1740 William Gowen Jr b. abt 1740, living in Spartanburg Co, SC and Greenville Co, SC

William Gowen Jr b. abt. 1740 – Spartanburg Co, SC and Greenville Co, SC (from Granville Co, NC)

Parents:

• William Gowen b. est. 1704-12 – d. April 1792, m. Sarah Allen

Children:

• Unk

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 – appears to have predeceased father)
• James Gowen b. 1742 (not confirmed, but there does 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)

Jump Links: 

• William Gowen Jr in South Carolina
• William Gowen Jr in Davidson Co, Tennessee
• Father’s Will
• Gowen Manuscript Info

(Below are different Going, Goyen, Gowen related sources for those people were in the Virginia, North Carolina, or South Carolina areas in the early 1700’s to early 1800’s)

Virginia Counties along or near southern border with North Carolina:

• Prince George Co, Va (Brunswick created from Prince George in 1720)
• Brunswick Co, Va (created in 1720 from Prince George County)
• Lunenburg Co, Va (created from Brunswick in 1746)
• Halifax Co, Va (created from Lunenburg in 1752)
• Pittsylvania Co, Va (created from Halifax in 1767)
• Henry Co, Va (created from Pittsylvania in 1777)
• Patrick Co, Va (created from Henry in 1790)
• Bedford Co, Va (created from Lunenburg in 1754)
• Campbell Co, Va (created from Bedford in 1782)
• Franklin Co, Va (created from Bedford and Henry in 1786)
• Charlotte Co, Va (created from Lunenburg in 1765)
• Mecklenburg Co, Va (created from Lunenburg in 1765) (adjacent)
• Amelia Co, Va (created partly from Brunswick in 1734)
• Prince Edward Co, Va (created from Brunswick in 1754)
• Greensville Co, Va (created from Brunswick in 1781)

North Carolina Counties along or near Virginia’s southern border:

• Granville Co, NC (est 1746 from Edgecombe)
• Orange Co, NC (est 1752 from Granville)
• Caswell Co, NC (est 1777 from Orange)
• Person Co, NC (est 1791 from Person)
• Guilford Co, NC (est 1770 from Orange and Rowan)
• Rockingham Co, NC (est 1785 from Guilford)
• Rowan Co, NC (est 1753 from Anson)
• Surry Co, NC (est 1770 from Rowan)
• North Carolina – Northampton County
• North Carolina – Halifax County

Tennessee:

• Tennessee – Davidson County

FACTS and NOTES:

GRANVILLE COUNTY, NC:

(NOTE: The Granville County, SC documents can be confusing. There are the following William Gowen’s there. First, there is William Gowen Sr b. abt 1710 – father of the William of this page. Second, there is the William Gowen Jr of this page. Third, there is the William Gowen that is the son of James Gowen who is about the same age as the William of this page). 

1753 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
A List of Taxables for the Year 1754 taken by the subscriber – John Sollis Esqr List 1754
The Names of the Masters, Mistresses or Overseers together with the names of there taxables
William Goeing, Joseph Goeing – 2 white persons
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3QX-V?i=394&cat=353959

1754 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
William Going, Joseph Going – 2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3QX-V?i=394&cat=353959

1754 Oct 18 – Capt John Sallis’ Company:
47. WILLIAM GOWEN
78. JOSEPH GOWEN
Granville Co, NC
http://lumbeeindiansandgoinsfamily.blogspot.com/2007/12/granville-county-nc-early-records.html

1755 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
summary list (from microfilm) C.044.70012 NC Archives
whites/ Blacks/ Total
Thomas Going 0/1/1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YG-V?i=8&cat=353959
Edward Gowen 0/1/1
Michael Gowen 0/1/1
Joseph Gowen 0/1/1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YG-R?i=9&cat=353959
William Going & Son Joseph Going 2/0/2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YL-C?i=10&cat=353959

1757 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
List of Richard Harris
William Gowen List Son Joseph Gowen & William Gowen 3 0
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K37G-8?i=464&cat=353959

1758 A List of Tyths taken for the year 1758
Taken by me James Yancey
William Gowing and son William Gowing 2 0
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3W6-6?i=544&cat=353959
Tax list (7 unlabeled volumes) 1755-1809 Granville Co NC

(NOTE: William Going Jr’s daughter marries John Rains when they later move to Davidson County, Tennessee. A John Rains is noted in Granville Co, NC).

1758 A List of delinqts returnd on settlemt with the Court for the year 1758 by Phil Hawkins, Late Sher.
(Part of list is missing – a large section of G’s is missing – this in alpha order)
John Rayns – 1
Will Rains – 1
Taxables, Undated -1800 Granville Co NC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3QW-K?i=528&cat=353959

1760 May 21 – (Survey) – surveyed for William Gowine 650 acres of land according to the above plan lying in Granville County beg. … in Charles Harrison’s line near the head of the Dogwood Spring Branch … then W to Charles Harrison’s line …
Signed: Thomas Person
Chain Carriers: Robert Harrison, James Gowine
From GRANVILLE PLAT, Dated: 21 May 1760, Acres: 650, MARS: 12.12.30.5
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.281&qid=829964&rn=2 (Survey)
)))))))))))))))))))))
1760 Dec 2 – (Deed) … Earl of Granville to William Gowine of Granville County … North Carolina planter … Parish of Saint John … on Charles Harris’ line near the head of the Dogwood Spring Branch … 650 acres …
Signed: William Gowen
Wit: Daniel Weldon, Joseph Gowen
Land Patent Book 11 page 365 as grant # 150
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.281&qid=829964&rn=2 (Deed)
PATENT BOOK, Issued: 02 Dec 1760, Grant no.: 150 (or 159), Book: 11 pg: 365
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=829964&rn=3 (Patent Book)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89CR-26C6?i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-X92Z?mode=g&i=361&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99C5-X9G7?mode=g&i=367&cat=360398  1760 Dec 2 – William Gowen – index card no 283, 650 acres, Grant 150, Bk 11 pg 365.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WN-M9SP-S?i=1667&cat=695114
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WK-C4PK?i=686&cat=695114 (empty shuck)

1760 May 21 – (Survey) – Surveyed for William Gowine 667 acres of land according to the above plan, lying in Granville County, beginning …. by Johnson’s land … by Stovall’s line …
Chain Carriers: John Hart, James Gowine
From GRANVILLE PLAT, Dated: 21 May 1760, Acres: 667, MARS: 12.12.30.4
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=829964&rn=3
))))))))))))))))))))))))
1760 Dec 2 – (Deed) – Earl of Granville to William Gowine of Granville County, North Carolina planter … by Johnson’s line … by Stovall’s line … 667 acres …
Signed: William Gowen
Wit: Daniel Weldon, Joseph Gowen
GRANVILLE DEED, Issued: 2 Dec 1760, Acres: 667, Deed #: 160 (2 copies), Box: SSLG 40A, MARS: 12.13.40.2
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=829964&rn=3 (Deed)
PATENT BOOK, Issued: 02 Dec 1760, Grant no.: 160, Book: 11 pg: 365
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=829964&rn=3 (Patent Book)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89CR-26C6?i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-X92Z?mode=g&i=361&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99C5-X9G7?mode=g&i=367&cat=360398  1760 Dec 2 – William Gowen – index card no 284, 667 acres, grant 160, Bk 11, pg 365, Granville Co, NC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WN-M9SX-7?i=1666&cat=695114
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WK-C4NC?i=687&cat=695114 (empty shuck)

1761 Aug 12 – Granville Co NC Tax Lists
A List of Taxables sumd by Gawin Black in the County Lin District for the year 1761
William Gowin – William Gowin Junr – Joseph Gowin
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K37J-B?i=680&cat=353959

1761 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
Country Line District by Larkin Johnston – Aug Court 1761
Joseph Gowin – 1
William Gowin Junr, Jesse Chandler – 2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K37K-T?i=618&cat=353959

1762 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
Taxables in the Country Line District
Joseph Gowin – 34
William Gowin – 56
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K33G-X?i=741&cat=353959

1762 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
Countryline District
Joseph Gowin with John Moore – 2
William Gowin with William Gowin Jr – 2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K33L-T?i=790&cat=353959

1764 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
Mr Yanceys List
John Easley – 1
Joseph Gowen – 1
William Gowen – 1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3WT-1?i=960&cat=353959

1764 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
A List of taxables taken by James Yancey
whites.blacks.total
Joseph Goine – 1.0.1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K33B-8?i=946&cat=353959

1764 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
A List of Taxables taken by Robert Harris Esq
whites.males.females.boys.total
John Cape and William Gowens – 2.0.0.0.2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K331-S?i=937&cat=353959

1765 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
by James Yancey
Joseph Goine – 1.0.1
John Easley – 1.0.1
William Goine – 1.0.1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3Q3-V?i=989&cat=353959
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3WW-F?i=990&cat=353959

1765 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
Constables list returned to James Yancy for the Countryline District
Joseph Goine – 1
William Goine – 1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3W7-J?i=987&cat=353959

(NOTE: William Gowen Sr conveys land to his son Joseph Gowen in 1765. This appears to be one of the last transactions of this family of William Gowen Sr in Granville Co, SC. Joseph sells this land 2 years later in 1767. This appears to be the time they were moving to South Carolina).

1765 Aug 7 – Land: deed 350 acres to son Joseph, 7 Aug 1765, Granville, North Carolina, USA. “On August 7, 1765 “William Gowing of Granville County deeded 350 acres “to loving son Joseph Gowing,” according to Granville County Deed Book H, page 28-29. A sheriff’s sale took another 350 acres of his land for debt February 5, 1767, according to Granville County Deed Book H, page 226.” Granville Co, NC.  1765 Jos Gowen fr Wm Gowen in Granville Co NC (Book H p. 28)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89CR-26C6?i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99C5-6C2W?mode=g&i=23&cat=360398

(NOTE: William Gowen Jr’s brother sells his 350 acres of land he received from his father in Granville and moves to South Carolina, joining his family there):

1766 Granville Co NC Tax Lists
A List of Taxables taken by James Yancey. Countryline District.
white.black.total
Joseph Goine – Melunton Easley – 2.0.2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K37V-N?i=1037&cat=353959

1767 Oct 7 Joseph Gowin 350 acres to Isaac Winfree in Granville Co NC
… between Joseph Gowin of the County of Granville, NC of the one part and Isaac Winfree of the County & Province afsd of the other … in consideration of the sum of 100 pounds … confirm unto the said Isaac Winfree … land containing in estimation 350 acres . in the County of Granville .. bounded … along William Gowin’s old line …
Signed: Joseph Gowen
Wit: John Cuningham, John Winfree
(Deed Book H Letter G p. 359)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-YC86?mode=g&i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998Y-P9Z3?i=204&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G983-F9S4?mode=g&i=379&cat=360398

South Carolina

(NOTE: Oldest brother Joseph appears to be the first to apply for land in South Carolina).

1766 Dec 3 – Joseph Gowen survey 250 acs of land next to John Easley’s and also bounded by Joseph Gorson, survey on North side of the Tyger River in Craven County, SC. SC Land Trans – Craven County, SC. The Tyger River basin is in area running between Spartanburg, Greenville, and Union SC. (Easely is name of Anne Gowen Easely’s husband). https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1767 Feb 17: JOHN EASELEY, PLAT FOR 250 ACRES IN CRAVEN COUNTY.
Series: S213184 Volume: 0015 Page: 00020 Item: 02. Names indexed: EASELEY, JOHN; ELLIOTT, THOMAS; JOSEPH GOWEN; TROUP, JOHN; WOFFORD, JAMES
Document type: PLAT Locations: CRAVEN COUNTY; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/ (Image)

1769 Oct 3 – Joseph Gowen survey for 300 acres in Craven County on N side of Tyger River and bounded on N side by Thomas Fletcher’s land. Craven Co., SC. https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1770 Feb 19: Joseph GOWEN, PLAT FOR 300 ACRES IN CRAVEN COUNTY.
Series: S213184 Volume: 0016 Page: 00174 Item: 01 Names indexed: BREMAR, JOHN; FLETCHER, THOMAS; GOWEN, JOSEPH; WOFFORD, JAMES Document type: PLAT Locations: CRAVEN COUNTY; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina. https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/ (Images)

1771 Dec 23: JOSEPH GOWEN, LAND GRANT FOR 300 ACRES IN CRAVEN COUNTY.Series: S213019 Volume: 0024 Page: 00539 Item: 000. Names indexed: GOWEN, JOSEPH. Document type: LAND GRANT Locations: CRAVEN COUNTY, South Carolina. 1771 Dec 23: Joseph Gowen recd 300 acres on N side of Tygar River bounded by Thos Fletcher, cert on Sept 3, 1771, granted Dec 23, 1771, witnessed by James Wofford on March 21, 1772. Recorded Feb 2, 1773. Craven Co, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1772 March 21: JOSEPH GOWEN, MEMORIAL FOR 300 ACRES ON TYGAR RIVER, CRAVEN COUNTY. Series: S111001 Volume: 0011 Page: 00171 Item: 002 Names indexed: FLETCHER, THOMAS; GOWEN, JOSEPH Document type: MEMORIAL Locations: CRAVEN COUNTY; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1773 April 1: FLATCHER, THOMAS, PLAT FOR 250 ACRES ON TYGER RIVER.
Series: S213184 Volume: 0015 Page: 00157 Item: 02 Names indexed: BREMAR, JOHN; FLATCHER, THOMAS; JOSEPH GOWAN; THOMSON, ANDREW Document type: PLAT Locations: BROAD RIVER; CRAVEN COUNTY; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/ (Image)

1773 Feb 2 – William Gowan, Junior received 100 acres on the South Fork of the Pacolet River, bound on all sides by vacant land. District 96, North Carolina, USA. “William Gowen District 96, South Carolina. Dist 96, SC.
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?recordId=108673
1773 Feb 2 – William Gowan, Junior.  100 acres on the South Fork of the Pacolet River, bound on all sides by vacant land. District 96, North Carolina, USA.  “William Gowen District 96, South Carolina.  Dist 96, SC
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?recordId=108673

1774 Dec 8: WILLIAM GOWAN, LAND GRANT FOR 100 ACRES ON PACKOLET RIVER. Series: S213019 Volume: 0034 Page: 00286 Item: 000 Names indexed: GOWAN, WILLIAM Document type: LAND GRANT Locations: PACOLET RIVER, South Carolina.
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/RecordDetail.aspx?RecordId=72309

1775 Jan 28: FLETCHER, THOMAS, MEMORIAL FOR 250 ACRES ON TYGER RIVER, CRAVEN COUNTY. Series: S111001 Volume: 0013 Page: 00261 Item: 003 Names indexed: FLETCHER, THOMAS; JOSEPH GOWAN, Document type: MEMORIAL Locations: BROAD RIVER; CRAVEN COUNTY; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1775 June 16: ELLIOTT, THOMAS, MEMORIAL FOR 13 TRACTS MAKING A TOTAL OF 2,950 ACRES IN S. C. Series: S111001 Volume: 0013 Page: 00514 Item: 005 Names indexed: ABNEY, MICHAEL; AINSWORTH, JAMES; BRIGHT, TOBIAS; BROWN, BARTLETT; BROWN, BENJAMIN; BULLOCK, ZACHARIA; EASHAND, THOMAS; EDWARDS, JOHN; ELLIOTT, THOMAS; FLETCHER, WILLIAM; JOSEPH GOWENS; GRAY, ISAAC; HANNAH, ROBERT; HICKMAN, JOSHUA; HUTSON, WILLIAM; MCELIVEEN, JAMES; MULKEYS, PHILIP; NEWTON, JOHN; SOMMERVILLE, RICHARD; TILLET, GILES; TURNER, WILLIAM; WOMACK, JACOB Document type: MEMORIAL Locations: BEAVER DAM CREEK; BROAD RIVER; CRAVEN COUNTY; DURBIN CREEK; ENOREE RIVER; FAIR FOREST CREEK; FERGUSON CREEK; JEFFREYS CREEK; LITTLE RIVER; NINETY SIX DISTRICT; PACOLET RIVER; RABON CREEK; REEDY RIVER; SALUDA OLD TOWN; SALUDA RIVER; SANTEE RIVER; TYGER RIVER; WATEREE CREEK, South Carolina.
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1775 June 20: WILLIAM GOWAN, MEMORIAL FOR 100 ACRES ON PACOLET RIVER. Series: S111001 Volume: 0013 Page: 00516 Item: 003 Names indexed: GOWAN, WILLIAM Document type: MEMORIAL Locations: PACOLET RIVER, South Carolina
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/RecordDetail.aspx?RecordId=155097

The following land was for his father William Gowen Sr:

1782 May 21 – Land: grant 394 acres on Sink Hole Fork of the Middle Tyger River, 21 May 1782, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. 2 “The State of South Carolina granted 394 acres on Sink Hole Fork of the Middle Tyger River to William Gowen May 21, 1782. The land was surveyed for him May 26, 1782, and the surveyor noted that it lay “east of land laid out to Edmund Bearden and bounded on all other sides by vacant land.” This land was later willed to Ann Gowen Easley, his daughter. The adjoining land of Edmund Bearden was later acquired by his nephew, Maj. John “Buck” Gowen.” http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gowenrf/Gowenms007.htm

1784 May 26: GOWEN, WILLIAM, PLAT FOR 394 ACRES ON SINKHOLE FORK, NINETY SIX DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY WILLIAM BENSON. Series: S213190 Volume: 0006 Page: 00048 Item: 000 Names indexed: BEARDIN, EDMOND; BENSON, WILLIAM; GOWEN, WILLIAM Document type: PLAT Locations: NINETY SIX DISTRICT; SINKHOLE FORK; TYGER RIVER, South Carolina 1784 May 26: for 39pounds 8sterling, William Gowen, 394 acres in Ninety Six District on the Sinkhole fork of the Middle Tyger River adj. Edmund Beardon, 21 Jan 1785. Plat cert. 26 May 1784. 4: 190. Ninety Six Dist, South Carolina.
http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/RecordDetail.aspx?RecordId=179891

1781-1798 – Land of David Gowen in Davidson Co, TN.
A David Gowen was killed by Indians in Davidson Co, TN in 1779. He was in possession of a 640 acre tract of land in that county, and several documents give hints to his family relationships.
The following records indicate the following:
1) An unsigned inventory in 1781 indicates David Gowine died in 1781.
2) William Gowen is granted admin of David Gowen decd’s estate in 1783.
3) Early Times of Middle Tennessee states David Goin was killed at Manskers Station by Indians
4) Levi Goyen is the brother of David Goyen, both free mulattos according to the power of attorney and affidavit filed in 1792, and both are children of David Goyen & Becky Goyen. (Becky had remarried to an Elliott by the time she files her affidavit in 1792)
5) Levi Goyen appoints John Goyen Gent, of Davidson Co, NC (TN), as his power of atty – calls him his “beloved friend”.
6) The 1792 power of atty sais the 640 acres of land was left to Levi Goyen as David’s proper heir in law, Levi is also noted as David’s oldest brother.
7) William Easley witnesses the power of attorney given to John Goyen/Gowen.
8) The Benj Boyd (the justice) states that, “it is said” that Levi Goyen was born in Fairfield Co, SC

The information does not give the exact relationship, if any, of Levi Gowen to William Gowen & John Gowen of Davidson Co, TN. The fact that William Easley signs as witness indicates this is the John Gowen of Spartanburg Co, SC that signed this affidavit.

They may be 2d cousins. Levi & David may descend from James Gowen b. 1680’s presumed side of the family. Possibly related to the Granville Co, NC Gowen family that was near the Tarr River. One of the brothers in that group named Edward Gowen purchased 200 acres of land in Fairfield County in 1770 on the Broad River and had his payments/indents from the Revolutionary War delivered to Capt. John Gowen. Edward Gowen’s father named Edward & John Gowen’s father named William would be 1st cousins if this is the case. It is presumed that James Gowen b. 1680 may have had a spouse that was mixed race – as most of his presumed children are identified at different times as mulatto in records. Thomas Gowen b. 1650 would be their common paternal g-grandparent. See the following related records:

1781 Inventory of the estate of David Gowine,
An Inventory of the Estate of David Gowine who died in the year 1781 the ___ of was in the proceedings of Com.er.
To wit: One cow & calf 5.10.0, one cown and calf 5.12.0 – 11.2.0
One heifer 2.10.0, one heifer 1.9.0 – 3.19.0
One gun at 2.19.0, one bell at 0.7.0 – 3.12.0
One wedding bed(sp?) 0.5.0, one buckskin 0.5.0 – 0.10.0
One handkerchief 0.1.0, one pair of buckskins 0.1.0 – 0.2.0
(No signature on inventory)
Will Book 1, pg 11. Davidson Co, TN
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-1MY?i=26&cc=1909088&cat=307760

1783 March 4 “William Goings entered into bond in Davidson County with James Shaw, security, in the amount of £200 specie” and was granted the administration of “the estate of David Goings, deceased” by the Nashville Committee. William Gowen signed the return of the estate of David Gowen presented to the court. Shortly afterwards “William Gowens” as administrator of the estate of “David Gowens, deceased” sued John Gibson in a “plea of detinue*.”
Worth S. Ray, writing in “Tennessee Cousins” stated, “The court of the Cumberland District met again of June 3, 1783, and the Estate of David Gowen came up against John Gibson.” The estate was awarded £2 “for a heifer he disposed of,” according to early Nashville court records.
“David Goin, Patrick Quigley, Betsy Kennedy, John Shockley, James Lumsley and William Neely” were killed at Mansker’s Station, according to “Early Times in Middle Tennessee” published in 1857 by John Carr. Davidson Co, TN   1783 March 4: William Goings was granted administration of David Goins estate (David Goins killed by Indians at Mansker’s Station) by the Committee of the Cumberland Association. [ref. 44b].  Davidson County, North Carolina.  Richard Carlton. 1770–1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements. Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Counties (In What is Now Tennessee). Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987.
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1783 July 1: William Gowen plaintiff in lawsuit against John Gibson concerning cattle belonging to the estate of David Gower, deceased, before the Committee of the Cumberland Association [ref. 49b]. Davidson County, North Carolina. Richard Carlton. 1770–1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements. Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Counties (In What is Now Tennessee). Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987.
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1788 Oct 9 – William Gowen v. The heirs of David Gowen decd – William Gowen pleads the estate of David Gowen is justly indebted to him L 27.14.3. Oath that the heirs of the sd Gowen are not resident in this county or otherwise are unknown to him. William Gowen asks the sheriff to attach the estate of David Gowen to pay his debts. Jury finds for Plt. Davidson Co, TN – Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions court records, 1783-1789 p. 110. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M3LD-Q?i=62&cat=134460

1792 Sept 17  – Affidavit / appointment of John Goyen as power of atty for Levi Goyen to sell land as heir to David Goyen decd, in Davidson County, NC. (Davidson Co, TN).
“Know all men by these presents that I Levi Goyen of the State of South Carolina, Fairfield County and for divers good causes & consideration thereunto moving have made ordained constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved friend John Goyen of the State of North Carolina Daverson County Gent my true and lawfull attorney for me to take out of the rights in his the said John Goyen’s own name to sell make over convey and confirm at his pleasure unto whoever may or shall agree with & purchase of him the said John Goyen a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being on Mill Creek of the East side of Daversons County aforesaid. The said land being first in the hands of David Goyen dec’d a free mullato went to Cumberland River in the year 1779, and were killed by the Indians in the year 1780, and left the said malatto Levi Goyen his proper heir in law the said tract of land containing 640 acres.
And I do hereby grant unto my said attorney my sale and full power & authority to take pursue and follow such legal courses for confirming the right of sd land unto himself as I myself might or could do were I personally present. Ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the execution of the premises.
By virtue of these presents, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 17th September in the year of our Lord 1792.
Signed: Levi Gowen (his mark)
Signed sealed & del’d in the presence of us: William Easley.
Levi Gowen made his mark as his signature to the above instrument of writing in my presence. Signed: Benjamin Boyd.”
(The following AFFIDAVIT of Becky Gowen follows the above power of attorney):
“Before me personally appeared Becky Elliot formerly Becky Gowen by a former husband David Gowen and after be duly sowrn deposith and said that she had a son by the afore David named David Goyen who about fourteen years ago left this county (and as she was informed went to Cumberland River in N Carolina and was there killed by the Indians.
Sd deponent further saith on oath that Levi Gowen who now appoints John Gowen as his attorney is the full and oldest brother to the aforesaid David Gowen.
Signed: Becky Elliot (x her mark)
Sworn & subscribed this 17th day of Sept 1792 before me. Signed: Benj Boyd J. FC.
Fairfield County: I hereby certify that the above named Levi Gowen passeth in this County for a free Mulatto & it is said was born here.
Given under my hand this 17th day of September 1792.
Signed: Benj Boyd J.F.C.”
Fairfield County } I do hereby certify that Benjamin Boyd Esqr is one of the Judges of this our County Court & that full faith and credit is to be given to the above and to his siganture the same being his proper hand writing.
Given under my hand & seal of office this 18th day of September in the year of our Lord 1792 & the 16th of American Independence. Signed: D Evans, CFC
Recorded 18th Sept 92.
Deed records v. A-C 1785-1789. Bk A, pg 162-164. Fairfield Co, SC  (FamilySearch link – much clearer):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-JQSR-Z?i=344&cat=207758

1794 May 19: John Gowen received on May 19, 1794 640 acres from the State of North Carolina on Warrant No. 350. The land lay on Mill Creek about one-half mile west of his father’s pre-emption site, between land grants of Ebenzer Titus. Cleve Weathers, a descendant of Nashville, identifies the section as the one which was issued to David Gowen who was killed in 1780 “in the settlement and defense of Nashville.”
The land was described in Davidson County Deed Book C, page 281:
“State of North Carolina to John Gowen . . . 640 acres on the East side of Mill Creek . . . beginning at a white walnut on the bank of Mill Creek, being the Northwest corner of James Meness’s guard right on the East boundary line of said Meness’ preemption, thence East 390 poles to a dogwood on Ebenezer Titus’s West boundary line, then north 340 poles to a hickory, thence West 164 poles to a sycamore on the bank of said creek, thence up said creek with its meanders 333 poles to a poplar on said Meness’s East boundary line, then South with said line to the beginning 120 poles.”

1798 Mar 10 – John Gowen to Jonathan Phillips – 150 acres Mill Cr – part of a tract of 640 acres granted to the sd John Gowen by Patent No. 395 dated June 26th 1793, originally entered in the name of David Gowen’s heirs etc No. 115 Jan 15 1784 and transfered to the sd John Gowen Oct 30, 1792 … Signed: John Gowen LS. Wit: Andrew Ewing. Deed bk D, p 416. Davidson County, TN.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4R-1S99-L?i=238&cat=229234

It appears that this William Gowen is the one who served as a Captain in the militia during 1782, under Col. John Winn, and Col. Richard Winn. (A.A.1076).  Fairfield County Regiment, South Carolina.  Also listed in this unit was  Drury Goin (listed as “Groins”), James Goyne , and Levi Goines .  (Note:  The other William Goyne b. 1733 that was the appropriate age, and nearby in Tryon County, NC has been ruled out by the research of Carroll Heard Goyne):   http://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/patriot_militia_sc_fairfield_regiment.html

(NOTE: The following appears to be William Gowen Jr’s last transaction in South Carolina – as it appears he has moved to Davidson Co, TN – he has this survey delivered to his brother, John “Buck” Gowen).

1784 May 21 William Gowen Jr has 116 acres surveyd on Mill Creek waters of S Pacolate River bounded on all sides vacant land, delivered to Capt Gowan. 96 Dist, Greenville Co, SC No 304, pg 111.  1784 May 21 warrant date – William Gowin Jr – date warrant May 21, 200 acres in warrant, date survey June 21, 162 acres in survey, Surveyor – William Benson, file 304, page 111. Land Grants and Surveys Book A, 1784-1794 Greenville Co SC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-TSCJ-B?i=87&cat=78975

1786 March 1 Francis Bremar and Peter Freneau plat for 565 acres on Tygar River, Ninety Six Dist, SC w Joseph Gowen
Archives ID: Series: S213190 Volume: 0010 Page: 00288 Item: 000
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1786 Aug 17 Absolem Lancaster plat for 451 acres on Dutchmans Creek, Ninety Six Dist. w Joseph Gowin
Archives ID: Series: S213190 Volume: 0018 Page: 00180 Item: 000
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

1786 Nov 9 Daniel Brown plat for 293 acres on Dutchmans Creek, Ninety Six Dist, SC w Joseph Gowen
Archives ID: Series: S213190 Volume: 0011 Page: 00154 Item: 001
https://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/

Tennessee, Davidson County

1781 Inventory of the estate of David Gowine, Will Book 1, pg 11. Davidson Co, TN
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-1MY?i=26&cc=1909088&cat=307760

(NOTE: This David Goings appears to be the son of Daniel Goings, and grandson of Alexander Going b. abt 1705 of Stafford Co, Va, and g-grandson of William Gowen b. 1680 of Stafford Co, Va.  It appears William Going Jr. of this page may have been the grandson of William Gowen b. abt 1680 of Stafford Co, Va, but descending through his father William Sr (who was possibly the brother of Alexander and son of William b. 1680 of Stafford Co, Va). So David would have been related – but not of the same immediate family – a great-uncle – so they probably knew they were related, but may not have known eachother well).

1783 March 4 “William Goings entered into bond in Davidson County with James Shaw, security, in the amount of £200 specie” and was granted the administration of “the estate of David Goings, deceased” by the Nashville Committee. William Gowen signed the return of the estate of David Gowen presented to the court. Shortly afterwards “William Gowens” as administrator of the estate of “David Gowens, deceased” sued John Gibson in a “plea of detinue*.”
Worth S. Ray, writing in “Tennessee Cousins” stated, “The court of the Cumberland District met again of June 3, 1783, and the Estate of David Gowen came up against John Gibson.” The estate was awarded £2 “for a heifer he disposed of,” according to early Nashville court records.
“David Goin, Patrick Quigley, Betsy Kennedy, John Shockley, James Lumsley and William Neely” were killed at Mansker’s Station, according to “Early Times in Middle Tennessee” published in 1857 by John Carr. Davidson Co, TN   1783 March 4: William Goings was granted administration of David Goins estate (David Goins killed by Indians at Mansker’s Station) by the Committee of the Cumberland Association. [ref. 44b].  Davidson County, North Carolina
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1783 July 1: William Gowen plaintiff in lawsuit against John Gibson concerning cattle belonging to the estate of David Gower, deceased, before the Committee of the Cumberland Association [ref. 49b]. Davidson County, North Carolina
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1783 Oct 7: William Gowen was listed as a grand juror October 7, 1783 on the first grand jury panel in Davidson County and again in January 1784, according to “First Records of Davidson County, Tennessee.” Davidson County, at the time, embraced all of the present counties of Davidson, Cheatham, Williamson, Rutherford, Maury, Marshall and Bedford Counties. Davidson Co, TN

1783 Oct 7: William Gowen North Carolina land grant [ref. 49d].
Davidson County, North Carolina
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1784 Jan 4: William Gowen was appointed to the Davidson County grand jury January 4, 1784. Davidson Co, TN

1784 Jan 15: The pre-emption of William Gowen was “located and entered” January 15, 1784 and surveyed by John Buchanan on March 16, 1785 in consequence of Warrant No. 116, according to Cleve Weathers. William paid the State of North Carolina £10 per 100 acres for the land which was recorded March 11, 1788 in Davidson County Deed Book A, page 161. Davidson Co, TN

1784 Jan 15 – William Gowan receives 640 acr on the Et. branches of Mill Creek. Other names: Ebenezer Titus, 1787 Apr 17. In Davidson Co., TN. http://www.nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.2.1043&qid=82716&rn=4
1787 Apr 17 – William Gowan 640 acres – east side Mill Cr, adj to Ebenezer Titus. Davidson Co, TN
http://interactive.ancestry.com/2882/33118_290595-00004?pid=15545&backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3d1%26db%3dTNNCLandRecordc%26gss%3dangs-d%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26msT%3d1%26gsln%3dgoin%26gsln_x%3d0%26MSAV%3d0%26uidh%3dm37%26pcat%3d36%26fh%3d31%26h%3d15545%26recoff%3d9%26ml_rpos%3d32&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true

1784 Jan 15 – John Gowan receives 640 acr on the E side of Mill Creek. Other names: Levi Gowan, David Gowan.  1793 June 26. Davidson Co., TN. http://www.nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.2.1816&qid=82716&rn=3

1785 Dec 19: William Gowen sold to Frederick Stump “one negro fellow named Guy” according to a bill of sale dated December 19, 1785 recorded in Davidson County Will Book 1, page 161. Davidson Co, TN

1786 January 2 “William Gowan” appeared on a Davidson County jury which tried Robert Espey “for profane swearing and Sabbath breaking,” according to Davidson County court minutes. Espey was acquitted. Davidson Co, TN

1786 April: “Ambrose Goins,” regarded as a kinsman of William Gowen appeared briefly in Davidson County in 1786. He must have been a resident there because he was summoned to serve on a jury panel in April 1786. The fierce Indian attacks on the Cumberland settlement may have prompted him to return east. Davidson Co, TN

1786 April 17: “William Gowan” received North Carolina Land Grant No. 20 on Warrant No. 116 to “640 acres on a small branch of Mill Creek” in Davidson County April 17, 1786, according to Tennessee State Land Book C7, page 8 in Tennessee State Archives. His deed was recorded March 11, 1788 in Davidson County Deed Book A, page 161. The property was described in the deed as:
“640 acres on the east side of Mill Creek . . . beginning at a hickory on Ebenezer Titus’ east boundary line and running east 320 poles to an oak, south 320 poles to a white oak, west crossing a branch of Mill Creek at 160 poles and another at 266 poles, cornered at 320 poles, north to the beginning . . . ”
The land, “320 poles [1 mile] square” lay on both sides of a tributary of Mill Creek and was located about six miles south­east of present-day downtown Nashville. The Murphreesboro Pike later crossed the northern portion of his property. The Central Tennessee State Hospital for the Insane was built on his property before the Civil War and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport was later installed on the pre-emption. Davidson Co, TN
1786 Apr 17 – William Gowan 640 acres – Davidson Co, TN.  Grant 20, Warrant 116, bk G7, pg 8.  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998J-SG8J?i=9&cat=351626

1786 Apr 17 – William Gowen fr State of North Carolina … 640 acres lying and being in our County of Davidson on the East branchis of Mill Creek … surveyed for said Gowen on March 16, 1785 by John Buchanan DS in consequence of a warrent No 116 .. entered in the preemption Jan 15, 1784 … Deed bk A, p 161. Davidson Co, TN
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS54-93YX-D?i=96&cat=229234

1787 Oct 3 William Gowen was selected as a juror January 2, 1786 and again October 3, 1787, according to early Nashville Court records. On the latter date, the Court minutes reflected the seriousness of the Indian threat by bringing in regular troops, “For the better furnishing of the troops now coming to this county under command of Maj. Evans, Resolved that one-fourth of the County tax be paid in corn, two-fourths in beef, pork, bear and venison, one-eighth in salt and one-eighth in money to defray expenses of removing provisions from place of collection to troops.” Ten collection points, “including Maj. Buchanan’s” were established. Davidson County, TN

1788 Jan: The Davidson County Court Minute Book records that “William Gowens” sued the heirs of “David Gowens” in the January, 1788 session of court. The defendants, unnamed, did not appear in court, and the court awarded to the plaintiff “£7:14:3 in damages.” A writ of attachment [legal means of seizure] was granted by the court to William Gowen October 9, 1788, and the sheriff was ordered to sell the land. Davidson Co, TN

1788 March 11: On March 11, 1788, William Gowen received his title from the State of North Carolina to his 640-acre land grant, according to Davidson County Deed Book A, page 161. Davidson Co, TN.

1788 Oct 7: “William Gowens” appeared as a juror for the last time October 7, 1788. Shortly afterward, a new lawyer, Andrew Jackson, Esquire “produced his license to practice law in the several county courts of the state and took oath” January 5, 1789.

1788 Oct 8 – John Boyd v. Wm Gowens – Gowen appeals judgment of 18 dollars, court finds for Plt and orders William Gowen to pay. Davidson Co, TN – Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions court records, 1783-1789 p. 105
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M3LD-C?i=60&cat=134460

1788 Oct 8 – John Murdock v. William Gowens – Trespass on the case – damages 300 pounds. John Murdock says William Gowen played a game of cards with him on Oct 10, 1787. That John won 120 pounds N. Carolina currency. William promised to pay. William has refused to pay. The July Term 1787 Dft appeared, pryaed and obtained and imparlaned and Apr term 1788. The jury found for the Plt for 132 pounds. Davidson Co, TN – Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions court records, 1783-1789 p. 105
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M3LD-C?i=60&cat=134460

1788 Oct 9 – William Gowen v. The heirs of David Gowen decd – William Gowen pleads the estate of David Gowen is justly indebted to him L 27.14.3. Oath that the heirs of the sd Gowen are not resident in this county or otherwise are unknown to him. William Gowen asks the sheriff to attach the estate of David Gowen to pay his debts. Jury finds for Plt. Davidson Co, TN – Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions court records, 1783-1789 p. 110. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M3LD-Q?i=62&cat=134460

1788 Nov 17 David Gowen recd 1000 acres assigned to Col. Reading Blunt, on Wind Lick Creek, the south side of Cumberland, beginning below a fork called Plumb Fork, which runs in on the west side thence up both forks for compliment. No. 2609, No 3927. Cumberland TN.

1788 Dec 13: Sto. Donelson of Danl Gowen’s heirs on both sides of the pond branch the waters of Keers Creek to includ a spring about half a mile above the mouth of the branch. W 2609- L 6150- A 1000- D 13. Surveyed by John Donelson. Records of Davidson County. Land Records 1788-1793. p. 118.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-TGC4?i=276&cat=266136

1788 Dec 17: Colo. Reading Blunt – Assee. of David Gowers Sargt on Round Lick Creek the south side of the Cumberland beginning below a fork called Plume Fork which runs in on the west side thence up both forks for compt. Payton. W 2609- L 3927- A 1009.
Records of Davidson County. Land Records 1788-1793. p. 6.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-TGSD?i=71&cat=266136

1789 Jan 6: “Gowen, appellant” vs. “Boyd, appeallee” was heard, and “the jury finds for the appeallee, £7:4:4 with cost, judgment accordingly.” On the same date, the “jury finds for the plaintiff in Murdock [plaintiff] vs. Gowens.”

1790 Sometime before 1790 William Gowen witnessed a bill of sale of a negro girl, age 12, price £150 pounds, according to Davidson County Will Book 1, page 90. As late as 1789, the county was still referred to as Davidson County, North Carolina. It is believed that a slave named Guy accompanied William Gowen in his move to Tennessee. Steve Rogers of the Tennessee Historical Commission found evidence that Guy lived in a small slave cabin adjacent to the home of William Gowen.

1790 July William Gowen died in Davidson County sometime before July 1790 at about age 70. Harriette Simpson Arnow, writing in “Flowering of the Cumberland,” states that William Gowen was “killed,” suggesting that he, too, was a victim of the Indians.
Cleve Weathers wrote, “The uncertainties of life in the Mero District are partially reflected in an account by Harriette Simpson Arnow, in a section of her book dealing with Indian warfare and the role of women. From “Flowering of the Cumberland,” published by The Macmillan Company, 1963, page 31:
‘Around two-thirds of the wives of the original settlers were widowed before the ending of the Indian Wars in Middle Tennessee in 1795. Numerous others, settling later–Mesdames Anthony and Isaac Bledsoe, Edwin Hickman, Jacob Castleman, John Donelson, Sr., Henry Rutherford, William Ramsey, to name only a few, were also widowed.’” Davidson Co, TN

1790 July 12 On July 12, 1790 the County Court granted a court order to “Sarah Gowens” authorizing her to sell the estate of her husband. In Davidson County Will Book 1, page 168 Sarah Gowen, administrator of the estate of her husband, returned an inventory of the estate of “William Gowen deceased of Davidson County, North Carolina” listing “one mare & colt, saddles, farm and carpenter’s tools, shoemaker tools, razor, guns, household goods, cotton cards, six pounds of powder, eight pounds of lead, eight dry cows, eight steers, ducks, hens, some money and bonds.” Davidson Co, TN
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-1M3J?i=106&cc=1909088&cat=307760 (Inventory Bk 1, pg 168)

1790 July 13 On July 13, 1790, apparently after the death of William Gowen, Andrew Ewing acknowledged before the County Court that William Gowen had indeed executed a bill of sale [probably] for “one Negro fellow named Guy” to Frederick Stump, according to the Court minutes. Davidson Co, TN

1790 October: In Davidson County Will Book 1, page 175, dated October 1790, Sarah Gowen returned into a court a total of the proceeds of the estate sale of William Gowen, “£597:11 for articles sold”–livestock, household goods and farm equipment. Until 1792, American currency was still based on the English system of pounds, shillings and pence.
“An Inventory of the Sale of the Estate of William Gowens, Decd. as delivered into court October Term, 1790 by Sarah Gowens, Admx. of the estate of sd. Gowens Decd. Amounting on the sale to £597:11 shillings [two words illegible]:
Purchaser Item Price–Pounds:Shillings
======== ======== =====
John Hague One cow & calf 6:00
John Hague Two cows, one calf 16:15
Sarah Gowens One black & white steer 5:01
Sarah Gowens One small red steer 3:11
Sarah Gowens One red yearling heifer & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One barren white faced cow 8:11
Sarah Gowens One small red bull 3:11
Sarah Gowens One two-year-old heifer 5:01
Samuel Deason One 3-year-old heifer & 2 bulls 8:15
Timothy Demumbre One-year bay colt 39:
Sarah Gowens One roan mare 16:
Sarah Gowens One gray horse 26:
Sarah Gowens One great plow 2:06
Sarah Gowens One shear & cotton 2:12
Sarah Gowens One pair of iron wedges 1:16
Sarah Gowens One axe 1:
Sarah Gowens One pair of doubletrees 1:
Sarah Gowens One auger 1:
Sarah Gowens One 3/4? auger 1:14
Sarah Gowens One drawing knife 1:03
Robert Weakly One foot adze 1:14
Dan Hill One handsaw 18:
Nimrod Williams One cow & calf 6:15
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf [Illegible]
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One steer 7:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:15
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:08
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:05
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:11
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 9:05
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:07
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:05
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:16
Sarah Gowens One barren cow 6:01
Francis Armstrong One cow & calf 6:10
George A. Sugg One red heifer 5:
Lardner Clark One cow & calf 6:08
Benjamin Barnes One cow & calf 7:10
George A. Sugg One yearling steer 3:10
George A. Sugg One cow & calf 6:06
George A. Sugg One steer 4:10
George A. Sugg One steer 5:12
George A. Sugg One cow & calf 6:
John Hague One cow & calf 10:06
James Bosley One cow & calf 6:10
James Bosley One barren cow 9:
Francis Armstrong One dark bull 4:06
William Anderson One cow & calf 8:
Sarah Gowens One woman’s saddle 1:
Sarah Gowens One man’s saddle 6:05
Sarah Gowens One pot 1:01
Sarah Gowens One pot & hooks 3:05
Sarah Gowens One Dutch oven 4:05
Sarah Gowens One pot rack 1:
Sarah Gowens One pair of steelyards [scales] 4:02
Sarah Gowens One grindstone 1:02
Sarah Gowens One smooth iron 0:08
Sarah Gowens Two snaffle bridles 1:09
Sarah Gowens One shotgun 2:01
Sarah Gowens One riffle gun 6:10
Bradley Gambrel One pair of spectacles 0:07
Timothy Demumbre One razor 0:24
George Augustus Sugg One pair of saddle bags 1:01
Lardner Clark One sow & pigs 3:06
Sarah Gowens Three chisels 1:01
Sarah Gowens One ax 1:03
Sarah Gowens One razor 1:10
Sarah Gowens One hoe 1:05
Sarah Gowens Two clevises 2:05
Sarah Gowens Two hoes 1:04
Sarah Gowens One cart 9:
Sarah Gowens One feather bed & furniture 20:
Sarah Gowens Two bedsteads 3:
Sarah Gowens One lot of spools 0:10
Benjamin Barnes One brod ax 2:01
Bobo Stovall One hatchet 0:18
Jonas Manifee One ax 1:03
Bradley Gambrel Two axes 2:02
Sarah Gowens Tanned leather 2:08
Sarah Gowens More tanned leather 1:01
Sarah Gowens Two tin kettles 1:06
Sarah Gowens Six pewter basins, 2 dishes,
6 plates 15:08
Sarah Gowens Seven tin cups & six spoons 0:19
Sarah Gowens One slate 0:20
Sarah Gowens Six lbs. powder & 8 lbs. of lead 6:
Sarah Gowens Seven 1/2 pt. bottles 0:09
Sarah Gowens Four water pails, 2 coolers,
2 churns, 5 chairs 2:02
Timothy Demumbre Tanned leather 1:12
John Hague Tanned leather 0:14
Jonas Manifee One tin strainer and 1 chair 0:05
Sarah Gowens One big wheel 0:10
Sarah Gowens One little wheel 0:07
Sarah Gowens One hogshead 0:08
Sarah Gowens Two bells 1:12
Sarah Gowens One sifter 0:08
Sarah Gowens One pr. cotton cards 1:
Sarah Gowens Two pair snuffers 0:04
Sarah Gowens Eighteen ducks 1:04
Sarah Gowens Two gimblets
[small augers] 0:03
Sarah Gowens Six curls 0:06
Sarah Gowens One pair nippers
& file 0:03
Sarah Gowens Ten barrows 30:11
Sarah Gowens Six sows & 14 shoats 16:01
Sarah Gowens One sow & 2 pigs [Illegible]
Jonas Manifee One hogshead 0:07
George A. Sugg Thirty hens 1:11
Hanson Williams One gimblett 0:01
Lardner Clark One barrow 3:05
John Hague Two sows & 15 pigs 5:12
John Hague Two sows & pigs 3:
George A. Sugg One sow 1:04
George A. Sugg One pied steer 5:09
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 2:01
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 5:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 3:
Sarah Gowens One yearling steer 0:20
Sarah Gowens One steer 3:
Sarah Gowens One steer 1:01
Sarah Gowens One grubbing hoe 0:20
Sarah Gowens One heading hoe 0:08
Sarah Gowens Six knives & 4 forks 0:06
Sarah Gowens Five lbs. cotton 0:20
Sarah Gowens Forty wt. flax 3:
Sampson Williams Hone & razor 1:15
The commissioners made return of a judgment obtained of Twenty-nine dollars due.”  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-1M32?i=109&cc=1909088&cat=307760 (Sale of Inventory Bk 1, pg 175).

1791 Oct – Sarah Gowen v George Augustus Sugg and John Hague – Pltf to recover against Defs  Davidson Co, TN County Ct Mins 1783-1802 p 27
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ8-Y5Q5?i=283&cat=11980

1791 Oct – Sarah Gowen v James Bosley – Plt to recover agt Deft Davidson Co, TN County Ct Mins 1783-1802 p 28
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ8-Y5WB?i=284&cat=11980

1791 Oct – Sarah Gowen v John Hague and George W Sugg – jury finds for Plt Davidson Co, TN County Ct Mins 1783-1802  pg 38
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ8-Y538?i=289&cat=11980

Will of his Father

(NOTE: William Gowen Sr’s father dies in 1792. He does not mention sons Joseph of William in his will written in 1785, who appear to be living in Tennessee at this time. He may have given them their share of his estate when they moved out of state and helped them set up in Tennessee).

(Father of this William Gowen)
1792 April 10 – William Gowen – died – probate/Will:
Sarah Gowen, John Gowen, Anne Gowen Easely,
Estate: will, 10 Mar 1785, 96th District, North Carolina, USA. “William Gowen wrote his will March 10, 1785:
The will read:
In the name of God, Amen: I William Gowen of Ninety Six District in the State of South Carolina, planter, being in a low state of health, but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the Immortality of my Soul and That it is appointed for all men once to Die, Do make and ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form following.
“1st. I recommend my soul into the hand of Him who gave it & my Body to Be Buried in a Christian Like manner at the Discretion of Executors.
“2nd. I Do Constitute and appoint my Son, John Gowen, and my wife, Sarah Gowen, Executors of this my last will and Testament. And as for my worldly goods which it has been please God to Bestow me I Dispose of them in the manner and form following: Viz:
“Item: I Give & Bequeath to my well Beloved Wife, Sarah Gowen, all my Stock of Cattle, Hogs & Horses [Except Two Cows & Calves for my Daughter, Anne Easily] which with all my household furniture, she, my said wife, is to hold as her property during her Life and after her death to be the property of my said son, John Gowen.
“Item: I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter, Anne Easily, Two Hundred and seventy acres of land, more or less, it being part of a survey of Three Hundred and Ninety-five acres Run for me on the Sink Hole fork of Tyger River, Beginning for the Dividing Line at a stump agreed upon by her and John Gowen & running a south course to the other line of said tract.”
“Item: I Give & Bequeath to my son, John Gowen, All the Remaining part of said tract of land above mentioned, and for the true performance of these presents I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this my Last Will & Testament This Tenth Day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five the Ninth year of American Independence.”
William [X] Gowen
Signed & Sealed in the presence of us the undernamed Witnesses by him, the Said William Gowen as his Last Will & Testament. Wits: David Jackson, Millington Easley”
It is reported that William Gowen died April 10, 1792. The Spartanburg County, South Carolina probate court accepted the will of William Gowen in its session of April 1792. The following entry was made in the court minutes:
Carolina Spartanburgh County April Court, 1792
“This Last Will & Testament of William Gowen, deceased, being proven by the Evidence of Millenton Easley & approved by the Court at the term aforesaid, was thereupon admitted to record, a true copy of which is this day transcribed & this Original filed in office 8 June 1792.
by M. Lancaster, S.C.S.
Wm. Gowen, decd, Last Will & Test’t. Copyed, 8 June, 1792″
96 Dist, SC

1796 Oct 10 Allen Gowen to Bobo Burrell 300 acres on Tygar River.  Allen Gowen of Tennessee State and County of Davidson to Burrell Bobo of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, 300 acres, it being originally granted to Joseph Gowen by his Excellency Lord Charles Granville Montague Capt. Genl. and Commander in Chief December 23, 1771, then descended to Allen Gowen his lawful heir by lineal decent at his decease, land situate lying and being in Spartanburg County, SC, on the N side of Tyger River, NE on Thomas Fletcher’s land, all other sides vacant when surveyed. Signed: Allen Gowen. Wits: Martin Newman, Charity Newman, Simpson Newman. Recd the 20th Oct 1796 of Burrell Bobo the full consideration sum for the within land 300 acres. Signed: Allen Gowen.  Proved up on Oct 22, 1796. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk E, pg 75.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

(NOTE: See the following information. I think that William Gowen Jr from Granville County, NC, was the William who shows up in Davidson County, Tennessee and shows up in records there by 1783. He dies in 1790. This would explain why he is not in his father’s will in 1792. Additionally, the William Gowen in the Spartanburg/Greenville Co, SC area after 1790 must be John Gowen’s son who was b. 1762).

Gowen Manuscript Information

DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

FACTS and NOTES: 

T H E G O W E N M A N U S C R I P T Page

DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE–B

William Gowen was born about 1720, parents and place unknown.

William Gowen was married about 1740, wife’s name Sarah. William Gowen is sometimes confused by family researchers with another William Gowen who settled in Spartanburg District, South Carolina. The second William Gowen was a contemporary whose wife was also named Sarah. The two William Gowens are suggested as kinsmen, and the activities of one are often ascribed to the other.

On March 5, 1750 a William Gowen appeared in Granville County where he bought land located on Grassy Creek from Robert Jones, Jr, according to Granville County Deed Book A, page 343-4.

On October 8, 1754 William Gowen and Joseph Gowen, suggested as a kinsman, appeared in a militia company commanded by Capt. John Sallis in Granville County. The company was part of a regiment commanded by Col. William Eaton. The two appeared on the company’s muster roll dated September 5, 1755, according to “Colonial Granville County and Its People” by Ray. Reference is also made to the military service of William Gowen in “North Carolina Colonial Records” by Clarke.

The company commanded by Capt. Sollis included 90 men:

“John SALLIS, Captain
George MORRIS, Lieutenant.
James MITCHEL, Ensign

1. William HOWLET, Sgt.
2. Wm. HOLLYMAN, Sgt
3. Richard HARRIS, Sgt
4. Wm HICKS, Corpl.
5. Wm JORDAN, Corpl.
6. Henry JORDAN, Corpl.
7. Thoms MORRIS, Corpl.
8. Thomas NEWBY, Corpl.
9. George KING, Drummer
10. John CRAVEN, Drummer

11. Thomas BRADFORD
12. James BANDY
13. Robert BANDY
14. Jacob PERRY
15. Henry DAY, Jr.
16. Simon DAY
17. Jeremiah FRAZIER
18. Thomas CHRISTIAN
19. David MITCHEL
20. Wm MOORE, Jr.
21. Henry HOWARD
22. Nathaniel HOLLY
23. Wm HOLLEY
24. Enoch RENTFROW
25. Lewis THOMAS
26. Lewis EDWARDS
27. John SMITH
28. Joseph MOORE
29. John BAINS
30. Richard ROBERTS
31. Richard ROBERTS, JR.
32. John THOMASON
33. James KNOTT
34. John KNOTT
35. Martin WHEELER
36. John HOWARD
37. David HOWARD
38. Solomon HOWARD
39. Anthony GARNET
40. Timothy CARTER
41. Samuel CARTER
42. John STOVALL
43. John STOVALL, Jr.
44. Bartholomew STOVALL
45. Jeremiah CLAYTON
46. William CLAYTON
47. William GOWEN
48. John GALLIMORE
49. Jesse PARKER
50. John OSBORN
51. Wm CRAGG
52. Jonathan BARRET
53. James HEMBRY
54. Robert GLIDEWELL
55. Wm MANUS
56. Groves HOWARD
57. John JOHNSTON
58. Francis KING
59. Thomas KING, Jr.
60. Christopher OSBORN
61. Sherwood HARRIS
62. Johnathan WHITE, Jr.
63. George JORDAN, Jr.
64. Henry FEGAN
65. John PARISH
66. William FERGUSON
67. James REEVES
68. Harris GUILLAM
69. Edward LOYD
70. Robert GILLEY
71. William GILLEY
72. Mathew McKENNY
73. Claiborn HARRIS
74. David PARISH
75. James FERGUSON
76. John YANCEY
77. Bartlet YANCEY
78. Joseph GOWEN
79. John CRAGG
80. James ROBERTS, Jr.
81. Osborn HEDGPETH
82. John SIMMONS
83. Christopher HARRIS
84. Benjamin SIMMONS
85. Joshua NOGINS
86. Bartlet SHEPARDSON
87. Lewis ANDERSON
88. Wm BASS
89. George ANDERSON
90. George PETTIFORD “

A charge of trespassing was filed against “William Gowen” December 17, 1755, according to “Court Minutes of Granville County, North Carolina” by Zoe Hargett Gwynn. On June 7, 1757 “Edward Gowen, Joseph Gowen, William Gowen and John Gowen” were sued by Robert Parks, according to the court minutes. On September 6, 1757 a suit was filed by Charles Turnbull against “William Gowen, James Boyd and W. M. Gowen.”

On February 6 and December 2, 1760 “William Gowen, planter of Granville County,” received more than 650 acres in St. John’s Parish, according to Granville County Deed Book E, page 440-48. The grant was for 667 acres “adjoining Johnston’s line and Stovall’s line.” Joseph Gowen was a witness to the document. “James Gowine” was recorded as “SCC” [Senior Chain Carrier] on the land which was surveyed May 21, 1760.

John Gowen, Joseph Gowen and William Gowen were included in a jury panel in May 1765, according to Granville County Court minutes.

“William Gowin” appeared in the tax list of 1769 for Granville County. He paid a tax on “one white poll,” according to Zoe Hargett Gwynn. “Southern Lineages” suggests that William Gowen lived in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina for a few years following his residence in Granville County.

The Pee Dee section of South Carolina takes its name from the Pee Dee Indian tribe that lived along the Pee Dee River in eastern South Carolina. The present-day Pee Dee area is composed of the nine counties that are touched by the Pee Dee river: Marlboro, Dillon, Marion, Horry, Chesterfield, Darling-ton, Florence, Williamsburg and Georgetown Counties. Many members of the Gowen family lived in an area which is now Fairfield County, South Carolina.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

(Link to page on various William “Going’s” and other variations of last name.  See this page to compare this William Goyens to other William Going variations that were in the VA, NC, or SC areas in the 1700s.  List is not complete, but I’ve listed those I know about so far:  https://goyengoinggowengoyneandgone.com/various-william-goings-different-ones/ ).