Minerva J. Gowen, [William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], regarded as a daughter of William Gowen and Mary "Polly" Crutchfield Gowen, was born in 1827 probably in Rutherford County, Tennessee. She is believed to be the "white female 10-15" in the 1840 census enumeration of her mother's household in Rutherford County. She appeared as "age 23" in the census return of her mother's family in the 1850 enumeration of Rutherford County.
Minerva J. Gowen received a warranty deed from Joseph W. Dabbs February 5, 1852 for 20 acres of land on Mill Creek, according to Davidson County Deed Book 15, page 471. There was an affinity between the Dabbs family and Minerva J. Gowen.
Dr. Edison Davidson Stephenson, son of John “Jack” Stephenson, who was born July 2, 1820 in Morgan County, Alabama was married to Ellen M. Dabbs July 7, 1849, according to Davidson County marriage records. On June 2, 1864 Dr. Stephenson was remarried to “Manerva J. Gowen,” according to Davidson County marriage records. Later the Stephenson family removed to Lawrence County, Alabama and lived near Speak, Alabama.
Children born to Dr. Edison Davidson Stephenson and Ellen M. Dabbs Stephenson include:
John Randolph Stephenson born July 3, 1852
Eaton Stephenson born in 1859
Children born to Dr. Edison Davidson Stephenson and Manerva J. Gowen Stephenson include:
Charley Stephenson born November 16, 1866
Lula Stephenson born in 1868
It is believed that Minerva J. Gowen later returned to Rutherford County to keep house for her bachelor brother, George Washington Gowen. When he removed to Craighead County, Arkansas about 1871 she accompanied him and lived there until his death about 1885.
From Jonesboro, Arkansas Minerva J. Gowen wrote letters back to her relatives in Rutherford County. Two of these letters, retained by her brother John Gowen, are reproduced below:
"Jonesboro, Arkansas
April 29, 1876
Dear Girls,
I received your kind letter, was very glad to here from you all. This leaves all well. Jim's health has ben good this spring so far. We had a warm winter and cold spring. We had a snow and then a hail storm. The hail was as long as guinea eggs. The peach crop is ruined. We haven't a peach. Jim has finished planting. Jonny Owens has come to make a crop with him. He is a good hand and was glad to get back. I was very sorry Jonny Gowen [probably her nephew, John Jones Gowen] did not come. I want to here from him and all of you and Beky. What is he about? Tell her to send some mesag. We had a good rain this eavening, a gully washer. Jim's wheat is looking fine. The nats [gnats] is so thick now. I had a letter from Bill's [probably her brother, William Benjamin Gowen] girls. Ther ma and pa is not well. Benny sends a pease of his hair to Mal. He is growen fast, and smart--he can spell in three letters. He talks about goen to Tenn. You must excuse this. Jon is goen to town in the mourning. I will let you heare from us. Remember me to your ma and pa and Jonny. Write soon, all of you girls.
Yours truly,
M. Gowen"
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Dec. 30 [probably 1876]
Dear Mandy and Mary and Malie,
I got all of your letters. Was glad to here from you all. This leaves all well. We haven't eny doctor bills this year. Jim is looken stout. Benie is growen fast and big. Jonny Owens will remain with us. He is a good fellow, he has no equals. I haven't rot a letter in six mounths. I am so busy all day and desturbed at night. Fall was dry and fine for gathering crops. We mad three bales of cotton, got 11 cts. Carried it to Wittsburg [?]. We have a bundance to live on. We killed eight hogs. Have three milch cows--Rose, Biddy and White. Jim had a well dug this past fall, sixty feet deep and strong stream. We have cold weather and snow now, ten inches deep. Christmas passed merily, no one was hurt. I was at two weddings this fall. Was pleased with the plainness. The RR is near finished over here. We are expecting to heare the iron horse snort soon. I hope Jonny will make us a visit. Jon Owens has spent the yeare pleasantly. He is out visiting to night. I hope you will write to [us] often. I want Maly to send on her episle. Benie send a long mesage to Mal. Things are improving over here. Tha had a big fire in Jonesboro, burn seven houses. I would like to some see you all very much. I received a letter from Mrs. F. a few day ago. I will expect letters soon. Good night to all. Give my love to Beky.
Sincerely,
M. Gowen"
Minerva J. Gowen appeared in the 1880 census of Craighead County, page 30, living in Jonesboro township in the household of George Washington Gowen. She was shown in Household No. 276 as "age 53, born in Tennessee, father born in South Carolina, mother born in North Carolina."
After the death of her brother about 1893, she returned to La Vergne, Tennessee and lived with a nephew, James Parmer Gowen. It is believed that when she died she was buried in the Gowen family cemetery, but no tombstone was found for her there.
George Washington Gowen, [William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], believed to be a son of William Gowen and Mary "Polly" Crutchfield Gowen, was born in 1829, probably in Rutherford County. It is believed that he was the "white male, 5-10" that was enumerated in his mother's household in the 1840 census of Rutherford County. He reappeared in the 1850 census of his mother's family in Rutherford County as "age 21, born in Tennessee, farmer, illiterate."
Among the papers of John Gowen was a receipt issued to George Washington Gowen. It reads, "July 23, 1866, Received of Wash Goin $50 for all demands. /s/ John Harris."
It is believed that he was influenced to move to Craighead County, Arkansas about 1871 by a brother, James Gowen who had moved there sometime before 1870. His sister Minerva J. Gowen accompanied him there as his housekeeper. When his brother and wife died, he was appointed guardian of his nephew, Benjamin P. Gowen who inherited an 80-acre farm.
George Washington Gowen appeared as the head of a household in the 1880 census of Craighead County, Jonesboro township, page 30, Household No. 276-276, enumerated as:
"Goans, George Washington 50, farmer, born in TN, father _ born in SC, mother born in
NC
Minerva 53, housekeeper, born in TN, _ father born in SC, mother
born in NC
Benjamin 9, ward, born in AR,
father born in TN,
mother born in TN
Thom, Jesse 73, farmer, born in
SC, father born in
MD, mother born in SC"
Jesse Thom is unidentified. "G. W. Gowen was paid $13.75 for resetting 237 pannels of fencing and adding 720 new rails" April 4, 1888 by John W. Owens, guardian of Benjamin P. Gowen. George Washington Gowen apparently owned no land of his own. On April 10, 1889, he paid $1.00 poll tax and $2.10 personal property tax. Seventy cents of the personal property tax went to the county, 70 cents went to the state and 70 cents went to the schools.
George Washington Gowen received $97.34 "for repairs on Gowen place and feeding cattle and horses belonging to said minor" from John W. Owens, guardian June 11, 1892.
George Washington Gowen died at Jonesboro about 1893, unmarried. James M. Herrin succeeded him as the guardian of Benjamin P. Gowen. It is believed that Minerva J. Gowen returned to her family in Rutherford County.
On June 6, 1885 James M. Herrin spent $18 for "repare on fense on the Going place as guardian for Ben Goins." On September 10, 1885, James M. Herrin received a receipt for $31.50 for "repairs on well on the Goins place." The receipts along with many other documents were placed in the guardianship file of Benjamin P. Gowen who inherited the 80 acres of his father. The documents deposited in the Craighead County probate files traces the ward and the property through the guardianship.
On October 5, 1885 Emma D. Frierson, teacher, gave a receipt to James. M. Herrin for "$2.00 for tuition for Ben Going." She wrote another receipt for "$5.00, tuition in full up to December 31, 1885 for Ward, Ben Gowen."
Caroline Gowen, [William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], believed to be a daughter of William Gowen and Mary "Polly" Crutchfield Gowen, was born in 1834, probably in Rutherford County. She is assumed to be the "white female, 0-5" who appeared in her mother's household in the 1840 census of Rutherford County. She reappeared in the 1850 census of Rutherford County as a 16-year-old, attending school, in her mother's household.
James Gowen, [William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], regarded as a son of William Gowen and Mary "Polly" Crutchfield Gowen, was born in 1836, probably in Rutherford County. It is unknown why he did not appear in his mother's household in the 1840 census. He appeared in the 1850 census of her household as a 14-year-old. William Dirk Calvin, family researcher of Brentwood, Tennessee suggests that James Gowen and his brother, George Washington Gowen, served in an Arkansas infantry regiment in the Civil War.
About 1870 he was married, wife's name, Frances C. She is believed to be Frances C. Owens, sister to John W. Owens who was later referred to as "uncle" to her son when he was named guardian. They moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas before 1870, however no Gowen individuals appeared in the 1860 census of Craighead County, according to "First U.S. Census, 1860, Craighead County, Arkansas" by Mrs. Willis Caldwell.
He was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1870 census of Craighead County, Arkansas living on the farmstead of John W. Owens, age 48, a farmer and smith who was born in Tennessee. Apparently the Owens family were neighbors to the Gowen family at LaVergne, Tennessee. It is noted that Minerva J. Gowen referred to "Jonny Owens" in her letters.
The household of James Gowen in the 1870 census of Craighead County, was listed as:
Gowen, James 34, born in Tennessee, farmer, $425 in _ personal property
Frances C. 18, born in Tennessee, wife"
John P. Goens, appeared in the 1870 census of Craighead County on August 24, 1870, living in the town of Jonesboro. Both John P. Goens and James Gowen were enumerated on the same day, suggesting that they were living in adjacent locations.
The household, No. 6-6, appeared as:
"Goens, John P. 43, born in TN, blacksmith
personal property $125
Margaret C. 33, born in GA"
“James Gowens” received a warranty deed from B. A. Elder and Mary “Mollie” Elder October 16, 1871 for 50 acres described as “the East part of Section 2 of the Northwest Quarter of Section 29, Township 14 North, Range 4 East” for $300, according to Craighead County Deed Book 14, page 192.
It is believed that both James Gowen and Frances C. Gowen died before 1875.
One son was born to them:
Benjamin P. Gowen born in 1871
Benjamin P. Gowen, [James8,William, Jr.7, Lt. William6, John5, William4, [William3, Thomas2, Mihil1], only child of James Gowen and Frances C. Gowen, was born in Craighead County in 1871. It is believed that his aunt Minerva J. Gowen referred to him in her letter of December 30, 1876 when she wrote, "Benny is growing fast."
Apparently after the death of his parents, about 1875, his uncle, George Washington Gowen moved into the Gowen home and operated his farm.
On January 16, 1879 “Benjamin P. Gowens, minor heir of James Gowens, deceased,” received a quit claim deed from Dawson H. Thorn and Cora Thorn “to the west part of the S/2 of the NW4 of Section 29, Township 14, Range 4 East, 30 acres” for $100, according to Craighead County Deed Book 14, page 193.
Benjamin P. Gowen was enumerated at age nine as the ward of George Washington Gowen, in his household in the 1880 census of Craighead County.
Benjamin P. Gowen had inherited his father's 80-acre farm east of Jonesboro, identified as "the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 14, Range 4." The farm was valued at $320 on the tax records of W. T. Lane, sheriff and tax collector in 1885. The Gowen farm is presently located inside the city limits of Jonesboro in its eastern section. Although frontage lots have been sold off, the farm is still identifiable, bounded on the north by Highland Drive, on the east by Brown's Lane and on the south by the city limits.
When Dr. Connie Louise Gowen Hiers moved to Jonesboro in July 1985 to establish a plastic surgery practice, she purchased a home at 601 Arrowhead Drive, within 100 yards of the original homestead of James Gowen! She was not aware of the proximity of the farm until a search was made of the Craighead County deed records. When she built a surgery clinic there in 2001, her clinic was built on land which was originally included in the Gowen farm which had been subdivided
George Washington Gowen was succeeded by James M. Herrin as guardian of Benjamin P. Gowen. On June 6, 1885 James M. Herrin spent $18 for "repare on fense on the Going place as guardian for Ben Goins." On September 10, 1885, James M. Herrin received a receipt for $31.50 for "repairs on well on the Goins place." The receipts along with many other documents were placed in the guardianship file of Benjamin P. Gowen who inherited the 80 acres of his father. The documents deposited in the Craighead County probate files traced the ward and the property through the guardianship.
On October 5, 1885 Emma D. Frierson, teacher, gave a receipt to James M. Herrin for "$2.00 for tuition for Ben Going." She wrote another receipt for "$5.00, tuition in full up to December 31, 1885 for Ward, Ben Gowen."
On January 10, 1887, County Judge J. H. Edwards approved the "Fifth Settlement Report of James M. Herrin, guardian of Bennie Gowen." The report showed a balance carried forward from the fourth report of $292.10. Rent from the farm for the year 1885 of $31.50 and rent of $18.00 for 1886 was added to the account that had a net balance of $341.60 after expenses. On the same date Benjamin P. Gowen, "having the right under the law to choose his own guardian" requested the court to appoint John W. Owens as his guardian. John W. Owens, joined by John Culberhouse, posted a $550 bond on that date to guarantee his performance as guardian.
On February 10, 1887 James M. Herrin paid taxes of $4.48 on the Gowen farm.
On January 11, 1888 he petitioned the Craighead County Probate Court, "It is the desire and wish of your petitioner, James M. Herrin to be discharged as Guardian of Bennie Gowens and that J. W. Owens be appointed in my place as Mr. Owens is a very suitable gentleman and is an uncle of my ward, Bennie Gowens." His request was accepted, and he made a final report to the court showing assets of $266.28 belonging to the ward.
On April 6, 1888 John W. Owens paid taxes of $3.75 on the Gowen farm which was valued at $300, according to Probate Book E, page 186.
On July 11, 1888 John W. Owens made his first annual settlement report to the probate court.
John W. Owens became postmaster at Jonesboro and named Benjamin P. Gowen his assistant. On July 23, 1889 at Nettleton, Arkansas, Owens loaned his U.S. Post Office receipt pad to A. Thomas who wrote, "Received $7.50 of J. W. Owens, Guardian of B. P. Gowen, on 750 feet, board measure, for well curb." On July 27, 1889 G. W. Phillips wrote, "Received of John W. Owens, guardian for B. P. Gowen, minor heir of James Gowen deceased $6.40 for making 64 feet wall curb at 10c per foot."
On August 24, 1889, Owens paid M. V. Echols and G. W. Phillips $2.00 for "putting curb in well." On August 23, 1889 he paid an additional $6.00 to J. F. Spence for "cleaning out and repairing well." "Mr. J. W. Owens for Ben" received a statement for "1 well rope, $1.85 and 30 lbs. of wire nails, $1.50" from H. Watson August 1, 1989. H. Watson of Jonesboro dealt in "General Hard-ware, Tin-Ware and Farming Implements, Etc," according to his printed billhead.
The farm of Benjamin P. Gowen produced $35.00 rent plus he received an accumulated interest account of $42.21 to September 11, 1889. After expenses of $30.95 were deducted, the ward had a net worth of $330.56.
On April 9, 1890 John W. Owens paid taxes of $5.40, evenly divided among state, county and school, for the Gowen farm. Net worth stood at $369.11 on that date. He paid $5.40 taxes again on April 9, 1891.
On April 12, 1892 John W. Owens made final settlement report to the probate court.
On July 5, 1892 Benjamin P. Gowen attained his majority and received final settlement from his guardian, "Received of John W. Owens $247.32 in full of all amounts and demands due me to date on last and final settlement as my guardian filed at the April term of the Probate Court of Craighead County." Judge W. A. Maywood accepted the accounting and dismissed the guardian.
Benjamin P. Gowen, "age 21, of Jonesboro," was married by J. M. Robertson, minister of Jonesboro Baptist Church September 22, 1892 to Lillie J. Carpenter, "age 17, of Jonesboro," according to Craighead County Marriage Book E, page 200.
Benjamin P. Gowen and wife Lillie J. Gowen gave a warranty deed to A. J. Heath to 10 acres of his inherited property described as the “SW4 of the SW4 of the NW4 in Section 29, Township 14 North, Range 4 East” on November 2, 1893 for $100, according to Craighead County Deed Book 11, page 534.
On December 27, 1893 Benjamin P. Gowen and Lillie J. Carpenter Gowen gave a warranty deed to John W. Owens for their remaining 70 acres for $600, according to Craighead County Deed Book 16, page 8. The land was described as, “the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 14 North, Range 4 East.” Perhaps this sale was in preparation for the Gowen couple to remove from Jonesboro.
A child was born to Benjamin P. Gowen and Lillie J. Carpenter Gowen March 7, 1895 in Adams County, Indiana, according to “Indiana Birth Records Index, 1880-1920,” Book H-3, page 32.
In 1894 and in 1897 John W. Owens was serving as Craighead County Clerk in the Jonesboro courthouse.
On September 28, 1898 John W. Owens and his wife Nannie E. Owens sold “a half acre from the Gowen farm” to B. K. Turner for $900, according to Craighead County Deed Book 16, page 562. It is believed that he was conveying the Gowen residence to Turner.
Names of children born to Benjamin P. Gowen and Lillie J. Carpenter Gowen are unknown.
Years later, Benjamin P. Gowen, feeling a debt of gratitude to his Aunt Minerva J. Gowen for helping to raise him, came to LaVergne for the purpose of erecting a monument at her grave. When he arrived at the front gate of the Gowen home, he explained his mission to his Uncle John J. Gowen, according to a letter written March 20, 1972 by Myra Luster Fleming Gardner.
"You're a little early," the uncle replied. "That's her settin' there rockin' on the porch."
John S. Gowen, assumed to be a son of William Gowen and his first wife, was born in 1797 in Tennessee, probably Davidson County. It is believed that his father died about 1827 in Rutherford County and that John S. Gowen continued to live there.
He was married in 1850 to the wife of Alfred P. Gowen, his kinsman. They were enumerated in the 1850 census of Barry County as Household No. 296:
"Gowen, John S. 53, born in TN, farmer, married within the year
Elizabeth 45, born in VA, illiterate, married within the year
Mary A. 25, born in TN, illiterate, married within the year
Elias 19, born in TN, married within the year"
It is believed that John S. Gowen died before the end of the decade because Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen was listed as a widow in the 1860 census of Barry County.
Children born to John S. Gowen are believed to include:
Elias Gowen born in 1831
Sarah C. Gowen born in 1854
Elias Gowen, assumed to be a son of John S. Gowen, was born in Tennessee, probably Rutherford County, in 1831. He was married about 1850, wife's name Mary A. They appeared living in the household of his father in 1850 and were recorded as "married within the year" by the enumerator. Nothing more is known of Elias Gowen, Mary A. Gowen or their descendants.
Sarah C. Gowen, daughter of Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen and one of her husbands, was born in Tennessee in 1854. She was enumerated in the 1860 census of Barry County as a six-year-old living in her mother's household.
Alfred P. Gowen, son of Lt. William Gowen and Martha "Patsy" Rains Gowen, was born in 1795 in Tennessee, according to the Rutherford County census of 1850. He first appeared in the legal records of Rutherford County June 21, 1819 when he witnessed a transfer of a certificate of survey, according to Rutherford County Court Minute Book N, page 210. On April 1, 1820 he was sued for $6.75 by George R. Nash, county jailer, who had "released to Alfred P. Gowen one William Barfield on a writ of capias ad respondem."
On September 25, 1822 "Alfred T. Gowen" was commissioned First Major in the 53rd Regiment of the Tennessee State Militia in Rutherford County. On April 3, 1824, Alfred P. Gowen was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and named commandant of the 53rd Regiment.
John C. Gowan, unidentified was commissioned a captain in the 22nd Regiment of Tennessee State Militia in Rutherford County September 2, 1826.
On October 24, 1823, January 21, 1824 and January 28, 1824 Alfred P. Gowen was summoned to serve on the Rutherford County grand jury, according to Rutherford County Minute Book E, page 135. He was surety in the marriage of Tolbert Mayfield to Elizabeth Johnston September 29, 1824 in Rutherford County. Logan Henderson, justice of the peace, per-formed the ceremony.
In the inventory of the estate of Walter "Watt" Lowe, deceased, who left property valued at $1,298.11 on March 10, 1827 Alfred P. Gowen, brother-in-law, was believed to be among those indebted to the estate. Assets included notes signed by "Youree & Gowens, Crowder & Gowens, Williams & Gowens, Suttons & Gowens, White & Gowen, J. & E. Gowen, Wadkins & Gowen, Lark & Gowen and Lowe & Gowen."
On July 20, 1827 Alfred P. Gowen, plaintiff sued Robert Barton in Case No. 53 over the sale of a sorrel horse, according to Rutherford County Court Minute Book V, page 43. "The court found in favor of the plaintiff and assessed $90 in damages and court costs of $20.23."
On October 27, 1827 "Alfred P. Gowen, sheriff" won a judgment of $112.23 in a suit against "William Thomas, Bartlett Anderson, John Doak and Samuel S. Wilson," according to Rutherford County Deed Book V, page 101.
On December 18, 1827 he was surety for the marriage of Alfred S. Harbin and Henrietta Lowe, daughter of John Lowe and his future sister-in-law. The Harbins later moved to Barry County, Missouri about 1840 and influenced Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen to move there 16 years later. Alfred S. Harbin served as state representative in the Missouri Legislature during the 1840s and 1850s. Alfred S. Harbin died near Austin, Texas in 1867, according to the research of W. B. Landers of Massachusetts.
Alfred P. Gowen received a jury summons on four occasions in January 1829, according to Rutherford County Court Minute Book E, pages 199, 246, 249 and 250.
John F. Howland deeded 326 acres to "A. P. Gowen and Mary Howland" in 1829, according to Rutherford County Deed Book V, page 428. Sheriff A. P. Gowen" was referred to again in a deed dated in February 1830, according to Rutherford County Deed Book W, page 184. He left the sheriff's office to run for the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Alfred P. Gowen, at age 34, was married January 14, 1829 to Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe, age 22, born in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1807, according to Rutherford County Marriage Book 1804-1872, page 63. She was the daughter of John Lowe and "Miss Sutton." He was one of two brothers who came to Rutherford County in 1812. In December 1971 Arlee Claud Gowen visited with Alvin Estell Lowe, an octogenarian and a great-great-grandson of John Lowe, who was planning a memorial to the pioneer members of the Lowe family. The marriage was performed by Jesse Stovall, J.P. Levi Reeves and Richard Allman were sureties.
The newly married couple appeared in the 1830 Rutherford County census, page 84, as one of the five Gowen households listed in the county. He was shown as the owner of 11 slaves. The enumeration read:
"Gowen, A. P. white male 30-40
white female 20-30"
Alfred P. Gowen was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 19th and 20th assemblies and served from 1831 to 1835 as a representative from Rutherford County. In 1975 Tennessee State Archives requested from the public any available data on Alfred P. Gowen for inclusion in a biography of the state legislature then in preparation. In response Arlee Claud Gowen submitted a sketch on him.
On August 11, 1832, "A. P. Gowen and Mary Howland" sold 326 acres of land to Washington Gibson and Henry Hoover for $500, according to Rutherford County Deed Book X, page 326. In 1835 he joined "William Gowen," believed to be his half-brother, in deeding land to Jackson Fleming, according to Rutherford County Deed Book V, page 232.
Capt. John Rains, grandfather of Alfred P. Gowen died March 15, 1834, and the grandson was named administrator of the estate. In the probate proceedings Alfred P. Gowen was referred to as the only heir of Martha "Patsy" Rains Gowen. He received 1/11 of Rains Station and a lot in the city of Nashville and other valuables from the estate.
In 1836 Alfred P. Gowen owned land astride the Rutherford-Cannon County line and was a taxpayer in both counties. On April 15, 1836 "Alfred P. Gowen of Cannon County" was appointed to a committee to layout a road running into Woodbury, Tennessee, the county seat. On June 6, 1836 he was appointed to help develop a road to Murphreesboro, Tennessee. He was also named to other road committees on June 7, 1836 and July 4, 1836 in Cannon County. On November 19, 1836 he was named on a Cannon County jury panel.
In 1836 he was named as administrator of the estate of John Lowe, his father-in-law, and in that capacity on November 23, 1838 he sold to Col. William Lowe, his wife's uncle, two slave children from the estate. Sold were "Willis, age 6, and Jack, age 4, for $600," according to Rutherford County Deed Book X, page 138.
The household of Alfred P. Gowen and Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen appeared in the 1840 census of Rutherford County as:
"Gowen, Alfred P. white male 40-50
white female 30-40
white male 20-30
white female 15-20
white male 10-15
white female 10-15
white male 0-5"
Eleven slaves were shown in the enumeration, making a total of 18 in the household, six employed in agriculture. Adjoining were the households of Walter S. Lowe, his nephew, single, age 30; and James Lowe, unidentified, age 20-30 with three children all under five.
Misfortune overtook Alfred P. Gowen in 1840 because he was forced to liquidate his holdings to settle four judgments against him involving 19 notes signed by him and Walter S. Lowe.
On July 2, 1840 he deeded to Gilliam & Fulks "upon the payment of $5, five hundred eighteen acres which William Gowen originally held in Rutherford County" and also the tract partly in Rutherford County and partly in Cannon County of 104 acres, and also slaves, Tom, about 37; Jude, 45; Adeline, 17; Silvy, 16; Jude, 47; Mely, 20; Dick, 47; Cabit, 60; Fanny, 40; Jack 13; and Ned, 17," according to Rutherford County Deed Book Y, page 62.
This transaction was forced "because Alfred P. Gowen is indebted to William Gilliam by four different judgments, three at $195.62 and one for $115.23, and all are stayed by Walter S. Lowe as security until September 1, 1840."
On January 7, 1842 his troubles were apparently continuing because he sold one-half interest in 100 acres on Cripple Creek to Rubin Todd for $248, according to Rutherford County Deed Book Y, pages 120 and 143 and Deed Book Z, page 100. On February 2, 1842 he deeded 24 acres of land to Walter S. Lowe for $75, according to Rutherford County Deed Book Z, page 144. In 1844 he deeded land "for Thyatire church" to David Patton, according to Cannon County Deed Book D, page 539.
A few years later, with the help of Walter S. Lowe, Alfred P. Gowen apparently regained some of his Rutherford County land. This he later sold to William H. Murry for $1,266, according to Rutherford County Deed Book Y, page 144 and Book Z, page 146. The land was described as "the tract of land known as William Gowen's old place where Alfred P. Gowen now resides, 525 acres more or less."
Billy J. Norman wrote:
“Walter S. Lowe was married October 28, 1840 to Nancy Malvina Amanda Norman who was born October 21, 1821. She was my great-grandfather’s sister. She was remarried November 25, 1847 to James C. Gill. She died November 1, 1852 at the age of 31.”
Children born to Walter S. Lowe and Nancy Malvina Amanda Norman Lowe include:
James H. B. Lowe born September 3, 1841
Elizabeth Lowe born November 9, 1843
In 1849 Alfred P. Gowen owned 125 acres of land, valued at $200, on which he paid 38c advalorem tax to Rutherford County. He was the only Gowen taxpayer listed in the Big Spring District.
On November 2, 1850 his household was enumerated in the Rutherford County census, page 212. The family, living in the May District near Murfreesboro, included:
"Gowen, Alfred P. 55, born in TN, farmer
Elizabeth 43, born in VA
Martha 15, born in TN
Burrell A. 12, born in TN
Walter L. 9, born in TN
Amanda Henrietta 3, born in TN
May E. 1, born in TN
Only two other Gowen householders were counted in the 1850 census of Rutherford County: Mary "Polly" Crutchfield Gowen, 58, page 212, May District and Catherine Gowen, [unidentified] 55, Page 323, May District.
Although Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen was enumerated in the household of Alfred P. Gowen in the 1850 census of Rutherford County, she also appeared in the household of John S. Gowen, believed to be a kinsman of Alfred P. Gowen in the 1850 census of Barry County, Missouri.
According to Alvin Estell Lowe, Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen suddenly and mysteriously removed to "somewhere in Missouri" before the death of Alfred P. Gowen. He suggested that "John S. Gowen influenced Betsy to run away with him." Descendants of Elizabeth "Betsy" Lowe Gowen have, through the years, questioned this report.
Missouri descendants related that Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen arrived in Missouri a widow, "her husband having died en route." There is a strong suggestion that Alfred P. Gowen did not die in 1850 and survived for another six years. William B. Landers, a descendant of Pocasset, Massachusetts wrote October 16, 1995 that Alfred P. Gowen died December 25, 1856 in Tennessee.
His place of burial is unknown, but it is believed that he was buried on his father's homestead. Manta Frost McCary, a granddaughter, in her "Remembrances" stated that when the family made the move to Missouri in 1856 that Alfred P. Gowen remained behind to attend to business. "He traveled three days with the family and then started back home. "He became suddenly ill, and seeing that he would not live, gave the family where he was staying his horse and saddle to take the body back to the old home."
If Alfred P. Gowen died on Christmas Day, 1856, then the "remembrance" of Manta Frost McCary that he died in July 1856 while his family was en route to Missouri is questionable.
Martha Sarah Kelton Lowe received "a gift of handkerchief from Aunt Betsy Gowen after she removed to Missouri." Descendants also report that Martha Sarah Kelton Lowe purchased a cherrywood table with money paid to her by "Aunt Betsy Gowen for pulling fodder on the Gowen farm."
When the enumerator took the 1850 census of the household of John S. Gowen he noted that he and Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen Gowen were "married within the year." The household, No. 296, was recorded as:
"Gowen, John S. 53, born in TN, farmer,
married within the year
Elizabeth 45, born in VA, illiterate,
married within the year
Mary A. 25, born in TN, illiterate,
married within the year
Elias 19, born in TN, married
within the year"
Elias Gowen, believed to be a son of John S. Gowen, and Mary A. Gowen were also "married within the year."
Alfred P. Gowen died sometime before April 1857 without leaving a will. Alfred P. Lowe, believed to be a nephew, was appointed by the court as administrator of the estate on April 14, 1857. His report to the court, dated June 20, 1857 read:
"A. P. Gowen, Dcsd. The affects of A. P. Gowen: Money found in the hand of John Land, 38 cents; One note, 17 dollars and 97 cents against Daniel Bullard given in 1857, Insolvent; 2 notes against James Mangham, one for two dollars and the other for 50 cents given in 1843, Insolvent; 2 notes again Isham Pelham due in 1850 for twenty dollars cash, Insolvent; 1 note against Lewis Shipp for 23 dollars & 81 cents due in 1838, [Collected $10.40]; one note on David Paton for $6.40 due in 1843 [Collected]; one note on R. W. Lowe for Ten dollars due the 30th of Jany. 1858, Good; One note on Allen Jarnigan payable when A. P. Gowen Receives his the said Jarnigan's land [illegible word] with other conditions & Insolvent for $25.00 this 20th day of June 1837.
A. P. Lowe, Adm.
of A. P. Gowen, Dec'd"
The above document was recorded June 30, 1857 by County Court Clerk John Jones in the Rutherford County Courthouse.
By 1860 Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen Gowen, again a widow, had brought the remainder of her children to Missouri to live with her. Her household, No. 283-277, was enumerated June 12, 1860 in Sugar Creek Township, near Washburn Prairie, Missouri as:
"Gowen, E. 50, born in VA, $2,000 real
estate, $1,000 personal
property
Burrel A. 22, born in TN, farmer
M. L. 19, born in TN
Fanny N. 13, born in TN
Mary E. 10, born in TN
Sarah C. 6, born in TN"
[It is believed that "Fanny N. Gowen" above was actually Amanda Henrietta Gowen.
In an adjoining household, No. 284-278, was the family of her daughter, Martha A. Gowen Arnold enumerated as:
"Arnold, John G. 26, born in TN, farmer
Martha R. 22, born in TN
Frances C. 3/12, born in Missouri"
Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen Gowen had returned to Tennessee for the birth of Sarah C. Gowen or else the censustaker erred in the place of her birth. The 1870 census enumeration for Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen, when found, might give additional information.
In the census of 1880 the household of Elizabeth S. "Betsy" Lowe Gowen Gowen appeared on June 18, 1880 in Sugar Creek Township, Barry County, Missouri, Enumeration District 6, page 33 as:
"Gowen, Elizabeth 72, born in VA, widow, father
born ?, mother born ?
Smithey, Clay 25, born in TN, son-in-law
Amanda 30, born in TN, daughter,
&