KENTUCKIAN JAMES BLAIR GOWEN
PIONEERED IN TEXAS
By Rosa Evelyn Ray Cordell
Editorial Board Member
801 West College Avenue, Coleman, Texas, 78634
James Blair Gowens, son of Charles Gowens, a Revolutionary
soldier of Virginia and Elizabeth “Betsy” Blair Gowens of
Maryland, was born June 9, 1810 in Harrison County, Kentucky.
He was married September 14, 1835 to Mary An Livinia
Jackson in Gallatin County, Kentucky. She was born
there December 11, 1816 to George Jackson and Susannah
Ray Jackson who were married there November 11, 1814.
They continued in Kentucky in 1842. It is believed that Mary
An Livinia Jackson Gowens died about 1843, probably in
childbirth with their sixth child. When his father wrote his
will June 18, 1847 in Gallatin County, he mentioned that he
and his wife “have been living for a considerable time past
with our son, James Goens” and specified that his 107-acre
farm where they then lived would go to James Blair Gowens.
James Blair Gowens was then married to 16-year-old Sarah
Luvisa Jackson January 13, 1844. She, a younger sister of
Mary An Livinia Jackson Gowens, was born March 8, 1827 in
Gallatin County.
James Blair Gowens was enumerated as the head of Household
331-331 August 14, 1850 in Gallatin County located
between his father and his father-in-law.
About 1852, they moved to Mills County, Iowa, near Council
Bluffs, probably to join his brother, George Washington
Gowens who had apparently moved to Iowa about 1824.
In the 1856 state census of Mills County the household of
James Blair Gowens which had “been in Iowa for four years”
was recorded as Dwelling 52:
“Goins, James 39, farmer, born in Kentucky
Lovisa 28, born in Kentucky
Elizabeth E. 16, born in Kentucky
Lovina 14, born in Kentucky
George James 13, born in Kentucky
Julia Ann 8, born in Kentucky
Serena 3, born in Iowa
James Samuel 14, born in Kentucky”
The household of James Blair Gowens were enumerated June
19, 1860 in Mills County, Oak township, Household 236-187:
“Goings, James 50, born in Kentucky
Louisa 33, born in Kentucky
Lavina 18, born in Kentucky
George J. 16, born in Kentucky
Julian 14, born in Kentucky
Serine 7, born in Iowa
Washington 4/12, born in Iowa”
James Blair Gowens arrived in Texas in 1876, at age 66, and
began immediately to “grub out” the mesquite on 160 acres for
cultivation. He farmed until 1896 and then “took in a partner”
at age 86. His vitality and longevity were attributed to a
“good set of genes.” His father lived to be 106 and his mother
110. Photo courtesy of the author, a great-granddaughter.
They reappeared there in the next census taken July 14, 1870
as Household 125-124:
“Gowens James 59, born in Kentucky
Saura 39, born in Kentucky
Julia 22, born in Kentucky
Serena 17, born in Iowa
Washington 10, born in Iowa
Adjoining, as Household 124-123, was the family of Daniel
Turner, son-in-law of James Blair Gowens:
“Turner Daniel 34, born in England
Susan 33, born in Kentucky
Emma 9, born in Iowa
Saura 1, born in Iowa”
Three Turner brothers were married to daughters of James
Blair Gowens, according to Walter Earl Turner, Foundation
member of Orem, Utah.
In 1876 James Blair Gowens and Sarah Luvisa Jackson
Gowens removed to Coleman County, Texas, according to
“Roots in Young County, Texas.” He received a land patent
from the State of Texas November 14, 1883, a week after his
son, General Washington Gowens received a patent. The
land, 160 acres, adjoined that of his son on Hord’s Creek “10
miles northwest of Coleman City.” James Blair Gowens sold
his patent to F. M. May April 16, 1891 for $800, according to
Coleman County Deed Book 65, page 41. Sarah Luvisa
Jackson Gowens died May 31, 1892 and was buried at White
Chapel Cemetery, according to Coleman County Cemetery
Book 2, page 61.
James Blair Gowens received a judgement November 28,
1893 in litigation with Mrs. Virginia A. Huff, according to
Coleman County Deed Book 35, page 111. He received his
patent back from F. M. May September 18, 1895 in exchange
for May’s promissory notes, according to Coleman County
Deed Book 35, page 229. The land was valued at $7.04 per
acre at that time.
On January 17, 1896 James Blair Gowens gave a deed to onehalf
interest in his patent to his son, General Washington
Gowens for $300, according to Coleman County Deed Book
34, page 624. James Blair Gowens received a redemption certificate
from the State Comptroller July 29, 1896 showing receipt
of delinquent taxes for 1895, according to Coleman
County Deed Book 40, page 33.
James Blair Gowens died October 5, 1898 in Old Silver Valley
community, according to Coleman County Cemetery Book
2, page 61 and was buried beside his wife in White Chapel
Cemetery.
Children born to James Blair Gowens and Mary An Livinia
Jackson Gowens include:
Alice “Alisa” Gowens born August 15, 1836
Susannah “Susan” Gowens born March 9, 1838
Elizabeth Ellen Gowens born March 17, 1839
Lovnah Gowens born October 6, 1840
George James Gowens born April 3, 1842
Eva Gowens born in 1843
Children born to James Blair Gowens and Lavinia Gowens
include:
Julia Ann Gowens born February 3, 1846
Sarah F. Gowens born about 1847
Leticia Gowens born about 1848
Lillie “Lela” Gowens born about 1849
Serenah Gowens born March 24, 1853
General Washington Gowens born March 8, 1860
Charity Elizabeth Gowens born about 1861
Goyen Family Tree 