1755 John Newton Gowen b. 1755 of Massachusetts

John Newton Gowen b. 1755 of Massachusetts, m. Lydia who d. in 1785, then m. Mary Cook in 1786

Parents: 

  • Unk

Children:

  • Asa Henry Gowen                   born about 1776
  • Benjamin Franklin Gowen     born February 18, 1777
  • John Gowen, Jr.                      born August 9, 1780
  • Luther Gowen                         born August 14, 1782

Siblings: 

  • Unk

States and Counties to research: 

FACTS and NOTES: 

John Gowen, the immigrant ancestor, was born in Scotland about 1755, according to “New England Families” by William Richard Cutter. He came to this country about the time of the revolution. Several of the name “John Gowen” served in the Revolutionary army, but it is not known whether or not he was a soldier. He settled in Franklin, Massachusetts where he was married about 1775, wife’s name Lydia. Lydia Gowen died November 18, 1785, according to “Vital Records of Franklin, Massachusetts.” He was remarried to Mary Cook June 14, 1786. He died February 10, 1794 in Franklin.

According to Susan B. Liedell, Foundation Editorial Boardmember of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, “History of Franklin, Massachusetts” was written while Charles Gowen, son of Luther Gowwen and nephew of Benjamin Gowen, Asa Gowen and John Gowen, was still alive and living in town. On July 18, 1995, she wrote:

“Presumably, therefore, it is accurate as to the number and names of the sons of John [Newton] Gowen. The mother of the boys was not Mary Cook, however. The births of John, Jr. [9 Aug 1780]) and Luther [14 Aug 1782] are recorded in the vital records of Franklin. Their mother is listed as Lydia —–. I believe she was the mother of all four boys. Since she died 18 November 1785 [Franklin Vital Records] and John married Mary Cook 14 June 1786, it was probably easy for people to assume the young boys were Mary’s. The town of Franklin was split from Wrentham in 1777 so the births of Benjamin and Asa may have been missed or recorded elsewhere.”

Children born to John Gowen and Lydia Gowen include:

  • Asa Henry Gowen born about 1776
  • Benjamin Franklin Gowen born February 18, 1777
  • John Gowen, Jr. born August 9, 1780
  • Luther Gowen born August 14, 1782

Asa Henry Gowen, son of John Gowen and Lydia Gowen, was born about 1776, probably at Franklin. He was married about 1805, wife’s name Mary. He acquired the military rank of major, according to “New England Families.”

Children born to them include:

  • Mary Ann Gowen born April 9, 1807
  • Horatio Kingsbury Gowen born July 11, 1811
  • Louisa Marena Gowen born June 9, 1815

Benjamin Franklin Gowen, son of John Gowen and Lydia Gowen, was born February 18, 1777 at Franklin, according to Susan B. Liedell, a sixth-generation granddaughter. She wrote that Benjamin Franklin Gowen later removed to Union, Maine where two daughters were born. Benjamin Franklin Gowen was married about 1805, wife believed to be Mary Tift of Oldtown, Maine. He died September 18, 1865 at Worcester, Massachusetts, according to his death certificate.

Children born to Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen include:

  • Julia Ann Gowen born about 1806
  • Erastus Gowen born about 1808
  • Augustus Gowen born about 1811
  • Harriet Gowen born July 4, 1813
  • Luther Gowen born about 1816
  • Albert Nelson Gowen born July 18, 1822
  • Mary Jane Gowen born November 8, 1825
  • Alvira Gowen born April 19, 1827

Julia Ann Gowen, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born about 1806, probably at Orono, Maine. She was married May 10, 1844 to Nelson C. Pratt.

Erastus Gowen, of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born about 1808, probably at Orono. Paul M. Aldrich, Foundation member of Bristol, Maine, shows his place of birth as Oldtown, Maine. He reports that he was married October 5, 1833 to Mary Wiggins of Hartland, Maine who was born at Long Island, Maine July 4, 1813. He was remarried December 3, 1866 to Harriet Davis. Children born to Erastus Gowen, Mary Wiggins Gowen and Harriet Davis Gowen are unknown.

Augustus Gowen, son of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born about 1811, at Orono/Oldtown. He was married January 2, 1834 to Eliza H. Joy who was born February 22, 1810. She died at Orono December 13, 1868, and he died after 1873. Children born to Augustus Gowen and Eliza H. Joy Gowen are unknown.

Harriet Gowen, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born July 4, 1813 at Long Island, Maine, according to Paul M. Aldrich. She was married July 1, 1839 to Francis R. Mayers of Orono. She died April 26, 1902 at Worcester, Massachusetts, according to Susan B. Liedell.

Luther Gowen, son of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born in 1816, probably at Orono. He was married to Hannah Colton June 22, 1844. Paul M. Aldrich shows the date of the marriage as August 6, 1844.

Albert Nelson Gowen, son of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born July 18, 1822, probably at Orono. He was married August 8, 1854 to Elizabeth Ring, daughter of David Ring and Catherine Clark Ring. She was born October 21, 1816. Later they removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died March 6, 1885 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and she died March 8, 1888.

Children born to Albert Nelson Gowen and Eliza Ring Gowen include:

  • Harry Nelson Gowen born July 12, 1855
  • Fred Herbert Gowen born September 20, 1857
  • Frank Leslie Gowen born July 25, 1859

Harry Nelson Gowen, son of Albert Nelson Gowen and Eliza Ring Gowen, was born July 12, 1855 in Minneapolis. He died in infancy.

Fred Herbert Gowen, son of Albert Nelson Gowen and Eliza Ring Gowen, was born September 20, 1857 in Minneapolis. He was married April 14, 1881 to Grace Evelyn Benedict and later settled in Little Falls, New York. He died there July 10, 1921, according to Susan B. Liedell, a great-granddaughter. Children born to Fred Herbert Gowen and Grace Evelyn Benedict are unknown.

Frank Leslie Gowen, son of Albert Nelson Gowen and Eliza Ring Gowen, was born July 25, 1859 in Minneapolis. He was married July 26, 1883 to Eva K. Grant. They remained there. Frank Leslie Gowen died March 2, 1934, according to Hennepin County, Minnesota death certificate No. 20856. Children born to Frank Leslie Gowen and Eva K. Grant Gowen are unknown.

Mary Jane Gowen, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born November 8, 1825 at Orono. She was married January 16, 1844 to John David Ring, regarded as a brother to Eliza Ring. She died in Minneapolis.

Alvira Gowen, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Gowen and Mary Tift Gowen, was born April 19, 1827 in Orono. Of this individual nothing more is known.

John Gowen, Jr, son of John Gowen and Lydia Gowen, was born August 9, 1780.

Luther Gowen, son of John Gowen and Lydia Gowen, was born August 14, 1782 at Franklin. He was educated in the district schools and became a farmer. He was married December 3, 1811 to Elvira Metcalf. She was a descendant of Michael Metcalf, one of the early pioneers of Dedham, Massachusetts whose descendants have been numerous in Medfield and towns in the vicinity of Franklin. Luther Gowen was remarried to Polly Hartsborn April 10, 1823, after the death of Elvira Gowen. He died in Franklin at an advanced age.

No children were born to Luther Gowen and Polly Hartsborn Gowen.

Children born to Luther Gowen and Elvira Metcalf Gowen include:

  • Artemas Warren Gowen born October 22, 1812
  • Luther Gowen, Jr. born about 1814
  • George Metcalf Gowen born August 10, 1816
  • Charles M. Gowen born December 22, 1819
  • Horace Gowen born April 30, 1822

Artemas Warren Gowen, son of Luther Gowen and Elvira Metcalf Gowen, was born at Franklin October 22, 1812. He was married to Cynthia Ellis April 11, 1841 according to Massachusetts town vital records collection.

Luther Gowen, Jr, son of Luther Gowen and Elvira Metcalf Gowen, was born at Franklin about 1814. It is believed that he died in infancy.

George Metcalf Gowen, son of Luther Gowen and Elvira Metcalf Gowen, was born at Franklin August 10, 1816. He was a farmer. He went to Hampshire when a young man and spent most of his life in Alstead and Acworth, New Hampshire. He was married about 1840 to Hannah Permelia Chase, daughter of Benjamin Chase of Alstead. George Metcalf Gowen died there about 1886.

Children born to George Metcalf Gowen and Permelia Chase Gowen include:

  • George Milan Gowen born February 21, 1841
  • Harriet A. Gowen born about 1842
  • Lydia A. Gowen born about 1843
  • Frank Gowen [twin] born about 1845
  • Frances Gowen [twin] born about 1845
  • Charles R. Gowen born about 1847
  • Emily A. Gowen born about 1850

George Milan Gowen, son of George Metcalf Gowen and Permelia Chase Gowen, was born in Alstead February 21, 1841. He attended school in Acworth and became a farmer. On August 22, 1862, he enlisted for the civil war in Company B, Fourteenth New Hampshire Infantry Regiment and was mustered in September 22, 1862. Most of the time during the war he was in Washington, D. C. Severe attacks of rheumatic fever prevented him from active service.

He was honorably discharged for disability October 8, 1863. He was unable to do any work for about two years after he left service. He was married September 13, 1864 to Mary Ellen Loomis who was born in Stoddard, New Hampshire to William F. Loomis and Nancy Green Loomis.

He moved to Keene, New Hampshire in 1865. He worked there as a teamster and then became a fireman on the railroad, being pro­moted to en­gineer after a time. After remaining four years on the railroad he began work for Beaver Mills in Keene, driving a team for them for nine years before retirement active life several years ago.

In 1877 he joined Beaver Brook Lodge No. 36, Odd Fellows, and he also affiliated with John Sedgewick Post, No. G, Grand Army of the Republic of Keene. Mary Ellen Loomis died December 24, 1910. In 1914 he lived at Keene.

Children born to George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen include:

  • William Loomis Gowen born July 4, 1865
  • George Burton Gowen born March 7, 1867
  • Fred Alonzo Gowen born August 21, 1869
  • Ernest Milan Gowen born March 27, 1872
  • Loomis Clinton Gowen born September 13, 1875
  • Earl Henry Gowen born July 11, 1878
  • Mary Imogene Gowen born July 27, 1880

William Loomis Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born July 4, 1865. He was married in November 1890 to Hattie Blanchard. He became a farmer at Acworth.

Children born to William Loomis Gowen and Hattie Blanchard include:

  • Fred Gowen born about 1892

George Burton Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born March 7, 1867 at Langdon, New Hampshire. He went to school at Keene and worked there as an apprentice in the telegraph office. He was later employed in the railroad depot at South Acton, Massachusetts for two years. At the age of 19, he was appointed the train dispatcher in Boston on the Fitchburg Railroad and continued in that post for 19 years. He was married January 13, 1886 to Carrie Hayward of South Acton. She was a daughter of Cyrus Hayward and Mary Pettingill Edwards Hayward.

In 1901 he was appointed trainmaster at Rutland, Vermont where he continued in 1914. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Fitchburg and the Universalist Church.

One son was born to George Burton Gowen and Carrie Hayward Gowen:

  • Carroll Alvin Gowen born May 24, 1888

Carroll Alvin Gowen, son of George Burton Gowen and Carrie Hayward Gowen, was born May 24, 1888 at South Acton.

Fred Alonzo Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born August 21, 1869. He was married May 18, 1893 to Jennie B. Eagles. In 1914 they lived in Waverly, Massachusetts where he was employed as a railroad engineer.

Children born to Fred Alonzo Gowen and Jennie B. Eagles Gowen include:

  • Burton Walter Gowen born about 1895
  • George Niles Gowen born about 1897
  • Daniel Gowen born about 1899
  • Robert Gowen born about 1902
  • Evelyn Gowen born about 1905
  • May Gowen born about 1909

Ernest Milan Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born March 27, 1872. He died August 9, 1872.

Loomis Clinton Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen, was born September 13, 1875 in Keene, New Hampshire, according to “New England Families.” He became a telegraph operator for the Boston & Maine Railway and was stationed at Lynn, Mas­sachusetts for a time. Later he was transferred to Boston where he worked for the railroad eight years. He was married October 26, 1904 to Minnie Belle Cressey who was born March 11, 1873. to

In 1907 he went to Mankato, Minnesota where he dealt in real estate. He retired in 1909 and returned to Keene where he was living in 1913. No children were born to Loomis Clinton Gowen and Minnie Belle Cressey Gowen.

Earl Henry Gowen, son of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born July 11, 1878. In 1914, he a railroad man lived in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Mary Imogene Gowen, daughter of George Milan Gowen and Mary Ellen Loomis Gowen, was born July 27, 1880. She died August 25, 1883.

Harriet A. Gowen, daughter of George Metcalf Gowen and Hannah Permelia Chase Gowen, was born about 1842 in Alstead. She was married about 1860, husband’s name Ruddy and lived in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Lydia A. Gowen, daughter of George Metcalf Gowen and Hannah Permelia Chase Gowen, was born about 1843 at Alstead. She was married about 1866 to John Rogers. In 1914 they lived in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Frank Gowen, twin son of George Metcalf Gowen and Hannah Permelia Chase Gowen, was born about 1845 at Alstead. In 1914 he was living in Warwick, Massachusetts.

Frances Gowen, twin daughter of George Metcalf Gowen and Permelia Chase Gowen, was born about 1845 at Alstead.

Charles R. Gowen, son of George Metcalf Gowen and Permelia Chase Gowen, was born at Alstead about 1847. He was married February 2, 1869 at Franklin to Kate M. Hills. In 1914 they continued at Franklin. Children born to Charles R. Gowen and Kate M. Hills Gowen are unknown.

Emily A. Gowen, daughter of George Metcalf Gowen and Hannah Permelia Chase Gowen, was born about 1850. She was married about 1869 to Charles Emerson. In 1914 they lived in South Acworth, New Hampshire.

Charles M. Gowen, son of Luther Gowen and Hannah Elvira Metcalf Gowen, was born at Franklin December 22, 1819. He was married there June 10, 1841 to Harriet Phillips.

Horace Gowen, son of Luther Gowen and Elvira Metcalf Gowen, was born at Franklin April 30, 1822.

From GRF Newsletter Oct 1995:

John Newton Gowen Became One
Instantly In Revolutionary War

By Susan B. Liedell
Editorial Boardmember
148 Kate’s Path, Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, 02675

Many members of the Foundation have to wonder and speculate as to who was the original progenitor of their surname, but not I. I can point to my sixth-generation grandfather, John Newton Gowen as the very first of my Gowen line. He may also be my most deceptive ancestor and perhaps the most resourceful as well. The story goes that he became a Gowen [pronounced with a long “o”] and a Revolutionary on the same day.

The following is an excerpt from “The History of Franklin, Massachusetts” by Mortimer Blake; published in 1879:

“Franklin was not only intolerant of royalists and their sympathizers, but showed some special favors to British subjects who succeeded in escaping from the British armies. Tradition has it that more than one deserter found a safe hiding place in the scattered houses of this precinct. John Adams, ancestor of
the Adams family in this town, was not the only victim of an English pressgang who found refuge here and a home.

John Newton was perhaps a more striking case. He was a native of England, born about 1755. He had regularly learned the trade of ship carpenter, and had also served his full time as a soldier in the British army. But he was impressed on board a man-of-war at the beginning of the Revolution and brought
to America.

(Continued on Page 3)

Feeling that he had a right to his freedom, he succeeded in communicating a plan of escape to some of the Yankees in or near Boston, who promised him assistance.

On a stormy and dark night, while his ship was blockading the harbor, he slid overboard undetected, and, guided by a beacon light which had been burning two or three evenings, he swam ashore, a distance of three miles. When he landed he could neither walk nor stand, but his waiting friends carried him to a shelter till he was recruited [sic] sufficiently to flee into the country. On his way to Dedham he was stopped by a sentry who questioned who he was. He answered promptly, ‘John Going,’ and so he was, as rapidly as possible, until finally he reached Franklin. The name which served him once so well
he retained, and was known among our fathers as John Going, now modernized into Gowen.

He married, according to the town records, 14th June, 1786, Mary Cook of Bellingham, and had four sons – Benjamin, Asa, John and Luther. Luther remained in town on the paternal farm, married a neighbor’s daughter, Elvira Metcalf, and had also four sons — Warren, George, Charles and Horace, of whom the third is still a resident of Franklin, and the son of another keeps the Franklin House. The others have gone.”

This history of Franklin was written while Charles Gowen, son of Luther and nephew of Benjamin, Asa and John, was still alive and living in town. Presumably, therefore, it is accurate as to the number and names of the sons of John [Newton] Gowen. The mother of the boys was not Mary Cook, however. The births of John, Jr. [9 Aug 1780]) and Luther [14 Aug 1782] are recorded in the vital records of Franklin. Their mother is listed as Lydia -. I believe she was the mother of all four boys. Since she died 18 November 1785 [Franklin Vital Records] and John married Mary Cook 14 June 1786, it was probably easy for people to assume the young boys were Mary’s. The town of Franklin was split from Wrentham
in 1777 so the births of Benjamin and Asa may have been missed or recorded elsewhere.

My g-g-g-grandfather was Benjamin Franklin Gowen. He was born 18 February 1777 at Franklin. He died in Worcester, Massachusetts, 18 September 1865, according to his death certificate. Descendents of Benjamin, Asa and Luther, as much as I know, are listed on the enclosed charts for the Foundation Library. Benjamin’s birthdate and place would appear to make him the eldest son of John [Newton] Gowen and I am assuming it to be so.

According to the town history, a number of Franklin people moved to Union, Maine. Benjamin Franklin Gowen was probably one of them. The IGI records the birth of a couple of his daughters in Maine, and census records there include some of his sons including my gÄgÄgrandfather, Albert Nelson Gowen. The latter settled with his wife, Eliza Ring in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Of their three sons, Harry Nelson
[b1855] died in infancy; Fred Herbert [b1857] married Grace Benedict and eventually settled at Little Falls, New York and Frank Leslie [b1859] married Eva K. Grant and remained in Minneapolis. Fred Herbert Gowen was my great-grandfather.

Much of the data pieced together to form this conclusion has been in my files for a long time, so it is useful to go over “old” material once in a while. I am grateful to Ora Ring Doty, also a descendant of Benjamin F. Gowen, and Yvonne M. Gowen for information and encouragement over the years. It would be most interesting to hear from anyone who would like to share information, claim kinship, confirm my supposition about Benjamin Franklin Gowen’s origins or let me know wrong I am!