William Gowen Jr. (abt. 1704 - abt. 1790)

Born about 1704 in Stafford Courthouse, Stafford, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1790 at about age 86 in Davidson County, Tennessee

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Hans Nielsen [send private message] and Margaret Garner [send private message]

Biography

William Gowen was born about 1704 in Stafford, Virginia.

PARENTS:

William Gowen Sr. (abt.1678-1726) and Catherine (Padderson) Gowen (abt.1685-1739)

CHILDREN:

Joseph Gowen (abt.1737-bef.1796) (not in will, but listed as son in tithes in Granville NC. May have predeceased his father)
William Gowen III (abt.1740-abt.1815) (not in will, but listed as son in tithes in Granville NC)
James Gowen (abt.1743-abt.1789) (presumed, records indicate he predeceases his father)
John Gowen (abt.1743-abt.1810) (listed in will)
Ann (Gowan) Easley (1750-1801) (listed in will)
Christiana Elizabeth (Gowen) Rains (1755-1826) (presumed)

SIBLINGS:

Ambrose Gowing (abt.1703-abt.1735) m. ? (confirmed child)
William Gowen Jr. (1704-abt.1790) m. Sarah Allen (presumed – could be a child of one of the other siblings of William Gowing b. 1682 – James or John)
John Going (abt.1705-bef.1784) married Mary Keith (child of Cornelius Keith) (confirmed child)
Susannah Gowen (abt.1711-) m. ? (confirmed child)
Alexander (Gowen) Going Sr. (abt.1715-1775) m. Sophia (confirmed child)

"If" William Gowen is a child of William Gowen and Catherine of Stafford County, Va, then he likely would have been one of their older children - near the age of Ambrose and John - who were adults when William Gowen Sr died in 1726.

Widow and mother Catherine Padderson wrote her will in 1739 and only left property for Susannah and Alexander, who were still minors when William Gowen Sr died in 1726. She left the remainder of the estate to her youngest children likely because they were minors when their father William Sr died, and she was left their portion of the estate, and her bequest in her will likely included their portion of their father's estate. Catherine's will did not include devising anything to John (but did name him as the executor). Her will did not metion Ambrose at all, likely meaning he too had already received his full share of his father's estate - and that share had been devised to any children he had when he died around 1734.

William Gowen Jr may have also been an adult when his father William Gowen Sr died, and already received his full share - and may be the reason he is not named in Catherine's will or estate paperwork. William Gowen Jr would likely have been born abt 1704-05 if he was an adult when William Gowen Sr died, and if that was the reason he was not listed in Catherine Padderson's will.

Estimated Birth Year – info used to estimate: William Gowen’s first records found in Granville County, North Carolina are for his purchase of 910 acres of land on Grassy Creek in 1750 – this transaction would make him at least 21 years of age at this time – so born before 1729 based on this. In 1753, William Gowen’s titheable shows him to have a son he must pay a tithe for – making his son at least 16 years of age in 1753 – meaning he was likely at least 21 years of age when he had this child – meaning William was born before 1716. In 1758 the tithe record shows his son Joseph Gowen “independent” from his father William Gowen, meaning he was of age at that time (21 years) – based on this, it appears Joseph Gowen’s birth year would be 1737, and his father William Gowen to have been born before 1716.

Marriage:

William married Sarah Allen

On May 13, 1780 William Gowen was one of the signers of the Cumberland Compact Articles of Government. The document was signed by 255 men who lived in the five stations along the Cumberland River at that time.

FACTS and SOURCES:

STAFFORD CO, VA RECORDS MAY BELONG TO WILLIAM GOWEN

The following records are after William Gowen Sr's death in 1726, so may be records for William Gowen Jr in Stafford County, Virginia.

1727 Apr 14 – B-79: Terrence Ryley of Stafford Co 217a in Stafford Co . . . adj William Gowin on Rattlesnake Br.
p. 90. Va. Land Trans – Stafford Co, Va. 1727 Apr 14 – William Gowen adj to Terrence Ryley,
Stafford Co, Va. Book B, p 79.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSY6-W9QN-Z?i=335&cat=414338

1729 Nov 15 – By virtue of a warrant from the proprietors office dated the 5th day of August 1729. Surveyed for Mr Charles Carter of the County of Lancaster a certain parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Stafford on the head branches of Pohick and Popes Head Runs and joyning to the lands of Terence Ryley; the said land being bounded as followeth … land of Terence Ryley and extending thence with the sd Ryleys lines … by Walter Griffins rolling road … near Widow Coffer’s line … 875 acres …
(William Going’s land is in the center of the drawn survey)
http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/239/0391_0393.pdf

1729 William Going on Pohick Rn and Popes Head Run in Stafford Co, Va,
Northern Neck residents and landowners.
Stafford County Virginia Titheables. 1723-1790 in two volumes, compiled by John Vogt and T. William Kethley Jr. Volume 1, page 117, 169.

1729/30 William Going on Accotink (Pope’s Head Run) in Stafford Co, Va,
Northern Neck residents and landowners. Stafford County Virginia Titheables. 1723-1790 in two volumes, compiled by John Vogt and T. William Kethley Jr. Volume 1, page 117, 142.

1729/30 William Going on Pohick Run and Pope’s Head Run in Stafford Co, Va,
Northern Neck residents and landowners. Stafford County Virginia Titheables. 1723-1790 in two volumes, compiled by John Vogt and T. William Kethley Jr. Volume 1, page 117.

1730 Feb 15 – C-105 – Thomas Ford of Stafford Co 451 acres in Stafford Co on Popeshead Run . . . adj. Capt Connyers and William Going.
p106. Va. Land Trans – Stafford Co, Va 1730 Feb 15 – William Going adj to Thomas Ford and Capt. Conyers, Book C, p 105
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSY6-W9Q4-B?i=706&cat=414338

1730 Mar 31 survey for Thomas Ford for 451 acres adj William Gowin in Stafford Co Va
http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/NN-1/240/0084_0087.pdf

GRANVILLE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

1750 March 5 – Deed: purchse from Robert Jones, Jr, 5 Mar 1749/50, ,
Granville, North Carolina, USA. “William Going “of Granville County” received a deed from Robert Jones, Jr, “attorney.” of Surry County, Virginia to 910 acres on both sides of Grassy Creek, on Williams’ line near the Virginia state line for £25 March 5, 1750,
Granville County Deed Book A, page 343.” Granville Co, NC 1750 Wm Going fr Robert Jones Jr in Granville Co NC (Book A p. 343)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99CR-26DD?i=123&cat=360398 ,
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9C5-X9GG?i=262&cat=360398

1751 A List of Tithables for the year 1751 by Saml Henderson
(Lists do not seem to be complete, and give no racial breakdown, but do appear to tax mixed-race wives in most cases).
List of Saml Henderson
William Going (G with an x thru it) – 2
Granville Co NC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3QY-F?i=307&cat=353959

1752 A List of Tythables of Jas Prince for the year 1752
William Goeing – 1 (or 2 – smudged) white
Granville Co NC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K375-N?i=331&cat=353959

1753 Granville County} A List of Taxables for the Year 1754 taken by the subscriber – John Sollis Esqr List 1754
The Names of the Masters, Mistresses or Overseers together with the names of there taxables
William Goeing, Joseph Goeing – 2 white persons
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3QX-V?i=394&cat=353959
Taxables, Undated -1800 Granville Co NC

1754 Oct 18 – Capt John Sallis’ Company:
47. WILLIAM GOWEN
78. JOSEPH GOWEN
Granville Co, NC

1755 summary list (from microfilm) C.044.70012 NC Archives
whites/ Blacks/ Total
Thomas Going 0/1/1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YG-V?i=8&cat=353959
Edward Gowen 0/1/1
Michael Gowen 0/1/1
Joseph Gowen 0/1/1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YG-R?i=9&cat=353959
William Going & Son Joseph Going 2/0/2
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLF-D9YL-C?i=10&cat=353959
Tax list (7 unlabeled volumes) 1755-1809 Granville Co NC

1757 Granville Co tax lists List of Richard Harris
William Gowen List Son Joseph Gowen & William Gowen 3 0
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K37G-8?i=464&cat=353959
Taxables, Undated -1800 Granville Co NC

1758 A List of Tyths taken for the year 1758
Taken by me James Yancey
William Gowing and son William Gowing 2 0
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVR-K3W6-6?i=544&cat=353959
Tax list (7 unlabeled volumes) 1755-1809 Granville Co NC

1758 June 19: William Gowen of Granville, North Carolina conveys to William Allen of Hanover County, Virginia 450 acres of land being part of a tract of 910 acres lying on both sides of Grassy Creek in a location where William Allen now dwells, along south side of Grassy Creek. Wits: Jno Bowie, Jonath Knight.
Signed: William Gowen and Sarah Gowen.
Proved up by John Bowie on June 20, 1758.
(Book C Letter G from 1756 to 1760 – p. 469 and 474). Granville County, North Carolina
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-FQYG?i=367&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89C5-YCKT?mode=g&i=123&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Y-P93P?i=203&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8983-F2FV?mode=g&i=497&cat=360398
1758 June 19 William Gowen and wife Sarah Gowen to William Allen 455 acres
Wits: John Bowie, Jonathan Knight.
Granville Co NC index (Book C Letter G from 1756 to 1760 – p. 469 and 474)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89C5-YCKT?mode=g&i=123&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Y-P93P?i=203&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8983-F2FV?mode=g&i=497&cat=360398

1758 June 19: William Gowen of Granville County, NC to Drury Allen of Lunenburg County, Virginia conveys 450 acres of land to Drury Allen on both sides of Grassy Creek, being part of the 910 acre tract upon which the above William Allen his brother have divided betwixt themselves. Wits: Jno Bowie, Jonath Knight. Signed: William Gowen.Proved up by John Bowie on June 20, 1758.
(Book C Letter G from 1756 to 1760 – p. 470 and 471). Granville County, North Carolina.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-FQGV?i=368&cat=360398
1758 June 19 Wm Gowen to Drury Allen of Lunenburg County, Virginia 455 acres of 910 acre survey, other half to his brother William Allen.
Wits: John Bowie, Johnathan Knight.
Granville Co NC index (Book C Letter G from 1756 to 1760 – p. 469 and 474)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89C5-YCKT?mode=g&i=123&cat=360398 ,
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Y-P93P?i=203&cat=360398 ,
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8983-F2FV?mode=g&i=497&cat=360398

1760 May 21 – (Survey) William Gowine 650 acre sruvey by Charles Harris’ line, near head of Dogwood Spring Br. Granville Co, NC
… Surveyed for William Gowine 650 acres of land according to the above plan lying in Granville County. Beg at … Charles Harris’ line near the head of Dogwood Spring Branch at the letter A …
Signed: Thomas Person
Chain Carriers: Robert Harrison, James Gowine
From GRANVILLE PLAT. Dated: 21 May 1760. Acres: 650. MARS: 12.12.30.5. Deed #: 150 (2 copies). Box: SSLG 40A
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3 ….. 1760 Dec 2 – (Patent Book Entry) William Gowen 650 acres in Granville County on Charles Harris’ line near head of Dogwood Spring Br.
PATENT BOOK. Issued: 02 Dec 1760. County: Granville. Grant no.: 150. Book: 11 pg: 365
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3 ….. 1760 Dec 2 – (Grant Deed) William Gowine grant for 650 acres from Earl of Granville. Granville Co, NC
… to William Gowine of Granville County in the Province of North Carolina, Planter …. beg at a white oak on Charles Harris’ line near the head of the Dogwood Spring Branch …
Signed: William Gowen
WIt: Danl Weldon, Joseph Gowen
GRANVILLE DEED. Issued: 02 Dec 1760. County: Granville. Acres: 650. Deed #: 150 (2 copies). Box: SSLG 40A. MARS: 12.13.40.3
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3

1760 May 24 – (Survey) William Gowine 667 acre survey by Johnson’s land and Stovall’s line. Granville Co, NC
Surveyed for William Gowine 667 acres of land according to the above plan lying in Granville County. Beg. at a pine …. by Johnson’s land … by Stovall’s line … to the first station.
Signed: Thomas Person Chain Carriers: John Hart, James Gowine
From GRANVILLE PLAT. Dated: 21 May 1760. Acres: 667. MARS: 12.12.30.4. Deed #: 160 (2 copies). Box: SSLG 40A
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3 …..
1760 Dec 2 – (Patent Book Entry) William Gowen 667 acres of land in Granville County beg at a pine … by Johnson’s line … then by Stovall’s line …
From PATENT BOOK. Issued: 02 Dec 1760. County: Granville. Grant no.: 160. Book: 11 pg: 365
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3 …..
1760 Dec 2 – (Grant Deed) Earl of Granville 667 acre grant to William Gowine of Granville County, NC
… Bet at a pine by Johnson’s line … by Stovall’s line.
Signed: William Gowen
Wit: Danl Weldon, Joseph Gowen
From GRANVILLE DEED. Issued: 02 Dec 1760. County: Granville. Acres: 667. Deed #: 160 (2 copies). Box: SSLG 40A. MARS: 12.13.40.2
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.282&qid=834272&rn=3

1761 Aug 27 – (Survey) William Gowing 640 acre survey on Spew Marrow Creek. Granville Co, NC
Survey’d 27th Aug 1761 for William Gowing 640 acres of land according to the above plan lying in Granville Co, on both sides of Spew Marrow Creek. Beg at a pine Run along Allen’s line …
Signed: Thomas Person.
Chain Carriers: John Morgan, William Allen Jr
From GRANVILLE PLAT. Dated: 27 Aug 1761. Acres: 640. MARS: 12.12.30.7 Granville Co. File No. 298, Granville Co. Granville Deed # 28, William Gowen; Issued 06 Feb 1762 for 640 acres “Both sides of Spewmarrow Creek ”
See also 12.12.30.7.
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.296&qid=834272&rn=4 …..
1762 Feb 6 – (Patent Book Entry) William Gowen 640 acres of land in Granville County on both sides of Spew Marrow Creek beginning at a pine running by Allen’s line … Dated 6th day of February 1762.
From PATENT BOOK. Issued: 06 Feb 1762. County: Granville. Grant no.: 28. Book: 11 pg: 368
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.296&qid=834272&rn=4 …..
1762 Feb 6 – (Grant Deed) William Gowing 640 acres on Spew Marrow Creek adj Allen’s line. Granville Co, NC
This Indenture … between … Earl Granville … of the one part and William Gowing of Granville County in the Province of North Carolina … confirm unto the said William Gowing … land situate … in the County of Granville in the said Province on both sides of Spew Marrow Creek betinning at a pine running by Allen’s line … 640 acres.
Signed: William Gowen
Wit: Thomas Person, John Williams
From GRANVILLE DEED. Issued: 06 Feb 1762. County: Granville. Acres: 640. Deed #: 28 (2 copies). Box: SSLG 40A. MARS: 12.13.40.1
https://nclandgrants.com/grant/?mars=12.14.66.296&qid=834272&rn=4

1762 October 4 – Land: sold 640 acres, 4 Oct 1762, , Granville, North Carolina, USA. “William Gowen sold 640 acres of his land to James Smith on Spewmarrow Cr October 4, 1762,
according to Granville County Deed Book F, page 382. Granville Co, NC.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9C5-X9L?i=302&cat=360398

1765 Aug 7 – Land: deed 350 acres to son Joseph, 7 Aug 1765, Granville, North Carolina, USA. “On August 7, 1765 “William Gowing of Granville County deeded 350 acres “to loving son Joseph Gowing,” according to Granville County Deed Book H, page 28-29. A sheriff’s sale took another 350 acres of his land for debt February 5, 1767,
Granville County Deed Book H, page 228.” Granville Co, NC. 1765 Jos Gowen fr Wm Gowen in Granville Co NC (Book H p. 28)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89CR-26C6?i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99C5-6C2W?mode=g&i=23&cat=360398

1767 Feb 5, A sheriff’s sale took another 350 acres of William Gowing’s land for debt February 5, 1767,
Granville County Deed Book H, page 228.” Granville Co, NC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-6CW1?i=160&cat=360398

1767 Oct 7: Joseph Gowin of Granville County, North Carolina to Isaac Winfree same, 350 acres in Granville County, bounded by William Gowin’s old line.
Wits: John Cunningham. Signed: Joseph Gowin. Proved up by John Cunningham in the November Court 1767.
p. 359-361. Granville County, North Carolina.
1767 Oct 11 Joseph Gowin 350 acres to Isaac Winfree in Granville Co NC (Book H Letter G p. 359)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C5-YC86?mode=g&i=124&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998Y-P9Z3?i=204&cat=360398
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G983-F9S4?mode=g&i=379&cat=360398

SOUTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE RECORDS RELATED TO DAVID GOWEN

1781-1798 – Land of David Gowen in Davidson Co, TN.
A David Gowen was killed by Indians in Davidson Co, TN in 1780/81. He was in possession of a 640 acre tract of land in that county, and several documents give hints to his family relationships.

The following records indicate the following:
1) An unsigned inventory in 1781 indicates David Gowine died in 1781.
2) William Gowen is granted admin of David Gowen decd’s estate in 1783.
3) Early Times of Middle Tennessee states David Goin was killed at Manskers Station by Indians
4) Levi Goyen is the brother of David Goyen, both free mulattos according to the power of attorney and affidavit filed in 1792, and both are children of David Goyen & Becky Goyen. (Becky had remarried to an Elliott by the time she files her affidavit in 1792)
5) Levi Goyen appoints John Goyen Gent, of Davidson Co, NC (TN), as his power of atty – calls him his “beloved friend”.
6) The 1792 power of atty sais the 640 acres of land was left to Levi Goyen as David’s proper heir in law, Levi is also noted as David’s oldest brother.
7) William Easley witnesses the power of attorney given to John Goyen/Gowen.
8) The Benj Boyd (the justice) states that, “it is said” that Levi Goyen was born in Fairfield Co, SC

The information does not give the exact relationship, if any, of Levi Gowen to William Gowen & John Gowen of Davidson Co, TN. The fact that William Easley signs as witness in the 1792 power of attorney to John Gowen indicates this is the John Gowen of Spartanburg Co, SC that signed this affidavit.

They may be 2d cousins. Levi & David may descend from James Gowen b. 1680’s presumed side of the family. Possibly related to the Granville Co, NC Gowen family that was near the Tarr River. One of the brothers in that group named Edward Gowen purchased 200 acres of land in Fairfield County in 1770 on the Broad River and had his payments in the indents from the Revolutionary War delivered to Capt. John Gowen. Edward Gowen’s father named Edward & John Gowen’s father named William would be 1st cousins if this is the case. It is presumed that James Gowen b. 1680 may have had a spouse that was mixed race – as most of his presumed children are identified at different times as mulatto in records. Thomas Gowen b. 1650 would be their common paternal g-grandparent.

See the following related records:

1781 Inventory of the estate of David Gowine,
An Inventory of the Estate of David Gowine who died in the year 1781 the ___ of was in the proceedings of Com.er.
To wit: One cow & calf 5.10.0, one cown and calf 5.12.0 – 11.2.0
One heifer 2.10.0, one heifer 1.9.0 – 3.19.0
One gun at 2.19.0, one bell at 0.7.0 – 3.12.0
One wedding bed(sp?) 0.5.0, one buckskin 0.5.0 – 0.10.0
One handkerchief 0.1.0, one pair of buckskins 0.1.0 – 0.2.0
(No signature on inventory)
Will Book 1, pg 11. Davidson Co, TN
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TV-1MY?i=26&cc=1909088&cat=307760

1783 March 4 “William Goings entered into bond in Davidson County with James Shaw, security, in the amount of £200 specie” and was granted the administration of “the estate of David Goings, deceased” by the Nashville Committee. William Gowen signed the return of the estate of David Gowen presented to the court. Shortly afterwards “William Gowens” as administrator of the estate of “David Gowens, deceased” sued John Gibson Gibson-1209 in a “plea of detinue*.”
Worth S. Ray, writing in “Tennessee Cousins” stated, “The court of the Cumberland District met again of June 3, 1783, and the Estate of David Gowen came up against John Gibson.” The estate was awarded £2 “for a heifer he disposed of,” according to early Nashville court records.
“David Goin, Patrick Quigley, Betsy Kennedy, John Shockley, James Lumsley and William Neely” were killed at Mansker’s Station, according to “Early Times in Middle Tennessee” published in 1857 by John Carr. Davidson Co, TN   1783 March 4: William Goings was granted administration of David Goins estate (David Goins killed by Indians at Mansker’s Station) by the Committee of the Cumberland Association. [ref. 44b].  Davidson County, North Carolina.  Richard Carlton. 1770–1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements. Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Counties (In What is Now Tennessee). Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987.
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1783 July 1: William Gowen plaintiff in lawsuit against John Gibson Gibson-1209 concerning cattle belonging to the estate of David Gower, deceased, before the Committee of the Cumberland Association [ref. 49b].
Davidson County, North Carolina. Richard Carlton. 1770–1790 Census of the Cumberland Settlements. Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee Counties (In What is Now Tennessee). Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987.
https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/3006/censuscumberland-001201_44?pid=953&backurl=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DPXv360%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26gss%3Dangs-c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsln%3DGoin%26gsln_x%3D0%26msypn__ftp%3DNorth%2520Carolina,%2520USA%26msypn%3D36%26msypn_PInfo%3D5-%257C0%257C1652393%257C0%257C2%257C0%257C36%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C0%257C%26msypn_x%3D1%26msypn__ftp_x%3D1%26cpxt%3D1%26cp%3D12%26catbucket%3Drstp%26MSAV%3D1%26MSV%3D0%26uidh%3Dm37%26pcat%3DCEN_1790%26h%3D953%26recoff%3D8%252020%26dbid%3D3006%26indiv%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=PXv360&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true#?imageId=censuscumberland-001201_44

1788 Oct 9 – William Gowen v. The heirs of David Gowen decd – William Gowen pleads the estate of David Gowen is justly indebted to him L 27.14.3. Oath that the heirs of the sd Gowen are not resident in this county or otherwise are unknown to him. William Gowen asks the sheriff to attach the estate of David Gowen to pay his debts. Jury finds for Plt.
Davidson Co, TN – Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions court records, 1783-1789 p. 110. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M3LD-Q?i=62&cat=134460

1792 Sept 17  – Affidavit / appointment of John Goyen as power of atty for Levi Goyen to sell land as heir to David Goyen decd, in Davidson County, NC. (Davidson Co, TN).
“Know all men by these presents that I Levi Goyen of the State of South Carolina, Fairfield County and for divers good causes & consideration thereunto moving have made ordained constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved friend John Goyen of the State of North Carolina Daverson County Gent my true and lawfull attorney for me to take out of the rights in his the said John Goyen’s own name to sell make over convey and confirm at his pleasure unto whoever may or shall agree with & purchase of him the said John Goyen a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being on Mill Creek of the East side of Daversons County aforesaid.
The said land being first in the hands of David Goyen dec’d a free mullato went to Cumberland River in the year 1779, and were killed by the Indians in the year 1780, and left the said malatto Levi Goyen his proper heir in law the said tract of land containing 640 acres.
And I do hereby grant unto my said attorney my sale and full power & authority to take pursue and follow such legal courses for confirming the right of sd land unto himself as I myself might or could do were I personally present. Ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the execution of the premises.
By virtue of these presents, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 17th September in the year of our Lord 1792.
Signed: Levi Gowen (his mark)
Signed sealed & del’d in the presence of us: William Easley.
Levi Gowen made his mark as his signature to the above instrument of writing in my presence. Signed: Benjamin Boyd.”
(The following AFFIDAVIT of Becky Gowen follows the above power of attorney):
“Before me personally appeared Becky Elliot formerly Becky Gowen by a former husband David Gowen and after be duly sowrn deposith and said that she had a son by the afore David named David Goyen who about fourteen years ago left this county (and as she was informed went to Cumberland River in N Carolina and was there killed by the Indians. Sd deponent further saith on oath that Levi Gowen who now appoints  John Gowen as his attorney is the full and oldest brother to the aforesaid David Gowen.
Signed: Becky Elliot (x her mark)
Sworn & subscribed this 17th day of Sept 1792 before me. Signed: Benj Boyd J. FC.
Fairfield County: I hereby certify that the above named Levi Gowen passeth in this County for a free Mulatto & it is said was born here.
Given under my hand this 17th day of September 1792.
Signed: Benj Boyd J.F.C.”
Fairfield County } I do hereby certify that Benjamin Boyd Esqr is one of the Judges of this our County Court & that full faith and credit is to be given to the above and to his siganture the same being his proper hand writing.
Given under my hand & seal of office this 18th day of September in the year of our Lord 1792 & the 16th of American Independence. Signed: D Evans, CFC
Recorded 18th Sept 92.
Deed records v. A-C 1785-1789. Bk A, pg 162-164. Fairfield Co, SC 
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-JQSR-Z?i=344&cat=207758

1794 May 19: John Gowen received on May 19, 1794 640 acres from 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. Cleve Weathers, a descendant of Nashville, identifies the section as the one which was issued to David Gowen who was killed in 1780 “in the settlement and defense of Nashville.”
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.”

1798 Mar 10 – John Gowen to Jonathan Phillips – 150 acres Mill Cr – part of a tract of 640 acres granted to the sd John Gowen by Patent No. 395 dated June 26th 1793, originally entered in the name of David Gowen’s heirs etc No. 115 Jan 15 1784 and transfered to the sd John Gowen Oct 30, 1792 …
Signed: John Gowen LS.
Wit: Andrew Ewing.
Deed bk D, p 416. Davidson County, TN.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4R-1S99-L?i=238&cat=229234

South Carolina Deed:

The following deed may be for William Gowen Sr, William Gowen Jr, or William Gowen who was the son of John Gowen. The deed is not clear which one it belongs to.

1784 May 26 William Gowen has 394 acres surveyed on the Sink Hole Fork of Middle Tygar River bounding E by Edmond Beardon and all other sides vacant, in 96 Dist, Greenville Co, SC
No 295, pg 109 1784 May 21 warrant date – William Gowen – date warrant May 21, 400 acres in warrant, date survey May 26, 294 acres in survey,
Surveyor – William Benson, file 295, page 109. Land Grants and Surveys Book A, 1784-1794 Greenville Co SC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-TSCQ-M?i=86&cat=78975

DEATH OF WILLIAM GOWEN

1792 April 10 – William Gowen dies in 1792, and his will is probated:
Estate: will, 10 Mar 1785, 96th District, South Carolina, USA. “William Gowen wrote his will March 10, 1785. The will read:

“In the name of God, Amen: I William Gowen of Ninety Six District in the State of South Carolina, planter, being in a low state of health, but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the Immortality of my Soul and That it is appointed for all men once to Die, Do make and ordain this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form following.
“1st. I recommend my soul into the hand of Him who gave it & my Body to Be Buried in a Christian Like manner at the Discretion of Executors.
“2nd. I Do Constitute and appoint my Son, John Gowen, and my wife, Sarah Gowen, Executors of this my last will and Testament. And as for my worldly goods which it has been please God to Bestow me I Dispose of them in the manner and form following: Viz:
“Item: I Give & Bequeath to my well Beloved Wife, Sarah Gowen, all my Stock of Cattle, Hogs & Horses [Except Two Cows & Calves for my Daughter, Anne Easily] which with all my household furniture, she, my said wife, is to hold as her property during her Life and after her death to be the property of my said son, John Gowen.
“Item: I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter, Anne Easily, Two Hundred and seventy acres of land, more or less, it being part of a survey of Three Hundred and Ninety-five acres Run for me on the Sink Hole fork of Tyger River, Beginning for the Dividing Line at a stump agreed upon by her and John Gowen & running a south course to the other line of said tract.”
“Item: I Give & Bequeath to my son, John Gowen, All the Remaining part of said tract of land above mentioned,
and for the true performance of these presents I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this my Last Will & Testament This Tenth Day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five the Ninth year of American Independence.”
(Signed): William [X] Gowen
Signed & Sealed in the presence of us the undernamed Witnesses by him, the Said William Gowen as his Last Will & Testament.
Wits: David Jackson, Millington Easley”

It is reported that William Gowen died April 10, 1792. The Spartanburg County, South Carolina probate court accepted the will of William Gowen in its session of April 1792. The following entry was made in the court minutes: Carolina Spartanburgh County April Court, 1792

“This Last Will & Testament of William Gowen, deceased, being proven by the Evidence of Millenton Easley & approved by the Court at the term aforesaid, was thereupon admitted to record, a true copy of which is this day transcribed & this Original filed in office 8 June 1792.”

by M. Lancaster, S.C.S.
Wm. Gowen, decd, Last Will & Test’t. Copyed, 8 June, 1792, 96 Dist, SC William Gowen decd/will. Spartanburg Co, Va – Estate File No. 1093.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34T-BZ4X?i=386&cat=2432211
John Buck Gowen – son, Anne Gowen Easley – daughter, James Gowen – son.

OF INTEREST is an entry for William Gowen in Davidson County, Tennessee who died in 1790 who appears to have had a "Sarah Gowen" as the executrix.

This is possibly William Gowen Jr (the son of William Gowen and Sarah). Also living in Davidson Co, TN at that time was Allen Gowen (son of William's oldest son Joseph). They had family members in Davidson County, TN - so it is possible the death in 1790 was William Gowen Jr.

Another possibility is that the William Gowen that died in 1790 in Davidson County, TN was the William Gowen of this page. His will had been written in 1785 - likely while still in South Carolina - and it is possible that William Gowen Sr had moved to Davidson Co, TN with some of his children/grandchildren, and there was no need to probate the will in Spartanburg Co, SC until 1792 - as the property there was already in the possession of his children that stayed in South Carolina. They may have decided to probate the will when they decided to sell some of the land they received from William Sr, and needed to make sure title was clear The will and estate paperwork do not mention the date of death unfortunately, so it is difficult to know.

See the following probate paperwork from Davidson County, TN:

1790 July William Gowen died in Davidson County sometime before July 1790 at about age 70.

1790 July 12 On July 12, 1790 the County Court granted a court order to “Sarah Gowens” authorizing her to sell the estate of her husband. In Davidson County Will Book 1, page 168 Sarah Gowen, administrator of the estate of her husband, returned an inventory of the estate of “William Gowen deceased of Davidson County, North Carolina” listing “one mare & colt, saddles, farm and carpenter’s tools, shoemaker tools, razor, guns, household goods, cotton cards, six pounds of powder, eight pounds of lead, eight dry cows, eight steers, ducks, hens, some money and bonds.” Davidson Co, TN

1790 July 13 On July 13, 1790, apparently after the death of William Gowen, Andrew Ewing acknowledged before the County Court that William Gowen had indeed executed a bill of sale [probably] for “one Negro fellow named Guy” to Frederick Stump, according to the Court minutes. Davidson Co, TN

1790 October: 1790 October: In Davidson County Will Book 1, page 175, dated October 1790, Sarah Gowen returned into a court a total of the proceeds of the estate sale of William Gowen, “£597:11 for articles sold”–livestock, household goods and farm equipment. Until 1792, American currency was still based on the English system of pounds, shillings and pence.
“An Inventory of the Sale of the Estate of William Gowens, Decd. as delivered into court October Term, 1790 by Sarah Gowens, Admx. of the estate of sd. Gowens Decd. Amount-ing on the sale to £597:11 shillings [two words illegible]:
Purchaser Item Price–Pounds:Shillings
John Hague One cow & calf 6:00
John Hague Two cows, one calf 16:15
Sarah Gowens One black & white steer 5:01
Sarah Gowens One small red steer 3:11
Sarah Gowens One red yearling heifer & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One barren white faced cow 8:11
Sarah Gowens One small red bull 3:11
Sarah Gowens One two-year-old heifer 5:01
Samuel Deason One 3-year-old heifer & 2 bulls 8:15
Timothy Demumbre One-year bay colt 39:
Sarah Gowens One roan mare 16:
Sarah Gowens One gray horse 26:
Sarah Gowens One great plow 2:06
Sarah Gowens One shear & cotton 2:12
Sarah Gowens One pair of iron wedges 1:16
Sarah Gowens One axe 1:
Sarah Gowens One pair of doubletrees 1:
Sarah Gowens One auger 1:
Sarah Gowens One 3/4″ auger 1:14
Sarah Gowens One drawing knife 1:03
Robert Weakly One foot adze 1:14
Dan Hill One handsaw 18:
Nimrod Williams One cow & calf 6:15
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf [Illegible]
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One steer 7:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:15
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:08
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:05
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 8:11
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 9:05
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:07
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:05
Sarah Gowens One steer 5:16
Sarah Gowens One barren cow 6:01
Francis Armstrong One cow & calf 6:10
George A. Sugg One red heifer 5:
Lardner Clark One cow & calf 6:08
Benjamin Barnes One cow & calf 7:10
George A. Sugg One yearling steer 3:10
George A. Sugg One cow & calf 6:06
George A. Sugg One steer 4:10
George A. Sugg One steer 5:12
George A. Sugg One cow & calf 6:
John Hague One cow & calf 10:06
James Bosley One cow & calf 6:10
James Bosley One barren cow 9:
Francis Armstrong One dark bull 4:06
William Anderson One cow & calf 8:
Sarah Gowens One woman’s saddle 1:
Sarah Gowens One man’s saddle 6:05
Sarah Gowens One pot 1:01
Sarah Gowens One pot & hooks 3:05
Sarah Gowens One Dutch oven 4:05
Sarah Gowens One pot rack 1:
Sarah Gowens One pair of steelyards [scales] 4:02
Sarah Gowens One grindstone 1:02
Sarah Gowens One smooth iron 0:08
Sarah Gowens Two snaffle bridles 1:09
Sarah Gowens One shotgun 2:01
Sarah Gowens One riffle gun 6:10
Bradley Gambrel One pair of spectacles 0:07
Timothy Demumbre One razor 0:24
George Augustus Sugg One pair of saddle bags 1:01
Lardner Clark One sow & pigs 3:06
Sarah Gowens Three chisels 1:01
Sarah Gowens One ax 1:03
Sarah Gowens One razor 1:10
Sarah Gowens One hoe 1:05
Sarah Gowens Two clevises 2:05
Sarah Gowens Two hoes 1:04
Sarah Gowens One cart 9:
Sarah Gowens One feather bed & furniture 20:
Sarah Gowens Two bedsteads 3:
Sarah Gowens One lot of spools 0:10
Benjamin Barnes One brod ax 2:01
Bobo Stovall One hatchet 0:18
Jonas Manifee One ax 1:03
Bradley Gambrel Two axes 2:02
Sarah Gowens Tanned leather 2:08
Sarah Gowens More tanned leather 1:01
Sarah Gowens Two tin kettles 1:06
Sarah Gowens Six pewter basins, 2 dishes,
6 plates 15:08
Sarah Gowens Seven tin cups & six spoons 0:19
Sarah Gowens One slate 0:20
Sarah Gowens Six lbs. powder & 8 lbs. of lead 6:
Sarah Gowens Seven 1/2 pt. bottles 0:09
Sarah Gowens Four water pails, 2 coolers,
2 churns, 5 chairs 2:02
Timothy Demumbre Tanned leather 1:12
John Hague Tanned leather 0:14
Jonas Manifee One tin strainer and 1 chair 0:05
Sarah Gowens One big wheel 0:10
Sarah Gowens One little wheel 0:07
Sarah Gowens One hogshead 0:08
Sarah Gowens Two bells 1:12
Sarah Gowens One sifter 0:08
Sarah Gowens One pr. cotton cards 1:
Sarah Gowens Two pair snuffers 0:04
Sarah Gowens Eighteen ducks 1:04
Sarah Gowens Two gimblets
[small augers] 0:03
Sarah Gowens Six curls 0:06
Sarah Gowens One pair nippers
& file 0:03
Sarah Gowens Ten barrows 30:11
Sarah Gowens Six sows & 14 shoats 16:01
Sarah Gowens One sow & 2 pigs [Illegible]
Jonas Manifee One hogshead 0:07
George A. Sugg Thirty hens 1:11
Hanson Williams One gimblett 0:01
Lardner Clark One barrow 3:05
John Hague Two sows & 15 pigs 5:12
John Hague Two sows & pigs 3:
George A. Sugg One sow 1:04
George A. Sugg One pied steer 5:09
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 2:01
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 6:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 5:
Sarah Gowens One cow & calf 3:
Sarah Gowens One yearling steer 0:20
Sarah Gowens One steer 3:
Sarah Gowens One steer 1:01
Sarah Gowens One grubbing hoe 0:20
Sarah Gowens One heading hoe 0:08
Sarah Gowens Six knives & 4 forks 0:06
Sarah Gowens Five lbs. cotton 0:20
Sarah Gowens Forty wt. flax 3:
Sampson Williams Hone & razor 1:15
The commissioners made return of a judgment obtained of Twenty-nine dollars due.” Davidson Co, TN

1793 May 6 Sarah Gowen appeared again in the Nashville Court Record, Entry No. 270 in connection with a sheriff’s sale May 6, 1793 in Nashville “by virtue of a writ of fiere facias” in the suit of Sarah Gowen against George A. Sugg and John Hague. The fiere facias was a writ of execution ordering a levy on goods to satisfy a judgment. Apparently the two had not made payment on goods purchased at the estate auction of William Gowen. By court order the sheriff, Sampson Williams, sold at auction a negro slave woman named “China” for £80:2 shillings to John & George M. Deadrick, Nashville merchants, and the debt was settled out of the proceeds. Davidson Co, TN

Military Service BET 1775 AND 1783. Virginia

Sources

• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf/genealogy/gowenms.htm
• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf/genealogy/gowenms001.htm
• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gowenrf/genealogy/gowenms005.htm

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Gowen-21 created through the import of Lent_Vise_2011-05-11aa.ged on May 26, 2011 by Bryan Sypniewski.
• Source: S500005 Willard Jones Jones Web Site

  MyHeritage family tree

  Family site: Jones Web Site

  Family tree: 465986871-1 Discovery Media: 465986871-1William Gowen, Jr. Certainty: 3 22 APR 2020 Added via a Person Discovery Event: Discovery