David Cowan (?-1811)/Notes

from: http://thor.genserv.net/sub/mb5a/note_3.htm mb5a, Cliff Manis Cowan, David (b. ?, d. 1811 ?) Note: SOURCE NOTES: SOURCE NOTES: SOURCE: Much of the information about the David COWAN family and his ancestors has been obtained from my personal copy a booklet, title "A History of Boyd's Creed", by Estalena R. Brabson., and edited by Mrs. Margaret R. Brabson, dated 1989, pages 9 through 11.

On 11 November 1991, I talked with Mr. Ben Brabson, Sevierville, Tennessee. Ben is an attorney there, and a spokesman for his sister Mrs. Margaret R. Brabson. Mrs. Estalena Brabson, mother of Ben, was a genealogist in Sevier County for many years. During our conversation via phone, Mr. Ben Brabson gave me permission to use the information in her book as a reference and as needed. I would like to thank Mr. Ben Brabson for allowing me to use this information in this family history document.

The Cowan family was one of the first to occupy lands on Boyd's Creek. There are at least five houses still [in 1989] standing which were at one time homes of some of the early Cowans. From records in possession of Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, a Cowan descendent, seven brother emigrated from Newry County Down, Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania. One of the brothers, David COWAN, received a King's patent for 248 acres of land in Washington (later Russell) County, Virginia, on June 24, 1785. The Washington County records show that he and his wife Jane, sold their patent on January 30, 1786. It is believed they then moved to Boyd's Creek area and built a two-story log house as early as the fall on 1786. This house is still [in 1989] standing and in the possession of Bruce Hodges.

Other records that prove David Cowan was living in this area at the time are land grants to John Brabson in 1798 marked on line with David Cowan, and a deed from John Brabson to William Hugh Cowan, dated 1827, of 384 acres which he had previously bought from David Cowan who had held it by land grant No. 20.

David Cowan died an old man in 1811 and had left a will naming seven sons and two daughters. His old son, John Cowan, had died in the American Revolution.