1993 – 10 Oct Newsletter – GRF

Sections in this issue:

1) Lt. William Gowen Fought the Creeks for Nashville;
2) Confederate Medal of Honor to Elijah Going of 7th Arkansas;
3) Dear Cousins.

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

GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 5, No. 2 October 1993

1)  Lt. William Gowen Fought the Creeks for Nashville

William Gowen, son of John Gowen and grandson of William
Gowen who received a 640-acre preemption grant in Davidson
County, Tennessee by the state of North Carolina, was born
about 1769, probably in South Carolina. He was brought to
Ft. Nashborough, Tennessee in 1779 by his father,
accompanying his grandfather and his uncle, Capt. John Rains.

It is believed that William Gowen was married about 1792,
wife’s name unknown. After the birth of two sons, she
apparently died.

On April 14, 1793 John Rains was commissioned captain of a
“company of mounted infantrymen called into service for the
protection of the frontier of Mero District,” according to
Robert Hays, muster master. Capt. Rains wrote the names of
the men included in his command. Among the 75 men enrolled
for three months service were “privates William
Gowen, John Gowen, John Shute [brother-in-law of John
Gowen] and William Rains [brother-in-law of William
Gowen.]

The “Knoxville Gazette” published a report of the activities of
this company in its edition of Saturday, June 15, 1793:

“Nashville, May 12, a detachment of cavalry consisting of one
hundred men commanded by Captains Rains and [Thomas]
Johnson, set out from this place on a tour of duty to the
northward.

On the 16th of May, Maj. Brown, in his cornfield, 4 miles
from Nashville and Mr. M’Mulin at the Cotton Manufactory
near Nashville were killed by Indians. Many horses were
stolen between the 16th and the 20th.

On the 18th a party of Indians were discovered at Capt.
Bosley’s plantation; they stole four horses near his farm.

On the 20th day of May a boat laden with 350 bushels of salt,
belonging to Messrs. Donelson and Jackson was taken on the
passage from Kentucky to Cumberland by a strong party of
Indians.

A party of cavalry of Mero District, commanded by Captains
Rains and Johnson, being out on duty, discovered the trace of
about 10 or 12 Indians making into the Cumberland Settlements.

On this trace they pursued and soon came to a place
where it appeared the Indians had held a war dance. On the
21st ult. the white men overtook the Indians, but it was in
ground very caney, they killed but one Indian. He appeared to
be a Creek from the fashion of his hair. The others ran off
almost naked, leaving all their baggage behind.

On the 3d instant, Maj. Beard returned to this place from the
relief of Cumberland [Mero District] from the invasion of the
Creeks. His route to and from Nashville to this place was by
the heads of the southern waters of the Cumberland, and to the
southward of the settlements, through the middle of the main
Creek camps, from which they have so repeatedly annoyed the
frontiers. But unfortunately he found many abandoned camps
of numerous parties of warriors; he fell in with only three such
parties, of which he killed two and wounded several. The
Indians, finding their main camping ground thus traced with
bodies of armed men, will either cease altogether or approach
Cumberland with more care than they have hitherto done.”

Also in 1793 Capt. Rains’ company served in Gen. John
Sevier’s Etowah Campaign. The men were finally paid for
their service in 1798 by Robert Hayes, muster master who
listed their names under “Men who served in Sevier’s 1793
campaign who were living in Mero District when paid in
1798.”

On December 30, 1795 William Gowen received a deed to
150 acres on Stone’s River which he bought at a sheriff’s sale,
according to Davidson County Deed Book D, page 38. His
brother, John Gowen bought 81 acres on Stone’s River at the
same sale on December 30, 1795, according to Davidson
County Deed Book D, page 40. Apparently the land, which
was sold for delinquent taxes, lay in adjoining plots.

William Gowen was mentioned as a purchaser at the estate
sale of Robert McCrory, deceased in the Davidson County
Court term of April 1796, according to Davidson County Will
Book 1, page 44.

On February 15, 1797 William Gowen purchased 90 acres on
Mill Creek from William Terrill, according to Davidson
County Deed Book D, page 380.

On September 1, 1797 William Gowen was commissioned a
lieutenant in the Davidson County militia company
commanded by Capt. Rains. Later that year William Gowen
was married to his cousin, Martha “Patsy” Rains, daughter of
Capt. Rains and Christiana Gowen Rains, on December 3,
according to Davidson County Marriage Book 1, page 28.

Martha “Patsy” Rains was born about 1773, probably in
Montgomery County, Virginia. She was brought to Davidson
County by her parents about 1779. Her father took her mother
and the children back to safety in Kentucky when Indian
attacks threatened to kill all the settlers on the Cumberland.
When hostilities subsided Capt. Rains brought his family back
to Ft. Nashborough.

She had a narrow escape from the Indians about 1790 when
she and her friend, Betsy Williams, were fired upon by Indians
while out riding. Martha “Patsy” Rains, riding a fast horse,
escaped, but her friend Betsy Williams was killed and scalped.

A. W. Putnam writing in “History of Middle Tennessee,”
stated “Indians shot and killed Betsy Williams who was riding
on the same horse behind Martha “Patsy” Rains.”

John Rains, Jr. gave some additional details about the incident:
“On one occasion my sister [Martha “Patsy” Rains] wished to
go up to Armstrong’s Station, about seven miles from
Nashville. She could not get company as pleased her, so she
went alone. She got there safely.

On her return a young woman [Betsy Williams] at some point
desired to come along with her, and they both started on the
same horse. A young man named Patton went along as a
guard. A small dog became alarmed, and she desired Patton to
go ahead. He did so, and the Indians fired at the party.

My sister turned her horse and tried to make him leap the
fence, but he failed the first trial. The young woman being
behind was hit by the Indians and fell off. The horse then
leaping the fence, my sister escaped. As she looked behind
her, she saw the Indians in the act of seizing her companion,
whom they killed.

My sister kept on to Armstrong’s Station, and the people being
alarmed, went back and found the poor girl’s body. Patton ran
off in another direction and escaped in safety.”

It is believed that Martha “Patsy” Rains Gowen died about
1799, perhaps in childbirth.

William Gowen was one of four individuals, two fathers and
two sons, of that name who appeared in the early days of
Davidson and Rutherford Counties at the same time. The
researcher has to be careful in delineating between the four so
that the activities of one are not improperly ascribed to
another.

William Gowen was listed as a purchaser at the estate sale of
Thomas Martin, deceased reported to the Davidson County
Court in its April 1802 term, according to Davidson County
Will Book 1, page 236. Capt. Rains was the administrator of
the estate.

In 1803 Rutherford County was created from the southeastern
portion of Davidson County, and William Gowen began to
appear in the legal records of the new county.

On May 4, 1807 William Gowen deeded 150 acres on the
West Fork of Stone’s River to John Lawrence for $450, according
to Rutherford County Deed Book E, pages 430 and
505. The trade, which involved the land that he had purchased
at the sheriff’s sale in 1795, was completed October 5, 1807.

William Gowen, along with his brother, John Gowen, was
listed in a tax list of Davidson County in 1812, according to
records of Davidson County Court. The two were shown in
the company enumerated by Capt. Belk. William Gowen was
listed as Householder 1686, according to Davidson County
Minute Book, page 826, as abstracted in “Pioneers of Davidson
County, Tennessee” by Edythe Rucker Whitley.

On March 1, 1816 “William Gowan” was shown to be indebted
to the estate of Maj. John Strother, deceased. He had
given Maj. Strother a bond, according to Davidson County
Will Book 2, page 433.

On April 15, 1817, a case against “William Gowen for
bastardy” was settled out of court. The case was crossed out
in the minutes of the Rutherford County Court Minute Book
C, page 434. Although the case never came to trial, it remains
in the court minutes for all the world to see, nearly two
centuries later.

More research in the Rutherford County Court records is
needed to determine which William Gowen was being
implicated, who the mother was, and what the name of the
child was. It has been suggested that the child was Samuel
Thomas Beavers.

On March 20, 1818 William Gowen deeded 200 acres of land
located on Mill Creek to his brother, John Gowen, according
to Davidson County Deed Book M, page 338. This tract of
land which was sold for $2,300, was located in the southeast
section of the original pre-emption of his grandfather William
Gowen.

It is believed that William Gowen was married a third time,
possibly to “Mrs. Beavers,” a widow, about 1819.

The household of “William Gowen” appeared in the 1820 census
of Rutherford County:

“Gowen, William white male 26-45
white female 26-45”

Four slaves were enumerated in the household: one male
slave, 14-26; one female slave, 14-26 one male slave, 0-14;
and one female slave, 0-14. Three members of the household
were engaged in agriculture.

William Gowen was named a petit juror July 22, 1823,
according to Rutherford County Court Minute Book E, page
16. Three times in 1823 William Gowen was summoned to
serve on the grand jury, according to Court Minute Book E.

William Gowen died prior to July 19, 1827 in Rutherford
County for on that date Harriett Gowen and Samuel Thomas
Beavers were listed as “minor heirs of William Gowen” in
Rutherford County court records. At the time of his death,
William Gowen owned 518 acres of land in Rutherford
County.

Children born to William Gowen and his first wife are
believed to include:

William Gowen, Jr. born about 1793
John S. Gowen born about 1795

One son was born to William Gowen and Martha Rains
Gowen:

Alfred P. Gowen born about 1798

Children possibly born to William Gowen and his third wife
include:

Samuel Thomas Beavers born about 1817
Harriett Gowen born about 1821

2)  Confederate Medal of Honor to
Elijah Going of 7th Arkansas

Elijah Going was born about 1843, place and parents
unknown. He enlisted at Pocahontas, Arkansas for one year in
Company A, Seventh Arkansas Infantry Regiment. He
reported to Camp Shaver there and was placed under the
command of Capt. Cameron.

On July 26, 1861 his company muster roll shows him,
“Absent, unfit ever since enlistment with few days exception.”

When his unit moved out, it was noted that Elijah Going as
“Left at Pittman’s Ferry, Arkansas.” He had not yet rejoined
his unit on October 31. Another notation showed that he
remained in the hospital at Pittman’s Ferry “from September
25 to December 25, 1861.”

After getting off to such a shaky start, Elijah Going turned out
to be one of the most decorated soldiers in the Confederate
Army. He was present for duty thereafter, and on June 30,
1862, it was noted that he was “Entitled to bounty.” Louise
Goins Richardson, Goins researcher of Paragould, Arkansas
turned up evidence to show the importance of this soldier to
his regiment:

Pvt. Elijah Going, Company B, Sixth & Seventh Arkansas Infantry
Regiment Consolidated was elected by his fellow infantrymen
to receive the Confederate Medal of Honor.

Pvt. Going was considered by them as the outstanding
infantryman of the consolidated regiment. The medal was
awarded for valor displayed in the Battle of Chickamauga
fought September 19-20, 1863 between the Federal Army of
the Cumberland under Gen. Rosecrans and Bragg’s
Confederate Army. Bragg routed the Union Army in a shortlived
victory.

His name was published in the Roll of Honor that was read at
a formation of every Confederate regiment in the service, in
the first dress parade following receipt of the list by the
regiment. This award was made in compliance with an act of
Congress which bestowed such medals. This award was published
at Richmond, Virginia August 10, 1864, according to
War Department Reports, Series I, Volume 30, Part 2.

Elijah Going was wounded in the Battle of Atlanta on July 21,
1864. He was recuperating from his wounds at Camp Wright
in Macon, Georgia in November and December, 1864.

3)  Dear Cousins

I am still collecting data on descendants of Daniel
Goins and Susannah Inman from NC and Jefferson Co. TN.
We know about the marriage of Daniel and Susannah in NC
and their movement to Jefferson County. From Susannah’s
will we know that Daniel died before her and that she named
children: Shadrack, Daniel, and Faney (Frances). It is believed
there may have been more children.

I have picked up on some family information that
there may have been about 10 children born to Daniel and
Susannah. I would like to hear from anyone with information
about Goins born between about 1780 and 1800 with the
following names who cannot or have not been accounted for:

Ezekiel, William, Daniel and Shadrack (accounted for),
Meshack, Abednego, Hannah, Jane, Sarah and Frances or
Faney (accounted for but not much is known about her). The
names of males listed are much used Inman names. Any
information would be appreciated. Willis T. Finley, 307
Fairview Dr, Longview, TX, 75604, 903/759-0415

==Dear Cousins==

My g-gf John Woodson Goins, Jr. was born May 15,
1847 [or 1852] probably in Grayson County, KY. He was
married about 1873 in Laurel County, KY to Caroline
Harrison. After the birth of two sons, they were divorced and
Caroline removed to Saline County, AR. John was remarried
to Selia Maples, daughter of Ed & Martha Maples. John,
father of 12, was killed in Ft. Smith AR June 21, 1912 when
he was struck by a train. Selia died July 17, 1940 in Saline
Co, AR. Correspondence is invited from anyone with
information about siblings and parents of John Woodson
Goins, Jr. My grandmother told me that he had two younger
half brothers, but I don’t know their names. Irene Mendes,
11265 Evergreen Lane, Hanford, CA, 93230.

==Dear Cousins==

Your Newsletter of April 1993 was mailed to me by a
family member. I believe I discovered on the first page a
mention of my g-g-gf William Thomas Goin. I have been
seeking more information on him for some time.

The earliest information I had on him was from the
federal census of Tarrant County, Texas of 1880 where he was
head of a household at age 41. My father told me that his
grandfather lived with his family when he was very young.

He remembered that the old man “looked like an Indian.”
We found the Newsletter fascinating and very
informative, and our membership is enclosed. Also we will
have a party of three to attend the Houston Research
Conference. Doris Goin Corn, 13046 Hwy. 110 N, Tyler, TX,
75704, 903/882-9008.

==Dear Cousins==

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City will
microfilm family records free for your Foundation members if
they are organized and indexed. Upon request, the library will
return your original copy and one copy of the microfilm.

Additional copies of the microfilm are $9.00 per roll, up to
four rolls. Vickie Monson, Acquisition/Patron Microfilming,
50 E. North Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84150

==Dear Cousins==

I was in touch with Gowen Research Foundation
several years ago when we lived in Bedford, Wyoming. It was
with delight that I noticed the write-up about the Foundation
in the “Journal of The Genealogical Society of Rowan County,
North Carolina,” Vol. 8, No. 3.

The article described the Foundation’s nationwide
satellite transmission system operating in conjunction with
Texas State Genealogical Society, the first in the nation.

And thus I write. We have an international satellite
system and would be interested in knowing how we should
connect and start receiving “genealogy from space.” Shirley
P. Wagstaff, Box 1559, Bandon- by-the-Sea, OR, 97411.

==Dear Cousins==

Documented matrilineal lines from genealogists are
being sought by scientists Thomas H. Roderick, Ph.D., Dr.
MaryÄ Claire King and Robert Charles Anderson.

Thomas H. Roderick, Ph.D, is a geneticist;
MaryÄClaire King, Ph.D, is Professor of Genetics at the
University of California, Berkley and Robert Charles
Anderson F.A.S.G, is director of the New England Historical
& Genealogical Society Great Migration Study Project.

The study underway has three objectives: (1) For the
genea- logist, to define and document long matrilineal lines
and verify many of them through genetic analysis; (2) For the
genealogist and population geneticist, to gain further insight
into the structure of early colonial populations, and to obtain
further information on the genealogical and genetic background
of immigrants to North America; (3) For the geneticist,
to determine more precisely the mutation rates of mitochondrial
DNA.

Lines extending back eight or more generations will
be most useful in this project. Matrilineal lines extending
back to colonial North America or further are of particular interest.

Today, these will be at least ten generations or more.

Even longer lines, extending beyond colonial times to Europe
or the British Isles, could be especially valuable. Matrilineal
lines of eight or more generations will be useful, no matter the
ethnic background.

Dates and places should be part of each generation.

Male spouses in each generation should be included. Good
secondary sources, fully cited, will often suffice if primary
evidence is not available. It is hoped that those submitting
lines to the project will also agree to provide a small sample of
blood [professionally drawn] at a later time if their lines are
chosen for mtDNA analysis.

For more information and to submit genealogical
information on matrilineal lines write: T. H. Roderick, Ph.D,
Center for Human Genetics, Municipal Bldg, PO Box 770,
Bar Harbor, ME, 04609Ä0770.

Team Up with Research Library
For 1994 Membership Campaign

“Team up with your Library” is the theme of a new project announced
by the Foundation for 1994. The campaign is
designed to place the Foundation Newsletter in every
genealogical and historical library across the United States in
1994. An opportunity to assist in this important project is
being offered to every new, current and former member for the
new year. Each new and renewing member has the option of
placing his library on the Foundation mailing list in a two-for one
offer.

The library receives a gift card from the Foundation advising
that its copy of the Newsletter is being received through the
courtesy of the member named on the card. Additionally the
library may request on its letterhead a complete file of 48
previous issues–any part or all–of the Foundation’s four years
of Newsletters to place on its shelves. New members are
offered memberships which begin now and extend through
December 31, 1994. Current members are offered the same
bonus–15 months for the price of 12!

If you concur with the objectives of the Foundation, please
join this expanding effort and move upward with the organization.
It is financially convenient, you are invited to “move
up a notch” for 1994 on the schedule below. Indicate the type
of membership you have selected, and Linda McNiel will get
your 1994 membership cards in the mail promptly.

The form below may also be used to request gift memberships
for members of your family. Gift cards will be sent to
acknowledge your gift, 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 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.