Richmond - Walton County GaArchives Biographies.....Rowe, Thomas Family ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Randy Rowe Rowesof4@bellsouth.net November 2003 The INTRODUCTION The descendants of Thomas R. Rowe held an annual "Rowe reunion" for several years. It was originally held at the homes of Thomas's children but was later held at the Log Cabin in Walker Park (near Monroe,GA) until the time of the last gathering of the family. The purpose of this reunion was to gather all of the family together in one place, to meet new members of the family, to reminisce about the loved ones that had "gone home", and to just enjoy being with the family. These were the same reasons I had for beginning this project Oct 13,1979. Every possible effort has been made to be accurate in the recording of all information. Despite my efforts, there will undoubtedly be some mistakes. I apologize for all wrong or misstated facts. It is my hope that this book will be the basis for the continuation of the "family tree". Spaces have been left so that information about births, marriages, and deaths may be entered as they occur. It was with great pleasure that I had this part in preserving these facts and legends of this family for the current generations and for the ones yet to come. Randall D. Rowe July 1988 Latest Update – August 3, 2012 ROWE The surname Rowe has four origins and because of the misspelling of the name on records through the years, it is now impossible to seperate them. In England, the Old English word Ruh, meaning "rough or rowdy", formed the nicknames of the following which finally was used as a surname: Geoffrey le (the) Ruwe, Leicestershire in 1195; John and Richard Le Roue, Cheshire in 1260; Walter le Roue, Essex in 1262; and Walter le Rouwe, Essex in 1320. Another Old English meaning of the name was from the word ruh, meaning "rough or uncultured land". The other Old English meaning was from the word raw,or raew, meaning "in line", such as a row of houses. Richard Rowe lived in Staffordshire in 1306, John de (of) Rowe lived in Kent in 1317, and Robert del Rowe lived in Suffolk in 1412. None of these have been proven to be related to this branch of the family. In Scotland, the meaning of the name is from the place named Row in Dumbartonshire. Early users of the name in Scotland include: William de Rowe who had land in Dunipais around 1200, the Rev. John Row. (1525-1580) who was the first Protestant minister in Perth, and his grandson, the Rev. John Row (1598-1672) who was the author of Hebraeae Linguas Institutiones, the first work in Hebrew that was printed in Scotland. Early settlers in this country included: Nicholas Row who arrived in Virginia in 1621, John Row(e) who had land in Wight county in Virginia in 1643, and Thomas Rowe who was granted 500 acres in Northumberland. county in 1652, Nicholas Rowe was in Rhode Island in 1640, Matthew Rowe was in Connecticut in 1650, and John Rowe was in Maine in 1664. Seven officers in the Revolutionary Army had the surname of Rowe. Chapter 1 THOMAS ROWE (circa 1800 - circa 1845) Thomas Rowe (circa 1800 - circa 1845) and his wife Mary (Smare) Rowe (circa 1800 - circa ?) are probably the earliest known members of this particular branch of the Rowe family. Although there is no definite proof of this fact, there is reason to believe that Thomas and Mary (Smare) Rowe are the parents of James Rowe, the father of Thomas R. Rowe. According to the 1860 Census, Nancy Smars (sic) was a serving girl living with James and Mary Ann (Walker) Rowe in Richmond Co,GA., Nancy was probably a relative of Mary (Smare) Rowe. Thomas Rowe was born circa 1800 in North Carolina (?) and probably died circa 1845(?). Thomas married Oct 25,1823 (Richmond CO,GA) Mary Smare. The 1850 Census list Mary Rowe, age 50, as the head of her Richmond County household. Also listed are three children, Robert Rowe (see Chapter 16), James Rowe (see following), and Kenny (or Henry?) Rowe age 16. This is the last known record of Mary and her son Kenny (or Henry?) but Robert is listed as living next to James and Mary Ann (Walker) Rowe in the 1860 Census. Children of Thomas and Mary: Robert J. Rowe (born 1830 GA - died circa 1862) James Rowe (born circa 1832 - died Sept 20,1888) (see following) Kenny (or Henry?) (born ? - died ?) (no futher information is known) Elizabeth Rowe (born circa 1833 - ?) (not proven yet) William Rowe (born circa ? - ?) married circa 1855 Elizabeth Goss (not proven yet) Chapter 2 JAMES ROWE (circa 1832 - Sept 20,1888) James "Jim" Rowe, probably the second son of Thomas and Mary (Smare) Rowe, was born circa 1832 in Richmond County,GA(?). James married July 3,1853 (Richmond County, GA) Mary Ann -Walker, probably the daughter of Golathan and Elizabeth L.(?) Walker (not yet proven to be her parents). They were married by James E. Cashiu J.P. (sic). Mary Ann was born circa 1827 in Georgia and had two children before she married James, George Walker and Rebecca Walker. After marrying James, Mary Ann's two children used both surnames. James was a farmer in Richmond County,GA when the Civil War began. At age 31, James enlisted (August 5,1863) as a private in 2nd Company D, 12th Battalion Georgia Light Artillery C.S.A.. James and his Company were then sent to James Island in South Carolina where James became the company cook. After being in the army for only ten months, James was wounded at the Battle of Turkey Ridge (formally called Cold Harbor) in Virginia in June 1864. James was shot in the right hip on June 4, 1864 and was admitted to Confederate States of America General Hospital in Danville, Virginia. On June 6,1864, James was furloughed and sent to the Convalescent Camp in Augusta,GA. After leaving the Convalescent Camp, on Sept. 7,1864, James never rejoined his Company, "not being fit for duty", but soon moved his family to Walton County,GA (circa 1865), probably to start a new life as many others did after the war was over. Even though James had started his new life he was still plagued by his memories of the war. The wound that he had received during the war had never healed. This could be a possible link to a diabetic condition suffered by many of the descendants of James. "James was down for months at a time with his leg .... was suffering all the time .... and had a running sore on his right leg ever since the war .... was weak in the spine and right side .... had gangrene in his right leg when he died at his home in Walton County .... and for eight months before his death he could not go without his crutches. James died September 20,1888 and it is believed that Mary Ann died circa 1900 in Walton County, since she only received army pension payments until 1899. The exact burial place of James and Mary Ann Rowe is not known but are believed to be buried in unmarked graves at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cem., along with several of their children, or at their old homesite somewhere in "Brooks district" of Walton County. James and Mary Ann had the following children, at least three of which were born after they moved to Walton County,GA.: I.) Georgi Walker-Rowe (circa 1850 - ?) (see following) II.) Rebecca Walker-Rowe (circa 1852 - ?) (see following) III.) Martha Rowe (circa 1855 - ?) (see following) IV.) Robert Rowe (circa 1858 - ?) (see following) V.) John Rowe (Oct 1860 - ?) (see following) VI.) James Jr. Rowe (circa 1862 - ?) (see following) VII.) Charles Rowe (circa 1864 - ?) (see following) VIII.) William Rowe (circa 1866 - ?) (see following) IX.) Thomas R. Rowe (Oct 28,1871 - May 28,1938) (see following) X.) Richard Rowe ( born ? - died ?) (Family legend says Richard ran away from home when he was a young boy and. was never heard from again.) I.) GEORGI WALKER-ROWE Georgi Walker-Rowe was born circa 1850 (Richmond County,GA ?), three years before his mother married James Rowe. The date of his marriage, his wife's name and date of birth, as well as Georgi's date of death are unknown. It is known that he and his wife had at least the following children: 1.) Bessie Rowe ( born ? - died ?) married Dave Hill (?) date of marriage is unknown. 2.) Jessie Rowe ( born ? - died ?) married Jim Hood (?) date of marriage is unknown. II.) REBECCA WAIKER-ROWE Rebecca "Becky or Bessie" Walker-Rowe was born circa 1852 (Richmond County,GA ?), the year before her mother married James Rowe. It is not known if Rebecca ever married, or the date of her death but according to the 1880 Census, there were two granddaughters living with James and Mary Ann Rowe and their children, these were probably children that "Becky" had while still living at home. Their names were: 1.) Tutt Rowe (sic)(female) (born circa 1876 in GA - ?) 2.) Julia Ann Rowe (born circa 1878 in GA - ?) III.) MARTHA ROWE Martha "Sis" Rowe was born circa 1855 (Richmond County,GA ?), was the first child born to James and Mary Ann Rowe. "Sis" is believed to have married circa 1875 (probably in Walton County) ? Smith. Her husband's full name is not known. The burial place of Martha and her husband is also not known. Martha and her husband had at least the following child: 1.) Tom Smith (born ? - died ?) married Mamie Iler IV.) ROBERT ROWE Robert Rowe was born circa 1858 (Richmond County,GA ?) and is believed to have married (Dec 1,1875 in Walton County ?) Lucenda F(annie ?) Perkins. Robert is thought to have died or left town circa 1885 because according to the 1900 Census, Fannie was a widow living with her son, John D. Perkins who was born Aug 1872. Also living with Fannlie were the following children: 1.) Vessie Rowe (born Jan 1880 - ?) 2.) George W. Rowe (born Jan 26,1882 - Jan 20,1958) married Fannie Pearl Dailey (born Aug 7,1894 - died Mar 1,1968) George and his wife are both buried at Mountain Creek Church Cem. (Rowe Road in Walton Co,GA was named in memory of George Rowe) - (exact dates need to be verified as of this updated printing) V.) JOHN ROWE John "Jack" Rowe was born Oct 1860 (Richmond County,GA ?) and married Aug 23,1888 (Walton County,GA) Fannie Wiggins who was born Feb 1857 in GA and died in 1927. John and Fannie are buried at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cem. near Monroe. "Jack" and Fannie Rowe had no children. VI.) JAMES JR. ROWE James Jr. "Jim" Rowe was born circa 1862 (Richmond County,GA ?) and married Dec 23,1886 (Walton County) "Lizzie" Elizabeth F. A. Hall(?). The exact date of death is not known but Jim and Lizzie lived in Atlanta,GA at one time and it is thought that he died there (of cancer) and both are probably buried there. They had at least the following children: 1.) Frank Rowe 2.) Isaac C. Rowe 3.) Elijah Rowe 4.) Albert Rowe 5.) Eula Mae Rowe 6.) Annie Rowe VII.) CHARLES ROWE Charles "Charlie" Rowe was born circa 1864 (Richmond Co,GA ?) and died ?. Charles is said to have been a tall, slim man, his brothers are said to have all been short. Charles married Sept 9,1883 (Walton Co,GA) Josie Davis. The burial place of Charles and Josie is not known. They had at least the following children: 1.) Fannie Rowe 2.) "Bless" Rowe VIII.) WILLIAM ROWE William "Bill" Rowe was born circa 1866 (Walton County,GA ?) and died ?. "Bill" married Jan 29,1891 (Walton County ?) Mary (E. Woodruff ?). William and Mary are not known to have had any children. IX.) THOMAS R. ROWE Thomas R. Rowe, the youngest child of James and Mary Ann, was born Oct 28,1871 in Walton County,GA and died May 28, 1938. Thomas married 1st Leila Murrell,2nd Pairalee Austin and 3rd Mollie Cheeks-Wheeler. Children by first marriage were: 1.) Robert Lee Rowe 2.) Alma Alice Rowe 3.) Eula Mae Rowe 4.) John Benjamin Rowe 5.) Claude Millard Rowe 6.) Lillie Gertrude Rowe 7.) Richard Clarence Rowe 8.) Weyman Wells Rowe 9.) Truman Rowe 10.) Daisy Naomi Rowe 11.) James Allen Rowe Children by third marriage were: 12.) Mary Inez Rowe 13.) Thomas Junior Rowe Chapter 3 MURRELL FAMILY The oldest known member of the Murrell family is Elizabeth "Lizzie" Murrell. Lizzie Murrell was born Oct 11,11836 (place unknown) and died May 20,1896 in Walton Co,GA. Lizzie is buried at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, also buried there: Fred,Sarah Jane, and Nellie Murrell. It is not known if Lizzie ever married but in the death notice of her daughter ,Leila Rowe, she was listed as Miss Lizzie Murrell. Lizzie had the following children: I.) Fred G. Murrell (see following) II.) J. Tom Murrell married Aug 17,1913 Walton Co,GA Anna Daly Issue: (twins) PauI and Pearl Murrell. III.) Leila Murrell (b-Feb 21,1876 - d-Apr 4,1924) Another member of the Murrell family, "Newd" Murrell, is believed to have been a cousin to Leila Rowe, and would read the newspaper to Thomas R. Rowe during World War II.