Person talk:Robert Cowan (20)

Search Query [3 March 2014]

From DonnaA to the CowanShortList, 28 September 2011

For anyone researching this line, a Robert Shelby Cowan, MD of Illinois had an Document:Obituary for Robert Shelby Cowan, of Illinois obituary which said his grandfather (person:Robert Cowan (20) of Sullivan County, Tn) came here as a mature young man (may not be exact wording) which has led several of us to think that our Robert b. 1744 (even though the tombstone in Old Delaney Cemetery shows 1754 (his wife Nancy's dates and carried on the internet,)per Sullivan County TnGenweb pictures/cemeteries) came to the Americas about 1770-1775 or so..perhaps earlier. There is no indication he had family when he came as this obituary is worded. The obituary states that the grandfather fought at the Delaware with General Washington. Since about 4000 men fought there it is possible. I have checked all the Militias I can find for each of the states at that time since the First Continental was formed from these Militias including Pennsylvania and Virginia. The only "hint" I have of a Robert is in North Carolina. Laura Cowan Cooper indicated that for sure the Bedford Robert isn't this one by dna and we ruled out all the other Roberts (including the long-time research on the Knoxville group) as being my Robert. That left a Robert in South Carolina that no one had researched. Rutledge information states that Nancy Rutledge's father was possibly a brother to the South Carolina area Rutledges of Governorship and Declaration of Independence fame. I have not proven that either. Laura was so helpful in trying to sort out this family. She is deeply missed.

NOTE: In 2013, the military service of Robert Cowan has been verified as the 7th Continental of North Carolina. The dna on this line matches some members of the Scottish McDonald's in a 67 marker YDNA test within 2 markers (65/67). Anyone testing below 67 markers will match literally hundreds of other lines in this area of Ireland/Scotland/England. The dna test we did matches more closely than most of the McDonalds in the FTDNA McDonald YDNA project . I have corresponded with the closest matches, one in Australia, one in England (adopted), and one in Iceland. Except for those on the Cowan tests, there haven't been any close matches and no exact matches to this line even on the Cowan site.

This obituary of Robert Shelby Cowan also states that Nancy Rutledge was born in South Carolina. All evidence to date states she was from Augusta County, Va and the marriage took place in Augusta or Sullivan County (As of 2013, probably Sullivan whose marriage records were burned in the Civil War.) I have never SEEN a copy or transcription of this marriage in 1780. Robert Shelby Cowan is a proven member of Robert Cowan b. 1744. He was raised in Dade County, Missouri, lived in Vernon County, was a physician in the Confederacy (I have muster rolls), then moved to Illinois and lived out his life there after the Civil War.

The obituary states that when Robert Cowan b. 1744 returned from war, he returned to Virginia and married. The first proven document found is in 1782 when he received land in Sullivan County near Vinegar Hill area from the state of North Carolina-not a military warrant for service. In his will it states that he owns the "Knobs" land not far from this original land and the Old Delaney Cemetery (now Cowan-Delaney) is on this land. According to area historians, the "old home place" is under the South Holston Lake. Interestingly, his family marries into General Delaney, Netherland, Moss, etc families but the history books and family information is totally silent on this man except that he married Nancy Rutledge whose brother was General Rutledge of King's Mountain fame. This Robert does not appear to have fought at Kings Mountain, again rather strange. Note: He had already served three years with the 7th Continental. I am most anxious for any information on this family. I printed a 2 volume set of family information on all surnames in 2011 for my children which include my daughter-in-laws' lines but couldn't really complete the Cowan line for them. I would like to complete this line since it is my direct line. Anyone interested in lines intermarried in the Tn/Va/State of Franklin/Watagua area might be interested in lookups from my book. I have Hines(not related by dna to the Hinds of Hinds Valley) who live in Roane County until 1858, Carlocks who are in this area and moved to Missouri, Matlocks (not related to Roane County Matlocks by dna) who are in this area, Delaneys, Lightners, Moss, Davidson, Clopton, McConnell, Abbott etc. Would like to correspond with anyone else who is involved with these lines.

--Q 12:05, 28 September 2011 (EDT)

Additonal information from DonnaA

Robert's will date is 1823 (signed and sealed by Robert) The clerk certification that the copy is the same as the "original filed in his office" is 26th day of November1842...nothing is said about when the actual first will was filed which would be when the estate was filed-at least in Missouri it would be? (my transcription is from a typewritten copy from the Probate Office in Blountville. I asked why it was typewritten since typewriters weren't until in popular use until after the Civil War. I got the explanation that the original was burned-later Washington County Historical Society and Sullivan County Historical Society confirmed that copies were given by families to the courts during ?WPA? times and some were changed) Filed in Book 1, page 847 of the court records which apparently were burned in the Civil War. Another direct line ancestor has in her information that the birth date is 1744 and death date is 1724 or 1726..would have to check the last. We checked out dates from two different sons this June. Then I found Mrs. Carmack's information which says her information is (stones). I remember the dates were visible in the 70s...the dates on the markers are wrong and the stones dates are no longer visible.

This informtion is from an e-mail conversation which I didn't know would be put on this site. It is the same person as Robert Cowan (30) but has information more on the dna and just "thoughts" as the conversation. Robert Cowan (20) was a summary that was put together after these conversations.

Let me know what I can do to merge these issues or you have permission to merge them.

da--DAtkinson 15:28, 9 November 2011 (EST)

Please merge information where-ever you think needful. Q 23:50, 18 November 2013 (UTC)

Find a Grave did not have any information on this cemetery the last time I checked it.--DAtkinson 15:36, 9 November 2011 (EST)

I am working on a connection of Robert Cowan who is in the 7th Regiment, North Carolina, under Capt. James Hogan. Organized September 16, 1776 at Halifax Military District. This unit fought at Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown but was disbanded June 1, 1778 at Valley Forge, Pa. M246-7 reel. I have copies of all records available at the Archives of North Carolina except one small request (including deeds issued in 1782). I feel 80 percent confident that this Robert Cowan is the one who is Robert Cowan (20). Others who served from North Carolina in the Continental line are William Davidson, Thomas Armsrong, William Routeledge, John Armstrong-all surnames connected to this family. In 2013, service is confirmed and copies of some military records are available on Images.

I note that the revised death date is 1840 on this Robert. I disagree with this date. Look at the death date of Nancy Rutledge.

Tn Genweb did have information on the Delaney Cemetery (now Cowan-Delaney) and pictures.z of the plaque that is in error with Nancy Rutledge's birth and death date but was on the grave of Robert Cowan.

What is an "Armstrong Grant"? [18 November 2013]

"Old Armstrong Grant" was a term referencing an Armstrong family. James Armstrong owned the grant of land initially, then deeded it to Joseph Armstrong, who in turn sold the grant to George Rutledge in 1754. - History of Gaston County by Minnie Puett, pg. 66--Khaentlahn 20:25, 18 November 2013 (UTC)