T H E G O W E N M A N U S C R I P T Page
MARION COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Sarah Goin was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1830 census of Marion County, page 21:
"Goin, Sarah white female 30-40
white male 15-20
white female 15-20
white female 0-5
white male 0-5
white female 0-5"
NEWBERRY COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
No members of the Gowen family were listed in the 1800 census of Newberry County, according to a transcript by Oma Dee Phillips.
==O==
James Maddison Gowan died in Newberry County before 1963. His widow, Mary Elizabeth McKinney Gowan died in December of that year, according to her obituary which was published Decemer 23, 1963:
“Mrs Mary Elizabeth McKinney Gowan, 81, widow of James Maddison Gowan, died at Newberry County Memorial Hospital Sunday after a long illness.
Mrs. Gowan was a native of Pea Ridge section of Union County and was a daughter of the late George McKin-ney and Mandy Fowler McKinney. She had lived in Newberry for the past 33 years and was a member of Gilead Baptist church in Jonesville.
Surviving are; one son, J. B. Gowan, Newberry; one daughter, Miss Lola Gowan , Newberry; one step dau-ghter, Mrs. Avery Bradley, Duncan; one brother, George McKinney, Newberry; one-half sister, Mrs. Ella Furr, Gaffney; one half-brother, Charles McKinney, Gaffney and five step grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at Glenn Street Baptist Church in Newberry, by the Revs. Joel King, Jr, Fay Lanford, and Joseph Walker. Burial will be in New-berry Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home of a son, J. B. Gowan on the Whitney highway. McSwain Funeral Home is in charge.”
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Mrs. Helen Black Goins, 74 died in Orangeburg County, ac-cording to her obituary in “The Daily Times.”
She had previously been a resident of Crouse,North Carolina, and her obituary appeared in the “Gaston Gazette” on June 5th of 2002.
==O==
Alex Goowin, negro, age 9, was reported as a step-son of Peter Elmore in the 1880 census of Orangeburg County, Enumeration Distict 149, page 44, Orange township.
==O==
Daniel Gowan was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1800 census [the only one ever taken] of Orange County, page 289:
"Gowan, Daniel white male 26-45
white female 26-45
white male 0-10
white female 0-10"
Daniel Gowan owned 23 slaves, according to the enumeration.
PENDLETON DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA
John Goowin was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1820 census of Pendleton District:
"Goowin, John white male 16-26
white female 16-26
white male 0-10"
PICKENS COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Mack Gowan, alias Mack Blythe, was held culpable in the death of Andrew Anderson in January 1881 in a Pickens County coroner's inquest, according to "A Collection of South Carolina Genealogical and Family Records. "
The inquest report, filed in Clerk of Court Office, Pack 546, No. 3 stated:
"Pickens, South Carolina: An inquest was held January 5, 1881 before Thomas Parkins, Coroner to view the death of Andrew Anderson, where and by what means did he come to his death and upon the jury oath do say: That the blow given by Mack Gowan, alias Mack Bly-the, upon the head of de-ceased in the kitchen of Major James H. Amber on last Sun-day night 3 weeks was the cause of his death.
Jacob Lay, sworn, says, 'I know the decd. On Sunday Dec. 1880 I was at Major Ambler's kitchen. Mr. Ander-son went in and called for me & when he got me, caught me by the hair of the head, says where is that God dam nigger & struck Mack Gowan on the shoulder. Mack moved his chair, but said nothing, reached over and got a piece of pine and struck Mr. Anderson who fell on the floor. Struck him on the forepart of his head. Mr. And-erson lay about a second or more and trying to get up, caught the door, and it gave away so he fell out at door backward on his head. Door about 3 feet high. Was a rock & block at door, but do not know if he struck eith-er. Have seen him several times at his house since that. About three weeks since he was struck.'
Alfred Price, sworn, says 'I live in Pickens County with Mr. Ambler. Have known the decd. for 6 or 7 years. I was in Mr. Ambler's kitchen on Sunday night about 3 weeks ago, and Mr. Anderson came in and got after Mack Gowan for some money he owed him. Mack told him he did not have it. He came into the kitchen the 2nd time, and after taking hold of Jacob and me, he asked for the damned nigger and says 'Here he is' and struck Mack on the shoulder.'
Mrs. Rosa Anderson, sworn, says, 'the decd is my husband.'"
==O==
Robert Gowan, negro, headed a household in the 1880 census of Pickens County, Enumeration District 134, page 5, Pump-kintown township:
"Gowan, Robert 45, born in South Carolina
Darkis 24, born in South Carolina
Lena 15, born in South Carolina
Louisa 11, born in South Carolina
Ella 9, born in South Carolina
Margaret 7, born in South Carolina
Estella 5, born in South Carolina
Robert 3, born in South Carolina
==O==
Reuben Gowan was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1870 census of Pickens County, Household 76-76, also in Pumpkintown township
“Gowan, Reuben 50, black, farmer, born in SC
Rose 40, black, wife keeping house,
born in SC
Dicey 10, black, daughter, born in SC
Thomas 8, black, son, born in SC
Rosannah 1, black, daughter, born in SC
Ann 25, black, “wo,” born in SC”
Jason Russell of Greenville, South Carolina wrote May 29, 2004:
“The first Reuben you found in the 1880 Census is my Reuben from 1870. I am literally in tears. I have searched for 6 years for more information on Reuben and could get nowhere. I thank you so much.
The boy in the enumeration above, Thomas Gowan is my great great grandfather. He had 19 children from 3 wives. At our family reunions, we are referred to as sets. His first two wives died young. I am from set 2 or his second wife, Flora Terrell Gowan whose ances-try, according to our family tradition goes back to Jamestown, Virginia through her mother, Birtie Bur-gess. Flora bore Thomas 9 children out of his 19, and I am of his second oldest son, John Robert Gowan, but his descendants later changed the surname to Mc-Gowan. We have a book that we have put together outlining our history which is about 80 pages of history and photographs.
I spoke to one of my grandmother's younger sisters. Unfortunately, she is blind and cannot hear well. She lives with my grandmother's other only living sister. She told me that my grandmother's oldest sister, who unfortunately passed away in March at the age of 91, had met Reuben when she was a very little girl. She, my grandmother's oldest sister, had described Reuben as an Indian looking man. He was very old and wore two long braids that went down his back. I'm guess-ing he must have died not too long after because my grand-mother's oldest sister was born in 1913. At that time, many of the Gowens family were moving from Pickens County, South Carolina to Greenville County. The area where they lived in Pickens and the area where we live in Greenville County is not far from the North Carolina border maybe 20 minutes drive.
As a side note, they gave me an old lithograph photo of my great great grandfather, Thomas Edward, the son of Reuben. If and when I have children, I don't want the younger members of the family to forget who their an-cestors were if I can help it.”
Reuben Gowan reappeared in the 1880 census in Enumer-ation District 96, page 13, Bates township of Greenville County. His household was reported as:
"Gowan, Reuben 56, born in SC, negro
Rosa 41, born in SC
Sylva 19, born in SC, daughter
Thomas 15, born in SC
Lou 11, born in SC
Laura 7, born in SC
Andy 4, born in SC
John 2, born in SC"
Other Gowan households were enumerated nearby. Ander-son Gowan, negro, headed a household in the 1880 census of Greenville County, Enumeration District 96, page 11, Bates township, composed of:
"Gowan, Anderson 34, born in SC, negro
Mariah 34, born in SC
Margaret 14, born in SC
Georgianna 12, born in SC
Frank 10, born in SC
Hattie 7, born in SC
Allice 5, born in SC
Anderson 2, born in SC"
Enumerated on the same page was a household headed by Edmond Gowan, negro, in Greenville County, Enumeration District 96, Bates township:
"Gowan, Edmond 32, born in SC, negro
Hannah 23, born in SC
Henry S. 11, born in SC
Mollie 10, born in SC
Hannah 75, born in VA, mother"
Also in Enumeration District 96, page 35, Bates township of Greenville County was the household of Hezza Gowan, negro, reported as:
"Gowan, Hezza 53, born in South Carolina
Emma 45, born in South Carolina
William 12, born in South Carolina
Lou E. 8, born in South Carolina
Isabella 6, born in South Carolina"
==O==
Hattie Gowens was married January 23, 1901 by Magistrate A. L. Edens to Sim Miles "at the residence of Baylus Gow-ens, all colored," according to "Pickens, South Carolina, 1894-1903 Historical & Genealogical Abstracts" by Peggy Burton Rich and Mareion Ard Whitehurst.
The volume also records that "Luke Gowens, son of R. P. Gowens" was married December 15, 1901 to Miss Margaret Miles by Magistrate Edens. Children born to Luke Gowens and Margaret Miles Gowens are unknown.
RICHLAND COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Elizabeth Going headed a household enumerated in the 1830 census of Richland County, page 399:
"Going, Elizabeth white female 40-50
white male 20-30
white male 15-20
white female 5-10"
"Elizabeth Gowings" reappeared as the head of a household in the 1840 census of Richland County, page 443.
"Gowings, Elizabeth white female 50-60
white male 30-40
white female 15-20
"Gilberry Gowings," regarded as the son of Elizabeth Going, was the head of a household in the 1840 census of Richland County, page 443:
"Gowings, Gilberry white male 20-30
white female 30-40
white male 5-10
white male 0-5"
"Gilberry Going" had been married September 14, 1839, wife's name omitted, in Stokes County, North Carolina, according to "Stokes County, North Carolina Marriages, 1783-1850."
"McGilvary Goins" was shot and killed by William Rabun, according to the August 23, 1852 edition of "The South-Carolinan:"
"A man by the name of McGilvary Goins was shot yesterday by William Rabun. He died shortly after receiving the wound. Rabun at once delivered himself up to the proper authorities."
"Sally Goins, daughter of Gilvary Goins, died July 3d, 1859 in Columbia, South Carolina of typhoid fever," according to "Columbia, South Carolina Obituaries, 1859-1877."
==O==
Nearby on page 444 in the 1840 census of Richland County was the household headed by John Goings:
"Goings, John white male 50-60
white female 40-50
white female 20-30
white female 15-20
white male 10-15
white male 5-10
white female 0-5"
white female 0-5"
white female 0-5"
Also in the 1840 census of Richland County, was reported the household of John Goings, Jr. on page 444:
"Goings, John Jr. white male 20-30
white female 20-30"
Also on page 444 of the 1840 census of Richland County was reported the household of Betsey Goings:
"Goings, Betsy white female 50-60
white male 30-40
white female 20-30
white female 0-5"
==O==
"Gadberry Goins was killed, and his son also was shot by Os-good H. Mood March 24, 1860," according to "Record of Deaths in Columbia, South Carolina."
==O==
"James Goins died [was executed] March 18, 1859 for murder on the body of Bryan Medlin. Had he have had money, would he have been hanged? Witness the case of Campbell R. Bryce, Sharpe, Luther Caldwell and others--worse cases by far," according to "Columbia, South Carolina Obituaries, 1859-1877."
==O==
Billy Gowan was listed in the 1972 telephone directory at De-nise Drive, Columbia, South Carolina.
==O==
Doris Gowan was listed in the 1972 telephone directory at 500 East 9th Street, Columbia.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
Matilda Goins was married about 1845 to William Thomas Dye. Children born to them include:
Martha Dye born April 9, 1848
Martha Dye, daughter of William Thomas Dye and Matilda Goins Dye, was born April 9, 1848. She was married about 1866, husband’s name Sherbert. She died April 17, 1915, according to her death certificate.
==O==
Boyce Bobo Gowan was married to Ethel Marlow Lister of Greer, South Carolina in July 1949, according to the “Spartanburg Herald” of July 9, 1949. Children born to Boyce Bobo Gowan and Ethel Marlow Lister Gowan are unknown.
==O==
Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Gowan of Inman left Sunday for a 2 weeks trip to Florida. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gowan of Hendersonville, according to the “Spar-tanburg Herald” of. February 16, 1935 -
==O==
Claud Gowan was named as one of the pallbearers at the fun-eral of Mrs. Marie Ladson Henderson of Washington, D.C. She was born in Inman, South Carolina to R. G. Ladson in 1898, and her funeral service was held in his home. She died January 31, 1930, according to her obituary in the “Spartan-burg Herald” of February 3, 1920.
==O==
Clifford C. Gowan, 70 died in March 2007, according to his obituary in the “Spartanburg Herald-Journal” of March 25, 2007.
==O==
Claude Donnie Gowan, 43, died at Spartanburg in February 2007, according to his obituary in the “Spartanburg Herald-Journal” of February 5, 2007.
==O==
Some letters to Santa Claus were carried by the “Spartanburg Herald” of September 30, 1908:
Dear Santa Claus;
I am a little boy, 13 years old. I have no father or mother. I live with my sister, Birtie Gowan. I want a train and a little man and a flying Jinny and candy, oranges and everything else that is good to eat that you have for a little orphan boy. I work in the mill. Am not able to go to school. Wish I could.
Your good little boy,
Solomon Clayton.
Dear Santa Claus;
Do please bring me a doll and tea set, a doll set of furniture, a chair, and apples, candy, oranges, walnuts and some books. Now Santa don't think I am asking too much as I wish these so much and without you bring them, I can't get them. I am 11 years old and stay with my' grandma' and work in the mill. I run three and four sides.
Your good girl,
Maud Gowan
331 College Street.
Dear Old Sata Claus;
I am an old lady, 65 years old. Am a child again. Anything will be much appreciated. I am a subscriber for the Herald. Now Santa, don't slight me because I am an old lady.
N. M. Gowan
331 College Street.
==O==
James Gowan was married to Miss Marietta Fleming De-cember 27, 1870 by Rev. I. L. West, according to the “Car-olina Spartan” published in January 1871. Children born to James Gowan and Marietta Fleming Gowan are unknown.
==O==
Ryan Aubry Gowan, age 75, died in June 2007, according to his obituary in the “Spartanburg Herald-Journal” of June 3, 2007.
==O==
William Gowan of Greer, South Carolina was among 114 drafted men who were sent to Camp Jackson near Columbia, South Carolina, according to the April 23, 1918 edition of the “Spartanburg Herald.” The county draft boards sent “89 colored men and 25 white men” to be inducted in the U.S. Army at that time for World War I.
==O==
David Gowen was listed as a member of the Spartan Regiment commanded by Col. James Myrick during the Revolutionary War. David Gowen was later killed in action. The organiza-tion was later known as Roebuck’s Regiment. The roster was compiled by Col. Robert B. Walker and was published in the “Spartanburg Herald.” The transcription was contributed by Frank Scott. The roster of the regiment, taken on an un-known date, lists the soldiers who composed the regiment.
“Colonel: John Thomas
Captains:
Daniel McCleary
Benjamin Roebuck
James Elder
William Wood
Joseph Wofford
William Wofford
Lieutenants:
Allen Sarrat
James Reynolds
Sergeant:
Robert Thomas
Privates
Hopkins Bright
Tob Bright, Jr.
Isaac Brooks
James Brown, Jr.
Jesse Brown
Charles Bruce
Aaron Casey
Chris Casey
Wm Castleberry
Gib Champaigne
Ric Champaigne
Daniel Chandler
Jeremh Chandler
John Chisom
Chrstphr Clark
John Clayton
Jermiah Delton
Moses Duncan
Thomas Dunlap
Bayllis Earle
John Easley
Millington Easley
John Elder
Thomas Elder
William Elder
Jebens Evans
John Farrow
Landon Farrow
Thomas Farrow
Samuel Farrow
Daniel French
Ambrose Finnell
Alexander Floyd
Elisha Ford
John Ford
Isham Foster
Sol Forrester
Moses Fowler
Paul Fountain
Samuel Fowler
Joseph French
Lofford French
Michael French
Simon French
John Fryer
James Cage
William Gaston
John Gibbs
James Gillespe
Francis Gilmore
Joseph Gilmore
David Golightly
Hugh Golightly
John Golightly
Shan Golightly
Wm Golightly
David Gowen
Ignatis Griffin
Daniel Griggs
David Grimes
William Grimes
Joseph Grissell
George Grissell
John Harden
James Hamilton
Gale Hampton
John Harris
Matthew Harris
Samuel Harris
Thomas Harriss
West Harris
Hene Hardgraves
George Hayes
John Head
Thomas Hainey
James Ham
Alex Henderson
Thomas Hightower
John Hillers
Robert Hobbs
Joseph Holcom
Moses Holcom
Sherrill Holcom
Thomas Holcom
Jesse Holden
Jon Holloway
Edward Hooker
Enoch Hooker
Thomas Howard
Josph Howell
James Hughes
James Hulsey
Rich Hutchins
Chas James
Elisha James
Wm Jamison
Benj Ingram
Eds Inman
Benj Jones
James Jones
Matthew Jones
Jas Johnson
Noel Johnson
Jacob Isom
Amos Justice
Levi Kearsey
Rndlph Kearsey
Benj Kavil
Alex Kilpatrick
Jon Kilpatrick
Thom Kimball
John King
San Kitcart
Jacob Langston
Jon Lanston
Jesse Lackston
James Lee
James Lees
David Lewis
Ephramin Lewis
David Leech
Rich Lewis
Elias Leggett
Jon Lucas
Jeremiah Lucas
James Lynch
John Lynch
Wm Lynch
Nath McCarrell
Matias McBee
Vardrey McBee
Thom McKee
Jon McIlroy
Wm Mackey
Thos Manson
Geo Martin
Jos McCarter
Jon McClure
Sam McClure
Daniel McCollum
James McCord
James McDowell
James McHaffy
Alex McIheeny
Jas McIhenny
David McIllroy
Thom McKee
James McMaghorn
Robt McMillen
Wm McKnight
Daniel Mather
Wm Merchant
Thom Miles
James Miller
Jon Miller
Michael Miller
Nat Miller
Edw Mitchison
Matthew McAboy
Henry Moffitt
Abram Moore
Burt Moore
Francis Moore
Hugh Moore
Jason Moore
Jon Moore
Jooseph Moore, Jr.
Thom Moore
Thom Peden
Anthony Pearson
Hen Pennington
Jacb Pettington
Henry Pettit
Joshua Pettit
James Pharis
Cas Phillips
Stnph Phillips
Christ Plunket
Francis Pryor
Jon Pryor
Sam Randals
Dudley Redd
Sam Redman
Benj Rhodes
Chris Rhodes
James Rhodes
William Richman
James Richey
Obediah Roberts
Nat Robinson
Rich Robinson
George Roebuck
John Roebuck
John Luke Roy*
Jon Sarratt
Jeremiah Salmon
Edw Shurley
Wm Silversides
Wm Simmons
Aaron Smith
Flemming Smith
Giles Smith
Hancock Smith
James Smith
Jon Smith
Nathan Smith
Roger Smith
Thom Smith
Sam Smith
Zopher Smith
Jon Snoddy
Samu Snoddy
Moses Spann
Benj Stone
Daniel Stevens
Wm Stevens
Peter Sullivant
Drury Taylor
Jas Taylor
Lewis Taylor
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Temple
Jon Thomas , Jr
Wm Thomas
Absalom Thompson
Burrill Thompson
Moses Thompson
Sam Thompson