1990 – 08 Aug Newsletter – GRF

Sections in this issue:

1) John Gowen Pioneered In Middle Tennessee;
2) William Goings Was Veteran of Yorktown at Age 17;
3) Dear Cousins;
4) Rev. Richard Goins Deposits Autobiography in GRF Library.

All Gowen Manuscript Pages and Newsletters:   https://goyengoinggowengoyneandgone.com/gowen-research-foundation-pages-and-info/

GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 1, No. 12 August 1990

1)  John Gowen Pioneered
In Middle Tennessee

John Gowen, son of William Gowen and Sarah Gowen was
born about 1745. It is believed that he was married about
1770, wife’s name possibly “Jones.”
“John Going” who resided “between the Broad and Catawba
Rivers,” was named as a petit juror in Camden District, South
Carolina in 1778-1779, according to “Jury List of South
Carolina, 1778-1779,” by GeLee Corley Hendrick and Morn
McKoy Lindsey. John Gowen drew pay for militia duty May
23, 1785 in Camden District, Fairfield County, according to
“Stub Entries to Indents,” Book 2, page 199. These volumes
were compiled by A. S. Salley, former state historian of South
Carolina.

“John Goin” was enumerated as the head of a household in the
1786 census of Fairfield County, page 20, according to “Heads
of Families, South Carolina, 1790:”

“Goin, John white male over 16
white female
white female
white male under 16
white female

It is believed that accompanied his father to Tennessee and
perhaps returned to South Carolina after assisting his father to
become established. It is believed that he returned to
Davidson County about 1788 and was the “John Goyen, trusty
and well-beloved friend of Daverson County, North Carolina
[later Tennessee], gentleman” to whom “Levi Goyen” of
Fairfield County, gave his power of attorney to sell 640 acres
of land on Mill Creek in Davidson County September 17,
1792. He was probably an uncle of Levi Gowen and his
brother David Gowen whose land was inherited by Levi
Gowen when David Gowen was killed by the Indians in 1780.

John Gowen received on May 19, 1794 640 acres by the State
of North Carolina on Warrant No. 350. The land lay on Mill
Creek about one-half mile west of his father’s pre-emption
site, between land grants of Ebenzer Titus.

The land was described in Davidson County Deed Book C,
page 281:

“State of North Carolina to John Gowen . . . 640 acres on the
East side of Mill Creek . . . beginning at a white walnut on the
bank of Mill Creek, being the Northwest corner of James
Meness’s guard right on the East boundary line of said Meness’
preemption, thence East 390 poles to a dogwood on Ebenezer
Titus’s West boundary line, then north 340 poles to a hickory,
thence West 164 poles to a sycamore on the bank of said
creek, thence up said creek with its meanders 333 poles to a
poplar on said Meness’s East boundary line, then South with
said line to the beginning 120 poles.”

According to Steve Rogers, examination of the deed
transactions of John Gowen suggest that he did not live on his
land grant, but sold off various portions of it from 1798 to
1802, according to Deed Book D, page 378 and 416 and Deed
Book E, page 173 and 357. It is assumed that John Gowen
lived somewhere on his father’s preemption.

John Gowen bought 81 acres on Stone’s River at a sheriff’s
sale December 30, 1795, according to Davidson County Deed
Book D, page 40. John Gowen received a deed to 201 acres
on Mill Creek December 30, 1797 from Jonathan Phillips,
according to Davidson County Deed Book D, page 388.

On May 12, 1798 John Gowen witnessed a bill of sale of “a
negro wench named Judy” from Simon McClendon to John
Blackman, according to Davidson County Will Book 1, page
148.

It is believed that John Gowen assisted his brother, James H.
Gowen who had apparently settled north of the Cumberland
River, in selling his inheritance from their father. An
advertisement offering to sell the northern 240 acres of the
original pre-emption was inserted in a Nashville newspaper in
its edition of December 13, 1806. The land was described as
“containing 240 acres and lying on the main road from
Nashville to Jefferson.” This tract was sold by James H.
Gowen June 2, 1807 to Daniel Vaulx, a neighbor.

Steve Rogers of the Tennessee Historical Commission who
researched the deed record of the property wrote, “this 240-
acre tract is located on the northern third of the property north
of present-day Murphreesboro Road and is not a part of the
Central States Hospital tract. The route of the Murfreesboro
Turnpike, established in 1824, followed approximately the
southern boundary, according to ‘Acts of Tennessee, 1824,’
page 148.”

It is believed that John Gowen died about 1810. Children
born to John Gowen are believed to include:

John Gowen born February 3, 1775
William Gowen born about 1777

John Gowen and William Gowen, assumed to be brothers
were early residents of Davidson County. Both had
descendants whose names included “Jones.” John Jones
Gowen was a son of John Gowen, and another John Jones
Gowen was a grandson of William Gowen. “Jones B.
Gowin,” born in 1873, later appeared in Crawford County,
Arkansas.

John Gowen, son of John Gowen, was born February 13, 1775
probably in Fairfield County. “Grand, Pennsylvania” was
inscribed on the flyleaf of the bible of John Gowen retained in
1991 by Jacob Alvin Gowen, a great-grandson of Forrest City,
Arkansas. This entry has caused some speculation that John
Gowen was born in Grand, Pennsylvania, but the notation
apparently applies to the wife of John Gowen, Lydia Shute
Gowen whose family had lived in Pennsylvania for many
years before coming to Tennessee.

The hamlet of Grand has not been found in any atlas of
Pennsylvania, and Daniel N. Rolph, staff genealogist for The
Historical Society of Pennsylvania wrote January 30, 1990
that he found no record of the existence of such a town.

Earliest known residence of the Gowen family in
Pennsylvania was that of Hugh Gowen enumerated in
Northumberland County in the 1790 census. The only other
Gowen family enumerated in Pennsylvania in 1790 was that of
Rachel Gowan who was recorded in York County as the head
of a household composed of “four white females and one
white male over 16.” “John Gowen” appeared in the 1800
census of Chester County, Pennsylvania and also in
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania as the head of a household.
On May 12, 1798 John Gowen witnessed a bill of sale of “a
negro wench named Judy” from Simon McClendon to John
Blackman, according to Davidson County Will Book 1, page
148.

A marriage license was issued October 30, 1801 for the
marriage of John Gowen to Lydia Shute, according to
Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 38. “Marriage Book
One of Davidson County,” a volume indexed, edited and
published by Sarah T. Blair, lists all the marriages performed
in Davidson County from January 2, 1789 to December 13,
1837. The marriage was performed November 1, 1801,
according to the family bible.

Lydia Shute Gowen is believed to be a native of Pennsylvania,
the daughter of Phillip Shute, a resident of Bucks County.

“Phillip Shutt” was married in Pennsylvania in October 1745,
according to “Pennsylvania Marriages.” The earliest mention
of the Shute family in Pennsylvania was in 1684 in
Philadelphia. William Shute, age 40, was shown as a
Philadelphian in that year along with his son, Thomas Shute,
age 19. On July 5, 1723 Thomas Shute of Philadelphia was
indicted by the grand jury “for having rubbish in front of his
house.” Jacob Shute who owned a cooper’s shop in
Philadelphia, was indicted by the grand jury January 2, 1744
“for being a fire hazard.” This indictment was recorded in the
handwriting of Benjamin Franklin who leased a lot in
Philadelphia December 30, 1745 that adjoined the property of
Thomas Shute.

Phillip Shute first appeared in Davidson County in May 1793
when he was selected as a juror. He also served on jury panels
in May 1794, August 1794 and May 1797. Phillip Shute and
William Shute were witnesses to the power of attorney of
Simeon Bell of Washington County, Pennsylvania May 10,
1796. Simeon Bell appointed Robert Hewitt of Davidson
County “my attorney to attend to my business,” according to
Davidson County Will Book 1, page 49.

A bill of sale dated July 18, 1800 read, “I, Joshua Ballance
sold unto John Shute a negro boy named Charles,” according
to Davidson County Will Book 1, page 186. Phillip C. Shute
was married November 30, 1837 to Mary E. H. Rains,
according to Davidson County marriage records. Margery
Shute was married December 24, 1794 to Beal Bosley,
according to Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 1. John
Shute was married to Nancy Childress December 5, 1796,
according to Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 9.

William Shute was married January 7, 1801 to Olive
Collingsworth, according to Davidson County Marriage Book
1, page 18. Asa Shute and B. A. Stuart deeded 640 acres in
Hickman County, Tennessee September 14, 1813, according
to Hickman County Deed Book ABC. Millington Easley and
John Easley were witnesses.

John Gowen purchased “Lot 99” in Nashville at a sheriff’s
auction July 15, 1802, according to Davidson County Deed
Book E, page 378. Lydia Shute Gowen died October 26,
1811, about age 30.

John Gowen and William Gowen, his brother appeared in a
tax census conducted in Davidson County in 1812. According
to records of Davidson County Court they were recorded in
the “company of Capt. Belk.”

In 1812, John Gowen, Edmond Owen and William Murphy
were administrators of the estate of Daniel Vaulx, their
neighbor, according to Davidson County Will Book 2, page
440. “Catherine Vaulx, widow of Daniel Vaulx, deceased of
Davidson County returned unto October term 1812. We laid
off to Catherine Vaulx, widow, a support for 12 months from
the death of said deceased, have laid off provisions, etc
[several items listed].”

John Gowen was a witness to the partitioning of the land of
Samuel Buchanan, deceased held August 24, 1813. He
acknowledged that the heirs, Thomas Buchanan, John
Buchanan, Robert Buchanan and Edward H. East drew lots for
their inheritances, according to Davidson County Will Book 2,
page 241. On September 14, 1813 he was a witness to the
division of the estate of Nathan Peebles, deceased, according
to Davidson County Will Book 2, page 255. He signed a
further division of the estate August 13, 1814 as recorded in
Davidson County Will Book 2, page 321.

John Gowen was a purchaser at the estate sale of Daniel
Vaulx, deceased December 19, 1815, according to Davidson
County Will Book 2, page 404. Other buyers at the sale
included Catherine Vaulx, Mary Peebles, James Vaulx,
William Vaulx, John Buchanan, Charles Hays, and David
Hays.

On March 20, 1818 John Gowen received a deed to 200 acres
of land located on Mill Creek for $2,300 from William
Gowen, believed to be his uncle, according to Davidson
County Deed Book M, page 338. This tract of land was
located in the southwest corner of the original grant to John
Gowen. The land was described as:

“Beginning at 2 post oaks marked as a corner between John
Gowen and Daniel Vaulx, East with said Vaulx line 155 poles
to a white oak marked as the corner between David Vaulx and
William Gowen, South 160 poles a white oak being the
Southeast corner of William Gowen’s Preemption corner,
West 200 poles with the South boundary line of said
preemption to a stake in John Gowen’s East boundary line,
North with said John Gowen’s line 160 poles to a stake, East
45 poles to the beginning.”

John Gowen was enumerated as the head of a household in the
1820 census of Davidson County, page 97:

“Gowen, John white male over 45
white male 16-26
white male 16-26
white male 16-26
white female 10-16
white female 10-16
white female 10-16”

John Gowen, a farmer, owned 15 slaves. An adjoining entry
recorded the household of a neighbor, Margaret Buchanan. In
the pioneer days of Nashville the farmstead was known as
Buchanan Station:

“Buchanan, Margaret white female over 45
white male 16-26
white male 16-26
white male 16-26
white female 16-26
white male 10-16
white male 0-16”

John Gowen transferred 175 acres on Mill Creek January 21,
1824 to his son John Jones Gowen, perhaps as a wedding
present, on a warranty deed, according to Davidson County
Deed Book Q, page 482. The deed read:

“I make a gift deed of 175 acres for the natural love and
affection I have have for my son, John J. Gowen . . . beginning
at a white oak at William Vaulx’s Southeast corner, South 160
poles to a white oak, being the Southeast corner of a
preemption granted to William Gowen, West 200 poles to a
stake, North 16 East 160 poles to a stake standing 5 poles
West of 2 post oaks marked as a corner and Daniel Vaulx,
East with said Vaulx line 150 poles to the beginning.”

John Gowen wrote his will May 31, 1829:

“In the name of God amen. I, John Gowen of the County of
Davidson and State of Tennessee do make, ordain, constitute
and appoint this my last will.

Item the first. I wish my remains interred in the space
between the graves of my father and wife and the three graves
to be enclosed with a stone fence or wall to be done at the
expense of my two sons John J. Gowen and Wilford B. Gowen
as soon as they can conveniently do the same after my
decease.

I will and bequeath the farm I am now residing on to my two
sons John J. Gowen and Wilford B. Gowen to be equally
divided between them including the one hundred and seventyfive
acres that I have heretofore given my son John J. Gowen.

My stock of cattle and hogs and farming utensils, household
and kitchen furniture I will to my son Wilford B. Gowen.

What slaves I may possess at my decease I will and bequeath
to my three daughters viz Amanda M. Dunn, Minerva Hays
and Maria L. Rains, said slaves to be equally divided between
them by lot to be laid off by three disinterested persons if my
said daughters cannot agree in a division themselves.

My stock of horses I wish to be sold on a credit of twelve
Months and what debts I may owe at my decease to be
discharged from the proceeds of the sale of said stock of
horses.

The residue of money, should there any remain after paying
my just debts from said sale of horses, to be equally divided
between my above named daughters.

I appoint my two sons John J. Gowen and Wilford B. Gowen
my executors to this my last will to take effect immediately
after my decease.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 31st
day of May in the year of our Lord 1829.

Attest: Thos. S. King John Gowen
W. H. McLaughlin”

The household of John Gowen reappeared in the 1830 census
of Davidson County, page 249:

“Gowen, John white male 50-60
white male 20-30
white female 20-30
white male 10-15
white female 0-5
white female 0-5”

John Gowen apparently lived on the western portion of his
grandfather’s original preemption survey.

John Gowen died March 26, 1835 at the age of 60. His death
notice was published in the April 17, 1835 edition of
“National Banner & Nashville Whig.” It read, “Mr. John
Gowen, Sr. died near Nashville in the 61st year of his age.”

In April 1835 the will of John Gowen was probated in
Davidson County:

“State of Tennessee, Davidson County Court, April Session,
1835

A paper writing purporting to be the last will and Testatment
of John Gowen decd. was produced in open court for probate
and proved thus: Thomas S. King and William H.
McLaughlin, two of the subscribing witnesses to said paper
writing being duly sworn, depose and say that they became
such in the presence of the said John Gowen decd, and at his
request and in the presence of each other and that they verily
believe he was of sound mind and disposing memory at the
time of executing said paper writing. Ordered that said paper
writing be admitted as such will of the said John Gowen decd.

Whereupon Wilford B. Gowen and John J. Gowen the
executors named in said will came into court and gave bond in
the sum of $3,000 with Aris Brown and Joel A. Battle, their
securities, and qualified according to law.

Henry Ewing, clerk”

Children born to John Gowen and Lydia Shute Gowen
include:

John Jones Gowen born August 13, 1802
Wilford Burleson Gowen born March 15, 1804
Amanda Malvina Gowen born March 6, 1806
Minerva Gowen born June 23, 1808
Maria Louise Gowen born January 26, 1810

2)  William Goings Was Veteran
of Yorktown at Age 17

Prepared from research developed
By Louise Goins Richardson

William Goings [or Gowan] was born in Virginia in 1764 of
parents unknown. He enlisted in the First Regiment of the
Virginia Continental Line in 1780, at the age of 16 and served
in the light infantry company commanded by Capt. Tilman
Dixon. In his pension application he stated that he
participated in the Battle of Brandywine, but it is likely that
his scribe misunderstood. That battle was fought in
Pennsylvania in 1777 when William Goings was 13 years old.

William Goings received his baptism of fire at the second
Battle of Camden, earlier called Pine Tree, South Carolina.

Lord Cornwallis had routed Gen. Horatio Gates and the
Americans there August 16, 1780. Four months later, the First
Virginia came back to Camden under Gen. Nathanael Greene
and this time was successful against the British December 3,
1780. In this battle William Going received grapeshot wounds
in his knee and ankle and carried the effect of them to his
grave. This battle was followed by their victory in the Battle
of Cowpens January 17, 1781 in Spartanburg County under
Gen. Daniel Morgan. The First Virginia was handed back to
Gen. Greene for the Battle of Guilford Court House which was
fought to a draw March 15, 1781 near present-day
Greensboro, North Carolina. Under Greene they were
successful in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, the last battle of the
war in South Carolina, September 8, 1781. When Lord
Cornwallis walked into the trap at Yorktown, the First
Virginia was quickly called home to participate in the Battle
of Yorktown in October.

After the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, William
Goings set out on foot to return to his home in Halifax County,
and in his pocket was an honorable discharge, personally
signed by Gen. George Washington. In October 1793, at age
29 he was married in adjoining Caswell County, North
Carolina, wife’s name Elizabeth. She was born in 1769. Parts
of three decades slip by before the couple is again located,
according to research on them to date.

On May 25, 1819, at age 56, William Goings appeared before
the Hawkins County, Tennessee County Court to file an
affidavit of his Revolutionary service in an application for a
pension. His war wounds had continued to plague him
through the years, and combined with advancing age, they had
made him unable to continue working as a farmer and a day
laborer.

“State of Tennessee
Hawkins County May Session, 1819

Personally appeared in open court this twenty-fifth day of May
1819 William Going or Gowan, aged about fifty-six years, a
citizen of said county & State & being first duly sworn in open
Court according to law maketh the following declaration, viz:

That he enlisted in the Regular Service of the United States
during the War of the Revolution sometime in the year 1780 in
the Spring (of [——] this deponent [——] [—-] to oath) at
Halifax Court House, State of Virginia under Captain Tilman
Dixon of the 1st Regiment of Light Infantry commanded by
Col. Henry Dixon & Major Doniphan attached to General
George Washington’s Command for the duration of the War,
that this deponent served under Col. Dixon in said First
Regiment three years of one continued time without leaving
said Service any time and that having served his country
honorably and faithfully during said period was honorably
discharged at York Town, State of Virginia (when Cornwallis
was taken in the Year 1781) by his Excellency General
George Washington. This deponent further declareth on oath
that he was in the following battles, viz: at the Battle of
Brandywine when he was wounded in his knee and ankle by
Grape Shot thrown by the Enemy, at the Battle of Camden (or
Pine Tree) North Carolina when General Greene commanded,
in the Battle of Cowpens, at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse,
in the Battle of Eutaw Springs and at the Battle of York Town
when Cornwallis with his army was taken by Grnl. Geo.
Washington. He further saith that he has suffered great
hardships, privations and extreme fatigue while in said service
of which he now feels the effects, that he is in extreme poverty
& hardship and without the support of his Country he will
suffer greatly, that his circumstances are such as having
nothing at all to support himself with, that he has never drawn
any pension altho he believes he was entitled thereto on
account of his wounds, but has hitherto supported himself by
his labors, and is now compelled to apply for relief by reason
of his further debilitated state of health. He further states that
his honorable discharge which he received from the
commander-in-chief he has lost sometime ago in Virginia.
That he knows of no person in this country by whom he could
prove his service and that having served faithfully and
honorably more than nine months, the period requisite to be
placed on the pension list, at one continued time he hopes to
receive the benefit of the act passed for the relief of the
Soldiers of the Revolution whose case is comprehended by
such act.

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day and date above.

P. D. Mitchel, Clk
William “X” Going
By W. A. Mitchell, his deputy”

A pension of $8 per month was granted to him in Washington,
D. C. July 16, 1819:

“Pension No. 12757: East Tennessee

William Goings of Hawkins County in the state of Tennessee
who was private in the regiment commanded by Colonel
Dixon of the Virginia line, for the term of the War. Inscribed
on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of Eight Dollars per
month, to commence on the 16 of July 1819 and sent to D.
Alexander, Esq. Agt, Rogersville, Tennessee.”

Apparently a review board sought additional information
about his financial status in the following year, and William
Going had to return to the Rogersville, Tennessee courthouse
and file an amendment to his earlier affidavit, giving an
inventory of his property and the number of people living in
his household:

“On this 29th day of August 1820 personally appeared in open
Court, being a court of record in the County of Hawkins in the
state of Tennessee, William Going, aged about 56 years [57?],
resident of said county of Hawkins and who being first duly
sworn according to law did on his oath declare that he served
in the revolutionary war as follows: Enlisted in Captain
Dixon’s Company, First Regiment, Virginia Line, that he has
received a pension certificate, now in his possession,
November 12, 1819, that his first declaration was made out in
said County Court of Hawkins County about the 6th day of
May 1819, and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident
citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and
that I have not since that time by Gift, Sale or in any manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent
thereby to diminish it or to bring myself within the provisions
of an Act of Congress entitled An Act to Provide for certain
persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United
States during the Revolutionary War passed the 18th of March
1818 and that I have not given to any person in trust for me
any property or securities, contracts or notes due to me nor
have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule
herein assessed and by me subscribed, viz: four hogs, 1 pot &
one oven, 1 old chair, 1 axe, 1 hoe, four forks, four knives, 2
tin plates. I am by occupation a daily laborer or farmer, but
am frail and not able to support myself and family which is
composed of the following persons, viz: my wife aged about
48 years, 1 boy 11 years old, 1 girl 10 years, 1 girl aged 5
years and one boy aged two years and that I stand in great
need of the assistance of my country for support. Sworn to &
subscribed in open court.

William X Going

The Court values the property contained in the foregoing
schedule to thirteen dollars and thirty cents.”

William Goings died in Hawkins County August 23, 1827,
Elizabeth Goings, at age 70 filed an application for a widow’s
pension June 8, 1839. Her affidavit, in part, read:

“On this 8th day of June in the year 1839 personally appeared
before me, the undersigned Justice of the Peace for the County
of Hawkins, Elizabeth Goings, a resident of this county &
state, age Seventy Years, who first being duly sworn
according to law, doth on her oath state . . . that she is the
widow of William Goings who honorably served in Captain
Tilmon Dixon’s Company in the 1st North Carolina [Virginia]
Regiment. . . She further declared that she was married to him
in the month of October 1793 in Caswell County, North
Carolina and that her said husband died at his residence in
Hawkins County on the 23rd day of August in the year 1827
and since that time she had not been married. . . . She has no
record of proof of said marriage.

Elizabeth X Goings”

Elizabeth Going was successful in her application and
received the following pension:

“Pension No. W930: Tennessee

Elizabeth Goings, widow of William Goings, decd. who was a
pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 23rd
Aug. 1827 of Hawkins County in the State of Tennessee who
was a private in the company commanded by Captain Dixon
of the regt. commanded by Col. Dixon in the N. Carola.

[Virginia] line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee
at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th
day of March, 1836. Certificate of Pension issued the 10th
day of Feby. 1840.”

At least four children, names unknown, were born to William
Going and Elizabeth Going.

3)  Dear Cousins

Thank you for the notice of our reunion in the
Newsletter. It brought us some new cousins, Isabelle, James
and Nancy Gowen from Westbrook, ME and John, Mary and
Mary Anne Gowen from South Natick and Brookline, MA.
Family members from Kansas, Florida, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine
and New Hampshire, totaling 65, turned up in Stratham for the
occasion.

I am enclosing an item about Angevine Gowen, civil
engineer, historian and mapmaker. The Historical District
Commission is applying for a York Historical Landmark
designation for his homestead which was part of the original
settlement in the 17th century. When I vlsited Mrs. Alice
Freeman in his home in 1985 she showed me his “Cider Hill
Annals,” the journal he kept during his lifetime. I hope this
has been turned over to some historical assocation. If not, it
should be placed in the Gowen Research Foundation Library.
Mrs. Spiller of the Old York Historical Society would
like very much to be placed on the Newsletter mailing list and
to have all the back Issues. The Newsletters are a real joy to
us. We read every wordÄÄÄimmediately! Margaret P. Tate,
34 Washington St, Exeter, NH, 03833.

==Dear Cousins==

Thanks for the extensive family information. I just
received the most recent issue of the Newsletter with the
continuation of the article on my ancestors, Phillip and
Jeremiah Goins. I spent part of last Friday in the State Library
and Archives in Austin and found several bits of additional
information which I am enclosing.

I would rather spend most of my time in the Archives
these days, however, my travel and work schedule is fairly
heavy, so I am not accomplishing as much as I would like. I
am helping to organize a family reunion on Saturday,
September 1 in Amarillo, Texas for the descendants of
Josephine Goins and husbands (1) Josiah Taylor and (2) L. D.
Priest. The reunion will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Texas A&M
Research & Extension Center, 6500 Amarillo Boulevard West.
Things are moving along nicely with this, but it too has helped
to reprioritize my time. Pamela Harle Dillard, 1109 Van
Horn, College Station, TX, T7845, 409/693Ä5146.

==Dear Cousins==

The annual Gowan family reunion in Blakely, GA is
scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Centerville Methodist
Church. We will have a covered dish luncheon. All
descendants of John and Edith Faulk Gowan and their families
and guests are invited. For details, contact Marion Gowan
Aunspaugh, Rt. 3, Box 508, Blakely, GA, 31723.

==Dear Cousins==

We have just had a visit from a New Zealand cousin,
descended from the cousin of my gÄgrandfather. It is of
interest that in his branch of the family [the Melungeon
genetic characteristics of] dark skin, dark haur, acquiline
features and blue eyes predominate. The darkÄskinned
Huguenots from southern France who fled to Cornwall
become increasingly interesting. I am trying to get my doctor
to help me get my blood tested by a geneticist to see what my
RNAÄDNA reveals, but he can’t understand my interest.
Robert J. Goyen. 523 Sutton St, Sebastopol 33S6, Victoria,
Australia.

==Dear Cousins==

I been working on the Gowrie Conspiracy this
summer. I started with the Lords Ruthven, Earls of Gowrie
and their various political intrigues. I am now thoroughly
familiar with the murder of Riccio, the Ruthven Raid and the
published accounts of the Gowrie Conspiracy against King
James. I also have a good bit of information on their
genealogy, at least down to William Ruthven [alias William
Gowen], son of the 3rd Earl.

On page 628 of the Gowen manuscript it is
mentioned that the late Julia Catherine “Katie” Gowen Casey
who documented her DAR eligibility through Lt. James
Gowen, her ggÄgrandfather quoted her father as saying,
“Katie, you have royal blood in your veins; you are descended
from the Earl of Gowrie of Scotland.” She also referred to the
Gowrie Plantation, Gowrie Tract and Gowrie Island in
Georgia. Is there any member of the Foundation, perhaps in
the Georgia branch of the family, who can add some
information about this mystery? Landa Sloan, 4320 Bellaire
Drive South, No. 2I)l, Ft. Worth, TX, 76109

==Dear Cousins==

Thanks for the back issues of the Newsletter. I have
seen mention of more than one Thomas Goun. Do you have
any information on my Thomas Goun who was born in
Greensville County, VA about 1755? He served in the
Revolulionary War as a private in Bynum’s company. After
the Revolution, he claimed land in East Tennessee. He had
three known sons: Levi, Uriah and Isaac. He died in
Claiborne County, TN in 1838. Does anyone have anything
on him? Beverly Ellison Nelson, 3391 W. Aksarben Ave,
Littleton, CO, 80123.

==Dear Cousins==

A videotape was made of the Gowen Family Reunion
held in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee August 5. Copies are
available for interested persons. Contact Don Lee Gowen
1310 Cantwell Ave. Decatur, AL, 35601.

==Dear Cousins==

I am enclosing for the Library some bible records
written about 1890 bv Charles Isaac Evans II, grandson of
Sarah Margaret Easley Scogin who was descended from
William Gowen and Sarah Gowen, our colonial ancestors of
Granville County, NC and Spartanburg County, SC.

On page 502 of the Gowen manuscript, Sarah
Margaret Easley is given as the child of William Easley and
Sarah Gowen Easley. Was she, or did John Gowen Easley
have a daughter around the same time and of the same name?
Esther Thompson, 703 East California Blvd, Pasadena, CA,
91106.

4)  Rev. Richard Goins Deposits
Autobiography in GRF Library

The Foundation Library has recently received “Recollections
of a Reverend” published by Rev. Richard Goins of Ottumwa,
lowa. The autobiography, deals with his family’s history as
well as his own experiences during five decades in the pulpit.

He was graduated from Drake University in 1943 with a B.A.
degree and received his M.A. degree there in 1944. He
enrolled in College of the Bible Seminary in Lexington, KY
and was graduated with a B.D. degree in 1947. He wrote:

“It was my choice of seminaries because of the feeling that
Kentucky was the cradle of the Disciples of Christ movement.

It was a thrill to visit the old Cain Ridge Meeting House and
the cemetery where Barton W. Stone, one of our pioneer
religious leaders was buried. Also in the center of Lexington
was a historical marker denoting the scene of one of the
famous debates of Alexander Campbell.”

“My father, Richard Goins, for whom I was named, was the
son of Granville G. and Mary Jane Lake Goin, formerly of
Claiborne County in northeast Tennessee. They removed to
Missouri about the time of the Civil War and settled in
Daviess County. Many of the Goin [the “s” was added to the
family name around 1900] relatives are buried in Lick Fork
Cemetery near there.”

Other researchers are similarly invited to forward copies of
manuscripts, ancestor charts, newspaper clippings, bible
records, reports of anniversaries, reunions, vital statistics,
obituaries, citations, census reports, military records and
pension applications for publication in a proposed series of
volumes. Credit will be given to every contributor.

The Foundation Newsletter is mailed only to members who
have purchased memberships, plus the historical and
genealogical libraries on our mailing list. Additionally sample
copies will be mailed to prospective members upon request. If
you wish to participate in the Foundation, you may clip [or
reproduce] the membership coupon below.

The form below may also be used to request gift memberships
for members of your family. The Foundation will send Gift
Cards acknowledging your thoughtfulness, both to you and the
recipients.

Gowen Research Foundation Newsletter
Arlee Gowen, Editor
Linda McNiel, Circulation

Gowen Research Foundation
Phone: 806/795-8758 or 795-9694
5708 Gary Avenue
Lubbock, Texas, 79413
Fax: 806/795-9694
E-mail: gowen@llano.net
Internet: http://www.llano.net/gowen

___________________________________________________________

NOTE:  The above information produced by the Gowen Research Foundation (GRF), and parts of the “Gowen Manuscript” they worked on producing.  It has tons of information – much of it is correct, but be careful, some of it is not correct – so check their sources and logic.  I’ve copied some of their information in the past researching my own family, only to find out there were some clear mistakes.   So be sure to check the information to verify if it is right before citing the source and believing the person who researched it before was 100% correct.  Most of the information I found there seems to be correct, but some is not.

Their website is:  Internet: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf

There does not seem to be anyone “manning the ship” at the Gowen Research Foundation, or Gowen Manuscript site any longer, and there is no way to contact anyone about any errors.   The pages themselves don’t have a mechanism to leave a note for others to see any “new information” that you may have that shows when you find info that shows something is wrong, or when something has been verified.

Feel free to leave messages about any new information found, or errors in these pages, or information that has been verified that those who wrote these pages may not have known about.