Dear Cousins
January 1994 - October 1996
The article by Jack Harold
Goins on his ancestor Zephaniah Goins in the November Newsletter was great!
This is just the kind of detailed, specific research in hard-to-find original
sources that the family needs. Virginia Easley DeMarce, 5636 25th Road N,
Arlington, VA, 22207.
==Dear Cousins==
I wanted to tell you how much I
enjoyed the article about James Presley "Pres" Goen of the Pitchfork Ranch who
started the Goen Ranch with "one dollar and one pony." I once worked for the
neighboring Matador Ranch in the Texas Panhandle back in 1949. I rode with a
vaquero named Blackwell. Do you sup-pose he is still around?
I am preparing an article on my
experiences for the Founda-tion manuscript which will include my cowboying days
in Texas. Raymond D. Gowen, Star Rt. 1, Box 84, Hudson, KY, 40145.
==Dear Cousins==
The year of 1993 had some ups and
very big downs for me. I became acquainted with Jack Goins of Rogersville,
Tennessee and gained a lot of information about my family. On the down side,
both my Mother and Father passed away. My parents re-ally enjoyed the
Newsletters that I would show them. Unfortu-nately the information that Jack
Goins had collected, which doc-umented our Goins family came about three weeks
after my Fa-ther passed away.
I am extremely thankful for the
association with Ruth John-son and Jack Goins whose insights and assistance have
not only been helpful personally, but have lent more emphasis to my own desires
to really know my family. Since it's inception, I have also been an avid user
of the Electronic Library.
In July of this year I will be
retiring from the U.S. Navy, my actual retirement ceremony will be on 10 June
1994. Any of my cousins who would like to attend are more than welcome. I hope
to then put more time into my own research, with the ulti-mate goal being a book
to present to my family with as much family background and in-formation that I
can give them.
I wish to heartily thank the
Foundation for all the assistance and the association with so many wonderful
cousins. If there is anything I can do to help out, please let me know. I would
be more than willing to help with any research and editing that I can do. Larry
K. Goins, 231 Savannah Round, Summerville, SC, 29485
==Dear Cousins==
My grandmother was born Sarah
Isabelle Goins. Her father was John Goins, born in Bledsoe County, TN. His
father was Thomas Goins, born in Grainger County, TN. The mother of Sarah
Isabelle Goins was also a Goins. Julia Ann Goins was her maiden name. She was
the daughter of Tilman Goins, born in Cherokee County, North Carolina. His
father was Laborn Goins, born in Patrick County, VA. The sister of Tilman Goins,
Marilla Goins was born in Patrick County also. His brothers were Preston Goins,
Harbard Goins and Shadrack Goins.
My grandmother, Sarah Isabelle
Goins was married to my grandfather, Columbus Scott November 28, 1883 at
Smithville, TN in DeKalb County. His brother, James Scott was his bondsman. I
believe that the mother of Columbus and James Scott was a Goins also. Both were
listed as Indian in the 1880 census of DeKalb County. My grandmother had
cousins in Grainger County by the names of Granville Goins and Sanford Goins.
I have information on other Goins
relatives in upper East Tennessee and southwest Virginia. I would like to hear
from re-searchers working on this line. Melton E. "Gene" Scott, Rt. 2, Box
202D, Trenton, GA, 30752, 706/657-7818.
February 1994
Ever since you published in
March 1993 that "Horrible Gowan Family Event Recorded in Salem, Kentucky"
article, something had been nagging around the fringes of my mind. I finally
got around to looking it up.
For any of your readers who are
interested in get-ting the "real scoop" and the real names of this event, they
should read the following book: Boynton Mer-rill, Jr. "Jefferson's Nephews: A
Frontier Tragedy", Princeton, NJ, Princeton Uni-versity Press, 1986.
The two brothers were named
Lilburne and Isham Lewis. They were, in fact, nephews of Pres. Thomas Jefferson
and were cousins of the explorer Meri-wether Lewis. The book is an ex-cellent
historical study of the circumstances leading up to the crime. I can't imagine
why anyone would have changed the names to write it up; it was certainly quite
widely known when it happened. Virginia Easley De-Marce, 5635 N. 25th Road,
Arlington, VA, 22207
==Dear Cousins==
I have just finished reading your
most intriguing article on the "Mysterious Melungeons."
I am trying to document the
ancestors of Susannah Inman and her brothers, Abednego Inman and Shadrack
Inman. Susan-nah Inman was married about 1773 in Burke County, NC to Daniel
Goans. Abed-nego Inman was married to Mary Richey.
Two possibilities exist for their
parents; Ezekiel Inman [son of Robert Inman] and Hannah Hardee Inman or John
Inman and Hannah Hardin Inman.
In a letter written March 30, 1906
by Lavinia Goans Ed-wards, she stated that she was a great-granddaughter of
Daniel Goans AND ALSO Shadrack Inman. This statement, although unproved,
appears credible. Lavinia is documented as a daugh-ter of Hamilton B. Goans who
was a son of Daniel Goans, Jr. Can you provide documentation of her de-scent
from Shadrack Inman and identify his parents?
Children born to Daniel Goans and
Susannah In-man Goans include Daniel Goans, Jr, Ezekiel Goans, William Goans,
Han-nah Goans, Sarah Goans, Shadrack Goans, Meshack Goans and Abednego Gowans.
Ib Jensen, 6147 Sunset Haven, San An-tonio, TX, 78249, 210/691-1354.
==Dear Cousins==
I am helping a granddaughter
research her family history. For her it is a school project. For me it is a
fascinating pursuit. Our family is Thomas Goin, bc1755 Greensville Co, VA; Levi
Goin, bc1778 Washington Co, NC; Elijah Goin, bc1814 Clai-borne Co, TN; William
Preston Goin, b1849 Claiborne Co, TN; Della May Goin b1890, Claiborne Co, TN.
I am looking forward to
corresponding and ex-changing in-formation with many of our cousins. Anything
you have or know about our ancestors that you are willing to share would be
important. Richard Glenn Bonds, Box 5124, Midland, TX, 79704, 915/687-6211.
==Dear Cousins==
I was very much interested in the
mention of Drs. James Daniel Gowen and Charles Richard Gowen of the Gowen
Sani-tarium in Shreveport. I got to know them quite well when I lived in
Shreveport from 1928 to 1933 and worked at the Jordon Street Sandwich Shop.
Since I had had experience with tuber-culosis and knew how to take precautions
against it, I was elected to make the food deliveries to the sanitarium.
I made almost daily deliveries of
food ordered by the pa-tients and got to know them quite well. The patients,
about 20, all adults, were housed in separate screened-in bungalows. They were
pleased to be able to release their families from the con-stant threat of in-fection.
They were glad to be in a situation where they were free of the fear of
infecting others with this then-deadly disease.
We visited through the screens at
length. Most people avoided them like lepers, but I immensely en-joyed my
visits with them. I had to go to the doctors' office after each delivery to be
paid and established quite a friendship with them. They called me "cousin," but
we never made any attempt to figure out a family relationship.
Maybe a family member can write
for the Foun-dation the type of tribute that the Doctors Gowen de-serve in their
fight against this then-unstoppable dis-ease. I look forward to reading more of
writings of Linda Lou Fisher McDowell and Louise Gowan Fisher. Forrest Bruce
Gowan, 240 Wallace Road, Jackson, TN, 38301, 901/668-5324.
==Dear Cousins==
I would like to establish links
with my heritage cousins in the USA and elsewhere. I am interested in
generating a business and travel network world-wide. My ambition is to create
links based on mutually ac-ceptable criteria to enable reciprocal visits to
occur.
That is, if a fellow Gowen is in
Australia, he can feel free to contact other members of our extended family to
arrange travel, accommodations, sight-see-ing, business, etc. An example of
this might be the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Interested travellers might like
to make arrange-ments with Australian Gowens, and the reverse case could apply
for Aussie Gowens visiting elsewhere in the world. I am more than happy to
correspond with any "cousins" that might be interested. Jef-frey Goyen, c/o
5/1A Dickens St, Elwood, Victoria, 3184, Aus-tralia.
==Dear Cousins==
I am researching my Goins family.
The line goes back to Joseph Anderson Goins, Sr. and his wife, Martha
[Lipscomb?] Goins with ties to Grainger County, TN. Their son, Joseph An-derson
Goins, Jr. was born August 15, 1848, probably in Green County. He was married
to Susan Perkey in 1868.
They and their 12 children removed
to Anderson County, TN. If anyone has any information on this branch of the
Goins family, I would appre-ciate hearing from you. My Internet E-mail address
is [email protected]. Doris Ann Goins Ketner, 131 Valley Lane,
Clinton, TN, 37716,
March 1994
I was born January 10, 1926 in
Wichita, Kansas, the son of Fred Gowan and Eva Peebles Gowan and was named
William Fred Gowan. I was put up for adoption in 1928 and was adopted by Calvin
F. Troupe II and Margaret E. Troupe of Kansas City, Missouri in 1930. My name
was changed to Calvin F. Troupe III at that time by the court.
I had two older brothers, Bob
Gowan and Don Gowan, from whom I was then separated. I learned that Don Gowan
served in the U.S. Army in World War II and that he had four children--Jean,
Donna, Chuck and Debbie. I have searched for my brother for years with no
luck. I earnestly desire to locate Don Gowan and would sincerely appreciate the
help of the Foundation in this endeavor. Calvin F. Troupe III, 1487 E. 37th St,
Apt. E-4, Brooklyn, NY, 11234, 718/377-1995.
==O==
My search continues, with little
success, for the family of Jessica Goings [c1776-1836], my g-g-grandmother. She
was married to William Purvine c1796 near Chattanooga when it was still Indian
territory. Some time after 1815, when my g-grandfather Charles Purvine was born
near Chattanooga, they moved to Illinois where they lived, died and were buried
in Morgan County.
Nothing else is known about
Jessica, although a Purvine fam-ily genealogist suggests that she was a young
widow. There is a family tradition, however, that as an infant William Purvine
was rescued by his mother from an Indian attack on their farm-stead which
resulted in the death of his father, Charles Purviance and five other children.
This is thought to have occurred on the Tennessee frontier about 1778. Whatever
happened to his mother and how William got to Chattanooga is unknown. It is
thought that he was raised by an uncle, David Purviance in Cabarrus County,
N.C. Suggestions, anyone? Bradley B. Gar-retson, 105 Danza Ct, Orinda, CA,
94563.
April 1994
Does anyone know of a Patsy
Gowen/Guion/Guynes who c1805 was married in TN to Elijah Richardson? Patsy, my
g-g-gm, had a brother, Will Gowen who got a schoolteacher "in trouble" and had
to flee to Louisiana. This information was re-called in the 1930s by Aunt Janie
Keene, then in her 90s. She was a granddaughter of Patsy. Before 1820, the
Elijah Richard-son family removed to southwestern Mississippi, near the Louis-iana
line. Since Patsy was a nickname for "Martha" at that time, she may have been
recorded under either name. Your help is so-licited. Granville W. Hough,
3438-B Bahia Blanca West, La-guna Hills, CA, 92653.
==Dear Cousins==
Foundation members will be
interested to know how Abra-ham Lincoln dealt with the Melungeon issue.
Published in the February issue of "American Bar Association Journal" is an
article by Janet Key summarizing Lincoln's 24-year legal prac-tice in
Springfield, Illinois. The article is based on the research of the Illinois
Historical Preservation Agency which is recon-structing from courthouse records
across the state the 5,000 cases that Lincoln handled. An excerpt from the
article read:
"As the result of a family dispute
over William Dungey's marriage to Joseph Spencer's sister, Spencer claimed that
his brother-in-law, "Black Bill"--actually a dark-skinned man of Portuguese
descent--was a Negro.
Because Illinois had passed
so-called "Black Laws" in 1853 that denied free blacks the right to settle in
the state, Dungey faced losing not only is reputation, but his mar-riage,
property and right to stay in Illinois if Spencer's claims stuck.
Lincoln filed suit against Spencer
for slander and during the trial managed to not only demolish his oppo-nent's
reputation and the credibility of his witnesses, but to win the case for his
client. For teaching Spencer an expensive lesson in domestic relations and
saving Dungey's entire livelihood Lincoln collected a $25 fee."
See you in Houston. Virginia
Easley DeMarce, 5635 N. 25th Road, Arlington, VA, 22207-1403.
==Dear Cousins==
I am researching the family of
Garrett Gowan/Gowen/Gowin bc1790 who lived on the NC-SC border in the early to
mid-1800s. In the 1820s "Garet Gowen" was a constable in Colum-bus County, NC,
but in the early 1840s he was just across the line in Horry County where he was
elected to the SC House of Representatives. According to their records, he died
in 1845, and a special election was called to fill his position.
In 1850, his wife, Nancy Ann Terry
Gowan and their chil-dren, Catherine, Benjamin, James and Henry were back in
Columbus County, NC.
Garrett Gowan was the son of John
Gowan, Jr. and Edith Faulk Gowan of Columbus Co, NC. John Gowan, Jr. was the
son of John Gowan of Robeson County, NC, just to the west. His will was dated
1800, but I don't think he died until after 1810. I would be interested in
hearing from any Foundation mem-bers who are researching this family. John B.
McGowan, 209 McLean Street, Laurinburg, NC, 28352
May 1994
Dear Friends of Choctaw Blood:
My wife is a descendant of Noahtimah, a Choctaw Indian woman. Her daughter Mary
Josey Moran Ladnier lived in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. They were of the
Natchez branch of the Choctaw tribe. Noatimah died at Biloxi and was buried in
the Old Moran Burying Grounds on the Back Bay of Biloxi. Any suggestions or
assis-tance you can give would be deeply apreciated. Jim Harper, 501 S.
Greenville Ave, Suite 214, Allen, TX, 75002, 800/725-2445.
==Dear Cousins==
I have received a great deal of
research help from some of the Foun-dation members--particularly Louise Goins
Richardson of Paragould, AR. She had led me to the family of Shadrack Gowin/Going
of Patrick County, Virginia, his three wifes and their 21 children. It is
possi-ble that my Jessica Goings was one of his older children.
Recently Louise sent me copies of
three Newsletters con-taining arti-cles on Shadrack Gowin written by Donna Gowin
Johnston. Is there more material available on him and his de-scendants?
Bradley B. Garretson, 105 Danza Court, Orinda, CA, 94563.
==Dear Cousins==
I have writing in the hope that
one of your researchers might have some information on our branch of the
family. We are de-scended from William Henry Gowens and wife Annie Sprig Gowens
from the Carolinas.
My father is Elmer Happy Gowens,
and he will be 78 July 21. He has a long-lost sister by the name of Alma Gowens
Hen-derson. She would be in her 80s, if still living. She had a daughter whose
nickname was "Giddy Mae." I would appreciate any help. Sharon Gowens Gabel,
7304 Bayswater Road, Amarillo, TX, 79109
==Dear Cousins==
I am enclosing my lineage chart
for the Foundation Library showing descent from Samuel Goings, b1780-dp1860
Nelson Co, VA and Paulus R. Goings, b1830, mc1861 Lucy Patterson b1832. I would
like to correspond with anyone researching this line. Cubert T. Wood, 1410
Towson Drive, Columbia, TN, 38401, 615/381-5934.
June 1994
There is a mountain story of a
peddler named Goins that re-lates to my Boggs family. Goins, a trader, used to
pass through the present Big Stone Gap-Appalachia section of southwest Vir-ginia.
He was murdered near Stonega, Virginia, and supposedly my g-g-grandfather, Ely
Boggs played a part in the mat-ter. An old mountain ballad enti-tled "Poor
Goins" was written about the incident. "Poor Goins" was buried on the Boggs
farm near Stonega. I have searched for the grave, but I am uncertain that I
found it. If I turn up more, I will advise you. V. N. "Bud" Phillips, 214
Johnson St, Bristol, VA, 24201.
==Dear Cousins==
My family is descended from
William Gowen [1705-1759] subject of article in the May 1994 Newsletter "William
Gowen, Scout at 17, Fought the French & Indians, through his son, James. I
believe there were some errors in the article.
Based on information in "Gowen
Family Genealogy," compiled by Yvonne Gowen in 1986, William Gowen married Mary
Davis Chick June 26, 1723 after the death of his first wife, Jane. Contrary to
your article, William had two children with Mary: James, born February 18, 1753
and Elizabeth, born Au-gust 8, 1755. There is also no record of William having
a daughter named Sarah.
There was a great deal of
confusion about this generation when the genealogy was put together, however we
feel that the above information is correct. If you have any information to the
contrary, please send it along. David Gowen, 907 Duck Pond Road, Westbrook, ME,
04092.
==Dear Cousins==
I wanted to write that I logged on
to your Elec-tronic Library and left a message regarding my g-grandmother
Mariah/Maria Goins/Goens born November 4, 1856 in Illinois. She was mar-ried
about 1875 to William Jennings Dial in Leavenworth Co, KS. She died January 8,
1917. possibly in state hospital at Os-owatomie, KS, and burial was in
Leaven-worth, KS.
In 1870 census "Mariah Goins, 19"
was shown as a house-keeper in the household of Mary Lempesley/Joseph Walter in
Leavenworth County. In 1900 and 1910 census returns Mariah Goins reported that
her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Ohio. Most grateful for any
help on Mariah Goins.
Thanks for providing this
genealogy service. My Founda-tion membership is enclosed. If any members need
research done in Miami County, OH, I'll be glad to assist. Terry D. Wright, 645
W. North St, Piqua, OH, 45356, 513/773-9378.
==Dear Cousins==
Thank you for your prompt response
following our phone conversation and for the packet of Newsletters and family
his-tory you sent. I'm fortunate to be able to access the complete University
Library System and its holdings right from my desk via the modem. You can
imagine my surprise when, as a whim, I typed in the computer: "GOWEN" and the
following appeared.
"Gowen Family Periodicals,
Newsletter,
Gowen Research Foundation,
Lubbock, TX, 1989--
Center for American History,
Read in Library Only."
After staring at the computer
screen in disbelief, I announced to my staff that they could reach me at the
Center for American History. After reading as many of the Newsletters as I
could, I returned to my office and called your phone number to see if you really
existed. And sure enough, you do . . . . we do.
My check for membership is
enclosed along with copies of Revolutionary enlistments of Gowen men from
Pennsylvania [my home state] in "The Irish Contribution to American
In-dependence" by Thomas Hobbs Maginniss, Jr.
If I can serve as your contact
here at the University of Texas at Austin, I hereby offer my services to the
Gowen family. Thank you for your excellent work in behalf of the Gowen fam-ily.
You have devoted yourselves to something very special to all of us. Richard F.
Gowen, The Texas Union, University of Texas, Box 7338, Austin, TX, 78713.
==Dear Cousins==
I enjoyed the lecture and
documentary film presented by Dr. Brent Kennedy at the Houston conference very
much. I had heard the term "Melungeon" and had read about the work of your
research team, but I had no idea of the immensity of the subject. My
Riddle/Ridley family intermarried with the Gowen/Going/Goins family in the
Rockingham, North Car-olina. Jesse Gowen paid £50 to Thomas Crawley of
adjoining Stokes County for land located "on Dalton's Creek and on Hick-ory
Creek and on the Stokes County Line" October 27, 1797, ac-cording to Rockingham
Deed Book E, page 209. On the same day, John Riddle/Ridley paid Crawley £25 for
land adjoining Jesse Gowen. I regard the men as brothers-in-law, Jesse having
married the sister of John in adjoining Henry County, Virginia, I believe.
Nancy L. Going was married c1839
to William Riley Ridley, "mulatto," according to Rockingham County records.
They were last found there in the 1860 census of Rockingham County, page 99.
Children born to William Riley Ridley and Nancy L. Going Ridley include William
Ridley, bc1840; Mary Ann Rid-ley, bc1842 and James Pinkney Ridley, bc1844. Mary
Ann Ri-dley was married February 22, 1863 to William P. Going.
Henrietta Goins was married
October 26, 1856 to James Austin Ridley, "mulatto," according to Rockingham
County records. He was the twelfth child of Randolph Rid-ley and Eliz-abeth
Gibson Ridley, bc1835. Later they removed to Hawkins County, Tennessee to join
members of the family.
I would like to hear from
researchers who can provide some details about any of the above. Edward M.
Riddle, 5419 Imo-gene, Houston, TX, 77096.
July 1994
I am seeking the ancestry of my
grandfather, Curtis Melvin Gowen who was born about 1910. He was married about
1930 to Edna Francis Henson. In 1934 they were living in Poinsett County, AR.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She died in Newport, Arkansas
in 1984, and he died there in 1985. Children born to them include: Curtis
Melvin Gowen, Jr. and Dale Clayton Gowen. Any information would be most wel-come.
Ms. Dale Lynn Gowen, Box 128, Grubbs, AR, 72431.
==Dear Cousins==
My brother Don, sister Yvonne and
I have made a commit-ment this summer to complete a book about the ancestry of
our father, William Rufus Going. We are also committed to send to you some
articles for the Newsletter on our WWI veteran grand-father, our WWII veteran
father and Carnegie Medal for Hero-ism recipient brother.
Our ancestry stems from
Revolutionary soldier Drury Going, b1749, Isaac Going, b1775; William George
Washington Going, b1824; William Mack Going, b1850; James Leonard Going, b1891
and William Rufus Going, b1924. It's amazing to realize that there are only six
generations in my family from the Revo-lutionary War to World War II.
Your Newsletter has carried
research of many of these, and this has been immensely helpful to our research.
Additionally it has placed us in contact with many distant cousins and fellow
researchers. Thanks so much! My membership is enclosed. Martha E. Going
Thomas, 303 Conley Rd, Hapeville, GA, 30354, 404/361-4734.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks very much for all the
material on my York County, ME branch of the family. I read it all very eagerly
in the hope of finding my ancestors. The transcribing of the manuscript you
sent is completed, and as soon as proofreading is finished, I will return my
assignment.
As soon as we are settled in
Massachusetts and I get a chance to look at census records, I may need a
diskette on the York County section of the Foundation Manuscript which you of-fered.
I am enclosing a check to help cover the copying and mailing costs incurred by
the Foundation.
I wrote to William Rodway Gowen in
Washington state and received a gracious letter in reply. He hopes to do some
addi-tional research this summer and may have some more informa-tion for us.
Susan B. Liedell, 148 Kate's Path, Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675
==Dear Cousins==
From all of us with National
Genealogical Society and Clayton Library Friends we express our appreciation for
your outstanding performances as program speakers at the 1994 Con-ference in the
States in Houston in June. Thank you for your contributions.
As soon as one Conference
concludes, there is another preparing to take "center stage." Of course, I am
referring to the 1995 Conference in the States to be held in San Diego,
Califor-nia on 3-6 May. The Conference site will accommodate atten-dees with
housing and support the program and exhibits--ev-erything centrally located on
the property. San Diego is in a beautiful region where people enjoy the climate
and tourist at-tractions. Carolyn J. Nell, President, NGS, 4527 17th St. N,
Arlington, VA, 22207.
==Dear Cousins==
There is a small Goins cemetery in
a corner of the Ft. Bragg military reservation which is being federally
maintained in Cumberland County, NC. The headstones in this family ceme-tery
have some strange engravings, and I have found no one here who can decipher
their meaning. I would be glad to hear from someone who can help solve this
mystery. Joe McDonald, Box 70, Hoffman, NC, 910/281-5271.
==Dear Cousins==
I am looking for the parents &/or
siblings of Euphemia P. Goins/Gowing/Gowen who was born about 1833 in AL/VA/TN.
She was married June 13, 1850 in Tuscaloosa Co, AL to Dennis Denmark Davis as
his second wife. They were enumerated in 1860 in Walker County, AL.
At the beginning of the Civil War,
they attempted to move to the North, but were caught in the middle of the Battle
of Town Creek in Lawrence County, AL. It was here that three of her step-sons
were conscripted into the Confederate Army. The Union Army escorted the
remainder of the family to Cairo, IL.
After the war they returned to
Colbert County, AL. Eu-phemia had brothers: Wesley Goins, bc1841 and James
Goins, bc1843. Tradition says the family had Indian blood. Can any-one help on
this? Beatrice Russell, Route 2, Box 381, Tus-cumbia, AL, 35674
==Dear Cousins==
I recently read a good book on the
Melungeons and was de-lighted to find several of my surnames listed as possible
Melun-geon names. Since most of them were in areas that had Melun-geon
populations, it seems a pretty good chance that at least one of these families
might BE Melungeon.
This would solve a personal
mystery for me at last should it prove to be true. I have straight, fine hair
that will not hold a curl. After years of permanents and sleeping with
curlers--and still having straight hair--a beautician told me that my hair was
flat--literally with sides and not round as hair usually is in the Caucasian
race.
She told me--and it has since been
confirmed by my doctor--that the only way you can have flat hair is to be of
Asian or Na-tive American heritage. Since my cheekbones are high and I have
somewhat of an olive complexion that tans easily, I thought it was as simple as
finding a Creek or Cherokee ances-tor.
After years of searching, I have
not found a trace of a Native American in my family tree. So, finding the
Clemmons, Gibson, Atkins, Hendrix, Dyess and Mullins names in the Melungeon book
made me think that my weird hair comes from a Melun-geon ancestor who was part
Native American.
I am enclosing my ancestor chart
in hopes that someone among your researchers might be able to shed some light on
my mystery. If you think there is a chance that I might indeed share the
fascinating Melungeon heritage--I would very much like to join your
organization. Elizabeth Palmer Gay, DTJ, FSA Scot, Rt. 3, Box 439, Moultrie,
GA, 31768
August 1994
I am excited to find that there
is a research organization de-voted to our name in all the various spellings and
look forward to reading the Newsletter. I am enclosing my check for mem-bership
and would like to receive any back issues and informa-tion on the family that is
available.
I would also like to ask for help
in locating the parents of my g-g-grandfather John Henry Gowan, bc1870 in GA or
TN, d1951. He had a brother, Willie Gowan and a sister Margaret who married
Charlie Birch/Burch. His parents moved away when he was 13, and he was left
with "Granny Green." He was married to Tecoa Vaughn May 21, 1900. Their
children were Charles Eugene [my g-grandfather], Abbie, Monnie, Burton, Robert
and William Gowan. I am a new family tracker and have hit a wall already.
Angela Gowan, Box 221, Mason, TN, 38049, 901/294-2334.
==Dear Cousins==
My g-g-grandmother, Martha "Patsy"
Goings/Goins was born in Choctaw Nation [Mississippi] about 1812. She was
married there about 1832 to Eli Crowder. Sometime after 1845 they removed to
Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. Two broth-ers, Jim Going and Gibson Going
accompanied them, and all settled near the present-day Boswell, Oklahoma in
Choctaw County.
She was a Choctaw by blood, and
her husband was not. She and all her children went on the Choctaw rolls. I'm
enclosing a print-out of her chart for the Foundation Library. I would like to
correspond with any Choctaw researcher who can tell me more about my
g-g-grandmother's family. My Foundation member-ship is enclosed. Carlotta
Earlene Hollis Bates, 301 Berkeley Park Blvd, Kensington, CA, 94707
==Dear Cousins==
I'm sure you have heard this
before, but WOW, what a won-derful surprise when I received all those back
issues of the Newsletter! In my lifetime I could never duplicate the hours of
research that the Foundation is doing.
I live in the foothills of
Virginia and have access to several counties only a short distance away. I
would be willing to help anyone with their Virginia research. Just let me
know!!!
My search for Goins [as we
currently spell our surname] is the line of William Gowens who was married to
Rebecca Jones December 12, 1850 in Surry County, NC. The 1860 census of Stokes
County, NC reflects one child, W. A, age 10 [William Albert Gowen.] He was
married to Elizabeth Johnson October 29, 1868 in Surry County. Can anyone help
with this line? Cindy Goins Young, Box 3791, Martinsville, VA, 24115.
==Dear Cousins==
In addition to the Gowens family,
we have researched the families of Harlan, Polk, Pollock, Dee and Stewart. If
any members of the Foundation are in pursuit of any of these lines, we'll be
glad to donate a copy of our research to them.
Additionally we have recently
installed a CDROM and have disks on VA, TN, NC, SC, AL, GA, IL, IN, OH and MD.
These are primarily marriage records and other county records. We'll be glad to
do searches for GRF members at no charge. A SASE and two 29c stamps is
requested with each name search. Walt & Margaret Turner, 611 East 600 South,
Orem, UT, 84058
==Dear Cousins==
I seek information on James
[Samuel] Going, bc1820 Amherst County or Albemarle County, VA. He was married
in 1843 in Amherst County to Gabriella Skinner, daughter of Tali-ferro Skinner.
They were enumerated in the 1850 census of Nel-son County, Virginia adjoining
the households of his father, Samuel Going and his brother, Robert A. Going.
Gabriella continued to bear
children until 1867, but in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 enumerations, she appeared
as the head of a household, and no husband was recorded. Surely nineteenth
century rural Virginia mores prevented the conclusion we would draw today. Can
anyone help with this family? Rozier Ded-wylder, 198 Newgate Rd, Hamilton, GA,
31811.
==Dear Cousins==
I am hoping to get further
information on a family I believe I am connected to--Shadrack Going/Gowen in
Patrick County, Virginia. He possibly may lead back to Thomas Going/Gowen who
came to Virginia in the 1600s. My ancestor is Isaac Gowen in Vermillion County,
IL 1840, 1850, 1860. Any information on either or all three will be
appreciated. Helen Ledford, Rt. 1, Novinger, MO, 63559.
==Dear Cousins==
I'm researching the family history
of Joel W. Goings and George W. Goings, sons of Jason Goings of Jefferson
County, Virginia [later West Virginia]. The two brothers and their father moved
into Ohio in in the late 1820s, locating in Guernsey County. Joel W. Goings was
married there to Elizabeth Cole November 15, 1831.
Joel W. Goings and Elizabeth Cole
Gowens had 11 children, 10 were born in Guernsey County and one was born in
Shelby County, Ohio where they moved about 1850. Any further in-formation you
may have on this Goings line would be deeply appreciated. Rosemary Dunne, Box
687, Amherst, VA, 24521.
==Dear Cousins==
I am a descendant of Jinny [Jane]
Goen/Goin/Goings of St. Landry Parish, LA. Jinny Goen was my g-g-g-grandmother,
and I believe she was born c1795 in SC. She was married March 12, 1814 in St.
Landry Parish to Jordan Perkins who was, born c1793 in Aiken, SC.
I do not know who her parents
were, but Louisiana census records show them living near Phillip Goen/Goins.
There was also a Thomas Goins who was included in my family line.
They were enumerated in 1840 in
Calcasieu Parish, LA, in 1850 in Houston Co, TX and in 1860 in Bee Co, TX.
Their children were: Jacob, bc1815; Carlotta, bc1816; Jesse, bc1817; Hader,
bc1827; Joshua, bc1828; Washington, bc1835 and Olive bc1839.
I have been told that your
Foundation has been very active in assisting Choctaw descendants in all spelling
versions of the surname. I would welcome correspondence from other re-searchers
of this family, and I would like to join your Founda-tion. Sandra M. Loridans,
Apartado 844, 45900, Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
==Dear Cousins==
We were glad to learn of the
Foundation and the great work you are doing. We our enclosing $100 for our
Sustaining Mem-bership. We are seeking information about our
great-grand-mother, Julia Ann Goins Tabler whose death certificate is
en-closed. She was the daughter of Joshua Goins and was born February 24, 1859
in Albemarle County or Augusta County Virginia. She died September 7, 1920 in
Athens County, Ohio on the West Virginia line.
Her oldest granddaughter is still
alive and says that Julia Ann claimed Indian ancestry. She always wore her hair
in a long braid in the back and had an olive complexion. Her family was closely
associated the Ailstock family. We would like to learn her mother's maiden name
and any additional information about her ancestry that the Foundation and your
researchers might have. Gary & Okeema Traugh, 1400 Staunton Ave, Parkersburg,
WV, 26101, 304/428-3842 or 304/428-8468.
September 1994
We have heard forever that our
Ivy/Ivey/Ivie family is Choctaw. Several older people say our great-grandfather
Isaiah Ivey, Jr. knew our Choctaw lineage and knew how to prove it. He was born
in February 1822 in Wayne County, MS and died in November 1905 in Lampasas
County, TX. An older man in the family states that Isaiah Ivy, Sr. was one-half
Choctaw.
Isaiah Ivy, Jr, in his old age,
wouldn't reveal his Choctaw lineage to his children and grandchildren because he
did not want them moving away to Oklahoma to receive tribal land in 1902.
Isaiah Ivy, Sr. was a son of James & Mourning Ivy, and their children were born
in South Carolina. They applied for land as Mississippi Choctaws and were
denied.
Can the Foundation or any of your
Choctaw researchers sug-gest a way to find our Choctaw roots? Ann Wallace, 537
Misty Ridge Lane, Weatherford, TX, 817/596-8297.
==Dear Cousins==
I am having difficulty locating
the parents of my great-grandmother, Mariah Goins. She was born in 1851,
according to the 1870 Kansas census. According to her enumeration, her fa-ther
was born in Kentucky and her mother in Ohio. I would ap-preciate any help you
can give. Terry D. Wright, 645 W. North St, Piqua, OH, 45356
==Dear Cousins==
I cannot express to you how
exciting it was to receive your letter and the packet of Goins data. I had
written with little ex-pectation of any immediate results. You will share a
joy, I am sure. when I tell you that the 4th paragraph of the Foundation
Manuscript, page 4202 contained the names of the parents of my
g-g-g-grandmother, Virginia "Jenny" Goins, which I had not previously known.
I had never heard of a "Turkish
Melungeon," but the Ash-worth family who were associated with the Goins family
in Louisiana claimed to be of Moorish-Turkish descent.
I was very familiar with the Gowen
Sanitarium in Shreveport during my early childhood there. It was nice to read
the remarks about the Sanitarium of Linda McDowell in "Dear Cousins." I would
never have dreamed any relation to this family. We all stay pretty close to
that home base. don't we. Sandra M. Lori-dans, Apdo. Postal 844, 45900 Chapala,
Jalisco, Mexico.
==Dear Cousins==
Thank you very much for the back
issues of the Newsletter--my husband and I are enjoying reading about all the
Gowens, Goings, Goins, and on and on with the spelling variations. What a
surprise to learn that David Goings of Orlando is working on my Goins family of
Lincoln County, NC. It will be several weeks before I complete compiling the
history of Phillip Pinkney Goins, but the first copy will be directed to the
Foun-dation Library. Madge W. Philbeck, 716 Georgia Ave, Statesville, NC,
28677.
October 1994
I am researching the George
Forrest Goins family. I believe he was from NC. He was married in 1872 in
Lawrence County, MS to Ann Alma Carr. He may be as-sociated with the Goins
family of Medford, OR. Can anyone help? Sue Dorman, 507 W. Minnesota,
Brookhaven, MS, 39601.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking the parents of my
g-grandmother Mariah/Maria Goins/Goens born November 4, 1856 in Illinois. She
was mar-ried about 1875 to William Jennings Dial in Leavenworth Co, KS. She
died January 8, 1917.
In 1870 census "Mariah Goins, 19"
was shown as a house-keeper in the household of Mary Lempesley/Joseph Walter in
Leavenworth County. In 1900 and 1910 census returns Mariah Goins reported that
her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Ohio. Most grateful for any
help on Mariah Goins. If any members need research done in Miami County, OH,
I'll be glad to assist. Terry D. Wright, 645 W. North St, Piqua, OH, 45356,
513/773-9378.
==Dear Cousins==
I have heard wonderful things
about your organization and its success in finding missing ancestors. I am
enclosing our membership application and our ancestor chart back to Claude
[originally Comfort] Goings whom we regard as a son of Com-phort Goings and
Elizabeth Starbird Goings of Shirley, MA.
Claude Goings changed his name
from Comfort Goings during the Civil War. He served in the 8th New Hampshire
In-fantry Regiment and was a prolific letter writer.
Many of his letters appeared in
"New Hampshire Fights the Civil War." He was born February 7, 1836 in
Thorndike, ME and was married in New London, NH September 1857 to Eliza-beth
Starbird. He died November 17, 1913 in New London. We regard Claude Goings as
a g-grandson of Ebenezer and Abigail Gowing of Shirley, MA. Can anyone help tie
all this together? Jean Kimball, 34 Meadowlake Drive, Mexico, MO, 65365.
==Dear Cousins==
While doing research on my family
history, I discovered that I have a Gowin branch in my family tree. I was
"lurking" on the computer bulletin board when I "overheard" one person telling
another that your Foundation has the largest collection of Gowin records
anywhere. I am enclosing the records of my branch of the family for your
collection also.
My first Gowin ancestor was Mary
Ann Gowin, born April 1, 1832 in KY. She was married in 1850 in IN to John
Hopson. She died in Jefferson County, MO May 19, 1912. She was the daughter of
James Gowin, born in 1801 in VA, and Jane True, also born in VA. I would
appreciate any information the Foun-dation and its members can provide on my
family. Diane M. Howard, 18201 E. Park Dr, Cleveland, OH, 44119.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking information on my
g-gm Margaret Goins who was born in 1822, place and parents unknown, She was
married about 1840 to Lewis W. Bryant who was born in 1820. He died in 1864,
and she died January 9, 1903 in Crenshaw County, AL and was buried there in
Panola Methodist Church Cemetery. Children born to them include: Mary Ann
Bryant, born April 30, 1857. She was married about 1876 to William Henry Davis,
born February 22, 1851 to Franklin Wesley Davis and Mary Tabitha Schofield Davis
who were married March 9, 1848 in Pike County, Alabama. Mary Ann Bryant Davis
died September 26, 1920, and he died July 18, 1934. Rex Addison, Rt. 2, Box
277-D, Altha, FL, 32421.
November 1994
One week after we talked on the
phone, my granddaughter, April Mitchell Howerton, age 15 and her best friend,
also age 15 were killed in an automobile accident by a drunk driver. She was
our first granddaughter, and you can imagine the heartaches we have carried
during the intervening weeks. She was so beautiful, and she was the only one of
present generation that showed the Melungeon/Choctaw characteristics with her
olive skin, bark hair and those beautiful dark eyes.
This is in explanation for the
delay in expressing our appre-ciation for your letter and the print-out of the
lives of Thomas D. and Nancy Goins/Gowen of Atascosita District, Coahuila y Te-jas
[later Liberty County, Texas] and descendants. They were my
g-g-g-g-grandparents. I was not aware that they received a Texas land grant of
4,606 acres or that their heirs spent 70 years wrangling over it in court. I am
enclosing a run-down of my lineage back to them to add to Section 124 of the
Foundation Manuscript along with my 1995 membership. Thanks so much for the
back issues of the Newsletter. Sherry M. Chitty, Box 1892, Onalaska, TX, 77360,
409/646-3390.
==Dear Cousins==
I am forwarding "Six Decade Index
of Henry County, Vir-ginia, 1790-1840" by Anne V. Miller for the Foundation Li-brary.
Using federal census returns and county tax lists, the compiler has assembled a
comprehensive list of the citizens of early Henry County.
You will notice that there were 12
families of interest to Gowen chroniclers in 1790, headed by: Benjamin Gowing,
Charles Gowing, Claborn Gowing, David Gowing, Isaac Gow-ing, John Gowing [on
Berry Branch], John Gowing [on Russel Creek], Laban Gowing, Nathan Gowing,
Shadrack Gowing and William Gowing. During the decade most removed to Ten-nessee.
In 1800 only John Going remained
in Henry County. In 1810 Berry Going, Elizabeth Going and Simon Going were
recorded there. No Gowen families were enumerated there in 1820 and 1830. The
1840 census listed only Claiborn Going and John P. Going in Henry County.
Granville W. Hough, 3438 Bahia Blanca W, Apt. B, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653.
December 1994
Wow! I am impressed! Before I
even knew that you had published my letter of inquiry in the Newsletter, I began
to re-ceive responses. Now I have found yet other cousins with whom I can
share. And now we can pool our energies and perhaps meet with lots of success.
Enclosed is my membership applica-tion. I am looking forward to future
Newsletters. Diane M. Howard, 18201 E. Park Dr, Cleveland, OH, 44119.
==Dear Cousins==
I read your story of the John F.
Gowen farm [Newsletter, October 1994] with keen interest. Having done extensive
re-search in this line, I was familiar with most of the documents men-tioned,
but I have not found any documents that reveal the mid-dle initial of William,
John or Mary Keife Gowen.
The only member of this family who
signed his name in Stafford County, VA was Ambrose Gowen. Each of the others
made his mark using the initial letter of his first name with the exception of
John who used the initial letter of his first and last names joined together.
At first glance, this ligature
resembles an "F." Mary's "M" on one document resembles a "W," but on closer
inspection, it is an "M." These unique marks prove that they were the same
peo-ple later in Lunenburg County, VA who sold their land in Fair-fax County.
Photostats of the signature marks are enclosed.
I regard "William, Ambrose and
Thomas Goings" recorded in the records of Granville County, NC to be sons of
William & Catherine Gowen of Stafford County, VA. I also believe "David Goins"
of Henry County, VA was the son of Ambrose Gowen. "John Goins" who was born on
the Flatt River in Granville County, NC in 1750 had a long, close relationship
with John Riddle. Both appear in Fincastle County, VA and Montgomery County, VA
records during 1777-1780s. They are living next to each other in Stokes County,
NC during the 1790s. One re-searcher suggested they were brothers-in-law. Jack
Goins, Rt, 2, Box 275, Rogersville, TN, 37857. Thanks, Jack for catch-ing our
"initial errors." Researchers note corrections.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking information on my
great-grandparents, Alex Clark and Mary Ann Goin Clark who were married January
15, 1860 in Hamilton County, TN. Can anyone supply the names of their parents
and their places and dates of birth. Elroy Kirk-patrick, Box 983, Diamond
Springs, CA, 95619.
==Dear Cousins==
After several years of research
[and much frustra-tion], I have finally completed my search to prove that I am a
direct descen-dant of William Alexander Gowen of York County, ME [Newsletter,
April 1990]. This came from a handwritten manuscript, unpublished, by Angevine
Wesley Gowen [Newsletter, March 1992] entitled "Cider Hill Annals."
I live within five miles of the
old Gowen home-stead and vis-ited the Gowen Cemetery last year. The last time I
saw Angevine in the early twenties; he was surveying in York Beach, and I was on
a school bus coming home. As a child, I was taken by my mother by
horse-and-buggy to visit Angie and my Great Aunt Julia. While there, Angie
played his violin for me. Memo-ries, memories! Flora Woodford, 1324 US Rt. 1,
Cape Ned-dick, ME, 03702,
==Dear Cousins==
My g-gm was named Margaret
Robertson Gowans and was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland November 24, 1856. She
was married to John Cross who brought his family to the U.S. about 1878. She
died October 3, 1907 in Allegheny County, MD. She was the daughter of James
Gowans and Janet Robertson. James Gowans parents were Alexander Gowans and
Elizabeth Gilmore. Does the Foundation or anyone have anything helpful on this
family? Joseph Shirley, RD3, Box 31, Meyersdale, PA, 15552.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks for the large package of
Newsletter back issues . . . I think. I sat up until 6:20 a.m. and read every
last one of them!
I have just returned from a
7,500-mile research trip, trying to re-trace the steps of my ancestors--Goins,
Perkins, Willis, Sweat and Johnston as they headed west. I have covered
courthouses in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
It seems that my 5th g-gf Jacob
Willis may have been the leader of the trek into Spanish Louisiana. He was the
first Protestant minister west of the Missis-sippi and planted the early Baptist
churches in south-western Louisiana. He, a half-Chero-kee, spoke sev-eral
Indian dialects and was known as the "Apostle to the Opelousas."
I gathered much Goins data in the
8-state sojourn which I will pass along to the Foundation as soon as I have had
time to process it. I learned of a Spanish census of the Choctaw Nation taken
long before the Louisiana Purchase. At the first opportu-nity, I will scan it
for Goins individuals among the tribesmen for the Foundation. Sandra M.
Loridans, Apartado Postal 844, 45900 Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico.
January 1995
I have just read "C.S.S.
Alabama, Avenging An-gel of the Confederacy" by Max Guerout in the De-cember
issue of the "National Geographic." This warship sunk, burned or cap-tured 64
Union vessels during a 22-month rampage through three oceans. However, she met
her nemesis in the U.S.S. Kearsarge, Yankee cruiser off Cherbourg, France in
June 1864 in the English Channel.
In the sea battle, in which the
Alabama was sunk, the Kearsarge lost only one man--Seaman William Gowin
[Newsletter, December 1990] of New York. Has any Foundation researcher come up
with addi-tional information on this William Gowen? George William Gowan, 1128
Eastbrook, Webster Groves, MO, 63110, 314/962-9744. Your inquiry prompted the
Foundation to request the naval record of William Gowin from the National
Archives. More on Seaman Gowin when the re-ply is received.
==Dear Cousins==
We were really excited when Donna
Gowin John-ston of Casper, WY told us about the Foundation. We logged onto the
Electronic Library, and it was fun, can't wait to get full access. We
downloaded the membership application form, and our two member-ships are
enclosed. We will be proud to be members of the Foundation. Steve W. Sowers,
Box 56, Bethany, IL, 61914 and Melody Doss, 313 N. Mc-Clellan, #3, Sullivan, IL,
61951.
==Dear Cousins==
It was intriguing to read of
Richard A. Gowan of Smith County, MS where I was born, and where my ancestor,
Patsy Gowen/Guyon Richardson died as wife of Elijah Richardson? Could you
publish an ar-ticle on John Gowan, father of Richard A. Gowan? This John Gowan
might be a sibling of my ancestor. Please give me the names and addresses of
all the re-searchers working on this branch of the family. Prof. Granville W.
Hough, 3438 Bahia Blanca W, Apt. B, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653. John Gowan was the
sub-ject of an article by Phillip Alan Gowan [Newsletter, December 1989]
==Dear Cousins==
Our branch [Margaret Tate, Barbara
Clements and I] have had difficulty getting our lineage back beyond Ezekial
Gowen [1773-1869] and his parents Ezekial Gowen and Sally Gowen. There's no
doubt that we descend from the Scottish prisoner-of-war William Gowen. My
opinion is that he was not, as some records suggest, a Scottish Highlander,
rather a Lowland Scot since he spoke English, was a Protestant and could read
and write. His signature appears frequently in the early-day York Court
documents which he witnessed. Apparently most of the setters in that period
were illiterate."
It was fascinating to hear of some
researchers making a break-through to William Gowen with Angevine Gowen's "Cider
Hill Annals." Keep us posted on news about this manuscript. Mary Ellen Gowen
Waugh, 6401 Auburn Ave, Riverdale, MD, 20737.
==Dear Cousins==
Do you have any information in the
computer files on a Lewis Gowen who had a son, Ezekiel Gowen born May 9, 1739 in
Kittery, ME, married September 17, 1771, d1817 at Sanford, ME? This Ezekiel
Gowen might be the father of my Ezekiel Gowen, b1773/74. Margaret Pearson Tate,
34 Washington St, Exeter, NH, 03833.
==Dear Cousins==
Need information on John Going,
bc1749 to Shadrack Going of Patrick County, VA. I regard John Going as the
father of my Thomas Going, b1795 in VA. Children of Thomas Going have the same
names as children of Shadrack Going. Can anyone confirm? Help and exchanges
appreciated. Anna G. Dunkley, Rt. 2, Box 234, Westfield, NC, 27053.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking information on my
grandparents, George Washington Goings and Eugenia Elizabeth Driggers Goings who
lived in Berkley County, SC in the late 1800s. I have every Newsletter which
you have published, and you have carried many articles referring to men named
George Washington Go-ings, however none of them appeared to be connected to my
grandfather. He died about 1915, and my grandmother died some time before.
Their children were Grover
Cleveland, Vermell, Viola, Becky, Daisy, Kathleen, Philip, Rachel and Mary.
Rachel Go-ings, my mother was born October 14, 1898 and died January 23. 1970.
My parents removed to Virginia when they were mar-ried, and I remember that my
mother received letters from her sisters, and sometimes she visited them. At
present, I do not know how to communicate with any of their children. Can the
Foundation members assist me to find my family? Virginia H. Borum, 839 Ellen
St, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034.
==Dear Cousins==
My earliest known ancestor is
James Goyne, Sr, [Newsletter, October 1990] born May 10, 1755 in Lunenburg
[later Meck-lenburg] County, VA. He was married about 1775, wife's name Mary,
probably in Cam-den, Kershaw Co, SC and later fought in the American Revolu-tion.
After the war, he lived in Georgia and Louisiana, finally settling in Kemper
County, MS where he died.
Do you have a record of any
brothers and sisters of James Goyne, Sr? What is known about other Goyne/Goius
families who may be related? Casey L. Stafford, 600½ S. Silver, Deming, NM,
88030.
February 1995
Thank you for the Newsletters
and the information you re-cently sent to me regarding the various Gowans
families of La-narkshire, Scotland. I am impressed with the level of effort
that has gone into the Newsletters and the organization of the Foun-dation.
This the best I have seen of any family organiza-tion. Along with my membership
application I am enclosing some print-outs of the information I have on my
Gowans an-cestors and their descendants. I would be glad to exchange Gowans
data with anyone in pursuit of the Lanarkshire family. Joseph Shirley, Rt. 3,
Box 31, Meyersdale, PA, 15552.
==Dear Cousins==
I am searching for the ancestors
of my great-grandparents, Crawford H. Goin, born October 1847 and Mary Virginia
Price Goin, born in April 1845, who were enumerated in the 1900 census of
Appomattox County, VA in Clover Hill Dis-trict near Pamplin, VA. Crawford H.
Goin had five brothers; Charles L. Goin and Jerry T. Goin of Salem, VA; Glenn A.
Goin, Norfolk, VA; Harry L. Goin, Middle River, MD and Emmett H. Goin,
Baltimore. He also had a sister, Florence Goin who was married to J. B.
McFaddin.
Also in the Clover Hill District
was Powhatan B. Goin and his sister Elizabeth A. Goin enumerated together in
1900. He was born in Virginia in February 1848, and she was born there in May
1849. The Elijah P. Fore family, located nearby, ap-peared to be closely
associated with the Goins. I have a large collec-tion of Goin family data which
I would be glad to ex-change with Foundation researchers. Janice Farrington
Samuelson, 210 Winding Way, Salisbury, NC, 28147.
==Dear Cousins==
It is encouraging to hear that
break-thrus do occur in our William Alexander Gowen branch of the family.
Thanks for the revised draft of the York County, ME section of the Foun-dation
manuscript. I am reading and re-reading Sections .078 and .080 and making
charts to show where my Benjamin Gowen "hooks on." Alas, so far, still a dead
end. I am also constructing a time-line chart for him. Maybe the computer will
reveal something I've been missing. Any suggestions?
Enclosed is my Sustaining
Membership and a gift member-ship for my daughter in New York. Since the next
generation may have to solve some of these Gowen family puzzles, it's time to
get them involved. Susan B. Liedell, 148 Kate's Path, Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675.
==Dear Cousins==
My sister, Bessie Dean Dent and I,
had the sad privilege of attending the funerals of two of our first cousins
recently. James Vernon Gowen, Jr. and his brother Guy Albert Gowen, both of
Charlton County, were g-g-g-grandsons of Lt. James Gowen, Revolutionary soldier
of Beaufort District, South Car-olina. James died November 10 at age 77, and
Albert died De-cember 18. I am enclosing obituary information on both so that
you may add it to their files in the Foundation Library. They were also cousins
to Charles Latimer Gowen of Atlanta, Barney Alexander Gowen of Woodbine and
Miller A. Gowen of Geneva, Switzerland.
I appreciate the work the
Foundation is doing to chronicle all the branches of the family. My membership
for 1995 is en-closed. Hazel Dean Overstreet, 5175 Odum Hwy, Odum, GA, 31555.
==Dear Cousins==
Need information on John Going
b1824 in VA. I regard him as a brother of my Jonathan Going, b1822 in VA.
John's wife, Betsy Beasley. b1823. may be a sister to Jonathan's wife, Han-nah
Beasley, b1826. Both couples were married in 1846 in Surry County, NC. Jean
Grider, 1734 Salem Church Rd, Cave City, KY, 42127.
==Dear Cousins==
In regard to William Gowen, Jr.
and Jamima "Jimminy" Burns Gowen [Newsletter November 1994], while searching for
my Garrets, I came across two references to them in the Bedford County. VA court
minutes [photostats enclosed]. These docu-ments show that they were married
about seven years earlier that previously thought. In the minutes for 1777,
page 135, appears:
"Jamima Going, wife of William
Gowin, a soldier in the service of the United States all'd [al[owed] £10 in the
hands of William Leftwich, Gent. Ordered to be cert'd [certified] to treasurer,"
The court minutes of Bedford County
dated July 27, 1778 read:
"Jamima Going, wife of William
Going, Jr, all'd £8 for the support of herself and Family for Six Months in the
absence of her Husband, a soldier in the service of the United States in the
hands of William Leftwich, Gent. which is ordered to be Cert."
Their sons, James Burns Gowen
[Newsletter March 1990] and Dr. William Davis Gowen [Newsletter April 1992] were
born to them after the Revolutionary war. These documents also tend to prove
that William Gowen, Jr. was a Revolutionary sol-dier. I wonder why Jamima did
not apply for a pension on her husband's service. Maybe she did, and it has
just not yet sur-faced. June A. Smith, Box 85, Belfair, WA, 98528.
==Dear Cousins==
I am saddened to forward the news
on to you of the sudden death of Rev. Richard Goins of Ottumwa, IA [Foundation
Ed-itorial Boardmember]. Enclosed is an obituary sent to me by Richard's wife,
Marietta. He died shortly after being involved in an automobile accident near
his home. Marietta was seriously injured, but is recovering.
The Goins were such a nice
couple. We became acquainted though the Foundation [Newsletter May 1993] in our
Goins family research. They visited us in California carrying a box of photos
of our common relatives. This was so typical of Richard . . . always ready to
share any genealogical information or books that he had. Jeraldine M. Webb,
1318 Domador, San Clemente, CA, 92673.
March 1995
We need to add another child to
the family of William Gowan and Anastasia Sullivan Gowan of Goochland and
Bed-ford Counties, Virginia and Madison County, Kentucky. Insert Sally Gowan,
born about 1792, as their umpteenth child. Please see photostats of Madison
County marriage bond record dated January 22, 1808 enclosed.
Anastasia Sullivan Gowan wrote a
note on that date to the Madison county clerk requesting that he "please issue a
marriage license to Thomas Sanders and my daughter, Sally Goan." A bond of £50
was posted by Thomas Sanders and Joseph Gowan/Going, brother of Sally Gowan.
"Joseph [X] Goan," the Revolutionary soldier and his son, Francis [X] Goan"
witnessed the signature of "Annaster Goan, widow."
When I visited the courthouse
there, I found these misfiled documents without realizing that they had been so
badly kept. They were all in neat little boxes like they had spent the whole
time there. As in any old depository, we know that they change containers and
locations many times. June A. Smith, Box 85, Belfair, WA, 98528.
==Dear Cousins==
The Mormons have just opened a
Family History Centre here, but much of the research material I need now is
found only in the major libraries. I am searching for a compatible re-searcher
in Cornwall where my Goyen/Gowen lineage has stalled. Any suggestions?
I have had a couple of letters
from Evelyn McKinley Orr of Omaha who shares my interest in the mysterious
Melungeons. There seems to be a gene for a dark skin even in my family with
Cornish ancestors. It is probably so diluted with white ancestry that it is
difficult to evaluate. It must be dominant. DNA testing is progressing so
rapidly that we will probably have some an-swers one day soon. Future
genealogists will probably use real genes in genealogy.
It is interesting to read about
the Turkish influence. The Turks were raiding the Cornish coast during the
1400s, plun-dering and stealing church items, plus women and children. Maybe
that's how we arrived there.
Have any of the American Gowens
traced their ancestry out of America yet? If so, I would like to contact them
to compare their discoveries with mine. Robert J. Goyen, 523 Sutton St,
Sebastopol 3356, Victoria, Australia.
==Dear Cousins==
We were glad to learn that you
have arranged with Jack Greene of Hilton Head, SC to research our Gowen/Greene
an-cestors of Beaufort and Colleton Districts, SC and also the mystery of the
Gowrie Conspiracy/Gowrie Tract in Camden Co, GA. I am enclosing some additional
Gowen family in-formation for the manuscript along with sustaining Member-ships
for our chil-dren in Switzerland and Hong Kong to add to the Founda-tion mailing
list. Maybe the genealogy bug will bite, and you will soon have three new Gowen
researchers. Although I don't seem to be travelling as much as I once did, I
hope to see my American cousins again soon. Miller Abbott "Bud" Gowen, P.O. Box
2389, 1211 Geneva [2], Switzer-land.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks so much for remembering me
and my struggle against atomic poisoning. I am still struggling for myself and
all of the atomic veterans of World War II who entered the Japanese contaminated
areas of radiation without any warning from our government. My body has
steadily weakened since that fateful day in 1945 when we entered Hiroshima, and
my voice has be-come much weaker. But it is good to know that someone still
cares and that "my cousins" will add their strong voices to con-tinue to carry
my plea to our government. I hope that that someone in our government will
eventually admit its abandon-ment of its loyal soldiers. It exposed them to
radiation poison-ing 50 years ago and then denied any responsibility for
sen-tencing them to a slow death. Thank you, my cousins, for your kind
consideration of us and our plight. James M. Gowin, First Atomic Veteran and
son of a Civil War Veteran, 1075 Lovers Leap Road, Kingston Springs, TN, 37082
==Dear Cousins==
I am interested in corresponding
with anyone related to Wi-ley Williamson Goynes/Goings, b1799 GA, and his wife
Martha Brister Goynes/Goings, b1804/05 KY. I have a document from a newspaper
listing his father as James Goynes/Gaynes/Goings. Margaret F. Goynes Olson, 303
E. Hoffman Ave, Kingsville, TX, 78363.
==Dear Cousins==
Henri and I have just completed an
intensive Spanish course at the University of Guadalajara, and it was almost too
much for an "old lady." We had to get up at 5:30 a.m. every day, leave at 7:15
and be in our classroom at 8:00. With all that now behind us, I can resume my
family research and gladly undertake the Editorial Board assignment.
Soon I will send to you the Goins
material I gathered on our research trip thrugh the southern states in October
and Novem-ber. Family researchers will be interested to know that Jane Parker
McManus has moved back to Alexandria, LA to be closer to her research work. She
is presently working on a book on cemetery listings of Louisiana.
Enclosed is my Sustaining
Membership for 1995. Sandra M. Loridans, Apartado Postal 844, 45900 Chapala,
Jalisco, Mexico.
==Dear Cousins==
I am looking for information
regarding my g-gf James G. Goins, bc1867 AL, d1949 in Butler County, AL. He
lived most of his life in Crenshaw Co, AL. He was married to Laura Cry-sell,
and they had nine or ten children. I believe his mother was a Harrison. Any
information would be appreciated. Kenneth R. Jones, 8590 Lakeshore Drive,
Southaven, MS, 38671, 601/342-1577.
==Dear Cousins==
Sometime ago our Pensacola
newspaper genealogical col-umn carried a news article about your Foundation, and
I wa de-lighted to learn about it. I would like to know if any of your
re-searchers are investi-gating the history of Revolutionary Soldier Charles
Gowens/Goings of Henry County, VA and Gallatin County, KY. He was enumerated
there from 1820 to 1850. His daugh-ter, Sally is my g-g-g-g-grandmother. If
you have any informa-tion on this family or can direct me to sonemone who does,
I would be grateful. I have collected information on other Gowens/Goings in
this area and will share with anyone who writes. Last year I inserted a query
in "Bluegrass Roots" and received a reply which stated that the Goings, etc and
their Melungeon connections had been well researched by you. What can your
organization tell me about them? Bernice S. Ridge-way, 1314 Hound Chase Circle,
Pen-sacola, FL, 32514
April 1995
I am enclosing an article about
Pfc. Archie Goins, S/N 35132322 who served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He
volunteered for the First Ranger Battalion and served in North Africa, Sicily
and Italy. He was captured by the Nazis and in-terned in various stalags in
Germany.
The article, written by Ranger
Col. Clarence H. Meltesen, was published in the March 1995 edition of "Ex-POW
Bul-letin." The brutality and savagery that Archie Goins endured at the hands
of the S.S. troops and prison guards do not make pretty reading, but I thought
you would like to have a copy for the Foundation Library.
I, too, was a prisoner-of-war and
underwent similar treat-ment. Col. Meltesen has written a book and several
articles about prisoners-of-war in the European Theatre during WWII. If the
Foundation or any of its members can identify Archie Goins, please contact me
with any details you can provide about his life. I will forward it on to Col.
Meltesen who is anxious to contact him. Darrel A. Russell, Natchez Trace
Genealogical Society, Box 420, Florence, AL, 45631. Our mailing list re-veals
three men of that name, Archie D. Goins, Spiro, OK, 918/962-3574; Archie Goins,
LaFollette, TN, 615/562-3120 and Archie E. Goins, Richmond, IN, 317/935-2223.
Perhaps our members will know of more. Good Luck!
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks to all for the wonderful
and thrilling information in the March Newsletter about James Burns Gowen.
Would also guess that his son, William Price Gowen [1824-1873] is buried there
in a now unmarked grave. His wife, Sydney Floyd Gowen [1829-1896] is buried in
Old Flat Creek Cemetery, Flat Creek, Tennessee in Bedford County. Since she
died 23 years later, it does seem logical.
We do appreciate the family
newsletter. it is excellent. Elizabeth Hale Morfitt, 353 Westmoreland Drive,
Idaho Falls, ID, 83402.
==Dear Cousins==
Over this past weekend, a set of
your Newsletters was do-nated to our society for its research library. We have
the second largest historical and family history/genealogy library is Queens
County and sponsor the Queens Genealogy Workshop.
Your officers, directors and
contributing members are to be commended for a well-written, attractive and most
interesting Newsletter. George P. Miller, Executive Director, Greater Ridgewood
Historical Society, 1820 Flushing Ave, Ridge-wood, NY, 11385, 718/456-1776.
==Dear Cousins==
Thank you so much for the large
packet of information about William Gowen and son, James Burns Gowen. These are
in-triguing men. We will pass this information along to our chil-dren and
grandchildren. John & Maxine Gowan, 404 Old Athens Pike, Sweetwater, TN, 37874.
==Dear Cousins==
This package contains Section 154
of the Foundation Manuscript which we have proofread and attached corrections,
revisions, expansions, etc. Also, extended information is in-cluded on Jonathan
Frederick Gowen and Amanda Jane Sexton Gowen and their descendants. Jonathan
Frederick Gowen is identified as the son of Jonathan Henry Gowen and Hannah J.
Beasley Gowen of Patrick County, Virginia and Adair County, Kentucky.
Many descendants of Jonathan
Frederick Gowen and his older kinsman Frederick Gowen [also of Patrick and Adair
counties] exhibit dark complexions and other distinctive fea-tures. Some
researchers regard them as Melungeon.
As new research and information is
received, it will be passed along to the Foundation. Thank you for your
continued work and dedication. Barbara J. Ludwig, 9848 W. Gardner Rd,
Bloomington, IN, 47403.
==Dear Cousins==
I am looking for information on
the parents of Sarah Gowen, bc1695 in VA. She was mc1714 to Nathan Morgan who
dc1750 in Onslow Co, NC. Sarah Gowen Morgan dc1765 in NC. Their son Gowen
Morgan was born in 1742 and died in 1781 in On-slow County. He was married
about 1765 to Mary Thompson. Bryan Huneycutt, 25561 Novela Way, Valencia, CA,
91355.
==Dear Cousins==
I am interested in corresponding
with anyone related to John Gowen, son of Shadrack Gowen of Patrick County, VA,
[c1800]. Hoping that John Gowen connects to my William Gowen line. C. G.
Young, Box 3791, Martinsville, VA, 74115, 703/632-4711.
==Dear Cousins==
I am writing to inquire about any
data you may have linking Gowen/Goins to either Barnes/Barns or Cannon/Kennon in
any Southern state. In particular, I'm interested in South Carolina data, as
there are hints of links in records there to my Barnes and Cannon families.
John Barnes of Greenville Co, SC,
deed dated 25 Aug 1797 to John Swaffer, 7 Apr 1798, for £30 sterling, 50 acres
adjacent Mager Gowens Corner . . . John Barnes, Wit: William Blyth, Daniel Blyth.
Researcher Brent Holcomb states, "Mager
Gowen was Maj. John "Buck" Gowen, a well-known figure in upper Greenville County
near the Spartanburg line. I believe that the current community of Gowensville
was near his residence."]
From Greenville Co. Deed Book D,
pp. 534-535:
"Mary Barnes of Greenville
District, SC [possibly widow of John Barnes] deed dated 28 March 1819, to Thomas
Payne for $100, tract of 100 acres in Greenville District on a branch of the
mid-dle fork of Saluda River whereon the said Mary Barnes and Henry Deen now
live. Mary [X] Barns [LS], Wit: John Gowen, James Gowen. Proved by the oath of
John Gowen, Junr that he saw Molly Barnes sign the deed, 7 Feb 1820."
There was a Goins marriage into
the Carter Cannon family. Carter Cannon was the father-in-law of John S. Barns
[1813 AL-1853 TX]. Carter's daughter, Elizabeth, married William Goins in TX.
Carter Cannon [c1794 SC-April 1875 Tarrant Co, TX.] Cecilie Gaziano, 4511
Fremont Avenue So, Minneapo-lis, MN, 55409, 612-825-8887, Fax 612-825-8174,
E-mail: [email protected] OR [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
I felt you would interested in an
Indian by the name of Gowane for whom landmarks in Brooklyn, New York were
named, according to "The Stone House at Gowanus," 1909 by Georgia Fraser:
"The first settlement by white
people within the boundaries of the present city of Brooklyn was made in I636,
just 27 years after Henry Hudson dropped anchor from the "Halve Maen" in what is
now New York Bay. In I636 "William Bennet and Jacques Bentyn pur-chased from
the Indians a tract of 930 acres of land at Gowanus, upon which, at some time
previous to the In-dian War of 1643-45~ a dwelling house was erected." This was
the beginning of the village of Gowanus, near Gowanus Bay; and the same name was
given to the re-gion bordering Gowanus Creek, afterward Gowanus Canal, and
extend-ing easterly to the wooded hills. The name, Gowanus, is an Indian one,
and was said to be the place where an In-dian, called Gowane, planted his corn."
I recall that the Iroquois
Confederacy, the fiercest and pre-dominant tribe in New York used to banish
other tribes of whom they became distrustful. The banished tribes, called
"squaws" by the Iroquois, were sent to the area which later became the states of
Virginia and the Carolinas.
A recent Newsletter article cited
the use of DNA testing to show a relationship between groups. This might add
some more diversity to the Melungeon mix. Another hypothesis suggests that
American Indians are the progeny of Asiatic travellers who crossed the Alaskan
land bridge. Genes of Ghengis Khan! Austin W. Gowan, Box 134, Wilmington, NY,
12997
May 1995
I descend from Shadrach Goings
bc1796 VA dc1885 Hardy Co, WV. Shadrach married twice: 1st to a Hester and 2nd
c1855 to Mary Webster in Hardy Co. Known children of Shadrach and Hester were
Hannah C, Mary Ann, Washington, Abraham, William H, Shadrach Jr, George, Isaac,
and Jacob [there are probable others judging from the gap in ages of the known
chil-dren].
Issue by Mary Webster were: Susan
T. Anna B. and Ella A. Shadrach Sr. owned and operated the only ferry across the
Po-tomac River outside of Moorefield, WV. I am interested in any information
the Foundation may have concerning this family and their ancestors. Also, I
would like to hear from anyone re-searching this family. Can you help? If I
can be of help in any way, please let me know. Joyce Hardy Cates, 4900 Pleasant
Ave, Fairfield, OH, 45014, 513/896-7897.
==Dear Cousins==
I am saddened to report the deaths
of two more Gowen cousins. I attended the funeral of Hazel Gowen Stapleton,
daughter of James Vernon Gowen and Agnes Dean Gowen, who was born November 23,
1912 and died February 8, 1995. She had eight brothers, but is survived only by
one, Harold Sidney Gowen. She was buried in Folkston Cemetery. Sheppard
An-drew Gowen, son of Andrew Greene Gowen, Jr. and Bertha Sheppard Grooms Gowen,
died January 29, 1995 at Waycross. He was buried at Traders Hill near the
graves of his parents and his grandparents. Hazel Dean Overstreet, 5175 Odum
High-way, Odum, GA, 31555.
==Dear Cousins==
I am searching for three brothers,
Abner Goins, Absalom Goins and Hirum Goins, all born in Georgia c1800, perhaps
Houston County. They reportedly removed to Missouri c1860. I regard them as
uncles of my James Elijah Goins. Would be pleased to hear from any researcher
with a lead. Jaymie Fred-erick, Box 361, Scobey, MT, 59063, 406/487-2738.
==Dear Cousins==
I recently had a visit from Sherry
Chitty. I was quite excited to meet her. My husband is a descendant of Thomas
D. Goins and Nancy Johnson Goins [Newsletter, February 1995]. His lineage is
through their daughter Sarah Goins. Sherry did not have any of the material
that I had. I will be happy to share what information I have with the
Foundation or any member. I am enclosing two memberships in the Foundation.
One is for Bell Cain Morrow of Houston, also a descendant of Thomas D. Goins,
and one is for me. Suzy Cain, 310 Commander Creek, Rt. 2, Galveston, TX, 77554,
409/935-8914.
==Dear Cousins==
Foundation members need to be
advised that the Foundation has no connection with the publication "Three
Centuries of Gowens" currently being offered for sale from Denver by "Gowen
Family News." The Editor.
==Dear Cousins==
In honor of Tennessee's
Bicentennial in 1996, the East Ten-nessee Historical Society is sponsoring a new
heritage program titled "First Families of Tennessee." The purpose of the
project is to identify and recognize all descendants of the first residents of
the state of Tennessee. Anyone who is directly descended from a person living
in Tennessee when the state was admitted to the Union in 1796, or before, is
eligible for membership in this permanent remembrance of his family history and
the Ten-nessee Bicentennial.
To qualify for membership in the First Families of Tennessee, the applicant must directly descend from an ancestor who settled in Tennessee prior to June 1, 1796. The applicant must be able to prove descent from the ancestor [male or female] by an ac-ceptable record or records for each generation, including proof for the applicant. Current Tennessee residence is not required.
Applicants who qualify and are admitted to membership in First Families of Tennessee will receive a handsomely designed cer-tificate issued by the East Tennessee Historical Society featuring the applicant's name and the name of the applicant's ancestor. In addition, members of First Families of Tennessee will receive invitations to members-only events and will have an opportunity to contribute to ETHS activities connected with the Bicentennial celebration in 1996.
The information furnished by applicants as proof of lineage will be placed in the McClung Historical Collection. There, as a re-source for other researchers and genealogists, it will serve as a valuable addition to the history of Tennessee and a source of in-formation and pride for future generations. For more informa-tion or for an application form, contact the East Tennessee His-torical Society, P.O. Box 1629, Knoxville, TN, 37901-1629 or call 615-544-5732.
June 1995
I am searching for the parents
and children of James W. Go-ings and Gabriella Skinner Goings who were married
in 1843 in Amherst County, VA. They had eight children that I am aware of:
Thomas, J, Louisa, Andrew Jackson [my gggf] Francis M, James H, Sanford W, Mary
James and Martha E.
Andrew Jackson Going was married
at age 23 to Nannie Elizabeth Nuckles May 9, 1871 at Lynchburg Virginia. Thanks
for any assistance. Nancy F. Byrd, 922 S. Coleman St, Tooele, UT, 84074,
801/882-2323
==Dear Cousins==
As you may remember, I have been
doing genealogy [free will] for the past 28 years. Would the Foundation or the
mem-bers be interested in Price genealogy? [Annie Price, daughter of Matthew
Price was married to James Burns Gowen.]
Linda Lou McDowell in "Dear
Cousins" [Newsletter, De-cember 1989] had a query on the connection with Robert
Burns. I am providing her with some Burns research which does not paint a
pretty picture of our ancestors on that side.
I am very proud of Sara Goins of
Dunlap, TN [Newsletter, July 1993]. She is a precious person and is one half of
the pair who does my book publishing.
I use my microfilm reader and a
film membership in Utah constantly to scan census returns for Gowen/Goin etc.
enumera-tions in various states. Would the Foundation Library be inter-ested a
copy of my research? Thanks for all the good things you have provided me in the
past. Mae Wilhelm, 183 Mathis Cir-cle, Estill Springs, TN, 37330.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks very much for the
recognition and the honor that you gave to my father, James Madison Gowin, the
Civil War veteran and me in the Newsletter, May 1995. Our combined lifespans of
154 years on this earth may be some kind of a record here, but it's just a
twinkling in God's scheme of things. James Madison Gowin, Jr, First Atomic
Veteran, 1075 Lovers Leap Road, Kingston Springs, TN, 37082.
==Dear Cousins==
Thank you very much for the
Foundation Newsletters that you have been sending to our library. They are
enjoyed by many people among our patrons. I personally enjoyed the article on
the Melungeons. I believe my Clark Mize was a member of this ethnic group.
Roberta Padgett, Librarian, Kentucky Ge-nealogical Society Library, Box 153,
Frankfort, KY, 40602.
==Dear Cousins==
I am enclosing some notes on
Charles & Elizabeth "Betsy" Going/Gowens taken from Big Spring Baptist Church
minutes of Claiborne County, Tennessee. It appears that this Henry County,
Virginia couple worshipped here from June 1804 until they were dismissed in
April 1812. Apparently they removed from here to Harrison County, KY [where a
daughter was mar-ried in 1814] and later to Gallatin County, KY where they
died. They may have been related to James & Elizabeth Going and Hannah Going
who were also members of the Big Spring church at that time.
Also enclosed are some early land
records of Pittsylvania County, Virginia along with a map of the area. Note
that this land lay in Henry County when it was created in 1776. Later the land
lay in Patrick County when it was created in 1790. A large concentration of our
ancestors were in this area. Donna Gowin Johnston, 1513 Westridge Terrace,
Casper, WY, 82604.
==Dear Cousins==
I have been on a "genealogy high"
ever since receiving your letter and the Foundation manuscript print-outs
regarding my ancestor Samuel Gowin. This amazing break-through shows what can
be accomplished when researchers share and work to-gether. I am so grateful for
the work and generosity of Frances Fleming of Carthage, Missouri who started the
chain reaction.
This morning I was awakened at
5:30 a.m. by a call from Morgan Buglier of Phoenix. I had written to him about
his grandmother, Lula May Goins Champion Reece Francis. Mor-gan and I talked
for 2½ hours, and we concluded that his Robert Goins and my Samuel Gowin may
have been brothers. You will be hearing from him soon.
Please send me a revised print-out
on Samuel Gowin and de-scendants after you have moved him "upstream" in the
Manuscript from Garland County, AR to Jefferson County, AL. Peggy A. White, 109
Underwood, Hopkinsville, KY, 42240.
==Dear Cousins==
I am enclosing a photograph of an
inscription I took on a visit to Canterbury Cathedral. The inscription "I.
Goings, 1749" appears on a wall in a small chapel on the lower level. I
ne-glected to ask about it while there. Can anyone explain its sig-nificance?
Annette Miner, Box 455, Pharr, TX, 78577.
July 1995
A thrill went down my spine
when I first heard about Gowen Research Foundation! I had goosebumps when I
first logged on to the Electronic Library and found acres and acres of Gowens!
After spending countless hours in
various libraries, it was a Godsend! My membership is enclosed!
Charles Gowens is my 6th
great-grandfather. He was born in 1763 in Henry County, VA and served in the
Revolutionary War. My line married into the Rose and Furnish families. They go
from Kentucky to Indiana to Kansas to Idaho. Could Gal-loway Goins be a brother
to Charles Gowens? He was married to Betsy Rose July 27, 1813. What about
Charles' parents? An-gela McDonald, 2721 N. Christine, Boise, ID, 83704.
Greg A. Bennatt identifies
Galloway Gowens as the oldest son of Charles Gowens and Elizabeth Blair Gowens.
He was married to Betsy Rose in 1813 in Harrison County, KY. His sister Lu-cinda
was married to Charles Rose there in 1812 and his sister Hannah was married to
William Rose there in 1812. Another triple play for the Gowens family!
==Dear Cousins==
Family tradition states that our
Jesse Harrison Gowin was born c1840 in Knoxville, TN. In 1862 he lived in
Loudon County, TN where his son, Jesse Harrison Gowin, Jr. was born July 28,
1862. Jesse Harrison Gowin died in Confederate ser-vice, and his widow
remarried Robert R. Redpate who removed to Illinois about 1870.
Jesse Harrison Gowin, Jr. was
married about 1887 in Sey-mour, MO to Sallie Ann Robertson. That's all we
know. Can you help? Are all Gowins so elusive? Our contributing mem-berships
are enclosed. Mary R. McKenney, 3421 Amherst, Dallas, TX, 75225, 214/691-5384.
==Dear Cousins==
Does anyone know of the connection
between the Gowen, Burleson and Hunt families of Davidson County, TN and Madi-son,
Etowah and Blount counties, AL? Wilford Burleson Gowen of Davidson County, TN
had two members of his family who had "Hunt" as a middle name. Gen. John Hunt
Morgan, CSA, was said to be a grandson of a Burleson. He was born at
Huntsville, AL which was named for his Hunt family. Any thoughts? Betty
Stevens, 2804 W. Boyce, Ft. Worth, TX, 76133, 817/921-0528.
August 1995
I am searching for
parents/ancestors of George Goings and William Zechariah Goings. George Goings
was married March 13, 1872 in Lawrence County, MS, wife's name Anne E. Anne E.
Goins was later remarried to William Zechariah Goings, re-garded as a brother of
George Goings. He was born December 13, 1854. William Zechariah Goings was
enumerated as the head of a household in the 1880 census of Logan County,
Arkansas. He was recorded at age 25 and she at age 22 with three children in
their family, ages five, three and one. William Zechariah, a Methodist circuit
rider, died in 1899. Can you help? Shirley A. Goings-Lindsey, 6933 Galemeadow
Circle, Dallas, TX, 75214, 214/826-6933.
==Dear Cousins==
My father's first cousin, Edna
Pearl Gowin Slayton had al-ready been researching the Gowin family about 30
years when I became interested in 1958. Her home was just south of
Indi-anapolis and was too far away for me to meet her, but we corre-sponded
regularly over the years. In the summer of '79 she said her eyes were becoming
too bad to continue research, and if I could make a trip to Indianapolis, she
would give me all of her "collection" since she didn't have any children to
leave it to. My four children were all still at home and we were always
"strapped" for money, so I knew I probably wouldn't get to go.
In April 1980, I mentioned to my
dad, "If I were rich, I'd buy me a plane ticket and go see Edna!" And much to my
amaze-ment, he said, "No problem. I can buy your ticket." I got there June 7,
and Edna and I visited for four days, almost non-stop, until long after midnight
each night. I took an extra empty suit-case [large!] and brought it home
completely full. She intro-duced me to the word "Melungeon." We had an
unforgettable time! Ten days after I returned home, she had a massive heart
attack and died. It was VERY unexpected and a tremendous shock. This taught me
to try not to put things off for too long. Just think, how close I came to
loosing all of her many years of research notes! Donna V. Gowin Johnson, 1513
Westridge Terrace, Casper, WY, 82604.
==Dear Cousins==
We were truly lucky that our first
edition of the Newsletter featured our ancestors, Thomas Goin and family. This
new in-formation filled a lot of "holes" in our records, and we look for-ward to
learning more in the future. Along with our member-ship, we are enclosing a
packet of ancestor charts for the Foun-dation Library and will gladly share all
of our research with ev-eryone. We are very much interested in your Melungeon
re-ports. Harold & Eileen Wasson, 104 Lochleven Rd, Severna Park, MD, 21146,
410/647-5387
==Dear Cousins==
What can you tell me about Wiley
W. Goynes, b1824 who was married to Elizabeth Dykes, b1828. She died in 1880 in
St. Helena Parish, LA, and he died there in 1897. Was he the son of Daniel C.
Goins who was married [1] to Milberry "Milly" Bryant Lee and [2] to Louisiana
Kenady? Virginia R. Kerr, 5098 Gibson Rd, McComb, MS, 39648.
September 1995
Can anyone assist me with
information on the Goins/Goings/Gowens of Lincoln County, North Carolina. I am
seeking details on:
Wiley Goins who was m1829 to
Elizabeth Clippard and m2-1839 to Anna Gooldman.
John M. Goins who was m1833 to
Mary "Polly" Clippard.
James Goins who was m1837 to Mary
A. Kincaid.
Sally Goings who was m1825 to
Jeremiah Smith.
Aaron Goings who was m1837 to Ann
Leonard.
I regard Wiley Goins as a brother
of John M. Goins and Elizabeth Clippard as a sister to Mary "Polly" Clippard. I
am interested in corresponding with anyone who has any data re-lating to these
individuals. Madge W. Philbeck, 716 Georgia, Statesville, NC, 28677.
October 1995
I am a descendant of James M.
Thurston, son of John Bart. Thurston of Greenville Co, SC. Another son, Elijah
Thurston was married about 1879 to Lettie Gowan. Because of her un-usual name,
I regard her as a descendant of Maj. John "Buck" Gowen who was married about
1759 to Lettice Winn "Letty" Bearden, daughter of John Bearden and Lettice Winn
Bearden. Lettice "Letty" Gowen, daughter of Maj. Gowen, was married about 1783
to Street Thurston. Can anyone document a rela-tionship between these Gowen/Gowan
and Thurston individu-als? Pat Wells, 804 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC,
28159.
==Dear Cousins==
I am enclosing my limited research
on my g-g-grand-mother, Louise Gowan/Gowen who was born about 1812 in VA or SC.
She was mc1832 in SC to William Roland Altom. He died about 1905. I would be
pleased to correspond with anyone who has information about them or their
descendants. Jenny Pen-nick Garner, 204 Superior Ave, Decatur, GA, 30030,
404/378-5080.
==Dear Cousins==
Earlier this year, Dr. Brent
Kennedy and his Melungeon film crew made a trip to Turkey. One exciting event
of the trip was to form plans for Chesme, Turkey, and Wise, Virginia, a home
area of the Melungeons to become sister villages. In September of this year,
Dr. George Culbertson, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of Clinch Valley
College of the Uni-versity of Vir-ginia, and Dr. Garett Sheldon, Professor of
His-tory at Clinch Valley College, traveled to Istanbul to meet with Dr. Kursun,
noted historian of Marmara University in Istanbul. Dr. Kursun recently
published his own work on the links be-tween the Ot-tomans and the Melungeons.
Drs. Culbertson and Sheldon also
attended ceremonies there commemorating Clinch Valley College and the University
of Istanbul as sister universities. The Melungeons have come a long way since
the dark days of denying their heritage.
The Turkish research team
continues to dig into the cultural similarities. Early conquerors, who date
back to the Ottoman Turks and the Islamic Moors' 700-year reign in the
Mediter-ranean, became the ancestors of many people found in the Mid-dle East
and Mediterranean today. Their complicated journey through history picked up a
mosaic of nationalities, some of whom, we feel, found their way to America. All
this can con-fuse family researchers today as it runs contrary to long held be-liefs
that our early ancestors in America descended from one na-tionality or some
combination of North European, Negro, Native American etc.
The word 'Turk' is also
misleading, as many historians be-lieve that the early Christian countries
applied the generic name 'Turk' to all the marauding Islamic nations, not just
those from Turkey, and, indeed, this is the viewpoint of Dr. Kennedy as well as
the Turkish scholars involved. Of course, in the 1500s all Islamic countries
were subjects of the Ottoman Empire.
Specialists in medicine,
anthropology, archaeology, history, linguistics and genetics on Dr. Kennedy's
Committee reveal that some early folks who wrote about the Appalachian
Melun-geons weren't too far off the mark. They believed they were much like a
'mysterious race' of their own. I am grateful for the early de-tailed writers,
such as Bonnie Ball and Jean Patterson Bible who were among the first to
recognize unusual Melun-geon traits. They gave me the idea to look into earlier
history.
Thank you, Arlee Gowen, for the
support you give the Melungeon search, for forming the Foundation's Melungeon
Team in 1990, and the fair hearing given to all the theories. Then, in 1992, we
discovered Dr. Brent Kennedy. His great per-sonal efforts, many talents,
ability to attract experts in vari-ous fields and his non-profit Melungeon film
project has tremen-dously helped the Melungeons find acceptance. We are proud
to be working with Dr. Kennedy as the search goes on. Evelyn McKinley Orr,
Chairman, Melungeon Research Team, 8310 Emmet Street, Omaha, NE, 68134.
November 1995
My g-g-gm was named Annestine
Goins [or possibly Goiner]. She was born January 21, 1835 in LA. She was mar-ried
to Absolom Perkins who was born in Rapides Parish, LA July 10, 1833. They
removed to Red River County, TX "where he was shot and killed while raising a
house with friends on his property," according to the January 29, 1886 edition
of the "Clarksville Standard."
Apparently Absolom Perkins was
remarried there to Susan Goodman October 9, 1875. I have a copy of a death
certificate of Texanna Bell Duty, wife of William Duty, showing Absolom Perkins
and Annestine Goines [Goiner?] as her parents. Can any member of the Foundation
assist me in learning more of Annes-tine Goins? Doris Webb Dunn, 1912 Back Bay
Drive, Galve-ston, TX, 77551, 409/744-9221
==Dear Cousins==
I am enclosing for the Foundation
Library a copy of the ab-stracts made by Carolyn Moore of Salem, MO of the Goins
family members and their kinsmen mentioned in oral histories published by
McDonald Furman in South Carolina newspapers. The charts drawn by Carolyn Moore
illustrate the intricate rela-tionships between the Goins family and the Gibbes,
Chavis, Smiling and other families of that area. Carolyn Moore may be contacted
%Scottish Inn, 1005 S. Main St, Salem, MO, 65560, 314/729-4191. Louise Goins
Richardson, 2207 E. Lake St, Paragould, AR, 72450.
==O==
It was so exciting to receive more
information on my family from the Foundation. I have been searching for 30
years for my Goins, but was stuck until last year when I tied up with you all.
The big print-out you sent provided the break-through. Bless you!!! Pat
Sharkey, 250 Chinkapin Dr. S, Pangburn, AR, 72121, 501/728-4209
==O==
I am a descendant of Rep. Alfred
P. Gowen [bc1798] and Martha Rains Gowen of Rutherford County, Tennessee. I
would be very interested in pursuing any connections you may be able to supply.
A family group sheet is enclosed for the Foundation Library. I would be glad to
correspond with any Foundation member who has information on my ancestors.
William B. Landers, Box 1174, Pocasset, MA, 02559, 509/563-3138.
December 1995
Thanks so much for all the
information you sent from the Foundation office on my Gowan-Thurston family in
answer to my request. Other information has arrived from Gowan re-searchers who
saw my query in "Dear Cousins."
New information shows that Elijah
Thurston and Lettie Gowan Thurston had 21 children; only three survived. The
other 18 children are all buried in a row in a cemetery [name un-known] lo-cated
on Pruitt Mountain in upper Greenville County, South Carolina. I will keep you
posted when I learn more. Pat Wells, 804 S. Salisbury Ave, Spencer, N.C, 28159
==Dear Cousins==
I am searching for the ancestors
of my g-g-gf Henry Harrison Gowins of Clai-borne County, MS. He served in the
4th MS Cavalry during the Civil War and was a landowner in Claiborne County.
Nine children were born to him, two daughters and nine sons. Most of his
descendants removed to Richland Parish, LA, some to Dallas, TX. Grateful for
your help. Barbara Gowins White, 981 Buck Creek Rd, Richton, MS, 39476.
==Dear Cousins==
Many Goins burials are recorded in
"Lest We Forget--Cemetery Inscrip-tions of Vernon Parish, Louisiana." Vol-ume
2, 391 pages, covers 35 cemeteries, $30 plus $2.50 postage, available from Jane
P. McManus, CPS, 4401 Hay-man Lane, No. 139, Alexandria, LA, 71303,
318/443-5912.
==Dear Cousins==
I was thrilled to see the article
of Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr. on Revolutionary James Goyne in the Newsletter. He
has done some excellent and extensive research, and I am so happy he has chosen
to share it with others of us who are descendants of James Goyne. I appreciate
his documentation and can't wait to see his entire series.
In reading through the
information, I made some notations. Initially he lists John as the senior
Going/Goin/Gowin in Lunenburg/Mecklenburg County in the 1750s [about the time of
the birth of James Goyne]. Then in 1773 he lists Goyne/Gowens by the names of
Alexander, Alexander Sr., John, Daniel, Amos, Henry, Drury, and William. Is his
supposition that James Goyne, born in 1755, is the son of Alexander Sr. or the
son of John in the tax iists of the 1750s?
In the John A. Sands book, "Guynes
Family History," James Goyne is listed with two children, John Goyne and Sarah
Goyne [born 1789] who married James Hall, brother of John Goyne's wife, Matilda
Hall. Mr. Sands does not mention Wiley Williamson Goyne although I have learned
of him through Gowen Foundation "cousins".
Concerning the possibility of
Alexander as James Goyne's father, Mr. Goyne says that the Alexander name is
pervasive in the Goyne family, but I do not find it in the children of John
Goyne and Matilda Hall Goyne or Sarah Goyne Hall and James Hall. Both did have
a child named Daniel, a name I don't see among the other Hall siblings of
Matilda and James. I found the name William Patterson Guynes twice in the
family and a num-ber of Johns and James' of course. Cynthia Hudson Reed, 1752
Willowbrook Lane, Simi Valley, CA, 93065.
January 1996
I would like to enlist your
assistance in learning more about James Gowan, my earliest ancestor of this
surname. He was a doctor and the sheriff in Metropolis, Illinois and reportedly
wealthy. He was married to Lillian Jamison, perhaps as his sec-ond wife, and
they were the parents of Amy Gowan who was born in 1890. James Gowan [or his
son] responded to the gospel call about 1893 and was about to be baptized. When
he waded into the river, he stepped into a sinkhole and was never seen again.
Does anyone know something of him? Mike Gordon, 190 Old Homestead, Groton, MA,
01450, 508/448-3298.
==Dear Cousins==
A couple of years ago, reports
from various individuals, not in the direct descendancy of my g-g-grandparents
Pleasant Goin and Isabelle Holton Goin, stating her name as Isabelle Norrell
came to my attention. I must correct this misnomer.
We have found no one named Norrell
in the East Tennessee census for 1830. However, up the creek from Levi Goin,
father of Pleasant Goin, within the family of Wright Holton lived a young woman
not more than 20 years of age. This may have been a sister of Wright Holton.
The household of Levi Goin shows a young male, 20-30. This should be Pleasant
Goin.
There are no known records for the
marriage of Pleasant Goin to Isabelle Holton. Sarah Isabelle Johnson, my
grand-mother, was proud of her heritage and told her grandchildren, to my
knowledge as early as 1935, that Pleasant Goin was Holland Dutch, and the family
of her grandmother, Isabelle Holton, came from Dublin, Ireland.
Sarah Isabelle Johnson was born in
1870 in Claiborne County, TN. The 1880 census of that county shows Sarah, age
10 years old, living in the 11th Civil District. The same census shows Isabelle
Goin living with her son George Goin, just two houses away. It would seem most
probable that Isabelle was well known to her granddaughter, Sarah.
Pleasant and Isabelle should have
been married in 1831-32 since their first child was born in 1833. We find no
one named "Norell" among the males 21 years and over in 1833. There were no
males named Norell in the 1839 tax list either.
The father of Pleasant Goin was
Levi Goin [old]. The younger brother of Levi Goin is Uriah Goin [old]. The
daughter of Uriah Goin, and cousin to Pleasant Goin, is Sarah Alice Goin. She
was married to William Dykes, a close neighbor, [see 1830 census.] William and
Sarah Alice Goin Dykes had 10 children. The seventh child, a son, was named "Narrel
Dykes." This sug-gests that the name "Norrell" came from this branch of the
fam-ily.
Sarah's parents moved in 1900 from
Claiborne County to Van Zandt County, TX. Her mother, Marline Goin Johnson,
died in 1927. Sarah was living in Waukegan, Illinois, so it fell to her
youngest sister, Vandalee, to give information for the death certificate. In
answer to the question, "what was the maiden name of the deceased's mother,
Vandalee answered, "Evie Narel." Vandalee was born in 1893 and never knew her
grandmother. Had Sarah given that information, she would have said, "Isabelle
Holton." Charlotte I. Russell Green, Box 537, Harper, TX, 78631.
==Dear Cousins==
I was very interested in Carroll
Heard Goyne, Jr.'s informa-tion on Amos Goyne and would like to add a few
items. The Amos Goyne who died in Fairfield County, South Carolina in 1785 was
the first husband of one of my maternal great-great-great-great-grandmothers.
Amos Goyne, Sr. married Mary Anne Baxter in Fairfield County in 1779. Their son
Amos, Jr. was born there in 1780, and their son Jeremiah Goyne was born there in
1782.
According to family tradition,
Amos Sr. was "killed in the field by Tories in 1785." Later the same year his
widow married Dr. John Byrns and the family relocated to Charleston where
several Byrns children were born, and Dr. John Byrns died there in a yellow
fever epidemic in 1801. About 1805, Mary Anne [Baxter] Goyne Byrns and her
children moved to Cairo, Sumner County, Tennessee.
Jeremiah Goyne and his
half-brother, James Byrns were in Robertson County by 1807. Jeremiah married
but I have never been able to determine his wife's name. The minutes of Red
River Baptist Church [near the present site of Adams, Ten-nessee] for September
1816 state that "Brother and Sister J. Goyne were dismissed by letter." I know
nothing of them after that date.
Amos Goyne, Jr. left Sumner County
and went to Rapides Parish, Louisiana where he died in 1820. He was a bachelor,
and his Byrns relatives fell heir to his estate left in Tennessee. Amos's
half-brother James Byrns was the father of Susan Emily [Byrns] Jackson who was
the mother of Julia [Jackson] Morris who was the mother of Henry Wilford Morris
who was the fa-ther of Julia [Morris] Gowan [my mother]. Amos, Jr. was also the
great uncle of Joseph Wellington Byrns who was Speaker of the U. S. House of
Representatives under FDR. I'd very much like to hear from anyone who knows
anything further on Jeremiah or Amos Goyne, Jr. Phillip A. Gowan, 223 Plum-nelly
Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027.
==Dear Cousins==
I am so happy that Carroll Heard
Goyne, Jr. is piecing to-gether the early Going/Goyne family which includes my
g-g-g-g-gf Drury Going. I am now in touch with descendants of Emma Porter,
sweetheart of Amasa Vernon Going [1827-1864], [Newsletter, September 1993] who
was killed in the Battle of Atlanta. He was a grandson of the Revolutionary
Drury Going. They were neighbors in Union Parish, LA as well as Union Dis-trict,
SC. Details later. Fredrick Tucker, Box 214, Duncan, SC, 29334.
February 1996
Thank you so much for
publishing my question regarding my Goings ancestors in the Newsletter. As a
result, I received a wonderful phone call from a cousin, Bill Goings, a grandson
of my mother's brother Phillip. He was concerned because he knew I would never
find assistance with my flawed data. Since I was relying on childhood memories,
I was lucky to have enough right to attract his attention. I am enclosing a
revised ancestor chart for the Foundation Library and more details about my
grandfather, General Washington Goings who was born June 20, 1860 in
Williamsburg County, SC, parents unknown. Does anyone have more on him?.
Virginia Hewitt Borum, 839 Ellen St, Fernandina, FL, 32034.
==Dear Cousins==
I am searching for the ancestors
of Jesse Robert Goans, b1865 [b1860 per census] MO; d1942, buried Pine Grove
Cemetery, Howell Co, MO. Death record does not name his parents. Census states
both parents were born in TN. Jesse mar-ried Melissa Jane Arledge, b1865, MO;
d1941. Their children: Edna, b1892, da1910; Fannie, b1894, da1910; Toney, b1897;
Manuel, b1898; Henry, b.1904 AR; Paul Francis, b1906. Jesse and Melissa lived
in Benton Co, MO in 1910. In 1920 the fam-ily lived in Douglas Co, MO. Mary
Lou Hudson-Goans, 1311 Fisher Ave, Warsaw, IN, 46580.
==Dear Cousins==
I am trying to find ancestors,
dates, etc. of Garfield Goins, b1880 Hancock Co, TN. He was married thrice.
Ch: Mattie Rose, Arthur, Frank, Ancil, Jesse C, A.C, Ronnie, Steve and Sue.
Third wife, Hila Lawson Shelton Goins regards Garfield as a son of Isaac &
Elizabeth Goins of Powell Valley, TN. Please re-spond with any clues. Shirley
Hopkins Goins Landen, 1200 Oneal Rd, London, KY, 40741.
March 1996
I have in my possession the
original certificate of the Grand Lodge of Charleston, SC [Royal Arch excellent
Lodge of Ma-sonry] declaring "Bro. Isaac Going, Master of the Chair of the Lodge
in Union, SC. The certificate, dated November 6, 1813, states that the time of
the admission of Isaac Going to the Lodge was March 10, 1800. It seems to
establish that Isaac Going was 21 years old and lived in Union District in
1800. Col. Walter F. Going, Jr, 6055 Lakeshore Dr, Columbia, SC, 29206.
==Dear Cousins==
After years of researching my
husband's Goings line in Mis-sissippi, I find my efforts leading to the
Melungeons. I would like to make contact with other researchers who are dealing
with the Melungeon Goings. July Melton, 8319 S. 2700 West, West Jordan, UT,
84088.
April 1996
I appreciate the letter of
Phillip A. Gowan of Nashville and his information on Amos Goyne. The name Amos
has been a puzzle to me. I had assumed that the Amos in Fairfield County, SC
and the one in Sumner County, TN were father and son. Certainly, the Amos who
died in Fairfield County, SC was a member of the family that previously lived in
northern Orange County, NC in 1773 and earlier. Likely he was a son of
Alexan-der Goyne, Sr. whom I regard as a son of William Gowen/Goyne and his
wife, Catherine of Stafford County, VA. The obituary of Amos Goyne [d1820] in
Rapides Parish, LA refers to him as being from TN.
My g-g-grandfather, Hiram Davis
Goyne, used Choctaw Script issued in the name of Amos D. Goyne to purchase land
in Union Parish, LA. Choctaw Script was issued as a result of the Treaty of
Dancing Rabbit Creek [1820] between the Choctaws and the U. S. government which
opened up some lands in Mis-sissippi to white settlement . Under treaty
provisions, the Choctaw could either remain on a certain amount of acreage in
the area or take script and exchange it for government land else-where. Many
sold their script. The pertiment question here is: What is Amos D. Goyne's name
doing on the Choctaw Script? Either he was a Choctaw or else the printed form
had space for an endorsement to another person. More and more, I am won-dering
about my brown eyes. Carroll H. Goyne, Jr, 10019 Canterbury Dr, Shreveport, LA,
71106.
May 1996
We all had a wonderful time at
the Nashville Conference. Words cannot express our appreciation to the
Foundation for making it possible for us to meet all those wonderful Gowen/Goin/Goyne/Whatever
cousins. We loved them all, and we are looking forword to seeing them again in
Salt Lake City in 1998.
I noticed with sadness the death
of Bonnie Ball [May 11, 1996] of Big Stone Gap, Virginia who wrote "The
Melun-geons" in 1969. She was a retired teacher and had published 10 books on
subjects of regional history, socialogy, genealogy and verse and numerous
magazine and newspaper articles. She was a member of Daughters of American
Revolution, United Daugh-ters of the Confederacy, Southwestern Virginia
Historical Soci-ety, Big Sandy Valley Historical Society, Virginia Creative
Writers and several retired teachers associations. Her obituary [enclosed]
indicates that she was in her 90s. Jack Harold Goins, Rt. 2, Box 275,
Rogersville, TN, 37857.
==Dear Cousins==
The Nashville Research Conference
was wonderful. Thank you for putting together such a great convention. The
speakers were each expert in his field, and the program could not have been
better. I enjoyed every minute of the three days. Louise Goins Richardson,
2207 E. Lake, Paragould, AR, 72450
==Dear Cousins==
My need for Mississippi data has
brought my efforts to a stand-still. On May 8, 1837 John Goin was married to
Mary C. [Caroline?] Smith in Copiah Co, MS. The family of "John Goen" then
appeared in cs1840 Copiah Co: 1 m30-40, 1 f20-30, 1 m-5 and 1 f-5. I regard the
m-5 as my g-gf, the "John William Goings" who ap-peared in cs1870 Shelby Co,
TX. My records from 1870 to 1996 are exten-sive, and I am willing to share.
Jim Bodine, 5631 Co. Rd. 277, Kauf-man, TX, 75142.
==Dear Cousins==
Thank you for the class-act
Reunion-Conference in Nashville. It was top notch, and the lectures were
great! John and I enjoyed it all, especially the fellowship with those attend-ing.
The Melungeon Research Team
members have been special people, and I consider every Foundation member who has
con-tributed research to be team members. We have come a long way since
starting this exciting adventure in January of 1990. With your continued
interest and help, the search for the her-itage of the Melungeons and related
groups will continue. Eve-lyn McKinley Orr, MRT Chairman, 8310 Emmet St, Om-aha,
NE, 68134.
==Dear Cousins==
My g-g-gm, Polly Goin, the
daugh-ter of Thomas Goin and Jimima Sinnes Goin, was married in the early 1800s
to Jacob Coots. Jimima was the daughter of Benjamin Sinnes. I am seeking
information of Polly's sib-lings and marriage infor-mation for her and her
parents. I will pay for copying and postage and will appre-ciate any help.
Carolyn Ostroff, 2775 Lee Place, Bellmore, NY, 11710.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks for a very successful and
most enjoyable Research Conference in Nashville. It was a special treat!
I have advised Dr. Donald W.
Hatley of Northwestern State University that several Foundation representatives
plan to attend the conference of the Descendants of the Founders of
Natchi-toches, Louisiana in October 1996. Dr. Brent Kennedy is the featured
speaker. John & Evelyn Orr, Sandra Loridans and Betty & I plan to attend, and
all members of the Foundation are invited to join us. Carroll H. Goyne, Jr,
10019 Canterbury Dr, Shreveport, LA.
==Dear Cousins==
Looking for ascendants and
descen-dants of Joseph Goings, bc1824 MS, m1846 Lovilla Lanier, cs1850 Copiah
Co, MS. Lovilla is possibly the daugher of Hillary Lanier of Copiah Co. Need
info on both families. Children include John bc1850, Henry A. b1852, Caroline
bc1855, Mary bc1856, James L. b1858, Ercelia bc1861, Elvelina bc1861, Joseph
bc1868 and Martha L. bc1870. Can anyone help? Will pay for copies & postage.
Wanda Adams, 438 Vikki Lane, Mt. Morris, MI, 48458-2439, 810-785-8255
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks for making the Foundation
Conference such an en-joyable affair. We appreciate the opportunity to meet
cousins from all over, and we appreciate all the hard work that went into this
successful event. I am enclosing photos taken during the three days. Don Lee
Gowen, 1310 Cantwell Ave, SW, De-catur, AL, 35601.
==Dear Cousins==
Joseph John Goings, born October
10, 1824 in MS, county & parents unknown, was married to Sovilla [Cecilia]
Lanier April 20, 1846. In the 1850s he was in Copiah and Lawrence Coun-ties,
MS. In 1860 he removed to Washington Parish, LA where he died March 11, 1887.
Thanks for any leads or information. Harold & Judy Melton, 8319 S 2700 W, West
Jordan, Utah, 84088.
==Dear Cousins==
I am at present on holiday in the
Bahamas with my wife. It is easier to send my membership [enclosed] from here
than from England. I am sorry that we were not able to make the Research
Conference in Nashville, but we will plan to attend the next when it is
arranged. Dr. Raymond L. Goyne, 66 Woodruff Ave, Hove, Sussex, England, BN3
6PJ.
==Dear Cousins==
In the crowd after the Foundation
dinner, I didn't get a chance to tell you what a splendid meeting you had
arranged. Everything went off on time and was most enjoyable. Jack Spalding, a
Gowen by marriage, said it was the best one of the kind that he had ever
attended. You were generous with your honorarium, and was glad to donate it to
the Foundation in re-turn. You have my best wishes for the future. Charles L.
Gowen, Suite 4900, 191 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, 30303.
June 1996
Dr. Brent Kennedy, author of "The Melungeons: The Melun-geons--the Resur-rection of a Proud People" announced plans to host an excur-sion to Turkey October 10-18. Turkish govern-mental officials were intrigued by the research of Dr. Kennedy and Evelyn McKinley Orr, chairman of the Melun-geon Research Team, suggesting a historical con-nection between the Ottoman Empire and the Melungeons. This interest resulted in a grant by the Turkish government for filming trips to Anato-lia last year. Ottoman schol-ars at the University of Istanbul and Marmara University are assisting with research for the film.
The tour will depart from Charlotte, North Carolina in a mid-day flight to New York. There the party will board an overnight flight to Izmir, Turkey. Two days will be spent touring the city with the Grand Efes Hotel as base. Next stop is Ephesus with a visit to the Ephesian Museum.
Sunday, October 13 will be spent in Cesme in consultation with Turkish Melungeon scholars at the Golden Dolphin Hotel. The cities of Bursa and Sardis are scheduled on Monday. The next three days will be spent in Is-tanbul at the Kalyon Hotel. There the group will attend a Turk-ish dinner show at the Orient House, visit the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus, St. Sophia and Dolmabahce Palace before returning home.
Fares are $2,250 for singles and
$1,990 each for doubles. Travel arrangements are being handled by AAA, 648 Park
Avenue, Norton, VA, 24273, 540/679-5160.
==Dear Cousins==
The Foundation Conference in
Nashville was spectacular, and the speakers were outstanding. This was our
first confer-ence, so we met lots of new cousins. Robert gave a talk to our
genealogical society about the Conference and the work the Melungeon Research
Team is doing. He gave each family a copy of Evelyn Orr's speech and Brent
Kennedy's presentation. Madge Philbeck, 716 Georgia Ave, Statesville, NC,
28677.
==Dear Cousins==
I simply cannot find the proper
words to tell you how much I enjoyed the Conference and meeting all the
cousins. It put me on a continuing "high." The program was outstanding. Dr.
Brent Kennedy's enthusiasm is contagious. Dr. Will Goins is great, and he has
given me some ideas that are still incubating. Comparing the Foundation
Conference to others we have at-tended, is like placing a plowhorse alongside a
thoroughbred. Pat yourselves on the back at least 10 times.
As planned, on our trip, we made
forays in a couple of li-braries and the North Carolina State Archives. I
transcribed all of the Goin marriages from the state marriage index [copy
en-closed for the Foundation Library]. The big disappointment there is in
what's missing. They have original wills boxed with individual surnames by
file. The Goin file is totally missing from its box. The librarian was
informed and has so noted on her "problems" list. With their security, I find
it hard to under-stand how an entire file could be stolen.
Also enclosed is a clipping from
the "Denver Post" of June 6 dealing with a French Huguenot colony planted in
South Car-olina in 1562 on the same site where Capt. Joao Pardo built the Santa
Elena settlement in 1566. Maybe we should add French to the Melungeon mixture
as well. One has to wonder what hap-pened to these French Huguenots. Beverly
J. Nelson, 3391 W. Aksarben Ave, Littleton, CO, 80123.
==Dear Cousins==
There are no words to adequately
express the joy I felt when at last we could get together at the Conference in
Nashville and connect faces to voices on the phones and to all those letters in
past years. It makes all those long hours of digging out old records worth the
effort. Dianne Thurman, 4201 Wildflower Circle, Wichita, KS, 67210,
316/529-0436.
July 1996
After over 40 years of research, Dianne Thurman, a member of the Foundation Editorial Board, has turned to her publisher a manuscript on her ancestor, Thomas Goin of Virginia, North Carolina and Claiborne County, Tennessee. The 626-page book, entitled "Goin and Variants: Going, Gowin, Gowen, Gowan, Goen, Gowing," is due off the press in late fall.
Mrs. Thurman of Wichita, who
became interested in genealogy while in junior high school, is the author of two
earlier volumes of family history. She is a member of the legal profession and
is the first paralegal ever admitted to the Kansas State Bar Associ-ation. She,
a member of the Midwest Historical Society and the Leichleiter Historical
Society of Missouri, was a featured speaker at the Foundation Research
Conference in Nashville in May. Pre-publication price, until November 1, is
$45; after-wards $55. Orders should be directed to the authoress at 4201
Wildflower, Wichita, Kansas, 67210.
==Dear Cousins==
Dr. Kennedy's revised edition of
"The Melungeons: Resurrec-tion of a Proud People," scheduled for September
release in both the United States and Turkey, at about $16.95, will include the
Turkish research update and be expanded to include the medical, genetic,
linguistic and historical findings. It will also in-clude corrections supplied
by readers in response to his re-quest. He has assigned his publication profits
to the athletic de-partment of Clinch Valley College. Orders will be received
at 800/468-3412.
August 1996
The Newsletter article by
Sandra M. Loridans has been very helpful to me in tracing my ancestors, Jeremiah
Goins and his wife, Sarafina. I am enclosing my check for a set of tapes that
will include her entire presentation at the Nashville Conference. I am so
thankful for the work that the Foundation is doing. Juanita Thornburg
Southerland, 9156 Sawyer Brown Rd, Nashville, TN, 37221.
==Dear Cousins==
I descend from David Goings' [our
spelling] youngest son, John Williams Goings. David was born September 15, 1783
in Newburn, Giles County, [West] Virginia. John Williams Go-ings was also born
there December 16, 1826, and he died July 8, 1906 in Selma, Indiana. I have
been told that the Foundation and several of its members hold information on
this family. I am interested in joining the Foundation and hearing from fellow
researchers. Cathy Olguin, 6515 N. Golden West St, Arcadia, CA, 91007
==Dear Cousins==
We are looking for descendants of
Jeremiah Going, b1775 VA, v1840 Hendricks Co, IN; David & James Goings, v1840
Hendricks Co; William Goings, b1838 Hendricks Co, d1917 Tippecanoe Co, IN and
William A. [or Matthew] Goings b1872 Litchfield, IL. Would like contact with
anyone doing Goings research in Indiana or Illinois to find possible connections
or trade information. Also would like to know if anyone knows how to locate
Civil War military prison records. Norma J. Goings & Martha Goings Flora, 4548
S. Redwood Dr, Terre Haute, IN, 47802, 812/299-8209, email: [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
My father, Dr. Raymond L. Goyne of
Hove, Sussex is an enthusiasistic member of the Foundation, but has not yet
sub-scribed to the Internet. In the meantime, I will forward messages to and
from him. Nicola Winifred Mason, "[email protected]".
==Dear Cousins==
Dr. Tommy Johnson has confirmed
that Dr. Brent Kennedy will be the principal speaker at the Founders of
Natchitoches, Louisiana Conference on October 5. Dr. Johnson advised that Brent
will arrive at the Shreveport airport on Friday afternoon, October 4, and be
driven to Natchitoches. They have a reception and book-signing planned for him
that evening. Brent will be staying at the Holiday Inn, the site of the
conference and will have the full morning for his presentation. Following
lunch, he will be driven to the Shreveport airport for an approximate 4pm
flight. Brent's time in Natchitoches is limited due to his October trip to
Turkey. Other speakers are planned for the afternoon ses-sion. One need not be
a member of the organization in order to attend the conference. You will find
the town delightful. It is the oldest in the Louisiana Purchase Territory,
founded in 1714.
I received a nice letter from Dr.
Raymond Goyne of Hove, England. He sent several charts identifying his family.
It ap-pears that Raymond's line came to America much later than mine. He said
that he had visited with his American cousins in Delaware, Virginia, and
Lancaster County, PA. He and "Australian" Robert Goyen have linked-up.
I signed up for Internet access
recently. My E-mail address is: "[email protected]". Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr,
10019 Canterbury Dr, Shreveport, LA, 71106.
September 1996
I learned of the Foundation on
America Online. I am just beginning research on my husband's name, McGowan, and
the information given to me by relatives is spotty, and I am not too sure of its
accuracy. The first name I have is Bridget O'Flaenerty McGowan who had two
children, Nancy McGowan who was married to Workman and Patrick T. McGowan was
married to Catherine Condon. Their first child, Terence Francis McGowan was
born June 22, 1898 in New York. He was my husband's grandfather. Thank you for
any help you can give. Brenda McGowan, 770 Regateo Dr, Hemet, CA, 92543.
==Dear Cousins==
I have traced one branch of my
family back to Nathan Goins, regarded as the son of John Goins and Billie Driver
Goins. Nathan Goins was born in the 1820s in Tennessee, in what was then known
as Cherokee Nation, in Hamilton County. From there, his family removed to
Arkansas and then on to what is now Gore, OK. I have found records where "Goins"
was ren-dered as "Gowen." Can the Foundation or its members assist me in this
research? Roy L. Edgar, 175 Allspice Ct, Springboro, OH, 45066, 513/748-2999.
==Dear Cousins==
I have inherited the Goin research
of my grandfather, Varion E. Goin. His third wife, Anna Lee Davis Goin
survives, but in a care facility in a diminished mental capacity. I had
expressed an interest in his family history records so they came to me. Inter-spersed
with the records were the Foundation Newsletters going back to the first
edition. I am enclosing a list of missing editions which I understand that you
supply to new members. Will you please forward those to me and advise the
cost. My membership is enclosed.
Being inexperienced in genealogy,
I have not fully grasped the significance all of the wealth of family
information and doc-umentation that has been handed down to me. I have not yet
discovered the filing system used by my grandfather and am having difficulty
making rhyme or reason of his data. I under-stand that a research team has been
organized within the Foun-dation among the descendants of Thomas Goin of
Brunswick County, Virginia and Claiborne County, Tennessee. I would like to
make contact with these team members and offer the ben-efit of my grandfather's
research in exchange for their guidance in how to proceed. Marilyn Morton, 5827
NE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97211-4238. Welcome, Marilyn. The missing
Newsletters have been forwarded to you, no charge. Any that remain missing can
be downloaded from the Foundation web site on the Internet. You will be hearing
from your cousins.
==Dear Cousins==
Peggy A. White of Hopkinsville, KY
gave your address to me after she saw my query on Goin/Gowin in "Family
Puz-zlers." My ancestor, Sarah A. E. Fulp[s] was bc1838 in NC, ac-cording to
census records. Andrew Fulp/Phelps and Martha J. Goin/Gowin may have been her
parents. They were married by William Lewis, J.P. December 5, 1837 in Claiborne
County, TN, I believe. Sarah A. E. Fulps was married to George C. Fuller in
Maury County, TN December 23, 1855. Do you or any of the Foundation members
have any records on these individuals? Virginia Harmon Barnes, 101 Country Cove
Drive, Clinton, MS, 39056. Foundation records show that Martha J. Gowen was
married to Andrew Phelps December 5, 1837 by Samuel Wilson, J.P, recorded in
Claiborne County, TN Marriage Book 2, page 3. David C. Gowen was married
October 26, 1854 to Priscilla H. Fuller in Carroll County, TN [near Maury
County].
==Dear Cousins==
The opening night of the Nashville
Research Conference for the Gowen family was fun, friendly and a great way to
meet new cousins. Donna Gowin Johnston is to be commended for de-vising such a
clever contest. It was a marvelous way of meeting new family members. The
evening ended with a warm and com-fortable feeling. I now have a large
collection of cousins and many happy memories.
Thanks to my cousin, Don Lee Gowen
of Decatur, Alabama, I had the privilege of visiting the grave and cemetery of
my g-g-grandfather, James Burns Gowen. I am delighted to have the photographs
you sent. With warm appreciation and sincere thanks for a well planned
reunion. Elizabeth Hale Morfitt, 353 Westmoreland Dr, Idaho Falls, ID, 83402.
==Dear Cousins==
This past month I had a double
treat!! I was anxious to read the "rest of the story" about my uncle, Cmdr.
Joseph Henry Gowan. I thought Pat did an excellent job of research; also it was
nice to see my late father, Frank Maxwell Gowan given credit for his
contribution. I knew that Pat & Mary Ellen Gowan had run into George William
Gowan at Arlington Cemetery, but what a delight to see George's article about
their chance meeting. My first cousins made a major impact on in the August
Newsletter.
I am enclosing my check for $40
for the Nashville Confer-ence tapes. Since I could not attend, this will help
soothe my disappointment and sense of loss. Thank you for all the hard work you
do in bringing us the wonderful family stories in the Newsletter. Mary Jo Gowan
Bray, 5719 E. Aster Dr, Scotts-dale, AZ, 85254, 602/948-6554.
October 1996
I did so enjoy the "Cousins Have
Chance Encounter" arti-cle in the August Newsletter. Sooner or later, all of us
who dabble in genealogy have experiences of "genetic memory," psychic
occurrences, intuition or serendipity. Anyone who has had such experiences is
certain to enjoy the book, "Psychic Roots" [Genealogical Publishing Co,
Baltimore] by the well-known genealogist, Henry Z. Jones, Jr. This was one of
those wonderful books I could hardly put down. He relates the ex-periences of
many researchers [who have benefitted from psy-chic assistance.] Beverly J.
Ellison Nelson, 3391 W. Aksar-ben Ave, Littleton, CO, 80123.
==Dear Cousins==
Congratulations on a fantastic job
of presenting the Foun-dation on the Internet! I received my September
Newsletter and immediately logged on. Hope the staff has taken doses of
megavitamins because you are going to need them with all the new activity it
will generate. I have the Gore family online now, and all I do is answer E-mail
and look up information.
I have discovered a 'Gorin Family
Discussion Group' on the Internet that supports all of the Goin/Gowen names.
GRF members can subscribe at "[email protected]" with "SUBSCRIBE" in
the subject line of the message. I posted a message with them yesterday that
the Gowen Re-search Foundation is now online.
Again, wonderful job! Thanks to
all who accomplished this feat. Joyce Campbell Locke, [email protected], Box
474, Portales, NM, 88130.
==Dear Cousins==
I want to thank you for a great
reunion in Tennessee, and thank you for the Foundation itself. I met wonderful
people, learned a lot about my family and got to see the country where my
forefathers walked. It was a wonderful experience that I will always treasure.
Keep up the wonderful work. My Contributing Membership is enclosed. Tammy Goin-Stone,
Box 738, Ontario, OR, 97914.
==Dear Cousins==
Thanks so much for the Foundation
Web Site and for my access ID number. Right now I am playing with setting up my
own homepage. Isn't the Web a lark! I could just live out there! Nancy
Strawder Bruce, [email protected], 1427 17th Ave, Columbus, GA, 31901.
==Dear Cousins==
I was glad to see the McGowens and
the O'Gowens in-cluded in your research list after all the fuss and furor I
raised several years ago to get them included--unsuccessfully, I might add.
Last time I looked, there were 30-40 McGowens and O'Gowens here in my Montgomery
County, MD telephone book. If you ever round up all of them, it will be quite a
crowd! Glad to hear from you with this good news. My 1997 mem-bership is
enclosed. Edward Miles Joseph Gowen, 1258 Cresthaven Dr, Silver Spring, MD,
20903.
==Dear Cousins==
I would like to introduce your
readers to "The Ap-palachian Quarterly," a new historical, genealogical
maga-zine covering the Southern Appalachians. We have recently entered into an
association with Dr. N. Brent Kennedy to com-pile, collect, preserve and protect
genealogical information on families of probable Melungeon descent. The
repository is called the National Melungeon Registry. We are currently in the
process of establishing a web site, and I will send you information as we go
online. Rhonda Robertson, Editor, Wise County Historical Society, Box 368,
Wise, VA, 24293.
Congratulations, Rhonda and
welcome into ge-nealogical publishing. We are placing your news release on the
Internet in the "Melungia" section, and we'll be glad to "hotlink" our web site
with yours.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking the names of the
parents of Aaron Going [b1823 KY] Andrew Jackson Going [b1820 KY] and Emily
Going. Aaron m1 Maria Gitzendanner; m2 Dozena Prather; m3 Clementine Prather
Milburn. He was recorded cs1850 Natchez, MS; cs1860, cs1870, cs1880 St. Landry
Parish, LA. He died there in Westlake, LA in 1898. Andrew Jackson Go-ing lived
in E. Feliciana Parish, LA. Inez Going, Box 20832, Houston, TX, 77225.
==Dear Cousins==
I was really excited to see the
Foundation on the Internet! I only accessed the archives a few times, because
of the toll charges, but now I can search and revel to my heart's content!
Thanks so much! Doris Ann Goins, [email protected], 8018 E. Cree Lake,
Kendallville, IN, 46755.
==Dear Cousins==
Your website is great. I have two
Melungeon grandmoth-ers and am particularly interested in "Melungia." I am
work-ing to computerize my ancestry. When completed I will for-ward a copy for
the Foundation Library and for the Electronic Library on the Internet. Thanks
for such a great work dedi-cated to our heritage. Richard Couch, , 970 W. 68th
St, Tulsa, OK, 74132. [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
Just received the September
Newsletter today and was pleased to see my query in Dear Cousins. I had already
had some responses to it before my copy arrived. The Electronic Library is a
great concept. Please send my I.D. number so that I can make "tracks through
the stacks." Roy L. Edgar, 175 Allspice Ct, Springboro, OH, 45066, [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
Congratulations! The web is
really great! I felt the "presence of the past" when I found my ancestors Maj.
John "Buck" Gowen and wife Lettice on the Internet in "gowenms.006." My cousins
and I are about to die from lack of sleep because now we now stay on the
Internet most of the night. Chan Edmondson, [email protected], Box 190354,
Dallas, TX, 75219.
==Dear Cousins==
I would like to exchange data on
Nicholas Gowen [b1667, York Co, ME] and Abigail Hodsdon Gowen of York Co, ME.
I am descended through their daughter, Margaret Gowen [bc1699, York Co, ME] who
was married to Abraham Lord, son of Elder Nathan Lord. Keith Bean, 686
Rambleton Dr, Vacaville, CA, 95688, [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
My ggg-gm was a sister to George
Abbott of County Gal-way who settled on St. Simons Island, Georgia in about 1805
and married Mary Wright. Their 2nd dau. Annie [b1818] m. James Gowen in 1834.
Their son George Harrison Gowen m. his cousin Elizabeth, dau of Henry Evans and
Elizabeth Abbott Evans of Quebec. I would be interested in comparing notes with
Foundation members.
I can tell you a certain amount
about the Abbotts before 1800 and about the other descendants of George and his
sib-lings since then, rather more about my line, of course. Do you pub-lish a
newsletter? Is it possible to subscribe from Europe? Hugh Casement, Bahnweg 11,
84405 Dorfen, Germany.
In-deed you may subscribe and
affiliate with the Foundation with the membership blank from our Website. It
has been our pleasure to visit with many of your Gowen kinsmen in southeast
Georgia. Charles Latimer Gowen, now 92, g-son of James Gowen and Anna Elizabeth
Abbott Gowen, spoke to the Foundation Research Conference earlier this year in
Nashville about his branch of the family. His second cousin, Miller Abbott
"Bud" Gowen of Geneva, Switzer-land, is one of the founders of the Foundation.
==Dear Cousins==
I have been researching my g-g-g-gf
Dillard Goen of Fair-field Co, SC, Jackson Co, GA, Smith Co, & Palo Pinto Co,
TX. He had sons by the names of Joseph F, Lewis, William, James G. and Britten.
I would like to communicate with any-one working on this line. Paul Lynn Goen,
2311 Don Felipe SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87105, 505/877-5069.
==Dear Cousins==
My g-gm Mary Ellen Goings was born
in August 1871 in TN of parents who were also born in TN. She was enumerated in
the 1900 census of Greene County, AR, Enum. Dist. 31, at age 28. Can anyone
assist me on her ancestry? Leila J. He-witt, 5201 Palomino Dr, Melbourne, FL,
32934, 407/242-1741, [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
My paternal ancestors' surnames
were: Bilbo, Chelaitre, Cole, Courtney, Curtis, Davis, Flower, Green, Hall,
Hobson, Johnson, Rentfroe, Roberts, Saidec, Selet and Simmons. I have been told
that some of them are Melungeon names and that some of them intermarried with
the Gowen/Going/Goyne family. Many migrated to Mississippi from the Carolinas
and Tennessee. All appeared in Louisiana in the early 1800s. My grandmother,
Sarah Hall stated that we are part Cherokee. I would like to contact Foundation
researchers who are inter-ested in any of the above families. Thelma Cole
Morgan, Rt. 2, Box 94, Dayton, TX, 77535.
==Dear Cousins==
I am seeking information on Thomas
Gowans and Rachel McClurg of York County, PA who were married "at Widow
McClurg's house" Nov. 26, 1778 by Rev. James Clarkson. Born to them were
Elizabeth, b1779; Katherine, b1781 and Jean Gowans, b1784. Any help, anyone?
Mamie Way, Rt. 1, Fairmont, OK, 73736.
==Dear Cousins==
Your "stuff" on your web site is
wonderful. May we "hot link" you to our "E-zine Family Tree?" Beth Gay,
Editor, Family Tree, Odom Library, Box 1110, Odom, GA, 31776. Aye, Lassie. We
Scottish here will enjoy keeping company with you for auld lang syne.
==Dear Cousins==
When and how did the Caucasian
race become pale, and when and how did they lose their pigmentation? When and
how did the Caucasians destroy the melanin in their chromo-somes which
determines the color of skin, hair and eyes? Why are archaeologists unable to
find fossil remains of Caucasian? Are they the descendants of albinos?
The white race excretes an enzyme
which absorbs melanin; the black race does not. This is why a white corpse
turns black. When scientists cleanse the skin of Egyptian mummies, the
epidermis appears pigmented exactly like that of all other black people of
Africa. People of the Mediterranean area--Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Jewish,
Moorish, [Melungeon] etc. and American Indians still have some of the original
black blood melanin. Robert Graham, #99451, Camp T'Shark 3R7, Louisiana State
Penitentiary, Angola, LA, 70712.
==Dear Cousins==
I love the term "Melungia." How
sweet it is to see the pore ol' Melungeons recognized in cyberspace after being
down-trodden for so long on this earth. You have done a great job on the web
site. We would like to announce it in the next issue of our newsletter, the
"Southeastern Kentucky Melungeon Information Exchange." I was glad to see Dr.
Brent Kennedy's reply in "melungia.002." We appreciate your good work. Bill
Fields, 1525 Barbra Ests. Dr, Seymour, TN, 37865, [email protected].
==Dear Cousins==
My grandmother was Anna Brooks
Dobbins Gowens who was an early researcher on Charles Gowens, the little drummer
boy, our Revolutionary ancestor. I know a few of my cousins and others who
spell the name "Gowens," and I would like to make contact with all the Gowens
researchers. Please contact me. Lou Edith Smith, Box 115, Dryden, TX,
78851-0115, 915/291-3331.
==Dear Cousins==
The Founders of Natchitoches
Conference, with Brent Kennedy as principal speaker, was a great success. He
was welcomed by the mayor and the president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was
interviewed by KALB-TV, and a book-signing was held at Old Town Book Merchant.
On Saturday morning [10/6] Brent
spoke from 9:00 to 12:00 about the Melungeons with a 100% positive response.
Because of the warm reception, Brent promised to return. John & Evelyn Orr
arrived early for the Conference and spent two days with us, researching in the
Shreveport Library. Our contributing membership for 1997 is enclosed. Carroll
H. Goyne, Jr, 10019 Canterbury Dr, Shreveport, LA, 71106.
Conference Tape Order
Gowen Research Foundation
5708 Gary Avenue
Lubbock, Texas, 79413
Please send to the address below _____ set/s, @ $40 each, of audio tapes of the Foundation Research Conference held May 5-6-7 in Nashville. I under-stand that the eight tapes will include the presenta-tions made by the 15 speakers listed below:
James R. Callahan
Nashville, IN
Dr. Virginia Easley DeMarce
Arlington, VA
Jack Harold Goins Rogersville,
TN
Jon Lee Goins Austin, TX
Dr. Will Moreau Goins Detroit,
MI
Charles Latimer Gowen Atlanta,
GA
Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr.
Shreveport, LA
Cherel Bolin Henderson
Knoxville, TN
Ruth Johnson Kingsport, TN
Donna Gowin Johnston Casper WY
Dr. N. Brent Kennedy Kingsport,
TN
Sandra M. Loridans Chapala,
Jalisco, Mexico
Evelyn McKinley Orr Omaha, NE
Dianne Thurman Wichita, KS
Guy G. Weaver Memphis, TN
For the set/s of eight tapes totalling 12 hours of lectures I enclose my check in the amount of $_____.____
Name(s)_________________________________________
Address______________________Phone_______________
City_________________________State_____Zip________