Thursday, October 23, 2008

William & Anester Gowan (Gowin/Goin) Family History

William and Anester Gowin (Goin/Gowan) of Bedford County, Virginia
A-1 William Gowin is first recorded by John Phelps when William Callaway listed him in Lunenburg County, VA in 1752 on the tithable list. He is also noted as serving in the French/Indian War within this county. This portion of Lunenburg County later became Bedford County. In 1759, William and Anester witnessed the will of Robert Allen, school teacher.

William and wife Anester married around 1755, according to their first child's birth, and bought land in Bedford County on the west side of Orricks Creek.  Some researchers had believed that Anester was also Annastacia (nee Sullivan) that was recorded with a William Gowan in Goochland County by the Rev. Douglass. We now know that these are two distinct couples and are verifiably not the same after evaluating court records, land records, tax lists, and other information.

I haven't been able to discern if William is the immigrant of our family. I would imagine that his taxes were listed by William Callaway because he was employed as an apprentice, or he was new to this country. Most likely he was employed by Mr. Callaway and his taxes were paid by him. Mr. Callaway owned a lot of land in this area and like many plantation owners, he grew tobacco and received a number of land patents in Brunswick and Lunenburg Counties. These land patents would have to be seated within a reasonable period of time in order to gain title to the land. For this reason he would have needed land overseers to help in the seating and development of his lands. William Gowin may have been an overseer for William Callaway.  Y-DNA has proven through many of William Gowin's male descendants that he was of Scottish origin.  The rare subclade of SNP L369 is believed to be indigenous to SW Scotland, having been there for over 8,000 years.  It is believed that the Gowan/Gowin family originiated in the area of Ballantrae, Ayr, Scotland or within 100 miles thereof.  Glasgow was a major tobacco trader with the Tidewater Region of Virginia when William arrived.

The 1782-1787 tax records for Bedford Co, VA show: (1) William Sr, (2) W'm Jr (who went to Bedford Co TN), (3) Joseph, (4) Daniel. Anester stated in the pension application of Revolutionary War Veteran, Joseph Goin, that she was his mother. This document was filed from Madison Co, KY. "Armister" was ordered to keep the peace when charged with possible assault from another woman. William and Isham were surety. This thought by some to be the daughter-in-law, whose name was similar.

William Going and others were appointed to use their hands to clear stones from road from Otter Cr to _____. Order Book 3, page 242, 267, 295. Record Book 4 covers period into mid-1772. They moved to Madison County, Kentucky, where they paid tithes 1799. The 1800 census Madison Co, KY shows William, Sr. and his son Jeremiah, who went to Hendricks Co, IN. In 1800-1802 William was excused from paying taxes owing by age & infirmity, court records 7-4-1803. He gave permission for his granddaughter, Rebecca Goin, to marry William Goin in Mar of 1806, wit were James Goin and Henry Vanover. The court 3 May 1802 appointed William Going to survey road in the room of Susey Conson and that he with the same Tithes do open and keep same road in good repair according to law. It is not known how this "young" William is related, but feel he is son of Joseph & Judith.

B-1 Daniel Gowin, b 1757 in Bedford County, VA, m Ann Preston, b 1757. 

C-1 Isham Gowin, b 1786 in Bedford County, VA, d 18 Dec 1855, Campbell County, TN, m 15 Oct 1802 Susannah "Sookie" Bratcher b 1787, they moved to Campbell County, TN ca 1818.

B-2 Joseph Gowin (Going) , b 1758, d 8-29-1822 Howard Co MO , m 9-20-1780 Judith Pollard, b 1755, dau of Francis & Betty Pollard. She is mentioned in her father's will dated 4-3-1771 Bedford Co, KY, book 1, pages 131 & 132. The settlement was recorded page 370 with Robert Allen, schoolmaster; Matthew Talbot and Thomas Arthur; John Phelps was exc. John, Jr is her brother, from reading the documents. The Pollards had purchased land from John Phelps.Joseph was a taxpayer in Bedford Co 1782-1787. Order Book ( ) Patrick Co, VA mentions him 08 Jul 1793, page 34, as a member of the road committee of Edward Tatum responsible for the care of the road "from the forks of the road above Stephen Lyons to Peters Cr in Hanby's lane."

Joseph Going was a juror in the April 1794 Court Session, page 65. He received a lien from Shadrack Barrett 27 Nov 1794, page 84, 30 Jul 1796, page 136, 24 Feb 1797, p 150. More dates show through 1799. As well as being called for Grand Jury,. he was appointed to "view a way for a road from Barton's old place into the road at the old sign post," page 233. On 30 May, Laughlin Fagin was in court on the charge of stealing an ax from the property of Joseph Going. Judith received £ 2481, 3 shillings, 7 pence on July 1, 1780 as her portion of her father’s estate. When Joseph applied for his pension he stated that he owned: one old horse, value $20.00; three cows & one calf, 30.00; 40 hogs, 20.00. His pension was awarded 1819 in the amount of eight dollars a month. Service was with Capt. George Lambert and he enlisted at age 17 for 18 months in VA. He served until 3 days after Brandywine. Before he died he had received $380.81 at $96 a year allowed. In 1818 he stated that he and his wife were 63 years of age.

There were four daughters still at home but able to take care of themselves by their own labor. They were Elizabeth 22, Polly 20, Susan 18, Jenny 16 or 17. The 1810 census shows 1 son & 6 daus at home, while the 1820 census shows 1 son & 2 daus at home. Joseph and Judith went to Howard County, Missouri about 1820 leaving his matters with an attorney, who was to send on the pension money - having power- of-attorney. There are numerous letters in the pension file regarding the attorney cashing checks after knowing that Joseph had died in Howard Co, Missouri.

The children and spouses who went from Madison & Garrard Cos., KY with Joseph to Prairie Twp., Howard Co, MO in the year 1821 were: Elizabeth Goin her husband Stokley Mott, Nancy Goin her husband Isaac Garrett ,John Goin wife Mary Jane Shrewsbury, unmarried daus Jenny, Polly, and Susan GoinHoward Co, MO Court Book B, Page 122-124, dated 8-4-1823: Court confirms the adm. granted by clerk in vacation; John Gowin on the estate of Joseph Gowin, decd. The son John's own will recorded 1824, Howard Co, MO. Willis E. Green was appointed. adm. by court of estate of Joseph Gowen. After this Loverence Evans was appointed, and executed the estate. Wesley S. Green, bro of Willis E. Greene was appointed to settle the est of Willis E., indicating that people were moving out of the county or dying. By this time most of Joseph's chi. are in other counties; dau Nancy Goin Garrett moved to Chariton Co.

There was a Willis Greene marriage 12-17-1836 to Polly Kerby. She shows 1860 census as b 1794 NC. Wesley S. and Betsie Greene show also. He b 1794 KY, she (nee Maupin) b 1799 KY. Willis E. Green sold land 1815 Garrard Co, KY to Moses Evans. His signature proven by oath of Rebecca Lockhardt and Philip Prather. He m Howard Co 5-1-1826 Ann Wood, dau of William Wood. He m 12-7-1836 Howard Co, MO Polly Kerby. Wesley S. Green was assignee of Willis E. Green, who was assignee of Loverence Evans, sold land 2-21-1825 in Howard Co. Willis E. Green and wife Ann along with Wesley S. Green and wife Eliz (Betsy Maupin) sold lots in Fayette, Howard Co 11-28-1826. The 1820 census Madison Co, KY shows Willis and wife with no chi. This would indicate he may have left for later than his bro. Judith is living with her daughter-in-law Agnes, widow of her son John, in the Howard County census of 1830. She was age 70 to 80 with 1 dau 20 to 30 and 1 30 to 40.

C-1 John Gowin, b 1782, d 1824, m 8-2-1809 Madison Co, KY Agnes Wilson. Bond was with Henry Vanover and John Gowing. His will is dated 5-26-1824 Howard Co, MO Co, MO with son John as adm. Just sons are shown: Thomas, Jesse, Pollard, & John. Witnesses were Stephen & Jane Goin, his brother and sister-in-law. It is possible that while he died in Missouri that a document found in Madison Co, KY applies. Daniel Hubbard was set about to secure bond to settle the est in Sep 1824. Shakelford be and hereby appointed commissioner to settle. Daniel Hubbard adm of John Goin, deceased., rec 8-1-1825. He may have owned property in Madison Co yet. If so there was another document naming Edmund Co in the 30's, Cooper Co 1850 to 1857. Believe there is a Bounty Land sale record, showing John Goin, deceased, to heirs, dated 1829.

C-2 Nancy Gowin, b 1790 Madison Co, KY, m 11-14-1811 Madison Co, KY Isaac Garrett, son of John Garrett. They did not show in the 1850 census. Joseph Goin and the groom paid the 50 pounds required for the marriage bond. Isaac served under Capt. Daugheg in the 19th Militia in 1818 in Madison Co. Isaac purchased many pieces of land in Chariton Co, MO, but no will can be found. A granddaughter wrote they were Scot-Irish.

C-3 Elizabeth Gowin, b 1798 VA, m 1818 Garrard Co, KY Stokley Mott, b 1797, of VA. Shows 1840, 1860 Howard Co, MO in Prairie Twp.

C-4 Susan Gowin, b 1803

C-5 Mary (Polly) Gowin, b 1801

C-6 Jenny Gowin, b 1807, d 2-28-1863, m Richard Marshall as his 2nd wife. Show 1860 Arrow Rock Twp.

C-7 Pollard Gowin, b 1795 KY, m 10-6-1817 Madison Co, KY to Polly Conner, dau of Caleb Conner. She died before 1850. Shows 1830, 1840 Madison Co 1850 census Madison Co, KY: Pollard 55, Elizabeth, Judith 18, John 17, William 16, Mary 11,Thomas 9 1860 census Saline Co, MO, page 93: B P Steel 44 KY, Elizabeth M 30 KY, Wesley N 16 MO, John A Ayer 22 OH, Pollard Goin 65 KY.

C-8 Francis Gowin, b before 1784, d 12-25-1853 Garrard Co, KY, m 3-16-1803 Nancy Jett, b 1785 VA. Show Madison Co census 1810 to 1850. It is felt he could have been named after Francis Pollard, the grandfather.

C-10 Samuel H. Gowin, b 1790 Madison Co, KY, m Rachel, b 1800. Show 1850 census Madison Co a few houses away from brother Pollard.

B-3 William Gowin, Jr ., b ca 1760, m before 1785 Jemina Burns. He had 3 chi by 1st wife, 2 by 2nd. He was killed by a crazy man with an axe. James and William were bound out to a Burns uncle after mother died. Show tax recs for Bedford Co, VA, He served in the war. She received 8 pounds for support of her and family. Money to be in care of William Leftwich. William later says he had left warrant for 4 pounds, 161p with auditor, which had belonged to Daniel Goin. Bond was given in the penalty of 9 pounds, 12 p. These court recs found Bedford Co. Order Book 6, pages 135, 165, 191. It is probably this William who is shown in a court record (Order Book 7, page 30) in which William Going is to receive 6 pounds out of sale of bay horse belonging to the Deft Order of Conden.
C-1 Dr. William D. Gowin, b 1788 VA, m Elizabeth Moore, b 1792 TN. Show 1850 census Cannon Co, TN.

C-2 James Burns Gowen, b 11-22-1785 Lynchburg, Bedford Co, VA, d 5-14-1880 Lincoln Co, TN , m 2-19-1808 Williamson Co, Ann Price, dau of Matthew Price and Elizabeth Eskridge, m 2nd Lucy Emory. Show 1850. A family history says he came from a county and town of the same name, but went to SC before coming to Bedford Co. James Burns Gowen and a couple of his Mulberry Creek neighbors by the names of Davey Crockett and San Houston joined up 9-24-1813 in Capt W'm Locke's company with about 2,000 other Tennesseans. October 7, Jackson arrived to take command.

C-3 Sanford L. Gowin, b 2-15-1815 KY, m 3-17-1836 Frankfort, Franklin Co, KY, Mary Ann Singleton, b 10-7-1815, m 2nd Mary Ann Singleton, b 1844 OH. Show 1880 census Franklin Co, KY.

C-4 Julia Gowin, died before mother, probably before 1800.

C-5 Jerimiah Gowin, born 1775 VA, m 3-3-1799 Mercer Co, KY Susannah Campbell, b 1780 VA, dau of Josiah Campbell and Susanna Mitchell. They show tax records of Madison Co, census 1850 Hendricks Co, IN. He had red or fair hair according to family stories. Susannah's sister, Elizabeth, m Allen Jones 1792 Mercer Co, KY, moved also to Hendricks Co, IN. Susanna & Elizabeth were probably daus or sister of James P Mitchell, who sold land Campbell Co, KY to William S. Goin 1830, where Goin was said to be from Madison Co. and Mitchell from Mercer Co. Jerimiah Goin, shows in court records in Sep 1797, when he was charged in taking articles from the home of John Quinn and belonging to Robert with a value of 6 dollars. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to court in the next term. Bond was set at $300. Jeremiah was surety, with his bro Isham, for mar of Nancy Goin, dau of William, to Henry Vanover 8-29-1795. Source is the Encyclopedia of Am. Quaker Gen, Vol 6.

B-4 Isham Gowin, b ca 1765, m 2-14-1785 Bedford Co, VA Ann Burns. A history says he had one chi only. He had witnessed a deed with William and Anester Goin 1796. He d ca 1800 Bedford Co, VA. He was one of the sureties for mar of Henry and Nancy, as found in the Encyclopedia of Am. Quaker Gen, Vol 6, who were m 8-29-1795. Magdoline was qualified as adm of his estate. William Hurdnae was bonded. Jesse Leftwich was wit. Another document shows appraisers. Names are John Hudnau, Thomas Fuqua, Thomas Cullen, August Leftwich, Christopher Clark, Fraizure. Magdoline m 2 Mr Burch at which time she sought and was given her dower's rights in est of Isham, which was one third. Another document shows William Green, Samuel Mitchell, and Benjamin Rice with William Hudnall as the adm of est. Isham was appointed as one of the counties constables in Jul 1796. More indentures were made to sis and bro Elizabeth and William, John, Garrett. John's indenture to Samuel Porter was evoked and changed to Silas Hastings. Garret Going's indenture was to William Sammens. Elizabeth's was to Thomas Hudnell and William to John R. Witt. Another indenture of Elizabeth's was to William Adams in 1808.

C-1 Isham Gowin, b 1786, m 10-15-1802 Bedford Co. Susannah Bratcher, dau of Canada. They showed 1830 and 1850 Campbell Co, TN. Their mar rec also in Encyclopedia of Am. Quaker Gen, Vol 6. Canady Bratcher was surety.

B-5 James Gowin , b ca 1771, m Mary Sayer, then m 9-4-1805 Madison Co, KY Becky Sampson. No wife 1810 and one in 1840 Madison Co, KY

C-1 Stephen Gowin, b ca 1790, m 25 Feb 1817 Garrard Co, KY Nancy Shrewsbury. After his mother and father died, he was sent to live with his uncle in Franklin County, KY. 


B-6 Elizabeth Gowin , m 12-22-1795 Bedford Co, VA John Gower, Isham was surety, William showed as father of the bride.

B-7 Nancy Gowin, m 8-28-1795 Bedford Co, VA Henry Vanover, sur was by Isham and Jerimiah, father, William, gave consent, went to Madison Co, KY. He wit a statement filed with the courts when William Goin, Sr. gave permission for his g-dau Becky to m William Goin 1806. Another source of mar rec is Encyclopedia of Am. Quaker Gen, Vol 6. Mar date is 8-29-1795.

B-8 Sally Gowin , m with lic 1-22-1808, Thomas Sanders. Consent was given by Anester Goin, widow. Wit were Joseph Goin, Francis Goin. A sworn statement by Joseph Goin also filed. Bond was posted by Joseph Goin and Thomas Sanders. Thomas Sanders is probably the same one who m 1-14-1809 Susannah Wheeler in Madison Co. He shows 1810, 1820, 1830 census.