Joseph Henry Cowen (1836 - 1891)

Born 1836 in Lynn Regis, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mary Elizabeth (Minifie) Cowen — married 17 Jan 1869 in Wellington, New Zealand

Died 27 Oct 1891 at about age 55 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Biography

Joseph Henry Cowen was born in 1836.

In 1869, he married Mary Elizabeth Minifie.

MARRIED.

COWEN — Minifie— On the 17th January, at St. Peter's Church, by the Rev. Arthur Stock, B.A., Joseph Henry Cowen, of Lynn Regis, Norfolk, England, to Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late John Minifie.^[1]

He passed away in 1891.

A colourful (and possibly embellished) obituary was published in the newspaper:

MR. T. H. COWEN. [sic]

Mr T. H. Cowen, who died at the Carnarvon Hotel, Hobart, on 27th uit., had passed through a chequered career. He was both soldier and sailor, and had seen a good deal of active life. In the American war Captain Cowen had charge of a confederate frigate, and took part in several skirmishes with the enemy. Later on he had charge of a detachment of volunteers in the New Zealand war with the title of lieutenant. During his sojourn in Tasmania Mr Cowen made many friends. He was remarkably good company, and would amuse his guests for hours with tales of his varied experience. Every visitor to Carnarvon had a good word for Host Cowen and his merry tales. Mr Cowen was a good painter, both in oil and water colours, his strong point being in marine subjects. Hia body bore many marks from bullets, sword wounds, etc., but the most serious of these was a bullet wound on the head. In one of the actions in which he took part a bullet struck the side of his head and splintered the bone. The wound healed, but pieces of bone had to be taken out from time to time. An operation was performed a few weeks ago, but this proved too much for him.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2786, 19 January 1869, Page 2
2. ↑ The Tasmanian (Launceston, Tas. : 1881 - 1895) Saturday 7 November 1891 - Page 32

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32581893/joseph_henry-cowen: accessed February 18, 2024), memorial page for Capt Joseph Henry “John” Cowen (1836–29 Oct 1891), Find a Grave Memorial ID 32581893, citing Port Arthur Cemetery, Port Arthur, Tasman Council, Tasmania, Australia; Maintained by ! woowoo (contributor 49949980).