THE GOWEN PAPERS Notes copied from a paper lent by Albyne Gowen Blythe, wife of Rees Blythe, Fullerton, California. Rees is a grandson of James Blythe, brother of my grandfather, Joseph Blythe. Albyne's brother, Tom Gowen, had the complete group of notes duplicated for Albyne. I have copied only those parts applying to the Crocketts and the Blythes and a few excerpts which reflect the early times. What a memory for people he had! Ruth Blythe Walker Genealogy (circa 1964) ____________________________________________________ Notes and reminiscences from Uncle William Floyd given to Charles E. Gowen in the summer of 1904 in his 84th year We begin with this old pioneer whose name will add historic interest to the following sketches. We are reminded that Crockett once lived on the east proxy of Mulberry about one and one half miles from County Line, Moore County, Tennessee. There is some dispute as to the exact location of the Crockett cabin, some claiming that it was on the Amos Gore farm, where Jim Bird now lives - but what gave use to this opinion is that 'Billie' Crockett (David's brother) once lived there - while David lived further down the branch near the present home of Jim Brown. My grandfather, James B. Gowan, pointed out the exact location of the cabin to Uncle William, and to his best recollection, it stood near the Brown place and on the same side of the road. This is now the most authentic account that can be had. Gowan and Crockett were companions and neighbors and with their dogs and rifles had visited frequently. Crockett was a guest at the house where Bill Mullins now lives - has slacked a hunter's thirst at the Cave Spring while old Betsy, his trusty rifle, was quietly resting against the old beech tree. Gowen sees him on one occasion after he had married his second wife and joked him about his new wife who had about $800 in cash. David said this will be mighty good sass (sauce) to carry along with us. It is said that Crockett cleared a field on a parcel of land on the farm now owned by George Gowan in the 24th district of Bedford County, Tennessee. It was here, wrestling with the sassafras that adorn the summit of Hungry Hill that the brawn and bravery was developed that afterward made him famous as a soldier as well as a hunter and backwoods statesman. So here in the jungles of the forest living with his first wife, the faithful one who crossed the mountains of East Tennessee with him, that this old pioneer no doubt spent his happiest days. He says himself that his reputation as a hunter was made on Mulberry. He tells Gowen where he once killed a panther. He was drinking from the fine spring on the south side of Mansford on Elk River, the panther sprang on him. He killed him with his Bowie knife. Crockett was killed March 6, 1836 at the Alamo, Texas." ____________________________________________________ Albyne's brother, Tom Gowen, related a story that had been handed down in their family. The Gowen family farm near Lynchburg, Tennessee, had once belonged to David Crockett who traded it about 140 acres, to Gowen (James B. Gowen) for a black horse one time when he desperately needed a horse for a proposed trip. Albyne Gowen Blythe was born in the log cabin on that farm. Ruth Blythe Walker Genealogy(circa 1964) ____________________________________________________ Following is the balance of The Gowen Papers. It has been included as many of the names mentioned in the recollections were neighbors, acquaintances, and in some instances, relatives of Blythe family members. Their names appear in many early Blythe documents in Lincoln County, Tennessee. The Gowen Papers additionally provide a glimpse into the lives of our pioneer ancestors. A copy of Uncle William Floyd's Notes was given to me by Daphana Hill, who I met while visiting Lynchburg TN and a descendant of the Gore and Edens families mentioned by William Floyd. Thomas Blythe Jr's two youngest daughters, Polly and Paulina, married brothers Benjamin M. and John Edens, Daphana's kin. Marie Andrews Cilluffo, 1997 James B. Gowan was born in Bedford County, Virginia, November 22, 1785 near the town of Lynchburg, Virginia and settled in Bedford County, Tennessee near the town of Lynchburg, Tennessee. He often related this coincidence. His father, William Gowen was killed with an axe by a crazy man. His mother's maiden name was Burns hence James Burns Gowan. She was of Scotch decent and was related to Robert Burns the Scottish poet. His father married a second time but wife's name is not known. Three children were born by this second wife. Two boys & one girl - Jeremiah, Sanford L. and Julia. We may have relatives from this source somewhere also of Irish decent. Grandfather would joke his children about their Irish when they got their 'dander up'. Only two of first children, James B. and William, who were left orphans, James B. at the age of three and William younger. Both bound out to an uncle Burns. Grandfather was set free at 16 years of age - split rails to pay for a pony - when paid for it died. He suffered many hardships and privations. Dr. William Gowen, his brother, settled near Woodbury, Cannon County, married Elizabeth Moore, a splendid woman - raised large family, among which were Dr. Ike and Jim Gowen of Nashville, Tennessee. Grandfather first settled in Williamson County on Harpeth River where he married Ann Price on February 23, 1808. Prior to his marriage, he kept bach. with his would to be brother in law George Price. Came to Bedford County the following year - killed a deer near the present site of the Courthouse at Shelbyville, Tennessee. Settled at the old place in 1809. The chimney mound now in yard, making the site of one of the first log huts erected at the head waters of Mulberry. The house in which his youngest daughter now lives was raised July 4, 1815. Oldest child Bettie born in Williamson County. Children as follows - Elizabeth, married Daniel Brown; Harriet, married Emziah Anthony; Mathew, married Edens first, second time Widow Mullins; Sallie, married William Floyd; William P., married Isabell Emry first, second time Sidney Floyd; Thomas, married a Thomas. Last wife of grandfather Gowen was Lucy Emry. Large family of last children as follows: Annie, married William McKilroy; Tillie, married James Morrow; Tempy, married James K. Floyd; Fannie, married Tom Clark; Laura, married Bill Mullins; James, married Millie Mitchell; Joe, married Fanny Hutson. A son and Bennie both died single. Mathew Price and wife - my great grandparents came from South Carolina and settled in Williamson County on the Harpeth River. Note that here is where grandfather met his first wife Ann Price. Later said Price settled at the big spring about one half mile north of County Line, Tennessee. He and his wife were noted for their kindness and hospitality. Wife's maiden name Elizabeth Eskridge. She was very smart and industrious. Both buried in old Price graveyard. He died suddenly, had been tying fodder before breakfast in a little field below 'Cooper Shop', came in, fell across bed and died instantly. Prices as a rule were very smooth, conservative, easy going folks. John Price, one son was old Baptist preacher 'Big gun'. John, like his mother full of vim and energy - once owned the Green farm below County Line - married a Coffee, moved to 'Western District' west Tennessee. Got sick, started to nearest doctor at Memphis and died on road. George Price, another son married Felney Hodge, lived and died where Parsons Ervin now lives. Was an awful sufferer with gravel in bladder and died from operation. Sallie married a widower, Tom Roundtree whose first wife was a Gilbreath. Preacher Tom Shaw was Tom Roundtree's grandson, his mother being a daughter of Roundtree by this first wife Gilbreath. First Shaw known was Thomas Shaw, father of this preacher Shaw. Aunt Sallie Roundtree had three children - Pollie, Ann and William always called 'Buck'. Pollie married Jim Berry, Ann married first, Mulford Dean and second time Ben Berry. Jim and Ben Barry were brothers and were among the first Berrys. Buck married a Mayfield Ann had three children by Berry - one girl who married John Bennett of Nashville. John Price's boys, George and Mathew, were killed at Corinth, Mississippi. Ben Driver was first Driver to come to Tennessee. He was the father of Noel Driver and grandfather of Thomas Driver. He came from North Carolina and first settled near Beech Grove afterward lived in 'Screamsville' where Tom now lives. His wife peddled on brooms, soap and other articles. She was an Avon and was of Cherokee decent. John Hodge was first Hodge. He was father in law to George Price also grandfather of Millie Gowen. John Watson and wife came from Union District, South Carolina. His first wife's name not known. There were two children, boy named Dave, girl married a Dodds. Second wife a Whitmore. Children by last wife as follows - Joe, Sallie, Sidney, Bettie, Jim, Watt, Tim, Miles Bobo, and Mathew. Joe married a Jones, Sallie married Elija Floyd, Sidney married Kin Pearson, Bettie first married a Tilly, second a Pichard, Jim married a Brown, Watt married a Jones, sister of Joe's wife, Bobo not known, Tim married a Stewart, Mathew married a Smith ('Aunt Becky'). John Watson first settled at Jim Parrar's place and his boys Joe and Watt had blacksmith shop opposite the site of the present one. Lived again on hill above Elipleus Hix's - the log wall in which grandmother Floyd was married is now in Jeff Stephens yard. He was a cripple and wore a thick soled shoe. His grandson Kin Pearson now has his shoe. Sallie was our grandmother. Bettie was connected with the 'Dean episode'. Miles Bobo went to Mississippi to oversee negroes and a negro killed him. Tim married in Trigue County, Kentucky and died in prison. Rock Island, Illinois. Watt died in house in Jim Floyd's field. Jim died, left wife and two children - Kim and Marion. His father-in-law, Heskiah Brown took children to Arkansas. [NOTE: Thomas Blythe Jr's eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was married to Hezekiah Brown, one of their daughters being the wife of Jim Watson.] My grandmother, Sallie Floyd, was eight years old when she came to this state, walked most of the way from South Carolina. Camped with Indians and learned much of their dialect which she has repeated to me when I was a child. She was a remarkably strong woman mentally and physically, was a great reader and took interest in current events even in her old age. She died at the advanced age of 92 years. Bobo was born in a house at Rossville near Chattanooga where they were camping enrout to Tennessee. The Watson's perhaps were of Irish decent. David Floyd and wife, my great grandparents came from Union District, South Carolina, settled at what is now known as the Boyer's place about one mile south of Flat Creek, Bedford County, Tennessee. Wife was a Norman, a sister to Edward Gore's wife. Hence the Gore relatives raised a large family - died on the same day and were buried in one grave at Flatcreek. Children as follows - Johnathon, George, David Enoch, Elijah, Hosea, Holcum, Peggy, Pricilla, and Jane. Johnathon married a Finney - 5 children names as follows: David, James, Spencer B., Pollie and Pricilla. Spencer B. Floyd was Col. of yankee regiment stationed at Memphis. He was a smart man. Uncle William has letters written by him to grandfather Floyd. Johnathon went to Illinois 70 years ago. This is the stock of Floyds in the north. George married a Cox, sister to Thomas Cox, moved to Tippah County, Mississippi 70 years ago. His children as follows: John, Thomas and David. His son Tom came back to see kinfolks when grown young man, was fine looking and very jolly. David married a Reagor, daughter of Anthony Reagor and sister of Abram and John Reagor. Lived about Jess Coleman's at Jim K. place. Raised large family of children - Sam, Anthony, Allen, Jim K., Becky, Katie, Mary, Peggy and Jane. Note how old names are handed down. Becky married Jim Farrar, Uncle William was best man at Jim Farrar wedding. Stood up with bride's cousin Mayrie Reagor's daughter. The one that married a Diviggins and went crazy. Uncle David objected to his girl's marriage to Jim Farrar. Jess Coleman married 2 of the girls, he first married Mary then Jane. Enoch married a Shook. Enoch was a M. Preacher also a very fine cabinet maker and mechanic. Went to Jackson, Mississippi 70 years ago. Names of some of his children - Calvin, Alvy, William, Milton (for his great grandmother's maiden name), Loniza, etc. Elijah married Sallie Watson and raised a large family near Flat Creek, Tennessee. Hosea married a Couser, sister to John Couser (Aunt Betsy's husband). Old John Couser, the first known Couser, was their father. Hosea was killed by yankee who shot at random near Fayetteville, Tennessee, was a good, gentle, harmless man. Names of some of his children - John, Elijah, Jim, David, etc. Jim killed at Perryville, Kentucky. David married and had several girls, one married a Sanders, one a Cole. Peggy married Jim Beavers. She is buried on Cane Creek. Note how the Beavers kinship comes in by our great aunt's marriage. Pricilla married John Davis. Jane married Norman Kinney, brothers no doubt to Uncle Johnathon's wife. Uncle Johnathon, George and David in battle of New Orleans - one of them wounded on December 14, which was decisive battle. Billie Pearson was first of that family to come to Tennessee. Born in South Carolina in 1763, died at W. P. Bobo place and was buried under "rock box" grave in Bobo's lot. He first settled at Jim Farrar place. His wife's maiden name was Jacks, he was a soldier in the Revolution war and was accused of being a tory. When he died, search [missing section] Bobo - Elija and Elisha Bobo, twin brothers were founders of this heterogeneous race in these 'diggins'. They came from South Carolina. The origin of the name was in this way. A baby boy was found in an old stable in the rack which was made of bows, hence Bo-bo. Aunt Ellen Bobo's maiden name was Raines, daughter of Bayley Raines. Jess Coleman and brothers first known Coleman's. 6 or 7 brothers all their names begin with J - Jess, Joshua, etc. Two old Beardens, Billie and Eli. Billie was Finis father. Eli was Willis and Winn's father. I have it now from Jim Bearden that John Bearden (Billie's and Eli's father) came to this county and is buried at Flat Creek. He was a revolutionary soldier and many years ago the government sent some parties to locate his grave in order to erect a monument, but his grave could not be found. First Enochs - Isaac Enochs, Uncle Davy's father, had a brother named John. First Edens, Samuel and Alec. Samuel's wife a Franks, Uncle Jack's parents. Alec's wife a Walker. First Bedford was Billie Bedford, very dark complexioned. Ben Bedford father, married a Dance. First Ray - Hesekiah Ray sons, Jason, Solomon, and Jabel by first wife - second wife a Jones, her children Mannel and Marion, Jason's wife. Aunt Linnie Smith had a brother who was Mormon preacher. Solomon's wife a Clay, father of John C. Ray. First Reagor, Anthony Reagor, wife a Shook. It is said that all Reagors were killed in the Indian massacres except one little boy. This Anthony Reagor who came to Tennessee from North Carolina and were of German descent. Sallie Skidmore, Sallie Rambo, and Piggie Heivlin were the old 'witches' whom the Reagors and others so much feared. They verily believed in their power to 'HooDoo' and bewitch. But to make a picture of the 'Witch' and shoot it with a silver bullet, they believed would break the spell. This Abram Reagor once did to 'set right' the deformed twins Isaac and Jacob. Uncle Tommie Dean performed the same 'feat' when a thief had stolen his horse. So the old Salem 'witchcraft' creeps down the centuries. First Stegal was Obediah - wife a Hodge. First Holt - Jack Holt - wife a Byrom, Esq. Jim Holt's mother, 2nd wife a Raney. Uncle Jimmie Stone one of the first Stones, wife a Woosley, Uncle John Woosley's sister. Aunt Peggy was noted for good 'hoss' sense. He had brother - Stone who settled in Cannon County. First Hix - Billie Hix, who cut his throat with a shoe knife at John Frost's place, first wife not known, second wife a Collins. Buck Hix's mother Womble, Billie Hix's father was brother to old Billie. Dr. Newton married Betsy Hix. His brother 'Nick' Newton married Sallie Hix. First Hurstz - Billie and Jim. Billie's wife a Beard was Uncle Jack's father. Jim was Berryman's father. Berryman married Kalie Campbel. First Baxter was James Baxter (Barlow's father). His wife a Guthery. First Farrars - John and Jordon. John married a Harris and was Jim Farrar's father. His wife was first cousin to Isham G. Harris. Jordon married a Hawkins. Father of Joe Farrar came from North Carolina. First Blythe was Uncle Tommy, Hoel's father, Ace Blythe's grandfather. Hoel's first wife was a Smith and second wife a Jones. First wife was the mother of Ace Blythe. First Frost - Ebenezor Frost (was Elder John Frost's father) came from North Carolina and married the Widow Clary whose maiden name was Wright. Hence the Wright in the Frost family. She was married 4 times, had 2 children by Clary husband, one of these girls married Billie Little, father of Elder T. C. Little. Hence Bro. John Frost was Bro. T. C. Little's half uncle. Ebenezar Frost left in 1837 in a 4 horse wagon when Indians were being driven back and never returned. Billie Gipson and brother George were only Gipson's known here. Old Granny Wiseman who lived to be over 100 year old and whose remains rest at the Gowen graveyard was a Merril. Husband died in North Carolina. Two children by her husband - Isaac and Nancy. Isaac Wiseman once lived here but moved to Illinois. Nancy married Noel Driver. She had 3 illegitimate children, Sterling whose father was Cornelius Smith, Billie whose father was Walker Wiliams and Peggy whose father was Hesekiah Ervin who left the country. First Ervin was the Hesekiah, wife a Simmons. Hence the 'S' in Parson J. S. Ervin's name who was a grandson. First Ward was Noah Ward, wife's name not known but she was a fiddler. Had a son named Noah who married an Ann Brown. First Gore was Edward Gore, wife a Norman, a sister to our great grandfather Floyd's wife. This is where the Gore relation comes in. His sons were Thomas, Amos and John. John went to Talladego, Alabama. Amos and Thomas raised large families here. Thomas married a Shoffner. Amos married a Couser. This is where that stock of Gores get the mark of heavy eyebrows, which render them so unlike Uncle Tom's family. Gets this distinguishing feature from Couser side. First Boardway was Uncle Lemual - wife a Boon, sister to Billie Boon. First Boon, Billie Boon, wife a Howard. Hence the Howard in Boon family. She was a sister to old Joe Parker's wife. This is where the Parkers and Boon relation comes in. Said Boon was lineal in descendant of Daniel Boon. First Evans was Billie Evans (Uncle Wesley's father) wife a Woosley. First McKelveys - Noah, Sam, Joe and William. Emziah and Hosea Anthony came from North Carolina were illegitimate. Their mother lived to be very old with Emziah. Pylants not known any further back than Jackson and brothers." Miscellany Mag's grandmother 'Alkins' once lived here on this place. Entered this land. Sam Anders her son-in-law lived here with her and perhaps dug the well. Bros. Shaw married Sam Anders stepdaughter, his wife's daughters by first husband Landers. This is why Bros. Shaw and Mrs. Holt are related. Aunt Bettie Brown was exact age of Andrew Jackson born December 29, 1808. Bedford County court used to convene in an old log house on hill above Lifis Hix's place. The court house used to be situated near Uncle William Stone's. Here Thomas H. Benton, afterwards great senator from Missouri, and Felix Grundy practiced law. Benton wrote a book 'Thirty years in Congress' which was then a standard work on political history. First man buried at Flat Creek was named Reynolds, lived near Jim Floyds - hauled him out through lane on an ox slide. Uncle William Floyd voted his first ticket in 1844 for Henry Clay - a whig. He has heard the following 'big guns' speak - Andrew Johnson 1855 at big barbecue Flat Creek. James K. Poke 1860 at Shelbyville, John Bil, whig - Bayly Payton - Isham G. Harris - Neal S. Brown, whig - Aaron U. Brown - Dem. - Bill Polk - 'Lean Jimmie' Jones - Gus Henry the 'Eagle Orator' and Meredith P. Gentry who lived in Bedford County on Sugar creek. It was said of him that his limbs 'might get drunk but his head was clear'. Whiskey got him as it did William T. Haskell. Both silver tongued orators. Haskell perhaps did more for temperance in those days by his powerful speeches than anyone and his friends tried hard to save him from the demon drink. He made temperance speeches all over the state. Jim Gowen has a saddle on which his father swam Tennessee river while serving under Andrew Jackson. Joe Gowen has a wash pot which was purchased by his father in Nashville when there was only one store there. Tillie Morrow has a chest which was presented to him by a Cabinet maker in Williamson County for recovering his stolen horse from the Indians. Grandfather killed an Indian while serving under Andrew Jackson. While it was done in self defense, he always regretted it. He was behind a tree, the indian hit the tree and filled his eyes with bark, then is when he shot him. He was a great hunter and fisherman and kept up said sport even in old age. He killed a bear near Lynchburg and another on Joe Gowen's place near the spring. He as one year older than David Crockett - Crockett born on Nollichuky River East Tennessee - August 17, 1785, died May 14, 1880 age 94 years 5 months and 25 days. He swapped old Nat Berry colored for Ishmael and got $300 boot. Did this to get Ishmael and Rachel his wife together. Ishmael taught Jim Gowan to work. Very sleepy old darkey, go to sleep sitting at table or anywhere out in the field and dream the 'hants' were after him. 'Hants after me Jimmie cut em loose - cut em loose' at which request Jimmie scraped around with his knife which set the old darkey right. Ishmael buried at County Line, Rachel at Flat Creek. She lived to be very old - five children - John, Jane, Ben, Dan and Dice. Grandfather Floyd was one eyed, but hardly noticeable. Grandmother Floyd's father - John Watson was crippled by a fall near Ray's Mill. She many years afterwards was crippled by a fall at the same place. John Watson and wife buried at Pearson graveyard on Motlow place. Wat Watson's wife was daughter of the Jones who lived at Jesse Coleman's place. Joe Watson's wife I think of same family - often heard grandmother speak of those Jones. Shelbyville's first merchant was James Deery and his goods were brought from Philadelphia and Baltimore on pack horses and mules. Originally, Bedford County had 25 civil districts but when Marshal County was formed, 6 districts. John Adkinson, Barclay Martin, Howell Dawdy, John Lane, Daniel McKissick, William Woods, Benjamin Bradford, were the commissioners who located the town of Shelbyville and laid off town lots. Shelbyville still has a Lane, Martin, Adkinson and Dawdy streets. First Courthouse in Shelbyville was put up in 1810. It was a small frame structure and stood on the northwest corner of the public square. It was burned and in a few years a brick courthouse was built in the center of the public square. This was destroyed by the great tornado of 1830. Then another brick house was built on the same site. This was burned in 1863 while occupied by confederate troops. Next was built our present magnificent court the best one in the state, cost $125,000. This magnificent building was burned by a drunken mob December 19, 1934 in an effort to take a negro prisoner from officers and was rebuilt the following year 1935 costing $170,000. George W. Floyd, soldier in Spanish American war, died at Majayjay, Philippine Islands and was later brought back and buried at Flat Creek in the graveyard. The above record was taken from C. G. Gowen's notebook.