Sections in this issue:
1) William Gowen Served in the Stafford County Dragoons;
2) Will Moreau Goins to Speak On Native American Goins Family;
3) DEAR COUSINS.
All Gowen Manuscript Pages and Newsletters: https://goyengoinggowengoyneandgone.com/gowen-research-foundation-pages-and-info/
GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Volume 7, No. 8 April 1996
1) William Gowen Served in the Stafford County Dragoons
William Gowen, regarded as the son of Thomas Gowen, was born about 1683, probably in James City County, Virginia. He accompanied his father in a move to Westmoreland County, Virginia about 1695.
“William Gowing, James Gowing and John Gowing” were in-cluded in the roster of a company of dragoons commanded by Capt. John West and Lt. John Peake. They were on duty in Stafford County in 1701, according to “Virginia Colonial Sol-diers” by Lloyd Bockstruck. The dragoons who were mounted infantrymen, received their name from their weapons. The troops carried a musket called the “Dragon” and accordingly were called dragoons. William Gowen was married about 1704, wife’s name Catherine.
The toll of time has destroyed most of the early records of Stafford County and with them most of the story of William and Catherine Gowen. For the most part only the indices of these records remain. Fragmentary records of the land transactions of William Gowen are retained in Stafford County Deed Book 1 reposing in the Virginia State Library.
“William, Thomas, John and James Goins” jointly received a land grant of 1,215 acres in Stafford County “located on Four-Mile Creek adjoining Maj. Robert Alexander” about 1710. On August 3, 1719, the land was granted to Evan Thomas and John Todd, “both of Stafford County,” according to “Grants by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia.”
On the 23rd, 11th month, 1714 William Gowen received a grant of land in Stafford County from the proprietors, members of the London and Plymouth Companies who had received a grant to all land between the 34th and the 45th parallels, from the Atlantic Ocean to 200 miles inland. At this time William Gowen made his home in Overwharton Parish of Stafford County.
“William Going” and Evan Thomas received Grant No. 60 for 124 acres November 23, 1714. The land lay in Overwharton Parish “on both sides of the main run of Jonathans Creek, which creek issued out of the west or upper side of Occoquan River, beginning at a white oak on the west side of the run near the road leading to Dogue Island neck and in the line of Mr. Giles’ traverse,” according to “Grants by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1694-1742.”
Five years later, on the 28th, 2nd month, 1719, “William Goin” received Grant No. 91 for 180 acres “on the main run of the Accontink, beginning at a white oak at the mouth of Long Branch.” according to “Grants by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1694-1742.” The grant was recorded in Northern Neck Deed Book 5, page 229. Accontink Creek is believed to be a tributary of the Rappahannock River which forms the southern boundary of Stafford County. “William Goings” gave a deed to 90 acres of land located on the east side of the main run of Jonathans Creek on 6th, 5th month, 1724 to William Godfrey, [regarded as his son-in-law by Addie Evans Winn in “Southern Lineages, Records of Thirteen Families” published in 1940] according to the index of Stafford County Deed Book 1, page 122-125 and “Stafford County, Virginia Deeds, 1722-1728.”
On the 13th, 5th month, 1724, one week later, William Gowen appointed his “well-beloved friend, Lewis Sanders, of the County of Stafford, attorney,” to acknowledge the transfer, ac-cording to Stafford County Deed Book 1, page 125. William Gowen later gave a release on the property, and his signature on this document was the initial “W”.
“William Gowin” owned land adjoining Thomas Ford “on Popeshead Run and Occoquan Creek” February 12, 1725, ac-cording to Northern Neck Deed Book A, page 200. “William Goings” received Grant No. 131 November 12, 1725 for 112 acres “on Rattlesnake Branch of Popeshead,” according to “Grants by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck of Virginia.”
“William Gowin” owned land “adjoining Terrence Ryley on Popeshead Run and Rattlesnake Branch,” according to North-ern Neck Deed Book B, page 79, as reported in “Patents and Northern Neck Grants of Fairfax County, Virginia.” This land was regranted in 1767 to George Mason, with 19 “surplus” acres, according to Northern Neck Deed Book O, page 89.
William Gowen received another land grant on Pope’s Head Run in Fairfax County, Virginia. Although no legal record of the grant has been found to date a reference is made to the grant in a lease made by “Ambrose Gowing to Kathrine Gow-ing, widow.”
Ambrose Gowen leased land from his mother described as a “grant to William Gowing, father of the said Ambrose Gowing by patent bearing date 12th, 11th month, 1725.” The lease, recorded 8th, 3rd month, 1726 in Stafford County Deed Book 1, page 353, was witnessed by George Mason, Joseph Haines and Brent Hutnall. A release appears in Stafford County Deed Book 1, page 354. Later John Gowen, son of William Gowen, inherited a portion of this grant, according to Fairfax County deed records.
William Gowen died sometime between 12th, 11th month, 1725 and 6th, 3rd month, 1726, at about age 42. His will and probate records have not been found to date in Stafford County records.
On the 8th, 3rd month, 1726 Catherine Gowen leased to her son “Ambrose Going of Stafford County, Overwharton Parish, planter 100 acres on the branch issuing out of Pope’s Head Run, said branch known as Rattlesnake Branch.” It is believed that Catherine Gowen was remarried about 1728, husband’s name Padderson [or Patterson]. She appeared in adjoining Prince William County, Virginia when it was created in 1730.
She wrote her will 21st, 5th month, 1739, and it was presented for probate 23rd, 7th month, 1739, indicating that she had died in the two-month period, according to “Prince William County Will Book C” by John Frederick Forman. The will left her es-tate, valued at 36 pounds, two shillings, four and three-fourths pence, to two younger children and named her son John Gowen as administrator. The will read:
“I, Catherine Padderson, being sick and weak in body. Unto my well beloved son, Elixander Going, one negro man named Robin and one horse and a horse colt and one cow and calf and a cow yearling and halph of my movable houshold stuf and one parcel of land whereon I now live containing six-ty-six acres, it being part of a tract containing one hundred and thirty-two acres. Unto my well beloved daughter, Susannah Going, one negro man named Jackey and one mare and saddle, cow and calf and two cow yearlings and one feather bed and bolster, a rugg and one pare of blankits and half the household stuf. My crop of tob: which is now in my house after my debts is paid I bequeath to be equally divided between my son Elixander Going and my daughter Susannah Going. I leave my well beloved son, John Going, whole and sole executor of this, my last will and testament.
Catherin Padderson
Witnesses: Thomas Ford, Jane Ford, Ann Gladding”
Probate records in Will Book C show:
“23, July, 1739. Presented in Court by John Going, sole executor herein named, who prayed certificate for obtaining a probate thereof, but it being suggested that the deceased’s husband is living, on the motion of the said John Going and giving security for his just and faithful administration of the said deceased’s estate, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration.”
“Bond of John Going, William Scutt and John Hollis unto Denis McCarty, Gent., justice. For oe100, 23 July, 1739. John Going is administrator of Catherine Padderson, deceased.
John Going John Hollis William Scutt
Witness: John Bowie, 23 July, 1739, Acknowledged and Ordered”
The inventory of the estate, which included two negro men valued at 25 pounds, totaled 36 pounds, 2 shillings, 4 3/4 pence and was presented to the court by John Gowen August 27, 1739. The account which was allowed and ordered by Prince William County Probate Court, read:
“The estate of Catherine Pattison, deceased.
Total 2 levs. pd. Edwd. Barry 116 (tobo.*)
Total pd. Capt. Val Peyton 364
Total pd. Thomas Ford 40
Total pd. Alexander Gowin 330
Total pd. Susanna Gowin 250
Total bal due per John Gowin 468
Total pd. Mr. Wm. Dunlop 7:4:-
*tobacco John (X) Gowin”
From the fragmentary records available it is believed that William Gowen and Catherine Gowen were the parents of:
Ambrose Gowen born about 1705
Thomas Gowen born about 1706
[daughter] born about 1707
John Gowen born about 1709
William Gowen born about 1720
Alexander Gowen born about 1722
Susannah Gowen born about 1724
2) Will Moreau Goins to Speak On Native American Goins Family
Dr. Will Moreau Goins, a descendant of the Eastern Cherokee Tribe of North Carolina with family ties to the Lumbee Indians of the Cheraw Nation, will present a lecture on his heritage May 7 at the Foundation Research Conference in Nashville. His presentation, “A Celebration of the Native American Goins Family” will be done in tribal attire and will be illustrated with film clips, a slide series and various Indian accoutrement.
Dr. Goins, who received his doctorate from Penn State University in 1994, was previously employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In this capacity and in the Indian Health Service he traveled extensively to visit various tribes across the United States. He found Goins families among the Choctaws, the Chickasaws, the Cherokees, the Sioux, the Cheraws, the Lumbees, the Catawba and other tribes.
In each, their stories of oppression were parallel to the experi-ences of the Melungeons who lived as neighbors to them in the early days before the westward expansion of the white settlers. As a genealogist and a cultural anthropologist, Dr. Goins, now a resident of Detroit, has collected oral tribal history, government documents, genealogies and ethnographies for his lecture.
From his homeland, the Cherokee Indian Reservation of North Carolina, he began a study of the Native Americans who populated America for hundreds of years prior to Jamestown and Plymouth Rock. He continued the study during his undergraduate days at George Washington University and expanded it even more during his tenure with the B.I.A. He is a recipient of the University Minority Fellowship, the Rachley Scholarship, the Native American Indian Student Association Dedicated Service Award and Penn State Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Award.
His lecture will be of interest to researchers who have a tradition of Indian ancestry and copper-skinned individuals among their forbears. It will be featured in the Foundation Research Conference & Family Reunion which will be held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel May 5-6-7. The event will run in tandem with the National Genealogical Society’s annual Conference in the States which will unfold May 8-9-10-11 at the Nashville Convention Center with 163 lectures and presentations by experts.
The day-long sessions on Monday and Tuesday will be devoted to lectures and presentations on research on the family surname in all of its 23 spelling variations. Time will be devoted to a Genealogy Free-for-All in which the attendees will gather to exchange research and to show their manuscripts, charts and books.
Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society invites the Foundation members and guests to board the “General Jackson,” the largest showboat in the world, for a dinner cruise on the Cumberland River from 6:00 to 10:00 on Thursday, May 9. Foundation members will be saluted at the Saturday night performance of Grand Ole Opry on May 11. This two-and-a-half-hour event will conclude the week’s festivities.
The Sheraton Music City Hotel is located at 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, 37214, near the Metropolitan Nashville Airport and Opryland. The hotel offers a shuttle to the airport, Opryland and to downtown. Single and double occupancy in the 412-room hotel is normally priced at $139 nightly in season, however Foundation members and their guests are offered the accommodations at $99 nightly during the week. Members should specify that they are attending the GRF Conference when making reservations and again when checking in. Phone number of the Sheraton is 615/885-2200.
Registration fee for the Foundation Conference is $60. Registrants may clip or reproduce the coupon below and attach their checks. The registration fee pays for the Foundation Dinner, coffee break refreshments, speaker honoraria, audio visual equipment rental and other hotel expenses.
Gowen Research Foundation 806/795-8758
5708 Gary Avenue 806/795-9694
Lubbock, Texas, 79413
GOWEN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
RESEARCH CONFERENCE
& FAMILY REUNION PROGRAM
May 5-6-7, 1996 Sheraton Music City Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee
May 5
7:00 pm Welcoming Reception for members and guests
Donna Gowin Johnston, Casper, WY, Editorial Boardmember
9:00 pm Group Photo, Peggy Ann Davis White, Hopkinsville, KY
Editorial Boardmember. Adjourn
May 6
8:30 am “Welcome to Tennessee,” Cherel Bolin Henderson,
Knoxville, TN, First Families of Tennessee
8:40 am Response, Jon Lee Goins, Austin, TX
8:45 am “The Mystery of the Melungeons,” Evelyn McKinley Orr,
Omaha, NE, Chairman, Melungeon Research Team,
Editorial Boardmember
9:30 am “The Powhatan Indian Connection”, Jack Harold Goins,
Rogersville, TN, Editorial Boardmember
10:15 am “The Melungeons of Newmans Ridge,” Ruth Johnson,
Kingsport, TN, Editorial Boardmember
11:00 “The Melungeons, America’s Forgotten People,” Dr. N. Brent
Kennedy, Kingsport, TN, Vice-Chancellor, Clinch Valley College,
University of Virginia
11:45 am Melungeon Questions & Answers
Panel: Dr. Kennedy, Orr, Goins and Johnson
12:00 Lunch break
May 6
1:00 pm “Genealogical Sources Frequently Overlooked,” Donna Gowin
Johnston, Casper, WY, Editorial Boardmember
2:00 pm “First Families of Tennessee,” Cherel Bolin Henderson,
Knoxville, TN, East Tennessee Historical Society
3:00 pm “Using Archaeology in Genealogy,” Guy G. Weaver, Memphis,
TN, Archaeologist, Weaver & Associates
Gowen Farm Artifact Exhibit
4:00 pm Field Trip to Gowen Farm & Cemetery, Metropolitan Nashville
Airport, Guy G. Weaver, Memphis, TN
or
4:00 pm Genealogy Free-for-All, Phillip Alan Gowan, Nashville, TN
Foundation Boardmember, Moderator
5:00 pm Adjourn
May 7
8:30 a.m. “The Gowen Family of Southeast Georgia,” Charles Latimer
Gowen, Atlanta, GA
9:00 am “The Goyne Family of Georgia, Spanish West Florida and the
Free Strip,” Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Shreveport, LA,
Editorial Boardmember
10:00 am “Dank Basements, Musty Attics & Bungee Cords; The Researcher’s Bane or Reward,” Sandra M. Loridans, Chapala,
Jalisco, Mexico, Editorial Boardmember
11:00 am “Thomas Goin of Brunswick County, Virginia and His
Descendants All Over” Dianne Thurman, Editorial Boardmember
12:00 Lunch Break
Board of Directors Meeting
May 7
1:00 pm “Celebration of the Native American Goins Family,” Will Moreau Goins, PhD, Detroit, MI
2:00 pm [To be announced]
3:00 pm “Foundation Records on the Internet,” Arlee Gowen, Lubbock,TX, Foundation President
4:00 pm Editorial Boardmeeting, Jim Callahan, Nashville, IN, Moderator
5:00 pm Adjourn
May 7
6:45 pm Group Photo Session, Peggy Ann Davis White, Hopkinsville, KY
Editorial Boardmember
7:00 pm Foundation Dinner
8:00 pm “Shirttail Relatives, Kissing Kin and Neighbors; Identifying
Gowen Ancestors Associates,” Virginia Easley Demarce,
Arlington, VA, Editorial Boardmember
9:00 pm “Adieu, til we meet again.”
3) DEAR COUSINS
I am very anxious to see the Melungeon documentary filmed in Turkey which will be presented at the Research Conference in Nashville. I am a direct descendant of David Goings who died in 1840 in Montgomery County, VA, through his son, Frederick Goings. Since there is a legend of Turkish ancestry for David Goings, we are fascinated by the possibility of adding the Middle East to our patchwork of backgrounds which include the DuBois family of France and the MacGregors of Scottish clan fame. Ramona Thomas, 112 I St, #10, Eureka, CA, 95501.
==Dear Cousins==
I appreciate the letter of Phillip A. Gowan of Nashville and his information on Amos Goyne. The name Amos has been a puzzle to me. I had assumed that the Amos in Fairfield County, SC and the one in Sumner County, TN were father and son. Certainly, the Amos who died in Fairfield County, SC was a member of the family that previously lived in northern Orange County, NC in 1773 and earlier. Likely he was a son of Alexander Goyne, Sr. whom I regard as a son of William Gowen/Goyne and his wife, Catherine of Stafford County, VA. The obituary of Amos Goyne [d1820] in Rapides Parish, LA refers to him as being from TN.
My g-g-grandfather, Hiram Davis Goyne, used Choctaw Script issued in the name of Amos D. Goyne to purchase land in Union Parish, LA. Choctaw Script was issued as a result of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek [1820] between the Choctaws and the U. S. government which opened up some lands in Mississippi to white settlement . Under treaty provisions, the Choctaw could either remain on a certain amount of acreage in the area or take script and exchange it for government land elsewhere. Many sold their script. The pertiment question here is: What is Amos D. Goyne’s name doing on the Choctaw Script? Either he was a Choctaw or else the printed form had space for an endorsement to another person. More and more, I am won-dering about my brown eyes. Carroll H. Goyne, Jr, 10019 Canterbury Dr, Shreveport, LA, 71106.
Gowen Research Foundation 806/795-8758 or 795-9694
5708 Gary Avenue
Lubbock, Texas, 79413 Electronic Library/BBS 806/795-2005
___________________________________________________________
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 