Sections in this issue:
1) Lt. James Gowen Served in SC In Revolutionary Dragoons;
2) Basil Goins Finally Won Land In Georgia’s Last Lottery;
3) Descendants of Thomas Baxter Going;
4) DEAR COUSINS LETTER COLUMN.
All Gowen Manuscript Pages and Newsletters: https://goyengoinggowengoyneandgone.com/gowen-research-foundation-pages-and-info/
GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 3, No. 10 June 1992
1) Lt. James Gowen Served in SC
In Revolutionary Dragoons
James Gowen, identified as a son of William Gowen and
Sarah Allan Gowen, by Adeline Evans “Addie” Wynn in
“Southern Lineages” was born about 1743, probably in
Virginia. Sometime in the early 1750s his parents removed to
Granville County, North Carolina. “James Gowen, planter of
Granville,” received land grants in St. John’s Parish of that
district in 1761 and 1762.
About 1765 James Gowen was married to Mary “Polly” Keating,
believed to be age 15. The marriage apparently took
place in Beaufort District in the southern tip of the state. They
lived on the Combahee River at a settlement called Combahee
Ferry.
John “Buck” Gowen, “brother of James Gowen,” accompanied
him to Beaufort District, according to the Wynn research
which reports:
“The two brothers became land owners in Beaufort District.
The last mention of John “Buck” Gowen in the district was in
connection with a land grant he received there in November
1772.
“William W. Gowen advised that John “Buck” Gowen
removed to Cheraws District before the Revolutionary War
and was located on the Upper Pee Dee River.”
It is believed that the two were kinsmen, but some doubt is
placed on the claim that they were brothers, since James
Gowen was not mentioned in the will of William Gowen
written March 10, 1785 in Ninety-Six District.
On October 20, 1775 James Gowen appeared as “Third Lieutenant
in Capt. Darius Dalton’s Company of Volunteer Militia,
First Council of Safety of Revolutionary Party, Prince William
Parish, Beaufort District,” according to “South Carolina
Historical Magazine,” Volume III, page 82:
“Prince William Parish
20th October 1775
To the Hon’ble Council of Safety
Charles Town
We whose names are underwritten; having formed ourselves
into a Company of Volunteers, either to act as Horsemen or
Footmen, in defence of our Liberties & Country, who so
loudly calls upon us for so doing; do with due submission–
Petition the Hon’ble, the Council of Safety, to grant unto us
Commissions for our Officers, which we have chosen by a
Majority of Votes, Vizt: Darius Dalton, Capt; Charles Browne,
First Lieut; Joseph Aianger, Second Lieut; & James Gowen,
Third Lieut, under the names of the ‘Swift & Bold,’ for which
we shall be thankful.”
Among the 54 signatories were Richard Keating and John
Keating, believed to be brothers-in-law to James Gowen. The
company was commissioned as a “Volunteer Company of
Dragoons” October 28, 1775 by the “Council of Safety,
Charles Town.” Capt. Charles Browne, who apparently succeeded
Darius Dalton, endorsed the commissions as company
commander. The dragoons were a light cavalry unit armed
with a short musket called “the dragon” and were very efficient
in the guerilla warfare of South Carolina.
After the Revolutionary War James Gowen remained in
Beaufort District and became a successful businessman. His
wife, apparently a very liberated woman for the time, also
went into business for herself as a storekeeper. James Gowen
took the precaution to declare in the District’s legal records
that he would not be responsible “for any act or obligation”
that his wife might undertake in connection with her store.
The State of South Carolina issued a stub indent to “Mr. James
Gowen for 9 pounds, 5 shillings and a penny sterling for
forage and rations for Continentals, State Troops and Militia
in 1779, 1781 and 1782,” according to the research of Mary
Alice Seyle, G.R.S. of Greenville, South Carolina. “James
Gowan” was qualified as a petit juror in 1783 in Beaufort
District, according to “South Carolina Jury Lists, 1718-1783”
by Mary Bondurant Warren.
On June 29, 1785 James Gowen and Mary “Polly” Keating
Gowen “of Combahee” and Richard Keating signed a contract.
For a consideration of five shillings paid to James Gowen by
Richard Keating “the said James Gowen agreeing not to
interfere with his wife’s business, but that he, his heirs or
executors shall not be liable for any debt or debts which the
said Mary Gowen shall, or may hereafter, contract in carrying
out her sole, separate trade.” To reciprocate James Gowen
gave his bond to Richard Keating “in trust to and for the said
Mary Gowen in the penal sum of œ200 sterling.” The
agreement was witnessed by James Lunsden and Susanna
Donovan, and it was acknowledged in Charleston June 19,
1785 and recorded November 18, 1785 in Charleston Mixed
Record Book, page 20.
Apparently Mary Keating Gowen owned a store at New Market,
South Carolina and a nearby “Haymarket Tavern.” The
properties were mentioned in 1804 in the estate settlement of
William Gowen, son of Maj. John “Buck” Gowen of
Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. William Gowen and
Mary Keating Gowen owned the properties jointly.
James Gowen was not listed as the head of a household in the
“Heads of Families, South Carolina, 1790.” He was enumerated in the 1800 census of Beaufort District, page 100 as”James Gowen, white male over 45″ living alone. Apparently
he died before May 16, 1804, the date of the settlement of the
estate of his nephew William Gowen, because the estate
account showed that $100 was paid on an account due to “the
widow, Polly Gowen, Combahee.”
“Mary Gowan” was enumerated as the head of a household,
located near that of her eldest son in the 1810 of Beaufort
District, page 123. The family was composed of “a white
female over 45, a white female 16-26, a white female 10-16
and a white female 0-10.”
A grave located in Sheldon Churchyard, Granville County,
[later renamed Beaufort County] South Carolina is possibly
that of Mary Keating Gowen. Engraved on the tombstone is
“Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Mary Gowen who departed
this life December 24, 1813, age 63 years,” according to
“South Carolina Historical Magazine,” Volume 18. The publication
places the churchyard “on the road from Port Royal
Ferry to Purysburg.”
Children born to them are believed to include:
William Keating Gowen born about 1765
James Gowen, Jr. born about 1767
Mary Gowen, Jr. born about 1770
William Keating Gowen, son of James Gowen and Mary
“Polly” Keating Gowen, was born about 1765, probably at
Combahee Ferry.
About 1798 William Keating Gowen was married to Mary
Harrison, a daughter of John Harrison and Elizabeth Harrison.
“William Gowen” was enumerated as the head of a household
in Prince Williams Parish in the 1800 census of Beaufort
District. The household also included “two females, ages 25-
45 and five slaves.” John Harrison appeared in a consecutive
entry in the census which also included the parishes of St. Peters
and St. Lukes.
John Harrison died during the first decade of the 1800s, and
Elizabeth Harrison, a widow, was enumerated as the head of a
household in the 1810 census of Prince William Parish of
Beaufort District, page 122 with 23 slaves, according to Hazel
Dean Overstreet a descendant of Odum, Georgia.
William Keating Gowen appeared as the head of a household
in the 1810 census with 21 slaves, page 277. White members
of the family were enumerated as “Gowan, Wm. K, white
male 26-45, white female 26-45, white female 10-16 and three
white males 0-10.”
St. Peters Parish in the 1800 census also included a James
Gowen household, believed to be that of James Gowen, Jr.
In 1820 William Keating Gowen and Mary Harrison Gowen
died, both on the same day! This information is revealed in a
letter written by Mary A. “Mollie” Gowen Wingfield of Rome,
Georgia July 29, 1941 to Adeline Evans “Addie” Wynn.
Cause of death was not revealed. Perhaps the graves of
William Keating Gowen and Mary Harrison Gowen can be
located in the vicinity of Beaufort. Combahee Ferry is no
longer on the maps of the state, but it is believed to have lain
on the Combahee River near where U. S. 17 crosses the
Combahee River about 20 miles north of Beaufort.
Four children were born to William Keating Gowen and Mary
Harrison Gowen:
Ann Gowen born in 1802
William W. Gowen born in 1803
Barney B. Gowen born in 1809
James Gowen born about 1810
Their daughter, Ann Gowen was married to Joseph Hazel and
remained in South Carolina. Their three sons removed to
Georgia and were progenitors of the wide-spread Gowen
family of the state.
James Gowen, son of James Gowen and Mary “Polly” Keating
Gowen, was born about 1767 at Combahee Ferry in Beaufort
District, South Carolina. He appeared in the 1800 census of
Beaufort District as “single, white male, 26-46.” He had
accumulated 14 slaves. He was enumerated near the residence
of William Keating Gowen and the Harrisons in Prince
Williams Parish.
Mary Gowen, Jr, daughter of James Gowen and Mary Keating
Gowen, was born about 1770. Of this individual nothing more
is known.
2) Basil Goins Finally Won Land
In Georgia’s Last Lottery
Prepared from data researched
By Carrie M. McGee
Foundation Editorial Boardmember
1303 6th Avenue, Jasper, Alabama, 35501
Basil Goins was born in Virginia about 1780. It is believed
that he was married about 1804, wife’s name, Betsy. After the
War of 1812, they removed to Hall County, Georgia in the
hope of receiving free land. They apparently became estranged
there about 1828.
“Basil Gowen” was married to Manerva Brown in Upson
County, Georgia March 7, 1830. “Basdal Goin,” was listed as
the head of a household in the 1830 census of Hall County
composed of a “white male 40-50; a white female, 15-20 and a
white female 0-5.”
Betsy Goin was also listed as the head of a household in the
1830 census of Hall County, composed of a “white female 40-
50, a white male 30-40, two white males 15-20, a white male
15-20 and a white male 10-15,” according to “Index to 1830
Georgia Census,” page 117.
Nearby were enumerated two Goin households, believed to be
those of her sons, “John Goin, white male, age 20-30 page
92,” and “William Goin, white male, age 20-30, page 104.”
“Basil Going, William Going and the orphans of Sherwood
Going” were successful in the Georgia gold land lottery of
1832 which was the final lottery held in the state. Basil Goins
finally had good fortune on the last chance.
Georgia had used its land since 1784 as an inducement for
settlers. In 1803 legislation provided for the lottery to continue
to be used in distributing free land to its 162,000 citizens.
White male inhabitants of the state who had reached the age of
21 and who were citizens of the United States and residents of
Georgia were entitled to one draw. A man with wife and
children was entitled to two draws, as well as widows who
were heads of households. The lottery system was used to
distribute more than 30,000,000 acres west of the Oconee
River. More than 100,000 fortunate individuals and families
benefited from the seven lotteries held between 1803 and
1832. By that time, the state’s population had quadrupled; a
tremendous buffer against the Indians had been created.
Children born to Basil Goins and Betsy Goins include:
Albert Goins born about 1805
William Goins born about 1806
John Goins born about 1808
J. Bazzil Goins born about 1810
Washington Joshua Goins born August 13, 1813
Jefferson Goins born August 13, 1813
3) Descendants of Thomas Baxter Going
By Fredrick M. Tucker
Foundation Editorial Boardmember
Box 214, Duncan, SC, 29334
Descendants of Thomas Baxter Going [1806-1896] gathered
recently to dedicate a grave marker to his memory. He, a
Union County, South Carolina native, removed to Alabama in
1870. He became, quite late in life, an itinerant preacher and a
teacher in a private school near Walnut Grove, Alabama.
Almost 95 years after his death, these descendants assembled
for a graveside ceremony, dedicating the newly purchased
grave marker for him and his unmarried daughter, Eunice.
They never had a marker in all those years. The dedication
took place at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, Blount
County.
As with all families, Baxter’s grandchildren’s descendants had
grown apart, so most of these people were meeting for the
very first time. Furthermore, their distant cousins, namely my
parents and I from South Carolina, also attended, but are not
pictured because we are descended from Baxter’s brother
William George Washington [1824-1915.] This was the first
time these two brothers’ lines had met in 100 years.
Thomas Baxter Going, son of Isaac Going and Rebecca
Palmer Going, was born May 13, 1806 in Union District,
South Carolina.. He was married February 20, 1825 to Elizabeth
Vinson. She was born February 4, 1804 in Union District.
“Baxter Goings, teacher and farmer” was listed as the
head of a household in the 1840 census of Union County, page
211, adjoining his brother “Drury Goings” and near “Nancy
Goings,” “John Goings” and his father “Isaac Goings,
Esquire.”
In 1855 Thomas Baxter Going was “acting deacon and clerk”
of the Baptist Church, according to a letter written by his father.
“Baxter Going” was enumerated as the head of a household
in the 1860 census of Union County, page 226.
Elizabeth Vinson Going died there July 18, 1865, and he
removed to Alabama. Thomas Baxter Going wrote a letter to
his brother, William George Washington Going March 16,
1879:
“Walnut Grove, Etowah County, Ala.
March 16, 1879
Dear Brother,
By the Divine Providence of God, I am again permitted to
write to you in answer of yours and also to send your request.
We are today enjoying common health and also Dabbs and
Inman are well as far as I know. We have had a very cold, wet
winter with heavy freezes, but little snow. Gentle spring has
come in with mild and pleasant weather. The farmers are busy
engaged in preparing for another crop. There will be more
guano used this year than has been any year previous.
According to your request, I with pleasure send you a true list
of ages as recorded in Father’s Bible. I will begin with father
and mother’s.
Isaac Going was born 28th day of April, 1775.
Mother, Rebecca Palmer was born 1st day of February 1789
and was married the 21st day of August 1804. Father was
baptized in the May meeting of the Pacolet Church in 1803,
and also the same year joined the Masonic fraternity.
The death of Father and Mother stands recorded thus—-
Rebecca Going departed this life the first day of August 1855,
aged 66 years and 6 months. Isaac Going departed this life the
27th day of January 1861, aged 85 years and 9 months and one
day.
Our Grandfather, Drury Going departed this life the 22nd day
of February 1796 in the 47th year of his age. He died on the
road coming home from Charleston with his wagon and team.
He lacked 3 days drive of reaching home when he died. He
was hauled home and buried at home. Grandmother Sarah
Going departed this life 22nd day of April 1820 in the 69th
year of her age.
In looking over I find the date of Elisha P. Going’s death as
16th day of July 1864 by a cannon ball near Fussels Mill in the
New Market fight, Henry County, Va. Now, dear brother, you
can record the dates I have given you in your large family
Bible so that your children and grandchildren may hand down
their fore father’s posterity. The Going is of Irish, [and
Palmer] on Mother’s side English and Dutch.
I was pleased to hear of the well doing of your children. I
have not heard a word about Eva. Is she dead? Eunice sent
her likeness to her. Eunice says she would like to enjoy Eva’s
company again. I am getting old and feeble near 73 years old.
I have not had good health since last July. When I feel able, I
go out and work a little. I feel better with exercise. I gain, but
the least cold throws me back.
I am what is called a Licentiate Preacher. I don’t go about
much, but if it is the Lord’s will, when the weather becomes
warm I wish to visit the churches around. Religion is at a very
low ebb at this time owing to so many divisions of profession-
-three kinds of Baptists, Missionary, Primitive or commonly
called Hard Shells. Two years ago they divided and called it
The Church of Christ being wonderfully opposed to all
benevolent institutions of the day, especially the Masonic
fraternity and Sabbath Schools. Their chief doctrine is that of
Election and reprobation and non-fellowship with all who do
not coincide with their Views. There are two kinds of
Methodists–North and South. They divided during the war–
they have no fellowship with each other. Then there are the
Seventh Day Adventists and Soul Sleeping Baptists. I could
not give a full history of their doctrines in the space I have to
write. They make proselytes owing to the unlearned and
unread of many of the people. I hope you and all the boys that
have grown up have made to rejoice in Jesus Christ the Savior.
Let us pray for each other as all are dead of father’s family that
if we never meet again, we will try to meet together with our
friends in Heaven.
Farewell,
Thomas B. Going
To W.G.W. Going and children
Pictured at right are descendants of Thomas Baxter Going.
Kneeling, left to right: Elizabeth Greene, Earlene Taylor and
Bandaline Wood. Standing: Marion Shelton, Etrulia Pritchett,
Ruth Pankey, Talmadge Hambey, Edna Earl Hambey, Travis
Hambey, Irene Pate, J. B. Going, Ruth Wooten, Essie Oswalt,
Ervin Joiner and Terry Jackson.
Photo courtesy of Fredrick M. Tucker.
4) DEAR COUSINS LETTER COLUMN
News of the Foundation’s Research Conference and
Family Reunion at the Doubletree Hotel in Houston May 30-
31, 1994 in Houston certainly is exciting news! This is long
overdue for our family. I certainly plan to be there!
It will be fun to meet in person all those family
members we have corresponded with for years. Houston
sounds like a great convention town with all of the fun things
they have lined up for us. Donna Gowin Johnston, 1513
Westridge Terrace, Casper, Wyoming, 82604.
==Dear Cousins==
Many thanks to you for a great family newsletter. If
not for the Newsletter, I may never have met Ruth Johnson
and John and Evelyn Orr. I will never forget the day I spent
with them on Newman’s Ridge, tracking all those Melungeons.
Evelyn is to be commended for the great job she is doing as
head of the Melungeon Research Team. I sure hope I have not
seen the last of these Melungeons; they are the finest people I
have ever met. Thanks again, Jack Goins, Route 2,
Rogersville, TN, 37857.
==Dear Cousins==
I found the address of the Foundation in
“Genealogical Helper.” I am searching for the parents and
siblings of Hannah Gowen who was married in 1806 at
Wilmington, MA to John Stiles, Jr. He was born in 1786 in
Lyndeborough, NH. His family originally came from
Boxford, MA. He died in 1845 in Winhall or Brattleboro, VT.
I have no dates of birth or death for Hannah Gowen Stiles.
Can anyone can help me? Cheryl Koopman, 2639 Ome Ave,
Dayton, OH, 45414.
Gowen Research Foundation Newsletter
Arlee Gowen, Editor
Linda McNiel, Circulation
Membership Application
Gowen Research Foundation Phone: 806/795-8758 or 795-9694
5708 Gary Avenue E-mail: gowen@llano.net
Lubbock, Texas, 79413 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.
Goyen Family Tree 