John Gowen, [William Alexander¹] son of William Alexander Gowen and Elizabeth Frost Gowen, was born November 19, 1668 at Kittery, Maine. He became a large landowner in that area, a substantial farmer, a selectman, a mariner and a land surveyor. In 1691 he was married to his first cousin, Mercy Hammond, daughter of Maj. Joseph Hammond and Katherine Frost Hammond, sister to Elizabeth Frost Gowen.

Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born in 1674 at Wells, Maine. Her father was born in 1646 at Wells, the son of William Hammond and Benedictus Hammond.

On October 3, 1693 a strange grand jury report was filed involving John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, according to "Province and Court Records of Maine." The statement was recorded in "York Deeds," Vol. 2, page 23. The grand jury indictment read, "Wee present John Gowen alias Smith and Mercy Hamon that was for fornication presentable per the law."

"York Court Records" Volume 6, page 102 shows on January 2, 1693-94: "Mercy Gowen alias Smith, being presented for fornication uppon her humble petition to excuse her absence is fined thirty shillings and to pay five shillings (court) fees, which was paid". This entry was also recorded in "York Court Records" Vol. 2, page 23.

It is interesting to note that James Warren, Jr. was fined for fornication at the same time, according to "Province and Court Records of Maine" Vol. 4 by Neal W. Warren.

John Gowen failed to appear in court October 2, 1694, and the court clerk entered "warrant to be issued out for his contempt of authority and for his appearance at ye next sessions," according to "York Court Records," Vol. 2, page 35.

On March 14, 1700 John Gowen "alias Smith" paid three pounds, six shillings, eight pence to James Gowen "as his part of the estate of William Alexander Gowen as approved by the probate January 19, 1696-97," according to "York Deeds."

John Gowen "alias Smith" and Nicholas Gowen "alias Smith", "both of Berwick in Kittery." requested their neighbors to partition between them the land they had inherited from their father and from Tristram Harris, according to "Province and Court Records of Maine." Their request, dated July 10, 1700 was to "provide allowance to our mother her thirds and to our brethren and sisters their portions." John Gowen and Nicholas Gowen agreed January 19, 1702-03 to divide the inheritance from Tristram Harris in equal halves.

Mercy Hammond Gowen witnessed a deed June 20, 1701, according to "York Court Records" Volume 6, page 3.

John Gowen was one of the 17 men who founded the First Church of Berwick, Maine December 21, 1701. He was carried on the church roll as one of the charter members of the congregation.

John Gowen appeared on a York County jury list April 7, 1702, July 7, 1702, October 6, 1702 and January 5, 1702-03. He witnessed a deed at Kittery January 21, 1704, according to "York Deeds," Volume 7, page 28.

On March 5, 1711-12 John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen received a settlement of her inheritance from the estate of her father, Joseph Hammond.

The settlement contract read:

"These Presents Testify an agreement between Joseph Hamond, Administrator to ye Estate of Joseph Hammond, Esquire, late of Kittery in ye County of York deceased, on ye one part & John Gowen & Mercy, his wife, of ye Same Kittery aforesaid on ye other part Witnesseth that for & in Consideration of ye full Sum of Ninety Eight pounds thirteen Shillings & Seven pence to ye said John Gowen & Mercy, his said wife, in hand well & truely paid ye said Joseph Hamond they, ye said Gowen & his said wife. do Accept of ye Same in full Satisfaction for their whole right & Interest in ye Estate of ye said Joseph Hamond Esquire deceased, and they, ye said John Gowen & Mercy his said wife, for themselves, their heirs, Executors, Administrators & Assigns do by these presentments fully remise release & for Ever Quitt Claime Exonerate & discharge their brother Joseph Hammond abovesaid his heirs Executors and Administrators all & all manner of Suits, Actions, Cause or Causes of Actions, Accompts, reckonings, strifes, variences, Quarrells, Controversyes Debts Dues & Claims whatsoever of them, ye said John Gowen & Mercy his said wife, from ye begining of ye world to ye date of these presents referring to ye Estate Real & Personal of their said father deceased, Excepting only out of this General release ye widows Dower or thirds in ye houseing & lands of ye decedent at ye Expiration of her Term for which ye said Joseph Hamond his heirs etc. ye Sum of Twenty four pounds fifteen Shillings & 3d within one year after ye Decease of their Mother.

It is also further Agreed by ye partys abovesaid that what Ever Debts or Claims Shall appear against ye abovesaid Estate real or personal ye said John Gowen & Mercy his said wife Shall refund & pay back their proportionable part thereof unto ye Administrator & for his Just Charge thereabout & ye said Joseph Hamond doth hereby Oblige himself to pay unto ye abovesaid Gowen ye full Sixth part of what Shall hereafter Come to his knowledge not yet in ye Inventory, In witness where of ye partys have Set their hands & Seals this fifth day of March Anno Domini 1711-12.

Signed Sealed & Delivered Jos. Hamond

in presence of us: John Gowen

Mercy Gowen

John Hill

Bennoni Hodsden

Nicholas Gowen"

On the same day John Gowen sold to his brother Nicholas Gowen his half of the Tristram Harris inherited land for 15 pounds, according to "York Deeds." The conveyance covered "Twenty five Acres Scituate in York Township of Kittery being ye one halfe of Fifty Acres of land known by ye name of Trustram Harris out Lot it being the westermost part of said Fifty Acres according as ye Same is Set forth and bounded in A Certain Agreement or Instrument in Writting under ye hands and Seals of us ye said John & Nicholas Gowen baring date ye Nineteenth day of January one thousand Seven hundred and two-three." Mercy Hammond Gowen gave up her "right of dower and power of thirds" in the land in a separate acknowledgement.

On August 25, 1720 the York County militia ordered that "a garrison or a place of refuge be erected at the home of John Gowen." The militia later ordered "that the home of John Gowen be made defencible and that Nicholas Gowen, Thomas Weed and their families lodge therein," according to "Maine Historical & Genealogical Recorder."

Mercy Hammond Gowen died about 1725. When John Gowen sold his farm, he reserved the "family burying ground." John Gowen died in Berwick January 9, 1732-33, according to "Colonial Families in the United States." Graves found at this location were marked only with fieldstones. More recent graves there had a monument inscribed "Asa Gowen and wife."

Children born to John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, according to "Colonial Families of the United States," include:

Dorcas Gowen born August 13, 1692

George Gowen born August 10, 1696

William Gowen born April 27, 1697

John Gowen born May 24, 1698

Mercy Gowen born January 27, 1700-01

Joseph G. Gowen born November 28, 1703

Jane Gowen born May 17, 1706

Lemuel Gowen born September 22, 1709

William Gowen born July 14, 1715

Dorcas Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] daughter of John Gowen and Mercy Gowen, was born at Berwick, Maine August 13, 1692. About 1724 she accused John Treworgy of an unlawful trespass, but "he could not be found," according to court records. Dorcas Gowen died unmarried in 1732.

George Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born at Berwick, Maine August 10, 1696. He died June 30, 1712.

William Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born April 27, 1697 in Berwick. He died July 7, 1713.

John Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born at Berwick May 24, 1698. He became a mariner. He was married January 31, 1719-1720 to his first cousin, Elizabeth Ferguson, daughter of Alexander Ferguson and Elizabeth Gowen Ferguson, aunt of John Gowen, according to "Colonial Families of the United States." Both were of Kittery," according to "Maine Historical Genealogical Recorder."

John Gowen was sued in 1728 by his father-in-law for boarding his daughter Jane Gowen for four and a half years. Elizabeth Ferguson Gowen died before 1731, and John Gowen died in 1732.

Children born to John Gowen and Elizabeth Ferguson Gowen include:

Jane Gowen born September 23, 1721

Jane Gowen, [John^{3, John2}, William Alexander¹] daughter of John Gowen and Elizabeth Ferguson Gowen, was born September 23, 1721 probably at Kittery. Following the death of her mother about 1723 she lived with her grandparents, Alexander Ferguson and Elizabeth Gowen Ferguson. Her grandfather sued her father in 1727 for her board for four and a half years. When Alexander Ferguson wrote his will in York County April 28, 1731 he inserted " I give to my granddaughter, Jane Gowen, child of my daughter Elizabeth Gowen, deceased, one feather bed at age 18 or at marriage and five pounds of current money when she is 18. Of Jane Gowen nothing more is known.

Mercy Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] daughter of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born January 27, 1700-01. She was married March 19, 1726-27 in Gloucester, Massachusetts to Moses Riggs.

Joseph G. Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born November 28, 1703 at Kittery. In 1726 he was married to Elizabeth Ford, daughter of Stephen Ford and Elizabeth Hammond Ford, believed to be a sister to Mercy Hammond Gowen. Stephen Ford and Elizabeth Hammond Ford were married in 1701. Stephen Ford was the son of William Ford and his wife, Mary who were married in 1663. William Ford, who was the son of Timothy Ford, died in 1682. Mary Ford was born in 1644 and died in 1708.

Joseph G. Gowen was a mariner all his life. After their marriage his wife was admitted to the church December 24, 1727.

Joseph G. Gowen paid taxes on his property in the years of 1727, 1734 and 1744. He gave to I. Foster, a mortgage and discharged it in 1736. His taxes were abated for 1735 and 1740. These were possibly years in which he was in the king's service in the Royal Navy. In 1735 he purchased a house and lot from James Day and he deeded to three children Hammond Gowen, William Gowen and Elizabeth Gowen a house in 1747. In 1748 he was taken into court by Day in a suit concerning a levy "on part of."

He was lost at sea in a storm off Cape Fear, North Carolina in 1747, according to "Genealogies and Estates in the Town of Charlestown, County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, 1629-1818," published by Thomas Wyman in Boston in 1879. Charlestown was later incorporated as part of Boston, Massachusetts. Another source states that he was lost at sea in 1752.

Administration of the estate, valved at 72 pounds, was given to Hammond Gowen on June 19, 1752. [One source states 1753]. A notation in settlement mentions that Hammond Gowen had loaned 46 pounds to his father in North Carolina. The administration account also shows payment to Robert Kelley for a coffin.

Children born to Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen include:

Hammond Gowen born January 9, 1727

Joseph G. Gowen, Jr. born May 10, 1730

William Gowen born September 10, 1732

Elizabeth Gowen born June 8, 1734

Joseph Gowen Jr. [2] born May 22, 1736

Abigail Gowen born January 18, 1738

Abigail Gowen [2] born October 9, 1743

Hammond Gowen [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] Gowen, son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen and a namesake of his grandmother, Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born January 9, 1727 at Charlestown. He went to sea early in his life and became a sea captain.

On May 19, 1748, at age 21, he was married to Mary Croswell who was "admitted to the church January 5, 1756." Mary Croswell was born in 1730, the daughter of Thomas Croswell. Thomas Croswell, was born in 1706 and in 1728 was married to Mary Pierce Pitts [1706-1730]. Thomas Croswell, was the son of Caleb Croswell [1679-1713] who in 1700 married Abigail Stimson [1679-1738]. The parents of Caleb Croswell were Thomas Croswell [1638-1708] and Priscilla Upham Croswell [1642-1717].

Hammond Gowen died of apoplexy on July 14, 1762. Mary Croswell Gowen was remarried in 1763 to Nathan Sargent.

Several legal records concerning Hammond Gowen were listed in "Genealogies and Estates." Only a few of them have been checked. Tax records are listed for years of 1748, 1756, 1758 and 1761. Hammond Gowen was an extensive land owner in Middlesex County. The inventory of his estate totaled £2,754, and was administered to the widow Mary Croswell Gowen on July 5, 1762--ten days before his death! Very likely this is a clerical error. Mystic River and Bunker Hill were mentioned as reference points in the legal description of the property.

The widow, Mary Croswell Gowen mortgaged "one-half of house, northerly part" to Nehemiah Rand on August 27, 1762. On October 27, 1767 Mary Croswell Gowen Sargent paid off the mortgage.

Children born to Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen include:

William Gowen born September 13, 1749

Joseph Gowen born January 14, 1751

Hammond Gowen born January 26, 1754

Mary Gowen born May 21, 1755

Elizabeth Gowen born December 27, 1756

Abigail Gowen born April 9, 1759

John Gowen born July 31, 1760

William Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born September 13, 1749 Charlestown, Massachusetts. In 1764, at age 15, he chose Nathan Sargent as his guardian. He became a goldsmith and a jeweler and became very successful. In 1771, he sold his home and land in Charlestown to Ebenezer Harnden and Michael Negels of Medford.

William Gowen was married April 29, 1772 to Eleanor Cutter, according to "Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts." She was born August 7, 1753 at Medford to Ebenezer Cutter and Eleanor Floyd Cutter. On July 19, 1774, he was named the guardian of his younger brother, John Gowen, age 15. His bond for guardianship was cosigned by his brother, Joseph Gowen, apothecary.

"William Gowen," turned in $289 in Revolutionary bank notes for new currency in 1779 at "Town No. 96," unidentified, in Massachusetts.

On April 12, 1783, William Gowen purchased a new home from Seth Blodgett for £500. On October 26, 1784, William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen sold the property to their brother-in-law, John Bishop. Elizabeth Gowen, his sister was a witness to the transaction.

On August 25, 1785, John Gowen and Eleaner Cutter Gowen sold a house for £500 to William Cutter, "distiller," regarded as her brother. She conveyed the release of her dower rights, and the transaction was witnessed by Joseh Gowen.

William Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1790 census of Medfordtown, Massachusetts, according to "Heads of Families, Massachusetts, 1790," page 149:

"Gowen, William white male over 16

white female

white female

white female

white female

white female

white female

white male over 16

white male over 16

white male under 16

white male under 16"

William Gowen sold to Isaac Bowers "Pew 14" in the Medford Meeting House June 10, 1790. On February 25, 1791 he repurchased "Pew 14" from Issac Bowers. On December 6, 1794 "William Gowen of Boston, Gentlemen" sold "Pew 14" in Medford Meeting House to Benjamin Hall of Medford. Eleanor Cutter Gowen signed her release of dower.

William Gowen died September 13, 1808 at Dorchester, Massachusetts. "Mrs. Eleanor Gowen, widow" died of apoplexy June 3, 1826 at age 72, according to "Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts." She was buried at the Unitarian Church, First Parish.

Children born to William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen include:

Eleanor Gowen born January 19, 1773

Hammond Gowen born August 26, 1774

Polly Gowen born October 1, 1776

Elizabeth Gowen born January 22, 1778

Lucretia Gowen born January 22, 1781

William Cutter Gowen born September 21, 1783

Hammond Gowen born July 6, 1786

Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen born in 1794

An apparent relative to William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, Betsy Gowen, 33, died December 26, 1789 "of consumption in Boston," according to "Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts." She was buried at the Unitarian Church Cemetery in the First Ward in Medford.

Eleanor Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 19, 1773 at Medford. Eleanor Gowen was married to William Hall October 16, 1791 in the Unitarian Church of Medford, according to "Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts." She died in Quebec City, Quebec in 1860.

Hammond Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born August 26, 1774. He died at 13 months, July 30, 1775, according to the records of Unitarian Church, First Parish published in "Vital Records of Medford, Massachusetts."

Polly Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born October 1, 1776 in Medford. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Elizabeth Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 22, 1778 in Medford. She was married about 1795, husband's name McGee.

Lucretia Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born January 22, 1781 in Medford. She was married about 1799 to John Brooks, a merchant. She died September 1807, and he was remarried to her younger sister, Abigail "Maria" Gowen.

William Cutter Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born September 21, 1783 in Medford. As a young man, he went to sea, making voyages down the east coast to Cuba. Upon the death of his father in 1808, he gave his power of attorney to John Brooks, his brother-in-law. In 1810 he purchased a home on Spring Street in Medford from William Hawes.

About 1811, he removed to Cuba and established residence in Havana, then the third largest city in the western hemisphere. William Cutter Gowen saw the business opportunities in Cuba, but realized that the Spanish franchise system stifled free enterprise there and returned to Boston. On October 10, 1815, William Cutter Gowen, "former resident of Cuba, but now of Boston, merchant," bought a new brick building on Fort Hill from his brother-in-law, John Brooks and his second wife, Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks who signed a release of her dower. In that year, he also bought "property in Hamilton" from James Hooper.

In 1817, the Cuban government suppressed the tobacco monopoly, and William Cutter Gowen immediately returned to Havana. In that year he, "former resident of Boston, now of Havana, Cuba in consideration of $1 paid by his mother, Eleanor Gowen of Boston and further consideration of love and affection; leases to her for and during her natural life the house and land on Fort Hill, Boston, being the whole of the estate conveyed to him by John Brooks, said premises late in occupation by said Brooks."

John Brooks experienced severe financial reverses shortly afterward and died in 1823, leaving his widow, Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks and their children almost penniless. She immediately sailed to Cuba to join her brother, William Cutter Gowen who had established a large tobacco plantation at Matanzas, Cuba.

As the health of his mother began to fail, the Fort Hill property was returned to him. William Cutter Gowen, "of Matanzas, Cuba" in 1825 sold the property to Ann Hale and took her mortgage in the transaction.

William Cutter Gowen died the following year, and Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks inherited his large, successful tobacco plantation and sudden riches. With this wealth, she was able to enjoy travel and the pursuit of culture. She left the Cuban enterprise in the hands of elder son, Edgar Brooks and in 1829 was living in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Hammond Gowen, son of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born July 6, 1786. In 1831, he was a merchant living in Quebec City, Quebec.

Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen, daughter of William Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, was born in 1794 in Medford. Her father died when she was 14, and her sister, Lucretia Gowen Brooks and her husband, John Brooks, a merchant tailor took her in and provided her education. Lucretia died in 1907, and John Brooks was remarried to the 16-year-old Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen. Her baptismal name was simply Abigail Gowen. In 1819, the General Court of Massachusetts permitted her to take the name Mary Abigail Brooks and she was rechristened by that name at King's Chapel in Boston July 31, 1819.

In 1823, John Brooks died in poverty and left his widow and their sons penniless. Her brother, William Cutter Gowen, immediately invited her and her sons to come and live on his tobacco plantation in Cuba. Three years later, William Cutter Gowen, died and left his immensely successful tobacco plantation to Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks.

It was there that she began to express her talent for poetry. Under the penname of "Maria del Occidente" she wrote the first canto of "Zophiel" which was soon published.

In 1829, she was living in Hanover, New Hampshire where she was actively seeking an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy for her youngest son, Horace Brooks. He wrote:

"My mother's special characteristic was her individuality. She generally succeeded in her endeavors. For instance, she applied to have me sent to West Point, so sent me to Washington in 1829 with letters, etc. The appointment was promised, but by some influence was over-ruled. She then took me to Hanover, New Hampshire with a view to my entering Dartmouth College. In the meantime, she went with her brother Hammond Gowen of Quebec to Europe in 1830 where she visited Southey [Robert Southey, famous English poet of Bristol, Gloucestershire]. With Southey's advice, she got out a London edition of "Zophiel." She was introduced to the Marquis de Lafayette who was so pleased with her that he asked if he could be of any service to her. 'Yes,' said she, 'you may get my son into West Point.' Upon this, Lafayette wrote to Chief Engineer Bernard, and the appointment of a cadet came to me."

Horace Brooks entered the Academy in 1831 and was graduated as a second lieutenant in 1835. Lt. Brooks was stationed at the Academy from 1836 to 1839, and Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks lived with him. When he was transferred to Ft. Hamilton, New York in 1840, she accompanied him. During this period, she continued to write poetry and published "Idomen" in 1843.

Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks sailed for Cuba for the last time in December 1843 and died at Matanzas November 11, 1845 at the age of 51. Horace Brooks wrote, "She was buried at Limonal by the side of my two brothers." One of the brothers is suggested as a half brother, the son of Lucretia Gowen Brooks.

Of his mother Horace Brooks stated:

"My mother was quite a linguist. She read and wrote fluently in French, Spanish and Italian; she also sang many songs in these tongues. She was a hard student and a woman of much research, and very particular to obtain her authority from the original; and often attempted, with the assistnce of some friend, the translation of obscure languages. I remember how she kept by her a Persian grammar and often referred to it. She was also quite an artist, and several pieces painted by her in water-colours were hanging up about her rooms. She was a constant attendant at church and always carried with her an English edition of the services of the church. She was very particular about her own language, disliked all interpolations, and always referred to 'Johnson and Walker.' It was delightful to hear her converse. Her knowledge of present and past events and of the prominent characters of history was astonishing. She would tell anecdotes of persons so varied and interesting that her quiet and unassuming conversation was sought and listened to by many distinguished persons."

Rufus Wilmot Griswold, critic, anthologist and editor of "Graham's Magazine," wrote of her work in "Encyclopedia of American Literature." He described her as a "student of wide and accurate information, capable of thought and research quite unusual for a woman of her time."

An account of the life and works of Mary Abigail "Maria" Gowen Brooks written by Zadel Barnes Gustafson was published in "Harper's Monthly" in January 1879.

???????????

It is believed that among his children was:

.............

Medford Gowen born about 1795

Medford Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] believed to be the son of William Gowen, was born about 1795, probably in Charleston. He became a goldsmith. Medford Gowen was married about 1820 to Eleanor Cutter, daughter of Ebenezer Cutter, Jr. Ebenezer Cutter, Sr, her grandfather, was born April 29, 1772 and died in June 1826.

Eight children were born to Medford Gowen and Eleanor Cutter Gowen, names unknown, however it is believed that their names are recorded in "Cutter Genealogy."

Joseph Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, namesake of his grandfather Joseph G. Gowen, was born January 14, 1751 at Boston. Nothing more is known of this individual or descendants.

Hammond Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born January 26, 1754 in Boston. He became a physician. It is believed that his will was administered April 2, 1783, probably at Charlestown. Nothing more is known of Dr. Hammond Gowen or descendants.

Mary Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born May 21, 1755, probably at Charlestown. In 1773 she was married to David Vinton, believed to be a descendant of John Vinton who appeared in Lynn in 1648, according to "Vinton Memorial." She died September 19, 1775, and he died December 3, 1778.

One son was born to them:

David Vinton born in January 1774

David Vinton, son of David Vinton and Mary Gowen Vinton, was born in Medford, Massachusetts in January 1774, according to Eleanor Vinton Clark Murray, a descendant. He was married in Providence, Rhode Island May 17, 1774 to Mary Atwell who was born May 10, 1773. In 1807, he died in 1830 in a visit to Kentucky. Mary Atwell Vinton died in Boston May 15, 1854.

Children born to David Vinton and Mary Atwell Vinton include:

Alexander Hamilton Vinton born May 2, 1807

Alexander Hamilton Vinton, son of David Vinton and Mary Atwell Vinton, was born at Providence May 2, 1807. He became a Protestant Episcopal minister. He was married October 15, 1835 to Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson, daughter of Ebenezer Thompson of Providence. He became rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Boston.

Children born to Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton and Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson Vinton include:

Mary Vinton born October 14, 1840

Mary Vinton, daughter of Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton and Eleanor Stockbridge Thompson Vinton, was born October 14, 1840 in Providence. She was married about 1866, husband's name Clark.

Children born to Mary Vinton Clark include:

Eleanor Vinton Clark born March 30, 1867

Eleanor Vinton Clark, daughter of Mary Vinton Clark, was born in Boston March 30, 1867. She was married about 1890 to Thomas Morris Murray. She died July 12, 1958 at the age of 91.

Elizabeth Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born December 27, 1756, probably in Charlestown. Nothing more is known of this individual.

Abigail Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born April 9, 1759, probably in Charlestown. On April 22, 1779 she was married at Walden, Massachusetts to Lt. Thomas Locke, who was reared by William Locke and whose name he used. His real identity is unknown.

Lt. Thomas Locke was a revolutionary soldier from Lexington, Massachusetts who was born June 11, 1754. In 1783 and 1790 they lived at Lexington. He died February 19, 1831 at age 78, according to "History of the Town of Lexington" Volume 2, page 381 by Charles Hudson. He was buried in Lot 27, East Village Cemetery in Lexington. Abigail Gowen Locke survived until March 21, 1850 and died at age 91. She was buried beside her husband.

Children born to Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke include:

Abigail Locke born about 1780

Attie Locke born about 1781

Mary Locke born January 18,1783

Betsy Locke born about 1786

Sally Locke born about 1787

Zilpha Locke born about 1788

Martha Locke born about 1789

Otis Locke born February 1790

Mary Locke, daughter of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke, was born at Lexington, January 18, 1783. About 1801 she was married to Elias Crafts of Lexington.

Sally Locke, daughter of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Gowen Locke, was born about 1787, probably at Lexington. She was married about 1803, husband's name Nichols.

Otis Locke, son of Lt. Thomas Locke and Abigail Locke, was born February 26, 1790 in Lexington. He was married to Kezie Harrington about 1815. He died June 25, 1851.

Children born to Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke include:

George Augustus Locke born in 1817

William Gowen Locke born in 1819

George Augustus Locke, son of Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke, was born in 1817 in Lexington. Later he moved to Charlestown and became a merchant and ship broker. About 1840 he was married to Lucretia Orme Benson. George Augustus Locke died in 1873 probably at Boston in the area of the town previously called Charlestown.

Children born to George Augustus Locke and Lucretia Orme Benson Locke include:

Caroline Lucretia Locke born in 1842

Caroline Lucretia Locke, daughter of George Augustus Locke and Lucretia Orme Benson Locke, was born in 1842 in Boston. In 1875 at age 33 she was married to John Houston Swift, a civil engineer and an accountant, from Charleston, South Carolina. The groom, a graduate of South Carolina Military Academy and a lieutenant in the Civil War, was 47.

Children born to John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift include:

Bonnell Locke Swift born in 1877

William Street Swift born December 30, 1878

Bonnell Locke Swift, son of John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift, was born in 1877, probably in Charleston. About 1900 he was married to Ethel Maud Woodbury.

William Street Swift, son of John Houston Swift and Caroline Lucretia Locke Swift, was born December 30, 1878, probably in Charleston. He was married July 5, 1918 to Naomi Ordell Kline who was born in Yorkana, Pennsylvania February 17, 1892, the daughter of Uriah Lemon Kline.

In World War I Lt. William Street Swift commanded Company B, 328th Battalion, U. S. Tank Corps in 1918 in France. He was a Unitarian and made his home in Yorkana after the war.

Children born to William Street Swift and Naomi Ordell Kline Swift include:

William Street Swift, Jr. born April 13, 1919

William Street Swift, Jr, believed to be the only child of William Street Swift, Sr. and Naomi Ordell Kline Swift, was born April 13, 1919 in Yorkana. He was graduated from Pennsylvania State College, class of 1940.

William Gowen Locke, son of Otis Locke and Kezie Harrington Locke, was born about 1819.

John Gowen, [Hammond⁴, Joseph G.3, John², William Alexander¹] son of Hammond Gowen and Mary Croswell Gowen, was born July 31, 1760 at Charlestown.

Joseph G. Gowen, Jr, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born May 10, 1730. It is believed that he died prior to 1736, because in that year another son was born and he also was named Joseph G. Gowen, Jr.

William Gowen, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born September 10, 1732.

Elizabeth Gowen, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born June 8, 1734. It is believed that Elizabeth Emery was married to Caleb Emery about 1754. He was the grandson of Daniel Emery who was married to Margaret Gowen.

Joseph G. Gowen, Jr, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] son of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born May 22, 1736.

Abigail Gowen, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born January 18, 1738 at Boston. Apparently she died before 1743. Another daughter, was also named Abigail.

Abigail Gowen, [Joseph G.³, John², William Alexander¹] daughter of Joseph G. Gowen and Elizabeth Ford Gowen, was born October 9, 1743 at Boston.

Jane Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] daughter of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born May 13, 1706, probably at Kittery. On June 26, 1724 she was married to her cousin, William Gowen. They were the grandparents of James Gowen of Westbrook, Maine. For an account of her life and descendants see his section.

Lemuel Gowen, [John², William Alexander¹] son of John Gowen and Mercy Hammond Gowen, was born September 22, 1709, at Kittery. He was married January 25, 1731-32 to Mrs. Judith Lord, a widow, according to "Colonial Families of the United States." She was the daughter of Nathan Lord, and accordingly, was not a widow, according to "Old Kittery and Her Families," by Everett S. Stackpole.

Lemuel Gowen wrote his will December 27, 1737 and died at sea shortly afterwards. Judith Lord Gowen was referred to as "a widow" again September 28, 1738 when she was admitted to full communion by the Second Church of Kittery, Maine. The will of Lemuel Gowen was proved October 17, 1740.

Source Page: Probate Office, 5, 195.

Name: Lemuel Gowen

Will Text: In the Name of God Amen the twenty seventh Day of Decembr in ye Year of our Lord

one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven, I Lemuel Gowen of Kittery in the County of York

within his Majests Province of ye Massachusets Bay in New England Yeoman being bound a Voyage

to Sea and not Knowing wheather it will please God to preserve my Life and return me in safety to

my Native Country. I Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament.Imprimis I Do Resign

and submit both Body & Soul to God in hopes of his favour & Grace in Christ and as to such Worldly

Estate as it has been pleased God to give me in this Life I Will & bequeath in manner & form

following. That is to say I Give & bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Iudith all my Real & personal

Estate to her Disposall for ye benefit of my Children & I likewise appoint my sd Wife Judith my

whole & sole Executrix of this my last Will & Testament Disannulling all former Wills by me

heretofore made In Witness whereunto I have Set my hand & Seal ye Date above written.Signed

Sealed Pronounced & Declared by ye sd Lemuel Gowen as his last Will & Testament in psence ofJno

WatkinsJames fferguson.Thos Emery.Lemuel Gowen (Seal)Probated 17 Oct. 1740.

Judith Lord Gowen filed a marriage intent with Abel Moulton of York County December 2, 1748. They were married December 22, 1748 "for a consideration of 2 shillings," according to the records of First Church of Berwick. Abel Moulton of Cider Hill brought Judith Lord Gowen Moulton "and her Gowen children to York."

Children born to Lemuel Gowen and Judith Lord Gowen include:

John Gowen born November 20, 1732

Lemuel Gowen, Jr. born in 1734

Joseph Gowen born about 1735

Nathan Gowen born about 1736

John Gowen, [Lemuel³, John², William Alexander¹] son of Lemuel Gowen and Judith Lord Gowen, was born November 20, 1732, according to "Old Kittery and Her Families.". He was baptized September 28, 1738 in the First Church of Berwick.

Following the marriage of his mother to Abel Moulton of York, in 1748 he was married May 5, 1766, at age 36, to Susanna Moulton, believed to the his step-sister. The couple filed intent April 19, 1766 showing both to be residents of York. The Rev. Isaac Lyman performed the ceremony.

"John Gowen," Abraham Lord and Joshua Emery were imprisoned in December 1769 at Berwick, Maine. They were Baptists who had separated from the "standing church" in 1768 and organized a church under the leadership of Joshua Emery. For refusing to pay the