William A. Cowen (abt. 1792 - 1844)

Born about 1792 in Chucklemaker Creek, Bertie County, NC

Husband of Zilphia (Rogerson) Cowen — married 1831 in Bear Grass Township, Martin County, NC

Descendants

Died 1844 at about age 52 in Bear Grass Township, Martin County, NC

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Paul Harrison [send private message]

Biography

---1840 Martin County, NC census: William Cowen, age 40-50, 1 son under 5, 1 dau under 5, 2 daughters under 10, 1 female (wife) age 20-30. ---William was the son of David Cowand of Bertie County and grand son of William Cowand and Maybee Cake of Bertie County, North Carolina. William died about 1844 in Martin County, and is probably buried in the Harrison/Cowin Cemetery in Bear Grass, Martin County, NC. The last four children were born after William died, their father is not known. --- Mr. Joseph Cowan in Spaulding, Mississippi wrote a letter date 31 October 1858 to Jesse Cowand in the Bay St. Louis, MS. The letter is on file in the Genealogy section of Kirn Library in Norfolk, Virginia. In the Letter, Joseph discusses dropping the "d" from Cowand in his name. He also mentions that he had written to a cousin William Cowand in Martin County, but a Mr. Williams had written him back that William had been dead 14 years. He further states that this William Cowand was the son of his Uncle David Cowand. Uncle David Cowand had a brother named George Cowand Sr. David and George's parents were William Cowand and Maybee Cake of Bertie County. Maybee Cake was the dau of of John Cake Sr. and Mary Fleetwood of Bertie County. John Cake Sr. left a Last Will and Testament naming his daughter Maybee Cake and son-in-law William Cowand.

Spaulding Miss, Oct 31 1858

To Jesse Cowand, Esq Dear Sir, I have been endearing for some time to trace the heirship of some property belonging to a Mr. W. J. Cowan, who died in the service of the Republic of Texas, during the revolution which resulted in its independence of Mexico. Various circumstances have led me to the conclusion that this W. J. Cowan was a kinsman of mine, and so believing, I am now trying to trace up my relatives in North Carolina and elsewhere in order to find out from them whether or not such is the fact, and if so, to enable the proper heir to inherit the estate. In prosecuting my investigations, I put my self in correspondence with a cousin of mine Uncle George Cowand, of Bertie County, North Carolina who replied to my letter, and among other things, informed me that you were a son of my uncle James Cowand, who once resided in Bertie and afterward moved to Edgecombe County. This was new to me, as I was not aware that I had such a relative living, and so near me. And here I will say, that I am the only surviving son of Colin Coward, formerly of Hertford County, NC, and who moved from thence to Montgomery, Alabama, in the year 1823. His father's name was William Cowand, and his mother's before marriage, I think was May Cake. His brother names were, Solomon, George, David, James, Jonathan, William, John and I think Ephraim, but am not certain as to this last name, as my father died when I was but 11? years of age (in 1827) and my recollection may be defective. My cousin George Cowand wrote to me that he was 62 years of age this month (Oct) which makes him a pretty old man. He also informed me that he has a brother and sister living in Bertie County, NC. At the same time that I wrote to George Cowand, I wrote to Mr. William Coward, of Martin County, NC., and received a letter from a Mr. Williams, stating that William Cowand had been dead 14 years. This Mr. William Cowand was the son of my Uncle David Cowand. I was principally married in the City of Montgomery, Alabama, and have been residing there for then ten years preceding my removal to this place (about 2 1/2 years ago). I am a printer by trade, and am pretty generally known in Alabama and Mississippi; as I have been connected with the news paper business in Alabama in various capacities? for many years. Contrary to the manner in which my relatives sign their names, I have always written mine without the d (underlined) at the end of it. to= Witt, J. D. Cowan. I know of no other reason for my doing so, than that my brother Isaac W. Cowan, who died in 1832 never put the d to his, and he acted as a father to me after my father's death. I have seen your name frequently in the New Orleans papers, and in 1838, while on a visit to my cousin Thomas Cowand (son of Uncle David Cowand) I by accident saw your daughter. She was visiting at the house of Mrs Brewer, of Washington County, Ala (where cousin Thomas Cowand resides, and only a mile or two from his house). Myself and a young Mr. Gayle were in company, preparing for a "possum hunt", and were in such a hurry that we had no time to talk to the ladies. We returned to the house after our hunt was over, and stayed all night, but I left in the morning before breakfast, and consequently did not get so acquainted with her. Indeed, I had not the most distant idea at the time that we were related to each other. If living she will, perhaps, recollect it. I have a family consisting of my wife, one grown daughter, 2 little girls, and a little boy (the lady, and I'm? working for Mr. Adams in the _________ office whom you doubt__ know by reputation. I should be much pleased to receive a letter from you, with any information in your know to give concerning this W. J. Cowan, mentioned in the beginning of this letter. Did you ever have a brother by that Name? I address this letter to Peopp Christian, but am not sure that-that is your post office, so I see a letter advertised for you at Handboro. With sentiments of affectionate esteem

I am; Your Cousin J. D. Cowan

P.S. On reflection I have concluded to change the direction of this letter to Handboro, with a request to the Postmaster to forward it to you in case that should not be your post office. J. D. C.

Sources