THE GOWEN MANUSCRIPT

File: GOWENMS.002, Page 101

 

James Gowen, [Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of Edward Gowen, Jr, was born about 1725, probably in Charles City County.  He was married about 1742, wife's name unknown.  It is believed that he also removed to Granville County, North Carolina about 1750. 

 

"James Gowin" was a "sworn chain carrier" on a patent of 616 acres issued March 1, 1752 to James Hunt "on branches of Island Creek and Mitchell's Creek, adjoining Davis's corner, Hunt's line, Collin's line, Tynel's line and Holly's line," according to Granville County Surveyor's Book 11, page 382.

 

"James Going" received a land grant from the Earl of Granville March 4, 1752, according to Granville County Deed Book B, page 439.  James Gowen and William Gowen, his son were taxable in the 1759 tax list of John Pope and were delinquent taxpayers that year.

 

On November 29, 1760 "James Going" received a patent to 529 acres in Granville County located in St. John's parish, "adjoining Winnirgum's line, Melone's line and Robert's line," according to Surveyor's Book 14, page 108.  The survey was signed by James Gowen and Joseph Gowen.  "William Going, sworn chain carrier" was a witness.

 

"James Gowing and his son, William Going" were tithables in Fishing Creek District in the 1762 tax list of Granville County, page 45.  "James Gowing refused to list his wife and children," suggesting that he was regarded as "free colored" and that he argued that his wife and children were "white".  At that time, the law required that tithes were to be paid by all white men over the age of 16 on the blacks in their household, male and female, including "all mulattos, mustees, quadroons and all persons of mixed blood to the fourth generation over the age of 12."  Therefore, if a white man had a mixed blood wife, he paid a tithe on her and her children over 12.  When a notation appeared on the tax list that a man refused to pay a tithe on his wife, he was arguing that she was "white."  This law was in force until 1786.  James Going was recorded as "insolvent" from 1762 through 1764. 

 

Dr. Virginia Easley DeMarce suggests that James Gowen may have moved back across the state line to Virginia to settle in adjacent Brunswick County.  She reported that James Gowen received a land grant in Brunswick County in 1762, citing Vir­ginia Land Office Book 15.  If this is the same James Gowen, his finances and [perhaps his character] greatly improved.  He went from insolvency to be a property owner, a slave owner and a taxpayer. 

 

“James Gowin” received a grant of 376 acres “adjoining land of Brewer, Perry and Cook on Carter’s Creek” May 23, 1763, according to Brunswick County deed records.

 

It is believed that James Gowen was remarried about 1775. wife's name Amy. 

 

Greensville County was formed from Brunswick County in 1783 and James Gowen found himself in the new county.  "James Going" was listed as the head of a household of seven people in the 1783 census of Greensville County, page 54, near the locations of "Drury Going" and "Thomas Going."  He was taxable in that year on "1 poll, 2 slaves, 2 horses and 8 cattle," according to "The 1787 Census of Virginia," page 778

 

"James Gowing, Henry Gowing and Avant Massey jointly posted a bond of £50 "to Miherris Parish to help support the child of Mary Hill who was an unlawful child as yet to be born," according to Greensville County Deed Book 1, page 173.

 

"James Gowing" was listed as surety for the marriage of "Amy Gowing" to William Harris December 19, 1805 in Greensville County, according to "Greensville County Marriages, 1781-1825" by Catherine Lindsey Knorr. 

 

"James Gowing" was recorded as the head of a household in 1810, according to "Index to 1810 Virginia Census."  His household was composed of "2 whites and 7 slaves."

 

"James Gowing, Sr." wrote his will August 12, 1816, according to Greensville County Will Book 2, page 447.  Mentioned in the will was "wife, Amey; son, James Gowing, Jr; grandson, James Alked Gowing; son, Henry Gowing; son, Benjamin Gowing; grandsons, Benjamin Howard, Harbart Howard, Hartwell Howard and James Howard and daughter, Amy Harris."  Benjamin Young was his executor.

 

Children born to James Gowen and his first wife are believed to include:

 

          William Gowen                                                           born about 1743

          Drury Gowen                                                               born about 1748

          Thomas Gowen                                                            born about 1763

           James Gowen, Jr.                                                         born about 1764

          Frederick Gowen                                                          born about 1766

 

Children born to James Gowen and Amy Gowen are believed to include:

 

          Nancy T. Gowen                                                                 born about 1776

          Henry Gowen                                                                      born about 1779

          Benjamin Gowen                                                                born about 1782

          Amy Gowen                                                                         born about 1785

 

William Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of James Gowen, was born about 1743, perhaps in Charles City County.  He was brought to Granville County, North Carolina about 1750.  He was shown as "taxable" along with his father in the 1759 tax list of Granville County.

 

"William Gowing" along with his father were recorded as  tithables in Fishing Creek District in the 1762 tax list of Granville County, page 45.  He was married about 1768, wife's name un­known.

 

Paul Heinegg suggests that he was the "William Going" who died in adjacent Chatham County, North Carolina in 1783.  An inventory of the estate of "William Goan" was itemized in the Moore County Will Book A, page 322 and 323.

 

Children born to William Gowen include:

 

          Nancy Gowen                                born about 1770

          John Gowen                                   born about 1771

          Elizabeth Gowen                           born about 1772

          Ann Gowen                                    born about 1774

          William Gowen                              born about 1775

          Mary Gowen                                   born about 1777

 

Nancy Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen, was born about 1770.  After the death of her father, she was ordered "bound to William Cope" by the Chatham County Court on November 10, 1783.

 

John Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of William Gowen, was born about 1771.  He was about 12 years old when he was "bound as an apprentice farmer to William Riddle" by the Chatham County Court November 10, 1783.  He was re-bound to James Sutter in May 1785.

 

Elizabeth Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen, was born about 1772.  She was about 12 years old when she was bound apprentice by the Chatham County Court to William Douglass November 8, 1784.

 

Ann Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4 Edward3, William2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen, was born about 1774.  She was about 10 years old when she was bound ap­prentice to James Howard by the Chatham County Court November 8, 1784.

 

William Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of William Gowen, was born about 1775.  He was bound apprentice farmer to George Desmukes November 10, 1783 by the Chatham County Court.  William Gowen was listed as "insolvent" in the 1806 tax list of Chatham County.

 

Mary Gowen, [William6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] daughter of William Gowen, was bound to the care of William Cope by the Chatham County Court.  She was later removed from his care.

 

Drury Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of James Gowen, was born about 1748, probably in Granville County.  His father moved back to Brunswick County, Virginia about 1762.  Drury Gowen was married about 1769, wife's name unknown.  When Greensville County was organized from Brunswick County in 1781, Drury was living in the new county.

 

"Drury Going" was enumerated as the head of a household of four in the 1783 census of Greensville County, page 55, adja­cent to Thomas Going, according to "Heads of Families, Virginia, 1790." 

 

"Drury Going" was a taxpayer in Greensville County in 1787, according to "The 1787 Census of Virginia." page 778.  "Drury Going" was bondsman for the marriage of Robert Brooks Corn to Jinsey Jeffers March 26, 1795  in Greensville County.  Robert Brooks Corn had been bondsman for the mar­riage of Mark Going, son of Drury Gowen, September 29, 1794.  "Mark Going" appeared as a taxpayer in adjoining Southampton County in 1830, rendering a tax on "three pigs and Indian land."  For him to have Indian land, his mother would have had to have been a member of the Nottaway Indian tribe, a group that observed matriarchal succession.

 

Drury Gowen was regarded by Paul Heinegg as the father of:

 

          Edmund Going                                                            born about 1770

          Sherwood Going                                                         born about 1772

          Allen Going                                                                 born about 1773

          Mark Going                                                                  born about 1775

 

Edmund Going, [Drury6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of Drury Going, was born about 1770 in Brunswick County.  On November 5, 1799 he purchased 200 acres on Sandy Creek in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, according to Mecklenburg County Deed Book 10, page 176.  He purchased 124 acres from Frederick Going, re­garded as his uncle, July 6, 1801, according to Person County North Carolina Deed Book C, page 290.  Going sold this land shortly, according to deeds proved in Person County. 

 

On June 5, 1804 Edmund Going mortgaged a slave named "Patty" and his livestock for £90, according to Person County Deed Book C, page 453. 

 

"Edmund Gowen" was a taxpayer in 1805 on the Person County tax roll in "Capt. Street's Company."

 

"Edmund Gowen" was married October 21, 1807 to Lettice Gray, according to "Person County, North Carolina Marriage Records, 1792-1868."  Thomas Pool was the bondsman who signed Bond No. 107649, and John Halloway was a witness to the ceremony.  Children born to Edmund Gowen and Lettice Gray Gowen are unknown.

 

Sherwood Going, [Drury6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of Drury Going, was born about 1772 in Brunswick County.  Sherwood Going was married to Ruth Bennett April 30, 1793, according to "Caswell County, North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1850," Record 1108, witness Ald Murphy, Court Clerk, Bond No. 15503.  James Gillaspy was the bondsman.  Children born to Sherwood Going and Ruth Bennett Sherwood are unknown.

 

Sherwood Going was remarried to Betsy Coventon December 31, 1804, according to "Caswell County, North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1850," Record 1108, witness Ald Murphey, Court Clerk, Bond No. 55676.  James Gillaspy was again his bondsman.  Of Sherwood Going and Betsy Coventon Going nothing more is known.

 

Allen Going, [Drury6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of Drury Going, was born about 1773 in Brunswick County.  He appeared in the 1793 tax list of Per­son County, North Carolina in St. Lawrence District, page 93, and paid a tax on one poll.  The 1793 tax list is the earliest one on record in Person County which was created from land from Caswell County in 1791 and adjoined Granville County on the west.

 

"Allen Going" was bondsman for the marriage of Ezekiel Matthews to Sarah Cumbo, "free colored" May 7, 1793 in Caswell County. 

 

"Allen Goins" was married April 7, 1795 to "Rebecca Goins," according to "Person County, North Carolina Marriage Records, 1792-1868" by Katharine Kerr Kendall.  "Guttridge Goins" and Jesse Dickins were securities for the marriage of Allen Going and Rebecca Goins Going.  In 1795 "Allen Gowin" was a purchaser at the estate sale of Edmond Handley.

 

"Allin Goin, free colored" appeared as the head of an "other free" Household of seven in the 1800 census of Person County.  Since the household was free colored, no individuals were recorded.  "Edward Goin, Household 196 of six members" and "Edwd. [?]  Goin, Household 209" were also recorded as "free colored" in the 1800 census.

 

"Allen Gowen" appeared in the 1805 tax list of Person County in "Capt. Pennick's Company."  Allen Going was the head of a household of 10 "free colored" in the 1810 census of Person County, page 625.  Children born to Allen Going and Rebecca Goins Going are unknown.

 

Mark Going, [Drury6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of Drury Going, was born about 1775, probably in Brunswick County.  Mark Going was married to Sally Jones September 29, 1794 in Greensville County, ac­cording to the research of Hoyt Goin of Russellville, Arkansas.  Thomas Jones, father of Sally Jones Going, gave his consent.  Robert Brooks Corn appeared as security.  Witnesses were Henry Mangum and Shadrach Jurnekin [Jernigan], according to "Greensville County, Virginia Marriages, 1781-1853."  Robert Brooks Corn was the son of Robert Corn, a prominent "free colored" who had fought in the French & Indian War and in the Revolutionary War and his wife Priscilla Corn.

 

Mark Going appeared as the head of a "free colored" household of three in the 1820 census of Greensville County.  "Mark Going" paid tax in adjoining Southampton County in 1830 on "three pigs and Indian land."  His owning Indian land suggests that he was a member of the Nottaway tribe.  Children born to Mark Going and Sally Jones Going are unknown. 

 

Thomas Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of James Gowen, was born about 1763, probably in Brunswick County.  "Thomas Going," living alone, [or the head of a free colored household] was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1783 census of Greensville County, page 55, adjacent to his brother, "Drury Going," according to "Heads of Families, Virginia, 1790." 

 

"Drury Going" paid the tax assessed on Thomas Gowen in 1787, according to "The 1787 Census of Virginia," page 778.  Thomas Going was married to Sarah Jones July 24, 1794 in Greensville County.  Sarah Jones, a sister to Sally Jones,  was born about 1776 to Thomas Jones and Rebecca Jones, "free colored."  William W. Dungell, "free colored" was security, according to "Tyler's Quarterly," Volume 3. 

 

Thomas Gowen was enumerated as the head of a household of six "other free" in the 1810 census of adjoining Halifax County, North Carolina. 

 

Children born to Thomas Gowen and Sarah Jones Gowen are believed to include:

 

          Frederick Gowen                                                               born about 1795

          Drury Gowen                                                                     born about 1798

          Hartwell Gowen                                                                 born about 1803

          Jerry Gowen                                                                        born about 1804

 

Frederick Gowen, [Thomas6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of Thomas Gowen and Sarah Jones Gowen, was born about 1795, probably in Greensville County, Virginia. 

 

"Frederick Gowen, free colored," appeared as the head of a household of nine "free colored" in the 1820 census of Halifax County, page 18, according to "Index to the 1820 Census of North Carolina" by Dorothy Williams Potter.  Drew Gowen, free colored male, was enumerated in an adjacent listing on page 18.

 

"Fred Goins" sold land in Halifax County to Isham Mills by a deed proved November 21, 1836, according to Halifax County court minutes.  Isham Mills was a son of Elizabeth Mills, "free colored"  Frederick Gowen purchased other land shortly after, and this deed was proved February 19, 1838. 

 

"Frederic Gowins" reappeared in the 1840 census of Halifax County, page 4, as the head of a household composed of:

 

          "Gowins, Frederic                           free colored male                     36-55

                                                                   free colored female                  36-55

                                                                   free colored female                  10-24

                                                                   free colored female                  10-24

                                                                   free colored female                  10-24

                                                                   free colored male                       0-10

                                                                   free colored female                    0-10

                                                                   free colored female                    0-10"

 

Twice the Halifax County Court authorized Frederick Gowan to carry a gun, once on August 17, 1841 and again on Novem­ber 23, 1843.

 

"Frederick Going" was recorded in the 1860 census of Halifax County as the head of a household:

 

          "Going,           Frederick   66, born in VA, farmer, mulatto,

                                                           $100 real estate, $148 personal

                                                           property

                                 Roda          70,  born in NC, mulatto"

 

Children born to Frederick Gowen and Roda Gowen might in­clude:

 

          Sally Gowen                                                                          born about 1816

 

Sally Gowen, [Frederick7, Thomas6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a daughter of Freder­ick Gowen and Roda Gowen, was born in Halifax County about 1816.  "Sally Goins" was married January 13, 1814 to Guilford Mills in Halifax County, John Jordan, bondsman.  Guilford Mills was born about 1785 to Daniel Mills, "free colored" Revolutionary soldier.  Guilford Mills, "16-year-old orphan of Daniel Mills," was ordered bound apprentice August 18, 1801 by the Halifax County Court.

 

Drury Gowen, [Thomas6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of Thomas Gowen and Sarah Jones Gowen, was born about 1798, probably in Greensville County. 

 

"Drew Goings, free colored," appeared as the head of a house­hold of 11 "free colored" in the 1820 census of Halifax County, page 17, according to "Index to the 1820 Census of North Carolina."

 

"Drew Going" was recorded as the head of Household 720 in the 1830 census of Halifax County:

 

          "Going, Drew                                  free colored male                     36-55

                                                                   free colored female                  36-55

                                                                   free colored female                  10-24

                                                                   free colored male                     10-24

                                                                   free colored female                  10-24

                                                                   free colored male                       0-10"

 

Hartwell Gowen, [Thomas6, James5, Edward, Jr.4,  William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of Thomas Gowen and Sarah Jones Gowen, was born about 1803.  He was permitted to carry a gun by the Halifax County Court August 17, 1841. 

 

Jerry Gowen, [Thomas6, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of Thomas Gowen and Sarah Jane Gowen, was born about 1804 in Halifax County. 

 

"Jerry Gowins, free colored," appeared as the head of a house­hold in the 1840 census of Halifax County, page 2.  The fam­ily was composed of:

 

          "Gowins, Jerry                       free colored male                     24-36

                                                          free colored female                  10-24

                                                          free colored male                       0-10

                                                          free colored female                    0-10"

 

Jerry Gowen was permitted to carry a gun by Halifax County Court August 17, 1841.

 

"Jerry Going, mulatto" was recorded as the head of Household 292-268 in the 1860 census of Halifax County:

 

          "Going,                 Jerry,        57, born in NC, farmer, $264 real

                                                                estate, $328 personal property,

                                                                mulatto, illiterate

                                       Louvenia  50,  born in NC, spinner, mulatto,

                                                                             illiterate

                                       Carolina   20,  born in NC, spinner, mulatto

                                       Anderson 15,  born in NC, farm lab, mulatto

                                       Hilliard    16,  born in NC, farm lab, mulatto

                                       Henry       13, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Lemuel    12, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Emma      12, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Safronia   11, born in NC, mulatto

                                       James       10, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Margarett   9, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Jeramiah    8, born in NC, mulatto

                                       Louann       3, born in NC, mulatto

          Monford,             Joshua      21, born in NC, train-hand, $15

                                                               personal, property, mulatto,

                                                               illiterate"

 

Children born to Jerry Gowen and Louvenia Gowen include:

 

          Carolina Gowen                              born about 1840

          Anderson Gowen                             born about 1845

          Hilliard Gowen                                born about 1844

          Henry Gowen                                   born about 1847

          Lemuel Gowen [twin]                     born about 1848

          Emma Gowen [twin]                       born about 1848

          Safronia Gowen                               born about 1849

          James Gowen                                   born about 1850

          Margarett Gowen                             born about 1841

          Jeremiah Gowen                              born about 1852

          Louana Gowen                                 born about 1857

 

James Gowen, Jr, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of James Gowen and Amy Gowen, was born about 1764 in Brunswick County.  "James Going" was married November 24, 1785 to Rebecca Adams, according to "Greensville County, Virginia Marriages, 1781-1850."  Security was Reuben Adams.  James Gowen, Jr. was mentioned in the will of his father written August 12, 1816. 

 

James Gowen, Jr. removed across the state line into adjoining Northampton County, North Carolina.  "James Gowing" was listed as the head of a household in the 1820 census of Northampton County, according to "Index to the 1820 Census of North Carolina."

 

"James Gowing" wrote his will there October 11, 1836, and it was proved in the following December, according to Northampton County Will Book 4, page 147.  In his will he mentioned "wife, Rebecca; daughters, Martha, Mary and Jane and brother, Benjamin Gowing in Virginia."

 

The household of "Rebecca Goings" was enumerated in the 1840 census of Northampton County, page 103:

 

          "Goings, Rebecca                           white female          60-70

                                                                   white female          30-40"

 

Eight slaves were also reported in the household of which five members were in agriculture.

 

Children born to James Gowen, Jr. and Rebecca Adams Gowen include:

 

          Martha Gowen                                                            born about 1788

          Mary Gowen                                                               born about 1790

          Jane Gowen                                                                 born about 1801

 

Frederick Gowen, James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of James Gowen, was born about 1766, probably in Brunswick County, Virginia.  When Greensville County was organized in 1783, Frederick Gowen was a resident of the new county.  William Powell paid tax for him in 1787 in Greensville County, according to "The 1787 Census of Vir­ginia," page 779. 

 

"Frederick Goen" secured a marriage bond in adjacent Meck­lenburg County March 9, 1789 to marry Susey "Sookie" Chavous, according to Mecklenburg County, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1850."  Henry Chavous, Sr, father of the bride, gave consent.  Robert Singleton, James Stewart and Belar Chavous witnessed his letter of consent.  Security was Frederick Ivey, and Phillip Cox was the minister.  Henry Chavous, Sr. was the head of a large, prominent "free colored" family in Mecklenburg County.  Children born to Frederick Gowen and Susey "Sookie" Chavous Gowen are unknown.  Frederick Ivey, a prominent “free colored” individual was married there December 14, 1795 to Prissy Stewart,

 

Frederick Gowen purchased 250 acres "on the east side of Blue Wing Creek" in Person County, North Carolina September 16, 1793, according to Person County Deed Book A, page 147.  He sold 124 acres of this land July 6, 1801 to Edmund Going, regarded as his nephew, while a resident of Mecklenburg County, according to Person County Deed Book C, page 290.

 

"Frederick Goen" secured a marriage bond December 29, 1800 to in Mecklenburg County to marry Mary Brandon, according to Mecklenburg County, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1850."  They were married January 1, 1801 by William Richards, minister.  Security was Ephriam Ivy.  The minister's return showed the name of the groom as "Frederick Gowen."  The bride was regarded as a daughter of William Brandon and Elizabeth Brandon, a free colored family of Mecklenburg County.

 

"Fedrick Gowen" paid tax on "1 poll" in the 1805 Person County tax roll in "Capt. Street's Company."

 

Frederick Gowen, "free colored" enlisted in Revolutionary service in the Virginia Continental Line in Brunswick County, according to "Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files" abstracted by Virgil D. White who stated that he lived in the part of the county that became Granville County, North Carolina after the Revolutionary War. 

 

"Fred Gowen, free colored male" was listed in the 1830 census of Lauderdale County, Alabama, page 206, as the head of a household:

 

          " Gowen, Fred                 free colored male            55-100

                                                          colored female         55-100

                                                          colored male            24-36

                                                          colored female         24-36"

 

On March 21, 1838 he lived in Lawrence County where he made an application for a pension.  He received Pension No. R4167.

 

Frederick Gowen of Lawrence County made an application for a Revolutionary War pension in a "non-military capacity."  The pension was rejected, according to "Report on Rejected and Suspended Pensions Reported to Congress" in 1852.  The report was printed in "Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama." 

 

Children born to Frederick Gowen and Mary Brandon Gowen are unknown.

 

Nancy T. Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a daughter of James Gowen and Amy Gowen, was born in Brunswick County about 1776.  She was married December 26, 1794 to Edwin Howard.  Benjamin Gowen was bondsman for the marriage.  It is believed that she died prior to the date of her father's will written August 12, 1816. 

 

Four grandsons were mentioned in the will of James Gowen:

 

          Benjamin Howard                                                      born about 1789

          Harbert Howard                                                          born about 1791

          Hartwell Howard                                                        born about 1793

          James Howard                                                             born about 1796

 

Henry Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of James Gowen and Amy Gowen, was born about 1779 in Brunswick County.  "Henry Gowyn" was married February 22, 1810 to Mrs. Martha Tomlinson, a widow, according to Greensville County Marriage Book 8, page 7.  He was mentioned in the will of his father written Au­gust 12, 1816.  Children born to Henry Gowen and Martha Tomlinson Gowen are unknown.

 

Benjamin Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] regarded as a son of James Gowen and Amy Gowen, was born about 1782 in Brunswick County.  He was the bondsman for the marriage of Nancy T. Gowen to Edwin Harris in 1794.  "Benjamin Going" was married March 29, 1806 to Cathrine Harris, according to "Greensville County, Virginia Marriages, 1781-1850."  Susan Gregory was security.  Cathrine Harris Gowen is regarded as a sister of William Harris who was married to Amy Gowen. 

 

On January 26, 1809 Benjamin Gowen received Grant No. 58 for seven acres of land "adjoining Peter Avant and Isaac R. Walton, Jr," according to Greensville County Deed Book 1809, page 249.

 

Benjamin Gowen was mentioned in the will of his father writ­ten August 12, 1816.  James Gowen, Jr. mentioned "brother, Benjamin in Virginia" in his will written October 11, 1836 in Northampton County, North Carolina.  Children born to Ben­jamin Gowen and Cathrine Harris Gowen are unknown.

 

Amy Gowen, [James5, Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] daughter of James Gowen and Amy Gowen, was born about 1785 in Greensville County.  "Amy Gowing" was mar­ried December 19, 1805 to William Harris, according to "Greensville County, Virginia Marriages, 1781-1850."  "Amey Harris" was mentioned in the will of her father written August 12, 1816.

 

Edward Gowen, [Edward, Jr.4, Edward3, William2, Mihil1] son of Edward Gowen, Jr, was born about 1727, probably in Charles City County.  He was probably brought to Brunswick County, Virginia by his father about 1744.  He was married about this time, wife's name unknown.  He appeared in the 1753 tax list of adjoining Granville County, North Carolina in the list of Osborn Jeffreys. "Edward Gowen, mulatto" appeared on the October 8, 1754 muster roll of the 83 men in the Granville County militia under Capt. Osborn Jeffreys:

 

“Osborn JEFFREY, Captain

Richard WHITE, Lieut.

John McKISSICK, Ensign

 

1. Francis BRADLEY, Sgt.

2. Howard WORLEY, Sgt.

3. John FARRELL, Sgt.

4. Wm McBEE, Corpl.

5. Thomas COOK, Corpl.

6. William PERRY, Corpl.

7. John MARTIN, Corpl.

 

8. John SANDLAND, Sr.

9. Peter VINSON

10. Philemon BRADFORD, Jr.

11. John SUTTON

12. Arthur FULLER

13. Timothy FULLER

14. Joseph FULLER

15. James SUTTON

16. James WADE

17. John SANDLAND, Jr.

18. Robert ALLEN

19. Joseph FARRELL

20. Wm. MOXLEY

21. Robert MORGAN

22. Isaac WINSTON

23. Wm WHITE

24. John GREEN

25. Thomas HULAND

26. Thomas MULLINS

27. John YOUNG

28. Wm PORCH

29. Thomas BRIDGES

30. Jeremiah PERRY

31. Ambrose CRANE

32. Francis PERRY

33. John PERRY

34. William RIDINGS

35. William SMITH

36. Ezekiah MASSEY

37. James BROGDEN

38. John GOLDING

39. Thomas BROGDEN

40. John DAVIS

41. Julius ALFORD

42. Jacob POWEL

43. Wm MAYNARD

44. Gibson MARTIN

45. John BRADLY

46. Nathaniel PERRY

47. Wm. CADE

48. Andrew HARFIELD

49. John MOONEY

50. Michael PERRY

51. William BREWER

52. Francis JOHNSTON

53. John BOOKER

54. Benjamin ARUNDEL

55. Thomas ARUNDEL

56. James ARUNDEL

55. Thomas ARUNDEL

56. James ARUNDEL

57. Austin HONEYCOT

58. Joseph BRIDGES

59. Roger REESE

60. Thomas JONES

61. William TAUNT

62. George MAYNARD

63. Nathaniel JONES

64. Andrew MARTIN

65. Joseph NORRIS

66. Richard RAYBORN

67. John DUNCAN

68. Wm ADKINSON

69. Joseph MEDLIN

70. James BOLTEN

71. Wm WINSTON

72. John WRIGHT

73. Samuel CARLISLE

74. John WILDER

75. John GARRET