Jean Scarlet: I don't know a whole bunch about the Gower line myself. In England there was an Abell Gower of Boulton, parish of St. Johns Bedwaedine, county Gloucester, Esquire who left a will dated 30 July 1632, proved 16 Nov 1632 which names a wife Marie, and sons: Abel (eldest), William (youngest), and a daughter Elizabeth Gower. Then step children: Timothy Stampe, William Stampe, John Stampe, Marie Stampe, and Ann wife of Thomas Clent of Martley, county Worcester, Clarke. Brother in law: John Gunner of Whitney, county Oxon. Then there was an Abel Gower who was the sheriff of Henrico Co., VA and who seems to be related to Abel above in some way. His will was proved June 1689 in Henrico Co., VA. He married Jane who some believe to be a sister of John Burton of Longfield [Henrico Co., VA]. Jane married 1. William Branch 2. William Baugh Jr. 3. Abel Gower. Abel seems to have only had a daughter Tabitha who married Richard Grigg. Thomas Grendon of Westover Parish, Charles City Co., VA left a will dated 1683/4 which mentions Wm. Randolph of Henrico and Able Gower of VA, Thomas Gower of Edmington. There is a letter from William Byrd to Thomas Gower telling him that his brother is ill, has been unable to walk or ride far and is a decaying conditioin. This is on April 16, 1688. Grendon's will also mentions Wm. Byrd Jr. It seems to be that the Able and Thomas in Grendon's will are definately brothers. A Mary Dennis wife of Richard Dennis is an heir-at-law of the Henrico Abel. Then there is an early will [1646] in Northampton Co., VA of Ann Hawkins/Hookings widow of Wm. which mentions William Gower, a kinsman. Her will also mentions John Dandy and his ward Francis Harvey. Wm. Hookings will mentioned John Dennis. Then there is this round about connection to the Ligons: Maj. Wm. Farrar son of Col. Wm. and Mary Farrar b. 1657 m. 1. Priscilla daughter of William Baugh Jr. and Jane (BURTON?) Branch Baugh Gower; m. 2. Mary widow of Wm. LIGON. I have this information as a byproduct of working on my Dandy/Dendy line and my husband's Burton line. I would think that there is a connection between all the Gowers, but I don't know what it is, nor do I know how your Gowers fit in. Kathy