Families with Ties to Washington County, Georgia: Descendants of MCGOWAN

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Submitted by Diana McGowan Pate

A man finds room in a few square inches of his face
for the traits of all his ancestors;
for the expression of all his history.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The McGowan name originated in Scotland or Ireland. “Gowan” was the same in Gaelic or Scotch as the word “Smith” in English. The Mc or Mac means “son of”, so some of the sons of Smiths in Scotland and Ireland acquired the name “McGowan”. Variations include McGowing, McGowen, McGoune, Magowan, McAgown, McEgown, McIroine, Gowans, MacGowan, McGown, Magoune, M’Gowan, McGow, and O’Gowan.

The first record of name was found in Invernesshire, Scotland before the year 1100. In Ireland, the name originated in County Cavan in Southern Ulster. County Sligo, Cavan, Leitrim and Donegal, all in NW Ireland, have the largest concentrations of McGowans of all spellings. Sligo and Leitrim are in the province of Connaught, on the W coast of Ireland, while Cavan and Donegal are in Ulster, which is in Northern Ireland. During times of British oppression in Ireland, many McGowans were forced to change their surname to Smith just to survive...

- “Basic” Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Welsh) Naming Traditions:
--- Oldest Son: named after the Father’s father
--- 2nd Son: named after the Mother’s father
--- 3rd Son: named after the Father
--- 4th Son: named after the Father’s oldest brother

--- Oldest Daughter: named after the Mother’s mother
--- 2nd Daughter: named after the Father’s mother
--- 3rd Daughter: named after the Mother
--- 4th Daughter: named after the Mother’s oldest sister

--- 2nd Wife’s Oldest Daughter: usually named after the first wife, using her full name
(often follows for subsequent husbands too)

John MCGOWAN married Sally / Sarah E. PRICE 9 Feb 1856 in Washington Co, GA. His birthplace listed on death certificate of William J. (his son) is North Carolina, no county or date. Census records show birthplace as GA. Date Of Birth - 9/6/1829 Washington Co. Died - 1902 Washington Co (from tombstone listing). Buried - McGowan Family Cemetery, Washington Co.

Parents - Mother: Nancy (Creekmore??), Father: ?? William / ? David / John.
Brothers: David Sr. (DOB 9/17/1816; Died ?; Father / Grandfather of Noah)
William (DOB 1/15/1826)
Sisters: Ester (DOB 4/15/1821; Died 5/20/1904; Buried McGowan Family Cem)
Mary Jane (DOB 9/15/1823; Died 5/20/1904; Buried McGowan Fam Cem)
Nancy (DOB 1/3/1834)

Sally / Sarah E. Price McGowan - listed on same death certificate mentioned above as being born in Washington Co, GA (no date). DOB 1845 (Cemetery records show 1859 - this can not be correct if married in 1856). Died 8/24/1912 in Emanuel Co. Buried at Bithynia Church Cemetery, Washington Co.

Will of Moore Price dated 15 Aug 1848, lists a daughter named “Sally”. Appears to be the same. Father: Moore Price - DOB 1800 Johnston Co, NC; Died June 1850 Washington Co. Son of Rice Price II, born about 1775 Craven Co, NC; died Washington Co, GA between 1840-1848. Married 24 Feb 1795 Mary Morning Moore, born 1779 in Johnston Co, NC; Died 1859 Washington Co, GA. Daughter of John Moore and Prudence HOLDER. Mother: 2nd Wife Mary Polly MAXWELL, DOB 1800/1810. Married Moore Price 20 Aug 1837 Washington Co.

Children of Moore Price and Mary Maxwell (Siblings of Sally McGowan):
Mary Ann - DOB 1838 GA; died after June 1850
Elizabeth - DOB 1842 GA; married Russel KNIGHT 3/20/1856 Washington
Elbert - DOB 1846 GA

1/2 Brothers & Sisters of Sally McGowan by 1st Unknown Wife of Moore Price from AL:
John - DOB 1826 AL; returned to AL
Nancy - DOB 1827; returned to AL
Robert - DOB 1828 AL; Died 2 July 1888; married Marth Jane? 1830-1893. 1 Daughter - Vianna E. DOB 1859 Washington Co.
Anna - DOB 1830
William - DOB 1832 AL; Died 1860; Married 7/19/1855 Harriet P. SUTTON (1834-1863). Sons Benjamin (DOB 1857) and Bennett (DOB 1859 Washington Co).
Seaborn - DOB 6/18/1834 AL; Died 11/6/1921; Buried McGowan Family Cemetery, Washington Co. Married before 1855 Nancy Ella ?? (9 June 1834 - 2 July 1927). 8 Children - Miller in Jefferson Co, 1880.

Notes on Prices: Came to Washington/Johnson Co area of Pringle from Johnston Co, NC. Buried Ricy Price Cemetery and Price Cemetery, Johnson Co, GA. Had large land holdings in both Washington & Johnson Co.

Origin of Price surname: Welsh, North Wales - “Son of Rhys” or “Fixer of Prices”. First record of name found in Merionethshire, Wales.

Washington Co. Information -
- 1790 Census - (1st Official US Census)
- 1820 Census - No McGowans listed in Jefferson Co., several Prices are listed
- 1830 Census - No McGowans listed, several Prices are listed. Burke Co. lists a Nancy as Head of Family in 71st Dist.
- 1840 Census - No McGowans listed, Moor Price is listed as Head of Household between ages of 40 & 50, no other info, District 88. - 1850 Census - lists birthplace of John McGowan as GA, age 18, which would make him born in 1832. Mother Nancy is listed as Head of Household/Planter. Lived in Division 91.
- 1860 Census - Lists a ‘Daniel’ McGowan, farmer, age 40, wife Elizabeth, 3 daughters, no Location.
- 1870 Census - Lists “John” McGowan, farmer, born in GA, age 38, wife named “Sarah”, 3 Daughters, a son “John” age 3. This also would make him born in 1832. Sarah is listed as 25, making her born in 1845. Sally is often used as a Nickname for Sarah; living in Davisboro District.
- 1900 Census - Lists “John” McGowan, farmer, born in GA Jan 1832, wife Sarah, born in GA Feb 1850, 2 daughters, a son age 21, District #1384.

Children of John McGowan and Sally/Sarah E. Price:

Andrew - Lived in Wadley (per Albert McGowan - GrGrandson in Wadley); married Amanda/Mandy WILSON - Daughter of Sam Wilson, grdaughter of Baskin Wilson. They had 7 Children.
- Andrew John (Johnny) - Buried at Gum Log, Johnson Co.
- Albert - DOB ??; married Betty HADDEN; children: Albert and Bobby
- Claudie
- Edna Mae - Mother of Wilmer HALL of Metter

Samuel M. (Sammy) - DOB 1862; Lived in Toombs Co. between Vidalia & Soperton; married Nancy Wilson (DOB 1870; Died 1929)
- John M. - DOB 1/20/1900; Died 5/3/1989; Buried at Rosemary Cem; married Laura MERCER (DOB 5/6/1896; Died 11/17/1988)
- Unnamed Infant Daughter - DOB 4/12/1910; Died 4/19/1910
- Wiley C. McGowan, GA, Pvt. 8 Inf, 27 May 1937

Notes on Samuel M. McGowan: Lost an eye chopping wood. Buried at Braddy Cemetery, Montgomery Co, GA.

William John (Johnny) McGowan - DOB 11/15/1865 Washington Co., GA. Died 3/2/1945; married Mary F. (Fannie) Wilson (DOB 5/28/1873; Died 5/24/1908) 3 Daughters : Ola, Ida S., and Trudie; 4 Sons: John Willie, Omer Sam, Ernest, and Wiley. Later married Mrs. Minnie M. LEE - No Children

Notes on William John (Johnny) McGowan: Died 2 March 1945 Emanuel Co., GA; Buried at Bithynia Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Emanuel Co. Was living with son, Omer, at time of death on Rt. 80 at Twin City, near the State Park. Married Twice: No records found of either marriage.

1st Wife: (Mary F.) Fannie (Louise) Wilson - DOB 28 May 1873 Washington Co, GA; Died 24 May 1908 Emanuel Co, GA. Buried at Bithynia Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Emanuel Co.

Notes on Wilsons: Wilson surname originated in England - Son of Will. First record of name was found in Berwickshire, Scotland. From Johnson County per Emma McGowan - has Family Bible.

Uncle of Fannie Wilson McGowan: Jim Wilson and wife Lizzie. Their children:
- Mary Elizabeth Wilson Lamb (Robert)
Daughter: Emma Lamb McGowan (married Lee McGowan) - had Janet McGowan WEBBER and James E. McGowan - of Savannah
- Margaret Wilson BRANTLEY
Daughters - Orie Dudley - Swainsboro; Ruth/Pearlie Smith
- Bell Wilson Joiner (Walter)
- Rev. Jimmy Wilson - Prim. Baptist Preacher
- Rev. Issac Wilson - Prim Baptist Preacher
- Nancy Wilson (Samuel McGowan)

Children of Johnny McGowan & Mary F. (Fannie) Wilson:
- Ola - DOB 1892 Washington Co; married Rufus MURRAY who worked for RR - had NO children. Adopted a girl named Frances. Lived at Hazlehurst (Jeff Davis Co); Buried at Cool Springs Primitive Baptist Church, Candler Co.
- Ida S. - DOB 1894 Washington Co; Died 1965; Buried Rosemary Cemetery, Candler Co. 1st Husband - George Lee (Step Brother); Lived in Augusta
Daughter: Essie Mae EDINGFIELD; Buried at Bethel Cem, Emanuel Co.
2nd Husband - Bazy M. BARBER (1896 - 1931); Lived in Statesboro; Buried at Rosemary.
Daughters: Sybil Edenfield and Elita
- Trudie - Born Washington Co; Buried at Rosemary Cemetery, Candler Co. 1st Husband - Judd Wilson (No Relation to Fannie); Lived in Birmingham, AL
Daughters: Twins - Selma & Thelma, Nellie
2nd Husband - Sammy
- John Willie - DOB 12/20/1898 Washington, Co, GA; Died 5/27/1973 Candler Co, GA; Buried Rosemary Cemetery. Married Ethel Pearl AKINS 9/16/1917 in Candler Co. DOB 8/17/1899 Emanuel Co. Died 3/1993 Candler Co. Buried Rosemary. Daughter of George W. Akins & Ginny Olliff Akins of Emanuel Co.

Note: Akins name first found in Lanarkshire, located in the Scottish English Border Ridings. May be of French origin.

Children of John Willie and Ethel:

(1) Wilmer Claude married 1st time Severne WEATHERFORD (DOB 7/7/1921 Emanuel Co; Died 7/30/1975 Toombs Co; Buried Rosemary, Candler Co). Children:
- Wilton Harmon married Sandra CROWE; had Sheryl Lynn, Julia Celeste, and Kevin
- Larry Claude married 1st time Renee OWENS; had Scott Ashley and twins: Lori Leigh and Lora Lynn. Married 2nd time Peggy P. HENRY.

(2) James Delma - DOB 9/14/1919 Emanuel Co; Died 3/1992 Dekalb Co. Buried at Rosemary, Candler Co. Married 1st time Edna BOYETTE. NO children. Married 2nd time Hilda Lorraine GRINER, daughter of Adlia Bee Griner (DOB 2/29/1892 Berrien Co) and Nina Lou BASS (DOB 7/25/1901 Randolph Co); had Diana Lorraine (married Wayne Daniel (Danny) PATE, son of Rufus Pate & Vesta Malinda Westberry Pate; children: (1)Mark Ashley Pate, who married Angela Deanna WALLER, daughter of Randall Waller & Cecila Newsome Waller, and had Chloe Ashlyn Pate; (2)Tara Nicole Pate, who married Robert Chadwick (Chad) PERRY, son of Robert Wesley Perry & Judy McBrayer Perry, and had Leslie Anne Perry, Wesley Wayne Perry, and Carolyn Nicole Perry); and Nina Bebe McGowan (married Michael HOLLAND of Louisiana - No children, and later married James D. GAUNT of Virginia - No children).

James Delma married 3rd time Leigh BRYANT; had Joni (married Charles David ADAMS; had Christopher (Chris) David Bryant and Julia Elizabeth), and Catherine (Cathy) Susan. He married 4th time Betty BARNES - NO children.

(3) Robert Louis (Bob) - DOB 3/14/1921 Emanuel Co; died 10/2/1979 Candler Co. Buried at Rosemary; married Grace Carla OLLIFF. Children: Bobbie Carol (married James LUMLEY; had Monica Lynn (BRADLEY) and Gregory Scott), Linda Vernell (married (1)John Robert WADDELL and had Carla Yvonne, who married Don MARTIN, and Jeffrey Keith; married (2)Larry Bryant and had Kimberly Mischelle), Michael (Mike) Louis (married Jean BRUNER and had Michael Christopher; married Deborah COLEMAN), Dee Anna (married John LAROCQUE and had Ashley DeeAnna), Dennis Peyton McGowan (married Melinda Coleman and had Robert Willie and Kristie Alicia; married Lennie Cannady MORRIS), and Robert Lemuel (born 11/10/1958 Candler Co. Died 5/2000 Montgomery Co; married Patsy FOSKEY and had Paula LeSha, Brittany, and Lindsey Brooke).

(4) Vera Lucille married James E. DONALDSON (DOB 11/23/1916 Emanuel Co. Died 4/28/1975 Candler Co; buried at Bethel). Children: George William (married Carol VAUGHN and had Elizabeth Ann (Betsie) and George William (Will) II), Virginia (Ginger) Lucile (married Dick LANIER (born Toombs Co; died 7/11/1968; buried Lyons Cem - No children; later married Elder E. D. Bryant and had Miriam Esther, Leanna Grace, and Benjamin Edward; later married Elder Raybon B. LORD), Bette Ruth (married Jerry Wilcher and had Laura Marie), Jimmy Wayne (married Terry ROUNDTREE - No children), Mark Eleazor (married Cynthia SMITH), and Debra (Debbie) Pearl.

(5) John Edwin married Virginia BREEDLOVE. Children: Donald Edwin (married Merrie JACKSON and had Tammie; later married Judy DAVIS - No children), Wanda (married Michael JOHNSON and had Josh), and Wendell Hollis (married Jan CARNES - No children; later married Michelle and had McKenzie and John Robert).

(6) George Waldo married Mary Ann MCNAIR. Children: Violet Anise (married Barry Coleman - No children), Harry Brian (married Lori Lanier and had Marlie and Mat), and Angie Lorris (married Bradford Earnest FRANKLIN and had Katie and Macy).

Notes on Willie McGowan: Farmed most of his life. Worked with RR in Savannah / Augusta. Farmed in Emanuel Co. at Graymont until 1936 when he moved to Candler Co. Bought Farm in Candler Co. in 1936 from Mitch Dekel.

- Omer Sam - DOB 6/3/1901 Washington / Johnson Co; Died 10/23/1983 Candler Co. Buried at Rosemary Cemetery. 1st Wife Gertrude had Louise and Jean. 2nd Wife Ollie C. Sutton (DOB 4/12/1915; Died 1/1/2000; Lived in Emanuel Co. Buried at Rosemary Cemetery) had Harriett Kight, William G., Audrey Jean Kight, Remer, Charles, Geneva Douglas, and Brenda Collins.
- Ernest - DOB 9/17/1903 Washington Co; Died 2/28/1905 Emanuel Co. Buried at Bithynia in Emanuel Co.
- Wiley - DOB 01/25/1907 Emanuel Co; Died 9/1972 Augusta. 1st Wife Ruth BYRD had Betty and Jackie. 2nd Wife Margaret ?? had David.

2nd Wife of Johnny McGowan: Mrs. Minnie M. Lee (No record or date found for marriage) - DOB 7/22/1871; Died 8/24/1934 Emanuel Co. Buried at Bethel Church Cemetery, Emanuel Co with daughter in Edenfield plot. She had 6 children by 1st Husband - Son George married step-sister, Ida McGowan.

Jefferson County Records show the following:
- 1820 Census - John McGowan age 18-25, Louisville Dist.
- 1850 Census - John M. McGowen, age 20, Born in 1830 Jefferson Co, Ga; Peter McGowan, age 29, Born in Ireland.
- Will - 12 Sept 1796, for a David McGowan, wife Elizabeth, sons John & William
- Will - Dec. 1828, for a John McGowan, wife Nancy, sons William & David (David is father of John per Burke Co land deed transfer).

Davisboro is located on line close to Jefferson Co. Jefferson Co. was created from parts of Washington Co and Burke Co. Burke Co was included in old St. George Parish.

Burke County Records show the following:
1 Oct. 1771 - David McGowan was granted 400 acres in St. George Parish. This land was said to be located on Buckhead Creek near Lambert’s Big Creek. Today, this is in Jefferson Co., close to Davisboro. This was an English Crown Land Grant.

Jefferson County Records of Land Platts of Queensborough Township show that 100 Acres granted to David McGowan was between Schaffer Creek & Black Jack Creek. Original Warrant was 12 Dec. 1769 - Had to be in GA then. Probably came on ship Hopewell in Nov, 1769. Sailed from Belfast, N. Ireland. Ogeechee lands were made available for all Protestant Scotch-Irish from Ulster. Land surveyed 20 Nov. 1770, Granted 1 Oct. 1771.

Colonial GA records show that in 1765 James Oglethorpe, Governor of GA, set aside 50,000 acres in St. George Parish to be laid out as a township for settlers from Northern Ireland. (Today Jefferson Co.) It was located on Lambert’s Big Creek, The settlement was called Queensborough. Those who settled there were given headright land grants from the Crown.

- Q U E S T I O N S -

- Who has “McGowan Family Bible” now?
- “Exactly” where was the ‘Farm’ owned by William John McGowan located?
- How did he get this land in the first place? (Buy it, inherit it, land grant)
- When he lost the farm (around 1906) how did he dispose of it? Did he sell it, did a bank forclose? Did the county take it for back taxes?

When fighting broke out with the English in 1776 (Revolutionary War), many evacuated GA and fled to North Carolina and Florida. 18 July 1783 Colonial Records have a listing of returning “War Refugees”. David McGowan is on that list. If he went to North Carolina for safety during the war, a son could have been born there.

- Where did they go to Church?
- Where did they go to school?
- Who were their neighbors?
- Where did they buy grocery staples, shoes, clothes, etc.
- What Bank or others did they do business with?
- Where did they sell their crops?
- What about aunts, uncles or cousins?

Exactly How was Noah McGowan related? I have been told that Noah’s father, David, and Wm. John were 1/2 brothers. (Wm John had an older brother listed on census named Davey, but DOB doesn’t match.)

Noah Daniel McGowan - DOB 5/17/01; Died 7/31/1981 Metter, GA; Buried at Rosemary. Parents: David (Dave) McGowan (DOB 12/15/1865; Died 10/23/1938; Buried at Rosemary, Candler Co.) and 1st Wife Ella Olliff - DOB 6/3/1871 Emanuel Co. Died 1/20/1914; Buried at Olliff Cemetery, Candler Co (Cousin of Ethel Pearl Akins McGowan)

Children of David McGowan & Ella Olliff:
- Mae McGowan Mikell - DOB 1892
- Esther M. McGowan Lanier - DOB 1897
- Noah Daniel McGowan - DOB 5/17/01; Died 7/31/1981 (Children of 1st wife: Calvin, Audren, Edward, and Willard. Children of 2nd Wife: Lillian, Lena B. McGowan Rigdon - DOB 1905, and Bertie Lee McGowan - DOB 1907; Died 6/2000 (Wife: Emma Lamb (Cousin to Fannie); was married 75 yrs. Had Janet Webber and James E. McGowan)

2nd Wife - Delomia STEPTOE - Married 5/25/1915 in Emanuel Co., GA by Rev. W. T. Coleman, Marriage Book D, page 587

Children of David McGowan & Delomia Steptoe:
- Randolph
- Eugene
- Frances
- Blondie
- Marie
- David Jr.

Events that took place & had an impact on McGowan Family:
- Revolutionary War
- Civil War
- Sherman’s March from Atlanta to Savannah
- Reconstruction
- Spanish Am War
- WW I
- WW II
- Vietnam War

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