Robert Gowing b. abt 1618 in Scotland, immigrated to Massachusetts
Parents:
- Unk
Children born to Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing include:
- John Gowing, son of Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing, was born November 13, 1645, probably at Dedham.
- Elizabeth Gowing born before in April 1647
- Hannah Gowing born before February 1648
- Mary Gowing born about 1650
- Abigail Gowing born about 1652
- Sarah Gowing born about 1653
- Priscilla Gowing born about 1655
- Daniel Gowing born about 1657
- Elizabeth Gowing born about 1660
- Nathaniel Gowing born about 1662
Siblings:
- Unk
States and Counties to research:
FACTS and NOTES:
Robert Gowing, regarded as the first individual to bear the name in America, was born in Scotland April 6, 1618 of parents unknown, according to “American Ancestry.” He emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 as a “man servant” and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts in Middlesex County.
Angela Case-Campbell on May 19, 2003 wrote:
“I am looking for information on William Gowen, born May 7, 1598, Starston, Norfolk, England. He was married to Mary Hulter. They had at least 3 children: Rob-ert Gowing born April 6, 1618, Mary born April 2, 1620 and Thomas. Robert Gowing arrived in America in 1634, at the age of sixteen. I am trying to find out what ship he arrived on, and if any of his siblings came with him.”
In 1636 Robert Gowing removed to Dedham, Massachusetts in Norfolk County. In 1639 Robert Gowing, “man servant, joined the church in full communion,” according to “Dedham Town Records” Volume II, page 21. He attended the Dedham town meetings from 1640 to 1647 and was granted land prior to 1642. He became a freeman in 1644, four years after attending his first town meeting, according to “Genealogical Guide to Early Settlers in America” by Henry Whittemore.
Robert Gowing was married to Elizabeth Brock, daughter of Henry Brock and Elizabeth Brock October 31, 1644, “at age 31”, according to “Pioneers of Massachusetts” by Pope. The bride was born in Stradbrook, England. Anita Gowing George, a descendant of Springfield, Oregon stated that the bride’s full name was Elizabeth Aldous Brock.
Eleanor Tucker wrote:
“Robert Gowing arrived in America in 1634, at the age of 16, setting first at Watertown, according to “New England Historical & Genealogical Register.” The Register article states that Robert was from Scotland, a native of Edinburgh, and this has always been the assumption. However, recent research by Helen Ullmann of Acton, Massachusetts and by Myrtle Hyde of Ogden, Utah and her sister Nelean Meadows of Salt Lake City, using probate files and the parish register of Stradbroke, Wingfield and Fressingfield, County Suffolk has disclosed some interesting things. Appearing in those records were entries for “Gowyn,” Goweing,” “Gowen” “Goodwyn” and “Gowinge.”
There were also quite a few Gowing references in the nearby parish of Starston, Norfolk, including a “Robert Gowen, late of Stradbrooke” who was buried 2 Jan 1609. Also among these is “Robert, son of William and Mary Gowen, baptized 6 Apr 1618,” the same year that Robert Gowing was born, it is believed. The will of Elizabeth Aldous, “widow of Fressingfield” dated 11 April 1566 is witnessed by Thomas Gowyn. Also the will of Richard Aldous, of Fressingfield, dated 31 March 1612, proved September 11, 1612 at the Suffolk Archdeaconry, mentions the lands of “the widowe Goweing.”
Richard Aldous was the great‑grandfather of Elizabeth Brock, later Robert’s wife. Her grandfather, James Aldous, christened 30 July 1567, married 1592 Elizabeth Barber. Daughter Elizabeth, christened 6 January 1593, married in 1618, Henry Brock, according to “Suffolk Manorial Families,” Vol. I. Could it be that the Gowings and the Brocks were neighbors in the homeland? Myrtle Hyde who has done considerable work on Aldous families in England, is preparing an article on the ancestry of Elizabeth Aldous Brock, daughter of James Aldous and Elizabeth Barber Aldous.”
Robert Gowing was a resident of Wenham, Massachusetts in 1650 when he was required to appear in court to answer for the sale of a gun to an Indian.
“Records of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England” reveal, “23 May 1650, Robert Gowen, of Wenham, havinge sould a gunne to the Indians, & in so doeinge havinge forfeited by law ten pounds, vppon a petition proferred to this court, hath the one halfe of his fine remitted, vizt, five pounds, P. Curia.”
A week later the following entry was made in the court records,
“30 May 1650, In answer to the petition of Robert Gowing for remittment of the fine of tenne pounds for selling a gunne to the Indians, the court remitts the one half therof.”
Later Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing lived at, Watertown, Lynnfield in 1660 and Lynn, Massachusetts. Thomas B. Wellman writing in “History of the Town of Lynfield, Massachusetts, 1635-1895” stated that the Gowing family was “one of the most prominent in the town for generations.”
The Gowing Family Association, formed in 1889, began publishing in 1940 a series of booklets on the family history “researched by the late Winfield Scott Ripley,” according to Eleanor Tucker. Four issues were published and are available at New England Historical & Genealogical Society library and at the Lynnfield Public Library.
He died in Lynn June 7, 1698 and was probably buried there. His death was recorded in Lynn Church Records as “Roberd Gowing.” Elizabeth Brock Gowing died after June 7, 1698 at Lynn.
John Gowing, son of Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing, was born November 13, 1645, probably at Dedham. He was baptized there December 9, 1645, according to “Genealogical Guide to Early Settlers in America.”
He appeared in the legal records of Lynn, in 1682 and took a prominent part in the activities of the community, according to the official records. John Gowing “of Lynn” was married in 1682, at age 37 to Johannah Darling.
On March 1, 1702 he was chosen as “fence viewer.” On March 15, 1703 he was appointed “conservationist” and served again in that capacity on April 9, 1705. He served on the grand jury on November 15, 1706, and five days later the records reveal that he got a “new road, three poles wide” alongside his property. He was chosen “fence viewer” again March 5, 1710. He was made surveyor May 6, 1711 and was commissioned to “establish a pound” March 3, 1712. John Gowing died May 28, 1720. Johannah Darling Gowing died after May 28, 1720.
Children born to John Gowing and Johannah Darling Gowing, according to “Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America” include:
- Anis Gowing born March 13, 1683
- John Gowing born May 1, 1686
- Daniel Gowing born September 2, 1688
- Thomas Gowing born October 30, 1690
- Elizabeth Gowing born April 26, 1694
- Samuel Gowing born March 10, 1695-6
- Johanna Gowing born August 30, 1699
- Lois Gowing born December 29, 1700
- Timothy Gowing born September 22, 1704
Anis Gowing, daughter of John Gowing and Johannah Darling Gowing, was born March 13, 1683 at Lynn, according to the research of Janice Irene Palmer Reid. She was married to John Bates [Bales?] May 25, 1708 at Lynnfield. She died there June 12, 1716.
John Gowing, son of John Gowing and Johannah Darling Gowing, was born May 1, 1686 at Lynn. He was married to Hannah White June 3, 1712 at Reading, Massachusetts. Children born to John Gowing and Hannah White Gowing are unknown.
Daniel Gowing, son of John Gowing and Johannah Darling Gowing, was born September 2, 1688 at Lynn. He was married March 20, 1709-10 to Esther Damon, daughter of Samuel Damon and Mary Damon of Reading, Massachusetts. Later he removed his family to Wilmington where he died on August 5, 1764.
Children born to Daniel Gowing and Esther Damon Gowing include:
- Daniel Gowing born October 28, 1729
Daniel Gowing, son of Daniel Gowing and Esther Damon Gowing, was born October 28, 1729 at Wilmington. On October 3, 1753 he was married to Sarah Burnap, daughter of Robert Burnap of Reading.
Daniel Gowing was a private in a militia company commanded by Capt. Timothy Walker of Wilmington and in the group which responded to the “alarm at Lexington.” He was a member of the Committee of Safety for Wilmington.
“Daniel Gowen” appeared as the head of a household in the 1790 census of Wilmington composed of “one white male over 16 and one female,” according to “Heads of Families, Massachusetts, 1790,” page 159. He died at Wilmington May 6, 1809 at age 79.
He was a sergeant in the Massachusetts Revolutionary militia and died May 6, 1809, according to “Lynn, Massachusetts Historical Records,” volume I.
Children born to Daniel Gowing and Sarah Burnap Gowing include:
- Daniel Gowing, Jr. born July 5, 1754
- Jabez Gowing born March 9, 1757
Daniel Gowing, Jr, son of Daniel Gowing and Sarah Burnap Gowing, was born July 5, 1754 at Wilmington. He, like his father, was a private in the militia company commanded by Capt. Timothy Walker, Col. Green’s regiment, which responded to the attack on Lexington, April 19, 1774. He served six and a half days in the engagement.
On March 5, 1776 he was married to Abigail Batchelder, daughter of Nathaniel Batchelder and Abigail Nichols Flint Batchelder of Reading.
Later he served in Capt. Cadwallader Ford’s Company, Col. Eleazer Brooks regiment of guards. He enlisted February 10, 1778 and served to April 3, 1778. He was stationed at Fort No. 2, Cambridge, Massachusetts “guarding troops of convention.” A receipt dated May 22, 1778 at Wilmington “for wages, etc, for service to Capt. Cadwellader Ford’s Company” appears in his military record.
He appeared as the head of a household in the 1790 census of Wilmington, according to “Heads of Families, Massachusetts, 1790,” page 159:
“Gowen, Daniel, Jr. white male over 16
white female
white male under 16
white female
white female
white female
white female”
Daniel Gowing, Jr. died in Wilmington in 1835.
Children born to Daniel Gowing, Jr. and Abigail Batchelder Gowing include:
- Micajah Gowing born September 27, 1790
Micajah Gowing, son of Daniel Gowing and Abigail Batchelder Gowen, was born in Wilmington, September 27, 1790. Micajah Gowing “of Wilmington” was married January 2, 1814 in Bedford to Clarissa Hosmer, according to “Vital Records of Bedford, Massachusetts.” She was the daughter of John Hosmer and Anna Fosgett Hosmer.
John Hosmer had achieved fame as a member of the company of Minutemen commanded by Capt. Parker at Lexington and was one of the “embattled farmers who stood and fired the shot heard around the world.”
Micajah Gowing was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1830 census of Tewsbury, Massachusetts, page 158.
Children born to Micajah Gowing and Clarissa Hosmer Gowing include:
- Daniel Gowing born March 20, 1821
Daniel Gowing, son of Micajah Gowing and Clarissa Hosmer Gowing, was born at Wilmington, March 20, 1821. On March 26, 1848 he was married to Sarah Ames, daughter of William Ames.
Children born to Daniel Gowing and Sarah Ames Gowing include:
- Robert Hosmer Gowing born May 28, 1867
Robert Hosmer Gowing, son of Daniel Gowing and Sarah Ames Gowing was born in Wilmington, May 28, 1867. On August 14, 1888 he was married to Mary A. Humphrey, daughter of Bennett Blake Humphrey and Adeline Pike Humphrey. Later the couple moved to Peabody, Massachusetts. Nothing more is known of Robert Hosmer Gowing and Mary A. Humphrey Gowing.
Robert Gowing Regarded First
Gowing Individual in America
Robert Gowing, regarded as the first individual to bear the name in America, was born in Scotland in 1618 of parents unknown, according to “American Ancestry.” He emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 as a “man servant” and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts
in Middlesex County.
In 1636 he removed to Dedham, Massachusetts. In July 1639 Robert Gowing, “man servant, joined the church in full communion,” according to “Dedham Town Records” Volume II.
He attended the Dedham town meetings from 1640 to 1647 and was granted land prior to 1642. He became a freeman in 1644, four years after attending his first town meeting, according to “Genealogical Guide to Early Settlers in America” by Henry Whittemore.
Robert Gowing was married to Elizabeth Brock, daughter of Henry Brock and Elizabeth Brock October 31, 1644, “at age 31”, according to “Pioneers of Massachusetts” by Pope. The bride was born in Stradbrook, England. Robert Gowing was a resident of Wenham, Massachusetts in 1650 when he was
required to appear in court to answer for the sale of a gun to an Indian.
“Records of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England” reveal, “23 May 1650, Robert Gowen, of Wenham, havinge sould a gunne to the Indians, & in so doeinge havinge forfeited by law ten pounds, vppon a petition proferred to this court, hath the one halfe of his fine remitted, vizt, five pounds, P. Curia.”
A week later the following entry was made in the court records, “30 May 1650, In answer to the petition of Robert Gowing for remittment of the fine of tenne pounds for selling a gunne to the Indians, the court remitts one half therof.”
Later Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing lived at Watertown, Lynnfield in 1660 and Lynn, Massachusetts. He died in Lynn June 7, 1698 and was probably buried there. His death was recorded in Lynn Church Records as “Roberd Gowing.”
Children born to Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing include:
John Gowing born September 3, 1645
Elizabeth Gowing born about 1646
Hannah Gowing born December 21, 1648
Priscilla Gowing born about 1649
Nathaniel Gowing born about 1651
Robert Gowing Noses Out
Thomas Gowen by a Year
From Massachusetts comes documentation showing Robert Gowing of Watertown rather than Thomas Gowen of Virginia as the first member of familia nostra to set foot on American soil.
Robert Gowing was born in Scotland in 1618, according to “American Ancestry.” He emigrated from Edinburgh to Massachusetts Bay Colony as a “man servant” in 1634 and settled in Watertown. In 1636 he removed to Dedham. In July 1639 “Robert Gowing, man servant, joined the church in full communion,” according to “Dedham Town Records.”
He was granted land prior to 1642 and became a freeman in 1644, according to “Genealogical Guide to Early Settlers in America” by Henry Whittemore. He was married to Elizabeth Brock, daughter of Henro Brock “31st, 10th month, 1644,” according to “Pioneers of Massachusetts.” The bride was born in Stradbrook, England.
Robert Gowing was a resident of Wenham in 1650 when he was required to appear in court to answer for the sale of a gun to the Indians.
“Records of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England” reveal, “23 May 1650, Robert Gowen of Wenham, havinge sould a gunne to the Indians & in so doeinge havinge forfeited by law ten pounds, vppon a petition proferred to their court, hath the one halfe of his fine remitted, vizt, five pounds, P. Curia.”
A week later the following entry was made in the court records, “30 May 1650, In answer to the petition of Robert Gowing for remittment of the fine of tenne pounds for selling a gunne to the Indians, the court remitts the one half thereof.”
It is believed that Thomas Gowen died in Virginia in 1676, at age 60, perhaps in the Battle of Bloody Run. Robert Gowing outlived him as well as preceding him to America. “Roberd Gowing” died at Lynn, Massachusetts June 7, 1698, at age 80, according to Lynn church records.
Was Robert Gowing the Family’s First Emigrant to America?
Robert Gowing, regarded as the first individual to bear the surname in America, was born in Scotland in 1618 of parents unknown, according to “American Ancestry.” He emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 as a “man servant” and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts in Middlesex County.
In 1636, he removed to Dedham, Massachusetts in Norfolk County. In 1639 Robert Gowing, “man servant, joined the church in full communion,” according to “Dedham Town Records” Volume II, page 21. He attended the Dedham town meetings from 1640 to 1647 and was granted land prior to 1642. He became a freeman in 1644, four years after attending his first town meeting, according to “Genealogical
Guide to Early Settlers in America” by Henry Whittemore.
Robert Gowing was married to Elizabeth Brock, daughter of Henry Brock and Elizabeth Brock October 31, 1644, “at age 31”, according to “Pioneers of Massachusetts” by Pope. The bride was born in Stradbrook, England.
Eleanor Tucker wrote:
“Robert Gowing arrived in America in 1634, at the age of 16, setting first at Watertown, according to “New England Historical & Genealogical Register.” The Register article states that Robert was from Scotland, a native of Edinburgh, and this has always been the assumption. However, recent research by Helen Ullmann of Acton, Massachusetts and by Myrtle Hyde of Ogden, Utah and her sister Nelean Meadows of Salt Lake City, using probate files and the parish register of Stradbroke, Wingfield and Fressingfield, County Suffolk has disclosed some interesting things. Appearing in those records were entries for “Gowyn,” Goweing,” “Gowen” “Goodwyn” and “Gowinge.”
There were also quite a few Gowing references in the nearby parish of Starston, Norfolk, including a “Robert Gowen, late of Stradbrooke” who was buried 2 Jan 1609.
Also among these is “Robert, son of William and Mary Gowen, baptized 6 Apr 1618,” the same year that Robert Gowing was born, it is believed. The will of Elizabeth Aldous, “widow of Fressingfield” dated 11 April 1566 is witnessed by Thomas Gowyn. Also the will of Richard Aldous, of Fressingfield, dated 31 March 1612, proved September 11, 1612 at the Suffolk Archdeaconry, mentions the lands of “the widowe Goweing.”
Richard Aldous was the great-grandfather of Elizabeth Brock, later Robert’s wife. Her grandfather, James Aldous, christened 30 July 1567, married 1592 Elizabeth Barber. Daughter Elizabeth, christened 6 January 1593, married in 1618, Henry Brock, according to “Suffolk Manorial Families,” Vol. I. Could it be that the Gowings and the Brocks were neighbors in the homeland?
Myrtle Hyde who has done considerable work on Aldous families in England, is preparing an article on the ancestry of Elizabeth Aldous Brock, daughter of James Aldous and Elizabeth Barber Aldous.”
Robert Gowing was a resident of Wenham, Massachusetts in 1650 when he was required to appear in court to answer for the sale of a gun to an Indian.
“Records of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England” reveal, “23 May 1650, Robert Gowen, of Wenham, havinge sould a gunne to the Indians, & in so doeinge havinge forfeited by law ten pounds, vppon a petition proferred to this court, hath the one halfe of his fine remitted, vizt, five pounds, P. Curia.”
A week later the following entry was made in the court records, “30 May 1650, In answer to the petition of Robert Gowing for remittment of the fine of tenne pounds for selling a gunne to the Indians, the court remitts the one half therof.”
Later Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing lived at Watertown, Lynnfield in 1660 and Lynn, Massachusetts. Thomas B. Wellman writing in “History of the Town of Lynfield, Massachusetts, 1635-1895” stated that the Gowing family was “one of the most prominent in the town for generations.”
The Gowing Family Association, formed in 1889, began publishing in 1940 a series of booklets on the family history “researched by the late Winfield Scott Ripley,” according to Eleanor Tucker. Four issues were published and are available at New England Historical & Genealogical Society Library and at the Lynnfield Public Library.
He died in Lynn June 7, 1698 and was probably buried there. His death was recorded in Lynn Church Records as “Roberd Gowing.” Elizabeth Brock Gowing died after June 7, 1698 at Lynn.
Children born to Robert Gowing and Elizabeth Brock Gowing include:
John Gowing born November 13, 1645
Elizabeth Gowing born in April 1647
Hannah Gowing born December 21, 1648 ??
Mary Gowing born about 1650
Abigail Gowing born about 1652
Sarah Gowing born about 1653
Priscilla Gowing born about 1655
Daniel Gowing born about 1657
Elizabeth Gowing born about 1660
Nathaniel Gowing born about 1662
Goyen Family Tree 