Joseph G. Gowen, [John2, William Alexander1] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born November 28, 1703 at Kittery
Parents:
- 1668 John Gowen b. 1668 in Kittery, Maine, m. Mercy Hammond
Children:
- Hammond Gowen born January 9, 1727
- Joseph G. Gowen, Jr. born May 10, 1730
- William Gowen born September 10, 1732
- Elizabeth Gowen born June 8, 1734
- Joseph Gowen Jr. [2] born May 22, 1736
- Abigail Gowen born January 18, 1738
- Abigail Gowen [2] born October 9, 1743
Siblings:
- Dorcas Gowen born August 13, 1692
- George Gowen born August 10, 1696
- William Gowen born April 27, 1697
- John Gowen born May 24, 1698
- Mercy Gowen born January 27, 1700-01
- Joseph G. Gowen born November 28, 1703
- Jane Gowen born May 17, 1706
- Lemuel Gowen born September 22, 1709
- William Gowen born July 14, 1715
FACTS and NOTES:
Joseph G. Gowen, [John2, William Alexander1] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born November 28, 1703 at Kittery. In 1726 he was married to Elizabeth Ford, daughter of Stephen Ford and Elizabeth Hammond Ford, believed to be a sister to Mercy Hammond Gowen. Stephen Ford and Elizabeth Hammond Ford were married in 1701. Stephen Ford was the son of William Ford and his wife, Mary who were married in 1663. William Ford, who was the son of Timothy Ford, died in 1682. Mary Ford was born in 1644 and died in 1708.
Joseph G. Gowen was a mariner all his life. After their marriage his wife was admitted to the church December 24, 1727.
Joseph G. Gowen paid taxes on his property in the years of 1727, 1734 and 1744. He gave to I. Foster, a mortgage and discharged it in 1736. His taxes were abated for 1735 and 1740. These were possibly years in which he was in the king’s service in the Royal Navy. In 1735 he purchased a house and lot from James Day and he deeded to three children Hammond Gowen, William Gowen and Elizabeth Gowen a house in 1747. In 1748 he was taken into court by Day in a suit concerning a levy “on part of.”
He was lost at sea in a storm off Cape Fear, North Carolina in 1747, according to “Genealogies and Estates in the Town of Charlestown, County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, 1629-1818,” published by Thomas Wyman in Boston in 1879. Charlestown was later incorporated as part of Boston, Massachusetts. Another source states that he was lost at sea in 1752.
Administration of the estate, valved at 72 pounds, was given to Hammond Gowen on June 19, 1752. [One source states 1753]. A notation in settlement mentions that Hammond Gowen had loaned 46 pounds to his father in North Carolina. The administration account also shows payment to Robert Kelley for a coffin.
Children born to Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen include:
- Hammond Gowen born January 9, 1727
- Joseph G. Gowen, Jr. born May 10, 1730
- William Gowen born September 10, 1732
- Elizabeth Gowen born June 8, 1734
- Joseph Gowen Jr. [2] born May 22, 1736
- Abigail Gowen born January 18, 1738
- Abigail Gowen [2] born October 9, 1743
Hammond Gowen [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] Gowen, son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen and a namesake of his grandmother, Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born January 9, 1727 at Charlestown. He went to sea early in his life and became a sea captain.
On May 19, 1748, at age 21, he was married to Mary Croswell who was “admitted to the church January 5, 1756.” Mary Croswell was born in 1730, the daughter of Thomas Croswell. Thomas Croswell, was born in 1706 and in 1728 was married to Mary Pierce Pitts [1706-1730]. Thomas Croswell, was the son of Caleb Croswell [1679-1713] who in 1700 married Abigail Stimson [1679-1738]. The parents of Caleb Croswell were Thomas Croswell [1638-1708] and Priscilla Upham Croswell [1642-1717].
Hammond Gowen died of apoplexy on July 14, 1762. Mary Croswell Gowen was remarried in 1763 to Nathan Sargent.
Several legal records concerning Hammond Gowen were listed in “Genealogies and Estates.” Only a few of them have been checked. Tax records are listed for years of 1748, 1756, 1758 and 1761. Hammond Gowen was an extensive land owner in Middlesex County. The inventory of his estate totaled £2,754, and was administered to the widow Mary Croswell Gowen on July 5, 1762–ten days before his death! Very likely this is a clerical error. Mystic River and Bunker Hill were mentioned as reference points in the legal description of the property.
The widow, Mary Croswell Gowen mortgaged “one-half of house, northerly part” to Nehemiah Rand on August 27, 1762. On October 27, 1767 Mary Croswell Gowen Sargent paid off the mortgage.
Children born to Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen include:
- William Gowen born September 13, 1749
- Joseph Gowen born January 14, 1751
- Hammond Gowen born January 26, 1754
- Mary Gowen born May 21, 1755
- Elizabeth Gowen born December 27, 1756
- Abigail Gowen born April 9, 1759
- John Gowen born July 31, 1760
William Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born September 13, 1749 Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1764, at age 15, he chose Nathan Sargent as his guardian. He became a goldsmith and a jeweler and became very successful. In 1771, he sold his home and land in Charlestown to Ebenezer Harnden and Michael Negels of Medford.
William Gowen was married April 29, 1772 to Eleanor Cutter, according to “Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts.” She was born August 7, 1753 at Medford to Ebenezer Cutter and Eleanor Floyd Cutter. On July 19, 1774, he was named the guardian of his younger brother, John Gowen, age 15. His bond for guardianship was cosigned by his brother, Joseph Gowen, apothecary.
“William Gowen,” turned in $289 in Revolutionary bank notes for new currency in 1779 at “Town No. 96,” unidentified, in Massachusetts.
On April 12, 1783, William Gowen purchased a new home from Seth Blodgett for £500. On October 26, 1784, William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen sold the property to their brother-in-law, John Bishop. Elizabeth Gowen, his sister was a witness to the transaction.
On August 25, 1785, John Gowen and Eleaner Cutter Gowen sold a house for £500 to William Cutter, “distiller,” regarded as her brother. She conveyed the release of her dower rights, and the transaction was witnessed by Joseh Gowen.
William Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1790 census of Medfordtown, Massachusetts, according to “Heads of Families, Massachusetts, 1790,” page 149:
“Gowen, William white male over 16
white female
white female
white female
white female
white female
white female
white male over 16
white male over 16
white male under 16
white male under 16”
William Gowen sold to Isaac Bowers “Pew 14” in the Medford Meeting House June 10, 1790. On February 25, 1791 he repurchased “Pew 14” from Issac Bowers. On December 6, 1794 “William Gowen of Boston, Gentlemen” sold “Pew 14” in Medford Meeting House to Benjamin Hall of Medford. Eleanor Cutter Gowen signed her release of dower.
William Gowen died September 13, 1808 at Dorchester, Massachusetts. “Mrs. Eleanor Gowen, widow” died of apoplexy June 3, 1826 at age 72, according to “Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts.” She was buried at the Unitarian Church, First Parish.
Children born to William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen include:
- Eleanor Gowen born January 19, 1773
- Hammond Gowen born August 26, 1774
- Polly Gowen born October 1, 1776
- Elizabeth Gowen born January 22, 1778
- Lucretia Gowen born January 22, 1781
- William Cutter Gowen born September 21, 1783
- Hammond Gowen born July 6, 1786
- Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen born in 1794
An apparent relative to William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, Betsy Gowen, 33, died December 26, 1789 “of consumption in Boston,” according to “Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts.” She was buried at the Unitarian Church Cemetery in the First Ward in Medford.
Eleanor Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 19, 1773 at Medford. Eleanor Gowen was married to William Hall October 16, 1791 in the Unitarian Church of Medford, according to “Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts.” She died in Quebec City, Quebec in 1860.
Hammond Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born August 26, 1774. He died at 13 months, July 30, 1775, according to the records of Unitarian Church, First Parish published in “Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts.”
Polly Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born October 1, 1776 in Medford. Of this individual nothing more is known.
Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 22, 1778 in Medford. She was married about 1795, husband’s name McGee.
Lucretia Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 22, 1781 in Medford. She was married about 1799 to John Brooks, a merchant. She died September 1807, and he was remarried to her younger sister, Abigail “Maria” Gowen.
William Cutter Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born September 21, 1783 in Medford. As a young man, he went to sea, making voyages down the east coast to Cuba. Upon the death of his father in 1808, he gave his power of attorney to John Brooks, his brother-in-law. In 1810 he purchased a home on Spring Street in Medford from William Hawes.
About 1811, he removed to Cuba and established residence in Havana, then the third largest city in the western hemisphere. William Cutter Gowen saw the business opportunities in Cuba, but realized that the Spanish franchise system stifled free enterprise there and returned to Boston. On October 10, 1815, William Cutter Gowen, “former resident of Cuba, but now of Boston, merchant,” bought a new brick building on Fort Hill from his brother-in-law, John Brooks and his second wife, Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks who signed a release of her dower. In that year, he also bought “property in Hamilton” from James Hooper.
In 1817, the Cuban government suppressed the tobacco monopoly, and William Cutter Gowen immediately returned to Havana. In that year he, “former resident of Boston, now of Havana, Cuba in consideration of $1 paid by his mother, Eleanor Gowen of Boston and further consideration of love and affection; leases to her for and during her natural life the house and land on Fort Hill, Boston, being the whole of the estate conveyed to him by John Brooks, said premises late in occupation by said Brooks.”
John Brooks experienced severe financial reverses shortly afterward and died in 1823, leaving his widow, Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks and their children almost penniless. She immediately sailed to Cuba to join her brother, William Cutter Gowen who had established a large tobacco plantation at Matanzas, Cuba.
As the health of his mother began to fail, the Fort Hill property was returned to him. William Cutter Gowen, “of Matanzas, Cuba” in 1825 sold the property to Ann Hale and took her mortgage in the transaction.
William Cutter Gowen died the following year, and Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks inherited his large, successful tobacco plantation and sudden riches. With this wealth, she was able to enjoy travel and the pursuit of culture. She left the Cuban enterprise in the hands of elder son, Edgar Brooks and in 1829 was living in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Hammond Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born July 6, 1786. In 1831, he was a merchant living in Quebec City, Quebec.
Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born in 1794 in Medford. Her father died when she was 14, and her sister, Lucretia Gowen Brooks and her husband, John Brooks, a merchant tailor took her in and provided her education. Lucretia died in 1907, and John Brooks was remarried to the 16-year-old Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen. Her baptismal name was simply Abigail Gowen. In 1819, the General Court of Massachusetts permitted her to take the name Mary Abigail Brooks and she was rechristened by that name at King’s Chapel in Boston July 31, 1819.
In 1823, John Brooks died in poverty and left his widow and their sons penniless. Her brother, William Cutter Gowen, immediately invited her and her sons to come and live on his tobacco plantation in Cuba. Three years later, William Cutter Gowen, died and left his immensely successful tobacco plantation to Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks.
It was there that she began to express her talent for poetry. Under the penname of “Maria del Occidente” she wrote the first canto of “Zophiel” which was soon published.
In 1829, she was living in Hanover, New Hampshire where she was actively seeking an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy for her youngest son, Horace Brooks. He wrote:
“My mother’s special characteristic was her individuality. She generally succeeded in her endeavors. For instance, she applied to have me sent to West Point, so sent me to Washington in 1829 with letters, etc. The appointment was promised, but by some influence was over-ruled. She then took me to Hanover, New Hampshire with a view to my entering Dartmouth College. In the meantime, she went with her brother Hammond Gowen of Quebec to Europe in 1830 where she visited Southey [Robert Southey, famous English poet of Bristol, Gloucestershire]. With Southey’s advice, she got out a London edition of “Zophiel.” She was introduced to the Marquis de Lafayette who was so pleased with her that he asked if he could be of any service to her. ‘Yes,’ said she, ‘you may get my son into West Point.’ Upon this, Lafayette wrote to Chief Engineer Bernard, and the appointment of a cadet came to me.”
Horace Brooks entered the Academy in 1831 and was graduated as a second lieutenant in 1835. Lt. Brooks was stationed at the Academy from 1836 to 1839, and Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks lived with him. When he was transferred to Ft. Hamilton, New York in 1840, she accompanied him. During this period, she continued to write poetry and published “Idomen” in 1843.
Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks sailed for Cuba for the last time in December 1843 and died at Matanzas November 11, 1845 at the age of 51. Horace Brooks wrote, “She was buried at Limonal by the side of my two brothers.” One of the brothers is suggested as a half brother, the son of Lucretia Gowen Brooks.
Of his mother Horace Brooks stated:
“My mother was quite a linguist. She read and wrote fluently in French, Spanish and Italian; she also sang many songs in these tongues. She was a hard student and a woman of much research, and very particular to obtain her authority from the original; and often attempted, with the assistnce of some friend, the translation of obscure languages. I remember how she kept by her a Persian grammar and often referred to it. She was also quite an artist, and several pieces painted by her in water-colours were hanging up about her rooms. She was a constant attendant at church and always carried with her an English edition of the services of the church. She was very particular about her own language, disliked all interpolations, and always referred to ‘Johnson and Walker.’ It was delightful to hear her converse. Her knowledge of present and past events and of the prominent characters of history was astonishing. She would tell anecdotes of persons so varied and interesting that her quiet and unassuming conversation was sought and listened to by many distinguished persons.”
Rufus Wilmot Griswold, critic, anthologist and editor of “Graham’s Magazine,” wrote of her work in “Encyclopedia of American Literature.” He described her as a “student of wide and accurate information, capable of thought and research quite unusual for a woman of her time.”
An account of the life and works of Mary Abigail “Maria” Gowen Brooks written by Zadel Barnes Gustafson was published in “Harper’s Monthly” in January 1879.
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It is believed that among his children was:
………….
- Medford Gowen born about 1795
Medford Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] believed to be the son of William Gowen, was born about 1795, probably in Charleston. He became a goldsmith. Medford Gowen was married about 1820 to Eleanor Cutter, daughter of Ebenezer Cutter, Jr. Ebenezer Cutter, Sr, her grandfather, was born April 29, 1772 and died in June 1826.
Eight children were born to Medford Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, names unknown, however it is believed that their names are recorded in “Cutter Genealogy.”
Joseph Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, namesake of his grandfather Joseph G. Gowen, was born January 14, 1751 at Boston. Nothing more is known of this individual or descendants.
Hammond Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born January 26, 1754 in Boston. He became a physician. It is believed that his will was administered April 2, 1783, probably at Charlestown. Nothing more is known of Dr. Hammond Gowen or descendants.
Mary Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born May 21, 1755, probably at Charlestown. In 1773 she was married to David Vinton, believed to be a descendant of John Vinton who appeared in Lynn in 1648, according to “Vinton Memorial.” She died September 19, 1775, and he died December 3, 1778.
One son was born to them:
- David Vinton born in January 1774
David Vinton, son of David Vinton and Mary Gowen Vinton, was born in Medford, Massachusetts in January 1774, according to Eleanor Vinton Clark Murray, a descendant. He was married in Providence, Rhode Island May 17, 1774 to Mary Atwell who was born May 10, 1773. In 1807, he died in 1830 in a visit to Kentucky. Mary Atwell Vinton died in Boston May 15, 1854.
Children born to David Vinton and Mary Atwell Vinton include:
- Alexander Hamilton Vinton born May 2, 1807
Alexander Hamilton Vinton, son of David Vinton and Mary Atwell Vinton, was born at Providence May 2, 1807. He became a Protestant Episcopal minister. He was married October 15, 1835 to Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson, daughter of Ebenezer Thompson of Providence. He became rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Boston.
Children born to Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton and Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson Vinton include:
- Mary Vinton born October 14, 1840
Mary Vinton, daughter of Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton and Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson Vinton, was born October 14, 1840 in Providence. She was married about 1866, husband’s name Clark.
Children born to Mary Vinton Clark include:
- Eleanor Vinton Clark born March 30, 1867
Eleanor Vinton Clark, daughter of Mary Vinton Clark, was born in Boston March 30, 1867. She was married about 1890 to Thomas Morris Murray. She died July 12, 1958 at the age of 91.
Elizabeth Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born December 27, 1756, probably in Charlestown. Nothing more is known of this individual.
Abigail Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born April 9, 1759, probably in Charlestown. On April 22, 1779 she was married at Walden, Massachusetts to Lt. Thomas Locke, who was reared by William Locke and whose name he used. His real identity is unknown.
Lt. Thomas Locke was a revolutionary soldier from Lexington, Massachusetts who was born June 11, 1754. In 1783 and 1790 they lived at Lexington. He died February 19, 1831 at age 78, according to “History of the Town of Lexington” Volume 2, page 381 by Charles Hudson. He was buried in Lot 27, East Village Cemetery in Lexington. Abigail Gowen Locke survived until March 21, 1850 and died at age 91. She was buried beside her husband.
Children born to Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke include:
- Abigail Locke born about 1780
- Attie Locke born about 1781
- Mary Locke born January 18,1783
- Betsy Locke born about 1786
- Sally Locke born about 1787
- Zilpha Locke born about 1788
- Martha Locke born about 1789
- Otis Locke born February 1790
Mary Locke, daughter of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke, was born at Lexington, January 18, 1783. About 1801 she was married to Elias Crafts of Lexington.
Sally Locke, daughter of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke, was born about 1787, probably at Lexington. She was married about 1803, husband’s name Nichols.
Otis Locke, son of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Locke, was born February 26, 1790 in Lexington. He was married to Kezie Harrington about 1815. He died June 25, 1851.
Children born to Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke include:
- George Augustus Locke born in 1817
- William Gowen Locke born in 1819
George Augustus Locke, son of Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke, was born in 1817 in Lexington. Later he moved to Charlestown and became a merchant and ship broker. About 1840 he was married to Lucretia Orme Benson. George Augustus Locke died in 1873 probably at Boston in the area of the town previously called Charlestown.
Children born to George Augustus Locke and Lucretia Orme Benson Locke include:
- Caroline Lucretia Locke born in 1842
Caroline Lucretia Locke, daughter of George Augustus Locke and Lucretia Orme Benson Locke, was born in 1842 in Boston. In 1875 at age 33 she was married to John Houston Swift, a civil engineer and an accountant, from Charleston, South Carolina. The groom, a graduate of South Carolina Military Academy and a lieutenant in the Civil War, was 47.
Children born to John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift include:
- Bonnell Locke Swift born in 1877
- William Street Swift born December 30, 1878
Bonnell Locke Swift, son of John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift, was born in 1877, probably in Charleston. About 1900 he was married to Ethel Maud Woodbury.
William Street Swift, son of John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift, was born December 30, 1878, probably in Charleston. He was married July 5, 1918 to Naomi Ordell Kline who was born in Yorkana, Pennsylvania February 17, 1892, the daughter of Uriah Lemon Kline.
In World War I Lt. William Street Swift commanded Company B, 328th Battalion, U. S. Tank Corps in 1918 in France. He was a Unitarian and made his home in Yorkana after the war.
Children born to William Street Swift and Naomi Ordell Kline Swift include:
- William Street Swift, Jr. born April 13, 1919
William Street Swift, Jr, believed to be the only child of William Street Swift, Sr. and Naomi Ordell Kline Swift, was born April 13, 1919 in Yorkana. He was graduated from Pennsylvania State College, class of 1940.
William Gowen Locke, son of Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke, was born about 1819.
John Gowen, [Hammond4, Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born July 31, 1760 at Charlestown.
Joseph G. Gowen, Jr, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born May 10, 1730. It is believed that he died prior to 1736, because in that year another son was born and he also was named Joseph G. Gowen, Jr.
William Gowen, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born September 10, 1732.
Elizabeth Gowen, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born June 8, 1734. It is believed that Elizabeth Emery was married to Caleb Emery about 1754. He was the grandson of Daniel Emery who was married to Margaret Gowen.
Joseph G. Gowen, Jr, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born May 22, 1736.
Abigail Gowen, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born January 18, 1738 at Boston. Apparently she died before 1743. Another daughter, was also named Abigail.
Abigail Gowen, [Joseph G.3, John2, William Alexander1] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born October 9, 1743 at Boston.
Goyen Family Tree 