Analysis. Dispersion of Old Augusta Cowans

John Cowan, Yeoman, To Saml. Lusk, Farmer, 202 Acres; Thomas Shield's Corner In Col. Patton's Line; Andrew Alexander's Line; Corner Robert Christian, Jennet, Wife Of John. Teste: Edward Erwin, Hugh Campbell, George Anderson.

Presumably he left the area, but to where we don't know. One possibility is that he moved further south, settling somewhere along the Appalachian front, perhaps as far south as the head of the Holston River. If so, it was an ill-timed move; Indian Hostilities during the The French and Indian War (1753-1763) drove most early settlers out of this area, moving even further south into the Carolinas, or even returning north into Pennsylvania.

James and Andrew appear in the records of Augusta County over a considerable period. Both, however, leave the area at about the same time. In the case of Andrew we at least what his plans were, as a letter of his survives in Augusta County court records, summarized in Chalkley's Chronicles as:

Cowan vs. Cowan.--Letter of Andrew Cowan to David Cowan, living in Albemarle, dated January 13, 1766. Loving Brother: This comes to let you know that we are all in good health at present, blessed be God for his mercies. Hoping that these few lines will find you in the same, I desire that you will go to James Cowan's and ask him for a note of mine that lies in my little trunk--a note of 2 pounds and five shillings, which William Teas(?) is due me against March 25, and get the money. for I am going to Carolina. I have nothing material to write you, but desire to be remembered to you all.

The James mentioned in the letter does not appear to be the James who lived in Augusta County, As Andrew would probably have had no need to ask his brother in Albermarle to do him this favor unless the James referred to was also in Albemarle County. This also suggests that we are dealing with two sets of Cowan's in Augusta; if James of Albemarle is a brother of Andrew and David, than James of Augusta can not also be a brother. Their mutual proximity to each other, both in time and space, suggests that they are at least cousins of one degree or another.

In anycase, we know from this letter that Andrew of Augusta plans on going somewhere in the Carolinas. Other court records show that he is gone from Augusta by 1766

James Bell, provisions. Wm. Bell, provisions. Wm. McCutcheon, provisions and horse impressed. John Rosemond, provisions. Andrew Cowan, enlisting men to garrison Fort Lewis. Walter Trimble, provisions. Thos. Alexander, provisions. John Francis, provisions. James Kirk, provisions. Rob. Armstrong, provisions. Wm. Christian, self et als., ranging. Loftus Pullen, provisions. Rob. Christian, provisions. Danl. O'Freild, provisions. Thos. Poage, provisions. Charles Kilpatrick, provisions. George Moffett, for Wm. Mann et als. Benj. Estill, horse impressed. Andrew Hamilton, provisions. Wm. McClenachan, provisions. Wm. McKarney, self et als., ranging.

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Data

4	Andrew Cowan Jr	1765	Woods vs. Andrew Cowan, Jr. --- "The Sheriff having returned that the second time it came to my hand, I tell as before, he is out of the County."
65	Andrew Cowan, Sr. and Mary; William Cowan	1778	Andrew ( ) Cowan, Sr., And Mary ( ) To David Kerr And Robert Donaldson, Plantation That Andrew And William Cowan Lived On.
5	James Cowan	1767 James Cowan, returned no inhabitant.
67	James Cowan	1778	James Cowan, Of Rockingham, To Anthony Gholston. Delivered: Stephen Beck, May, 1780.
21	Sam'l Cowan; James Cowan, runaway;	1767	Col. Preston's list: Geo. Alexander, Jno. Bradley, Henry Carter, runaway; Joseph Barker, runaway; James Crawford, Peter Cutright, runaway; Walter Carrick, runaway; Jno. Clark, Sam'l Cowan, Henry Dooley, Jno. Ager, Jas. Gilliland, runaway; Thos. Howell, runaway; Wm. Herbison, Jr., wrong named; Jno. Kirkland, Wm. Longly, Jno. Lowry, Jno. and Thos. Martin, Abraham Moon, Jno. Potts, Wm. Robinson, Benj. Robottom, runaway; Thos. Scott, Wm. Terry, Jas. Wattson, James Alexander, Elias Barker, runaway; Thos. and Wm. Brown, James Clark, John Cantly, Daniel Campbell, James Cowan, runaway; Alex. Covit, Wm. Devin, runaway; John Dunn, Alex. Forbus, runaway; Joseph Glading, Wm. Hungate, no inhabitant; Geo. Inglebird, Lemuel Sanders, Thomas Lewis, Philip Love, David Magee, Jno. Neilly, doctor; Drury Puckett, Rich'd Reed, Nicholas Smith, runaway; Jno. Taylor, Edw'd Wilson.
12	Samuel Cowan of Botetourt; John Cowan of Cumberland,	1796	Court of Rockbridge vs. Steel.--List of delinquents in County Levy with the District of Hawkins Windell, Commissioner, for the year 1796: Lasty F. Ayten, Frenchbroad; Eden Bales, Kentucky; James Bales, Kentucky; James Buckerage, Cumberland; John Cowan, Cumberland; James Curry, removed; John Collins, Holsteen; John Duff, Tennessee; Samuel Aires, Bath County; Mark Biggs, runaway; John Brown, Botetourt; Caleb Beggs, Botetourt; Jacob Collier, Pennsylvania; Samuel Corwen, Botetourt; James Caul, removed; Jesse Dolter, Augusta; Adam Dickey, dead; George Gabbert, Greenbrier; Cutlip Gabbert, Augusta; James Henton, Rockingham; John Hamilton, Kentucky; Joseph Hanmin, Botetourt; James McGill, Roanoke; Jacob Oyler, Botetourt; George Rule, Botetourt; Joseph Snodgrass and Benjamin Snodgrass, Kentucky; Henry Standoff, Bath County; Anthony Watson, Tennessee; John Miller (shoemaker), runaway; Humphrey Ellis, Botetourt; Armstrong Ellis, Botetourt; William Gill, Botetourt; Jean Henry, Clinch; David Henry, Pennsylvania; John Jinkins, runaway; Mark Morris, Jr., Roanoke (Botetourt); Wm. Reid, runaway; James Sewell, Kentucky; Wm. Stuart, removed; Nicholas Lusong, Tennessee; John Varner, Botetourt; Jacob Way, runaway; Robert Shields, Tennessee.
29	Samuel Cowen, Rone Oak	1767	John Thompson, Forks; Samuel Cowen, Rone Oak;