John McGowan (1716 - 1796)

Born 30 Jul 1716 in Girthoun, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Rebecca (Rankin) McGown — married about 1744 in Colony of Virginia

Husband of Rebecca Hammond — married about 1744 in Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died 25 Feb 1796 at age 79 in Jefferson City, Jefferson County, Tennessee

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Bill Vincent [send private message] and Brent Biggs [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1716. He is the son of John McGowan and Margaret McFaiden. He passed away in 1796.

John McGowan migrated from Scotland to Virginia.

Arrived 1739 and settled in Virginia.

By 1749, John was living in Augusta County, Virginia on land just south of the James River. John was twice appointed to oversee the survey of the road that was later known as the Great Wagon Road from Virginia to North Carolina.

By 1765 John with wife Rebecca and children had moved south from Augusta County to Pittsylvania County, Virginia where he had received a land grant for 182 acres along Johnson's Creek. John's land eventually became part of a newly formed Henry County, and when subdivided again, became part of a newly formed Patrick County, Virginia.

In 1767, John is McGown is found in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1767, with 4 tithes. Pittsylvania County is of special interest because in 1777, Patrick Henry bought 10,000 acres of Pittsylvania County and named it Henry County after himself.

In 1774 Governor Dunmore (Commonwealth of Virginia) awarded John a Captain's Commission and appointed him as a Justice of the Peace. John McGown was one of the last Justices appointed before the start of the Revolutionary War. John and his family lived and worked this land grant until 1790 when he, with his youngest son Andrew, moved to Jefferson County, Tennessee.

John McGown's property was seized and confiscated by the Colonial militia who stationed standing militia units at his farm several times during 1780 and 1781. John's oldest son, John Jr., was killed during this period.

By the mid 1780's, many of John and Rebecca's children began to relocate into Kentucky and Tennessee. Children include:

1. Margaret b. 1744
2. John b. 1746
3. Samuel b. 1748
4. David b. 1750
5. Ann b. 1753 m. William Wann
6. Elizabeth b. 1755
7. Andrew b. 1757
8. Alexander b. 1760
9. Mary b. 1763

1787 and 1790, John McGown is found on the tax rolls Henry County, Virginia. On 27 Nov 1790, he sells 182 acres for 324 pounds.

The Henry County Person Property Tax 1787--List "B", District of Edward Tatum, Commissioner includes John McGown, Andrew McGown, David McGown, and William Wonn [sic].

Will of will of John McGown^[1]

In the name of God Amen I John McGown of Jefferson County and Western Territory south of the river Ohio being in perfect health, bless is be God for his mercy. Do make this my last will and Testament as follows. Imprimis* I give to my daughter Mary the sum of four shillings. To my daughter Margaret four shillings. To my son Samuel the sum of four shillings. To my son David the sum of four shillings, and to my daughters Ann and Elizabeth each the sum of four shillings. And to my son Alexander the sum of four shillings. I also bequeath to my son Andrew McGown the plantation I now live upon with three Negroes, one fellow called Peter, a Negro girl called Jude, and a boy named Harry. I allow the said Andrew all my real and all my personal Estate forever at my decease and not till then. I also allow said Andrew McGown sole Executor of this my last will and Testament. And likewise I charge him with the payment of all my last debts. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty second day of July, and in the year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

Sealed, published and declared by the above named John McGown for, and as his last will and Testament. In presence of us Test to the within will

John Bradshaw

William Bradshaw

James Bradshaw John McGowan (seal) X

Sources

1. ↑ McGown Family Records, 1765-1985; Dallas Pub Lib; Katherine McGown Bryan; has certified copy (2 JUL 1783) of John McGown's will filed in Jefferson Co., TN in which he left his plantation and slaves to his son Andrew who was then 39 years old

• Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

• Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.; DOBSON, DAVID. Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America, 1625-1825. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. Volume 2. 1984. 216p.

• Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor's Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Vol. I

• Family Tree

• GenForum Message