Lowe Family of Early Surry County NC

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Surry, North Carolina, United States
Surnames/tags: Lowe Low

Under construction

Lowe families (sometimes recorded as Low) were among the earliest settlers of Surry County in northern-west North Carolina. Many neighboring communities are across the state line in Virginia.

Surry County, North Carolina was created in 1771 from Rowan County. The county is currently bordered by Carroll County, Virginia (north), Patrick County, Virginia (northeast), Stokes County (east), Forsyth County (southeast), Yadkin County (south), Wilkes County (southwest), Alleghany County (northwest), Grayson County, Virginia (northwest).

In 1800, the county population was 9,505; it grew to 18,443 in 1850. Surry was split almost in half in 1851 to create Yadkin County; Surry population dropped significantly.

Lowes often had many children, some of whom married before 1850 when record keeping became more comprehensive. This means they were never named on a Census record with their parents.

This research area is an attempt to untangle conflicting information about these early Lowes.

Contents 1 Allied Families 2 Findagrave Records 3 Families 4 Discussion 5 Sources

Allied Families

Due to the relatively low population and sometimes mountainous terrain, siblings and cousins from one family often married siblings and cousins from a nearby family. The Lowe, Galyean, and Rector families are just a few that intermarried frequently.

Findagrave Records

As of 4 Aug 2023, Findagrave shows 420 memorial records for surname "Lowe" (including maiden and married names) in Surry County cemeteries.^[1] There are an additional 2 records for surname "Low".

Families

Some of this information is likely to be incorrect. Please add suggested corrections and improvements to the "Discussion" section below.

Stephen Lowe (abt.1765-abt.1843) and wife Ruth Kerby moved from Henry County, Virginia to Surry County, North Carolina about 1786 (date based on their children's birthplaces). Their six sons and four daughters are listed in Stephen's Findagrave record.^[2] Their sons are believed to be:

• Samuel F Lowe (1785-1857)'s profile currently conflicts heavily with other information. It provides a very different ancestral line, with the text naming his father as James Lowe. The profile is based on Findagrave information which is inconsistent with other Findagrave records.^[3]
• James Lowe (1794-abt.1870) and wife Martha "Patsey" Munnes are believed to be the parents of eight daughters. Four of them are listed in Findagrave.^[4]
• William Lowe, born 1800 in Surry Co., North Carolina, married Lucy Nichols Feb. 15, 1820.
• Elijah W Lowe, born 1809 in Surry County, North Carolina, married Catherine Lundy Nov. 22, 1829.
• Elisha Lowe, born 1820 in Surry County, North Carolina, married Susan Ramey 1835. Note: this may be a dupe somehow of the Elijah above with conflicting information - or they might be cousins instead of brothers.
• Stephen A Lowe (1819-1916) married Julia Ann, died Aug. 10, 1916 in Carroll, Virginia.

Discussion

Add comments here to help improve our knowledge of these families.

Sources

1. ↑ Lowe query: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=&middlename=&lastname=Lowe&birthyear=&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=Surry+County%2C+North+Carolina%2C+United+States+of+America&locationId=county_1736&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=d&plot=&includeMaidenName=true&exactName=true
2. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #130673581 (accessed 4 August 2023)
   Memorial page for Stephen Lowe (1765-21 Jun 1843), citing Flat Top Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Beulah, Surry County, North Carolina, USA; Maintained by Linda Walden (contributor 47154804).
3. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #140519220 (accessed 4 August 2023)
   Memorial page for Samuel F Lowe (1785-Nov 1857); Maintained by Carole Conrad (contributor 46532185).
4. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #130673516 (accessed 4 August 2023)
   Memorial page for James Lowe (1794-unknown), citing Flat Top Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Beulah, Surry County, North Carolina, USA; Maintained by Linda Walden (contributor 47154804).