Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
I would be so grateful if someone could help me with information on my ancestor Henry Cowan. He died in Bombay in 1819 and was from Ayr Ayrshire. He was 50 years old when he died. This information is recorded on the headstone of his wife in Ayr. Thank you so much for any help.
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
can you please share a little more about him? That would make it easier to search up. Am into this and having helped others, would be delighted to help you too.
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Thanks for getting back to me and sorry I did not see your message until this morning.
Henry Cowan was born about 1762 in Ayr, Ayrshire. His parents were William Cowan and Isobel Williams (Williamson). He married Margaret McJannet (McJennet) 22 January 1786 in Ayr. Margaret was born about 1768 in Maybole, Ayrshire. Margaret's parents were William McJannet and Isabell McConnel.
Henry Cowan and Margaret McJannet had 8 children. I descend from their daughter Margaret born 18 May 1797 and she married David Kennedy. One of the daughters, Elizabeth, born 23 August 1792 is buried with her parents Henry and Margaret in Ayr at the Old Kirkyard cemetery. It is a very large tombstone for Henry and I believe it says in memory of Henry who died in Bombay 22 November 1819. As it says in memory of I would think he is probably not actually buried there. I have no idea what he was doing in Bombay, nor what was cause of death. At one time Henry was shown as being a flesher so I wonder what took him to Bombay and if he was with the British India company possibly. Any help you can give me would be wonderful. I've been stuck on Henry for years and have had no luck getting more information on his Bombay connection.
Gail (Kennedy) Ede
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
When I first saw your letter I thought of suggesting you googled East India Company or approached Families in British India (FIBIS). There were several quite important people with the name Cowan, however when you say he was a "Flesher" it looks quite different. A "flesher" was a man who scrapped the remnants of flesh from hides being prepared for leather goods and I am fairly sure there were fleshers on whaling ships - certainly not amongst the Indian "elite" - but he could have been on a whaling ship which for some reason went to India (not usual whaling "country") on the way somewhere else?
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Very nice of you to answer my message. Henry Cowan is a bit of an oddity I must say. His being a flesher doesn't make sense as the family seemed to have money. His gravestone his huge to start with. His daughter Margaret and her husband David Kennedy raised their family, first in Ayr then in Catrine in a very large house called Cowan Place but I have no idea what the family connection is to the house name. Their son David (the line I descend from) went on to higher education and became a chemist. In the town that Henry was born in, Ayr, there were many Cowans as bankers etc. Henry's youngest son Richard, was quite a wealthy man and left quite a substantial will. So, like you say, it is a bit of a mystery what exactly Henry was doing in India. I also read that the governor of India at one time was Robert Cowan but I do not know if or how he was related to Henry.
Gail
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Hi Gail,
2 things: First, from my understanding of the background of the Bombay of that period, there certainly was huge, if not exodus, of people coming from Ayr to Bombay in various capacities, including flesher and I was surprised to find that many of them gentlemen died around the age of 50 yrs and have a gravestone erected in memory back in their homes.
Second, yes, Sir Robert Cowan was the Governor of Bombay. Unfortunately, he died a bachelor and no children. As a result his wealth and title were passed on to his sister's lineage that goes by the surname of Stewart.
So now I can think of only 2 lines of possibilities- one, Henry came over in the cover of a Flesher since it was an easy way to arrive in Bombay and then went on to become someone big! Second, he could be a step brother of this Robert Cowan who was the child of his father's first wife. I know it all sounds fanciful at the moment. But at least its getting somewhere! I will continue the search. ~ambalika
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
With the rigid class lines in the 18th century I have my doubts about arriving as a flesher and rising to somebody of importance. In addition no one with a sound knowledge of the history of the time would be surprised because people died at the age of 50. It would have been far more surprising that he lived that long. The average life expectancy in 1800 in England was about 40 - and without the risks of tropical disease, heat etc. which would have been present in India. I would suggest again that you google India Office Library - they do have a family history section about individuals in India and also have the EIC records which would have been the "rulers" at that date. Families in British India (FIBIS) are also very helpful. Both worth a try - would not cost anything to ask.
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Hi ambalika
Thanks for your comments. It's probably very likely that Henry has no connection to Sir Robert Cowan and it is just a coincidence having the same surname. I only know Henry's occupation from his daughter's death certificate which is witnessed by one of his sons. I am assuming that the son gave the information that Henry was a flesher…perhaps he wasn't!
This is the actual transcript for Henry's headstone below. Also next to Henry and Margaret is another family headstone of Isabella McJannet and her husband. Isabella was sister to Henry's wife Margaret. So there were other family members living in Bombay.
1. In memory of Henry Cowan d at Bombay 22 Nov 1819 aged 50. also Margaret McJannet his wife d 18 Oct 1840 aged 67. also of their dau Elizabeth d 20 Jun 1854 aged 48.
2. In memory of Andrew Hunter Wood Captain 15th reg H.E.I.C.S who d at Cawnpore 31 May 1834 aet 44. Isabella McJannet his widow who d at Ayr 23 DEc 1860 at 70. Their children Isabella Hutchinson who d at Calcutta Nov 1824. Andrew Hunter who d at Hansi Aug 1828. William who d at London Oct 1852 aet 25. David Peebles Mackenzie eldest son born at Barrackpore India 1 Dec 1823 d at South Lilli(muir) Australia 8 Apr 1893.
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Thanks for your input on this period of history. Unfortunately I have no expertise in this field so I appreciate your information. I do agree with you that the class system was very rigid during that period. Nothing unusual about the age of death although I do have another ancestor who was in Bombay during the same time period and he lived to be 92 years old!! When I originally posted my query a couple of years ago I did spend time corresponding with various organizations. I was unable to find any information on Henry at all. I had one staff member who spent a great deal of time trying to help and he did tell me that death records out of Bombay during that period were sparse and of course he could not find any trace of Henry.
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Re: Bombay - Henry Cowan d. 22 Nov 1819 in Bombay
Hi Gail,
Now THIS is going to be of help! since i see a Cawnpore angle to it! I will check out for this record at the Christ church over there and see what next can be done. However, I would be going over only next weekend as this weekend, I am off to another cemetery to confirm someone else's ancestor. Will keep you posted, though.
regards, ambalika
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