Lizzie, as she was known, was 17 when her parents moved to Marion Co., AR from Cannon Co., TN. When I first started my research, many used to say her middle name was Elizabeth. However, when I received the Bible record, it clearly says Erva. Lizzie is a nickname derived from Louisa.The Cowans were from Scotland and had come to the colonies before the Revolutionary War. Margaret, Alfred's mother, is said to have been 1/2 Cherokee. Her father, Nicholas Starnes, married Barbara Winters in 1816 in Rhea Co, TN. Nicholas fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Alfred also fought in the civil war with the confederacy, enlisting in Co. C, 14th AR Infantry on 9 July 1861 as a private.
Per Newspaper Abstract, Marion County, Arkansas - Mountain Echo Newspaper, September 1888:
"Mr. A. H. Cowan, of the Cowan barrens, gave us yesterday a few samples of his peach crop. They were the largest we have seen and were very toothsome. The editor and the "devil" both extend thanks, Mr. Cowan."I find this especially interesting as Lizzie's brother, G. W. Mears, my ancestor and his wife, were known for their peach orchards in Texas.
In a book, called Southeast Marion, a soft bound family history written by the granddaugther of Emily Duren but in Emily's own words in the 1930's states:
"Among the real pioneer families that I just now remember about were the Cowans, the Mears, the Porters, the Wilsons, the Burnes, the Adams, and the Goodalls... As some of these had more or less Cherokee blood in them (of which they were proud), I suspect they came in very early, while the Cherokees owned this section of Arkansas.""Alfred Cowan, son of John and Peggy, [Margaret "Peggy" Starnes], married Elizabeth Mears, daughter to pioneer William Mears..."
"Pioneer William Mears had a very large family - fourteen in all; but three of them stayed back in the old state - Tennessee. I know the following; Caroline married John Gilliam; Martha Ann married Uncle Black Henry Doshier; Elizabeth married Alfred Cowan; Lucinda married James McCabe; Margaret married James McCabe's brother, Thomas; Melvina married John Harris; Mary married Dave Faulkenberry... Julia married John Williams..."
"Of the Mears boys, I remember Mark, Bluford and Wash. Mark married Katy Ingram; Bluford married Betty Brushears; Wash left here. Think he married in Texas."
As we've already seen, the Wash Mears is my direct ancestor and he did indeed marry in Texas.
- Bible Record of Lizzie (Mears) Cowan
- marriage cover page- Bible Record of Lizzie (Mears) Cowan - births
- Bible Record of Lizzie (Mears) Cowan - marriages
Special thanks to Bea Wey who contributed the Bible record. Would like to thank Myrtle Ellen (Dean) Adams (1970), Ronald Weaver (1971), and Scott Cowan (1970), Brandy Freiger for their help with information on this family. And a special hug to Cindy Mears who located the picture above which she received several years from Louisa's great granddaughter, Phyllis Ratjen. This picture, in reality, is actually a wall painting and is quite big.