From GRF Newsletter June 2000:
Anna Gowen was a resident of the Pittsylvania County area in 1821.
Anna Gowen was a resident of the Pittsylvania County area in 1821. “Anna Goin,” believed to be a widow, gave parental consent for her son “William [X] Going” to marry Susannah Bruce April 12, 1821, according to “Pittsylvania County Marriages, 1706-1850.” Her request read:
“Mr. William Tunstill, Clerke of Pittsylvania, Sir: You will please to eshew [issue] out lisens of mariage for my Son William, and you will much oblige, Yours truly,
Witnesses: Anna [X] Goin”
Laban Farmer, William Abston” April the 11, 1821″
William Abston also signed as security with William Gowen when he applied for the marriage license.
The bride’s father, Thomas Bruce also addressed a note to the county clerk which suggested that she also was underage. The note read:
“Pittsylvania County, Virginia, April 10th 1821. Sir, Please to grant license of marriage between William Going and Susannah Bruce, my Daughter, and you will much oblige, Your humble servant,
Witnesses: Thomas [X] Bruce
Coleman Bruce, Matthew Barber”
Edith Thurman Bruce was the mother of Susannah Bruce, and Coleman Bruce was her brother. William Gowen and Susannah Bruce Gowen, according to the research of Olen Ross Gowens a descendant of Ladoga, Indiana, were the parents of:
William Henry Gowen born February 15, 1822
William Henry Gowen, son of William Gowen and Susannah Bruce Gowen, was born February 15, 1822 in Pittsylvania County, according to the research of Olen Ross Gowens. He was married March 26, 1846 to Martha Jane Owen, according to Pittsylvania County marriage records. She was born May 26, 1832 to Thomas Owen and Martha Citty Owen. Later they removed to Moniteau County, Missouri. They did not appear in the 1850 census there, but their son, two-year-old “Coleman Bruce Going” was enumerated in the household of James and Sally Owens, according to Olen Ross Gowens. Coleman Bruce, Thomas Bruce and James Bruce were also recorded in the 1850 census there.
William Henry Gowen died November 15, 1895 in Moniteau County and was buried there in the Baptist Cemetery at Tipton. Martha Jane Owen Gowen died at Florence, Missouri December 2, 1916 and was buried there in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Children born to William Henry Gowen and Martha Jane Owen Gowen include:
Coleman Bruce Gowen born January 26, 1847
Mary Gowen born July 26, 1848
James Thomas Gowen born February 9, 1850
Susan Ann Gowen born January 18, 1854
William Henry Gowen born March 31, 1855
Abigale Florence Gowen born February 5, 1857
Terry E. Gowen born July 14, 1859
Ellen Arabel Gowen born February 2, 1862
Louella Thomas Gowen born September 2, 1864
Vera Lee Gowen born July 14, 1867
Martha Jane Gowen born October 10, 1869
Leif Richard Gowen born October 12, 1870
Joseph Shelby Gowen born March 12, 1872
Goyen Family Tree 