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James Cowan
b.4 May 1725
d.1 Oct 1751
Facts and Events
| Name |
James Cowan |
| Gender |
Male |
| Birth? |
4 May 1725 |
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| Marriage |
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to Catherine Hope |
| Death? |
1 Oct 1751 |
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Tapestry
Source
- SOurce:Fleming, 1971
- Data. Cowans buried in Upper Octoraro Graveyard, Sadsbury, Chester PA, 1734-1751
About James Cowan
CHILDREN OF HUGH COWAN BY HIS FIRST WIFE
- A. James Cowan. The oldest of Hugh Cowan’s children, James, was born on May 4, 1725, and died on October 1, 1751. At death he was little more than twenty six years of age. The brevity of his life largely prevents any conclusion as to what his ability or usefulness might have been. The little information obtained about him indicates that he was just getting settled and was in the process of establishing a home when he was cut down by severe illness and death. He married Catherine, a daughter of Thomas and Jannet Hope. Date of his marriage has not been learned. It was probably in the early or middle part of 1748, for on November 7 of that year, his father, Hugh Cowan, deeded him atract of 100 acres of land.
- In this deed is a genealogical record of high importance. It identifies James as Hugh Cowan’s oldest son:
- “THIS INDENTURE made the 7th day of November in the year of our Lord 1748 between Hugh Cowan of Sadsbury Township in the County of Chester Yeoman of the one part and James Cowan of the same place, Wheelwright, the eldest son and Heir at law of him the said Hugh Cowan of the other part”.1 It may be observed from the above that James’ occupation was that of Wheelwright. His business then would be that of making and repairing wheels, especially of wagons. This was a most important kind of work during pioneer days. When he died, his wife Catherine was expecting a baby. It is believed that the child died at birth, for there is no further mention of the matter. His will made two days before his death, follows:
THE WILL OF JAMES COWAN
- In the name of God. Amen, the twenty ninth of September in the year of our Lord 1751, I James Cowan in the County of Chester being very sick and week in Body, but of perfect Mind and Memory thanks be given unto God, therefore, calling unto Mind the mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament That is to say, principally and first ofall, - I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it; and for my Body, I recommend it to the Earth, to be buried in a Christianlike and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothingdoubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same againby the mighty Power of God. And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
- Imprimis, It is my Will, and I do Order, That in the first place, all my just Debts and Funeral Charges be paid and Satisfied.
- Item I give and bequeath unto Jean my Dearly beloved Sister the Sum of ten pounds Currency of good and Lawful Monies to be raised andLevied out of my Estate.
- Item I give and bequeath unto my Dearly Beloved Father my black britches and Saddlebags and fur hatt.
- Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph my Dearly beloved brother my pocket Byble.Item I constitute and - allow my Estate together with all my Household goods and Moveables to be Set up at Publick Vendue and afterbeing Sold the Produce to be Equally Divided Unto three parts Katren* my Dearly beloved wife to Injoy the One third part the remainder to be forthe - (benefit) of the child or children and if it please God to bring this child that she shall suckle and provide for it or cause to be suckled andprovided for till it Arive to two years of Age.
- I likewise constitute, and ordain Hugh Cowan my Father and Thomas Hoapp** My only and Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, Ratifying and Confirming this, and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.
- In Witness whereof I have here unto Set my Hand and Seal, the Day and year above written Signed, Sealed Publshed, Pronounced and Declared by the Said James Cowan as his Last Will and Testament, in the Presence of us the Subscribers viz: James Cowan. John Russell, James Leard
- 4th of November 1751
- Inventory 4th of December Chester County November 4th 1751 THEN personally appeared John Russell and James Leard and made oath on ye holy Evangelists of Almighty God that they were personally present and did See and Heard ye testator above named, Sign, Seal Publish pronounce and declare ye above writing to be their Last Will and Testament and That ye doing thereof he was of sound mind and Memory to ye best of their understanding.
- Surratte L. Cowan Jo. Parker, D. Reg.
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