After 37 years, on and off researching my Cowan ancestor. I have had no luck. Is there anyone who may have information that could help me get out of this dead end night' mare. Following is clues and source's I have found, perhalps someone out there can see what I can't. Mary Elizabeth Cowan was born ca 1803 or around 1808 according to three census I have on her. 1.Mary married Caperton Kelly in Tenn around 1827, their daughter Nancy Ann Kelly was born Dec 9th 1828 in Franklin Co, Tenn, source for that, is her death certificate and says Father Mr. Kelly and Mother Miss Cowan, both born in Va. According to 1850 and and 1860 it states E. Tenn as to her birth. 2. Caperton and Mary Elizabeth Kelly are in the 1840 and 1850 census for Morgan Co, Mo. 3. I find them in 1860 Monteague Co, Texas, and they moved from there to place unknown, a son did stay there for 1870 then he disappears. 4. Their children were: Nancy Ann 1828 Tenn, Emaline born ca 1834 E. Tenn, Thompson ca 1836 E. Tenn, John ca 1844 Mo, Eliza ca 1847 Mo and Alcinda ca 1849 Mo. I can not find them in 1830 for Tenn or Mo. Thought they could be in household with a relative. 5. Now Caperton's father was James Kelly who had married Nancy Caperton in 1782 in Greenbrier Co, Va. Nancy Caperton's father was John Caperton and Mother was Polly Thompson of Augusta and Greenbrier Co, Va. Children of John and Polly Caperton were: Adam md Elizabeth Miller. Hugh md Rhoda Stodghill. Elizabeth md Joshua Townsend, who came to Franklin Co, Tenn and has Rev. War papers there that shows he also was in Greenbrier Co, Va and mentions Lt. William Kananaugh, Rev. William Woods, Wallace Estill and Abigail Woods. Nancy md James Kelly. Sarah md Col. James Gibson. Mary md George Swope and also came to Franklin Co, Tenn. William md Lucy Woods md in Madison Co, Ky. James md Sally Wells 1791 Madison Co, Ky, moved Williamson Co, Tenn. James Kelly and Nancy Caperton Kelly moved to Madison Co, Ky and moved again to Franklin Co, Tenn about 1810, source is James Kelly was a witness for Andrew Woods will dated 19th March 1810 wife Hannah. Tax list for 1812 Franklin Co, Tenn. Court mintues of Lincoln Co, Tenn for Aug 10th 1815 State of Tenn against Caperton Kelly assault and battery in the case of Thomas Landreth and John Rossin. State of Tenn vs Archibald Caperton assult and battery against William Roberts. Caperton Kelly was in the war of 1812 and discharged in 1816 in Franklin Co, Tenn under Eli Hammond and Capt William Russell, witness's James Estill and Greenville Burnside, theses same surnames show in Greenbrier and New River area's. Archibald Caperton was in Capt. Cowan's mounted Rangers Tenn militia. The Wallace, Estill's, Woods family were close friends to James Kelly as they also went to Madison co, Ky to Tenn. Another name is Samuel Handley. One more interesting item is James Simms and Rachael McGarity who lived in Franklin Co, Tenn and migrated also to Cooper County, Mo same time period of James Kelly, James Simms had children who married into the Susanna (Kelly) Estes family. Rachael's father was William McGarity of South Carolina. From notes I have is that Maj. William Russell also lived on Boiling Fork near Cowan, Tenn. John Cowan also had 200 acres on Boiling Fork. Now by 1818 History of Cooper Co, Mo states the first settlers of Kelly township were William Stephens, James D. Campbell, James Kelly, Wm J. Kelly, Caperton Kelly, Gen. Charles Woods, I just mentioned those of intrest. So the author of this history book just assumed Caperton came with his father, but haven't found evidence he was there until 1840. There were 12 children born to this marriage and they were: 1.Susanna md John Estes who is found also in Franklin Co, Tenn where James Kelly sold his land Aug 27th 1818 to John Estes on the waters of Boiling fork of Elk River, witness's Anderson Robinson and Caperton Kelly. Now what Cowan's lived in this area? I know that James P. Cowan did, who is his father? 2. John md Johanna Stephens, may have md Franklin Co, Tenn 3. Nancy md John C. Rochester Cooper Co, Mo. 4. Esther md John Cox '' 5. Sarah md Rice Challis '' 6. Mary Elizabeth md Archibald Woods '' 7. Thompson md Sarah Spencer. 8. Caperton md Mary Elizabeth Cowan. 9. William J. md Martha Macklin. 10. Lucy md David B. Peters. 11. Mourning md David W. Johnson. 12. Williams md ? Wasn't there a Capt. James B. Cowan born ca 1777 in Md married Nancy Williams and were in Franklin Co, Tenn and he died in 1831, Mary Elizabeth Cowan Kelly did name a child Williams, any comments and anyone know the names of the children of the James B. and Nancy Cowan??????? Now if Mary Elizabeth Cowan lived in Franklin Co, Tenn in 1820 she would be listed as 10 to 16 or 16 to 26. So for possiblities for her father would be James Cowan Sr., or Polly Cowan or Robert Cowan. Is the above Robert the one who had will and named children such as Serena, Polly Newberry? If so he didn't name a Mary Elizabeth, so who is Polly listed head of household for 1820 who was she married to and help here for a list of children, and then leaves James Cowan Sr., so need his children and who he was md too. 1830 Franklin County, Tenn there is still possiblity that James Cowan pg 58 has daughter 20 to 30 with possiblities of Caperton could also be in the hosehold at age 20 to 30 with daughter Nancy under 5, James Cowan was born ca 1770 to 1780 so could this be my lost Mary Elizabeth and Caperton who do not show under Kelly on the 1830 census? If you know who this James Cowan is and can prove he didn't have a daughter Mary Elizabeth please let me know, I need all advise and help I can get. And do you know of any of this family that may have went to East Tenn, where Mary Elizabeth says that her two children were born above. Nancy Ann Kelly never has said E. Tenn, always says Tenn. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gay Nix