I can only go by what is in the newspaper so perhaps you have the wrong Mary Cowan or the tombstone was put up some time after her death and they got it wrong. I don't know what to tell you. Where did you get her death date besides the tombstone? Gloria

Well, readers, we have a real mystery... Neither Samuel Cowan nor this Mary Cowan, are dead in 1855, they are both listed in the /1860 Census/, living in Upper Leacock Township. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Family 257. In the Census, Samuel's age is given as 78 years, estimated birth 1782, born in Ireland, and Mary's age is given as 81, estimated birth 1779, born in Pennsylvania. Their son, Samuel age 42, estimated birth 1818, is living with them. Isn't this our Mary's family? Then, back to the tombstones, these transcriptions, (by me) from _photo's_ , in the cemetery at the Salem Evangelical Reformed Church, Hellers, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In Memory of Mary Cowan Wife of Samuel Cowan Born Oct. 14, 1778 Died Jun. 10, 1860 Aged 81y 7m 27d w/o Samuel Cowan ------------------ next stone.. In memory of Samuel Cowan Died Apr. 21, 1862 Aged about 80 years. ------------------ Also interred with them, in the same cemetery, are sons, Amos, Samuel, and daughter, Mary - all with _photos_ of their stones, and several grandchildren. So, if this isn't our Mary, who is it? Let me offer this as a possible explanation... /There is another Mary Cowan/, buried in the Upper Octorara Church Cemetery, Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Here's a transcription of her stone (by me) from a _photo_.. James Cowan Born Nov. 12, 1767 Died Nov. 18, 1850 Mary Cowan Born Jun. 11, 1774 Died /_Mar. 11, 1855_/ ------------------ Mary is on the same stone as James, who is obviously her husband. Since the news paper notice says that April 19th, 1855, an account of Mary Cowen's estate was filed, that would appear to be a reasonable amount or time to file an account of the estate, from the time of death, Mar 11, 1855. Could it be, this Mary Cowan, died in Mar 11 1855, that the paper was referencing? If so, what are Jacob Bushong and John Bushong doing involved with this Mary's estate? Did the paper make a mistake? Yes, her husband, James, had passed away, so they would need someone else take care of the estate, but how did Bushongs get involved?. This Mary is buried in Chester County, and the estate was in Lancaster. Could she have died in Lancaster County, but been buried in Chester County, with her husband, James, who preceded her? So Census records and tombstones say one thing, a newspaper says another. Which Mary is which? That's all - Rick Bushong