My great-great grandfather was Samuel F Cowan. The "F" may have stood for Franklin. He died in 1883 and is buried near Buda, Texas. His wife was Candace Neil (sp?) Colbreth Cowan who died in 1911 or 1912. The 1880 census of Blanco County, Texas lists him as 47 years old having been born in Arkansas. Some family lore says that he came from Missouri and his father was a Franklin Cowan. Still others say he came from Tennessee. He served in the Confederate Army and his wife Candace applied for a pension in 1909. His children included: W.J. (Andrew) Cowan - my great grandfather Elizabeth Thomas Louisa b. 1862 Rachel b. 1867 Charles b. 1872 Lonnie b. 1978 The great grandchildren of Andrew have been unable to connect Samuel F. with any of the earlier Cowans in this country. Any leads would be greatly appreciated. David Cowan