----- Original Message ----- From: Anita Cowan Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2002 12:04 PM To: Cowanlist Subject: Cowans in East TN Greetings to all Cowan researchers: I haven't posted for some time, so will include a few new facts that I've uprooted about my ancestor, William Wallace Cowan (1800-1854). First of all, thanks to all who keep this board active and interesting. A special thanks to contributor Robert Cowan for his detailed travelog across the pond in pursuit of all things Cowan. That's a keeper! I need the location and names of the parents and siblings of William Wallace Cowan (b 1800 TN; d 28 Feb 1854 in Charleston, Bradley County, TN). New info: He married Elizabeth Chattin on 6 May 1829. She was the daughter of John Chattin and Catherine Davis. Both the Chattin and Davis families were from Pittsylvania County, VA. Some of the Chattin descendants move into the Rhea County area early and appear on the 1808 Rhea County Tax Lists, as do John, Joseph, and James Cowan. Rhea County is next to Bradley County. New info: W.W. Cowan and Elizabeth Chattin had a daughter, Mary Catherine Cowan. She was b. ca 1831 and married William H. Hammond (or Hamons per the 1850 census). Wm. H. Hammond was b GA. Their son, William Wallace Hammond(Hamons, Hammonds?) was born in Bradley County, TN in 1849. By the 1830s, W.W. Cowan was at the Hiwassee Agency in the Charleston, TN, signing off on numerous payments related to Cherokee removal (Cherokee emigration records in "library" at genealogy.com). His wife died during the 1830s (Bradley County Chancery Court Record #506-7) W.W.Cowan married Isabella Cozby in Rhea County in 1839. They lived not far away in Charleston, Bradley Co, TN. Five children were born. The second, and only son, also named William Wallace Cowan, is my ancestor. For details on the other children, see earlier posts or contact me. A descendant of another one of the children, Martha Jane, has documented all the descendants of that branch. The second wife Isabella traces up through Cozby, McBee, Woods, etc. lines. A couple of earlier Cowan marriages with members of Cozby and Woods lines can be noted in those genealogies. New info: W.W. Cowan was among the first three commissioners appointed to govern the township of Charleston, TN. He established a mercantile store. After his daughter's marriage, it was known as Cowan and Hammond. He had a farm (listed as 5,000 acres in the 1850 census). In 1851, the railroad came to Charleston and he was appointed railroad agent. New info: W.W. Cowan owned four slaves. One, Nathan, had a family which was free. Nathan had permission to live with his family somewhere off the farm where he worked. Another, Mariah, was given, along with her son, to the daughter Mary Catherine when Mary Catherine married. W.W. Cowan reportedly told Mary Catherine and Hammond, her new husband, to send Mariah "home" is they couldn't get along. Mariah had one child with her, and three more born to her when she became the subject of a legal dispute after W.W. Cowan's death in 1854. (He died intestate) The second wife wanted Mariah returned so that she could be sold. Mary Catherine refused. This prolonged dispute resulted in many folks being called in to the Bradley county seat of Cleveland to give depositions as to Cowan's intentions, character, wealth, etc. The judge eventually decided in Mary Catherine's favor. John Miller was appointed to arbitrate the dispute and James Knox was identified as guardian of the minor c! hildren....(Thank you, Chancery County Records.....thank you, Librarian!). New info: Those called for depositions re W.W. Cowan included a James Cowan, a Joseph Cowan, a Martha McKeown (!!)...all of neighboring Rhea and Meigs counties (and there are McCowans in Rhea today!). BUT. relationships to W.W. Cowan are not identified. John D. Chattin is called in and identifies himself as a former brother-in-law. W.W. Cowan died a lingering death at the end of winter 1854. His widow remarried John M. Bates, his girls marry a Caldwell, a Bates and a Hoge. His son joins the CSA, Co.E, TN 29th Infantry at age 16 and later leaves for Texas. The youngest daughter, Evalina, b. 1848, dies as a child sometime after her father's death. The son, W.W. Cowan, migrated to the Denton County, TX area. Earlier, a Cozby uncle had settled there. A sister, Martha, came out with her family for a few years, and then returned to Bradley Co., TN. Other Bradley and Rhea familes are part of post-Civil War stream to north Texas. Dallas and Tarrant (Fort Worth) Counties are on the southern border of Denton. P.S. Lots of good things said about the Cowan "character" in those depositions taken in 1856....generous, kind, good at business, "right smart", etc. So there you have it, gene pool members. I'd appreciate any "generous, kind or right smart help on my ancestor, William Wallace Cowan. Very willing to share additional information. Thank you, Anita Cowan