http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/shcgl.html Manuscripts Department - Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION - #3748 THOMAS COWAN LETTERS - Summary Cowan, Thomas, fl. 1850-1851. Letters, 1850-1851. 4 items. Letters from Cowan, a student at Trinity School near Raleigh, N.C. (not Trinity College), to his parents in Smithville (now Southport), Brunswick County, N.C., concerning food, activities, Raleigh, his sister at school in Raleigh, his brother John and others at home, and Rev. P. T. Babbit, director of the school. Gift, 1966. ONLINE CATALOG TERMS: Babbit, P. T. Cowan family. Cowan, John. Cowan, Thomas, fl. 1850-1851. Family--North Carolina--Social life and customs--19th century. Raleigh (N.C.)--Social life and customs--19th century. Schools--North Carolina--History--19th century. Trinity School (N.C.)--Students--History--19th century. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/f/Fisher_Family Folder 100 Volume 11-B. "A book containing a list of lands purchased by Thomas L. Cowan of the North Carolina Land Company in Mississippi in 1845." The North Carolina Land Company included Charles Fisher, Thomas G. Polk, who emigrated to Mississippi, and Thomas L. Cowan. There are also inserted leaves listing land purchases in St. Helena District, Louisiana. Formerly Volume 44. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/w/Wolfe,Thomas_Roberdeau Thomas Roberdeau Wolfe (1819-1856) was the second child and first son of Mary Ann Patten Wolfe (1795-1822) and Dr. Thomas Wolfe (d. 1825). Mary Ann Patten Wolfe, born in Alexandria, Va., was the first child of Mary Roberdeau Patten and Thomas Patten. Dr. Wolfe was the second son of Lewis Wolfe, attorney in Winchester, Va.; state senator, 1804-1811; and trustee of Winchester Academy (est. 1786). Dr. Wolfe was born in Winchester, Va., and educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he studied medicine. After working as a doctor in London, he returned to the United States, where he set up a practice in Philadelphia. Later he settled in Winchester and married a Miss Cowan with whom he had four children: Alfred; Addison; Catherine; and Sidney. His first wife having died, on 14 May 1816, he married Mary Ann Patten. He and his family moved to Culpepper Courthouse in 1818. The couple had four children: Mary DeNeale (b. 1817); Thomas Roberdeau; Joseph Lewis (1821-1833); and James Edward (January-July 1822). Mary Ann Patten Wolfe died 23 August 1822, and Dr. Wolfe died 25 December 1825. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/h/Henderson,John_S.html John Steele Henderson Papers 436 Volume 7: "Reminiscences of men and women who once lived in Salisbury, North Carolina," written by Archibald Henderson at Poplar Grove in April 1878. Among those mentioned are Peter Brown and his descendants, p. 3; Albert Torrence, p. 13; A. T. Powe and his connections, p. 15; Daniel Cress, p. 29; John Murphy and his son William; and Thomas L. Cowan.

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~schmblss/index.htm This is a well done page and might be of interest to some of the researches on the list. Laura Cowan Cooper Kodak, TN 37764 [email protected]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/51.78.83 Message Board Post: hey Carolyn thanks for the enquiry..but I have tracked them down....took a while, as technology improves so does access Charles Cowan married Marion Mackay 18th Aug 1846 in the Parish church of saint Cuthbert Edinburgh Scotland had three children Alexander Cowan 12 July 1847 Peter keith Mackay Cowan 6 Nov 1855 Charles Cowan 8 Feb 1859 they them migrated to New Zealand Alexander is my Great Grand father. Peter Keith Mackay Cowan moved to Rarotonga..hence the Cowan's in the south Pacific..Tahiti still trying to trace the family of charles and Mary Henrieta Cowan Charles and henrieta are buried with his Mother Marion with her second husband "William Stockwell" also buried there is Marions Father"Peter Keith Mackay" block=A section=2 Plot=44/46 in the Waikumete Cemetary in Auckland, New Zealand

Regarding the above book, I missed the offer too, Robert. Are there more copies? kay

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Buchanan, Griffith, Jones, Williams, Slater, Myers Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/647.669.1 Message Board Post: I am also researching Cowan families in IN and would like to exchange info. with you. My Wilson Cowan s/o Hugh & Margaret Buchanan (d/o George Buchanan) came from KYwith 2 brothers named William & John before 1820 to Buchanan Station on the Ripley/Jefferson Co line in IN. and from there they all went to Ripley Co for the next 2 generations. My g-grandfather, Samuel L. Cowan married a Elisa J. Myers d/o Johnson Myers in 4/7/1875 Ripley Co., IN.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cowan, Griffith, Myers, Slater, Jones, Williams, Logston Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/720.1 Message Board Post: I am also researching Cowan families in IN and would like to exchange info. with you. My Wilson Cowan came from KYwith 2 brothers named William & John before 1820 to Buchanan Station on the Ripley/Jefferson Co line in IN. and from there they all went to Ripley Co for the next 2 generations. My g-grandfather, Samuel L. Cowan married a Elisa J. Myers d/o Johnson Myers in 4/7/1875 Ripley Co., IN.

Do we have any one researching Cowan's in this area? Laura Cowan Cooper Kodak, TN 37764 [email protected]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/766.1 Message Board Post: We support Bethany in the search for our heritage, if you know anything contact us please. More info our fathers name is Donald, my Grandpas name is Richard aka dick. his father was adopted

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cow-an Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/766 Message Board Post: I'm 13 years old and i want to know who my family is from way back and my heritage. I'm looking on all of my grandfathers side. Please help.

Sheila Jarrett sent you this MSNBC News Link: Message: I thought everyone might enjoy this clip about Genetic Geneaology. It was very interesting. ** DNA tackles family mysteries ** DNA testing is adding a scientific twist to the search for family roots, one of the world's most popular pursuits. Follow MSNBCs Alan Boyle on the genetic trail. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/682153.asp ______________________________________________________________________ Check out the hour's top stories on MSNBC.com <http://www.msnbc.com> MSNBC does not confirm the E-mail address of the sender of this MSNBC News Link. For your information, the sender's IP Address is: 209.194.159.173

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cowan, McAllister Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DMQ.2ACIB/765 Message Board Post: looking for any leads on Miriam Cowan b ca 1875 married to ? McAllister. They had a daughter, Ruth Evelyn McAllister born in 1897, also children Ethel, Herbert, and Gladys. I don't know where Miriam was born. She is supposedly buried in Evergreen cemetery in Detroit, Wayne Co, MI, but haven't been successful in locating the site yet. Thanks, Linda

I just saw these Cowan records on eBay. I've never bought from them, nor am I affiliated in any way. Just thought someone might be interested. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1691255276

We are going to Scotland later this year. Can anyone provide directions to Castle Cowan and a source for Scottish and Scotch/Irish history of the family?

I BOUGHT THIS INFORMATION, AND WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH ANYONE THAT NEEDS IT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT A COPY. CHUCK COWAN [email protected]

I hope these notes on Castle Cowan will find an appreciative audience among the members of the list. I do hope that there are some Cowans who have an interest in our family's Scottish origins, for in our origins are men and women of grit, education, wealth and character. A knowledge of our sources can be a source of pride and a robust stimulus to our genealogical endeavors. Many Scots in early 1700's emigrated directly to the North American colonies from Scotland and were not the Scotch-Irish who came to our shores through the experience of a generation or two in the north of Ireland. The middle Atlantic port of Perth Amboy in New Jersey is a recognition of this direct immigration as the port was founded by emigrants from Perth, Scotland. I recall particularly a John Cowan from Perth who settled in what is now Blair County, Pennsylvania and who was a contemporary of Hugh Cowan in Chester and Lancaster County. This John Cowan' s story is related in an account of A Cove Family. Descendents later moved on into Indiana. Many students of the Cowan name know the family originated on the west bank of Loch Lomond, near the picturesque village of Luss around the year 1130 or so. The name Cowan is an English spelling variation of the Scottish name Colquhoun, meaning a neck of land. By the mid 1400's, a few decades before Columbus and his voyages to what is now America, several Colquhouns rose to positions of eminence in the Scottish court. Among them was Sir John Colquhoun of Luss who for a time was Sheriff of Dumbartonshire and Keeper of Dumbarton Castle. This is a massive fortress still manned by military troops on a steep volcanic remain overlooking the Clyde Estuary. In the years 1439 to 1478 when he passed on, Sir John was a loyal and valued servant to the early Stewarts, King James II and King James III. In return for his service, Sir John Colquhoun was infefted with lands in Fifeshire, seat of the early Scottish capital in and around St. Andrews. His particular holdings were called the "lands of Saline," just northwest of Dunfermline and across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. These lands of Saline were held by the Colquhouns for over two hundred years. In addition, Sir John acquired other lands in Scotland, principally in the vicinity of Stirling. Stirling Castle was a favorite of the early Stewarts who were obliged to provide private lodges and lands for their court officials and their families. In the 1500's, the 16th century, many Colquhouns from Camstradden, just south of Luss (now the location of the championship Loch Lomond Golf Course) relocated to the Colquhoun holdings in Fifeshire, to the lands of Saline. Over time, these Colquhoun families descended into the branches, Colquhoun of Bohearty and Colquhoun of Corston. According to Buchanan of Auchmar, the official Colquhoun genealogist and writer of The Chiefs of the Colquhouns, these Colquhouns of Bohearty and Corston changed the spelling of their name to Cowan. Among the holdings of Cowan of Corston was a fortified tower house which was acquired in 1669. The fortified tower or castle was originally three stories high with an attic in the roof. There was a watch room at the top of the interior stair, where approaching persons, friend or foe, could be watched. The floor joists were of black oak and the roof covered with heavy paving slabs for protection against burning arrows. There was also a vaulted basement for a place for cool storage. Numerous outbuildings were attached to the tower, but the kitchen, for fire deterant purposes, was a one story detached building. The tower was originally 26 feet north to south and 22 feet east to west. In the early 1800's Castle Cowan was abandoned. In 1887 three of the walls collapsed. One wall now stands, the remainder of the castle being in ruins. As a boy in Pennsylvania my domain was a cavernous barn filled with rectangular bales of hay and silos briming with glistening mountains of wheat. I could have used a castle fort, a Castle Cowan. Boys need these fortifications for divers purposes, for holing up and holding out against the forces of evil. And I am so much the better in the knowledge that there really was one, and that it still remains. jcmaclay

Hi List, Roberts idea of helping each other with some book titles is a great idea. I guess if you are a Cowan, you have all heard of Cowans of County Down. I have a copy & have researched many others. I will not repeat (I hope) what has already come thru but I have a couple to add. As you know, some Cowans went west from Virginia, N. C, S. C. TN. & etc. In the 1700's west meant KY from what I gather. This is where my research begins. Robert mentioned First with the Most by Nathan Bedford Forrest & I agree it is an excellent book. In the same tone is: 'Tales Of The Dark and Bloody Ground' by ? (I copied a lot of this book years ago & didn't get the author) Also, ' Early Days in Danville' by Calvin Morgan Fackler. Cowans indexed in it are David G.; Dr. George; Henry J (usually called Harry) Captain John Cowan; John M.; William C.; Cowan & Collins on p. 161 & a story about the Cowans who came there. John Cowan wrote several pieces in the 'Draper Manuscripts' and of course there is the Index of the George Rogers Clark Ill. Reg., American Colonial Wars Sons Revolution SR' This book I have not read yet but the index is on-line at: http://www.execpc.com/~sril/clark As I have mentioned before, my Cowans came from somewhere (????) to Ky to IN. Hope these books help somebody. I have many manuscripts by McAfee, Maxwell History w/ Cowans and too many to name here. Good hunting...Carolyn Cowan Oberle from Greenfield, IN.

John Cooper married Priscilla Cowan 1 09 1811 Rowan Co. This was found on the Cooper list and was forwarded to me. It was a Cowan name that I do not have knowledge regarding. Is there anyone on the list that has researched this family?????? Laura Cowan Cooper

Gay, I am very much interested in your books about Montgomery County, VA and the Cowans and Pattons. My 3rd great grandfather, Josiah Ramsey, Jr., born 1769, lived in Wythe County, VA, from 1790 until 1798. He married Elizabeth Cowan born 1774. By 1798 they removed to Lee County, VA and in 1800 were in Hawkins/Claiborne County, TN where they remained until their deaths. I am trying to find parents for this Elizabeth Cowan born 1774 possibly in VA. Josiah Ramsey, Jr., was the son of Thomas Ramsey and the grandson of Josiah Ramsey. Sr. who died in Wythe County, VA in 1811. He served in the militia in Wythe County along with a James Cowen. The Ramsey family, Josiah and Thomas, were first located in Augusta County, VA on Catawba Creek and were mentioned in the list of debtors to the Patton estate having purchased property from him in 1748 and 1753. Thomas Ramsey's family were in Washington County and later Sullivan County, TN and finally in the Cumberland Settlements, NC in 1779. Were the Patton's connected with the Cowans? Any help you could give about the Cowans who were in the Montgomery/Wythe County area would be greatly appreciated. You may contact me privately if you wish. Regards, Rosemary Ramsey Cox [email protected]

Here is some Books I have: 1.Kentland at Whitethorne. By Patricia Givens Johnson 1995. contents are Major Cowan Comes to Kentland, Marrying off the Cowan children, James Randle Kent Cowan and many Cowan pictures, this is around the Montgomery Co, Va area. 2. Abstracts of court orders of Wythe Co, Va 1790, 1791, 1795 1810. By Mary B. Kegley 1996 3. St Paul Luthern Church Wythe Co, Va annotated Baptismal Records 1793-1833. By Mary B. Kegley. 4. Soldiers Of Fincastle Co, Va 1774. By Mary B. Kegley. 5. Militia Of Montgomery Co, Va 1777-1790. By Mary B. Kegley. 6. Follow The River by James Alexander Thom. A novel based on the true ordeal of Mary Ingles, time period of 1755, Draper's Meadow area Montgomery Co, Va. Gives a account of my ancestor Col. James Patton as to how he was killed by the Indains there at Drapers Meadow in 1755. 7.Escape from Indain Captivity. Story of Mary Draper Ingles and son Thomas Ingles, told by John Ingles Sr. 1969 By Roberta Ingles Steele and Andrew Lewis Ingles. 8.William Preston and the Allegheny Patriots. By Patricia Givens Johnson. 1976. 9. Early Adventurers On The Western Waters. Vol:1, Vol:111 part 1., Vol: 111 Part 2, and Vol: IV. By Mary B. Kegley. 10. The Prestons of Smithfield and Greenfield in Va. By John Frederick Dorman 1982. Area's of Augusta, Botetourt, Montgomery Counties of Va. 11. The New River Early Settlement. By Patricia Givens Johnson, 1983. 12. Grayson Co, Va Will Book 1 1796-1839. By James L. Douthat 1988. 13. Mecklenburg Co, N.C. Marriage Records 1788-1866. By Frances T. Ingmire. 1984. 14. Revolutionary War Pension Applications from Franklin Co, Tenn abstracted by Charles A. Sherrill, 1982. 15. Marrisge Records of Franklin Co, Tenn 1838-1875 By Billie and Hall Burks, 1979. 16. History Of Tennesee Illustrated: Giles, Lincoln, Franklin and Moore Counties. 1979 By the Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr. 17. Cemetery Records Of Lincoln, Moore Counties Tenn By Marsh 1983. 18. Bedford Co, Tenn Wills. By Marsh 1984. 19. Lincoln Co, Tenn official Marriage Records 1838-1880 By Marsh. 20. Chancery Court Records Of Bedford County Tenn by Marsh 1987. I have many more. Hope this helps. Gay Nix

While browsing through the AAA Tour book for NC, I happened to see listed, a Cowan Museum in Kenansville, NC, Dublin Co.(The town was settled, in part by Irish settlers, and was orginally called Golden Grove.) It is located in the Kelly-Farrior House. I don't know what Cowan family is connected with the house, but someone may be interested. The phone # there is (910)296-2149. Helen -- Researching the following surnames: Pickett, Gordon, Jourdan, Boulware, Bowler, Alston, Almand, Merrill,Cowan,Lovvorn