Cowan - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Emery Cowan Civil War veteran of the 37th MA Infantry

Bob_MacAvoy — 2009-11-08 06:30:56Z

I am in need of some information on Emery Cowan a Civil War veteran who served in the 37th Massachusetts Infantry. In the 1870 census for Northampton, MA, he is listed as Emery Cowen (age 28, blacksmith), but then he seems to disappear.

Listed in the 1890 Veterans Census for New Jersey there is a listing for a Samuel Cowan who claimed that he also served in the 37th Massachusetts Infantry, but there is no record of him on their roster. I am wondering if Samuel and Emery are possibly the same person or did Samuel serve under an alias?

There are no pension records in the National Archives for either of them.

Bob

http://ourbrothersgonebefore.wetpaint.com

George Cowan

deborahreeves1 — 2009-10-30 19:30:57Z

Looking for info on a "George Cowan". Believed to be son of Anna Reeves & step-son of Nathan Reeves. (information taken from Census of 1880; he was 16). Lived in North Carolina, Wilmington New Hanover. Two other siblings in house hold, Nathan Reeves & Edward Reeves.

Re: Cowan + Hamilton's from Ireland to Canada...early 1800's

jprtaylor — 2009-10-23 05:57:14Z

Thanks for the info...it spurred me onto doing a little more research and I found out they came to New York just before the war of 1812, I believe in that very year. In many ways, it was their sympathy for the British during the War (no doubt linked with the fact they were from Ulster) that impelled them to leave for Canada in 1819, as they apparently suffered a great deal of verbal abuse and discrimination from other New Yorkers. Sort of a neo-United Empire Loyalist scenario.

Source: http://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/9634_MaltonBook_PartFour....

look on page 289, or the section on Grahamsville.

Re: Cowan Family

familysearch4u — 2009-10-22 18:58:20Z

Thank you for the reply. I will check them out.

Re: Cowan + Hamilton's from Ireland to Canada...early 1800's

DWoodyatt — 2009-10-18 01:53:20Z

Hi,
They came to Canada by wagon train in 1819, i'll have to get back to you on the approx. year they left Ireland for New York.

Re: Mary Dobbin Cowan 1800 NC

tjohncowan — 2009-10-16 20:39:25Z

Mary Cowan was the daughter of David Cowan (d. 26 Feb. 1811 Mecklenburg Co., NC) and Anna Dobbins. David was of the Rowan Co., NC Cowans (and can be found there until about 1797), but his connection to the larger family is not as clear as some of the other lines. He was born ABOUT 1755, and it seems that his parents were PROBABLY George Cowan (son of Henry Cowan of Lancaster Co., PA) and his prospective wife, Catherine Skiles Cowan. If this probable descent holds, then he and Anna were cousins, as her mother was a Skiles. What can be said for David's ancestry is that he definitely was NOT a descendant of the 3 main branches of the Cowan family in Rowan County--the descendants of John, David and William. He descends from the other brother, Henry, whose family is much harder to piece together. (Note: all of these names were used repeated, so these brothers I am referencing were the oldest that we have information on--the ones who came from Scotland ca. 1720.)

Re: Cowan Family

gettyrm — 2009-10-16 17:15:18Z

Benjamin C. Cowan is the fellow the town was named after. The Cecil County Historical Society (Elkton, Md) has a sir name file on the Cowans, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff. I know that the Head of Christiana Presb. Church Cemetery (right on the Delaware/Maryland line about 3 miles from Cowantown) has several markers with the Cowan name.

Re: Cowan + Hamilton's from Ireland to Canada...early 1800's

jprtaylor — 2009-10-16 02:27:39Z

Do you know what year the Grahams came to New York and then to Canada?

Re: Cowan Family

familysearch4u — 2009-10-16 02:25:48Z

Do know any of the names of the Cowan/Cowen family for which this town is named. Or, could you point me in the direction of where I might find some records. thank you

looking for Cowan born to single mom 1935 to 1942 in England

mamusa — 2009-10-12 23:22:44Z

I am looking for relatives of a child born between 1935 and 1942 in Durham County England, or London England to a single mother of the last name Cowan. The doctor at the birth would most likely have been Dr. Mickler - I have family information about the mother. If you are looking for information send me a message.

Sarah Cowan-James Heron Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland

dcivgin — 2009-10-09 18:20:54Z

Looking for information on birth/marriage of Sarah Cowan, married to James Heron/Herron, shoemaker, in mid-1700's in Scotland. Children born in Dalmellington, Ayrshire to this couple were Agnes 1760, Jean 1761 and Elizabeth, 1775. James Herron junior/younger is listed without wife on Dalmellington OPR birth records for these girls as well as two boys, James 1762 and William 1765. All three daughters lived in Creetown, Kirkmabreck Parish, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and claimed birthplace as Dalmellington on the 1851 Scottish census. Statutory death records for Agnes Heron Hunter and Elizabeth Heron Campbell list parents, and Agnes' death is reported by Andrew Nish (McNish), her nephew, who was the son of Jean Heron and William McNish. No additional information on possible sons.

Thanks!
Susan

COWAN Alice D 1940-

t42MountOlivet — 2009-10-07 12:10:04Z

COWAN Alice D 1940-

I photographed this gravestone in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 207,656 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

COWAN Stephen R and John C

t42MountOlivet — 2009-10-06 14:26:12Z

COWAN Stephen R and John C

I photographed this gravestone in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 207,656 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

Re: Dyson Cowan b. abt. 1885 Rosebank, Ontario died 1953

JBowen — 2009-09-24 10:22:04Z

I have some further information regarding Dyson Cowan's ancestry. He was the son of William Cowan and Mary Emma Pearce. Mary Emma Pearce is the daughter of John T. Cowan and Sarah Ann Courtice. William Cowan is the son of William Cowan and Mary Ann Walker. My interest in this family is that Sarah Ann Courtice is the daughter of Thomas Courtice and Mary Annis. Their descendants are described in the Annis Annals by Levi E. Annis ed. and also the Courtice Family Tree by Cyril Courtice Jeffrey.

Jim Bowen
bowallgen@cogeco.ca

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

mslewis155 — 2009-09-21 08:12:51Z

Thank you so very much for all this information. I can't tell you how much it means to finally have the surname of Anne along with all the other detail. I didn't realise there were so many other siblings - this will aid my research in both Ottawa and Drumshanbo no end.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Yours gratefully,
Maria

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

gbclark124 — 2009-09-21 04:45:26Z

No, I am not a descendant of David Cowan but I have met a number of people who are. I have an interest because I am the historian for the Leitrim church and associated cemeteries(I wrote a 400+ page comprehensive history on that church and the cemeteries), and a researcher with the Gloucester Historical Society which has its office on the old Cowan farm as well. Anybody interested in the Cowan family history (David's family) can contact me at gbclark@magma.ca and I will give you a link to download an electronic copy.

I have more information from the 1879 Belden Atlas of Carleton County which includes a biography of William Cowan while he was still living. This corrects the spelling of William's mother's maiden name.

William Cowan , J.P. (Justice of the Peace), County Treasurer of the County of Carleton, is the second child, and eldest son, of a family of five sons and four daughters of Patrick and Anne Cowan, of the County Leitrim, Ireland, where he was born, December 17th, 1825. His mother was a CORNYN, of Norman extraction, his father being of Celtic descent, and a farmer in easy circumstances.

William received the best eduation afforded by the National School of the Parish of Kilturbid, and upon leaving it, passed the National Board, obtaining a certificate for Teacher, which occupation he purposed following; but becoming dissatisfied with some of the workings of the Irish school system, he left his home for America in 1845, and arrived at Bytown in August of that year, when less than 20 years of age. Having occasion to visit some distant connections in North Gower, he happened to attend a school meeting, at which he made an arragement with the Trustees to take temporary charge of the school at North Gower village, a charge so faithfully performed that they retained him in their service for five years, till he left for the purpose of studying law in Toronto. But just as he was on the point of leaving, he was induced by some friends to invest what money he had saved in a farm which was offered very cheap, and he located upon it - intending to remain only long enough to dispose of it again - but circumstances subsequently induced him to permanently follow the occupation of farming; so he married, in 1850, Catherine, daughter of Captain McCrea, of Montague, an officer of the war of 1812-15, and settled down to agricultural pursuits, which he prosecuted for many years with an exceptional and enviable degree of success.

About the time of his marriage, he was offered by the late Judge Armstrong the postion of Clerk of the Division Court (including North Gower and Marlboro) which he accepted, and retained for more than 21 years, till his voluntary resignation on removal to Ottawa.

He early assumed a leading position in the direction of municipal affairs. He was elected Township Councillor for seven or eight years in succession, after which he was for five years Reeve. In 1870, he was offered the County Clerkship, and this, in addition to the superior advantages offered by a residence at the Captial of the education of his growing family, induced him to retire from farming and local municipal affairs, and remove to Ottawa to accept the appointment, the duties of which he continued to descharge till February, 1873, when he received his appointment to his present position, to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Z. Wilson, late Treasurer, to the office of Collector for the Port of Ottawa.

Mr. Cowan is literally a self-made man - owing the position he has succeeded in attaining to his own unaided efforts. He is one of the Ottawa City Water-Works Commissioners, takes an active and leading part in all local and general improvements, has been a Justice of the Peace for over 25 years, is an enterprising and popular citizen, and thourough-going, reliable, and efficient public officer.

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

gbclark124 — 2009-09-21 04:13:29Z

Sorry Judith, I have no idea if there is a connection.

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

JAHayman — 2009-09-20 17:12:39Z

My post was in response to gbclark124.

Judith

John The Pioneer Cowan (1840-1902)

ann_new_creation — 2009-08-31 14:15:50Z

I am trying to find information on my mother's linage. Her father died when she was young so we don't have a lot of information.

John P. Cowan (1840-1902) married
Laura Ann Rankin (1847-) they had
John Henry Cowan (1878-1934)He married
Lydia Solomon (1876-1916) and they had
Nora bell Cowen (1909-2006) and
Elmer Ershel Cowen (1905-1953) who married twice. The second time to Carry Helen Wood (1901-1978) they are my grandfather and grandmother.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

LauraCowan — 2009-08-30 06:45:58Z

No one is mad or upset, I was just telling you about the DNA if you were interested. It has come down in price and for it to be good in your Cowan line, it does need to be a Cowan male. Sometimes they are lurking around and if they understand that you need a sample they will get interested and pay for the test themselves.

Just was trying to pass on some information and did not mean to appear mad or upset - just trying to pass on information that has really helped a lot of different Cowan lines.

You just never know when you will run across a distant Cowan male cousin.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

LauraCowan — 2009-08-25 17:24:55Z

Did your brothers tell you why they would not give you enough spit for the DNA test? It is very sad to me when a family member will not share something simple that would make a big difference to a researcher.

A DNA test would narrow down what line you should be following if you match one of the already tested Cowan lines. With your oldest relative thought to be a Robert Cowan and Jane Fleming - you peak a lot of ears right away!!!

So far in the Cowan DNA Project we have learned that the Robert Cowan over in Sullivan Co, TN does not match any of the already tested lines - that he is a line of his own which is why years of research has not given him a paper trail to any of the other lines. Same is true for the Wythe Co, VA Cowan line. Then we just took Hugh Cowan away from the 4 Immigrant 1720 Cowan Brothers and placed him with the Cowan Gap State Park Cowan line.

We took James Cowan that died in Knoxville, TN in 1801 and married Margaret Russell away from the 7 Immigrant 1726 Cowan Brothers. Margaret Russell married Cowan, Humes and Ramsey with children by each husband.

Anyway, the DNA Project has sawed off a lot of limbs off some well researched trees and made a lot of information no longer valid. This is the reason to have the line tested if you have a Cowan male. It keeps the researcher from waisting their efforts on the wrong line. YOU then have the actual genetic signature of your Cowan line and for others to be kin to you, then they have to match close enough.

The DNA that we get from the cheek swab is of no value to anyone other than a lab doing genealogy DNA testing. They are looking at what is considered junk DNA for getting what information they need. http://www.FamilyTreeDNA.com is a very good lab and they run a very good program. The DNA sample will be kept for at least 25 years so that as new tests are developed, additional testing can be done without the need of a new sample. This has been very good for the members that have passed, but the only problem is that they have the answers that we need and have not shared them with any of us to date.

Keep asking your brothers and you can order a kit with an invoice to have on hand just in case they say yes - then send in the money once you have the sample. It often takes a while to work through the reason you want the line tested and why it is important to you for them to be tested and that insurance or legal groups can not access this sample - it is a good, safe testing method but only for genealogy.

Sorry that I sound upset - it just bothers me when all you want is some spit and they probably as children spit often at their sister if the truth be known, but now when it is important to you, they just don't seem to understand. All I can say is keep trying and keep coming up with new ways to explain it to them. Sometimes, it takes 3 years for me to educate a person as to the need of DNA testing for their research. The ones that have not matched have really gotten verification as to why they could not link up their line with the researched ones.

It is just neat to have that genetic signature for your research.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

LauraCowan — 2009-08-20 18:21:40Z

I will try to look at some of the information that I have in my files to see if there is anything that I can do to help you.

Do you have other living Cowan males? If so, we have a Cowan DNA Project that would let you know in 6 weeks which line to shake up for a connection!!! You have so many of the given names that are in my Cowan line as well as a handful of the other well researched lines. They fit but not just right!!!

The Cowan DNA Project is throught http://www.FamilyTreeDNA.com and you follow the links to the Cowan Surname Project. I would be gald to tell you more about it.

LauraCowanCooper@comcast.net

Re: Mathias Cowan - PA

Cyrus5 — 2009-08-04 17:52:54Z

Linda, sorry, but that server has been shut down. I will email you a copy since I cannot attach one here. My transcription of Fleming's book, Cowans from County Down, only covers the first 70 or so pages. Be wary that it contains many errors.

Re: Im a cowan

pathoscafe — 2009-08-31 17:15:11Z

Is your family history in Ayreshire for awhile? We sure would like to see DNA results from your branch! Will you consider it?
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cowandnage...
My Cowans have an unusual DNA signature and we can't figure out where they're from--you might be able to help us all figure out our origins!

Cyndi

Georgia Cowans

kgjb114 — 2009-08-31 01:50:15Z

Hello! I am researching my husband's line and his grandmother was Ruby Lee Cowan who was born about 1892 in Georgia. She is listed in the 1910 Federal Census as the daughter to Emma, who is widowed, and they live in Atlanta Ward 5. Ruby Lee died in 1954. We don't have much more information and hope that we can find out more.
Thanks!

Karon

Sam S. Cowan in Memphis, TX 1929

drbrownlee — 2009-08-18 05:17:55Z

Sam is pictured in the 1929 Sandstorm, yearbook of Memphis High School. He teaches math. I'm not kin but thought this might help someone locate family.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

CreggC — 2009-08-25 18:07:32Z

I didn't know about any Cowan's mailing list, so I'm not on it. However, I'm happy to give you my direct email (cregg.cowan _at_ sri.com).

As regards DNA, our line has been connected to the early Knoxville TN folks and the Cowan's Ford NC group (if I recall correctly). There is an exact 37 marker match with a line in Texas and Oklahoma, but we haven't found the common ancestor yet. Laura has done a great job on all this and it would be great if you could get one of your brothers to join.

I also have info from Barbara Matchett but don't think I've 'met' Peggy. I would be especially interested in info connecting our John (d. 1837) to the Robert Cowen who came into SC with Rev. Martin in 1772 aboard the Lord Dunluce. Also, it would be nice to know what happened to William's family (another son of John) and Alexander (John's brother, son of Robert, according to info from Barbara). As usual, I have more questions than answers.

Regards,
Cregg

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

CreggC — 2009-08-24 06:42:45Z

I'm descended from John Cowan who died in 1837. John had sons Robert (b. 1793) and Alexander (b. 1795) among others. Robert was father to James Cowan who married Malinda Marks. I'm descended from Alexander.

Much of my information on Robert comes from the family of my father's oldest brother (Thelbert Cowan, b. 1898) who married a descendent of Robert's (Mary Florence Cowan, through Noah, brother of William, son of James and Melinda). Since the couple were cousins, there was much interest in the family connections.

I will be happy to share information and look forward to corresponding with my new-found relatives!

FYI, my father joined the DNA project before he passed away in 2005. If anyone else on our branch has been tested it will be interesting to compare notes.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

CreggC — 2009-08-30 05:07:04Z

Hi Cheryl,

I think you're right about the DNA testing, but I'm no expert.

I am intrigued by your Lane connections, as my maternal grandmother was a Birdie Mae Lane in Newton/Henry County Georgia.

I don't have a lot on the Lane side and would be thrilled if we found a connection.

I have Phillip Lane (b 1855)
sons Arthur Weldon (b 1877) and John (b 1879)

Arthur m. Dovie Parilee Carter and had
daughters Clara Estelle and Birdie Mae (b. 1899).

I have guessed that Phillip's father was Asbury Leton Lane, but haven't found documentation for that.

Best Regards,
Cregg

MARGARET COWAN born 5 October 1840

norahglaus — 2009-08-16 13:50:17Z

Seeking any information on MARGARET COWAN spinster, born 5th October 1840, place unknown, who left Liverpool on the ship Suevic on the 5th July 1906 (now aged 66 and still a spinster) in the company of KATIE MAC DOUGALL bound for Cape Town, South Africa. She passed away in Boksburg South Africa on the 26th October 1922 aged 82 years. It is possible that she was an aunt of KATIE MAC DOUGALL. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Cowan

hjboland — 2009-08-22 10:05:22Z

hi,
i'm related to james mackin who married margaret cowan. do you have any info on margarets family?

Re: William Cowan

wdcwn — 2009-08-21 02:27:26Z

Please contact me. Charles H. was my grandfather.

Re: COWAN FAMILY - COWANSVILLE ONTARIO - LEITRIM ONTARIO

wdcwn — 2009-08-21 02:24:02Z

Looking for Eldon as we are related through Willam Latimer Cowan

Re: Cowan Ontario Canada

wdcwn — 2009-08-21 02:06:22Z

Yes, I do have a Mary Latimer somehow and David Latimer Cowan. They lived on Wilbrod street in Ottawa in the 1880s

Re: WILLIAM LATIMER COWAN

wdcwn — 2009-08-21 01:28:21Z

Here is what I have (accuracy may not always be right on). William Cowan m. Mary (Latimer) Cowan Wilbrod St. Ottawa Canada. Children – David, Florence, Sarah, Mary, Addie, Maggie, Robert, Charles (my grandfather), William. David was a Canadian Mountie in the Northwest Territories in the 1880s. I have official RCMP portrait, knife, newspaper clippings, and many letters he wrote to mom.

Re: WILLIAM LATIMER COWAN

wdcwn — 2009-08-21 01:20:47Z

This is so cool. I've been on the wrong site trying to find a relative of David's. My Dad's father was David's brother. I have lots of information. Please reply

William M.; David L.; Stanley; Donald; Ottawa Canada to Minneapolis MN

wdcwn — 2009-08-26 02:14:09Z

Here is what I have (accuracy may not always be right on). William M.Cowan (born Leitrim Ireland about 1831) m. Mary (Latimer) Cowan Wilbrod St. Ottawa Canada. Children – David, Florence, Sarah, Mary, Addie, Maggie, Robert, Charles (my grandfather), William. David was a Canadian Mountie in the Northwest Territories in the 1880s. Mary married a Peterkin and moved to Orange, CA. Margaret (Maggie) married a Peak. Sarah Cowan (MPLS) - m Harry A. Sodini. William M. Cowan (son) - born in Ottawa, CA 9/20/77 m. Lucy E. Edwards (Born in England). Sons - Stanley E. (Fargo); Donald L.(sax player for Isham Jones Orch.); William S. (Maple Plain); Daughters - Ruth and Lucille.

Re: Im a cowan

carocowan66 — 2009-08-31 16:08:49Z

i'm from Ayrshire in Scotland

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

nanniec1 — 2009-08-25 01:08:25Z

Hi Cregg,
A good bit of my family information came from Peggy m Carlin and Barbara Cowan Matchett. This was back in 2002. The past few years I have not had the time to do any research but I will be glad to swap info with you.
I have three brothers but neither of them is into the family history and will not do the test. Are you on the Cowan's mailing list, if so it would be a lot easier for me to forward my messages to you.
If you reply and I do not answer, be patient because I only have time to get on here week ends and Monday night.
The first Cowan I have is Robert Cowan (about 1740) married to Jane Fleming (1755-65) with sons John and Alexander. Robert was on the 1790 and 1800 Chester SC census.
As my soure for this I have Peggy and Barbara.

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

nanniec1 — 2009-08-30 04:47:28Z

Laura,
Sorry, I did not mean to make anyone mad. I guess maybe I should have clarified myself better. I thought in order to do a DNA test that it had to be a male direct descendant from the line and since we are Cowan descendants from our great grandmother, I have never asked them to do the Cowan DNA test. Our direct line in Lane"s and I only know for sure our 3rd great grandfather. I was told who our fourth great grandfather was but have never found any paper work to prove this. At the time the DNA was over $100. for the smaller test and over $200 for the larger test. This is more than they can pay for something that is really of no interest to them and I can not pay it.

Cheryl

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

nanniec1 — 2009-08-30 05:30:47Z

HI Cregg,
I sent you a 6 generation of Cowans that I had to the address that you gave me hopely I sent it right but if you don't receive it let me know. I did not put it here because it was 27 pages and I did not know if this site was except that much info.
I will be glad to share any infor I have on the Lane side with you. Not sure how much I have on Phillips family but when I had the time, I got the information from all of the census records from 1820 to 1880 on all of the Lanes that was listed living in GA. From 1900 to 1930, I don't have them all mostly just the Lanes that I was looking for.
I will try to check it out tomorrow evening as I will be going to Church and a few other things before I will be settled down for the day.
Cheryl

Re: Cowan's in Georgia

nanniec1 — 2009-08-23 23:34:35Z

My great grandmother was Arrie Lorene Cowan born Oct 11, 1871, she married William Tomas Polk.

Arrie's parents were William Tom Cowans and Sarah Frances Evans.

I have Williams's father as James Cowans married to Etha Malinda Marks. I found them on the 1850, Newton County, Ga census with Childresn Nancy, Robert, Julie, W T, and James.

I will be glad to share any information that I have with you.

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

gbclark124 — 2009-09-19 06:13:48Z

The information that I have will probably fill in a few blanks. I have recently learned that Patrick Cowan had another son, William Cowan. This makes sense since William Cowan was known to be from North Gower as well. This gentleman was very well known in the 19th century as he became the Carleton County Treasurer for many years. His name is inscribed on the cornerstone of the old Nicholas Street Courthouse, which still stands today. At that point he was the County Clerk. Mr. Cowan died along with one his sons in January 1899 on the way to a funeral in Ottawa East. The horse that was pulling their buggy bolted and ran their buggy into a train. William Cowan is buried in Beechwood Cemetery. William Cowan's picture appears in the 1879 Belden Altas of Carleton County and I possess a copy of his photograph.

In addition, there is also a family connection with Cowan family of Leitrim, Ontario, on Bank Street South who also emigrated from County Leitrim, Ireland. According to David Cowan Sr's 1887 obiturary, he was a second cousin of William Cowan. David Cowan's father was Richard, who would have been a first cousin of Patrick. David Cowan donated the land for St. James' Anglican Church Leitrim and for S.S.#2 School Gloucester. The Cowans of Leitrim owned at one point 550 acres of land on Bank Street south and one of the Cowan homesteads still stands today. The Cowans were also well known at Billings Bridge where they operated a General Store at the corner of Bank Street and Cameron Avenue and an Ice House along the Rideau River. There are many descendants of David Cowan across North America and there is a written history of this Cowan family.

Henry Cowan's name also appears on the same cornerstone in the old courthouse. Henry is a son of David.

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

JAHayman — 2009-09-19 15:30:27Z

Simply because of the names, is it possible that this family is connected with mine? I know that Laura will suggest DNA testing, but I don't have direct access to a male Cowan, though I have appealed to the cousins that I've found.

Henry Cowan, b abt 1811, Ireland (location & parents unknown), d 16 Apr 1866 Wellington Co, m. Margaret Rodgers b 1 May 1817, Templemichael, Co. Longford, Ireland (d/o William Rodgers & Frances Morgan) d. 29 Sep 1897, Wellington Co.

They settled first in York, then Peel Co, and by mid-1850's in Wellington Co.

Children:

Anna Maria, 1842
Mary Jane, 1845
Elizabeth Frances, 1847
David, 1849
Margaret Louise, 1850
William Henry, 1851
George Edward, 1853
Richard John, 1854
Robert J., 1857
Joseph Samuel, 1860

There is thought to be at least one more female child from the early 1840's who died in infancy. Many of the descendants remained in the area of Wellington, Dufferin and Grey Counties, in Ontario. Some went west.

Judith

Re: Mathias Cowan - PA

LindaBhame — 2009-08-06 15:03:08Z

Many thanks--- Linda Bhame

sarah emaline cowan b1845 scott co arkansas william cowan

jimdanner1 — 2009-09-19 15:47:39Z

Im looking for more info on sarah emaline cowan b dec 11 1845 in scott co arkansas. I know she was married on 13 aug 1867 to jeremiah bigley in dade co missouri and married again in texas to robert mcspadden and died in fannin co texas in 1917.
Her death certificate shows parents as w.m. cowan and susan as her mother census records for her list william as being born in Alabama and Susan in Mississippi. I havent found any solid leads on either. Family rumor also say she is cherokee indian.. Her daughter in my line is Lucreta Bigley. I have found nothing to substantiate that. anyone have anything that would help I would love it thanks Jim

Cowan's in Georgia

krgmrushing101699 — 2009-08-20 17:03:57Z

I am searching for any relations to Cowans that lived or were born in the Henry or Butts Counties area in the 1800's.
My grandfather was Henry F. Cowan who married Etta Burnham. Granddaddy Henry's father was William Cowan whose wife first name was Sarah, I think the her last name might have been Evans. I believe that William's daddy was named Stephen Cowan.
Grandddaddy Henry had several sisters and a brother, named James Coleman(Coley) Cowan.
I would appreciate any information about this family.
My daddy's name was Paul Burnham Cowan.
Thanks
Kay Cowan Rushing

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

mslewis155 — 2009-09-20 13:24:02Z

Hi Judith,
Was this message meant for gbclark124 or for me?
Thanks,
Maria

Re: COWAN FAMILY FROM DRUMSHANBO, CTY LEITRIM, IRELAND TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

mslewis155 — 2009-09-20 13:20:46Z

Wow, thank you for all of that information. I knew parts of it, but there are some details which are great to have confirmed. Are you a descendent of David Cowan? I didn't realise that there was a written history of this Cowan family. Would you be able to let me know what it is called and where I might be able to get a copy?

Again, thank you very much for the information.
Maria

Re: Tabitha Cowan and John Baker

mpwife98 — 2009-08-30 17:11:23Z

Actually Tabitha Cowan Baker was living with her son George A. Baker at the time of her death. See the 1860 census: :Name: Tobitha Baker
Age in 1860: 56
Birth Year: abt 1804
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1860: Russell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Post Office: Bickleys Mills
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Geo A Baker 23
Julia A Baker 21
John S Baker 1.12
Tobitha Baker 56

Also, there is a will for Tabitha Baker with all her property at her son George A. Baker as follows:
WILL OF TABITHA BAKER
Russell County, Virginia
Will Book 7, Page 330
Executed 07 Jul 1863

I Tabitha Baker of the County of Russell and State of Virginia do make this my last will and testament in manner & form following that is to say.

1st. I desire that all my funeral expenses be paid.

2nd. After the payment of all my just debts (if any) and funeral expenses, I give to my daughter Mary E. Baker my two beds, bedstead & furniture, bed clothing of every description all my cooking vessels of every kind, my _____ now at my son's George Bakers, My little spinning wheel, all my cuboard ware, all moneys owing to me and all and every kind of property I may own at my death.

3rd. I hereby constitute and appoint John W. Burdine executer of this my last will and testament witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of May 1863.

her
Tabitha Baker x
mark

Signed sealed and published
in the presence of
C. Easterly
Isaac B. Fugate

At a court held for Russell County at the Courthouse on the 2nd day of June 1863. The last will and testament of Tabitha Baker deceased was this day produced in court and proved by the oath of Isaac B. Fugate one of the subscribing witnesses thereto.

Teste C.R. Cowan C.C

At a court held for Russell County at the Courthouse on the 7th day of July 1863. the last will and testament of Tabitha Baker was again produced and futher proven by the oath of C. Easterly one of the subscribing witnessses thereto and ordered to be recorded and upon the motion of John W. Burdine the Executor therein named who took oath of an executor prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the sum of four hundred dollars with Jacob Owens and Isaac B. Fugate his securities thereto conditioned as the law directs. Acertificate is granted him for obtaining probate of the said will in due form.

Teste C.R. Cowan C.C

From the way William Cowan Baker is listed in the census he may not be the child of John Baker. He is listed out of age order in the 1850 census then the fact that he carries the name "Cowan". The two together is a red flag for an illegitimate child or a child born to another man other than the husband. Also note that she left all her estate to her daughter Mary E. Baker. Her daughter had several children out of wedlock. So it is possible that Cowan was either her maiden name or a previous married name. The fact that she bore children to John previous to the birth of William suggests he was illegitimate. She died in 1863 and the death records are missing from Russell County during that time. I know it's not much to go on but this is all there is listed in Russell County for her other than the fact that she was born in North Carolina.