William Gowen (abt. 1634 - 1686)

Born about 1634 in Scotland

Husband of Elizabeth (Frost) Gowen — married 14 May 1667 in Kittery, York, Province of Maine

Descendants

Died 2 Apr 1686 at about age 52 in Kittery, York, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

William Gowen was born approximately 1634 in Scotland. Believed to be a Scottish soldier captured by troops of Cromwell in the Battle of Dunbar, 3 Sept 1650. Conflicting stories that he was a Scottish Highlander. He spoke English, was Protestant, and could read and write. He was listed on a manifest of prisoners arriving on the Unity which left England on 11 Nov 1650. He was subsequently sent to the Great Works sawmill in Berwick, Maine. Upon release in 1656, he settled in Berwick, formerly a part of Kittery, Maine.

Notes

Angie's Book p. 173 (transcribed by RHGJ or WNG) Williwm Gowen, a Scotch Hghlander in the army of Scotland under command of David Leslie, was taken prisoner at the battle of Dunbar in the war against Cromwell Sept 3, 1650. 150 prisoners shipped to New England on Oct 23, probably arriving in Boston in december. Dome died, but 60 were sold and sent to Iron Works in Lynn. Others were sold to those willing to pay the price (30 pds), and 15 were sent to the Great Works at south Berwick, including William Gowen and David Hamilton(?).

Children

1. Nicholas Gowen (1667-1752)
2. John Gowen (1668-1773)
3. Patrick Gowen b.1670
4. William Gowen (1672-1691)
5. Elizabeth Gowen (1673-1731)
6. James Gowan (1675-1751)
7. Margaret Gowen (Smith) (1678-1751)
8. Lemuel Gowen (1680-1727)
9. Sarah Gowen b.1684.

Born Scotland^[1]

Died 2 APR 1686. ^[2]

An account and distribution of his estate was recorded on 30 October 1696. He was mentioned as "William Gowen alias Smith."^[3]

Note: "William Gowen, sometimes called Smith because the word Gowan means a smith, was a carpenter, probably from Scotland. He married, 14 May 1667, Elizabeth, dau. of Nicholas Frost. Was granted a house lot in 1670. died 2 April 1686. ....." That explains that pretty well.. I also found from the New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 (Ancestry.com) Page 119, Marriages in Co. York, Me., 1686-99. On the same page as the marriage between Daniel (misnamed David) and Margaret Gowen, shows her sister Elizabeth's marriage to Alexander Fforgison (sp). It says that he and "Elizabeth Smith (alis Gowen)" were married ...1694. So that's another reference to a Gowen being called "Smith". Source: Research by Lori Dillon April 2022.

Emigration: DEC 1650. Scotland^[4]

Research Notes

It has been recorded that Leftenant Charles Frost, brother of Elizabeth Frost, filed a complaint against William [Gowan] Smith for bastardy in regards to his son Nicholas, who would be born shortly thereafter. William and Elizabeth married a week later, on 14 May 1667.

"Province of Mayn, May 7th 1667, at Yorke, ... Leeftent Charles Frost of Kittery complayns against William x x x alias Smyth of said Town for Bastardy... This Court upon examination ... in concerning the said Gowin alias Smyth in reference unto his charg...do find the said person William Gowin alias Smyth to be the rep x x x ther of that Child layd upon him by Elizabeth Frost"^[5]

No sources have been found to support the attached parents, William Gowen (abt.1614-) and Bessie (Wilson) Gowen (1618-abt.1660).

He was previously reported to have middle name "Alexander" but no records have been found in support of his use of that name.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S1925 Page
2. ↑ Source: #S1765 173 Page 173
3. ↑ York County, Maine Probate Records, No. 1, 1687-1707, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89JS-L9Z3-M : 6 April 2021), FHL microfilm 007600380, image 46-48, Page 36-38.
4. ↑ Source: #S1925 Page
5. ↑ Province and Court Records of Maine - Maine Historical Society Vol 1 - 1991 p 292

• Gowan, William, Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire; Surnames, G-H. https://tinyurl.com/y2rbx5pb, by: Sybil Noyes, Charles Thornton Libby, Walter Goodwin Davis, Published 1998, 218 pages: pg.
• Source: S1765 Angivine Gowen, Cider Hill Annals TID 0
• Source: S1925 Old York Transcript, York, YORK, ME October 31, 1930 .
• "Gowen, William." Scottish Prisoners of War Society https://spows.org/battle-of-dunbar/battle-of-dunbar-prisoners-of-war/battle-of-dunbar-prisoner-profiles/william-gowen/. Accessed 10 May. 2023.