After receiving an enquiring relating to query in the DGFHS newsletter, thought I would post my reply to this site to see if any of the information means anything to anybody. David Cowan, son of James Cowan, a farm servant was born about 1801 at Can Mains, Dunscore. He only lived in the district for 2 years. (All this courtesy of his death cert. it was lucky for me that he died in the magical year of 1855, when they put as much info on the cert as they possibly could) In 1817 he joined the 71st Foot Regiment in the British Army, he served 22 years and was discharged in 1839 at 38 years of age. (This is courtesy of www.pro.gov.uk giving his war record #W097/831/81) Have been unable to get my hands on this record though, any idea how I would go about it? In 1841 he lived at 7 High Street, Lochmaben and his occupation was as a stockingmaker. (as per Lochmaben census booklet for 1841) On 30th January, 1846 he married Mary Nicholson, the daughter of Robert Nicholson and Susan Nicholson, yes her maiden name was Nicholson. Mary had been married previously to David Nicholson also ex army, he had served in 55th Foot Regiment and had been discharged age 42 in 1838, WO97/685/11. David Cowan was 45 years when he married Mary, they were married in the Parish of Lochmaben. David and Mary, had a daughter Susan who was born prior to the marriage on 12th January, 1845. She was named Susan Nicholson Jane Currie Cowan (some clues there). Their second daughter Helen Margaret Cowan was born on 18th November, 1849. In 1851, the family lived at Templand, Lochmaben, by this time David was 50years and was a Chelsea Pensioner, Mary was 40 years. In the house on the night of the census was an aunt - Mary Nicholson, she was a widow and aged 76 years, she was born in Lochmaben. David Cowan died at the age of 54 years on 27th April, 1855 at Tinwald after a cart of wood fell over his chest fracturing several ribs. He is buried in Lochmaben Churchyard. Mary Cowan (nee Nicholson) died 17th May, 1873 age 70 at Tundergarth. David's daughter Susan went on to have 5 children, of which one is my great grandmother. My main interest with David is to find out who his mother was. Also did he have any siblings. I have a feeling that the family on 1841 Dunscore census at Skelston are related, possibly James is a brother to David, even although it states that he is 40 years he could be between the age of 40-44 and therefore the eldest son and named after his father. I hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards Fiona DGFHS Member #4062 ==== DUMFRIES-GALLOWAY Mailing List ====