It is believed that he was married about 1786 probably in Greenville County, wife’s name unknown.
Parents:
- John Gowen b. abt. 1732 – 1736 – d. ? , m. Lettice Winn Bearden in 1759
Children:
- [daughter] born before 1810
- Nancy Gowen born in 1814
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 and SOURCES:
See the following pages on this site for additional information:
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1799 Dec 1 Samuel Warren of St James Santee conveys land to John Gowen of Pinkney District, SC, land totalling 850 acres in the 96 District on the S Fork of the Beaverdam of Entree River granted to Samuel Warren. Signed: S Warren. Witnesses: William Gowen, James Gowen. Proved up on Oct 23, 1800. Recorded Nov 20, 1801. Greenville County, SC. Bk F, pg 310.
1804 May 16 A list of cash on hand, obligation, book acct, open acts, apartments and Copardership, Books Due William Gowen at his Decease May 16, 1804. A note given to Gideon Hester by John Molton due Nov 1, 1802; a note given by John Molton on demand Feb 21, 1805; an order given by Elias Earle on John Molton July 12, 1803; a note on James Pennington due Oct 1, 1804 to be paid in Horses; a note on Robert Cannon on Nov 1, 1804; a note on James Gowen decd due Nov 25, 1802, a note on John Vineyard, a note on Farm duel Nov 12 1802; amount due by widow Poly Gowen Combahee and acknowledge; balance of an act in hands of Henry Elmore; amount due by Isom Drawdy; amount due by Edward Herndon.
TO book acct due by John Molton; amount due by Thomas Brummetts, DESP Thomas Wood (desperate) due; James Blassingame due; James Gall; DESP Benjamin Hawkins (Desperate); James Gillison; Lewis Frazer; David Reed; James Gowen due on a temporary settlement; Amount due by Stephen C Wood on the close of the copardnership (Desperate). Signed: John Gowen, admr. Greenville County, SC. File 192. (Note: This James Gowen is the James Gowen of Colleton County, South Carolina – and appears to confirm some relationship to this James Gowen. This may be the James Gowen who appeared to be either a brother of John Buck Gowen, or an uncle). https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YB-4PH6?i=674&cat=448478
1804 June 22 Bill of the sale of goods and chattels of William Gowen decd. Buyers listed: Thomas Bearden, Miriam Gowen, Samuel Hunt, Maj John Gowen, Phillemon Bradford, William Anderson, James Gowen, Jonathan Hand, Obadiah Woodson, Jeremiah Brown, William Ker, John Carlin, Lewis Frazer, John B Elkin, Col. Henry M. Wood, Thomas Cantrell, Samuel McJunkin, Archibald Ellett, Bayless E Elkin, William Cannon, Ransom Powell, John Gowen, Thomas Wood, Jesse Mayfield, Alexander McKinney, Col. Browne. Signed: John Gowen, Admr. Greenville County, SC. File 192. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YB-4PH6?i=674&cat=448478
1804 June 22 A Return of the Debts paid by John Gowen administrator in behalf of the Estate of William Gowen deceased: Names listed: Doctor B Moore, Doctor Wilkenson, Doctor Handwork, Sheriff Anderson, Edward Norton, Alex McKinny, Samuel Lain, Samuel Hunt, Pleasant Easley, William Blythe, Philemon Bradford, Jesse Mayfield, Jeremiah Brown, William Bran, Noah Baylis, Samuel Law Jr, James Gowen a note taken from Gideon Hunter, Balance of a note in favor of James Gowen taken up from Saml Earle, Elias Earle, Thomas Edwards, Aron Evans, McDowell and Blair, John Hoode, John Wilkenson, Jeremiah Brown, Thomas Brummetts, John Jameson, William Cannon, Henry Sharp, Jesse Mayfield, Thomas McLain, Jesse Goodlett, John Cane, James Pinnell, John McClunon, P Bradford, Thomas Evington, John Motlow, James Pennington v decd, John Gowen. Signed John Gowen, Admnr. Greenville County, SC. File 192. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YB-4PH6?i=674&cat=448478
1808 Dec 8 John Gowen of Spartanburg Dist conveys to Willey S Brown of Greenville Dist, a tract of land in the Greenville Dist both sides of Greens Creek a branch of S Pacolett River along corner of Richard Brazel and David Hall, containing 50 acres originally part of tract granted to William Lynch on Jun 5, 1786, by him conveyed to Richard Brazel, by him conveyed to Nathaniel Gentry, and by him conveyed to John Gowen. Also, one other tract joining the above containing 7 acres, the same being a part of the above tract granted William Lynch and by him conveyed to David Hall, and by him to Royal Pace, and by him to John Sloan, and by him to Nathaniel Gentry, and by him to John Gowen. Also one other tract joining the above lands, estimated 300 acres part of a tract originally granted July 1, 1793 to Richard Brassell, by him conveyed to Nathaniel Gentry and by him to John Gowen. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: Thomas Ponder, James Gowen. Proved up Dec 15, 1808. Recorded April 3, 1809. Greenville County, SC. Bk H, pg 232.
1809 Aug 20 – John Gowen – Will:
http://interactive.ancestry.com/9080/007649575_00018?pid=642662&backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3d1%26db%3dUSProbateSC%26gss%3dangs-d%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26gsln%3dGoin%26gsln_x%3d0%26msypn__ftp%3dSouth%2bCarolina%252c%2bUSA%26msypn%3d43%26msypn_PInfo%3d5-%257c0%257c1652393%257c0%257c2%257c3245%257c43%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c0%257c%26msypn_x%3d1%26msypn__ftp_x%3d1%26MSAV%3d0%26uidh%3dm37%26pcat%3dCLP_WILLS%26fh%3d37%26h%3d642662%26recoff%3d%26ml_rpos%3d38&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true
Probate Court Minutes:
Index 1809:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-57335-8?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Will Proven:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-56875-45?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Inventory of Appraisement:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-57104-13?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Pay Debts:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-57405-35?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Index 1810
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-57562-55?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Sale Return:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-56172-5?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Sale Return:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-57183-14?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Sale Return:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-56749-54?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Sale Return:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19473-56599-50?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-S3D:210905501,211169101
Spartanburg Co, SC
(Note: In 1809 – John Gowen names “Atlantic and Dorindas, daughters or Polly Sanders” as beneficiaries – leaving them a “deed of gift”. John Gowen 3 (three) years earlier had made a “deed of gift” to Thany Sanders as the “daughter of a woman by the name of Polly Sanders at her birth, but who now bears the name of Polly Gentry”. )
(- Is Polly possibly a sister? – married at first to a Sanders, then remarried later to a Gentry)
(HERE: James Sanders Sr – is a purchaser at Alexander Going’s estate in 1775, Orange Co, NC. – maybe the husb?)
On August 20, 1809 John Gowen being in ill health, wrote his will. It was recorded in Spartanburg County Will Book A, pages 2-3 November 10, 1809. Apparently he died shortly after writing his will and was probably buried in Spartanburg District. The will reads:
“In the name of God, Amen. I, John Gowen, being afflicted by the hand of Almighty God and knowing it is once ordained for all men to die, do ordain, constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills by me made, excepting such property, this is, viz: as I have already bestowed to my children.
I pray God who gave it to take my soul, my body to return from whence it came and be buried in a Christian manner, by direction of my executors to be hereinafter named
First: I bequeath unto my son, Winn B. Gowen, a tract of land lying and being in Greenville District on both sides of middle Tygar River, the line to begin at the mouth of a Branch emptying into the said river on the north side below the mill–thence a direct line to the upper end of the big cove and to the line of land–then my line to the opposite, to the beginning. Also two negroes called Zed and Spence, together with a stock of cattle and hogs now on the premises before mentioned, one bed and furniture; also my part of a bay gelding that he rides.
Second: I bequeath unto my daughter, Lettie, a plantation by Ann Easley’s place, three negroe girls known by the names of Vina, Ede and Harriot; one bed and furniture and two cows and calves.
Third: I bequeath unto my Daughter, Minerva, a tract of land lying on the south side of Saluda where my son, James Gowen, attended; Two Negroes, names Cresa and Asa, one bed and furniture, One Hundred Dollars to purchase a horsebeast, two cows and calves and her mother’s sattle [saddle].
Fourth: I bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Woodson, a tract of land on Tyger River called Sulsias place.
Fifth: I bequeath unto my son, James Gowen, 800 acres to begin at the ford of the river on the South Pacolet, now used between here and where he lives, and thence a North course so to include the school house spring where Davis taught, and then ’round to a line to be made for John Roddy; thence, to the beginning so as to include the Jamison fields.
Sixth: I give and bequeath to my Grandson, John Gowen, son of William, deceased, all the land between what I have given Winn and Letty that I own, also one Girl named Hannah; to my granddaughter, Mahulda, a negro boy called Buck; unto Matilda, a negroe boy called Sip; a negroe boy named Ben unto Letty, my granddaughter.
If any of these legatees died without lawful issue, the property to be returned and equally divided between my children the living. I hereby appoint John and Winn Gowen, my sons, and James Blassingame and Street Thurston, my sons-in-law to be the executors of this, my last will and testament: to sell on a credit of twelve months all the real and personal property that I have not before bequeathed, except two hundred acres of land to be laid off, agreeable to deed of gift made to Atlantic and Dorindas, Daughters of Polly Sanders. My debts to be paid and, if any balance left, to be equally divided between all of my children living, borne of my wife, Lettie, deceased. In witness whereof I have set my hand this 20th day of August, Anno Domini, 1809. John Gowen, In the presence of: Theron Earle, C. W. McVay, Willus G. Brown”
Spartanburg Co, SC (Box and file No: 12-24 – file number – John Gowen (Loose Probate papers – Not available yet online – check back later)
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2432211?availability=Family%20History%20Library
1809 Dec 8 – Benjamin McHanny v John Gowen & James Gowen. Plea of trespass upon the case.
James Gowen and John Gowen attached to answer to Benjamin McHaney assignee of William Lynch Jr in a Plea of trespass upon the case.
… the 25 day of Dec 1806 at Spartanburg Court … made their certain note commonly called a promissory note … to pay jointly & severally to the said William Lynch Jr … the sum of 145 dollars on or before the 25 day of Dec next ensuing for value recd by the said James Gowen and John Gowen …
I confess judgment in this case for 145 dollars with interest from the 25th Dec 1807 & costs of suit 6th Nov 1807. Signed: James Gowen.
Judgment: … against James Gowen for whole amount 127 dollars 86 cents … Judgment signed 8th day of Dec 1809.
Roll 287 Pleadings and judgements rolls, 1-390 1800-1813. Spartanburg Co, SC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C342-WNT9?i=278&cat=394553
1808 Dec 8 John Gowen of Spartanburg Dist conveys to Willey S Brown of Greenville Dist, a tract of land in the Greenville Dist both sides of Greens Creek a branch of S Pacolett River along corner of Richard Brazel and David Hall, containing 50 acres originally part of tract granted to William Lynch on Jun 5, 1786, by him conveyed to Richard Brazel, by him conveyed to Nathaniel Gentry, and by him conveyed to John Gowen. Also, one other tract joining the above containing 7 acres, the same being a part of the above tract granted William Lynch and by him conveyed to David Hall, and by him to Royal Pace, and by him to John Sloan, and by him to Nathaniel Gentry, and by him to John Gowen. Also one other tract joining the above lands, estimated 300 acres part of a tract originally granted July 1, 1793 to Richard Brassell, by him conveyed to Nathaniel Gentry and by him to John Gowen. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: Thomas Ponder, James Gowen. Proved up Dec 15, 1808. Recorded April 3, 1809. Greenville County, SC. Bk H, pg 232.
1810 US Census Name: James Gowen
Residence Date: 6 Aug 1810
Residence Place: Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA
Free White Male 26 to 45: 1
Free White Female 0 to 9: 1
Free White Female 16 to 25: 1
Number of Enslaved Persons: 2
Number of Household Members Under 16: 1
Number of Household Members Over 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 5
Year: 1810; Census Place: Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: 61; Page: 357; Image: Scm252_61-0315; FHL Roll: 0181420
https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/77105?token=Z91oPG8X1tZ49mRHJPZE5yTjhdWQXordYsXYh10j3dM%3D
1811 June 6 – N & F Gist v James Gowen. Note owed.
James Gowen was attached to answer to Nathaniel & Frances Gist of a plea of trespass on the case … complain that … James Gowen on the 20th day of June 1804 …. make a promissory note … promised to pay Nathaniel & Frances Gist … 123 dollars and 50 cents 6 months after the date of the said note for value received …
June 14, 1804 – Six months after date we promise to pay N & F Gist 123 dollars and 50 cents for value received. Signed: James Gowen, William Easly.
Recd Dec 6, 1804 from Majr John Gowen 60 dollars on a/c of William Easly and in part of the written note. Signed: N & F Gist.
Judgment: … in the whole to 137 dollars and 1 cent against James Gowen. Judgment signed 6th June 1811.
Roll 341 Pleadings and judgements rolls, 1-390 1800-1813. Spartanburg Co, SC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C342-WJFM?i=332&cat=394553
1813 May 24 James Gowen to Willey S Brown 800 acres on Mile Cr of Pacolet R. James Gowen of Greenville Dist to Willey Brown of Spartanburg Dist . . . a tract of land in Spartanburg Dist, SC, on both sides of Mill Creek a branch of S Pacolate River . . . on the N side of said River at a ford between where Capt John Lucas now lives, and Brown . . . to James Sutherland’s line . . . containing 800 acres including a field known by Lawrences . . . being part of a survey granted Oct 6, 1772 to Henry Bouneau, willed unto my father John Gowen before his death. Signed: James Gowen. Wits: Julius Nichols, James Blassingame. Elizabeth Gowen, wife of James Gowen relinquished her dower on the 7th day of (?) 1813. Signed: Elizabeth Gowen. Proved up Sept 25, 1813. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk O, pg 25
1822 Nov 6 John Gowen and Winn B Gowen exrs to John Lucas 120 acres on S Pacolet River. John Gowen and Winn B Gowen of Greenville Dist, SC executors of John Gowen, decd convey to John Lucas of Spartanburg Dist . . . a tract of land in Spartanburg Dist on the N side of South Pacolate . . . at a corner made by Willey S Brown on the N side of the river, for James Gowen between the Jamison’s fields, and the long bottom, thence with said Gowen’s line near Brown’s line . . . with the line of John Gowen decd’s land to Thomas Grogan’s corner . . . containing 120 acres. Signed: John Gowen, W B Gowen. Wits: B Dunham, John Stokes. Proved up May 3, 1826. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk T, pg 246
1824 Jan 28 John Gowen to Jeremiah Cleveland a tract of land on both sides of the Middle Fork of Saluda River containing 2000 acres including 400 acres granted to John Gowen on Oct 15, 1784, except a small part conveyd to Jesse Mayfield, 553 acresgranted to John Gowen on Feb 4, 1793, 820 acres granted to John Gawen on Jan 30, 1814, except about 20 acres more or less agreed to be sold to John Bates, also 150 acresgranted to John Burress on Jan 1, 1787, by him conveyed to John Gowen Sr, decd, then to John Gowen Jr. Also 200 acres granted to John Geffers who conveyed it to James Gowen and by him to Buckley Blassingame, and by him to John Gowen. Also 99 acresconveyed to John Gowen by Jesse Mayfield on April 10, 1815, also 148 acres on the S side of the same river part of a tract originally granted George Woolf by him to David Grogan, and by him to John Gowen on March 7, 1821. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: John Gowen Jr, John Hodges, B J Earle. Proved up on Feb 2, 1824. Catharine Gowen, wife of John Gowen, releases dower. Greenville Co, SC. Bk N, pg 209.
Information from the Gowen Manuscript – GRF Foundation:
James M. Gowen, [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, ?] son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty Winn Bearden Gowen, was born in 1763 in North Carolina, probably Granville County. He was probably a namesake of his kinsman James Gowen of Combahee Ferry. It is believed that he was married about 1786 probably in Greenville County, wife’s name unknown. He appeared as the head of a household in the 1786 state census of Greenville County. He did not reappear in the 1800 census of Greenville County.
“Majer Gowen,” father of James M. Gowen, was mentioned in a deed dated August 25, 1797 in which John Barnes of Greenville County South Carolina conveyed “50 acres adjacent Mager Gowens Corner” to John Swaffer for £30 sterling. Two decades later Mary Barnes, suggested as the widow of John Barnes by Cecille Gaziano, researcher of Minneapolis, deeded March 28, 1819 100 acres “on a branch of the middle fork of the Saluda River whereon Mary Barnes and Henry Deen now live” to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book D, pages 534-535. Witnesses to the deed were John Gowen and James Gowen. The deed was proved February 7, 1820 by the oath of John Gowen, Junr. that he saw Molly Barnes sign the deed.” The signatories are identified as James M. Gowen and John B. Gowen. Cecille Gaziano raises the possibility that Mary Barnes was a Gowen relative, citing that a Mary Gowen was married to Henry Barnes in Edgefield County, South Carolina May 1, 1796.
James M. Gowen was a purchaser of several items at the estate sale of his brother William Gowen held in Greenville County June 22, 1804 and September 2, 1804. “James Gowen” had an unpaid note, due November 25, 1802 to William Gowen.
James M. Gowen was mentioned in the will of his father written in 1809 as the recipient of “800 acres to begin at the ford of the river on the South Pacolet, now used between here and where he lives, and then a north course so to include the schoolhouse spring where Davis taught, and thence ’round to a line to be made for John Roddy; then to the beginning, as to include the Jamison fields.”
James M. Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1810 census of Spartanburg County:
Gowen, James white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 0-10″
James M. Gowen and his brother John B. Gowen witnessed a deed in Greenville County March 28, 1819 in which Mary Barnes conveyed 100 acres on the Saluda River to Thomas Payne, according to Greenville County Deed Book L, page 79. He did not reappear in the 1820 census of Spartanburg County. The only Gowen individual enumerated there in that year was “Charles Gowen, a single man 26-45, living alone.”
In 1833 James M. Gowen deeded land to William Love in Spartanburg County, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book 1, page 167. It is assumed that he removed from South Carolina about that time probably to Talledega or St. Clair County, Alabama to join his brother Winn Bearden Gowen.
He apparently continued in Alabama until he joined his son-in-law and daughter in a move to Texas about 1839 and lived with them in Cherokee County, Texas on their property located on the Neches River about 12 miles northwest of Rusk, Texas.
James M. Gowen, “age 83, born in North Carolina,” appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County. He was recorded on page 850, November 24, 1850 living in Household No. 306-306, believed to be that of his son-in-law James Hogan Dendy. The census enumeration rendered the name as “Dandy,” but a multitude of legal records in the Cherokee County courthouse show the name as “Dendy.” The name of John Hogan Dendy appears in “Dendy Family Register” written by Jennie McCormack Dendy, Leslie Mac Dendy and Roland Ray Dendy. In 1987 Leslie Mac Dendy lived in Hobbs, New Mexico and Roland Ray Dendy was principal of Benson Schools, Benson, Arizona.
The household appeared in 1850 as:
“Dandy, James H. 46, born in SC, farmer,
$2,000 real estate
Nancy 36, born in South Carolina
William T. 16, born in Alabama
James M. 12, born in Alabama
Gowen, James M. 83, born in North Carolina”
Two grants of land were patented to both James Gowen and James Hogan Dendy. The grants were adjoining, according to Brenda Dendy Davis. They were recorded as:
Surveyed for: Grantee: League Section Abstract No.
James McGowan J. McGowan 192 614
James McGowan J. McGowan 191 613
James H. Dendy J. Dendy 24 1091
James H. Dendy J. Dendy 23 219
It is believed that James M. Gowen died shortly after 1850 and was buried in Cherokee County.
The Texas State Railroad traversed the Gowen-Dendy land when it was constructed in 1893.
Texas State Railroad State Historical Park, 499 acres, is located in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, between the cities of Palestine and Rusk. The railroad was acquired by Legislative Act in 1971 and was restored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with help from the Texas Department of Corrections, and was opened to the public in 1976.
The State Prison System began construction of the Texas State Railroad in 1893. Inmates built the line to transport native iron ore and wood products to prison-operated iron smelting furnaces located in the East Texas State Penitentiary at Rusk. The furnace supplied the State of Texas with iron products, including the columns and dome structure for the Capitol building in Austin.
In 1906, prison crews extended the rail line to Maydelle, and in 1909 the Texas State Railroad reached its final destination of Palestine. The prisoners were paid 50 cents a day and worked from sunrise to sundown. The total cost to construct the original 32 miles of the Texas State Railroad was $573,724.
Prison crews made up the train crew, except for the engineer. When passenger service was extended to Palestine, a full-time staff of nine was employed. With the exception of the superintendent and engineer, staff members were paid $1.01 for each day they worked.
In 1913, the prison iron furnace was dismantled, and later the East Texas State Penitentiary converted into a state mental hospital. On May 1, 1921, all regular train service by the state was discontinued and the line was leased to the Texas & New Orleans [Southern Pacific Railroad Co.] The Texas Southeastern Railroad leased the line in the early 1960s and continued operation of the line until December 31, 1969.
The railroad was conveyed to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in February of 1972 for the creation of a state historical park. Reminiscent of its earliest days, state inmates were again brought in to work on the railroad. State offenders rebuilt the line; clearing brush, building bridges and replacing ties and rails. The Texas State Railroad State Historical Park was opened to the public on July 4, 1976, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. Today the Texas State Railroad is dedicated to the Education, Interpretation and Preservation of the Golden Age of Steam.
Its track crew maintains over 25 miles of track and 24 bridges. Passengers may board the historic trains at either Rusk or Palestine. Both ends of the line have turn-of-the-century style train stations. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours to reach the opposite station. The State Park’s 50-mile, round-trip steam engine excursions take 4 hours. The TSRR is known as one of the nation’s largest and most unique steam train operations. The TSRR is one of the only steam railroads in the United States that runs two steam trains simultaneously on days of operation. The East Bound and West Bound trains meet twice daily at the mid point of the run. This gives rail enthusiasts a rare chance to see two historic steam engines switch and pass. The track length is 25.5 miles; the longest trestle measures 1042 feet and crosses the Neches River. All 24 trestles are concrete.
Children born to James M. Gowen include:
[daughter] born before 1810
Nancy Gowen born in 1814
A daughter, believed to be the first child of James M. Gowen was born before 1810. She appeared as a “white female, 0-10” in the 1810 census of Spartanburg County.
Nancy Gowen, [James M.7. [John “Buck”6 William5, John4, ?] daughter of James M. Gowen was born in 1814, probably in Spartanburg County. About 1832 she was married to James Hogan Dendy. It is believed that they accompanied James M. Gowen in 1839 in a move to Texas.
On August 1, 1841 two surveys of land, each 320 acres, were made for James Hogan Dendy “on the Neches River, between the river and the Saline Road,” according to Cherokee County Survey Book A, pages 95-96. The land was granted to him by the Republic of Texas on Fourth Class Certificate No. 125 in the Nacogdoches Section. The survey covered land “including the present residence of said Dendy.”
On May 13, 1848 James Hogan Dendy purchased the 640-acre headright of John Williams, Sr. for $200, according to Cherokee County Deed Book B, pages 196-198. At the same time he sold to John Williams 110 acres of his original 640-acre headright located on One-Arm Creek. In the transaction he gave bond of $220 to John Williams to secure the title to him.
James Hogan Dendy received 320 acres, according to Cherokee County Deed Book A, page 390. The land was Survey No. 432, Second Class Certificate No. 335 issued by the board of Land Commissioners of Jasper County, Texas to James Ainsworth, part of the 640 acres located on the Neches River which was surveyed March 6, 1849.
On July 6, 1850 James Hogan Dendy sold 499 acres of his headright for $320 to Larkin M. Dendy, according to Cherokee County Deed Book D, pages 16-17. On June 24, 1850 James Hogan Dendy deeded to James Odom 320 acres on One-Arm Creek, located eight miles southwest of Rusk for $320, according to Cherokee County Deed Book H, page 134. This was part of the land that had been patented to him in 1841.
On February 16, 1852 for some unknown reason James Hogan Dendy deeded all of his possessions to Nancy Gowen Dendy, according to Cherokee County Deed Book F, page 239.
Included in the transfer were:
“Item 1: 320 acres in Nacogdoches District on Neches River adjoining his other 320 acres, Patent No. 456. [One hundred acres on the south end of this tract had already gone to Larkin M. Dendy.]
Item 2: 320 acres in Nacogdoches District on Neches River, Patent No. 455.
Item 3: 320 acres on the Neches River, 10 miles west of Rusk, Pre-emption Claim of Lucious B. Parrish, No. 404.
Item 4: 92 acres adjoining Item 3.
Item 5: 228 acres lying on the east bank of the Neches River.
Item 6: “My stock of horses–one sorrell mare, two bay mares, one bay colt, one sorrell horse, 32 hogs, 25 head of cattle, small wagon, clock, two guns, household and kitchen furniture, farming tools and implements.”
On March 15, 1852 James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy gave a mortgage to Wesley M. Dulaney on 320 acres of their property, borrowing $174 for 12 months, according to Cherokee County Deed Book F, page 326. On November 23, 1852 they deeded 400 acres on the Neches River to Evan S. Harris for $1,500, according to Cherokee County Deed Book H, page 306.
It is believed that Nancy Gowen Dendy died in 1852 because “J. H. Dendy was married to Mira Jane Baty September 23, 1853,” according to Cherokee County Marriage Book B, page 181. Brenda S. Dendy Davis stated that they lived on One-Arm Creek near Maydelle, Texas.
James Hogan Dendy sold land to Lucious B. Parrish July 23, 1853 and posted a $640 bond “to deliver a good title,” according to Cherokee County Deed Book I, page 162.
On March 3, 1854 James Hogan Dendy and “Mira Jane Baty Dendy” gave a mortgage to S. P. Donley for a $383 loan secured by land on the Neches River. They endorsed a note made by Lucious B. Parrish to S. P. Donley, the county clerk, according to Cherokee County Deed Book I, page 316.
In January 1855 James Hogan Dendy and Larkin M. Dendy gave a bond to Lucious B. Parrish for $640, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 490. On February 2, 1855 James Hogan Dendy gave a deed to Thomas W. Knight for 320 acres, his Patent No. 455, and received $500 in payment, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 318.
On February 9, 1855 James Hogan Dendy and Miley Jane Baty Dendy gave another bond to S. P. Donley for $374 on 160 acres of land located 12 miles northwest of Rusk which they had purchased from Thomas W. Knight January 8, 1855, according to Cherokee County Deed Book J, page 324.
On August 28, 1855 James Hogan Dendy sold 160 acres to Jackson Smith for $700, according to Cherokee County Deed Book L, page 635. On March 26, 1856 he gave a deed to L. B. Parrish to 320 acres on the Neches River lying 10 miles northwest of Rusk. Consideration was $320, according to Cherokee County Deed Book L, page 212.
James Hogan Dendy died in 1859, and “L. A. Dendy, administrator of the estate of James H. Dendy, deceased” was named in Cherokee County Deed Book P, page 348. The administrator sold 120 acres of the estate located 14 miles west of Rusk on the Neches River to L. M. Allen July 3, 1860, according to Cherokee County Deed Book P, page 348.
It is believed that children born to James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy include:
William T. Dendy born in 1834
James M. Dendy born in 1838
William T. Dendy, son of James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, was born in Alabama in 1834. He appeared as a 16-year-old in his father’s household in the 1850 census of Cherokee County. Of this individual nothing more is known.
James M. Dendy, son of James Hogan Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, was born in Alabama in 1838. He appeared as a 12-year-old in his father’s household in the 1850 census of Cherokee County.
Apparently James M. Dendy received his inheritance from his father’s estate about July 1859. He sold 320 acres on the Neches River, part of the Lucious B. Parrish Survey purchased by his father, for $100 to S. A. Dendy August 1, 1859, according to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 80. On the same day he sold 420 acres to James Sherman for $200, according to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 82.
Two days before his marriage he sold 120 acres, part of a 320-acre tract, Patent No. 455, to Cicero Broom September 2, 1859, according to Cherokee County Deed Book O, page 130.
He was married September 4, 1859 to Isabella R. Craig, according to Cherokee County Marriage Book D2, page 141. She was the daughter of Andrew Craig and Selena Craig, South Carolinians who had moved about 1848 to Cherokee County via Alabama. Their household appeared in the 1850 census of Cherokee County as:
“Craig, Andrew 33, born in SC, farmer,
$640 real estate
Selena 30, born in South Carolina
Margaret J. 11, born in Alabama
William A. 9, born in Alabama
Isabella R. 7, born in Alabama
John T. 5, born in Alabama
Luella 2, born in Texas
Craig, S. R. 23, born in SC, male, $360
real estate”
Of James M. Dendy and Isabella R. Craig Dendy nothing more is known.
James M. Gowen Was a Pioneer
In the Republic of Texas in 1839
James M. Gowen, son of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen and
Lettice “Letty Winn Bearden Gowen, was born in 1763 in
North Carolina, probably Granville County. He is regarded as
a namesake of his uncle Lt. James Gowen, Revolutionary
soldier of Combahee Ferry, South Carolina. He appeared as
the head of a household in the 1786 state census of Greenville
County, South Carolina. His name did not reappear in the
1800 census of Greenville County.
“Majer Gowen” was mentioned in a deed dated August 25,
1797 in which John Barnes of Greenville County conveyed
“50 acres adjacent Mager Gowens Corner” to John Swaffer for
oe30 sterling. Two decades later Mary Barnes, suggested as
the widow of John Barnes by Cecille Gaziano, researcher of
Minneapolis, deeded March 28, 1819 100 acres “on a branch
of the middle fork of the Saluda River whereon Mary Barnes
and Henry Deen now live” to Thomas Payne, according to
Greenville County Deed Book D, pages 534-535 and Deed
Book L, page 79.
Witnesses to the deed were “John Gowen and James Gowen.”
The deed was proved February 7, 1820 “by the oath of John
Gowen, Junr. that he saw Molly Barnes sign the deed.” The
signatories are identified as James M. Gowen and John B.
Gowen, sons of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen. Cecille Gaziano
raises the possibility that Mary Barnes was a Gowen relative,
citing that a Mary Gowen was married to Henry Barnes in
nearby Edgefield County, South Carolina May 1, 1796.
“James Gowen” had an unpaid note due November 25, 1802 to
William Gowen, his deceased brother, according to the
probate record of William Gowen. James M. Gowen was a
purchaser of several items at the estate sale of his brother,
William Gowen held in Greenville County June 22, 1804 and
September 2, 1804.
James M. Gowen was mentioned in the will of his father
written in 1809 as the recipient of “800 acres to begin at the
ford of the river on the South Pacolet, now used between here
and where he lives, and then a north course so to include the
schoolhouse spring where Davis taught, and thence ’round to a
line to be made for John Roddy; then to the beginning, as to
include the Jamison fields.”
James M. Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the
1810 census of adjoining Spartanburg County, South Carolina:
Gowen, James white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white female 0-10″
He did not reappear in the 1820 census of Spartanburg
County. The only Gowen individual enumerated there in that
year was “Charles Gowen, a single man 26-45, living alone.”
In 1833 James M. Gowen deeded land to William Lovelace in
Spartanburg County, according to Spartanburg County Deed
Book 1, page 167. It is assumed that he removed from South
Carolina about that time probably to Talledega or St. Clair
County, Alabama to join his brother Winn Bearden Gowen.
He apparently continued in Alabama until he joined his sonin-
law and daughter in a move to Texas about 1839 and lived
with them in Cherokee County, Texas on their property
located on the Neches River about 12 miles northwest of
Rusk, Texas.
James M. Gowen, “age 83, born in North Carolina,” appeared
in the 1850 census of Cherokee County. He was recorded on
page 850, November 24, 1850 living in Household No. 306-
306, headed by his son-in-law James Hogan Dendy.
The household appeared in 1850 as:
“Dandy, James H. 46, born in SC, farmer,
$2,000 real estate
Nancy 36, born in South Carolina
William T. 16, born in Alabama
James M. 12, born in Alabama
Gowen, James M. 83,born in North Carolina”
The census enumeration rendered the name as “Dandy,” but a
multitude of legal records in the Cherokee County courthouse
show the name as “Dendy.” The name of John Hogan Dendy
appears in “Dendy Family Register” written by Jennie McCormack
Dendy, Leslie Mac Dendy and Roland Ray Dendy.
It is believed that James M. Gowen died shortly after 1850 and
was buried in Cherokee County. His descendants, through
James H. Dendy and Nancy Gowen Dendy, are recorded in
“Dendy Family Register.”
Goyen Family Tree 