Mihil Gowens (1635 - 1717)

Born 25 Aug 1635 in James City, Virginia

Descendants

Died 11 Sep 1717 at age 82 in James City, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Shelley Murphy [send private message]

Mihil Gowens is a part of US Black heritage.

Biography

• MICHAEL GOWEN (aka "Mihill Gowen", "Mihill Gowres", or "Mihil Goen") was possibly the son of Margaret Cornish and John Graweere (aka "John Greaweer" or "John Grashere") of James City County, Virginia. (No sources or records confirm they were related)

Michael/Mihill had a union with a negro woman named "Prossa" who both were the servants of Amy Barnhouse. That union produced one child, William Gowen.

"Michael1 Gowen, born say 1635, was the 'negro' servant of Christopher Stafford who gave him his freedom by his 18 January 1654 York County will after he completed four years of service with his uncle Robert Stafford. Accordingly, Stafford's sister Amie Barnehouse discharged 'Mihill Gowen' from service on 25 October 1657, and she also ensured his child William, born of her 'negro Prossa' would not be forced into being a servant [DWO 3:16].

In his will, Captain Stafford desired Michael to be freed from servitude after 4 years of service to Robert Stafford (uncle of Amy Barnehouse). Amy Barnehouse carried out his wishes on October 25th, 1657. Amy Barnhouse also freed Michael's young two-year old son William, but she retained the child's mother Prossa, as her servant.

1657 October 25 (date written), 1657/8 Jan 26 (date recorded): The Manumission of Mihill Gowen.
Bee itt known unto all Christian people that whereas Mihill Gowen Negro, of late servant to my Brother Xopher Stafford deced by his last will & Testament bearing Date the 18 of Jan 1654 had his freedom given unto him after the expiration of 4 yeares service unto my uncle Robert Stafford Therefore know all whom itt may concern that I Anne Barnehouse for divers good couses mee hereunto moving doe absolutely quitt & discharge the sd Mihill Gowen from any service & for ever sett him free from any claim of service either by mee or any one my behalf as any part or parcell of my Estate that my be claimed by mee the said Amy Barnhouse my heyres Exers Admrs or Assignes
as witness my hand this 25 Oct 1657.
Signed: Amy (AB) Barnhouse
1655 Sept 16 (date written), 1657 January 26 (date recorded): Bee itt knowne unto all Xcian people that I Ame Barnehouse of Martins hundred widdow for divers good causes & consideracons mee hereunto moving hath given unto Mihill Gowen Negro hee being att this time servant unto Robert Stafford a Male child borne the 25 Aug 1655 of the body of my Negro Prosta being baptised by Mr. Edward Johnson 2 Sept 1655 & named William & I the said Amy Barnhouse doth bind my selfe my heyres Exer Admr & Assgns never to trouble or molest the said Mihill Gowin or his sone William or demand any service of the said Mihill or his said sone William
In wittnes whereof I have caused this to be made & done I hereunto sett my hand & Seale this present 16 Sept 1655.
Signed: Amy (AB) Barnhouse.
York County Deeds, Orders, and Wills bk 3, p. 16.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TZ-CQ89?i=39&cat=367215

[NOTE: Christopher Stafford writes in his will that Mihill Gowen was to be free AFTER he completed 4 years of service to Robert Stafford. Stafford's sister, Amy Barnhouse, carried out his wishes in January 1658 when the document is recorded in court. The widow Barnhouse also freed Mihill Gowen's son, William on the same date. Prosta called "my Negro Prosta" by Amy Barnhouse in this record, appears to continue to be Amy Barnehouse's servant]

Michael Gowen moved to the adjoining Merchants Hundred Parish in James City Co. and received a land grant of 40 acres in 1668. Michael died in 1708, about 73 years of age.

On 8 February 1668 he (called Mihell Gowres) patented '30 or 40 acres' in Merchants Hundred Parish in James City County which was land formerly belonging to John Turner, deceased, purchased by him from Captain Richard Barnehouse, and lately found to escheat [Patents 6:208].

1668/9 Feb 8 – Mihill Gowres receives a 30 to 40 acre deed in James City County, Va.
  To all viz whereas &etc Now know yee that I that I the said Sr William Berkley knt Governor &etc give and grant unto Michill Gowres 30 or 40 acres of land according to the ancient lawfull bounds thereof situate in Merchants Hundred Parrish in James Citty County, formerly belonging to John Turner decd, and by him purchased of Capt Richard Barnhouse and lately found to excheat to his ma'ty as by an Inquisition recorded in the Secretaries office and &etc the hands and seals of Col Miles Carey Esch for the said County and a Jury sworne before him for that purpose dated the 20th (or 30th) of December 1666 may appear and is now granted unto the said Mich. Gowres who hath made his commission to be paid according to ___ to have and to hold &etc to be held &etc upon him and paying &etc provided &etc.
  Dated the 8th day of February 1668/9.
  Virginia Land Office Patents No. 6, 1666-1679 (pt.1 & 2 p.1-692), p. 208 (Reel 6)
  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-PSLX-H?i=211&cat=584564

Michael died before 11 September 1717 when this land again escheated to the colony:

1718/19 Jan 22 (grant date) - Mihil Goen decd, 37 acres land escheated
1717 Sept 11 (petition for escheat land)- To All, whereas by one Inquisition indented taken in the County of James City the 11th day of September in the year of our Lord 1717 by virtue of a warrant directed to Edward Jennings Esqr Eschecutor for the said County of James City, It appears that Mihil Goen late of the said County of James City dyed seized of 30 or 40 acres of land lying in the said County of James City which is found to escheat to us from the said Mihil Goen, which land upon a survey returned to our secretary's office bearing date the 24th day of November in the year of our Lord 1718 by Christopher Jackson surveyor of the said County of James City is found to contain 37 acres.
And whereas Robert Hubbard of the afsd County of James City hath made humble suit to our Lt Governor of our said Colony and Dominion and hath obtained a grant of the same land.
Therefore know ye that for diverse good causes and considerations ... in consideration of the sum of 2 pounds of tobacco for every acre of the said land ... paid by the said Robert Hubbard to our Receiver General ... confirm unto the said Robert Hubbard ... the said 37 acres of land lying and being in Yorkhampton Parish in the said County of James City and bounded as followeth, towit, beginning at a corner between Mihil Goen, Robert Hubbard & Francis Moreland and runs South 87 degrees East 52 poles to a branch tree standing at the head of Beach Spring it being a corner tree between Graves Pack, Francis Morland and Michail Gowen the person from whom this land is escheated. Thence down the said Beach Spring branch according to the meanders thereof until it meets with Green Swamp thence up the said swamp according to the sundry courses thereof unto a place called the horse bridge, thence south 22 degrees west 134 poles to the place bagun at... 22 January 1718. Signed: A Spotswood.
Virginia Land Office Patents No. 10, 1710-1719, p. 415 (Reel 10).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-V768-6?i=431&cat=584564

Michael/Mihill Gowen's confirmed child was:

3 i. William1, born 25 August 1655. (confirmed)

Some researchers have speculated that he "may" have had other children. Some say he is the parent of:

4 ii. ?Daniel1, born bef. 1654. (Not confirmed)
5 iii. ?Christopher1, born say 1649. (Not confirmed)
6 iv. ?Thomas1, born say 1650. (Not confirmed)

REGARDING PRESUMED CHILDREN:

Both Christopher and Thomas would have been about 7-8 years of age at the time Mihill Gowen was given his freedom in 1657. They are not mentioned as children of Mihill. The only child mentioned is William b. 1655.

Additionally, Daniel Gowin pays for transportation of two people into the Colony of Virginia some time before his land grant on May 1, 1679, indicating he is likely older than 23 years of age in 1679, probably at least 25 years of age in 1679, placing his year of birth around 1654 or before. Daniel is not mentioned as a child of Mihil in Amy Barnhouse's records either.

See the following records for these three men:

1. Age of Christopher Gowen:

Christopher Gowen is mentioned in the following records in York County, Virginia where in 1673 he gives his age as 24, indicating he was born about 1649:

1673 June 24 – Deposition of Christopher Gowin, age 24, saith that several times after John Williams, who drove away his mater’s mares out of the hundred, came to his mater’s house and came to deponent in the field, where he was at work, and told him he had brought home the old mare; whereupon deponent went to his mistress, his master not being at home, and she bid deponent go along with John Williams and see her, which he did; and went to Goodman Gill’s fence, where said Williams told him he had left her, but deponent saw none of her. Since, said Williams told deponent several times he would find her.
Sworn at Ct. 24 June 1673. Christopher (CC) Gowin
York County, Virginia Records 1672-1676 (n.p.: n.p., 1991), 60, quoting York County, Virginia Record Book 5: p. 49.

1679 January - Christopher Gowen and Anne Gowen were living in Abingdon Parish in January 1679 when their son, Michael Gowen was born, according to “Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia Register.”
“Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County, Va Register, 1678-1761,” page 275.

2. Age of Thomas Gowen:

The following records show Thomas Going first appearing in 1671 in Talbot Co, MD, indicating his year of birth is about 1650,

The records show that Thomas Going and Esau Goeing were in Talbot County, Maryland in 1671/1672. They then are both seen in separate court cases in 1693 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, with both cases involving an Abraham Smith. The records indicate Thomas Going and Esau (possibly a relative) came from Maryland to Westmoreland Co, Va about the same time - likely indicating a relationship.

1671 May 13 – Came Francis Staunton Mercht and proved right of 500 acres of land for transporting of:
Roger Pate, James Barber, Francis Lloyd, Richard Thompson, John Vincent, Thomas Going, William Ashbee, Bartholemew Hayes, Richard Taylour and Elizabeth Miles into this Province to inhabit, which he assigns as followeth, vizt:
Know all men by these presents that I Francis Staunton of London merchant for a valuable consideration to me in hand paid by Bryan O’Mayley of Talbot County planter have assigned sold and set over and by these presents do assign & sell and set over unto the said Bryan Omaly all my right title and interest of in and to 500 acres of land to me due for transporting:
James Barber, Francis Loyd, Richard Thompson, John Vincent, Thomas Going, William Ashbee, Bartholomew Hayes, Richard Taylour and Elizabeth Miles into this Province to inhabit. To have and to hold the said 500 acres. Rights to him the said Bryan Omaley his heirs & assignes forever. Talbot County, Maryland
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this 13th day of May 1671.
Signed: Francis Stanton (sealed)
Sealed & delivired in the presence of us, Richard Moy, Robert Ridgely.
Talbot Co, MD. Patent Record 1670-1673. Liber No. 16, transcribed from WT, from folios 1st to fol 640. Containing rights, warrants and assignments certificates and pattents. SR 7357. pg. 135.
Source: WT: 133 Film No: Transported by 1671 ; Transcript: 16:135; MSA SC 4341-
http://earlysettlers.msa.maryland.gov/
SERNO: S11. LAND OFFICE (Patent Record)#16, p. 135 Thomas Going, 1671 [MdHR 17,350, 1-23-1-21]. 06/02/92. Tracking No.: 17596. Circ. No.: 6395.
https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagserm/sm1/sm2/000000/000019/pdf/mdsa_sm2_19.pdf.

In 1672 Esau Goeing sells his wife Ann's headrights for her time of service in the Colony of Maryland to John Pitt of Talbot County, MD. This indicates she had completed her 4 year indenture, the typical time of indenture in Maryland at that time. Maryland law at the time entitled an indentured servant to 50 acres of land, plus various other items, once they completed their term. This indicates she had arrived at least 4 years earlier in 1668. See:

1672 Dec 24th – Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Logings, John Barrett, William Potter, Ann the wife of Esau Goeing, Thomas Watson & William Street proved then 6 rights due to them for their several times of service performed in this Province.
Signed: Math. Warde
Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Logings, John Barrett, William Potter, Esau Goeing, Thomas Watson & William Street have assigned and set over unto John Pitt of Talbot County 6 rights due to us for our several times of service performed in this Province and all our & every of our right title and interest of in and to the land due for the same. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seales this 24th of December 1672.
Signed: Thomas Logings, John Barrett, William Potter, Esau Goeing, Thomas Watson, William Street.
Wit: Math. Warde, John Baynard
Source: 17:376 Film No: Esau Goeing Husband of Ann, service by 1672; MSA SC 4341- 1672 Goeing, Ann 17:376 Film No
Talbot County, Maryland

In 1693 BOTH Thomas Going and Esau Going appear in records in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in records involving Abraham Smith for both men.

1693 April 7, Abraham Smith vs. Thomas Goen. Defamation. Withdrawn in person (entered twice, back to back, on same page)
County Court orders 1690-1698. Westmoreland Co, Va. p 90
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-6B48?i=203&cat=382658

1693 May 31 – Gawen Corbin Gent attachd an attachmt against the estate of Eashaw Goeing for eight hundred and fifty pounds and the sheriff under return that he had it attached one gray horse branded on both buttocks with obscure H brands which a horse has had in custody and a bridle and saddle in the hands of Abraham Smith as being the proper estate of the sd Eashaw Goeing.
Easaw Goeing late of this county being indebted to Mr. Gawen Corbin in the summ of eight hundred and fifteen pounds of tobo by cask as it was said and having absented himself out of the county the sd Corbin obtained an attachment agst the sd Goeings estate by Corbin of which the Sheriff attached one gray horse branded on both buttocks with an obscure brand being the proper estate of the sd Easaw Goeing as by the estate of the sd attachmt doth appeare. And for that it appeared to this court by the oath of Mr James Ellis that the sd Easaw Goeing stood justly indebted to the sd Gawen Corbin in that sum of amt of tobo by ammt for good judgment is granted him for his sd debt and (sp?) and the sd horse being appraised at Eight hundred pounds of tobo and undemaned awarding (sp?). It is ordered the sheriff orer over him to the sd Mr Corbin in part of satisfaction of his sd debt and such.
County Court orders 1690-1698. p. 97. Westmoreland County, Va
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-6B8K?i=216&cat=382658

3. Age of Daniel Gowen

The following 1679 land grant shows that Daniel "Gohon", later in 1698 called Daniel Gowin, paid for the transportation/importation of TWO people (a Mary Hare and a Ralph Rand) into the Colony of Virginia. To have the resources to pay the way of two people into the Colony, the assumption would be he is at least 25 years of age or older to have acquired the assets to pay for transportation into the Colony - placing his year of birth around 1654 or before. He may have been born later - and paid for transportation as a 23 year old or younger, but it seems like he would have been at least 25 years of age or older

1679 May 1 – Land grant. Daniel Gohon, grantee.
1679 – 0501. Location: Gloucester County.
1679 May 1 – Virginia Land Patents – bk 6, p. 679 – … and grant unto Daniel Gohon 100 acres of land in Kingston Parish in Gloucester County … on the western side of a small creek on the NW side of the sd Gohon’s plantation running thence by Mr Henry Preston’s line of marked trees … the sd land being due for the importation of 2 persons … (People transported): Mary Hare, Ralph Rand.
Source: Land Office Patents No. 6, 1666-1679 (pt.1 & 2 p.1-692), p. 679 (Reel 6).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLZ-PS2H-J?i=680&cat=584564

1698 April 26 Land grant. Daniel Gowin, grantee.
1698 – 0426. Location: Gloucester County.
Description: … grant unto Daniel Gowin 52 acres of land in Gloucester County beginning at a marked corner red oake of Mr Henry Preston’s land and running thence along said Preston’s line north … along Mr Ambross Dudley’s line … to a large corner pine of the said Dudley’s and Capt Ransons land … to the line of Thoman Rilands land then along the said Rylands line to the beginning … for the transportation of one person into this Colony …
Source: Land Office Patents No. 9, 1697-1706 (v.1 & 2 p.1-742), p. 147 (Reel 9).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37S-JSTT-K?i=171&cat=584564

Sources

• Land Patent, Virginia, LVA

His Freedom

• Mihil entered into some type of servitude with Christopher Stafford. These documents show his release.

The declarations, recorded in "York County, Virginia Wills, Deeds and Orders, 1657-1659," made after the death of Stafford and after Mihil Gowen had served an additional four years with Robert Stafford, read: William Gowen, [Mihil1] son of Mihil Gowen and Prossa Gowen, was born August 25, 1655, according to a statement by Anne Barnhouse which appeared in "York County, Virginia Wills, Deeds and Orders, 1657-1659." He was bap-tized one month later by Rev. Edward Johnson on September 15, 1655. "I, Anne Barnhouse of Martin Hundred, widow, have given Mihil Gowen, Negro, at this time servant to Robert Stafford, a male child born 25 August 1655 of the body of my Negro, Prossa, being baptized by Mr. Edward Johnson 25 September 1655 and named William, and I bind myself never to trouble Mihil Gowen or his son, William or demand any service of them. 16 September 1657.

Gravesite Details

• UNMARKED GRAVE at the Gowen family cemetary. He is the only one listed there.
• http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/f/i/t/Michelle-K-Fitch/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0452.html
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205104330/michael-gowen