William Gowen b abt 1762 d. 1804 son of John “Buck” Gowen b. abt 1736, grandson of William Gowen b. abt 1712.
(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/ ).
Parents:
John “Buck” Gowen b. 1736 – d. ? , m. Lettice Winn Bearden in 1759
Children:
Mahala Gowen born about 1797
John Gowen born about 1798
Matilda Gowen born about 1799
Letitia “Letty” Gowen born about 1800
Mahulda Gowen born about 1801
Siblings:
William Gowen born about 1762
Lettice “Letty” Gowen born about 1763
Elizabeth Gowen born about 1765
James M. Gowen born in 1767
John B. Gowen born about 1769
Sarah Gowen born June 5, 1774
Mary Gowen born about 1776
Minerva Gowen born about 1780
Winn Bearden Gowen born October 18, 1787
FACTS:
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 640acres – 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
1793 Jun 26 – John Gowen . wits: William Gowen, Luke Anderson. John Buchanan warrant. Grant of 640 acres to John Gowen – on the east side of Mill Creek, on the NW corner of James Mences land, adj to Ebenezer Titus west land (on east). Witnessed by William Gowen, and Luke Anderson. Warrant by John Buchanan. Davidson Co., TN
http://interactive.ancestry.com/2882/33118_290595-00094?pid=15895&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%3d37%26h%3d15895%26recoff%3d9%26ml_rpos%3d38&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true
1786 Aug 14 – The indents, issued by the Treasury August 14, 1786, were approved long after the death of David Gowen of Fairfield County, son of Daniel Gowen and Rebecca Gowen. David Gowen was killed by Indians in the winter of 1779-80 at Manskers Station in Davidson County, Tennessee. William Gowen, regarded as his grandfather, was the executor of his estate at Nashville. Levi Gowen, “who passes for mulatto,” brother of David Gowen, applied successful for the administration of the estate in Fairfield County and gave “John Gowen, gentleman of Daverson County” his power of attorney. John Gowen, son of William Gowen, was a kinsman of Levi Gowen and David Gowen. Fairfield Co, SC. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gowenrf/Gowenms007.htm
1796: William Gowen was married to Miriam Earle, ninth child of Lt. Col. Bayliss John Earle and Mary Berry Prince Earle January 28, 1796. Miriam Earle was born November 24, 1775 in Frederick County, Virginia. She was a granddaughter of Samuel Earle, high sheriff and member of the House of Burgesses from Frederick County and Anna Sorrell Earle.
Bayliss John Earle was born August 8, 1734 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was married to Mary Berry Prince who was born April 16, 1744 to John Prince and Virginia Sarah Berry. John Prince was born February 2, 1709-10 in Frederick County. Virginia Sarah Berry was born in 1718 in Stafford County, Virginia, according to Pam Wilson.
“Bayliss Earle” was enumerated as the head of household in Spartanburg County, according to “Heads of Families, South Carolina, 1790:”
“Earle, Bayliss white male over 16
4 white males under 16
6 females
no slaves”
Col. Bayliss John Earle died January 6, 1825 in Earlesville, South Carolina in Spartanburg County. Mary Berry Prince Earle died there in 1807.
William Gowen was described as a “Revolutionary soldier” by Joseph Earle Birnie in “The Earles and the Birnes,” however it is believed that he did not see revolutionary service because of his youth. His grandfather, William Gowen served as a Revolutionary soldier under the command of his son, Capt. John “Buck” Gowen, and the author may have confused the two.
William Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1800 census of Greenville District, page 6, No. 227:
“Gowan, William white male 16-26 [?]
white female 16-26
white female 0-10
white male 0-10
[7 slaves]”
He made his home in Greenville County until his death in 1804. His father was appointed administrator of his estate which was appraised and administered between 1804 and 1806. A Warrant of Appraisement of the estate was issued to Thomas Brummet, Jesse Mayfield, John Motlow, Arch Elliot and John Goodlett in 1804 and certified by Robert Cook, justice. They were directed to “repair to William Gowen’s house and appraise his estate.”
State of South Carolina
Greenville District
We the appraisers authorized to appraise the Goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased Do Certify that these two sheets and papers contain a just and true Statement of the appraisement of the Goods and Chattles of Said Deceased. Given under our hands this 22nd June, 1804.
Thos. [X] Brummett Jesse Mayfield
John Motlow Arch’d [X] Ellett
John Goodlett”
Apparently William Gowen owned half interest in a a “store at New Market” and half interest in a tavern there. Stephen C. Woods was mentioned in the accounting as a defaulting co-partner. Despite some “desperate” accounts which the administrator “despaired” of collecting and which were written off, the estate was a large one for that era, suggesting that William Gowen would be considered a wealthy man.
It is unlikely that William Gowen died a sudden death. Three different doctors were brought in to treat him, according to the probate record:
“A Return of debts paid by John Gowen,
Administrator in behalf of the Estate
of William Gowen, Deceased
Expenses of last sickness $ 25.34.0
Funeral Expense 7.00.0
Doctors Fees:
Dr. B. Moore 16.87.5
Dr. Wilkerson 9.25.0
Dr. Hardwick 10.00.0
Ballence of an Execution paid to Sheriff
Anderson in behalf of Shottwell 58.00.0
Public Tax for 1804 2.00.0
Ballence of a note due Edward Nort or
His Descendants 363.12.5
Ballence of a note due
Alex. MacKinny 364.19.0
Ballence of a note due
Samuel Lanier & Int. 176.60.0
Note due Samuel Hunt & Int. 131.29.0
Note due Pleasant Easley & Ditto 73.67.5
Note due William Blythe & Ditto 42.57.0
Note due Phillemon Bradford & Int. 440.68.0
Note due Jesse Mayfield & Int. 228.00.0
Note due Jeremiah Brown & Int. 212.15.6
Note due William Beal, Prin. & Int. 20.94.0
Amount paid on a note Baylis Carder 110.00.0
Note due Samuel Law, Prin. & Int. 6.69.0
=======
2306.84.1
Note in favour of Jas. Gowen taken
up from Gideon Hunt & Int. 90.27.0
Ballence of a note in favour of Jas.
Gowen taken up from Saml. Earle 164.11.0
=========
$ 2561.22.1
Total Amount Bought Forward $ 2561.22.1
Total cash paid by James Gowen 175.00.0
Proven account in favor of Elias Earle 242.52.0
Ditto of Thomas Edward Hall 6.68.0
Ditto of Aron Evans 11.18.5
Ditto of MacDowell & Blair 43.17.0
Ditto of John Horne 4.00.0
Ditto of John Hickman 13.19.5
Ditto of Jeremiah Brown 96.00.0
Ditto of Thomas Brummette 20.00.0
Ditto of John Samuels 14.00.0
Ditto of William Carrel 16.50.0
Ditto of Henry Sharp 28.12.0
Ditto of Jesse Mayfield 27.00.0
Ditto of Thomas MacLain 194.00.0
Ditto of Jesse Goodlett 10.75.0
Ditto of John Corne 36.88.0
Amount paid James Pinnell
on proven account 100.00.0
Amount paid John MacChurchill 4.00.0
Proven account in favor of P. Bradford 13.73.0
Ditto of Thomas Ewington 15.00.0
Proven account on funeral, Dyer & Tally 7.00.00
Amount paid for Whiskey at Sale 3.95.00
Ordinary [Recorder] fees 6.00.0
Paper for Use at Sales 0.75.0
Proven account in favour of
James Gowen 270.50.0
Money laid out for the use of the family 28.73.0
========
$ 3953.88.1
Total Amount Brought up $ 3953.88.1
Proven account of Mr. John Motlow 935.12.0
Money paid for the use of the family 3.25.0
========
$ 4892.25.1
Paid note of James Gowen 205.00.0
========
$ 5097.25.1
Commission on the above
Account in favour of
Jno. Gowen, Admr. 564.10.0
========
$ 5661.25.1
A Return of the debts Paid
for the Estate of Wm. Gowen,
Deceased by Jno. Gowen, Executor, Admr.
$ 3953.88.1
Commissions 197.69
46.75
========
$ 244.44
A List of Cash on hand, Obligations, Book Accounts, Open Accounts, & Open sales & Copardnership Books Due William Gowen at his Decease, May 16, 1804.
Total Cash on Hand $ 5.37.5
One Note Given to Gideon Hester by
John Motlow on Demand
February 21, 1805 for 32.00.0
One Order Given by Elias Earle on
John Motlow July 12, 1803 for 60.00.0
One on James Pennington Due October 1,
1804 to be paid in Horses for 250.00.0
One Note on Robert Cannon due
November 1, 1804 for 65.00.0
One Note on James Gowen, Deceased
Due November 25, 1802 for 100.00.0
One Note on John Vineyard for 8, due
to be paid in goods [Desparate]* for 8.00.0
One Note on Farr due
November 11, 1802 for 100.00.0
Total Amount Due by the Widow Polly Gowen,
Combahee and acknowledged 100.00.0
Total Ballence of an Account in the hands of
Henry Elmore and acknowledged 25.00.0
Total Amount due by
Isom Draudy [Desperate]* 50.00.0
Total Amount due by Edward Herndon 45.00.0
========
$ 940.37.5
Total Amount Brought Forward $ 940.37.5
Total Book Amt. Due by John Motlow 459.64.0
Total Amount of Sugar & Salt Book
at New Market Sale, 12 pounds,
13 shillings, 01 pence, in dollars 55.25.0
Total Amount of Act. Due by
Thomas Brummett for wife 11.25.0
Thomas Wood [Desperate*] due 21.00.0
James Blassingame due 20.00.0
James Galt due 3.00.0
Benjamin Hawkins [Desperate*] due 4.00.0
James Gillison due 15.00.0
Lewis Frazer due .37.0
David Reed due 17.48.5
James Gowen due on a
Temporary Settlement 386.74.0
Total Amount of half the Store acts Kept
at New Market 76 pounds, 2 shillings,
3 pence, in Dollars 326.18.0
Total Amount of half the Tavern Books
Kept at New Market 15 pounds, 7
shillings, 5 1/2 pence, in Dollars 65.87.0
Total Half the Amount of the Goods Sold at
New Market after Gowen decease after
Paying the Sale Expense 109.60.0
Total Amount Due by Stephen C. Wood on the
Close of the Copardnership sale 65.35.5
This of Woods is [Desperate] ========
$ 2501.11.5
Jno. Gowen, Admr.
An account, calculation & reckoning of the Administration of the Estate of William Gowen, deceased as exhibited into the Ordinary’s Office of Greenville District on the 4th day of November, 1806.
Amount of First Sale $ 1683.88.7.5
Amount of Second Sale 1698.37.5
Cash on hand, Obligation Book & Open
Acts. Assumable & Copartnership
Book Debts 2501.11.5
Payment & Expense Turn Over paid
the Estate 387.97.3.5
Commissions Over & Above 264.15.0
========
$ 5935.50.1
Paid as Follows, as per Return filed
Amounting in the whole $ 5661.35
Amount of Ordinary Fees 10.00
Administrator’s Commission 261.15
====.==
$ 5935.50
This exhibit contains on oath the acc’t Calculation & Reckoning of the Administration of the said deceased’s estate.
Jno. Gowen, Admr.”
* Desperate; despair-ate, Considered uncollectable.
An inventory of the estate was returned to probate court July 30, 1804. A portion of the accounting of the estate of William Gowen was obtained in November 1975 by Frank Maxwell Gowen. The accounting, recorded in dollars, cents and mills, read:
“Total Amt Brought Forward 2,561.22.7
Total Cash paid by James Gowens 175.00.0
Proven accounts in favor of:Elias Earle 289.52.0
Arch Evans 11.18.5
McDowell & Blair 13.17.0
John Horde 4.00.0
John Wilkenson 13.19.5
Jeremiah Brown 96.00.0
Thomas Brummett 20.00.0
John Jameson 14.00.0
William Cannon 16.50.0
Henry Sharp 28.12.0
Jesse Mayfield 27.00.0
Thomas McLain 194.00.0
Jesse Goddlett 20.75.0
A. P. John Corne 36.88.0
Phillemon Bradford 13.73.0
Thomas Covington 15.00.0
Amount paid James Pennell 100.00.0
Amount paid John McChurchmon 4.00.0
Part account of Dyer Tally 7.00.0
Amount paid for whisky at sale 3.95.0
Ordinary fees 6.00.0
Paper for use at Sales 0.75.0
Proven account, James Gowen 279.50.0
Money pd. for use of the family 28.73.0
Proven account of John Motlow 935.12.0
Money pd. for use of the family 3.25.0
===.===
$ 4,892.25.1
Paid Account of James Pennington
vs. deceased 205.00.1
Commissions on the above
Account of John Gowen, admr. 564.10.0
A Return of the Debts paid for the
Estate of William Gowen Deceased
by John Gowen [illegible word]
administrator 3,953.88.1
Commissions 197.69.0
46.75.0
====.=====
$ 244.44.0”
A record of an estate sale of William Gowen held June 22, 1804 showed that many of the effects were purchased by Miriam Earle Gowen:
“Bill of the Sale of the Goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased, June 22, 1804 in dollars, cents and mills:
Thomas Bearden One side of leather 2.62.0
Marium Gowen Axe & file 1.75.0
Marium Gowen One sugar cannister 1.00.0
Samuel Hunt One silver watch 20.00.0
Marium Gowen 4 slays & 2 harness 1.50.0
Major John Gowen 26 hair halters 2.50.0
Phillemon Bradford One jug 1.25.0
Marium Gowen One iron bound cask 1.25.0
Marium Gowen One pair saddle bags 0.50.0
William Anderson One keg & powder 2.25.0
Major John Gowen One pair of linens 0.14.0
James Gowen Shaving box & razor 1.50.0
Samuel Hunt 13 yards black silk 17.00.0
Samuel Hunt One pair slippers 2.00.0
Jonathan Hand Four chairs 0.50.0
Major John Gowen One Waggon Cloth ?.??
Obadiah Woodson Boxes & Hub Irons 8.25.0
Major John Gowen One chain & harness 46.00.0
Marium Gowen Fire dogs, shovel, tongs 4.00.0
Marium Gowen One looking glass 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Crockary ware 2.00.0
Marium Gowen Two decanters, tumbler 1.50.0
Marium Gowen Coffee mill, Candle mould
& snuffer, two quart
bottles & one Gimblet 1.75.0
Marium Gowen Two pair cards &
Coffee Pot 1.50.0
Marium Gowen One woman’s saddle 15.00.0
Major John Gowen One Saddle & fixings 15.50.0
James Gowen One Brace Pistols 25.00.0
Jeremiah Brown Bed, Bedstead & furniture 35.50.0
Major John Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 33.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 10.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 25.00.0
Marium Gowen Bed, Bedstead & furniture 35.00.0
Phillemon Bradford One trunk 5.56.2
Marium Gowen One churn 2.50.0
William Ker One table 1.93.7
Marium Gowen One table 1.50.0
James Gowen One grindstone 2.00.0
Jonathan Hand Two kegs 1.87.5
James Gowen One Cutting Box 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Table 0.50.0
John Carlin One Table 0.50.0
John Carlin One Table 0.50.0
Lewis Frazer One Cubbord 3.00.0
Marium Gowen One Curry Comb & Bit 0.62.5
Lewis Frazer One Loom 5.50.0
Marium Gowen Bag Sifter & Tray 3.75.0
John B. Elkin Two Fire Bucketts 0.25.0
Marium Gowen Two Kegs 0.50.0
Lewis Frazer One Cask 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Cask & Hogshead 2.35.7
Marium Gowen One Large Wheel 1.35.7
James Gowen One Small Wheel 1.00.0
Marium Gowen One Small Wheel 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Reel 0.62.5
Major John Gowen One Large Wheel 1.00.0
James Gowen One Large Wheel 0.75.0
Marium Gowen One Churn 0.50.0
James Gowen One pair, Bushel 0.50.0
Marium Gowen Piggins [wooden vessels] 5.00.0
Marium Gowen Pewter & Tin Ware 10.75.0
Marium Gowen Crocks & Pans 0.85.7
Col. Henry M. Wood One Grid Iron 2.50.0
James Gowen One Frying Pan 2.12.5
Col. Henry M. Wood Ladles & Fork 2.00.0
Marium Gowen One Pot & Hooks 2.00.0
Thomas Cantrell One Pot & Hooks 1.68.7
Major John Gowen One Skillet 0.75.0
Marium Gowen Smoothing Irons 1.87.7
Marium Gowen Ovens 3.12.5
William Ker Ovens 0.56.2
Major John Gowen Mattock 1.25.0
William Ker Two Axes 2.00.0
Phillemon Bradford One Plow & fixings 2.50.0
Samuel McJunkin Doubletrees 1.75.0
Archabald Ellett Seven augers 2.18.7
Thomas Cantrell Saw, Drawing knife
& Hammer 1.31.2
James Gowen Cup Hoods & Wedges 6.62.5
Major John Gowen Bridle Bitts 1.25.0
James Gowen Frizens [?] & Bolts & C. 1.25.0
William Ker One bunch irons 1.42.2.5
James Gowen One lot bills [?] 1.50.0
Baylis E. Elkin Lot Hogs 150.25.0
Major John Gowen Lot Hogs 30.50.0
William Cannon Geese 6.37.5
James Gowen One Cow & Calf 11.75.0
James Gowen One Cow & Calf 10.25.0
James Gowen Cow, Yearling & Bull 10.25.0
Ransom Powell One Cow 9.25.0
Jeremiah Brown One Cow 10.50.0
Baylis E. Elkin Two Steers 19.27.0
Baylis E. Elkin One Steer & Bull 20.75.0
James Gowen One Steer & Heifer 11.25.0
John Gowen One Steer 2.25.0
Thomas Wood One Steer 4.75.5
Jesse Mayfield One Steer 3.00.0
James Gowen One Steer & Heifer 6.00.0
James Gowen One Horse 77.75.0
William Cannon One Horse 125.00.0
Alex’r McKinney One Horse 103.25.0
Col. Browne One Horse 132. 00.0
Jeremiah Browne One Horse 46.00.0
Col. Browne One Horse 137.12.5
Alex’r McKinney One Horse 179.00.0
Major John Gowen One Horse 172.00.0
========.===
Total $ 1,683.88.7.5
Signed this Second Day of September, 1804
John Gowen, Administrator”
Another sale of the “Goods and Chattels” of William Gowen was held January 15, 1805 and the total of “monies and accounts” of $1,098.37.5 [dollars-cents-mills] was reported by John “Buck” Gowen May 22, 1805:
“Bill of the Second Sale of the goods and Chattles of William Gowen, Deceased, on the 15th day of January, 1805.
One Negroe Wench & Child 400.00.0
One Negroe Fellow 430.00.0
One Bay Gelding 60.00.0
One Bay Gelding 100.00.0
5 2/3 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.00.0
5 bbls. Corn 15.37.5
5 bbls. Corn 16.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One Cow & Calf 8.00.0
One pair Drawing Chains 2.50.0
One pair Drawing Chains 1.50.0
One Shovel Plow 1.00.0
One Lot Iron Clevises 0.75.0
One Lot Iron Chains 2.25.0
=====.====
$ 1,098.37.5
Signed this 22nd day of May 1805
John Gowen, Administrator”
A third sale of the property of William Gowen held May 5, 1806 produced proceeds amounting to $5,361.75, according to the probate records.
Children born to William Gowen and Miriam Earle Gowen include:
Mahala Gowen born about 1797
John Gowen born about 1798
Matilda Gowen born about 1799
Letitia “Letty” Gowen born about 1800
Mahulda Gowen born about 1801
