Thomas Cowdin Esquire (1720 - 1792)

Born 25 Dec 1720 in Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 22 Apr 1792 at age 71 in Fitchburg, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Vick Miles [send private message]

Biography

Son of James & Janet (Craige).

He was of Scotch ancestors, on both sides - the son of James Cowdin, the first of the name in American, who went from Scotland to Ireland about 1688, and who came to America about 1728, and settled in Holden, Mass., in 1731. Thomas was born in Ireland, Dec. 25, 1720, being therefore eight years old when he came to this country. Arrived in Fitchburg ca 1754.

Commissioned Capt. on Oct 26, 1779 and again on July 6, 1780 of the Fitchburg Company of Militia raised to reinforce the Continental Army at New York.

When younger, reportedly sailed from Boston for Louisbourg in 1745 as sergeant to participate in the siege.

He was pressed into service during the French and Indian war, stationed at Charlestown No. 4 in New Hampshire, later sailing in 1755 on the expedition against Nova Scotia. He was appointed ensign Sept. 24, 1756; 2nd lieut. Oct. 1757; 1st lieut. Feb 1760.

Thomas married twice: his first wife, Experience Grey, died in 1760.

Cowdin was elected town selectman and to the school board. He served as town clerk from 1766-1775.

He owned considerable amounts of land (reportedly the highest taxpayer in town in 1770).

NOTES: John Cowdin, grandson, had a large monument of "Quincy granite" placed at Laurel Hill. He had planned to have his grandparents' remains moved to this location (according to Sentinel article of Oct 4, 1884). The lot, no. 31, was purchased from Hale W. Page on Dec. 17, 1883. Page had purchased the lot from Charles Mason in 1872. However, this does not appear to have been carried out.

In 1980, the Historical Society was raising funds to purchase two portraits, one of Thomas & the other of Hannah. On April 25th, the Sentinel ran a brief article regarding the "controversy" regarding the location of their final resting place.

A record held at the Fitchburg Historical Society shows a notation that reads: April 30, 1980: Dug down to check - no Thomas.

Captain Thomas Cowdin Esquire served with 8th Regiment, Worcester County Militia, Massachusetts Militia during the American Revolution.

Thomas Cowdin Esquire is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A026841.

[Cowdin, Thomas. Captain; list of officers detached from Middlesex and Worcester county brigades to reinforce Continental Army, agreeable to resolve of Oct. 9, 1779; commissioned Oct. 26, 1779; also, Captain, Col. Samuel Denny's regt.; engaged Oct. 26, 1779; discharged Nov. 23, 1779; service, 1 mo. 7 days, travel included, at Claverack; company raised to reinforce Continental Army at New York for 3 months; also, Captain, Fitchburg co., Col. Rand's (8th Worcester Co.) regt.; list of officers of Mass. militia; commissioned July 6, 1780. {Vol 4:31}]

Thomas Cowden, born Ireland, commanded a company of Colonel Bridges`s Regiment. ^[1]

Name

Capt. Thomas Cowdin, Esq.

Burial

South Street Cemetery, Fitchburg, Worcester, Massachusetts

Sources

1. ↑ page 52 "The Irish at Bunker Hill, Evidence of Irish Participation in the Battle of 17 June 1775" Michael J O'Brien, Irish University Press, Shannon, Ireland. Call E269 I6 0233

• Find A Grave: Memorial #92688848
• Proceedings of The Fitchburg Historical Society (The Society, Fitchburg, Mass., 1895-1895) Vol. 1, Page 135-46. "Capt. Thomas Cowdin's Journal"
• "Captain Thomas Cowdin." Howard, Ada L. Proceedings of the Fitchburg Historical Society and Papers: Vol. 3. 1898. Online version can be found here: https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/fitchburg-historical-society/proceedings-of-the-fitchburg-historical-society-and-papers-relating-to-the-histo-cti-40/page-2-proceedings-of-the-fitchburg-historical-society-and-papers-relating-to-the-histo-cti-40.shtml
• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ92-45F : 15 January 2020), Thos Cowdin in entry for Experianc Cowdin, 1757.
• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ92-JNB : 15 January 2020), Thos. Cowdin in entry for Thos. Cowdin, 1754.