John B. Gowen was married about 1805 to Mary Benson, daughter of Prue Benson, in Greenville County. “John Gowen, Jr,” regarded as John B. Gowen witnessed a deed of his father in 1807 when he deeded land to Pleasant Easley.
Parents:
- John Gowen b. abt. 1732 – 1736 – d. ? , m. Lettice Winn Bearden in 1759
Children:
- John B. H. Gowen born July 16, 1812
- Lettie Gowen born about 1819
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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1807 Oct 20 John Gowen Sr of Spartanburg Dist conveys to Jesse Mayfield of Greenville Dist, conveys land whereon he now lives, on the corner of a tract granted to the said John Gowen Sr Feb 4, 1793, conveying 95 acres part of a tract granted to the sd John Gowen in 1784 in Greenville County, SC. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: D. Talley, John Gowen Jr. Proved up Oct 20, 1807. Recorded March 8, 1809. Greenville Dist, SC. Bk H, pg 223.
1807 Dec 18 John Gowen of Spartanburg Dist conveys to Pleasant Easley of Greenville Dist a tract of land in Greenville Dist and Spartanburg Dist on both sides of the S Fork of Pacolett River, adjacent of Easley’s land, along the Mill Dam, on John Bates’ line, containing 150 acres part of two tracts of land granted to John Gowen the greater part dated Jan 21, 1785 whereon said Easley now lives and has a gristmill, also one other parcel or tract joining the above adjacent Moses White’s line, and Willey S Brown’s line, to John Whitten’s line, to Robert Goodgion’s line, to John Bates’ line, containing est 100 acres,being part of a tract granted to William Clayton. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: John Gowen Jr, William Cannon. Proved up on July 16, 1808. Recorded Aug 1, 1808. Greenville County, SC. Bk H, pg 131.
1808 Feb 22 John Gowen of Spartanburg Dist conveys to John Townsend of Greenville Dist land in the Greenville Dist on both sides of the N Fork of Mill Creek, on the E side of a trace of 50 acres of John Kirkland, along his line. Land conveyed is 199 acres part of a tract granted on April 5, 1790 to William Jamison for 246 acres. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: John Gowen Jr, John Melton. Greenville County, SC. Bk H, pg 80.
1808 April 19 John Gowen to Richard Vennable 582 acres on S Pacolet R. John Gowen of Spartanburg District to Richard Vennable of Spartanburg Dist, SC a parcel of land containing 582 acres on S Pacolet River bounding on Robert Hawkins land, on land granted to John McGuin, on Robert Black’s land by S Pacolate River, and by James McClure’s land, being part of a tract of land originally granted to John Gowen on June 6, 1800. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: Gal Benson, John Gowen Jr. Proved up Oct 3, 1808. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk L, pg 335.
1808 Oct 1 John Gowen Sr of Spartanburg Dist to John Gowen Jr of Spartanburg Dist land in Greenville Dist SC on the Middle Fork of Saluda River, containing by estimation 24 acres being part of a tract of land containing 400 acres granted by patent on Oct 15, 1784 to John Gowen Sr. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: W B Gowen, John Lucas. Proved up on Feb 6, 1809 by Winn B. Gowen. Recorded Feb 9, 1809. Greenville Co, SC. Bk H, pg 210, 211
1809 Jan 26 John Gowen Sr of Spartanburg Dist to John Gowen Jr of Greenville Dist give and grant a tract of land in Greenville Dist on the N side of the Middle Fork of Saluda River, adjacent Jesse Mayfield’s corner, on the bank of said River being the land sold by said John Gowen Sr to Jesse Mayfield, including 150 acres originally granted John Burriss Jan 1 1787, also that part of a tract of land originally granted to John Gowen for 400 acres on the N side of the Middle Fork of Saluda River Oct 15, 1784, also that tract of land originally granted to John Gowen Feb 4, 1793 for 553 acres . . . in the whole 853 acres . . . Signed: John Gowen. Wits: Gabl Benson, W B Gowen. Proved up Feb 6 1809. Recorded Feb 9 1809. Greenville Co, SC Bk H, pg 211.
1809 March 6 Thomas Roddy of Greenville Dist to John Gowen of Spartanburg, 1 grey horse, one sorrel filly, two cows calves, four hogs, together with all my household furniture. If Thomas Roddy do pay unto the above John Gowen in twelve months from the date herof, 200 bushels of good sound corn, and seven bushels and one half acre for the plantation he lives on. Peach orchard excepted. Thomas Roddy is to return a mill belonging to John Gowen which he is to have in his possession 12 monts in as good order as she now is, excepting the natural use. Sd Gowen is to pay for turning the tunnel head then the above bill sale to be void otherwise to remain in force virtu. Signed: Thomas Roddy. Wits: John Gowen Jr, A Mills. Proved up March 23, 1809. Recorded April 6, 1809. Greenville Co, SC Bk H, pg 250.
1810 US Census in Greenville Co, SC with John Gowen, 1 white male 16 to 25 yrs, 1 white male 10 to 15, 1 white female 16 to 25, 1 white female 10 to 15.
1813 May 22 John Gowen, WB etal to Henry Grogan 100 acres on Beaverdam Cr. John Gowen, James Blasingame, Street Thurston, and Winn B. Gowen all of Greenville Dist, SC executors of the last will and testament of John Gowen decd by Henry Grogan of Spartanburg Dist, convey a tract of land in Spartanburg Dist to Henry Grogan on both sides of Beaver Dam Creek, a branch of South Pacolatte River on the N bank of the River at John Grogan’s corner . . . on Bartholomew Grogan’s line, to Dounda’s corner . . . containing est 100 acres . . . part of a tract of 450 acres granted to Peter Vidion and certified on Oct 6, 1772 whereon the said Henry now lives. Signed: John Gowen, James Blasingame, Street Thurston, W B Gowen. Wits: Willey Brown, John Lucas. Proved up Nov 20, 1813. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk O, pg 47
1816 Dec 4 Winn B Gowen of Greenville Dist, SC to Joseph Barton and William Barton each of Greenville Dist, SC, a tract of land containing 15 acres in Greenville Dist, SC on both sides of the Sink Hole Fork of Tiger River, along the corner of land granted to Edmond Bearden and conveyed by Bearden to John Gowen, and from Gowen bequethed to his son Winn B Gowen. Signed: Winn B. Gowen. Wits: John Goodlett, John Gowen. Proved up Dec 7, 1816. Recorded Oct 1, 1817. Greenville County, SC. Bk K, pg 88.
1814 May 24 John Gowen, WB etal to Bartholomew Grogan 100 acres on S Pacolet River. John Gowen, James Blasingame, Steet Thurston, and Winn B Gowen to Bartholomew Grogan of Spartanburg Dist . . . a tract of land in Spartanburg Dist, on the S side of South Pacolate River known by James Bradens plantation . . . Rui Ross’ corner . . . along John Lucas’ land . . . containing 100 acres formerly belonged to John Gowen decd, now with John Gowen, James Blasingame, Street Thurston, and Winn B Gowen. Signed: John Gowen, W B Gowen, Street Thurston, James Blasingame. Wits: Henry Wolf, Henry Grogan. Proved up Feb 16, 1815. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk O, pg 219
1818 March 31 The executors of John Gowen, decd viz John Gowen Jr, Winn B. Gowen, Street Thruston, and James Blassingame sell to Rice F Ross of Greenville Co, SC, a tract of land in Greenville Dist on the S side of South Packolate River, below the waggon ford of the Togaloo road on the S side of S Pockolate River, on Bates’ old line, along the old corner made for Pleasant Early, containing by estimate 132 acres the principal part of said tract known by the name of Moses Span’s old plantation. Originally granted to James B(sp?), and from him to said Span, and from him to John Gowen Sr. Signed: John Gowen, Street Thruston, W B Gowen, James Blassingame. Wits: Asa McCrowder, Minor W Brown. Proved up on Jan 26, 1819. Recorded Jan 26, 1819. Greenville Co, SC. Bk K, pg 338.
1818 March 31 John Gowen, WB etal to Thomas Grogan 100 acres on S Pacolet River. John Gowen, Winn B Gowen, Street Thurston, and James Blassingame (all of Greenville Dist) appointed by the last will and testament of John Gowen, decd,convey to Thomas Grogan of Spartanburg Dist . . . convey land in Spartanburg Dist on the N side of South Pacolate River, on the North side thereof . . . to Brown’s corner . . . to a branch known as Pennington’s Mill House (or Still House) . . . est 100 acres including the house where the said Thomas now lives . . . part of a tract originally granted Henry Bruneau for 1000 acres . . . part of the estate of said John Gowen decd. Signed: John Gowen, W B Gowen, Street Thurston, James Blasingame. Wits: Asa Crowder, Minor Brown. Proved up Sept 12, 1818. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk Q, pg 118
1821 Jan 18 Henry Wolf to John Gowen a tract of land in Greenville Dist on the N side of the Middle Fork of Saluda River. Plantation whereon Henry Woolf now lives, part of a tract of land granted to George Woolf decd, by patent bearing date of Oct 15, 1784, including land laying on the N side of said River, also 58 acres of land granted to John Reaves by patent May 7, 1787 by said Reaves conveyed to George Woolf decd, also all that part of a tract of land laying on the N side of said River granted to said George Woolf on Feb 6, 1786, excepting 10 acres sold to Wm Magunkin. Also all the ballance of a tract of land granted to George Wolf decd on March 24, 1795, containing 380 acres, including all the land and premises willed to Henry Wolf by George Wolf decd. Signed: Henry Wolf. Wits: David Blythe, Richar Goodlett. Greenville Co, SC Bk M, pg 233.
1821 Dec 1 John Gowen and Winn B Gowen exrs to John Lucas 1357 acres on S Pacolet River. John Gowen and Winn B Gowen two executors of the estate of our father John Gowen decd, late of Spartanburg Dist., both of Greenville Dist, convey to John Lucas a tract of land mostly in Spartanburg Dist, small part in Greenville Dist, on both sides of S Pacolate River . . . Bartholomew Grogan’s corner . . . near the District road . . . William Archer’s corner . .. W S Brown’s corner . . . containing and estimated 1357 acres being part of our father’s land including the dwelling where John Lucas now lives. Signed: John Gowen, W B Gowen. Wits: John Gowen Jr, Ambrose Williams Sr. Proved up Dec 20, 1823. Spartanburg Co SC, Bk T, pg 246
1822 Oct 30 John Gowen to John Bates a tract of land in Greenville Dist, on the N side of the Middle Fork of Saluda River the plantation where Lewis Landers now lives, being part of a tract of land granted to George Wolf Oct 15, 1784 on the N side of said River, also 58 acres granted to John Reaves on May 7, 1787, Reaves conveyed to George Wolf decd. Also part of a tract of land on the N side of said River granted to George Wolf, Feb 6, 1786, excepting 10 acres sold to Wm McJunkin. Also the ballance of a tract or parcel of land granted to George Wolf decd on March 24, 1795 containing 380 acres including premises willed to said Henry Wolf by George Wolf decd. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: James Goodlett, Joseph Christopher. Proved up Jan 24, 1823. Dower released by Catharine Gowen, wife of within John Gowen on Jan 18, 1823. Signed: Caty Gowen. Recorded May 23, 1823. Greenville Co, SC. Bk N, pg 65.
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 April 5, John Gowen and Winn B Gowen, John Gowen Sr decd’s heirs to Francis Adams a tract of land in Greenville Dist on the waters of the Middle Tyger River, on corner of Nancy Easley’s place, containing 65 acres and a half being part of a tract of 362 acres originally granted to Anna Easley. Signed: John Gowen, W B Gowen, Street Thurston. Wits: Julius McCreary, James Adams. Proved up on May 21, 1824. Recorded May 3, 1824. Greenville County, SC. Bk N, pg 263.
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.
1824 Oct 30 John Gowen to John Bates a parcel of land on the branches of the Middle Fork of Saluda River, the same being granted to Joseph Johnson, 142 acres, (20 acresexcepted which were sold out of said grant by Joseph Johnson to Jly Waldrip, and made up to said J Bates by adding 20 acres to his lower line . . . between Bates and Jeremiah Cleveland . . . of Joseph Macjunkin and Thomas Harkins, Johnston’s line . . . so as containg 20 acres also one acre of land on the North of the Middle Fork of Saluda River between Thos Wolf, tract and said River. Signed: John Gowen. Wits: Joseph McJunkin, Thomas Harkins. Proved up Nov 2, 1824. Recorded Nov 2, 1824. Greenville County, SC. Bk O, pg 44.
1825 Feb 19 John Gowen of Greenville Dist to Francis Adams of Greenville Dist, a tract of land on both sides of Middle Tyger River, along a corner of Ann Easley, along a survey for Bearding, owned by Jonathan Stokes, Beardens old line, containing 300 acresoriginally conveyed by John Gowen Jr’s grandfather John Gowen, decd, and by him willed unto John Gowen. Signed: John Gowen, Jr. Wits: Rill Cleveland, J A Cleveland, Jr. Proved up Dec 8, 1825. Recorded Dec 8, 1825. Greenville Co, SC. Bk P, pg 20.
1825 Feb 24 John Gowen and Winn B. Gowen of Greenville Dist, paid by Capt John Lucas, convey unto Capt John Lucat a tract of land in the Dist of Greenville, on Motlows Cr, Spanns, McCrary, containing by estimation 250 acres, being the lower end of a tract of eight hundred thirty seven acres originally graned to Robert Goodgion, by patent bearing date May 1st, 1793, and by him conveyed to our father John Gowen by conveyande June 10, 1790. By him conveyed to our father John Gowen by conveyance bearing date June 10, 1790. Signed: John Gowen and W B Gowen.. Wt: Thomas Stanford, John Page, Jr. Greenville Co, SC. Bk O, pg 190.
Information from the Gowen Manuscript – GRF Foundation:
John B. Gowen, son of John “Buck” Gowen and Lettice “Letty” Winn Bearden Gowen, was born about 1769, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. John B. Gowen, his brother-in-law William Benson and Andrew Thompson posted bond for John “Buck” Gowen when he was elected sheriff of Spartanburg County, according to Spartanburg County Deed Book 2, page 472.
He was married about 1805 to Mary Benson, daughter of Prue Benson, in Greenville County. “John Gowen, Jr,” regarded as John B. Gowen witnessed a deed of his father in 1807 when he deeded land to Pleasant Easley.
South Carolina Warrant of Appraisement Order was issued to John B. Gowen, Winn Bearden Gowen, James P. Blassingame and Street Thurston, executors “to appraise the estate of John Gowen, deceased, January 8, 1810 in the thirty-fifth year of American Independence.”
John B. Gowen was qualified as one of the executors of his father’s will although he was not mentioned in the will. On January 21, 1813 John B. Gowen was summoned to meet with the other executors to culminate the estate.
John B. Gowen was elected as a Greenville County representative to the South Carolina Assembly, along with Bayliss John Earle, Bannister Stone and Joseph Ayres, according to “Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives” by Walter B. Edgar. They served during the 1818-19 term.
John B. Gowen and his brother James M. 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. “John Gowen, junior” came into Greenville County Court February 7, 1820 to prove the deed of Mary Barnes. 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.”
John B. Gowen was mentioned as an executor of the estate of his father-in-law, Prue Benson who wrote his will October 19, 1819. An excerpt from the will, recorded in Greenville County October 1, 1821, read:
“I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Gowen, four negroes, also half of a mill built between P. I. Gowen and myself. To son, William B. Benson, five negroes; daughter, Jane, five negroes. Plantation tract of land is to be sold at public sale on a credit of twelve months and the money arising from the sale therein between John Gowen, William B. Benson and Jean Benson. I do hereby appoint John B. Gowen and William B. Benson my lawful executors.”
Thomas Benson, Evalina Benson and Henry Hall were witnesses to the will. John B. Gowen was a purchaser at the estate sale of Prue Benson December 1, 1821.
Of John B. Gowen no other documentation has been found. It is believed that children born to John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen include:
John B. H. Gowen born July 16, 1812
Lettie Gowen born about 1819
John B. H. Gowen, regarded as a son of John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen and grandson of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen of Spartanburg County was born there July 16, 1812, according to his tombstone.
On February 10, 1841, at age 29, he was married to Fannie Williamson Ellis at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, according to Christian County, Kentucky marriage records. She was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia July 23, 1822 the second child [of eight children] of Nicholas Mason Ellis and Mary “Polly” Gunn Ellis. Nicholas Mason Ellis removed from Pittsylvania County to Christian County in 1831 [one report says 1829] and died there in 1848. He was a son of Ira Ellis who wrote his will August 5, 1838, according to Christian County Will Book L, page 81. The will was probated February 1, 1841.
Mary “Polly” Gunn Ellis who was born in 1800 in North Carolina continued to live in Christian County in 1874. Their children were “Allen W. Ellis, Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, Mary Emily Ellis Rice of Kansas City, Elvira Ann Ellis McCarroll [born March 6, 1826-May 29, 1893], Mrs. G. V. Thompson, Ira A. Ellis, Minervia J. Ellis Crafton and James O. Ellis who was born January 22, 1832.”
He is recognized in “Christian County History” by William Henry Perrin of Louisville for reorganizing the Methodist Sunday school in 1844 in Hopkinsville. The Sunday school had been originally organized in Hopkinsville about 1825, but had died out. “Mr. Gowen was perhaps at that time the most prominent, zealous and active layman in the county,” according to Perrin.
In the 1850 census of Christian County, District 2, he was enumerated as the head of Household No. 992-992:
“Gowen, John B. 38, born in SC, merchant,
$1,300 real estate
Fanny W. 37, born in Virginia
Emma Elizabeth 9, born in Kentucky
Mary L. 7, born in Kentucky”
In May 1851 he was named a grand juror in Christian County. A Republican, he was elected sheriff of the county and served from 1857 through 1860.
On January 5, 1857 came into Christian County Court, took the oath of office and posted bond. He appointed his brother-in-law Joseph McCarroll as one of his three deputies. The sheriff of the county also served as county tax collector at that time. Preston Gibson, William E. Price, Edward M. Buckner and James Ducker, his sureties, joined the sheriff in the bond.
Joseph McCarroll who was married to Elvira Ann Ellis, sister to Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, served as Christian County Sheriff in 1864, 1865 and 1866. Another brother-in-law, Democrat James O. Ellis who served as John G. Gowen’s deputy was elected sheriff in 1868 and county judge in 1870 for a four-year tenure.
He was marshall of the Christian County Fair in 1858 which had been organized in 1856 under a charter granted by the Kentucky State Legislature. “Family Histories, Christian County, Kentucky, 1797-1986” recognizes him as one of the early merchants of Hopkinsville and “one of the most popular men who ever lived in Hopkinsville.”
He was enumerated as the head of Household 286-286 in the 1860 census of Christian County:
“Gowan, John B. 48, sheriff, born in SC
Fanny 38, born in VA
Emma 18, born in KY
Lou 16, born in KY
James 3, born in KY”
Although he was 49 years old when the Civil War broke out, he joined the militia and was elected a captain in the home guard. His forces were active in the defense of Hopkinsville against the raids of Confederate Cavalry Gen. Adam Johnson. A letter from him to Maj-Gen. Burbridge is reproduced in “The War of the Rebellion” series:
“Hopkinsville, Kentucky, August 27, 1864
To: Major General Burbridge:
Your order to the 52nd Kentucky to go to Lexington is received. Adam Johnson’s force is scattered, but there are still hundreds of them all around us. We beg you to reconsider your order and allow them [the 52nd Kentucky] to remain. The citizens have aided in repelling the rebels and will now be left to their mercy.
S. M. Starling, John P. Potter, John B. Gowen”
Of John B. H. Gowen Perrin wrote in 1884, “During the war he withdrew from the church and has not since rejoined it.”
John B. H. Gowen was mentioned in the legal records of Christian County in 1868 and 1870. When the City of Hopkinsville was chartered March 5, 1870, the city limits line “passed through the lands of John B. Gowan,” on the south side of the town, according to the city charter.
John B. H. Gowen was postmaster of Hopkinsville in his later years, according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis” by Thomas Ellis of Miami, Florida.
His household, No. 127-131, was enumerated in the 1880 census of Christian County, Enumeration District 10, page 15 as:
“Gowan, J. B. 67, born in SC, father born in
SC,mother born in SC,
Fanny W. 57, born in VA, wife
Coleman, Emma 39, born in KY, daughter
Fanny 16, born in KY, granddaughter
Robert 10, born in MO, grandson
Emma M. 6, born in MO, granddaughter
Milton 8/12, born in KY, grandson
Foster, Alice 17, born in KY, [boarder?]
Harry 11/12, born in KY, [boarder?]
Gowen, J. E. 22, born in KY, father born in
SC, mother born in VA, son”
In 1882 John B. H. Gowen was elected a county commissioner. Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen died December 10, 1886 and was buried in Section P of Riverside Cemetery i Hopkinsville. He died one month later, January 8, 1887 and was buried beside his wife. In 1889 their son-in-law Walter Evans was appointed administrator of the estate of Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, according to Christian County Court Order Book X, page 377, however no Ellis assets “came into his hand” and the court accepted his resignation from the administration October 24, 1889.
No members of the Gowen family were shown in residence in Hopkinsville in 1971.
Children born to John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen include:
Emma Elizabeth Gowen born November 11, 1841
Mary Louise Gowen born October 4, 1843
William B. Gowen born January 11, 1856
James Ellis Gowen born August 20, 1857
Emma Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born in Kentucky in 1841. She was shown at age nine in the 1850 census of her father’s household. She appeared at age 18 in the 1860 enumeration. She was married at her father’s home July 27, 1863 to Lt. Milton Jones Coleman, U.S. Army by Dennis Spurier, minister, according to “Marriage Records, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky” by Cordelia C. Gary. Witnesses were William E. Price and C. L. White. Between 1870 and 1874 they lived in Missouri. Lt. Milton Jones Coleman died about 1879, and in 1880 she, a widow and her children were living in the household of her father. She died October 11, 1897, “her husband having preceded her many years,” according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis.”
Children born to them include:
Fannie Gowen Coleman born May 9, 1864
Robert Milton Coleman born August 21, 1870
Emma Mamie Coleman born August 7, 1874
Annie Coleman born December 1, 1877
Milton Jones Coleman, Jr. born October 6, 1879
Fannie Gowen Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born May 9, 1864 in Kentucky. She appeared in the 1880 census of Hopkinsville as a 16-year-old, living in the home of her grandfather.
She was married December 19, 1882 in Hopkinsville to Rev. William Ernest Foulks, a Methodist preacher. He was born there January 7, 1860. They remained in Hopkinsville until 1895. In 1897 they were located in Albuquerque, New Mexico; in Alpine, Texas in 1903, and in Deming, New Mexico in 1908.
“He proclaimed the gospel for a good many years throughout Texas and New Mexico,” according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis.” “He still survives [1930], but is retired from the active ministry. Mrs. Foulks died May 27, 1929.”
“Fannie Coleman Foulks was an outstanding woman in every way. As a mother and head of the household the career of her children shows she had few equals; as a leader in her church, she was an exemplar to be followed; she was a faithful and exceptional wife and as an intellectual force she soared above the common herd as the eagle above the ground sparrow. This writer [Thomas Ellis] had the pleasure of attending the commencement exercises of South Kentucky College when little Fannie Coleman graduated at an early age and read the principal essay on that occasion. How the happy audience did applaud! How the bouquets and flowers flew to the stage! How delighted was she and how proud were we all at the intellectuality of this modest and pretty little girl–destined to accomplishe great good in the world.”
In 1930 Rev. William Ernest Foulks lived in El Paso, Texas “in the care of his two daughters who are both fine business women and are doing well in responsible and remunerative positions.”
Children born to Rev. William Ernest Foulks and Fannie Gowen Coleman Foulks include:
Walter Evans Foulks born October 25, 1883
Mary Browder Foulks born September 3, 1885
Robert Lewis Foulks born October 15, 1887
Edward Logsdon Foulks born December 14, 1889
Marshall Pierce Foulks born January 11, 1895
Clayton R. Foulks born December 18, 1897
Ernest Ezra Foulks born August 22, 1903
Fannie Louise Foulks born October 15, 1908
Robert Milton Coleman, son of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born August 21, 1870 in Missouri. He was enumerated as a 10-year-old in the 1870 census of his grandfather’s household. He removed to Bowling Green, Kentucky about 1890 and was married there to Lois Wooten October 10, 1898.
Children born to them include:
Robert Milton Coleman II born September 28, 1899
Catherine Ann Coleman born July 22, 1903
Robert Milton Coleman II, son of Robert Milton Coleman and Lois Wooten Coleman, was born September 28, 1899 at Bowling Green. He was married October 26, 1925 to Mary Marshall McMeekin of Lexington, Kentucky. She was born April 24, 1903.
Thomas Ellis wrote, “Robert Milton Coleman II is a promising young lawyer, associated with Rodes & Harlin, leading members of the Bowling Green bar. He was graduated from the College of Law of the University of Kentucky in June 1924.”
Children born to them include:
Robert Milton Coleman III born September 17, 1926
Mary Hart Coleman born November 26, 1929
Catherine Ann Coleman, daughter of Robert Milton Coleman and Lois Wooten Coleman, was born July 23, 1903 in Bowling Green. She was married about 1921 to William Gray of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In 1930 he was an auditor with the Public Service Company of St. Louis.
Emma Mamie Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born August 7, 1874 in Missouri. She appeared at age six in her grandfather’s household in the 1880 enumeration. She was married about 1893 to Roy C. Ragsdale in Hopkinsville. They removed from Hopkinsville shortly afterward.
Children born to them include:
Elizabeth Ragsdale born June 25, 1894
Mildred Ragsdale born about 1895
Edward T. Ragsdale born May 15, 1897
Elizabeth Ragsdale, daughter of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born June 25, 1894 in Hopkinsville. She was married June 23, 1912 to John S. Barnhill.
Mildred Ragsdale, daughter of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born about 1895. She died November 25, 1918.
Edward T. Ragsdale, son of Roy C. Ragsdale and Emma Mamie Coleman Ragsdale, was born May 15, 1897. He was married October 30, 1920 to Sarah Gertrude Judd of Buffalo, New York. In 1930 they lived in Columbus, Indiana.
Children born to them include:
Helen Florence Ragsdale born December 4, 1923
Annie Coleman, daughter of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born December 1, 1877. She died September 1, 1879.
Milton Jones Coleman, Jr, son of Lt. Milton Jones Coleman and Emma Elizabeth Gowen Coleman, was born October 6, 1879 in Kentucky. He was enumerated at age eight months living in his grandfather’s household in the 1880 census of Hopkinsville. He was married June 12, 1912 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Mrs. May Hays. In 1930 they lived in Columbus, Indiana where he operated a business. No children were born to them.
Mary Louise Gowen, daughter of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born October 4, 1843, according to “Ancestors and Descendants of Nicholas Mason Ellis”. She appeared as a seven-year-old in the 1850 census of her father’s household. “Lou Gowen” reappeared at age 16 in the 1860 enumeration.
She was married June 9, 1868 to Walter Evans “at J. P. Gowen’s home by J. C. Petree, minister,” according to “Marriage Records, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky.” Witnesses were H. R. Littell and J. P. Ritter.
Walter Evans was born in Barren County, Kentucky September 18, 1842. During the Civil War he served in the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry Regiment and rose to the rank of colonel. In 1871 he was elected as a state representative and in 1873 to the Kentucky State Senate from Christian County on the Republican ticket.
In 1895 he was elected to Congress and served in that capacity until 1899 when he was appointed a district judge. At the turn of the century, they maintained their residence at 306 West Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky.
Mary Louise Gowen Evans died in 1905, according to her tombstone inscription. Walter Evans was remarried August 25, 1915 to Sarah Louise Wood who was born June 2, 1872 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The groom was 73, and the bride was 43. He died December 30, 1923 after having served as United States District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky for about 25 years. Children born to Walter Evans and his wives are unknown.
William B. Gowen, son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born in Hopkinsville January 11, 1856. He died October 17, 1857 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery at Hopkinsville.
James Ellis Gowen, son of John B. H. Gowen and Fannie Williamson Ellis Gowen, was born August 20, 1857 in Hopkinsville. He was enumerated at age three in the 1860 census of his father’s household. In the 1880 census he was shown as a 22-year-old living in the household of his father. “J. R. Gowen” was later shown as a justice of the peace in Christian County, according to “Marriage Records, 1851-90, Christian County, Kentucky.”
In 1930, Thomas Ellis wrote of him, “He was never married, but has been a valued employee of a large manufacturing establishment at Columbus, Indiana for many years.”
Lettie Gowen, daughter of John B. Gowen and Mary Benson Gowen, was born about 1819 in Greenville County. She was married in 1838 in Giles County, Tennessee to William Thomas McCraw, according to “Giles County, Tennessee Lineage Book.” He was born in 1812 in Bedford County, Tennessee and died there in 1889, according to Betty Pond, a descendant of Westland, Michigan. Mrs. Pond shows the name as McGrew rather than McCraw.
Goyen Family Tree 