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The Cowans

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by Donald D. Erwin

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Many researchers believe that the Cowan family originated in Scotland. They may have descended from the MacCowans, a sect of Clan MacDougal near Oban on the east shore of the Firth of Lorn, or another branch of the MacCowans, a sect of the Clan Colquhoun whose lands were on the shores of Loch Lamond.

David Cowan was my immigrant ancestor.

1. David Cowan, son of Andrew Cowan and Hellen lnnerwich, was born on February 2, 1665 in Edington, Chimside Parish, Berwickshire, Scotland, died about 1730 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA about age 65, and was buried in St. Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Compass, Chester Co., PA. David married Margaret Rowland about 1685 in Scotland. Margaret was born in 1660 in Scotland and died in 1758 in Lancaster Co., PA at age 98.

Children from this marriage were:

  1. John Cowan Sr. was born on December 1, 1686 in Edington, Chimside Parish, Berwickshire, Scotland, died in 1760 in Salisbury Township, Pequea, Lancaster Co., PA at age 74, and was buried in St. Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Compass, Chester Co., PA. John married Elizabeth Parke (b. 1692, d. May 20, 1777) about 1718.

  2. Henry Cowan was born about 1690 in Scotland, died about 1760 in Lancaster Co., PA about age 70, and was buried in St. Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Compass, Chester Co., PA. Henry married someone.

  3. David Cowan II was born on June 4, 1693 in Edington, Chimside Parish, Berwickshire, Scotland, died in September 1757 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA at age 64, and was buried in St. Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Compass, Chester Co., PA. David married Mary Fleming (b. Abt 1699, d. After 1788) about 1726 in Pennsylvania.

  4. James Cowan was born on May 19, 1695 in Edington, Chirnside Parish, Berwickshire, Scotland.

  5. William Cowan was born in 1701 in Scotland, died in 1789 in Rowan Co, NC at age 88, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. William married Susannah Fleming (b. abt. 1705, d. April 1800) on June 7, 1732 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA.

By the middle 1700s Pennsylvania was becoming crowded, and many colonists were looking southward to the Carolinas were Lord Granville, holder of vast tracts of land, was tempting new settlers with cheap acreage. John Cowan, Sr. joined the migration and moved his family to an area in North Carolina that would be Rowan County in 1753. James N. Irvine (Erwin) moved his family there also about 1751. Now using Erwin as his surname, he located his family in the “Irish Settlement”, and built his home near the head of Second Creek.

John Cowan, Sr. soon became a landowner there as well. North Carolina land records show that his first acquisition was September 28, 1750 when he bought 300 acres. There are many land transactions recorded to John Cowan in Rowan County in those early years, but many of the recordings are not clear as to whether it was in the name of John, Sr. or John, Jr. It is readily apparent, however, that both were large landowners on or near the Catawba River.

John married Elizabeth Parke, daughter of John Parke and Mary Calder, about 1718. Elizabeth was born in 1692 in Lancaster Co., PA, died on May 20, 1777 in West Caln Township, Chester Co., PA at age 85, and was buried in St. Johns Episcopal Church Cemetery, Compass, Chester Co., PA.

Children from this marriage were:

  1. Jane Cowan was born about 1719 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA, died in 1775 in Morgantown, Berks Co., PA about age 56, and was buried in Morgan Cemetery (now lost) Caernarvon TWP, Berks Co., PA. Jane married Francis Morgan (b. January 26, 1711, d. 1779) about 1739 in Lancaster Co., PA.

  2. Margaret Cowan was born about 1720 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died in 1805 in West Caln Township, Chester Co., PA about age 85, and was buried in Thomas Dawson Cemetery (now lost), West Caln TWP, Chester Co., PA. Margaret married Thomas Dawson about 1740 in Pennsylvania. Thomas was born in 1718 in Edgemont, Chester Co., PA, died in 1772 in West Caln Township, Chester Co., PA at age 54, and was buried in Thomas Dawson Cemetery (now lost), West Caln TWP, Chester Co., PA.

  3. Henry Cowan was born on July 30, 1722 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died on November 11, 1799 in Rowan Co., NC at age 77, and was buried in Third Creek Presbyterian Cemetery, Cleveland, Rowan Co., NC. Henry married Jane Varner (b. 1732, d. abt. 1801) on February 27, 1753 in Lebanon, Lancaster Co., PA. Henry next married Jean.

  4. John Cowan Jr. was born in 1723 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died in 1793 in Rowan Co., NC at age 70, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. John married Catherine Skiles (b. 1731, d. 1819) about 1747 in Pennsylvania. John next married Mary Polly Graham (b. 1737, d. November 27, 1802) about 1777 in North Carolina. John next married Elizabeth Deacon Dickey between 1758 and 1766 in North Carolina.

  5. Rachel Cowan was born about 1727 in Salisbury Township, Pequea, Lancaster Co., PA and died before 1758 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA.

  6. William Cowan was born m 1730 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA, died on March 1, 1791 in Bethlehem Community, Oglethorpe Co., GA at age 61, and was buried in Beth Salem Presbyterian Cemetery, Oglethorpe Co., GA. William married Sarah Stewart (b. abt. 1741, d. 1806) on December 23, 1759 in Rowan Co., NC.00

  7. Elizabeth Cowan was born in 1733 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA and died before 1775 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA.

  8. Thomas Cowan was born about 1735 in Lancaster Co., PA, died in 1770 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA at about age 35, and was buried in St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery, Chester Co., PA. Thomas married Susannah Cowan (b. March 20, 1744, d. 1829) on December 17, 1760 in St. James Church, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA.

  9. Catherine Cowan was born about 1737 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA and died in 1775 in Salisbury TWP, Lancaster Co., PA about age 38. Catherine married Joseph White on September 5, 1762 in St. James Church, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA.

  10. Abigail Cowan was born in 174 l in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died on October 2, 1818 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA at age 77, and was buried in Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Chester Co., PA. Abigail married John Fleming Sr. (b. 1731, d. September 14, 1814) about 1757.

John Cowan Jr. was born in 1723 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died in 1793 in Rowan Co., NC at age 70, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. John married Catherine Skiles about 1747 in Pennsylvania. Catherine was born in 1731 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA and died in 1819 in Leacock, Lancaster Co., PA at age 88.

Children from this marriage were:

  1. Thomas Lockridge Cowan was born on January 23, 1748 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died on December 4, 1817 in Rowan Co., NC at age 69, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC. Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Barkley (b. October 4, 1755, d. August 5, 1836) on December 30, 1773 in Prob. Rowan Co., NC. A bit of trivia: Mary’s brother, Henry Barkley, Jr., was an ancestor of Albin W. Barkley, Vice President of the United States 1949-1953.

  2. John Cowan Ill was born on November 15, 1757 in Lancaster Co., PA, died on May 4, 1827 in Rowan Co., NC at age 69, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC. John married Jane Young (b. March 9, 1762, d. December 13, 1843) about 1781 in North Carolina.

  3. Moses Cowan was born m 1759 in Pennsylvania and died in 1759 in Pennsylvania.

  4. Joseph Skiles Cowan was born in 1777 in Rowan Co, NC, died in 1846 in Williamson Co., TN at age 69, and was buried in Cowan Cemetery, Williamson Co., TN. Joseph married Jane Cowan Graham on August 30, 1804 in Rowan Co, NC. Jane was born on October 11, 1784 in Rowan Co, NC, died on April 5, 1866 in Williamson Co., TN at age 81, and was buried in Cowan Cemetery, Williamson Co., TN.

John next married Mary Polly Graham about 1777 in North Carolina. Mary was born in 1737 in Statesville, Rowan Co, NC and died on November 27, 1802 in Rowan Co, NC at age 65.

John next married Elizabeth Deacon Dickey between 1758 and 1766 in North Carolina. Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania. Children from this marriage were:

  1. William Cowan was born about 1765 in Rowan Co, NC, died on December 29, 1839 in Rowan Co, NC about age 74, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. William married Jane Steele (b. Abt 1770, d. abt. 1790) on April 11, 1786 in Rowan Co, NC. William next married Catherine Armstrong (b. abt. 1173, d. After 1801) on April 5, 1791 in Rowan Co., NC.

  2. David Cowan was born on March 1, 1776 in Rowan Co, NC, died on October 19, 1836 in Rowan Co, NC. David married Rebecca Dobbins on August23, 1790 in Rowan Co., NC.

Thomas Lockridge Cowan, Captain was born on January 23, 1748 in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., PA, died on December 4, 1817 in Rowan Co., NC at age 69, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC.

In the early years of the Revolutionary War most battles were fought along the coast of the Carolinas and in the North. In I 780, however, Cornwallis moved his British forces into the South. Many men of the Piedmont area joined the fight for independence, and among them was Thomas Cowan of Second Creek. He served as a Captain and commanded, at different times, cavalry as well as infantry in the North Carolina Militia. Thomas Cowan participated in the battles of King’s Mountain, Cowpens, Ramseur’s Mill, Lincoln town, Eutaw Springs, and others. He was wounded September 8, 1781 in the battle of Eutaw Springs.

After the war was won Thomas became a substantial planter, owned many slaves, and accumulated large tracts of land. He also took a leading role in public affairs.

The home of Thomas and Mary Cowan still stands on Sherrill’s Ford Road about fifteen miles southwest of Salisbury in Rowan County, North Carolina. Thomas built it when he was only twenty-six, and he called it “Wood Grove.” It had three stories, with a large basement, and was constructed of sun-dried bricks, and is the oldest brick building in Rowan County. It is a valuable historical structure and contains many of the original furnishings, including pewter dishes and utensils, as well as many relics of Thomas and Mary and their following generations.

Thomas was a Presbyterian Elder. His parents and grandparents had been affiliated with the Church of England, but after the family migration to Rowan County, North Carolina, they found themselves among a predominantly Scottish citizenry that embraced the Presbyterian doctrine. Cathey’s Meeting House, later named Thyatira Church, survives, and is located about three miles from Thomas Cowan’s home. The date of his election and ordination to the Eldership is not known. The early Church records have been lost, but later records indicate that he had a close relationship with the pastor, the Reverend Samuel E. McCorkle. Thomas Cowan and Mary Barkley are both buried in the Thyatira Church Cemetery.

Thomas married Mary Elizabeth Barkley, daughter of Henry Thomas Barkley Sr. and Mary Knox, on December 30, 1773 in Prob. Rowan Co., NC. Mary was born on October 4, 1755 in Rowan Co., NC, died on August 5, 1836 in Rowan Co., NC at age 80, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC.

Children from this marriage were:

  1. Catherine Nancy Cowan was born on October 14, 1774 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on July 6, 1839 in Paris, Henry Co., TN at age 64, and was buried in Palestine Cemetery, Henry Co., TN. Catherine married JOSEPH ERWIN Sr. (b. February 4, 1769, d. 1846) on May 17, 1792 in Rowan Co., NC.

  2. Mary Cowan was born on February 25, 1776 in Rowan Co., NC, died on June 28, 1843 in Sumner Co., TN at age 67, and was buried in Dry Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Sumner Co., TN. Mary married William Buntin (b. January 11, 1770, d. December 5, 1831) on January 31, 1793 in Rowan Co., NC.

  3. Margaret (Peggy) Cowan was born on July 13, 1777 in Rowan Co., NC, died on February 7, 1849 in Iredell Co., NC at age 71, and was buried in Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Statesville, Iredell Co., NC. Margaret married Archibald McNeely Jr. (b. 1772, d. July 26, 1824) on December 12, 1795 in Rowan Co., NC.

  4. Lydia Cowan was born on January 3, 1779 in Rowan Co., NC, died on November 20, 1849 in Rowan Co., NC at age 70, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC. Lydia married James M. Hyde (b. August 6, 1784, d. January 18, 1844) on December 3, 1808 in Rowan Co., NC.

  5. Thomas Lincoln Cowan was born on July 8, 1780 in Rowan Co., NC, died in May 1856 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC at age 75, and was buried in Old Lutheran Cemetery, Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC. Thomas married Elizabeth Brown (b. 1786, d. 1857) on April 26, 1810 in Rowan Co., NC. Thomas next married Catherine Foster on May 22, 1803 in Rowan Co, NC.

  6. Anna Cowan was born on March 10, 1782 in Rowan Co., NC, died on February 5, 1857 in Rowan Co., NC at age 74, and was buried in Third Creek Presbyterian Cemetery, Cleveland, Rowan Co., NC. Anna married Moses Graham (b. February 9, 1780, d. May 11, 1848) on May 31, 1804 in Rowan Co., NC.

  7. Jane (Janey) Cowan was born on February 22, 1784 in Rowan Co., NC and died in May 1856 in North Carolina at age 72. Jane married James McLeod Graham (b. 1772, d. 1840) on June 22, 1803 in Rowan Co., NC.

  8. Elizabeth (Betsy) Cowan was born on September 24, 1785 in Rowan Co., NC, died in May 1844 in Rowen Co., NC at age 58, and was buried m Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. Elizabeth married William Billy Thompson (b. September 24, 1779, d. October 1830) on February 5, 1805 in Rowan Co., NC.

  9. James Cowan was born on February 2, 1788 in Rowan Co., NC, died on December 24, 1864 in Paris, Henry Co., TN at age 76, and was buried in Palestine Church Cemetery, Henry Co., TN. James married Harriette Adelaide Craige (b. May 23, 1795, d. August 21, 1867) in 1819.

  10. Abel Cowan was born on October 4, 1789 in Rowan Co., NC, died on January 30, 1843 in Rowan Co., NC at age 53, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mill Bridge, Rowan Co., NC. Abel married Lucretia Brandon (b. 1793, d. June 15, 1819) on May 16, 18 l 6 in Rowan Co., NC. Abel next married Mariah Catherine McKenzie (b. August 11, 1803, d. November 21, 1887) on January 30, 1826 in Rowan Co., NC.

  11. Agness Cowan was born on December 27, 1792 in Rowan Co., NC, died on January 6, 1865 in Henry Co., TN, and was buried in Palestine Cemetery, Henry Co., TN. Agness married Lewis McCorkle (b. October 19, 1789, d. December 14, 1841) on September 14, 1815 in Rowan Co, NC.

  12. Abigail Cowan was born on September 18, 1794 in Rowan Co., NC and died before 1836. Abigail married James Green Speers on December 28, 1824 in Cabarrus Co., NC. Abigail next married John Vail on July 16, 1817 in Rowan Co, NC.

  13. Hezekiah Cowan was born on March 29, 1796 in Rowan Co., NC, died on March 18, 1824 in Rowan Co., NC at age 27, and was buried in Thyatira Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rowan Co., NC. Lavinia Cowan was born on November 16, 1799 in Rowan Co., NC.

5. Catherine Nancy Cowan was born on October 14, 1774 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on July 6, 1839 in Paris, Henry Co., TN at age 64, and was buried in Palestine Cemetery, Henry Co., TN. Catherine married JOSEPH ERWIN Sr., son of JOSEPH IRVINE (ERWIN) and Agnes Reed, on May 17, 1792 in Rowan Co., NC. JOSEPH was born February 4, 1769 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died in 1846 in Mayhew, Lowndes Co., MS at age 77.

Children from this marriage were:

  1. Thomas Barkley Erwin Col. was born on September 16, 1792 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on July 6, 1868 in Tyler, Smith Co., TX at age 75, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Tyler, Smith Co., TX. Thomas married Agnes McLarty, daughter of Archibald McLarty and Agnes White, on March 2, 1822 in Cabarrus Co., NC. Agnes was born on August 11, 1799 m Mecklenburg Co., NC and died before 1827 in Georgia. Thomas next married Elizabeth S. Owens, daughter of Robert Owens and Mary, on September 4, 1827 in Jasper Co., GA. Elizabeth was born on July 15, 1810 in Georgia, died on February 12, 1871 in Tyler, Smith Co., TX at age 60, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Tyler, Smith Co., TX.

  2. JOSEPH ERWIN Jr. was born on February 3, 1794 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on December 1, 1879 in Carrollton, Carroll Co., AR at age 85. JOSEPH married NANCY REBECCA DAVIS on January 22, 1818 in Giles Co., TN. NANCY was born on October 14, 1800 in North Carolina and died on December 15, 1882 in Denver, Carroll Co., AR at age 82.

  3. James Polk Erwin was born on March 7, 1796 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on February 13, 1858 in Oktibbeha Co., MS at age 61. James married Susannah Catherine Goff, daughter of John Goff and Susannah Walker, on July 21, 1825 in Giles Co., TN. Susannah was born on October 26, 1805 in Williamson Co., TN, died on April 1, 1894 in Starkville, Oktibbeha Co., MS at age 88, and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Starkville, Oktibbeha Co., MS.

  4. Agnes W. Erwin was born on January 25, 1798 in Rowan Go., NC and died on August 30, 1854 in Henry Co., TN at age 56. Agnes married Andrew Haynes on March 3, 1817 in Davidson Co., TN. Agnes next married James H. McCorkle, son of Alexander McCorkle and Mary Steele, on April 10, 1818. James was born on November 22, 1796 in North Carolina and died on October 11, 1830 in Henry Co., TN at age 33.

  5. Elijah G. Erwin was born on November 4, 1799 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on March 10, l 826 in Tennessee at age 26. Elijah married Mary Cook on January 13, 1821 in Rowan Co., NC. Mary was born in 1802 in Rowan Co, NC.

  6. John Johnston Erwin was born on September 11, 1801 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on January 20, 1872 in Crossland, Calloway County, KY at age 70, and was buried in South Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Calloway Co., John married Sarah Maria Allison, daughter of William C. Allison and Margarette (Peggy) Young, on January 12, 1825 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. Sarah was born on December 23, 1806 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC, died on April 2, 1884 in Calloway Co., KY at age 77, and was buried in South Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Calloway Co., KY.

  7. Squire Cowan Erwin was born on February 8, 1803 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on June 3, 1878 in Starkville, Oktibbeha Co., MS at age 75. Squire married Sarah (Sallie) Goff, daughter of John Goff and Susannah Walker, on July 21, 1825 in Giles Co., TN. Sarah was born on February 8, 1808 in Tennessee and died on April 1, 1894 in Clay Co., MS at age 86. Squire next married Sarah A. (Sallie) Goff, daughter of John Goff and Susannah Walker, on July 21, 1825 in Pulaski, Giles Co., TN. Sarah was born on February 8, 1808 in Williamson Co., TN and died on August 13, 1855 in Starkville, Oktibbeha Co., MS at age 47.

  8. Catherine L. Erwin was born on April 17, 1805 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on July 6, 1839 at age 34. Catherine married Unknown Wilson.

  9. Mary Barkley Erwin was born on January 3, 1807 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on January 18, 1859 in Paris, Henry Co., TN at age 52, and was buried in Palestine Cemetery, Henry Co., TN. Mary married Unknown McCorkle about 1825. Mary next married Benjamin Hinson Diggs in 1830. Benjamin was born on April 3, 1798 in Anson Co., NC and died on February 25, 1871 in Henry Co., TN at age 72.

  10. William Barkley Erwin was born on January 25, 1809 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC and died on August 27, 1837 in Prob. Tennessee or Louisiana at age 28. William married Eveline Simmons, daughter of William Simmons and Nancy Pittman, in 1834 in North Carolina. Eveline was born in 1812 in Craven Co., NC and died in 1870 in Avoyelles Parish, LA at age 58.

  11. Hezikiah Franklin Erwin was born on February 12, 1811 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC, died on February 7, 1859 in Chambers Co., AL at age 47, and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA. Hezikiah married Mary Johnston Winston, daughter of Thomas Johnson Winston Capt. And Ann Austin Tinsley, on December 23, 1834 in West Point, Troup Co., GA. Mary was born on June 23, 1817 in West Point, Troup Co., GA, died on November 24, 1844 in Troup Co., GA at age 27, and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA. Hezikiah next married Martha Jacqueline Rootes Jackson, daughter of Henry Jackson and Martha Jacqueline Rootes, on June 24, 1847 in Chambers Co., AL. Martha was born m 1822 in Savannah, Chatham Co., GA and died on November 27, 1848 in Chambers Co., AL at age 26. Hezikiah next married Mary Willis Cobb, daughter of John Addison Cobb Jr., Col. and Sarah Robinson Rootes, in 1852 in Prob. West Point, Troup Co., GA. Mary was born in 1828 in Cherry Hill Plantation, Columbia, Jefferson Co., GA.

  12. Margaret Clementine Erwin was born on August 8, 1813 in Giles Co. TN, died on August 11, 1838 in Calloway Co., TN at age 25, and was buried in South Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Calloway Co., Margaret married Unknown Callahan.

  13. Abel Alexander Erwin was born on October 10, 1815 in Giles Co., TN, died on December 5, 1898 in West Point, Troup Co., GA at age 83, and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA. Abel married Elizabeth (Eliza) Francis Ashford, daughter of William & Charlotte Ashford, on September 13, 1850 in La Grange, Troup Co., GA. Elizabeth was born on August 3, 1828 in Fairfield District, SC, died on August 7, 1897 in La Grange, Troup Co., GA at age 69, and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA.

  14. Michael Lincoln Erwin was born on May 21, 1819 in Giles Co., TN, died on February 8, 1887 in West Point, Troup Co., and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA. Michael married Martha H. Ashford, daughter of William & Charlotte Ashford. Martha was born on January 1, 1818 in South Carolina, died on May 19, 1898 in Georgia at age 80, and was buried in Pinewood Cemetery, West Point, Troup Co., GA.

By the middle 1700s Pennsylvania was becoming crowded, and many colonists were looking southward to the Carolinas where Lord Granville, holder of vast tracts of land, was tempting new settlers with cheap acreage. John Cowan, Sr. joined the migration and moved his family to an area in North Carolina that would be Rowan County in 1753. He located his family in the “Irish Settlement,” and built his home near the head of Second Creek.

John Cowan, Sr. soon became a landowner. North Carolina land records show that his first acquisition was September 28, 1750, when he bought 300 acres. There are many land transactions recorded to “John Cowan” in Rowan County in those early years, but many of the recordings are not clear as to whether it was in the name of John, Sr. or John, Jr. It is readily apparent, however, that both were large landowners on or near the Catawba River.

In Rowan County, North Carolina, during the third quarter of the 1700s when Thomas Cowan was growing up near Witherow’s Creek, much of the region west of Salisbury (the county seat of Rowan County) was a vast wilderness. Wild animals roamed at will, and the Indians were hostile and made frequent raids on isolated frontier farms and settlements.

John Cowan, Jr. joined the Revolutionary Army as a private in 1776, but saw no action, and went home when his one-year enlistment was up.

On December 30, 1773, Thomas Cowan married Mary Barkley (Trivia: Mary’s brother, Henry Barkley, Jr., was an ancestor of Albin W. Barkley, Vice President of the United States 1949-1953).

In the early years of the Revolutionary War most battles were fought along the coast of the Carolinas and in the North. In 1780, however, Cornwallis moved his British forces into the South. Many men of the Piedmont area joined the fight for independence, and among them was Thomas Cowan, Jr. of Second Creek. This time he served as a captain and commanded, at different times, cavalry as well as infantry in the North Carolina Militia. Thomas Cowan, Jr. participated in the battles of King’s Mountain, Cowpens, Ramseur’s Mill, Lincolnton, Eutaw Springs and others. He was wounded September 8, 1781 during the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

After the war was won Thomas became a substantial planter, owned many slaves, and accumulated large tracts of land. He also took a leading role in public affairs. Thomas was also a Presbyterian Elder. His parents and grandparents had been affiliated with the Church of England, but after the family migration to Rowan County they found themselves among a predominantly Scottish citizenry that embraced the Presbyterian doctrine. Cathey’s Meeting House, later named Thyatira Church, survives, and is located about three miles from Thomas’ home. The date of his election and ordination to the eldership is not known, for early church records have been lost, but later records indicate that he had a close relationship with the pastor, the Rev. Samuel E. McCorkle. Thomas Cowan and Mary Barkley are both buried in the Thyatira Church Cemetery. Thomas Cowan and Mary Barkley had fourteen children. Their first, Catherine Nancy Cowan, born October 4, 1774, married Joseph Erwin, Sr.

Thomas Cowan called his home in Rowan County Wood Grove. It had three stories, with a large basement and garret, and was built of sun-dried bricks. It survives today as a beautiful and valuable historical structure. It contains many of the original furnishings, including pewter dishes and utensils, as well as many relics of the descendants who lived there.

One of the oldest landmarks in Rowan County is Wood Grove, the original home that Captain Thomas Lockridge Cowan erected in 1774 for his bride, Mary Barkley. Located on the Sherrill’s Ford Road one mile southeast of Bear Poplar, Wood Grove stands on a slight rise overlooking the rolling red hills of the Piedmont with Young’s Mountain to the northeast and Dent’s Mountain just east of the home.

The Quaker-style house has two stories with the same floor plan for both; one large room and two smaller ones. Not only is it the second oldest building in the county, but it is also one of the very few that has been lived in continuously since it was built in 1775.

The Cowan house is not large for a two-story structure, but its graceful lines and simple beauty are without para¬llel compared to similar period homes in the county. The house is sturdily constructed on a firm foundation with walls of brick in Flemish Bond measuring a foot and a half thick. The floors are made with boards about a foot wide. The cellar walls were made with large rocks laid one upon another such perfect fashion that little mortar was needed to keep them in place. Two huge chimneys rise up on each side of the house.

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            Wood Grove

Thomas & Mary Cowan's Home

Cowan's House.png
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