley [1665-1711] and Ann Parker Easley [1668-1720].

Millington Easley, son of Millington Easley, apparently fol­lowed the same westward migration because he became a Gowen neighbor in District 96, South Carolina. His son William Easley was married to Sarah Gowen, daughter of John “Buck” Gowen. They later moved to Hickman County, Tennessee. Around 1774 John Easley and made the westward trek to District 96.

John Easley served in the South Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War following the fall of Charleston, South Carolina to the British in 1780. On June 18, 1781 Thomas Farrar, brigade major, gave a receipt to John Easley for “a bay mare imprest for Publick Service–Appraised to forty-five pounds to be paid in gold or silver or the value thereof in Continental money. By Order of General Pickins.” Miss Miriam Dozier, a descendant of Austin, Texas wrote October 27, 1961 that John Easley was a first lieutenant in Lt. Col. Benjamin Roebuck’s Regiment. Both he and his son, Millington Easley were killed fighting the British, apparently about 1783.

On June 29, 1784 Anne Gowen Easley, a widow, was granted land on Reedy River in the Old Indian Apex Cession. Ac­cording to District 96 Deed Book 2, page 347 her land was bounded on the northwest “by Hawkins.” Later she sold this land to Edmund Bearden. She was mentioned in the will of her father written March 10, 1785, as the recipient of “two cows and calves” and “275 acres of land, more or less, it being part of a survey of 395 acres run for me on the Sink Pot Fork of Tyger River,” according to District 96 will records.

On May 28, 1785 Gov. Guerrard of South Carolina granted land in District 96 to Anne Gowen Easley, according to Greenville County Deed Book B, page 28.

Anne Gowen Easley appeared in the first state census of South Carolina taken in 1786 as the head of a household in Greenville County. According to “Heads of Households, South Carolina, 1790,” the family was enumerated as:

“Easley, Ann white female
white male over 16
white female
white female
white male under 16”

No slaves were reported. The enumeration showed her to be a neighbor to Samuel Easley, William Easley, “Allen Gowin” and Gowen Clayton. Sometime between October 14, 1805 and March 14, 1808 Gowen Clayton of Spartanburg District was witness to a deed of Austin Clayton which transferred 50 acres of land “on both sides of the Tygar River” which had been granted to Augusten Clayton, according to Deed Book L, page 208.

In 1786 Ann Gowen Easley petitioned the government for mil­itary pay for her deceased husband and son, requesting that the compensation be tendered to “Capt. John Gowen.” The docu­ment read:

“To the Commissioners of the Publick Treasury: Gen­tlemen: Please to send me by Captain John Gowen In­dent for the amount of the account of John Easely & Millington Easely against the Public of South Carolina, they being both deceased, and I, the administratrix of their estates, being the widow of John Easely and Mother of Millington Easely. Your Complyance with Much Oblige.
Your humble Servant
Ann Easley
Acknowledged the 24th of May, 1786 before
Bayliss Earle, J.P.”

Apparently the affidavit was written by Bayliss Earle, an old friend of the Gowen family who should have known how to correctly spell “Easley.” The resulting indents bore the fol­lowing endorsements:

“John Easely, Lieutenant for Militia duty in Roebuck’s Regiment since the fall of Charleston, £44, 10 shillings. Received August 5, 1786 Full Satisfaction for interest for the within.
C. C. Schutt”

“Millington Easely, £14, 7 shillings and one penny, half penny. Received September 1, 1786 three years interest on the within Indent.

C. C. Schutt”

On December 22, 1786 John “Buck” Gowen signed a receipt for full satisfaction for compensation from the Commissioners of the Treasury “in the purchase of land for Ann Easley.” Ap­parently Ann Gowen Easley settled for land, feeling that get­ting payment from the hard-pressed government would be difficult and long in coming.

On January 1, 1787 Ann Gowen Easley was granted additional land on Reedy River. When that area formally became a state May 23, 1788 she and other members of her family had been in residence there for 14 years.

On July 16, 1790 Ann Gowen Easley sold land on Reedy River that had been granted to her in 1785 to Edmund Bearden, according to Greenville County Deed Book B, page 253.. About 1790 Edmund Bearden sold the land “to Jamison, land on both sides of George’s Creek of Saluda River.” The deed was witnessed by Winn Bearden, son of Edmund Bearden. This tract of 340 acres in Washington District was afterwards granted to Maj. John “Buck” Gowen of District 96 by Gov. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney who was a brigadier-general in the Continental Army and a delegate to the constitutional convention.

Maj. John “Buck” Gowen sold this land July 5, 1792 as recorded in Pendleton County, South Carolina Deed Book D, page 3. The deed was witnessed by James Easley, son of Ann Gowen Easley and Jesse Moss. Although Pendleton County no longer exists, its records are maintained by South Carolina Historical Commission, Columbia, South Carolina.

On May 2, 1793 Ann Gowen Easley sold the land that had been granted to her in 1785 on Reedy River to Bayliss Earle, according to Greenville County Deed Book C, page 372. John Easley was a witness to the transaction.

On November 24, 1794 Ann Gowen Easley was mentioned as an heir of James I. Hunt whose will was probated on that date. She received a deed from the Hunt estate in 1798.

It is believed that Ann Gowen Easley was the “white female, over 45” living in the household of her son, John Easley in the 1800 census of Greenville County.

Anne Gowen Easley deeded January 21, 1801 a slave woman to her daughters, Ann Easley Barton and Mary Easley “for love and affection,” according to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 251. John Easley and William Easley witnessed the deed. They are believed to be her sons.

Anne Gowen Easley “of Greenville County” was referred to as “the widow Easley” in the estate account of her father-in-law Millington Easley in 1806, according to Greenville County records. She was mentioned in the will of her brother John “Buck” Gowen written August 20, 1809. It is believed that Anne Gowen Easley died shortly afterward and was buried in Greenville County.

Children born to John Easley and Anne Gowen Easley include:

  • Millington Easley born about 1767
  • John Easley born about 1768
  • James Easley born about 1769
  • Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley born in 1770
  • Mary Easley born about 1772
  • William Franklin Easley born about 1774
  • Ann “Nancy” Easley born in 1778

Millington Easley, son of John Easley and Ann Gowen Easley, was born about 1767 probably in Stokes County, North Car­olina. He was killed at about age 16, along with his father, while serving in Roebuck’s Regiment of the South Carolina militia. His mother received military pay of “14 pounds, 7 shillings, one penny, half penny” for his services September 1, 1786.

John Easley, son of John Easley and Ann Gowen Easley, was born about 1768, probably in Stokes County. He was brought to South Carolina by his parents about 1774. It is not believed that he was enumerated in the 1786 census of his mother’s household. He was married about 1791 and was enumerated as the head of Household 544 in the 1800 census of Greenville County. A “white female, over 45” recorded in his household is possibly his mother. “John Easley” was a witness in 1801 to a deed of his mother in which she gave a slave to her daughters. John Easley “was temporarily in Warren County and Allen County, Kentucky, but disappears from the record by 1820,” according to the research of Virginia Easley DeMarce.

James Easley, believed to be a son of John Easley and Ann Gowen Easley, was born about 1769, probably in Stokes County. He was brought to South Carolina by his parents about 1774. He is believed to be the “white male, over 16” who appeared in his mother’s household in the South Carolina state census of 1786. “James Easley” was a witness to a deed of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen July 5, 1792 in which he conveyed land that had once been owned by Anne Gowen Easley, according to Pendleton County, South Carolina Deed Book D, page 3.

Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley , daughter of Lt. John Easley and Anne Gowen Easley, was born in 1770 in South Carolina. She was married October 11, 1786 at age 16 to William [Pleasant?] Anderson of Greenville County. He was born in 1765 in Augusta County, Virginia to John Anderson and Ann Erwin Anderson, according to a letter written by Miss Miriam Dozier, a descendant of Austin, Texas.

In 1789 William Anderson was living in Newberry County, South Carolina, according to “Newberry County, South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1751-1794,” Volume A, pages 707-710, by Brent H. Holcomb:

“Lease and release. January 26 & 27, 1789, William Anderson of Newberry County and wife Elizabeth to John Floyd of same, for £300 sterling, 60 acres, part of 100 acres granted to John Lucas September 16, 1774, on a branch of Little River called Sandy Run adjoining Andrew Erwin, Robert Johnston, John Sims, James Goggans, William Anderson, also 150 acres, a part of a tract of 250 acres granted to William Anderson January 10, 1770 on south side of south fork of Sandy Run ad-joining William Pitts, making out 210 acres.

William Anderson
Elizabeth [X] Anderson
Witnesses:
John Anderson
William [X] Anderson
George Goggans”

Proved in Newberry County by the oath of George Gog -gans March 2, 1789 before Robert Rutherford, J.P. Recorded July 10, 1789.”

On October 1, 1794 Allan Gowen deeded property on the South Pacolet River to William Easley, his niece’s husband, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, page 72. John “Buck” Gowen, William Gowen and William Anderson were witnesses to the deed.

In 1811 William Anderson lived in Kentucky.

They removed to Sumter County, Alabama. She died there October 27, 1843, according to her obituary:
“Died Mrs Elizabeth Anderson, consort of William Anderson Sr. Esq. in the 73rd year of her age. She was married to Mr. Anderson at the age of 16, having been born in South Carolina in 1770.

Elizabeth Easley was the daughter of John Easley, 1st Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War and his wife Ann Gowen. John’s father was John Easley and his mother was Joyce Easley; this John’s parents were Warham Easley and his wife Sara Barnes; Warham’s father and mother were Robert Easley and Ann Parker. Warham Easley’s will is in Book 1 page 84 and mentions sons Creed T, Samuel W, Christopher B, daughter Martha Easley Foreman, wife Emily, minor heirs: Catherine, Maria, Elizabeth Jane and Virginia Noble. Warham Easley lived near Belmont.”
William Easley died February 11, 1848 at age 80.

Children born to them include:

  • John Erwin Anderson born in 1796
  • Caroline N. Anderson born in 1798
  • Dorcas Anderson born about 1799
  • Marian Burns Anderson born January 28, 1800
  • Bailey Washington Anderson born March 17, 1803
  • Huldah Virginia Anderson born April 19, 1805
  • William Gowen Anderson born in 1811
  • Albert Gallatin Anderson born in 1814

John Erwin Anderson, son of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born in 1796 in Greenville County. He was married August 10, 1816 in Clark County, Alabama to Cynthia D. Harper. She was born in 1798 in Georgia. He died in 1848 in Panola County, Texas and she died after 1870.

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Caroline Anderson born about 1820

Mary Caroline Anderson, daughter of John Erwin Anderson and Cynthia D. Harper Anderson, was born about 1820. She was married about 1841 to Patrick C. Shahan in Harrison County, Texas.

Children born to them include:

  • Michael Lucian Shahan born about 1842

Michael Lucian Shahan, son of Patrick C. Shahan and Mary Caroline Anderson Shahan, was born about 1842. He was married about 1866 to Georgia Ann Pyle.

Caroline N. Anderson, daughter of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born in 1798 in Greenville County. She was married about 1816 to Henry Walker. She was remarried to Elisha Lacy.

Dorcas Anderson, daughter of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born about 1799 in Greenville County. She was married September 24, 1819 in Clark County, Alabama to Eli Davis.

Children born to them include:

  • Huldah Davis born about 1821
  • Amanda Davis born about 1823
  • Franklin W. Davis born about 1824
  • John E. Davis born about 1826
  • Elisha L. Davis born about 1829
  • William B. Davis born about 1831
  • Jane Davis born about 1834
  • Eli Davis born about 1837
  • Dorcas Davis born about 1840

Marian Burns Anderson, daughter of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born January 28, 1800 in Greenville County. She was married February 18, 1819 in Marengo County, Alabama to Alexander Birdsong. He was born in 1799 in South Carolina to James Birdsong and Elizabeth Gratsy Birdsong. She died April 8, 1878 in Hunt County, Texas, and he died there in 1879.

Children born to them include:

  • Laura Gratsy Birdsong born in 1819

Laura Gratsy Birdsong, daughter of Alexander Birdsong and Marian Burns Anderson Birdsong, was born in 1819 in Marengo County. She was married about 1842 to William K. Elliott in Fayette County, Tennessee.

Children born to them include:

  • [daughter] born about 1848

A daughter born about 1848 to William K. Elliott and Laura Gratsy Birdsong Elliott, was married about 1867 to Stephen Bailey Dozier in Panola County, Texas. He was born in West­moreland County, Virginia.

Children born to them include:

  • William Allen Ward Dozier born about 1870

William Allen Ward Dozier, son of Stephen Bailey Dozier, was born about 1870. He was married about 1893 to Ella Nance who was born in Gainesville, Alabama.

Children born to them include:

  • Miriam Dozier born about 1900

Miriam Dozier, daughter of William Allen Ward Dozier and Ella Nance Dozier, was born about 1900. In 1961 she lived in Austin, Texas. She had a great love of her family and spent many years in researching her ancestry.

Bailey W. Anderson, son of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born March 17, 1803 in Greenville County. He was married January 18, 1823 in Marengo County to Olive Crook. He was remarried March 17, 1832 in Sumter County, Alabama to Louise Burton.

Huldah Virginia Anderson, daughter of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born April 19, 1905 in Greenville County. She was married February 17, 1821 in Marengo County, Alabama to Stephen Lacy Davis. She died October 10, 1863 in Panola County, Texas.

William Gowen Anderson, son of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born in 1811 in Kentucky. He became the first probate judge in Sumter County, Alabama, organized in 1832 from the Choctaw Cesssion of 1830, according to a letter written October 27, 1961 by Miss Mariam Dozier. He was married there August 20, 1833 to Isabel Corlin. He was remarried about 1846 in Texas to Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor. He died in Orange County, Texas in 1866.

After his death, Elizabeth Taylor Anderson removed to Johnson County, Texas.

Children born to William Gowan Anderson are believed to include:

  • Mary Leona Anderson born about 1835
  • Laura Jane Anderson born about 1837
  • Isabella H. Anderson born about 1840
  • Isadora M. Anderson born about 1848
  • John Erwin Anderson born about 1852

Mary Leona Anderson, daughter of William Gowen Anderson and Isabel Corlin, was born about 1835. She was married about 1853 to Preston Floyd. After their deaths, their fourth children were brought to Johnson County, Texas.

Children born to them include:

  • Richard Erwin Floyd born about 1855
  • Matlock Floyd, M.G. born about 1859
  • Kate Henrietta Floyd born about 1864

Laura Jane Anderson, daughter of William Gowen Anderson and Isabel Corlin, was born about 1837. She was married about 1857, husband’s name Ramsey. A daughter of Laura Jane Anderson Ramsey was “married to Dr. Nifong.”

Albert Gallatin Anderson, son of William Anderson and Virginia Elizabeth “Betsy” Easley Anderson, was born in 1814 in Kentucky. He was elected tax collector in Sumter County. He was married there July 23, 1834 to Mary Ann More. He was remarried there February 9, 1844 to Mrs. Mary Devlin Drummond.

Mary Easley, daughter of John Easley and Anne Gowen Easley was born about 1772. She was mentioned in a deed written January 21, 1801 in which her mother conveyed a slave woman to her and her sister Anne Easley Barton, according to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 251.

William Franklin Easley, son of John Easley and Anne Gowen Easley, was born in South Carolina about 1774, according to Sally Ann Easley Boswell, a granddaughter. He was married about 1799, probably in Greenville County, wife’s name Sarah “Dillie” Dillingham].

On May 6, 1799 “William Easley,” Elizabeth Malin, Masse Arrasmith and John Dillingham posted bond as administrators of the estate of John Malin, deceased.

He was enumerated as the head of Household 545 in the 1800 census of Greenville County, adjoining the household of his brother John Easley. In 1801 he was a witness to the deed of his mother conveying a negro slave woman to his sisters. He was discharged from the administration of the estate of John Malin January 5, 1807, having “surrendered up the whole of the business unto Elizabeth Malin, executrix of the said estate.”

The research of Virginia Easley DeMarce traces the move­ments of William Easley and Sarah “Dillie” Easley from Greenville County to Warren County, Kentucky where he appeared as a taxpayer from 1806 to 1810. Later they removed to Allen County, Kentucky and thence to Boone County, Missouri. She stated that he died in 1844 in Boone County or in Barry County where some of their children had removed.

Dr. Virginia Easley DeMarce, an accomplished genealogist, in 1990 lived in Arlington, Virginia where she was president of the National Genealogical Society.

Children born to William Franklin Easley and Sarah “Dillie” Easley include:

  • Mahulda “Hulda” Easley born about 1801
  • Greenberry Easley born September 20, 1805
  • John Easley born about 1808
  • Edward Easley born April 4, 1810
  • Elizabeth Easley born about 1816
  • Mary “Polly” Easley born April 12, 1822

Greenberry Easley, son of William Franklin Easley and Sarah “Dillie” Dillingham Easley, was born September 20, 1805 in Greenville County, South Carolina. He was brought by his parents to Warren County, Kentucky in 1806. Later he lived in Allen County, Kentucky and Boone County, Missouri.

He was married about 1828 to Eveline Johnson, according to the research of Gina Myers Easley.

Children born to Greenberry Easley and Eveline Johnson Easley include:

  • Robert Easley born about 1831

Robert Easley, son of Greenberry Easley and Eveline Johnson Easley, was born about 1831. He was married about 1856 to Katie Froley, according to Gina Myers Easley.

Children born to Robert Easley and Katie Froley Easley include:

  • John Tim Easley born about 1860

John Tim Easley, son of Robert Easley and Katie Froley Easley, was born about 1860. He was married about 1890 to Ivonnie Smith.

Children born to John Tim Easley and Ivonnie Smith Easley include:

  • Ray Easley born about 1900

Ray Easley, son of John Tim Easley and Ivonnie Smith Easley, was born about 1900. He was married about 1928 to Opal Cash.

Children born to Ray Easley and Opal Cash Easley include:

  • John Easley born about 1932

John Easley, son of Ray Easley and Opal Cash Easley, was born about 1932. He was married about 1956 to Gina Myers. Children born to John Easley and Gina Myers Easley are unknown.

Anne “Nancy” Easley, daughter of John Easley and Anne Gowen Easley, was born in 1778, according to the research of Jason E. Barton, a descendant of Hagerstown, Maryland. She was married about 1796 to Thomas Barton, son of David and Nancy Barrett Barton. Anne “Nancy” Easley Barton was the recipient of a slave woman deeded to her by her mother January 21, 1801, according to Greenville County Deed Book F, page 251. They lived in the area of Gowensville, South Carolina where Thomas Barton was a farmer.

Thomas Barton died there about 1862, at age 85, and was buried in Glassy Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, according to Hope Coslett Pees of Seguin, Texas in a message dated April 12, 2001. Anne “Nancy” Easley Barton lived to be 88 and died “after May 15, 1866.” She was buried beside her husband.

Children born to Thomas Barton and Ann “Nancy” Easley Barton include:

  • O’Hara Barton born about 1798
  • John Milton Barton born about 1799
  • Shapley Barton born about 1804
  • Joseph Barton born about 1807
  • Millington Easley Barton born about 1811
  • Kindness Barton [twin] born about 1818
  • Pleasant Barton [twin] born about 1818
  • Frank Barton born about 1820
  • Rebecca Barton born about 1823

Gowen Research Foundation Phone:806/795-8758, 795-9694
5708 Gary Avenue E-mail: gowen@llano.net
Lubbock, Texas, 79413-4822 GOWENMS.007, 03/18/02
Internet: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf

Gowen Research Foundation 806/795-8758 or 795-9694
5708 Gary Avenue E-mail: gowen@llano.net
Lubbock, Texas, 79413

Website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf

___________________________________________________________

NOTE:  The above information produced by the Gowen Research Foundation (GRF), and parts of the “Gowen Manuscript” they worked on producing.  It has tons of information – much of it is correct, but be careful, some of it is not correct – so check their sources and logic.  I’ve copied some of their information in the past researching my own family, only to find out there were some clear mistakes.   So be sure to check the information to verify if it is right before citing the source and believing the person who researched it before was 100% correct.  Most of the information I found there seems to be correct, but some is not.

Their website is:  Internet: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf

There does not seem to be anyone “manning the ship” at the Gowen Research Foundation, or Gowen Manuscript site any longer, and there is no way to contact anyone about any errors.   The pages themselves don’t have a mechanism to leave a note for others to see any “new information” that you may have that shows when you find info that shows something is wrong, or when something has been verified.

Feel free to leave messages about any new information found, or errors in these pages, or information that has been verified that those who wrote these pages may not have known about.

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