Cowan Court Document, 1778 - Bedford Co. VA

"Cowan, Robert, Bedford Co., Va. Tobacco planter: settled there with wife 
and family for 20 years, was a J.P., and had much influence. Refused to take 
rebel oath, was imprisoned; house surrounded and ransacked; escaped to N.Y. 
Came from there to England bringing with him bills of exchange which have 
been protested; With wife and children has deserted a fortune. Memorial: 24 
Feb. 1778 London. Granted £100 p.a."
____________________________________________________________________________ 
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To The Right Honorable The Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury 
The Petition of Robert Cowan 
Humbly Showeth
That your petition having been settled for near twenty years in Bedford 
County in 
The Colony of Virginia, had by his industry and application to the benefits 
of a Tabacco Planter acquired 
A compliment and easy fortune, in which he was blessed with his wife and 
family at the commencement 
Of the present rebellion.
That your petitioner having the Honor to hold a Commission of the peace 
Under his Excellency, The Earl of Dunmore, hath uniformly acted agreeable 
thereto, and even 
Distinguished himself by his loyalty to his Sovereign and attachment to the 
constitution, and having from 
A long residence in his County possessed a Considerable Influence over the 
minds of the people, he exerted 
It on all occasions, to warn them early in this Unhappy dispute, of the 
Total Consequence attendant 
On the destructive measures, which their Leaders have so artfully led them 
into, A conduct so 
Invariably pursued, and solely dictated by your petitioners high Regard, for 
the National Rights of both 
Countries alarmed their leaders and has been the cause of a most crewel and 
Inveterate persecution 
Under which your petitioner groaned, Who thus separated in a manner from 
the Community 
For their vengeance, on the pretence of his having Joined the Loyalist in 
North Carolina under Gen. 
McDonald had his house surrounded and ransacked by a body of armed men, He 
hath been several 
Times dragged before their committee, and at last cited to take the oath of 
allegiance as a Magistrate 
Under their usurped power, he refused it with indignation, was deprived of 
his arms and imprisoned. 
Your petitioner thus horrified in continual and eminent danger of his 
life, Understandingly they 
Intended to Confine him to be tried, as a Traitor to their New Constitution, 
made his escape 
>From Virginia, and at last got to New York, from whence he Hath Safely 
arrived here. 
Your petitioner having brought some Bills of Exchange for his support in 
Britain has 
Unfortunately had them protested, inconsequence of which he is Reduced to 
much distress, 
and therefore humbly hopes, that having deserted an affluent fortune with 
his wife and children, 
Rather than forego his Allegiance to his Country, Your Lordship will be 
pleased to take his case 
into Consideration, and 
Bestow such relief as you may Judge his Particular Case merits and your 
petitioner as 
In duty bound will ever pray yea 
Robert Cowan

Submitted by Chuck Cowan <cowan@uei-houston.com> 

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