OWEN FAMILY NEWS
OWEN
A Name Worth Knowing
Published by OWEN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
htpp//www.geocities.com/~owenfamily
By Kim Owen, Assiciate Editor
In my genealogical pursuits, I have run across many cousins
and friends. Forrest Budd, in Kansas, is just such a fellow.
Richard Owen is my tenth great grandfather and he is
Forrest’s eighth great grandfather. When Arnie told me I had
to come up with an article by the next issue, I asked Forrest
what he thought. The following article is based on his premise.
For those of you who are interested in which Owen lineage
I am speaking of, I will expound. My father was Hampton C.
Owen, Jr. My grandfather was Hampton C. Owen, Sr. My
grandfather’s sister, Gertrude Russell, told me that my grandparents met at Weatherford Primitive Baptist Church near
Sycamore in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. She says my great
grandfather was Bruce Wooding Owen and my great, great
grandfather was Anderson C. Owen. The 1840 Federal Census Index accessible through Ancestry.com shows Drury
Owen II as the next in line. According to an individual record
submitted to FamilySearch Pedigree Resource File by Laura
Irby, compact disk #4, Drury Owen I was my great, great,
great, great grandfather. Other research on Ancestry.com lists
John Owen as next in line, then Robert Owen, Jr. and Robert
Owen, Sr.
Again, according to research in the files of Ancestry.com,
my immigrant is Bartholomew Owen who was born in Steventon Parish, Berkshire, England. His father is listed as
Robert William Owen. Robert’s father, Richard Owen, is as
far as I can trace back. Other cousins I have spoken with
agree this is the end of our lineage as of today. My father always said we were of Welsh descent, but I have yet to find
documentation to support that belief.
Forrest wrote, “It would seem reasonable to believe that
many, like myself, who have made extensive use of the Internet as a tool for family history research, have found several
pedigrees which appear to extend our heritage far beyond the
bounds of generally accepted sources.
This appears to apply to the search for the ancestors of
Joane/Joanne Daniels/Daniell/Daniells, the wife of our ancestor, Richard Owen. I have found several files on the Internet,
which list several lines of her ancestors extending to the sixth
century A.D., and others extending to a much earlier time.
Many of these lines include persons of royalty and nobility,
which piques my curiousity about what it might mean to be
descended from royalty and nobility.
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March 2002
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 1
Of course, one would hope that our connection to our royal
ancestors was an honorable one and not the result of some
royal peccadillo. Also, as many historians have found, the
morals of many of the royalty and nobility were not very noble. Many of the alleged links in the chain of ancestors have
not been properly documented by citing reliable and verifiable sources.
My curiosity led me first to one of the earliest alleged ancestors, Arnulf, who was born c.580 A.D., who served as the
Bishop of Metz, in Austrasia during the reign of young Dagobert I, titular ruler of Austrasia, parts of which later became
parts of Austria. This discovery raised a question as to how it
could be that a bishop would have children, if a bishop must
come from the ranks of the priesthood, which required oaths
of chastity and celibacy. More research disclosed the fact that
the vows of chastity and celibacy were not required of priests
at that time, and thus, not required of bishops, until sometime
later, during the reign of Charlemagne, the great, great, great
grandson of Arnulf. Also, research disclosed that Arnulf’s
wife entered a convent after the children were able to fend for
themselves. Arnulf retired to a wilderness area, to live as a
religious recluse several years before his death.”1.
“St. Arnulf of Metz was a statesman and bishop. His parents
belonged to a distinguished Frankish family, and lived in
Austrasia, the eastern section of the kingdom founded by
Clovis. In the school in which he was placed during his boyhood he excelled through his talent and his good behaviour.
According to the custom of the age, he was sent to the court
of Theodebert II, king of Austrasia (595-612), to be initiated
in various branches of the government. Under the guidance of
Gundulf, the Mayor of the Palace, he soon became so proficient that he was placed on the regular list of royal officers,
and among the first of the kings’ ministers.
He distinguished himself both as a military commander and
in the civil administration; at one time he had under his care
six distinct provinces.
In due course, Arnulf was married to a Frankish woman of
noble lineage, by whom he had two sons, Anseghisel and
Clodulf.
Arnulf did not forget spiritual endeavors. His thoughts were
often on monasteries, and with his friend Romaricus, likewise, an officer of the court, he planned to make a pilgrimage
to the Abbey of Lerins, evidently for the purpose of devoting
his life to God.
In the meantime, the Episcopal See (‘the official seat, center
of authority, jurisdiction, or office of a bishop’2.) of Metz became vacant. Arnulf was universally designated as a worthy
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
candidate for the office, and he was consecrated bishop of that
see about 611. In his new position, he set the example of a
virtuous life to his subjects and attended to matters of ecclesiastical government. In 625, he took part in a council held by
the Frankish bishops at Reims.
With all this, Arnulf retained his station at the court of the
king and took a prominent part in the national life of his people. In 613, after the death of Theodebert, he, with Pepin of
Landen and other nobles, called to Austrasia Clothaire II,
King of Neustria. When, in 625, the realm of Austrasia was
entrusted to the king’s son, Dagobert, Arnulf became not only
the tutor, but the chief minister of the young king. At the time,
the two kings were estranged. Arnulf with other bishops tried
to effect a reconciliation.
Arnulf dreaded the responsibilities of the Episcopal office
and grew weary of court life. About 626, he obtained the appointment of a successor to the Episcopal See of Metz; he and
his friend, Romaricus, withdrew to a solitary place in the
mountains of the Vosges. There he lived in communion with
God until his death c. 640. His remains, interred by Romaricus, were transferred about a year later to the basilica of the
Holy Apostles in Metz.
Of the two sons of Arnulf, Clodulf became his third successor in the See of Metz. Anseghisel remained in the service of
the State. From Anseghisel’s union with Begga, a daughter of
Pepin of Landen, was born Pepin of Heristal, the founder of
the Carlovingian dynasty. In this manner, Arnulf was the ancestor of the mighty rulers of that house. The life of Arnulf
exhibits, to a certain extent, the Episcopal office and career in
the Merovingian State. The bishops were much considered at
court; their advice was listened to; they took part in the dispensation of justice by the courts; they had a voice in the appointment of royal officers; they were often used as the king’s
ambassadors and held high administrative positions. For the
people under their care, they were the protectors of their
rights, their spokesmen before the king and the link uniting
royalty with its subjects. The opportunities for good were thus
unlimited and Arnulf used them to good advantage.” 3.
“Charlemagne, (724-814), or Charles the Great, the great,
great, great grandson of Arnulf, was the most famous and
powerful ruler of the Middle Ages and a key figure in European history. He conquered much of Western Europe and
united it under a great empire.”4.
In 742, Pepin and his brother, Carloman, jointly inherited
from their father, Charles Martel, the title of Mayor of the
Palace. Since the late 600’s, mayors had held greater power
than the Merovingian kings, who ruled the Franks in name
only. As mayors, Pepin and Carloman extended Frankish rule
to parts of Saxony and Bavaria. After Carloman became a
monk in 747, Pepin ruled alone as mayor. In 751, with Pope
Zachary’s assistance, Pepin deposed the last Merovingian
king, Childrec III, and became king of the Franks.”4.
“Charlemagne was a son of Pepin the Short, who became
2
Owen Family News
king of the Franks in 751. Pepin the Short, also called Pepin
III, was the first king of the Frankish Carolingian dynasty.
The Franks were Germanic peoples who gradually gained
control of much of the present-day France and Germany and
other parts of Western Europe during the early Middle
Ages.”5.
“Charles Martel, (688?-741), ruled northern Gaul from 719
to 741. Gaul was a region in Europe that included what are
now France, Germany west of the Rhine River and Belgium.
Charles was not a king, but ruled as a mayor of the palace in
the name of several weak kings from the Merovingian dynasty. Later, Charles Martel, brought Burgundy, the southeastern part of present-day France, under his control. He, also,
conquered Frisia in what is now the Netherlands. He helped
convert Germany to Christianity by sponsoring the missionary
work of Saint Boniface. Charles was later called Martel,
mean ing the Hammer, because of a victory over the Muslims.”6.
”The Merovingian dynasty, founders of the French state,
was a line of Frankish kings who conquered Gaul and surrounding lands beginning in A.D. 486 and ruled until 751.
The name Merovingian comes from Merovech, a relative of
the first Merovingian ruler, Clovis I, (455? -511). Clovis I
was, also, the most powerful Merovingian king. He unified
the Franks under his rule and defeated the last great Roman
army in Gaul. Clovis was the first Germanic king to become
an orthodox Christian. By his conversion to Christianity,
Clovis won the support of his Catholic subjects, including the
clergy. When Clovis died, the kingdom was divided among
his four sons which weakened the dynasty. In 751, the last
Merovingian king, Childrec III, was replaced by Pepin the
Short.”7.
“As king, Pepin aided the pope against the Lombards, a
Germanic people who had conquered much of Italy. Pepin
seized some of the Lombard lands in Italy and gave them to
Pope Stephen II in 756. This so-called Donation of Pepin is
often seen as forming the core of the Papal States, a territory
controlled by the pope until the 1800’s. Pepin added Acquitaine to his kingdom.”4.
Forrest found that “Austrasia was part of a vast area known
as Gaul, which was condquered by Caesar’s Roman legions,
before the birth of Christ, and was a part of the ‘Frankish
Kingdom’ which was, at various times, divided, amalgamated
and re-divided many times, with the various parts occupied by
different tribes, and ruled by several kings, counts and major
domos, and referred to as Franconia, Francia, Austrasia,
Neustria, etc. and eventually became France, Austria, Ge rmany, Switzerland, Belgium, Brittany, etc.”1.
“Gaul is the English name for the region called Gallia by
the Romans. Gaul occupied the territory that now consists of
France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the section of the Netherlands that lies south of the Rhine. The Gauls spoke forms of
Celtic, a language group that includes modern Irish and
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
5. Bernard S. Bachrach, “Pepin the Short,” World Book
Online American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.
aol.com/wbol/wbpage/na/ar/co/422340, November 25,
2001.
Welsh. The leaders of their religion were priests called Druids. These priests had great influence on politics. The Romans
called some of the Gauls ‘long haired’ because they did not
shave their beards or cut their hair.
6. Bernard S. Bachrach, “Charles Martel,” World Book
Online American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.
aol.com/wbol/wbpage/na/ar/co/107040, November 25,
2001.
The Gauls were brave and warlike, but they were no match
for the well trained Romans. The Romans defeated the Gauls
in Italy in the 200’s B.C. and made them subjects of Rome.
The Romans conquered most of Gaul by the rule of Julius
Caesar, in the 50’s B.C. Gaul later suffered heavily through
civil wars and barbaric invasions. But it passed on a rich cultural tradition to its new masters. Chief among the invaders
were the Franks, who defeated the last Roman governor of
Gaul in A.D. 486. From that time, most of Gaul was called
France, after the Franks, though outnumbered by their GalloRoman neighbors twenty to one, had such a firm hold on
Gaul.”4.
7. Herbert M. Howe, “Gaul,” World Book Online American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/
wbpage/na/ar/co/218680, November 25, 2001.
8. Bernard S. Bachrach, “Merovingian dynasty,” World
Book Online American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.
worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbpage/na/ar/co/356903, November 25, 2001.
Forrest went on to say, “I found that the title ‘King of the
Franks’ was often applied to the leaders of one or more of the
several more or less independent tribes that were a part of the
‘Frankish Kingdom.’ Just because a certain leader was said to
be ‘King of the Franks’ did not always mean that he was the
King of all the Franks. Those tribes occupying the area south
and west of the Rhine River were at times referred to as the
‘Salian’ Franks, meaning those of the seacoast, while those
north and west of the Rhine were the ‘Riparian’ Franks,
mean ing those across the river. The kingdom of Austrasia was
east of the river, while that of Neustria was the new ‘nation’
west of the river.
9. William C. Bark, “Clovis I,” World Book Online
American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/
wbol/wbpage/na/ar/co/120020, November 25, 2001.
Although some Internet researchers have posted pedigrees
of ancestors who lived much earlier than the time of Arnulf,
those who demand reliable sources, doubt the reliability of
most of those pedigrees, as they are very few surviving records for those early times. One of the earliest sources for information about the Franks of the fourth and fifth centuries is
Gregory of Tours, who wrote ‘A History of the Franks’ in ten
volumes.”1.
Sources:
1. Forrest Budd
2. The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition, 1982, 1985, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA,
pg. 1110.
3. Francis J. Schaefer, “St. Arnulf of Metz,” Catholic Encyclopedia Online Edition, Volume I, http://www.newadvent.
org/cathen/01752b.htm, November 26, 2001.
4. Deborah Mauskopf Deliyannis, “Charlemagne,” World
Book Online
American Edition, http://www.aolsvc.
worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbpage/na/ar/co/106840, November
25, 2001.
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Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
WW II
are going to send you out in a rubber boat to
fight the Japs. You have been sunk too many
times.& quot;
The excerpt to the right of his picture was taken
from the March 1, 1945 & quot; Pills & Shots &
quot; newsletter that was published by the ship's
doctor, Lt. George Johnson. The excerpt helped
introduce Lt. Commander Owen to the ship's
crew. Mr. Owen made a career of the Navy, retiring as Rear Admiral Owen in 1970.
LIEUTENANTCOMMANDER, USN
THOMAS BARRON OWEN
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Barron Owen,
USN, Executive Officer of U.S.S. BUSH, was
born in Seattle, Washington on the 19th of March
1920. He spent his boyhood in Seattle where he
attended grammar and high school.
After graduation from high school he entered the
University of Washington, majoring in chemical
engineering. While attending university he was active in Naval R.O.T.C. and upon graduation in
1940 accepted a commission in the Navy.
He was married on Christmas Eve, 1944. Mrs.
Owen is a Yeoman Second Class in the Spars.
Since entering the Navy his various tours of duty
have included the Catalpa (AN), the Boggs (DMS),
the Northampton, the Nashville, the St. Louis and
the Honolulu. He was aboard the Northampton
when she was sunk in the fourth Battle of Savo,
and the Honolulu when she was torpedoed in Leyte
Gulf.
Lt. Commander
Thomas B. Owen
Executive Officer & Navigator
Pictured below is Thomas B. Owen in 1944, then a
Lieutenant on the USS HONOLULU. By February
12, 1945 he was Lt. Commander Owen and was
reporting aboard the USS BUSH as Executive Officer and Navigator. His stint as Executive Officer would be short, as BUSH would be sunk in less
than two months. Prior to reporting to the BUSH,
he had served aboard the USS NORTHAMPTON
(at the Battle of Tassafaronga - the last battle
in the Savo Island area) and the USS HONOLULU
(torpedoed in Leyte Gulf). When he returned to
the States after surviving the loss of BUSH, one
admiral told him, & quot; Tom, the next time we
Mr. Owen wears a Ribbon of Commendation, and
the Silver Star.
In the short time that Mr. Owen has been aboard
the BUSH we have come to realize that he is a
fine officer and shipmate.
Above article provided by William P. Owen
Is Lt Commander Owen still living? If so, we would like
an interview with him. Anyone who knows of him, please
E-mail William P. Owen. Perhaps someone in the Seattle
area can help.
4
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
CIVIL WAR
The First Ironclads
USS LOUISVILLE
Commanded by Elias K. Owen
Owen, Elias K.: Midshipman. 7 Dec 48. Lt. 16 Sep 55. Lt. Cdr. 16 Jul 62. Cdr. 25 Jul 66. Retired 9 Jun 76.
Died 8 Apr 77. USS Louisville (Dec 62-Sep 64).
January 1862, seven impressive creations were lined up along the river at Cairo, Illinois. They looked like
something out of a Jules Verne fantasy. It was hard for people to describe the 90-day wonders. The seven
city class ironclads resembled iron sheds floating on rafts. In naval terms they were "able to navigate heavy
dew." The infantry nicknamed them "turtlebacks" or "turtles" To the inland navy they were things of
beauty. Admiral Foote complained their six knot speed "almost too slow, "but Captain William Porter of
the ESSEX interjected' "Plenty fast enough to fight with." Of those seven boats which brought the U.S.
Navy into the twentieth century, only one remains. The statistics of the USS CAIRO represent her sister
boats as well.
The seven sisters were identical except for their identifying chimney bands and their fates. As you look at
the CAIRO you will see the CARONDELET, the CINCINNATI, the MOUND CITY, the BARON DE
KALB (formerly ST. LOUIS), the LOUISVILLE, and the PITTSBURG. The USS CAIRO is the sole survivor of the Mississippi Squadron. This boat is a monument to the vessels and crews on both sides who
fought for the river that controlled America's future.
"City" Class
Casemate gunboats
Dimensions: length 175', beam 51'2", draft 6'
Displacement: 888 tons
Speed: 8 knots
Crew: 175
Armor: 2 ‘1/2" casemate forward and sides, 1’ 1/4” pilothouse
Armament: Three 8" Dahlgren and six 32# smoothbores, four 42# rifles
Authorized: 7 Aug 61
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March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
"City" Class (also sometimes known as the Cairo or St. Louis Class): This class of partially-armored gunboats was the core of the Western Gunboat Flotilla (later the Mississippi Squadron). The Cairo was the first
warship in the world to be sunk by a mine ("torpedo"), and was rediscovered in 1956 and raised in the
1960s. The St. Louis was renamed Baron de Kalb after her transfer from the War Department to the Navy,
as there was already a St. Louis in the Navy. Armament changed very frequently on these gunboats; the
Cairo had a 30# rifle in place of one of the 42# rifles, and the Pittsburgh had three 9" Dahlgrens instead of
the 8" weapons found on the other boats.
USS Louisville: Had green-striped stacks to distinguish it from others in the class; had taller stacks (33' instead of 28'). At some point later in the war, fitted with a full- length roof over the hurricane deck. Built by
Eads at Carondelet MO. Launched 18 Oct 61. Commissioned 16 Jan 62. Bombarded Fort Donelson 14 Feb
62, sustained heavy damage, lost steering control, and drifted out of action. Reconnoitered to Columbus KY
2 Mar 62. Bombarded Island #10 15 Mar-7 Apr 62. Battle of Memphis 6 Jun 62. Engaged CSS Arkansas
above Vicksburg 15 Jul 62. Bombarded Vicksburg's upper batteries 15-16 Jul 62. Convoyed troops to
Bledsoe's Landing and Hamblin's Landing AR 21 Oct 62. Captured Confederate riverboat above Island #36
1 Nov 62. Bombarded Drumgould's Bluff MS 27-28 Dec 62. White River expedition, bombarded and captured Fort Hindman AR (Arkansas Post) 10-11 Jan 63. Steele's Bayou expedition 14-26 Mar 63. Shelled
and ran past Vicksburg 16 Apr 63 (collided with Carondelet during passage, then momentarily grounded).
Bombarded Grand Gulf MS 29 Apr 63. Destroyed Rock Hill Point battery 27 May 63. Red River Expedition 12 Mar-16 May 64; side armor removed to pass the Alexandria dam (speed about 2 knots faster).
Passed Bailey's dam at Alexandria 13 May 64. Sustained severe damage in engagement at Columbia AR 2
Jun 64. Supported troop withdrawal near Sunnyside AR 6 Jun 64. Decommissioned 21 Jul 65. Sold for
scrap 29 Nov 65 at Mound City. Commanders: Cdr. Benjamin M. Dove (Jan-Sep 62), LtCdr. Richard W.
Meade, Jr. (Sep-Dec 62), Lt. Robert K. Riley (Dec 62), Lt. Elias K. Owen (Dec 62-Sep 64), LtCdr. George
Bacon (Oct 64-May 65).
http://www.ameritech.net/users/maxdemon/unionriver.
Continued on Page 7
6
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Arnie,
Owen Family News
Page 43
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
I have found a number of civil war records including
correspondence between Lt.Cmndr Elias K. Owen and
Rear Admiral David Porter. Owen was one of Porter's
senior captains and was in charge of the 5th District
(a section of the Mississippi and command over several other vessels). I have included the image below
where he is requesting leave to take his wife home to
the Chicago area (?)
The Editor of the Owen
Family News is currently vacant. We desperately need a
volunteer for that position.
They need a computer (PC)
with software, such as Microsoft Publisher or other similar
products. The Editor is responsible for the newsle tter layout, selection of articles and transmitting the finished document to the
Publisher. Anyone who thinks they might be interested, should contact me
t once. The addition of writers will greatly help, by
relieving the editor of some writing tasks and allow
more time in assembling the newsletter. Currently
we only have two volunteers, but several more are
needed. People from different geographic locations
supplying information would, no doubt, be beneficial. Please advise me if you are willing to become
a writer or reporter. Creative writers can greatly
improve the quality of our newsletter.
When Porter is assumes the command of the Atlantic
Blocking squadron in 1964, Owen also moves to that
command and is given the USS Seneca. He takes part
in the second attack on Ft. Fisher in SC were one of
his men receives the Congressional Medal of honor.
I have discovered that in 1862 Owen was the execu tive officer of a ship in the Atlantic. His captain is
disabled and he assumes command but only temporarily. He next goes to the Mississippi River to take
command of Louisville.
Arnie
He is one of Porter's trusted officers and a cool
head. He participates in the run of the Iron clods
past Vicksburg. He takes part in just about all of the
Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, White Water and other action in 1863 and 64.
I think I have figured out the reason why W.W.II
destroyers were named after the Civil War captains.
Regular Navy officers were not promoted during the
Civil war or only rarely. Porter appealed to the Sec retary Wells of the Navy to promote Owen and several others after the disastrous Red River Campaign
but it did not happen. These officers did magnificent
job during the war and it is fitting that they were
honored later.
WANTED
? EDITOR & CHIEF
? ASSOCIATE EDITORS
If only there were some personal letters available
from Owen written during the war there would be
enough material for a book.
Please apply to :
Arnold C,. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
Phone: (610) 399-0146
FAX: (610) 399-6708
E-mail: [email protected]
Bill
William P. Owen III provided the research on the USS Kentucky and its Commander, Lt.Cmndr Elias K. Owen.
7
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Johnson County, TX OWEN(S) .
OWEN DATA
By Wanda Tracy OFA Rootweb lister
Cahill Cemetery
Owen(s) buried in Henderson County (TX)
Cemeteries.
LESLIE T. OWENS---3/16/1922
DOROTH OWENS---9/14/1925 married 1/18/1942
Athens Cemetery
BURNET REID OWEN----5/6/1897--5/25/1957
CHARLES D. OWEN-- ---7/7/1867--1/19/1918
DORA COX OWEN-------1/1/1871--9/25/1951
INFANT OWEN-----------1/23/1919--1/23/1919
JANIE OWEN-------------1884--1928
WILMA OWEN------------1920---1928
ALICE OWEN SCOTT-----1/18/1871---4/26/195?
Pleasant Point cemetery
WALTER JACKSON OWEN----12/29/1905-5/25/1907
NONA OWEN-----5/10/25/1925--1/20/1940
JANE H. OWENS----1832--1909-----FATHER--CSA
MARY CATHERINE OWENS----1836--1881-MOTHER
"Marriage Records of Cherokee County Texas
1846--1880 Compiled by Ogreta W. Huttash--Jacksonville, Texas
Fincastle Cemetery
DARCAS (Dorcas?) OWEN-----John M. Brown--9/12/1879--H-479
MRS. LUCY ANN OWEN---J.L. Babb----------10/18/1853--B-203
MISS E.S. OWENS---------J.H. Doherty----------5/3/1877---H-264
MRS. ? P.A. OWENS-------S.S. Glass-----------6/26/1875---H-130
ESTHER OWEN----------Monroe Gray----------2/8/1880---H-531
MRS ? ELIZA OWENS----W.M. Johnson--------10/1/1865---D2-349
KATEY OWENS----------Peter McKnight--------12/29/1868--D-94
MARY A. OWEN---------Wm. H. Waldrum------10/13/1856--C- 260
MARY ANN OWEN------Nathan B. Walker------4/21/1857---D2-6
MARTHA M. OWENS-----Reuben H. Webb-------1/20/1859---D2-119
A.J.OWEN-----------------L.O. Gilder-------------3/5/1874------H-10
BOB OWENS--------------Lean ( LeAnn?) Cook----5/23/1874---H-25
continued on page 9
JUDY B. OWEN-----4/2/1943--9/26/1984
BERNICE OWEN----8/20/1908---2/26/1949
EDNA LEE OWEN----1/24/1916----no date
PAULINE, dau of C.L. & R.E. OWEN---9/6/1910---12/20/1911
ROXIE E. OWEN------2/6/1874---2/11/1964
CHARLIE L. OWEN----6/12/1874--10/6/1928
1850 Henderson County Census
# 154------OWENS
OLED-----61------FARMER----650----VA.
MARY ---61-----------------------------NC
PARRY S.---25--------------------------KY
CALVIN C.--24-------------------------KY
DAVID W.---21-------------------------KY
JOHN -------18--------------------------AL.
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March 2002
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Owen Family News
CAN YOU HELP
ELI OWENS---------------M.P. Huston-------------12/8/1874----H-76
FRANK OWENS----------Lucy Rather--------------1/19/1874----F-371
JONES OWENS-----------Emaline Fell + (?)---------12/30/1866--D-27-A
WILLIAM OWEN-------Sarah R. Furr--------------8/6/1853-----B-170
W.W. OWENS-----------Mary A. Lane-------------6/15/1864----D2-289
HENRY OWENS--------Winnie Francis----------1/10/1877--H-241,345
If anyone can help these folks, please send them
an E- mail message or write to the editor.
Subj: Re: [OWEN] Owen
Date: 9/8/01 11:50:20 AM Pacific Daylight
Time
From: [email protected] (Sandy T)
To: [email protected]
Hi Arnie, I'm looking for information for my
Owen family research. I have tried everything and
can't seem to find any information. Perhaps
you could give me some information or shed light
on where I could find this information. I am the
gggranddaughter of Isaac Owen. He married
Julia Ford in New York State. Their first three
children: Charles, Cornelia and Sarah Ann were
born in NYS. They are listed in the Sullivan
Twp. Tioga Co. Pa. 1850 census. Also listed is a
son listed as H.R. (also H.M.) born in Pa. five
years earlier. H.R. /H.M. is listed by the
name Bennett in the 1860 census. I can't find any
info who Isaac's or Julia's parents were. Both
Isaac and Julia are listed as having been
born in NYS. Any help would be appreciated, all
I've hit are brickwalls. Thank you. Sincerely,
Sandy (Owen) Ting
Notes---? - means I don't know. or the Author did
not.
sample-B-170---- Marriage Book & Page #
AUTHOR--states books were in poor condition,
writing was small some were
all handwritten, among other things ----hence hard
to read.
Marriage books are in the Office of the County
Clerk , Rusk, TX.
OWEN OBITUARIES
ORLO T. OWEN
Lovington, N.M.
Sunday Feb. 10, 2002
http://community.webtv.net/sandpiper02/
GreetingsfromLake
Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. CST Monday Feb 11,2002, at Morrison Funeral Home
Chapel in Graham, TX. Burial will follow in
Pioneer Cemetery, Graham, TX.
Mr. Owen, 95, died Friday Feb. 8, at Lea Regional Medical Center (Hobbs, N.M.) He Was
born May 22, 1906, in Pennsylvania. He married
Willa Mae Owen on July 15, 1925.
Subj: Owen family research
Date: 8/20/01 11:02:39 AM Pacific Daylight
Time
From: [email protected] (Bonnie Cole)
To: [email protected]
Mr. Owen retired after 30 yrs of service as a production foreman with
Sun Oil Co.
Hello:
Someone gave me your email address as I am trying to
track down the Owen family that lived in London, England during the 1881 Census in Chelsea.
Any direction for me in this area would be so appreciated.
Bonnie
Survivors include seven grandchildren, 16 great
grandchildren & 12 gggrandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his wife, one daughter
Frances White and one son Edwin Owen.
Can anyone help Bonnie?
9
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
MEET OFA EDITOR
KIMBERLY AYN OWEN
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR & CHIEF:
Owen Family News
( Vacant)
Arnold C. Owen (temporary)
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395
[email protected]
Editors:
William P. Owen III
P.O. Box 24165
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
[email protected]
Kimberly Ayn Owen
8006 Cottesmore Cl.
Richmond, VA 23228
[email protected]
Since 1976 Kim has lived in Richmond, Henrico County,
Virginia. Born in Farmville,
Prince Edward County, Virginia, she has lived most of
her 49 years in southwest and
central Virginia. When seven
years old, her family moved
to Scottsdale, AZ. and a year,
later to Midland, TX, and two
years later back to Farmville.
Kim’s Owen roots are deep in
Virginia. Her immigrant ancestor, Bartholomew Owen, was born in Steventon Parish,
Berkshire, England. He is a descendant of Richard Owen.
A graduate of Prince Edward Academy (1970) , Longwood
College (1974) and Virginia Commonwealth University
(1982), Kim has a B.A. in Social Work and an M.S. degree
in Rehabilitation Counseling. Since 1990, she has been employed by the Virginia State Police in the criminal justice
information system division.
2002
PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Kim says she enjoys reading, movies, work out at the gym
and cooking, but .being single, don't cook much. She also
says “ I LOVE cookies.” I am a cookie monster”. Genealogy
became a hobby about two years ago and is pursuing information on Richard Owen.
MARCH
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
DECEMBER
Obituaries are welcome. In addition to then newspaper clipping, please include the name of the Newspaper and
the date published. Send them to the Owen Family Association Editor for publishing .
MEMBERSHIP-For information about the Owen Family Association or an application for me mbership, please E– mail or write to:
Owen Family Association
c/o Arnold Owen
P.O. Box 692
BECOME A PART OF THE TEAM, SIGN UP TODAY
Only a few minutes of your time, is needed to produce articles for the quarterly newsletter. Surely,
you already have material in your collected that you could share. Family stories, pictures, various
records are excellent materials for sharing with others. You will find that writing and sharing information is very rewarding. Perhaps you could be instrumental in helping someone discovering
their ancestors. With a editorial staff of ten or more could make the Owen Family News the envy
of all genealogical organizations. You are urged to seriously consider joining the Editorial Team.
If you can help, please contact Arnold Owen.
10
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page 47
OWEN NEWSLETTERS
Bound copies old Owen newsletters, with index when available. Indexes are in the process of being prepared.
Book 1 Newsletters volumes 1 thru 8
Book 2 Newsletters volumes 9 thru 12
Book 3. Newsletters Volumes 13 thru 16
The newsletter books are bound with plastic comb binding
similar to the Owen Source Book
OWEN CAP
ORDER
Name _________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________ State ________ Zip_____________________
Phone Number ______ _______ _______
E-Mail address _________________________________
Description
Owen Source Book
Book 1 Owen Family Newsletters
Book 2 Owen Family Newsletters
Book 3 Owen Family Newsletters
Owen Caps
Price
$14.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$11.00
S&H
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4,00
$4.00
Qty
_____
_____
______
______
______
Total
_______
________
________
________
________
Total
______ ________
Please check your order, total the last two columns, mail a check or money order to:
Owen Family Association, c/o Bill E. Owen, 6365 Glory Ave., Milton, FL 32583
(Please include a copy of this form with your order)
11
1st class
Postage
“Owen a name worth knowing”
Owen Family Association
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh, Publisher
111 Stonegate N.
B oerne, TX 78006
Officers:
Address Label
Mr. Arnold C. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
(610) 399-0146
(941) 629-8211—Winter Only
[email protected]
Mr. M. Fred Owen
Vice President
1103 Marbrook Ct.
Houston, TX 77077-1951
(281) 531-4473
[email protected]
Mrs. Judy Owen
Secretary
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mr. Bill E. Owen
Treasurer
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh
Publisher
111 Stonegate N
Boerne, TX 78006
(830)249- 3487
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Robert McCrary
George Shirley
C. Owen Johnson
Organized in 1981, the objectives of the association are:
1) To establish and document as complete a list of descendants
of Owen and Allied Families as possible.
2) To collect a narrative history of individual family lines of
descent .
3) To compile and maintain a listing of cemeteries, homes and other
buildings and sites associated with Owen and Allied Families.
4) To publish and distribute a periodic Newsletter.
5) To bring members of the family association together for periodic
Reunions.
6) To aid association members in establishing their family line and
assist them in joining various hereditary and patriotic societies,
if they so desire.
7) To ultimately produce a volume documenting the verified
family histories.
8) To provide publications to Genealogy Libraries to assist Owen
researchers.
Annual dues of $10.00 is payable January 1st The Owen Newsletter is published quarterly and is subject to copyrights.
OWEN FAMILY NEWS
Published by OWEN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
OWEN
A Name Worth Knowing
htpp//www.geocities.com/~owenfamily
JUNE 2002
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2
Page 13
ALL THOSE UNRELATED OWENS
OF HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
By Jane Owen Hillard
When I started preparing my book on Richard Owen (I have a publisher, but only the Good
Lord knows when I’ll finish the writing), I began to realize that a first task was to separate the four
(later six) disparate, unrelated Owen families in Halifax County. What a rewarding experience it
has been!
Researchers in that particular county in Virginia know that it is so easy to be confused as to
which family is being referenced in available documents, especially since every Owen family had
one or two or a dozen males named William or John.
When Arnie asked me for an article for this newsletter, my first thought was: Let’s get the
confused identities sorted out.
By the mid-seventeen hundreds, those six separate, unrelated Owen groups were settled
in the part of Lunenberg which would soon be separated out as Halifax County. The easiest way
to disentangle the Owen families is by land acquisitions: Since transportation and communication
were so difficult, and the rough terrain and heavy forestation kept the settlers pretty close to
home, they generally remained in their original locations; further acquisitions generally were in the
same communities. (After one gets adept at it, even marriage records produce recognition. Richard Owen’s family tended to ally itself with the Nichols, Pucketts, Stovalls, Harrises, etc., while the
Dan River Owens tended to marry Easleys, Howertons, Hundleys, and Raglands. And oh yes,
Harrises.) So herewith are the families:
I.
The Staunton River Owens. Richard Owen, with a very large group of kith and kin, settled south of the river (in what was then Lunenberg County) in the 1740s. Their holdings
were on or near Hunting Creek and Reedy Creek.
II.
The Cane Creek grouping, equally early, has (I believe) resulted in documenting the
Owen-Echols connection. I can’t prove the Owen part of the linkage, but, based on primary sources, I’ve made certain assumptions and will leave it to that present-day family
to pursue the clues and prove--or disprove--my hypothesis.
III. The next family is the Dan River Owen Family, many of whom still live in the same area
of the county today. Prosperous, civic-minded, good people today, the same could be
said of their ancestors two centuries ago. I probably can’t add a thing they don’t already
know, but researchers will welcome the sorting-out process.
Continued on page 14
IV.
In getting to the fourth group, which I unimaginatively call the Fourth
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page
14
Owen Family, I actually had to start with a present-day family. Mr. Owen (I’ll withhold his
given name for the present), showing us his very old (200 years +), beautifully-kept family
cemetery, insisted that his family is not related to any of the other Halifax County Owens.
“My great, great grandfather,” he said, “bought this place (i.e., it was not a grant) a long
time ago. They came from somewhere else in Virginia, but we don’t know where.” This
summer, I will be able to introduce him to his furthest ancestors.
V.
Then there is the Brackett Owen craze. Brackett Owen, so deserving of all his accolades,
never lived in Halifax County. It’s true that two of his brothers did move there, and many of
the hero’s young Virginia relatives received the name “Brackett,” further confusing the trail
for researchers. Once courthouse records (prime sources, in other words) are consulted
and clear descent proven, it all sorts itself out.
VI.
Let’s not forget William Owen, whose will was the first one probated in Halifax County
(1752, October 23). Looking at that barely literate document, which actually leaves no real
estate and only a few shillings “starlen,” it would appear to reflect a poverty-stricken old
man. Far from it! To date, I have not run across any descendents of this William Owen, but
I hope that someone, someday will trace back to him (more about “William of the Will”
later).
My intention is to write about each family, serially, for the OFA newsletter. I will start with
Richard Owen (Staunton River) because he was probably the first Owen to arrive in this area, had
the largest family, produced more records, and besides, he’s my ancestor. In a second newsletter
article, I will continue with the Owen-Echols family and the Dan River Owen family. I hope this research will offer additional gleanings which will further other members’ searches. In a third newsletter, I will end the series with #4, #5, and #6.
RICHARD OWEN, PATRIARCH
When the elderly patriarch, together with his kith and kin, moved into the area south of the
Staunton River, along the tributaries Hunting Creek, Reedy Creek, and down to Clover Creek, that
whole new community was part of Lunenberg County--very shortly to be broken off, becoming Halifax County.
Most researchers have postulated, based on Richard’s probable age at death, that he was born
ca 1680-1686. Actually, he was born in the 1670s, likely between 1675 and 1679. We know this because we have found documents referring to his parents and siblings. The facts about the children’s
childhoods are known through some nine documents written at the time. (That story is being written
and rewritten to get it totally accurate and proven. Perhaps finished in 2003?)
Richard and Elizabeth Owen (her maiden name is unknown) had eleven children, three
daughters and eight sons, are all named in Halifax County Will Book 0 (zero). It’s easy to believe
that the clearly-written document names the children in order of birth. It is pretty clear that six of his
sons and all of his daughters were already married and perhaps had children before they arrived in
Lunenberg cum Halifax County. They had by that time, of course, obtained their own lands in the
same way Richard had--through grants issued at Williamsburg.
Continued on page 15
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page
15
It is my purpose, here, to follow Richard, his children and grandchildren--three generations--in
order to extricate this family Owen from the other five.
Children of Richard Owen and his wife, Elizabeth, as named in his will, probated June 8, 1756
(HC Will Bk O, p 25):
1) John3 - born ca 1700, d. 1771. Wife (2) ? Martha.
2) Mary3 - m. John Nichols (Nichols’ Will, Bk 1, pp. 70-71, Halifax County)
3) Richard, Jr.3 - dates unknown, m. Lucretia (aka Lucy/Lewcrezy)
4) Ralph3, b. early 1700, d. ca 1775.
5) Henry - no dates - land records, Halifax County
6) Elizabeth - m. Thomas Stovall (H.C. Will Bk 6, p. 546)
7) William - no dates; land records
8) Thomas married Sarah Womack
9) Sarah m. _________ Womack
10) James, probably married after the move to Halifax County
11) Ambrose married after the move to Halifax County. No marriage records exist for any of
Richard’s progeny.
Both of Richard’s younger sons were listed in the 1737 Cumberland County tythe lists under
the name of their father, indicating that they were 16 years old or above, but as yet unlanded, living
with (or on the property of) Richard Owen. Some researchers have assumed that Ambrose was
dead by time of the 1747 listing because only James was listed as before. Not so; a careful search
of the Lunenberg Courthouse records reveals only one record for this family (other than land records--which are now filed in Halifax County). In 1743, Richard had gone to Lunenberg Court (or
had appointed an attorney for the task) and had them exempt Ambrose from the levy. The exemption was granted, but no word was given as to why it was granted. (They did not waste ink nor paper
in those days.) Ambrose’s name did not appear on tythe lists for many years after that. Shortly after
that exemption, Halifax County was formed, and it took in the area south of the Staunton, seat of this
Owen clan. Richard Owen and several of his sons took advantage of the ruling that allowed them to
have their lands re-surveyed and deeds redrawn. These new deeds are to be found in the Halifax
County land records.
[Because of space limitations, children and grandchildren of Richard Owen will be examined
in the next newsletter, but the first two, son John Owen and daughter Mary Owen Nichols, will
be included here. This is to clear up the misconception of some OFA members about the parentage of John Owen, Jr., who married Elizabeth Nichols.]
Continued on page 16
March 2002
1)
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page
16
John3 Owen, Son of Richard2
Called “my eldes son” in Richard’s will, John had acquired 400 acres in the tightknit family enclave in the Hunting Creek area before his father’s death. His family consisted of his spouse, Martha (almost certainly a second wife), his oldest son John4, Jr.,
and other sons and daughters: William4, Robert4, Marthian4, Isbell4, Susannah4, Betty4,
and Dakar4 (Decker).
Dakar, the youngest son of John3, was born ca 1753. Because of the differences
in age between John, Jr., and Dakar, it is assumed that John3 married twice.
John3 was a farmer and a man committed to doing his share to reshape wilderness
into community. He was early appointed to lay off a road from the Staunton River to the
new “capital” (county seat) and he and John Nichols, also appointed, did that timeconsuming, difficult job.
This brings us to Mary, daughter of Richrd2 Owen.
2)
Mary3, Richard’s oldest daughter, married John Nichols, probably in Cumberland County
early in the 18th century.
John and Mary Nichols settled in close to the other Owen families and remained in Halifax County the rest of their lives. John was a planter, a land speculator, and proved to be
a very generous father. Their daughter, Elizabeth, as previously stated, married her first
cousin, John Owen, Jr., son of John Owen, and grandson of Richard Owen.
Although many researchers have asserted that John Owen, Jr., was the son of
the Prince Edward County John Owen and, therefore, was a brother of Brackett Owen,
the preponderance of evidence would point to the Richard Owen line. Further data relating to this controversy will be evaluated in the Brackett Owen portion of this article.
Although John and Mary Nichols had a large family, each child suitably married
and producing children, records show Nichols’ exceptional generosity to John Owen, Jr.,
and Elizabeth (Betty). He deeds a good-size farm to them.
Deed Book 3, p. 304. January 1763, John Nichols of Halifax County for and in
consideration of said John Owen intermarrying with said Nichols dau, Betty Nichols, has granted said John Owen his son-in-law 400 acres . . . part of the order of
Councel of 5,450 acres . . . (signed) John (J) Nichols. Witnesses: R. Wooding,
Abraham LeGrand, Edward Parker. Rec. June 16, 1763.
Thus, we know that John (Jr.) and Elizabeth Owen were married before 1763,
possibly many years before.
And when John Nichols made a similar gift to another son-in-law, Abraham LeGrand, LeGrand already had sons. In fact, it was to protect his grandsons that Nichols
acted.
Continued on page 17
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page
17
Deed Book 3, p. 523. “September 10, 1776. John Nichols of Halifax County to
Abraham LeGrand, for 5s. 400 acres beginning at Peter Hudson’s cor. To John
Owen’s cor.” This deal is to stand, Nichols says, if LeGrand promises to hold the
land in his possession and hands it on to his two sons William and Peter LeGrand.
(No; LeGrand sold it and moved to Pittsylvania County.)
It is interesting to note that by the time of his death, Nichols had divested himself
of all that original 5,450 acres except for 400 acres, the home farm, presumably. H.C.
Will Book 1, pp. 70-7. In the will, he names his wife, Mary; sons William, John and
Jesse; daughters, Sary Robertson, Betty Owen and Aggie LeGrand. But more than a will
will be necessary to untie the knotty problem of the two John Owen, Juniors. Land records may help, and there will be land records aplenty in the upcoming “Brackett Owen
Line.”
Because of space limitations, Richard Owen’s line (three generations) will be touched
on briefly in the next issue of this newsletter, as will the Owen-Echols line; the other four
Owen lines will be forthcoming. [I urge anyone in the Richard Owen line to get in touch if
there are corrections to be made. Also, should anyone have any definitive, sourced material which would tend to prove that it was John Owen, Jr., son of John Owen of Prince
Edward County, who married Elizabeth Nichols, now would be the time to mediate the
question.]
Write me or call:
Jane Owen Hillard
3419 Mt. Rainier Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40241
(502) 426-4771
(Read more about Jane on page 23 )
Owen, descendant of utopian socialist
Houston Chronicle Thursday, May 2. 2002
Obituaries (newspaper clipping provided by Delores Landrum)
By LYNWOOD ABRAM
Houston Chronicle
Kenneth Dale Owen, petroleum geologist, horse
breeder, and descendant of the utopian socialist and
philanthropist Robert Owen, died Sunday in the
place of his birth, the former "Owenite" community of
New Harmony, Ind. He was 98.
Kenneth Owen, who maintained
homes in Houston and New Harmony,
had preserved and maintained properties in New Harmony that his ancestors
had built. Owen
also was a leading figure in horse breeding
circles. In 1967, his horse won , the famed
annual harness race for 3-year-old trotters.
The race, now held in New Jersey, at the time
was held in DuQuoin, Ill., where as a boy
Owen was introduced to the world of standard-bred horses.
In the 1980s, when Owen retired from the
Hambletonian Society, he was saluted as
having "set new standards as a breeder and
symbolized the brightest form of sportsmanship and integrity that
cont. on page 18
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Obituary
our sport has known." Owen also was named to
the Trotting Horse Hall of Fame.
As a geologist, Owen made oil field discoveries that enabled him to found two successful
companies, Gulfshore Oil and Trans-Tex Production. Owen was the great-great grandson of
Robert Owen, whose wealth derived from textile
mills i n New L a n a r k , Scotland. Using his fortune to promote cooperative living and social
and industrial experiments, Robert Owen
founded utopian "Owenite" communities in Britain and the United States based on socialist
principles.
In 1825, Robert Owen bought 30,000 acres
in Indiana and called it New Harmony. There
Owen established what he hoped would be a
self-contained and peaceful community. Internal
dissension, however, dogged the enterprise, and
after a few years it failed. Owen's descendants,
however, stayed on in New Harmony. On Aug.
24, 1903, Kenneth Owen was born there. Upon
graduating in 1926 from Cornell University,
Owen was employed as a field geologist fort
Humble Oil & Refining Co. (now Exxon Mobil),
and moved to Houston.
Over the ensuing years Owen devoted much
of his energies to reclaiming and restoring the
properties owned by his forebears in New Harmony. These included the house' where he was
born, the David Dale Owen Laboratory, and the
Rapp-Maclure-Owen Mansion' and the Rapp
Granary. The granary was headquarters for
early day geologic investigations during the
Owenite community days.` For these efforts, the
Historic Preservation and Archaeology
Division of the Indiana Department of Resources
conferred on Owen its Outstanding Preservation
Award. He also was named a Sagamore of the
Wabash, one of Indiana's highest honors.
continued on page 22
Owen Family News
Page
18
Adventure in Archives
By Kim Owen
Several months ago, through a
newly found cousin, Ann Owen Vernon of Virginia, I was given the email address of another
cousin, Graham C. Owen of Florida. Graham
and I began to email and he sent me data on a
renowned ancestor by the name of Henry
Thweatt Owen. Graham made reference to
some of Henry’s papers being at the Virginia
State Library. Since I live in Richmond, the
State library is at my fingertips.
I was intrigued by this, so one Saturday, I
made a visit to the library and perused Henry’s
papers. Maybe some of you are used to archive room research, but it was quite an experience for me. I could not wear a coat
nor have my purse with me nor have anything
except several pieces of loose leafed paper
and a couple of pencils. Ink pens are not permitted. Everything went into a small locker, so
one would be unencumbered. They asked me
to sign a paper saying I would abide by certain
rules, some of which I have mentioned. The
place seemed like hallowed ground; as if I
should whisper and tiptoe around on the carpeted floor. The novelty of the archive room
has not worn off even though I have returned
many times.
It turns out Henry Thweatt Owen was a famous man and the papers were more than I
had hoped to find. Henry is Graham C. Owen’s
great grandfather. According to Graham,
Henry was “born in Prince Edward
County, Virginia, on July 28, 1831. He was the
seventh and youngest child and fifth son of
William Jack Owen and his wife, Sallie Marshall Owen. Two days before the tenth birthday of Henry, on July 26, 1841, Henry’s father
died at the young age of fifty-five. For a few
years, Henry helped his older brothers manage the plantation, but disliking the life of a
planter, he taught himself to telegraph and at
the young age of fifteen became a depot
agent.
Continued on page 19
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
At the age of eighteen, in 1849, he became depot
agent for the Richmond Southside Railway at
Nottoway Court House and it was there he met
Harriet Adelena Robertson of Crewe, Virginia.
They were married on November, 13, 1850.
During the late 1850’s, Henry realized that a
war could come to the South. He formed a small
company of men, comprised mostly of his wife’s
brothers and cousins. They became known as
the ‘Nottoway Rifle Guards.’ Henry read military
books and trained his company of farmers, blacksmiths and businessmen on the grounds of Nottoway Court House. On the morning of April 23,
1861, Henry’s company was called to arms. For
the next four years, Henry and his Company C,
18th Virginia Infantry Regiment, participated in
many of the major battles of the War Between the
States.
Following the war, Henry lived in Richmond
where he served for a time as the Chief Clerk for
the Virginia General Assembly. Later, Henry was
appointed to the office of Second Auditor of Virginia where he remained until he retired.
From around 1878 until his death in 1921,
Henry and Dr. Thomas M. Owen, Ph.D., researched and collected information on the Owen
family and some of the related branches. Dr.
Owen was of a different Owen line. He was either
Chief Postal Inspector or an assistant during the
time he and Henry corresponded and collaborated. In addition, Henry wrote his recollections of
the war and some of the battles. Excerpts from
some of his writings can be found in books about
the war. A few of his quotes have been included
in movies and documentary films on the
war.”First, I viewed two plat books that had to be
one hundred years old. The bindings flaked off in
spots as I opened them. Inside were maps and
verbal descriptions of some things. Also, there
were lists of Owen settlers, sixty-eight with the
name Owen and twelve with other spellings of the
surname. In one of the plat books was recorded
an 1860 census of Virginia, listing seventy counties and cities. It listed land owned by whites and
land owned by Negroes in 1893 and 1898. It appears another version of the census was
Owen Family News
Page
19
recorded for 1860 and 1880 listing whites and
Negroes in sixty-nine counties and cities. One
recording listed the total number of Negroes in
Virginia in 1860 and 1890. Henry broke this
list down to free Negroes and slaves as well
as those who were unlettered and without
money. In 1893 and 1898, lists were recorded
of the number of acres of land owned by Negroes which was 1/34th of all land in Virginia
and 1/27th of all land in Virginia, respectively.
At that time, Virginia covered territory from
the Atlantic Ocean west to the Blue Ridge
Mountains.
Next, I looked at the maps he drew. They
were precise and intricate and neat. They
were drawn in pencil and some had markings
with red or blue ink. Some of the maps were
incomplete. Several were drawn on what
appeared to be tracing paper. They were of
tracts of land in various places in Virginia.
Many were tracts of land owned by John
Owen and Brackett Owen. Nearly all of it involved land near the Sandy River and
Mountain Creek. Some of the maps used various types of trees as markers for property
lines. Some maps were of tracts in Amelia
County and Lunenburg County. One map
showed Owen’s Creek that branched off the
South Anna River.
The best part of the collection was Henry’s
personal papers that contained 443 items. A
whole box of folders filled with personal
correspondence to and from Henry, deeds,
and the Whiteside papers.
One whole folder, fifty items, was devoted
to letters Henry wrote to his wife, Harriett between 1856 and 1864. He had to be a loving
man as he always began his letters with "Dear
Wife," "My Dear Harriet," or "My Dear Wife."
He ended the letters with closures like: "Most
devotedly," "Most truly your husband," "I am
devotedly yours," "Yours forever & truly," and
"In haste I am most devotedly yours." Some
letters were to and from his children. Those
he closed "Your affectionate father," "Yours
faithfully as ever," and "Yours truly &
Cont. pg 20
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
caringly." In one letter, Henry closed with "My
love to Ma and my brothers." The letters were
written on blue, yellow and white paper in cursive writing. Henry used black and blue ink as
well as pencil.
Of special note was one long letter Henry
wrote to his son from the barracks at 7th and
Clay Streets here in Richmond, Virginia. I assume this was during the Civil War. From
2601 East Franklin Street, he wrote
to his grandson Kenneth Johnson. On March
12, 1918, he wrote to his aunt, Mamie, that he
had a "bad cold and cough and his eyesight
was horrible."
There was the will and a six page inventory
of belongings of Ann Crawford Owen who was
Graham's great, great, great grandmother. In
those times, they inventoried everything down
to utensils and livestock and sacks of feed.
One dollar was left to a couple of the children.
Land was left to some. Sadly, slaves and their
children were left to some children.
Henry received correspondence from General James Longstreet and General Robert E.
Lee. Many letters written by Henry were from
Camp Lewis during the War. Henry wrote one
letter from the Second Auditor's Office to a
Colonel Frank S. Ruffin. There were letters
from C. Pickett with Washington Life Insurance Company, J. L. Kemper, a Mr. Cocke,
the Office of the Danville Register, a Mr.
Blantin with the Farmville Insurance & Banking Company, a Mr. W. J. Morrisett, George C.
Cabell in the House of Representatives, the
Times in Philadelphia, Stephen Stanley of the
Office of Stanley Brothers/Manufacturers of
Gold Stock Plated Chain, the office of Irving
V. McKinney/Attorneys at Law/Farmville, a L.
Jeannette, a George Bosson, Mr. Roper of
Boston, Chamberlin & Currier in Boston, a B.
Williams, the Law Offices of James Mann of
Nottoway Courthouse, Oaks Warehouse
Company of Petersburg, Virginia, William and
Mary College, N. R. Bowman &
Owen Family News
Page
20
Company Leaf Tobacco of Lynchburg, Virginia,
and a Maggie J. Baker. A letter appointed
Henry an honorary member of Pickett-Stuart
Camp of Confederate Veterans. Another letter
from the Virginia Historical Society appointed
Henry a member of the society in 1898. A
couple of letters to him were written in purple
pencil.
A certificate from the Post Office Department
in Washington, DC, appointed Harriett Owen as
Postmaster of the Green Bay Post Office in
Prince Edward County, Virginia.
The deeds had to do with many land sales
between 1894 and 1928. There
were fourteen items in this folder. Many sales
were to E. O. Whiteside, Henry or Mary Whiteside of tracts of land near or in Virso, Virginia,
which was in Prince Edward County. Some
sales were to George and Martina
Womack, Julius and Susie Lash, Purcell, Lee
and Ann Cox, D. J. Thompson, and the State
Bank.
Maybe this is a good place to discuss the
Whitesides. Emerson Owen Whiteside was a
grandson of Henry. According to Graham, he is
the one who donated most of the papers of
Henry to the library. Emerson is a first cousin to
Graham's father, Harry Ashton Owen, Senior.
Emerson was a successful businessman in
Richmond, Graham reports. Graham says the
land deeds were probably purchases made by
Emerson and others with the purpose of buying
back some of the original Owen property in
Prince Edward County. There was an old Owen
plantation in Prince Edward County at one time.
In the folder labeled "Military Papers 18621864," were 83 items. There were numerous
special orders. Many items are written on
scraps of paper. Some are on blue paper. There
is a list of prisoners of war and of Quartermaster's stores. There is a list of those killed at Gettysburg in 1863 in Pickett's Division. A note from
Henry's diary during the War of Rebellion is in
the folder.
Continued on page 21
March
2002
March
2002
Volume
Issue
Volume
17 17
Issue
1 1
Adventure in Archives
Also, there is a folder entitled "Reminisces
1878" with four items in it. These are Henry's
personal accounts of events in 1878, 1863, of
Pickett's Division and of the Battle of South
Mountain.
The "Drafts of Articles" folder has one article
typed in Latin, one written in pencil, and a
lengthy one to the Editor of the Times Dispatch
from 1885. All are very legible.
One folder has a few pages of poetry by
Henry, but it is difficult to read. There is a newspaper article. There are three photographs of
Henry. He is very handsome.
Finally, the Whiteside papers consist of
Whiteside's discharge and a Virginia Fire & Marine Insurance policy for a place in Charlotte
County on a two and a half story frame dwelling
three miles north of Keysville, Virginia.
Graham said that Henry lived with Aunt
Whiteside near the end of his life at 2601 East
Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia. One Sunday afternoon, I went house hunting and found
the house. It was a three story, red brick
structure, at the bottom of a hill just east of
downtown Richmond. Two traditional Southern
white columns held the roof of the front porch. It
appeared original. It had been joined by a small
foyer to the next building. I believe the entire
structure had been turned into apartment units. I
took a lot of pictures for Graham.
As you can assume, I almost feel like I knew
Henry Thweatt Owen after spending so much
time with what he left behind in the archive
room. The research has enriched me and added
to my knowledge of many things dating back to
that era. I am indebted to Cousin Ann for introducing me to Cousin Graham. I am very indebted to Cousin Graham for introducing me to
> Henry Thweatt Owen and his family.
Owen
Family
News Page
Page
Owen
Family
News
21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
CAN YOU HELP
A hearty welcome to Jane
Owen Hillard who recently
joined our Editorial Staff . I
wish to congratulate her for
the excellent newsletter article in this months issue.
Hopefully, others will
join Jane Hillard and Kim Owen in sharing Owen
genealogical information with our readers.
There is currently a vacancy for an Editor &
Chief at the Owen Family News. A volunteer is
need to manage the newsletter, design its layout,
select articles for publication and transmitting the
finished document to the Publisher.
.
Some of you have probably noticed that our
Web Site is not up to date. That’s because of a
Webmaster vacancy.. The site needs updating and
kept current. Perhaps someone would volunteer
and offer suggest for improvements.
Please advise me if you are willing to volunteer
for any of the worthwhile projects
Arnie
HELP WANTED
♠ EDITOR & CHIEF
☺ ASSOCIATE EDITORS
☺ WEBMASTER
Please apply to :
Arnold C,. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
Phone: (610) 399-0146
FAX: (610) 399-6708
E-mail: [email protected]
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
Owen Family News
Page
22
OWEN NEWSLETTERS
Owen Obituary
For 61 years, Owen was married to Jane
Blaffer, who survives him. Jane Blaffer Owen,
who worked with her husband in the restoration
of New Harmony, is the daughter of Robert Lee
Blaffer, a founder of what today is Exxon Company USA, and his wife, Sarah Campbell Blaffer.
Sa,
rah Blaffer's father, William Thomas Campbell,
was a founder of the Texas Company, now
Chevron Texaco.
Bound copies old Owen newsletters, with index when available. Indexes are in the process of being prepared.
Book 1 Newsletters volumes 1 thru 8
Book 2 Newsletters volumes 9 thru 12
Book 3. Newsletters Volumes 13 thru 16
The newsletter books are bound with plastic comb binding
similar to the Owen Source Book, aspictured on the left.
Owen also leaves two daughters, Jane Dale
Owen and Ann' Dale Owen, both of Houston.
Funeral services were held Thursday in New
Harmony. A memorial service will be held in
Houston at a later date.
OWEN CAP
ORDER
Name _________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________ State ________ Zip_____________________
Phone Number ______ _______ _______
E-Mail address _________________________________
Description
Owen Source Book
Book 1 Owen Family Newsletters
Book 2 Owen Family Newsletters
Book 3 Owen Family Newsletters
Owen Caps
Price
$14.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$11.00
S&H
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4,00
$4.00
Qty
Total
_____ _______
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Total
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Please check your order, total the last two columns, mail a check or money order to:
Owen Family Association, c/o Bill E. Owen, 6365 Glory Ave., Milton, FL 32583
(Please include a copy of this form with your order)
________
March 2002
Volume 17 Issue 1
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR & CHIEF: ( Vacant)
Arnold C. Owen (temporary)
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395
[email protected]
Editors:
William P. Owen III
P.O. Box 24165
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
[email protected]
Kimberly Ayn Owen
8006 Cottesmore Cl.
Richmond, VA 23228
[email protected]
Jane Owen Hillard
3419 Mt. Rainier Dr.
Lousiville, KY 40244
(502) 426-4771
2002
PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Owen Family News
Page
23
MEET OFA EDITOR
JANE OWEN HILLARD
Jane Owen Hillard grew up in Dyer County, Tennessee, which fronts on the Mississippi River, and
married Jack Richard Hillard a long time ago. Jack
and Jane have two sons, Richard Owen Hillard, of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jonathan R. Hillard, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania. (When they gave Richard Owen
his name, they had no idea . . . !) Jane received her
A.B. from Western State University of Colorado and
her M.A. (in English) from the University of Louisville. Before retirement, she was a writer for the
Kentucky Department of Public Information, an experience suited to her penchant for research and accuracy in use of sourced materials.
“I am absolutely committed to going to primary
sources for genealogical research and believe that
data which does not cite sources is automatically suspect. Take hints and clues from wherever you can
get them, but verify, verify, verify. That means going back to courthouses, libraries and archive — or
going to lists and data laboriously copied from
SAME by serious, committed and careful record
searchers.”
MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER
Obituaries are welcome. In addition to then newspaper clipping, please include the name of the Newspaper and
the date published. Send them to the Owen Family Association Editor for publishing .
MEMBERSHIP-For information about the Owen Family Association or an application for membership, please E– mail or write to:
Owen Family Association
c/o Arnold Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
[email protected]
1st class
Postage
“Owen a name worth knowing”
Owen Family Association
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh, Publisher
111 Stonegate N.
Boerne, TX 78006
Officers:
Address Label
Mr. Arnold C. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
(610) 399-0146
(941) 629-8211—Winter Only
[email protected]
Mr. M. Fred Owen
Vice President
1103 Marbrook Ct.
Houston, TX 77077-1951
(281) 531-4473
[email protected]
Mrs. Judy Owen
Secretary
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mr. Bill E. Owen
Treasurer
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh
Publisher
111 Stonegate N
Boerne, TX 78006
(830)249- 3487
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Robert McCrary
George Shirley
C. Owen Johnson
Organized in 1981, the objectives of the association are:
1) To establish and document as complete a list of descendants
of Owen and Allied Families as possible.
2) To collect a narrative history of individual family lines of
descent .
3) To compile and maintain a listing of cemeteries, homes and other
buildings and sites associated with Owen and Allied Families.
4) To publish and distribute a periodic Newsletter.
5) To bring members of the family association together for periodic
Reunions.
6) To aid association members in establishing their family line and
assist them in joining various hereditary and patriotic societies,
if they so desire.
7) To ultimately produce a volume documenting the verified
family histories.
8) To provide publications to Genealogy Libraries to assist Owen
researchers.
Annual dues of $10.00 is payable January 1st The Owen Newsletter is published quarterly and is subject to copyrights.
OWEN FAMILY NEWS
OWEN
A Name Worth Knowing
Published by OWEN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
htpp//www.geocities.com/~owenfamily
September 2002
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 3
Page 24
OWENS FINALLY RECEIVES PURPLE HEART
HAROLD OWEN
Purple Heart Pages 24, 25
Harold Owen Biography
by Bill Owens
Pages 25 thru 27
Sgt. Harold Alvie
Owens, while on active
duty in Italy in 1944 was
wounded by a land mine
explosion. Fifty-six years
later, Harold was honored for his service during
WW II and was presented
the Purple Heart. In January of this year, a large
gathering of family,
friends and fellow veterans helped celebrate this
auspicious occasion at the
VFW Post 2714 in South
Gibson, Indiana.
Indiana Departmental Commander, VFW, Everett Foreman,
looks on as Harold Owens, (center}, receives the Purple Heart
from John Bosley, Indiana National Service Officer for the
Military Order of the Purple Heart.
___________________________________.
_________________________
ALL THOSE UNRELATED
OWENS OF HALIFAX
COUNTY VIRGINIA
By Jane Hillard
Pages 28 thru 32
At the presentation ceremony, John Bosley read a description of what occurred on July 9, 1944 and the
weeks afterward. It is as follows:
“Sergeant Harold Owens, Chief of Section, C Battery, 9l3th Field Artillery
Battalion, 88th Division, Sth Army.
On July 9, 1944, at approximately 9 o'clock in the morning, my section was
moving north through the Po Valley not far from the Arno River in Italy. My
section, consisting of 10 men, was riding in a 2~-ton GMC truck towing our
gun, a 105mm howitzer. Ours was the first truck in a convoy being led by Captain Charles Pettys, who was riding in a Jeep. The Jeep safely passed over a
large teller mine on the road, but our larger truck was not so fortunate. Our
truck hit it. The explosion was so powerful that it cut off the dual wheels on the
left side of the truck, made a hole through the steel bed of the truck, and threw
all our men out of the back.
I was hit in the back with something; I'm not sure what. I believe that I was
probably thrown into the air and then came down hitting my back on the side of
the truck as I fell. I am not sure because I was knocked unconscious by the
blast. I don't know how long I had been "out," but when I came to, all the other
men were standing around me. I yelled at them to get down because I thought
we were under fire. It was then that they told me that we had hit a mine. The
other men were badly shaken, but I was hurt worse than the others.
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
Page
25
We had been carrying all of our belongings~~barracks bags, bed rolls, etc.--and 25 rounds
of ammunition. Luckily, our ammunition did not explod~ The baggage might have saved us, because it
was cut to shreds by the shrapnel.
The other members of my crew had to get a new
truck to proceed on up the line. I, on the other hand,
was placed on a litter on the front of a Medic Jeep to
be transported to a field hospital about a hundred
miles back south. It was a long, excruciatingly painful, trip back for me. It took all day over very dusty,
bumpy, dirt roads with a lot of traffic. At one point,
the Jeep hit a hole in a bridge; and one wheel
dropped through. I was lifted off and set aside until
they could get the Jeep out of the hole. Then they put
me back on, and we proceeded on toward the hospital, arriving there about dark. By this time, every
joint in my body was aching right down to the joints
in my little fingers.
When we reached the hospital, I was placed on a
cot where I spent the night without anyone even
looking at me. I assume they had patients
in more life-threatening condition than I was. The
next morning a big, rough nurse came in, grabbed
my hands, and tried to pull me up. It was impossible;
I simply could not get up. The nurse then let go of
me and got me my first dose of pain pills. I was there
in the hospital about 2 weeks before I could stand or
walk. After another, week, when I had improved and
was able to get around better, I went back up on the
line with my section. When I arrived there, the Captain asked, "Aren't you back too soon?" I said that I
didn’t know, but I would give it a try. It didn’t take
long to find out. The first time I tried to lift and load
a shell into the gun, the pain in my back was so debilitating I knew I had to go back to the hospital. I
went back and stayed another week or two before returning again to my unit. This time I was able to
stay.”
My brother Harold was born June 21, 1921 at a
farm house located two miles northwest of Lynnville, a
small town in Warrick County, Indiana. Harold's parents, Alvie Washington Owens and Mabel Vesta Gentry Owens, were married in January 1919, and their
only daughter, Dorothy Genevieve, was born later in
the same year. After Harold was born in 1921, from
August 1922 until June 1938 Mabel would give birth
to six (6) more babies (all boys), Paul, Bill, Lawrence,
Ray, Tom and Jean.
Left to right: Harold Owens, William Longwill, Charles Nichols , Joseph
Banulski ; Kneeling: Carlous Hutchison, William Lindsay
A quote from Harold on page 250 of the family
history book, 'GENTRY KINFOLK' published in
1991: "1 am told that when I was very small, I had a
problem with Mother's milk; so the doctor told Daddy
that he should give me only fresh, warm milk directly
from the cow for a while. Daddy was following the
doctor's advice, milking the cow at all hours of the day
or night whenever I needed a bottle. Grandma Owens
didn't approve of his going to so much trouble, so she
told Daddy, , Alvie, I wouldn't do that; there will be
other babies.' She may not have been very sympathetic
to my plight, but I certainly can't argue with the truth
of her prediction. There were six other babies after
me."
BIOGRAPHY OF
HAROLD ALVIE OWENS
by Bill Owens, St. George, Utah, April 26, 2002
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
During much of the early years father Alvie
was kept busy at the coal mines on his father-inIaw's adjacent farm, and since Harold was the oldest son, he was assigned farm chores at a very
young age. He also became the leader for his
younger brothers. Harold especially enjoyed and
was adept at working with the family's gentle
horses, and as soon as he was old enough to sit in
the seat of a farm implement (without falling off),
and with a hired hand as a constant companion, he
helped in the fields preparing the soil for seed.
In addition to his summer work in the fields,
Harold also helped with the daily farm chores such
as feeding and watering the livestock, milking cows
and cleaning stalls, etc. From 1931 until 1935 during late in the summer Harold also helped his father
at the coal mines.
In October 1935 the family sold the Warrick
County 60-acre farm and moved to a rented 100acre farm located in Pike County. Harold and his
brothers continued to help out with the farm tasks,
but no more coal mining. Harold and five of his
brothers attended Lincoln School, a one-room
building situated 1/4 mile north of their home. Harold's formal education ceased in 1937 after suffering a severe beating from the teacher. A piece of
oak wood, approximately 18 inches long, 4 inches
wide, and 3/4 inch thick taken from a broken
school desk was used on Harold -punishment for
'talking back to the teacher'.
From 1937 until 1941, in addition to helping out at the family farm, Harold helped neighbors
with their farm chores, usually bringing home a
dollar a day. In 1939 the family again moved, this
time 2 miles south to a 50-acre farm located Y4
mile due north of Claybank, in Monroe Township,
Pike County.
December 1941 arrives and planes from Japan attack Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In early May
1942 Harold and brother Bill took jobs as laborers
with Ryan Construction Co. helping build the shipyard on the banks of the Ohio River in Evansville.
It was here that LST's would later be built and
launched sideways into the river. The pay was 70
cents per hour (or about 7 times more than what
farmers paid) and we worked 7 days each week.
Harold worked for Ryan until August 10th at
which time he reported to the Army at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Owen Family News
Page
26
Three days later Private Harold Alvie Owens was
on a train bound for Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
where he became part of the 913th Field Artillery
Battalion. The unit moved to Louisiana in early
spring of 1943 and Harold participated in maneuvers until August, and at this location was promoted to Sergeant. The unit was then sent to Fort
Sam Houston, Texas for a couple of months, and
then to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia. Harold and
his buddies boarded a Liberty ship and were part of
a convoy of 54 ships bound for Casablanca, N. Africa. Thanksgiving 1943 was observed aboard ship
somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
In early January 1944 the unit, the 88th Infantry Division, sailed from Oran, Africa to Naples,
Italy and replaced the 45th Division in the
Minterno area. In the spring of 1944 the entire 5th
Army (of which the 88th Division was a part) and
commanded by General Mark Clark, made a big
push north through Rome and on to the Po Valley.
On the morning of July 9,1944 the truck
Harold and his buddies were riding in ran over a
large teller mine, resulting in injuries to several soldiers including Harold. A more detailed story of
this event as described by Harold is attached.
After a month or so at a field hospital Harold returned to his unit as they continued to fight
and chase the Germans north until the war in
Europe was over in May 1945. From May until August Harold's unit was in charge of prison cages
holding German prisoners-of-war .
In August Harold, along with many others in
his unit, received orders shipping them back to the
States, then on to the Pacific Theater to fight
against the Japanese. While in the U. S. on a 30-day
leave the atom bomb was dropped, the Japanese
surrendered, and World War II was over. On November 2,1945 Sgt. Harold Alvie Owens was now
civilian Harold Alvie Owens.
From December 1945 until 1953 Harold
was an employee of The U. S. Coast & Geodetic
Survey, Dept. of Commerce, and assigned to a triangulation party. It was while with this very mobile
organization that in the spring of 1946 it came to
pass that Harold met his future wife. On May 31 in
Brookhaven, Mississippi in a double wedding ceremony with brother Bill and his bride, Harold married Janice Louise Ward. After seven years of
working in several states, brief stays in many
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
many towns, including a project at THE NEVADA TEST SITE near Las Vegas in the fall of
1951, Harold, Janice and daughter Sherree left
the nomadic lifestyle of the survey crew of the
USC&GS.
Harold and family settled down in southern Indiana. Harold spent a year or so at International Harvester, and from 1955 until he retired
in 1983 he worked for Inland Container in
Evansville. Janice taught school in southern Indiana from 1956 until she retired in 1989.
Harold and Janice are the proud parents
of two children, daughter Sherree and son,
Stephen, also five adorable grandchildren, 4 girls
and 1 boy. Harold and Janice enjoy dancing, both
square and round and since 1956 have been very
actively involved in these activities, including
teaching and cueing. Quoting Harold from the
family history book, 'GENTRY KINFOLK', published in 1991: "We are retired, sometimes just
plain 'tired', but it is a joy to be able to spend
time with our family, our friends, and each
other."
And 1 will add that Harold and Janice
have certainly earned the right to enjoy their
'golden years' any way they choose.
PS: And Janice serves up some of the best homecooking that you will find anywhere, anytime!
Owen Family News
Page
27
OWENS in America have
always served this Nation
proudly during its 226 years.
Harold Owen is one of many
examples of brave young men
and women who answered the
call of duty. Starting with the
American Revaluation the list
of Owen surnames are vast. It
has been said that we are a proud lot and I think our
membership is a testimonial to that view. In line with
this, I ask everyone to please keep in mind the tragic
event of 9-11 and remember those who lost their
lives.
September 11, 2002, is soon approaching. On
that day, please wear red, white and blue to show
your support for those who lost their lives on
9~11~01 and to honor the heroes who worked to save
them and the families left behind. At noon your time
on September 11, 2002, no matter where you are or
what you are doing, stop, put your hand on your
heart, and say the Pledge of Allegiance out loud or to
yourself and say a prayer for our nation. If all of us
do this together in every time zone around the world,
we will have a powerful chain of thoughts surrounding us. Please remind your friends and family. By
September 11, 2002, hopefully enough people will
join together in unity.
God Bless the USA
___________________
HELP WANTED
♠ EDITOR & CHIEF
☺ ASSOCIATE EDITORS
☺ WEBMASTER
Please apply to :
Arnold C,. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
Phone: (610) 399-0146
FAX: (610) 399-6708
Arnie
WEN
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
Page 28
ALL THOSE UNRELATED OWENS
OF HALIFAX COUNTY (Cont’d)
By Jane Owen Hillard
Mia culpa! After preaching about primary sources and careful documentation, my article in the
June newsletter contained an egregious error. Last spring, on “vacation” in Halifax County, I
was 700 milestones away from my files and trying to meet my deadline. Needing a copy of John
Nichols’ will, I asked a friend to visit the courthouse and bring me an abstract. Mistake! I made
my deadline, then went to the courthouse to check out the will. Sorry; I have learned from my
carelessness: I won’t do it again.
2.
Continuing with the family of Richard Owen (Staunton River) family, we listed MARY3
OWEN NICHOLS as the second child, first daughter. We, of course, know little about
Mary herself, but husband John Nichols (see apology above) names all their children in
a very long will: Sons Ambrose, Jesse, daughter Nanny Nichols, and sons Bird, David,
John, and William Nichols, and married daughters, Sarah Robertson, Betty Owen, and
Aggie LeGrand. He had thousands of acres to leave, and he was generous to all his
children.
3.
RICHARD3, JR., second son, had claimed land adjacent to his father and made his
home there. Richard and his wife, Lucretia (“Lewcrezy,” “Lucy”) probably had several
children, but so far only two have been identified: Mary, his daughter, who was identified in her grandfather Owen’s will, and a third Richard.
[As was proper in the 18th century, the use of “Jr.” was used to keep official records straight, as well as to separate fathers and sons for relatives and friends. As also
was proper, after the father’s death, the son bearing the same first name dropped the
“Jr.” So after Richard Owen, the progenitor, died (ca. 1756), we find numerous records:
deeds, voting lists, etc., using the undifferentiated “Richard Owen,” placing him in that
same Staunton River vicinity. Finally, in the 1780s, we start picking up Richard, Sr.,
again (decades after the patriarch’s death!) and, again, Richard, Jr. Today we might
call the latter Richard III, but the colonists left such high-faluting practices to royalty. A
caveat: Sometimes a nephew of the same name will be called Jr. to differentiate him
from an uncle who lives in the same community. In her excellent book, The Stovall
Family, Carmae Massey reveals that George Stovall’s son, Bartholomew was called Jr.
because his Uncle Bartholomew (George’s brother) lived nearby. Stops the confusion.]
We find this Richard numerous times in the land records, in the voting records,
as witness to documents, etc. We also find a sale: Bk 7, p. 48. Dec. 3, 1767. Richard
Owen of Halifax County, to John Carr of same, for $20, 400 acres on B.S. of Bradley
Creek, etc., etc. . . . Signed by Richard Owen and Lewcrese X Owen. Wit: John
Cobbs, John LeGrand, James Owen. And on the same day, with the same witnesses:
“from Richard Owen of Halifax to Jeffrey Palmer of H, £22/10 sh, land with a small plantation, about 100 acres, being part of Alexander LeGrand’s . . . patent, bonded by Col.
Cole’s line on Buckskin Creek and Richard Martin. Signed Richard Owen, Lewcrese X
Owen. Wit--Cobbs/LeGrand/James Owen. Recorded Jan. 31, 1768.”
WEN
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
Page
29
It is believed Richard and Lucy left the county sometime after 1773. We do not
know if he went to another state or just to another county and several researchers are now
hoping to ascertain if the couple moved to (perhaps) Bedford. It is entirely possible that
they lived with, or on the property of, one of their children. There is only one Richard Owen
enumerated in the 1787 tything list, and he seems to be in residence at some distance from
the Staunton River Owens. He may be their kinsman or, at this late date, a member of one
of the other families.
4.
RALPH OWEN, presumably Richard and Elizabeth’s fourth child, third son, early acquired
his 400 acres and he, also, had his land resurveyed in 1748. His farm was across the road
which brother John Owen and John’s brother-in-law, John Nichols, laid out. [It may be that
his main farm was more or less in the location presently occupied by a wealthy girls’ summer camp, attended by many of the daughters of foreign diplomats posted to Washington,
D.C.]
Records show that Ralph acquired numerous holdings; we also have his voting record. In order to vote for Burgesses to represent their districts in Williamsburg, landowners
had to vote in the precincts where his lands were. But if he had land in other precincts or
other counties, he could vote in those precincts, too (providing, I guess, that he could get
there in time). Ralph (Ralf/Relf) Owen usually voted twice for his man. Prosperous in Halifax County, he nevertheless moved to Rowan County, N.C., along with his brother, James,
and family and sister, Sarah, and her husband, Thomas (?) Womack. Ralph Owen’s will,
dated August 9, 1775, names wife, Judy; sons, Ralph and Henry; unmarried “other children”; and grandson, Armisteace.
5.
HENRY3: Few records have been found thus far, except land records. From Major Drury
Stith’s Old Book: “20 Feb. 1749/50 (Surv.d J.B.) Henry Owen 400 acres upon Contrary
Run . . . at John Owen’s upper corner Hickory thence up.” Henry paid 500 shillings. This
date is the same date Richard Owen, Henry’s father had his 400 acres resurveyed on both
sides of Reedy Creek. On June 16, 1751, Richard Owen, Jr., entered the vacant land between Henry Owen’s, James Stuard’s, Randolph’s, John Owen’s and Richard Owen’s, Sr.,
lines. “February 22, 1765, Henry enters all the vacant land between the Lines of Cole, William and John Owen and those of Randolph on the Draughts of Reedy Creek.” Incidentally,
the Randolph referred to in this case was John Randolph, later to be a Congressman in the
new United States, and to some in this area, he is the “father of the Constitution,” the astute
advisor to James Madison. Thus, we can place Henry Owen and we may surmise that he
would have married and possibly, if not probably, had issue. We assume that he, too,
moved on. He does not appear in 1787 tax lists.
Note: Thanks to the OFA members who responded to the first installment of this series. That’s what this association is about: furthering
each other’s genealogical research. I certainly appreciate your kind remarks. JOH
6. WILLIAM (Must we? So many Williams.) In fact, the first seven entries for William Owen
were for the William Owens other than ours. However, on a page headed April 4, 1751, we find
John Nichols entering for “Vacant land between William Owens at the head of Contrary Run and
John Jones in Difficult Creek.” We also find Richard Womack entering 400 acres beginning at
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September 2002
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Owen Family News
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William Owen’s Black Oak. Brother-in-law Thomas Stovall (page 59 of Stith’s Book) enters for the
land between his own, Thomas Clark’s, Henry Owen’s, Richard Owen’s, John Nichols and William
Owen’s lines. So we have been able to locate him among the clan’s holdings, we just haven’t met
him yet. We find glimmers of him here and there. Further research is needed.
7. ELIZABETH 3 OWEN second daughter of Richard 2 Owen, married Thomas
Stovall, the son of Bartholomew and Anne Burton Stovall, who were
neighbors for decades in Cumberland County. In 1752, Stovall bought land
(Deed Book 1, p. 94) on Contrary Run and Black Oak Creek, adjacent to
Ralph Owen. Other land acquisitions of Thomas Stovall are to be found in
Stith entries. He buys land adjacent to John Nichols’ and William Owen’s
(p. 59); enters for 400 acres between Ralph Owen’s, Cobb’s, and Russell’s
on Staunton River (p. 239) and, in February 1763, enters for land between
Nichols, Cole’s and his own, not to exceed 400 acres. Stovall is listed in
the 1787 tax list, among all the Staunton River Owen families, as well as
Peter Owen, who married the Stovalls’ daughter, Betty Ann.
Elizabeth apparently died before Thomas, whose will was recorded
in H.C. Will Book 6 (p. 546). Their children were Sarah Stovall Burton,
Bartholomew Stovall who, with wife Sussanah, moved to Warren County,
Kentucky, Tabitha Stovall Keesee (?), Phoebe Stovall Owen, Betty Ann
Stovall Owen, Sussanah Stovall Dickerson and George Stovall. Many in
this third generation, bearing both surnames (Owen or Stovall) emigrated
to various counties in South Central Kentucky. The line of the Dickersons
apparently moved to North Carolina.
8.THOMAS Owen married one of Abraham Womack’s daughters, Sarah Womack. The Womacks
were neighbors and friends since the early 1670s. They all migrated into Halifax County
about the same time and acquired lands in close proximity to each other. To date, no further data on Thomas and Sarah.
9.
SARAH3 Owen Womack was the youngest daughter of Richard the patriarch. Truth be told,
no one to date seems to know which of the Womack brothers she wed, Richard or Thomas.
That they lived among their kin in that tight little enclave is evidenced by land records: Feb.
1749/50 (Surv’d J.B.) Thos. Owen 400 acres joining the upper line of his Brother Ralph
Owen’s survey . . . Walnut Creek. His name appears in many surveys as points of reference. This Thomas is an inveterate voter, sometimes going to the polling place with brothers-in-law Thomas Womack and Thomas Stovall. Sarah and Thomas (?) Womack moved
to Rowan County along with Ralph Owen and his family, as did James Owen (below), and
various researchers have traced them over several generations.
10.
JAMES3 Owen, next to the youngest son, did not acquire land in the earliest days in Halifax
County. After all he and his brother, Ambrose, were slated to inherit their father’s acreage,
which they did in 1756. There is some confusion among his descendents as to whether this
James Owen and Col. James Owen of Revolutionary service were one and the same.
Some descendants think not, and this writer concurs.
What we do know is that James married and started a family, before Richard’s
death. Records show that he did acquire small tracts beyond that, but he started selling his
land in the mid-sixties. On “January 2, 1767, he sold to James Robards 400 acres, part of
a greater tract. James Owen rec’d by patent on Black Walnut Creek, beginning at Richard
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September 2002
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Owen’s to John Owen’s line . . .” Every land record for this James Owen refers to holdings
around Reedy Creek or Black Walnut, in the Owen enclave. We know that he migrated
southward into Rowan County, N.C., along with the families of his brother, Ralph, and his
sister, Sarah Womack. When Rowan County split, his home was in the new county; however, his will (1799) is in Rowan County Courthouse. He names children: Richard (d.
1834); Peter (b. February 1, 1758, d. August 8, 1830); Josiah (1760--after 1850); Alfred;
Ruth (b. 1763, m. Richard Womack; Hezekiah; Elizabeth m. John Park; Mary, m. Allen
Jones).
And Col. James Owen? There were others, unrelated, in early Halifax County carrying the name James Owen. (For instance: Deed Book 5, p. 153), “July 9, 1764. William
Gore and Elizabeth, his wife of Halifax County to James Owen of same, 154½ acres on
Reed Creek, beg. On Younger’s line . . .” This is not Reedy Creek; rather, Reed Creek is
near the county line and at the apex of the Virginia map, almost certainly not the territory of
our James. One notes, too, that in the list of Owens taking an “Oath of Loyalty” (see Owen
Johnson’s article in OFA Newsletter of November, 1995), there appears the names of William Owen, William Owen, Jr., John Owen, James Littleberry Owen, et al. And there were
other Jameses in Colonial Halifax County. We may, indeed, be speaking of two separate
(yes, unrelated) James Owens. I leave it to the descendents to sort it out.
11.
AMBROSE, presumably the youngest son of Richard and heir to half of Richard’s property,
resided for the rest of his life in the Reedy Creek area. No record of his marriage exists and
since no will was brought to probate, we know neither his wife’s name nor the names of his
other children. We know only that there was an Ambrose, Jr. The latter is enumerated in
the 1787 tax list at some remove from his father’s residence but still in the same general
area. Ambrose, Sr., was still living, and his name appears between the Nichols listing and
those of James Owen, a second James Owen (is one of them a son of Ambrose, Sr., we
wonder), followed by Peter Owen. A few lines down the list is Peter’s father-in-law, Thomas
Stovall. Peter is the son of James and, therefore, nephew of Ambrose. We do not know if
the Ambrose of the voting lists was junior or senior. The son, Ambrose, Jr., married Sarah
Parker. Sarah’s mother, Judith (Hudson) Parker, was a daughter of Peter Hudson, the progenitor of the Halifax County Hudson clan. (See Peter’s will in “File 1” at the courthouse;
dated October 7, 1752, probated March 20, 1753.) Ambrose and Sarah’s line is carried forward in the OFA Newsletter, November, 1992: Volume 7, Issue 2).
And now on to the next Owen genealogy of Halifax County; we shall turn now to the one I’ve dubbed
“the Dan River family.”
THE DAN RIVER OWEN FAMILY
Little work had to be expended on this family, as the genealogy of this group has been provided (usually dependably) by a number of publications. It has been best laid out in that old compilation by Bertha Brockman, at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. For those not familiar with Brockman (although
you have seen her name in the Newsletter), she started searching for her antecedents in the early
twentieth century. In those days, researchers were not as blessed with the search materials we enjoy today, nor did they have fast communication facilities. Letter writing was their only recourse.
September 2002
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Volume 17 Issue 3
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Mrs. Brockman found herself to be sort of a clearinghouse for people doing research in various
Owen families. She was based in Pine Bluff, but another Owen researcher, Cecelia Cassingham
Foster, served the same way in Missouri, later in Arizona.
Mrs. Brockman did not “publish,” but she did leave her voluminous files in the public library in
Pine Bluff. One could borrow the file through Interlibrary Loan (as I did); I believe it has now been
published by one of the genealogical houses. In her compilation of all those genealogies sent in by
her correspondents (some of them quite bizarre), Mrs. Brockman generally stated that the material
was being passed on as received and that she could not verify or substantiate their accuracy.
But in her typewritten genealogy of the group I have labeled “Dan River Owens,” Mrs.
Brockman was precision itself. She received all her data from county courthouses, by mail, and she
always insisted that the clerk who copied the records would attest that all copies were accurate and
complete. Amazingly, they complied, with signatures and dates. That she zeroed-in, herself, on the
Dan River family was because she apparently hoped to link her “oldest” forebear with that family.
She was searching for the antecedents of Larkin Owen, and one surmises she died without reaching
her goal. We now have an answer for her, as will be shown in the December OFA Newsletter. Alas,
too late!
Most of the following material came from Mrs. Brockman’s careful assembly of facts.
DESCENDENTS OF ROBERTSON OWEN, SR. (DAN RIVER)
Robertson Owen, Sr., of Halifax County, Virginia, was probably born about 1755 and had service in the Revolutionary War. His name would indicate a relationship with the Robertson Family,
which was an early and prominent one in that locality. We know nothing of the wife or Robertson
Owen but from his estate records in Halifax County, we find these descendents--children: William,
John, Thomas E., Polly, Nancy, and Robertson.
I.
William probably was the William Owen who married Jane Barber, Sept. 3, 1801. (M.B.
Halifax Co. Va.)
II.
John married Nancy Easley May 5, 1803 (M.B. Halifax Co. Va.). He died before July 1817,
when his will was probated in Halifax Co. From the will and his estate records, and notes
from Daniel W. Owen, his grandson and Miss Mamie Raworth, another descendant, we give
the descendents of John Owen as follows:
1.
Nancy E.4 (Ann) married James Carlton and moved to Texas and reared a family.
2.
Robert E.3 married Mary Howerton Easley. He had the following children: Col. Thomas H. Owen4, Dr. Wm. T. Owen4, Henry Owen4, John M. Owen4, Addison Owen4,
Bettie4, who m. Dr. Easley, Nannie4, never married, Sallie4, married John S. Toot.
3.
William L.3 married Harriat Easley Sept. 8, 1842. Issue:
i.
ii.
iii.
Mary A.4 married Dr. J. V. Brooks
Robert L.4 married Mary Carrington
Hallie B.4 married Thomas Easley
September 2002
WEN
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
III.
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
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33
Thoams4 d. in Civil War
Daniel W.4 married 1st Nannie Hundley; married 2nd Emma Bell Norton
Fannie C.4 married Dr. Thorton C. Wilson, D.D.
Helen Shephard4 married Dr. Fred S. Whaley
A. A. Owen4 married Bettie Atkerson
John Bailey4 married Miss Kern, Oxford, N.C.
Rufus4 married 1st Lizzie, dau. Of John Owen; married 2nd Belle Ficklen.
4.
Mary B. (Polly)3 was born 1811 and married 1st George Irvin in Halifax Co., Va., Jan.
12, 1829 (M.B. Halifax Co.). She married 2nd. Crowder Holloway in 1833 and moved
to Haywood Co., Tenn., near Brownsville. Issue: John C.4, Thos. Owen4, William Henry4, Frances Aranda4, Helen4.
5.
Thomas E. Owen5 married Mrs. Mary (Boxley) Fourquerean (sic) (widow of Reuben D.
Fourquerean) (sic) John 26, 1853. (M.B. in Halifax Co.) Issue: William4, Nannie
Preston4,
Irvy (?)4
Thomas E. Owen, son of Robertson Owen, Sr., was born about 1785 and died about 1820-I.
He married Frances Holland (Fanny), Aug. 28, 1806. (H. B. Halifax Co., Va.). Frances was
the daughter of Richard Holland and his wife, Sarah Hudson, the daughter of Charles Hudson. (Richard Holland died 1784--will in Prince Edward Co., Va. His wife died 1798--also
will in the same county, naming their children.) Here we have one of the few overlaps between the Owen families. This Hudson family and descendants of Richard Owen (Staunton
River) were much intermarried in the period between 1790 and 1830. Issue of Thomas
Owen & wife, Frances Holland:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Richard3 married Martha Harris March 23, 1843, and reared a family.
Robertson4, no record.
Alexander Coleman3
William T.3 moved to Christian Co., Ky., before 1843.
Washington3, no record.
Mary B.3 married David B. Nicholson before 1841.
Alexander Coleman Owen3 was born Jan. 6, 1810, in Halifax Co., Va., and died
Dec. 4, 1852, in Lafayette County, Ark. He married Susan Ann Scott in Halifax
County, Va., Apl. 19, 1832. (M.B. in Halifax Co.) Susan Ann Scott was the daughter
of Francis Scott, Jr., and his wife Fanny Price.
IV.
Mary (Polly)2 daughter of Robertson Owen, Sr., married in Halifax Co., Va. Jacob Torian,
June 14, 1803 (M.B. in Halifax Co.). No record otherwise.
V.
Nancy2 married Scare (?) Torian, Jr., and died before February 1819. They had daughters,
Obediance3 and Nancy3.
VI.
Robertson Owen, Jr.2 married Margaret _________ before 1819. He may have had other
wives. (See 1812 Pension Record, W. C. 15805.) One Robertson Owen’s widow was
granted pension in Halifax Co., Va., June 8, 1878, aged 70 years. Robertson Owen, Jr.,
sired the following children:
1. Isom3
2. Alfred3
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
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34
WEN
3.
Rufus3
4. Eliza3 m. Abner Richardson
5. Cattie3 m. Evin Ragland
6. Mary3 m. James Palmer Jan. 31, 1838
Issue:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Sarah Frances4 (1833-1839)
Minervia Scott4 (1834-1877) married Oliver H. Edwards in 1852.
Napoleon Bonaparte4 (1838-1843)
_________4 (1841-1861) married L. A. Ellis in 1855
James Abraham4 (1844-1873) married Fanny Jones
Mary William Washington4 (1846-1894) married Edwin Ruthven Cully, 1861.
Eudora Alexander4 (1850-1876)
Mary William Washington Owen4 died Jan. 1, 1894. She married Edwin Rithven
Cully, who was born in Springfield, Ill., Nov. 22, 1833, and died Feb. 6. They were
married in 1861 and had 9 children.
As previously stated, the “founding father” of this line appears nearly a generation later than
the other families. If his descendants have not found Robertson Owen’s parentage yet (and they
may have), I would look into the possibility that he may have been related to one of the other families in the southern portion of Halifax County.
Submitted by Jane Owen Hillard ● Telephone or Fax (502) 426-4771
Coming in December: Two more of the six lines.
WEN
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR & CHIEF: ( Vacant)
Arnold C. Owen (temporary)
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395
[email protected]
Editors:
William P. Owen III
P.O. Box 24165
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
[email protected]
Kimberly Ayn Owen
8006 Cottesmore Cl.
Richmond, VA 23228
[email protected]
Owen Family News
Page
35
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Joan E. Martindale #311
2387 Aquetong Rd,
New Hope, PA. 18938-9603
E-mail: [email protected]
Ancestor: Richardson Owen b. 1797 or 1798 VA.
d. 1868 Steubenville, OH.
Spouse: Susanna Tredway
Willie Owens Gray #310
2535 County Rd. 69
Centre, AL 35960
Ancestor: Mosbey Owen b. 1700’s perhaps in NC
Charles H. Owen #309
902 Bomar St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
E-mail: [email protected]
Ancestor: James Owen b. 1730 d. 1800 Chatham Co., NC
Jane Owen Hillard
3419 Mt. Rainier Dr.
Lousiville, KY 40244
(502) 426-4771
2002
PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER
Obituaries are welcome. In addition to then newspaper clipping, please include the name of the Newspaper and
the date published. Send them to the Owen Family Association Editor for publishing .
MEMBERSHIP-For information about the Owen Family Association or an application for membership, please E– mail or write to:
Owen Family Association
c/o Arnold Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
[email protected]
September 2002
Volume 17 Issue 3
Owen Family News
Page
36
WEN
OWEN NEWSLETTERS
NOTICE
Bound copies old Owen newsletters, with index when available. Indexes are in the process of being prepared.
Newsletter Book I
It has come to our attention that some copies of
Newsletter Book I could have pages missing as follows:
Book 1 Newsletters volumes 1 thru 8 (Temporarily out)
Book 2 Newsletters volumes 9 thru 12
Book 3. Newsletters Volumes 13 thru 16
Newsletter Vol. 5 No. .3
Missing entirely
Newsletter Vol. 5. No 4
Missing entirely
Newsletter Vol. 6 No 1
Page 7 missing
Newsletter Vol. 6 No 2
Pages 3 & 4 missing
The newsletter books are bound with plastic comb binding
similar to the Owen Source Book, as pictured on the left.
Please examine your book and if you find any or
all the above pages missing, please write to Arnold
Owen, P.O. Box 692, Westtown, PA 19395 or E-mail
[email protected]. and arrangements will be made
to provide the missing pages.
OWEN CAP
ORDER
Name _________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________ State ________ Zip_____________________
Phone Number ______ _______ _______
E-Mail address _________________________________
Description
Owen Source Book
Book 1 Owen Family Newsletters Sold Out
Book 2 Owen Family Newsletters
Book 3 Owen Family Newsletters
Owen Caps
Price
$14.00
$16.00
$16.00
$16.00
$11.00
S&H
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$4,00
$4.00
Qty
Total
_____ _______
_____
________
______ ________
______ ________
______ ________
Total
______
Please check your order, total the last two columns, mail a check or money order to:
Owen Family Association, c/o Bill E. Owen, 6365 Glory Ave., Milton, FL 32583
(Please include a copy of this form with your order)
________
1st class
Postage
“Owen a name worth knowing”
Owen Family Association
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh, Publisher
111 Stonegate N.
Boerne, TX 78006
Address Label
Officers:
Mr. Arnold C. Owen
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
(610) 399-0146
(941) 629-8211—Winter Only
[email protected]
Mr. M. Fred Owen
Vice President
1103 Marbrook Ct.
Houston, TX 77077-1951
(281) 531-4473
[email protected]
Mrs. Judy Owen
Secretary
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mr. Bill E. Owen
Treasurer
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mrs. Karen Grubaugh
Publisher
111 Stonegate N
Boerne, TX 78006
(830)249- 3487
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Robert McCrary
George Shirley
C. Owen Johnson
Organized in 1981, the objectives of the association are:
1) To establish and document as complete a list of descendants
of Owen and Allied Families as possible.
2) To collect a narrative history of individual family lines of
descent .
3) To compile and maintain a listing of cemeteries, homes and other
buildings and sites associated with Owen and Allied Families.
4) To publish and distribute a periodic Newsletter.
5) To bring members of the family association together for periodic
Reunions.
6) To aid association members in establishing their family line and
assist them in joining various hereditary and patriotic societies,
if they so desire.
7) To ultimately produce a volume documenting the verified
family histories.
8) To provide publications to Genealogy Libraries to assist Owen
researchers.
Annual dues of $10.00 is payable January 1st The Owen Newsletter is published quarterly and is subject to copyrights.
OWEN FAMILY NEWS
Volume17, Number 4
Published by Owen Family Association
htpp//www.geocities.com/~owenfamily
December, 2002 * page 40
Halifax County, Virginia
Selected As Site for 2003 Biannual Reunion
The Board of Directors and Officers of the Association selected Halifax County,
Virginia, as the site for the 2003 Owen Family Association Reunion. More information about the amenities and meeting facilities available in South Boston, VA,
will be forthcoming. Watch your Owen Family Newsletter for all the details.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Feature Article:
All Those Unrelated
Owens of
Halifax County, Virginia
by Jane Hillard
Page 41
≈
New Editor Introduction
Page 46
≈
Index Vol. 17, Issues 1-4
Page 47
≈
Using The Camcorder in
Document Research
by Tammy Owen
Page 50
IN FUTURE ISSUES
All Those Unrelated Owens of
Halifax County, Virginia—Part IV
by Jane Hillard
Page 41
≈
Descendants of William and
Drucilla Echols Owen
By
C. Owen Johnson
≈
John Owen of Chester District,
South Carolina
by Mary Lee Barnes
≈
A David Franklin Owen
Narrative
by Hugh Goodman
≈
The Owens of Texas
by Karen Grubaugh
Steeped in American history, Halifax County, Virginia dates to Colonial times
where Owen families were among the early settlers. Many American Owen families can or hope to trace their roots to Halifax County. Our own renowned Genealogist-historian Jane Owen Hillard’s captivating series of articles, All Those Unrelated Owen Families in Halifax County, [part III appears in this edition,] serves
to wet our appetites for this wonderful opportunity. Jane is hard at work planning
a superb experience for all who attend.
One example of discovering Halifax’ history, is to visit the County Courthouse.
”The Halifax County Courthouse is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and
occupies a site that has been used for court purposes since the Revolution. The
Courthouse, built in 1838, houses records that go back to 1752, and is one of the
Classical Revival court buildings
erected by master designer and
builder, Dabney Cosby and son,
Dabney Minor Cosby.
Dabney
Cosby worked with Thomas Jefferson
on the construction of the University
of Virginia and participated in the design and construction of houses,
churches, and public buildings. Cosby
abandoned the strict temple form for
the Halifax County courthouse in favor of a T-plan and Greek Ionic order. Significantly, attorneys offices are still located on the Courthouse Square which is an old
tradition not often seen today.“
(http://www.halifax.com/county/
HalifaxWalkingTour1.htm)
You can take a virtual tour of Halifax County on the World Wide Web, by going
to http://www.halifax.com/county/HalifaxWalkingTour.htm. The first stop is the
Halifax County Courthouse. To order a hard copy of the Walking Tour, write to
Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, P O Box 399, South Boston,
VA 24592. To discover more about Virginia’s Historic Resources, go to http://
state.vipnet.org/dhr/home.htm. As Reunion attendees, we have research opportunities, southern hospitality and Virginia charm awaiting us in 2003.
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
41
Page 40
ALL THOSE UNRELATED OWEN FAMILIES
OF HALIFAX COUNTY – Part III
By Jane Owen Hillard
When this researcher decided, years ago, that it was time to divvy-up the records of those six families in
Halifax County, I elected not to give separate status to EDWARD OWEN’S FAMILY. Yes, they were there,
and they were early; but, surely, I thought, they belonged with one of the other groupings. Map-oriented, I
early saw that the Richard Owen clan was clustered to the east, along the Staunton River; the Prince Edward
County émigrés (Brackett group) were scattered up and down Terrible Creek, down to where it emptied into
the Bannister River; and the wealthier, progressive Owens were settling in the south, below the Dan River.
And smack-dab in the middle of the triangle thus formed, were Edward Owen and his sons, Solomon, et al. I
was sure they would fall into one of the other families; namely, my own. I quickly checked the names of
Richard’s eight sons (in his will); no Edward. Could this be Richard’s long-lost brother? No, and besides, I
have found a likelier candidate for that office.
Actually, there were some tenuous clues that the Edward
family, small as it seemed to be, may well be tied in with the Terrible Creek group. Or could Edward be related to that burgeoning group that was buying so much land to the south? A dilemma, yes, but surely a
melding would be made at some point.
From the beginning, I had assumed two, even three separate families. Oh, gee! Four! Finally, six; surely,
there could not be more than six separate Owen families in that one sparsely settled county. Immediately after the OFA Newsletter carrying my article was published in June, I received a letter from a fellow member,
saying, “I hope you are going to tie my family in with the Halifax County Owens.” There ensued a long telephone call, an exchange of letters and data, all of which prompted my calling several other OFA members.
Voila! Another Owen family well documented: The Edward Owen family. And would you believe? After
that, still another letter about an eighth family, not so well documented, but with the most interesting story of
all!
After that flurry of activity, I received a telephone call from a former OFA member, Mary Lee Barnes, of
Knoxville, Tennessee. Of the Edward Owen/Solomon Owen lineage, she is the most firmly grounded in the
Halifax County context. She sent me a very exhaustively researched, sourced, and succinctly set-out genealogy, which I consider a model for clarity. With Mrs. Barnes’ permission, I include here, nearly verbatim,
that part which pertains to Halifax County:
EDWARD OWEN HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Was Edward Owen of Halifax County, Virginia the father of John Owen of Chester County, S.C.? As
of now it appears that he was. John Owen received a deed from Edward Owen 17 March 1763 for £5
for 60 acres on Little Polecat Creek which was part of tract which Solomon Owen had bought of Edward Tuck. Said track began at a gum on Solomon Owen’s line on the N. fork of Little Polecat Creek
thence south Bentley’s line. The deed was signed Edward+Owen. no wit. Rec. March 17 1763. John
kept this property for 30 years selling it in 1799 to his son, Robert, in Chester County S.C. for £5.
The first record of an Edward Owen is found in the Bristol Parish Register of Henrico Co., Prince
George and Dinwiddie County 1720-1798 when Elizabeth Owen, Daughter of Edward and Joyce
Owen, Feb. 26 1740 was born. Lansford Owen was on this same register.
Chil-
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
Page 40
42
and Joyce Owen, Feb. 26 1740 was born. Lansford Owen was on this same register.
Children of Edward Owen and wife, Joyce ______
i. Solomon Owen b. ca. 1734; (see 1750 tithable in Edward’s HH)
ii. Joseph Owen b. ca. 1732 (see 1749 tithables in Mechlenberg County)
iii. Elizabeth Owen born 1740 in Prince George Co.
iv. John Owen b. ca. 1741; deeded land by Edward in Halifax 1763; in Chester County, S.C.
by 1773. John’s wife was Rachel. (See above)
v. Wilmouth Owen who married Samuel Griffin who was also in Chester County, S.C. Their
children were Ralph, Solomon, Edward, James M. and Bartholomew and Willy, a daughter
who married a Jones (Jonathan, Jr.?).
vi. William Owen also deeded land in 1763 and 1765 and who sold land from Rowan Co., N.
C. 1769.
vii. Edward Owen? Three Edward Owens signed the deed when Edward I sold to Wm. Kerby
in 1755. [This is rare but does happen; one individual signing multiple times. - Ed.]
Deed records show that Edward Owen was in Halifax County or Lunenburg by May 7, 1741 when he
entered for 400 acres beginning near the head of Difficult Creek thence down the Nth side of the same
for £2. Another entry labeled (void) is on the same date for 400 acres beginning in Fork of Wynn’s
Creek. On March 31, 1746 Edward Owen entered (also marked void) for 200 acres on the main branch
of Terrible Creek beginning above James Wood thence up the creek which was transferred to Martin
Brown. [Entry records were marked “Void” when the person failed to “prove” the land, and it thus
passed on to the next person applying for it. – Ed.] On the 23 March 1748, 400 acres were surveyed for
Edward Owen beginning at the mouth of a branch above the little rock House on S S of Bannister River
to include Little Polecat Ridge. [The reason for giving up the Terrible Creek acreage is unknown, but
once the family located along Polecat Creek, they continued to acquire land in that area until they left
Halifax County. – Ed.]
In 1748, 1749, and 1750 Edward Owen was named on the tithable list of Cornelius Cargill’s. In 1749
Joseph Owen was named in his household and Solomon in 1750. Believe these to be his sons, but there
must have been an older Solomon who had land before Edward did and must be the Solomon who
bought land from Edward Tuck. On 13 Dec 1749 a survey was made for Solomon Owen on Little Polecat; on 12 March 1754 James Owen had a survey of 270 acres, and on 5 Apr. 1754, Edward Owen had
survey 313 ac brs of Little Polecat. (Have copy of plat) In 1753 Edward entered 400 acres on the upper
end & side line of William Gents land on the Bannister river. In 1755 he had land patent of 240 acres in
Halifax (Book 31. p. 604 as did a John Owen (Book 32 p. 643) of 362 acres. On 7 November 1755 Edward sold William Kerby, both of Halifax County 100 acres for 20 lbs. S.S. Bannister River beginning at
the mouth of branch against Snugs Shoals, thence down the river to Wm. Cargile’s line, it being part of
240 acres granted to said Owen by patent 10 Sept 1755. This deed was signed By Edward(x) Owen, Edward Owen, Edward Owen., and William Wynne (copy of deed on file) . So there was more than one
Edward Owen?
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
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August 1757 Owen entered 400 acres being the vacant land between Barretts & James Vaughan’s
line on both sides of Little Polecat Creek, beginning at Vaughan’s corner. On 18 March 1756 Edward
Owen of Halifax County sold Richard Brown of same for £20 on the S.S. Bannister beginning near
Snugs Shoals on sd river several lines in patent dated 4 Sept 1750, Robert Wade and James Roy wit.
Rec. 19 Aug. 1756. Another 400 acres was entered by Owen in August of 1757 beginning at the vacant land between Barretts and James Vaughans line on both sides of Little Polecat. Edward Tuck
sold Solomon Owen for 30 lbs 330 acres on the SS of Bannister Ri. Thence south …crossing both
forks of Little Polecat Cr. … part of a tract granted to Robert Barrett 1 Mar. 1754. Richd.(R) Griffin
Ralph (I) Griffin Richard Griffin wit. Recorded August 20 1761.
On the 20 May 1761 Richard Jones of Halifax Co. sold to Samuel Griffin of same for 15 lbs., 140
acres on Hico Ri. Wit: Ralph (x) Griffin, Solomon Owen, Richard Griffin. (See Samuel Griffin Below) Ralph Griffin had sold to Richard Griffin, Jr. 140 acres on Hico part of tract whereon sd Ralph
Griffin lives. (Griffins are in Laurens Co., S.C. associated also with Owen and Goldens. Also see below will of Henry Green and Henry Green, Jr.) On the day before Edward deeded John Owen land in
1763 he had also deeded land to William Owen, part of the same tract for 5 lbs. 57 acres, and he again
deeded William Owen of Halifax land on 23 July 1765, 58 acres on SS side of the Banister River beginning at mouth of Polecat Creek thence along sd creek on Solomon Owen’s line to a corner pine on
my own line, & beg., it being part of 860 acres granted to Robert Barrott by patent 1 March 1754 all
houses, orchards, gardens Wits: Edward Tuck, William Powell, Thos. Lacy, Jr. Rec. 1765.
On the 1 Sept 1766 Solomon Owen of Halifax County sold Moses Terry of same 175 acres for 80 lbs.
SS of Bannister River on both sides Little Polecat Creek, the remainder of a tract purchased by said
Owen of Edward Tuck--Wit: Thomas Tunstall, John Orril Tunstall, John Cox., G. Walton Rec. 18
Sept 1766.
On 16 October 1769, William Owen of Rowan County, N.C., sold John Epps of H, for 50 lbs about
114 acres, SS Bannister River bounded by Polecat Cr., it being part of land granted to Robert Barrott
by patent dated Mar. 1 1754. signed by: William (X his mark) Owen Wits. Edward Tuck, David
Powell, Mark (x his mark) Powell Rec. Nov. 16 1769 Deed Bk 7, p. 444 Halifax County Virginia
Deeds. Also in this reference is a deed by Samuel Griffin who was in N.C., county not given, but
sold 2 tracts of land to Robert Wall of H. for 65 lbs, both on Hico Cr. On the n. side about 140 acres
and another 140 on the ss side. Wit. None Rec. 18 Oct 1770 Wilmoth Griffin, wife of Samuel relinquished her dower. When Samuel bought this land, Solomon Owen witnessed it. Samuel Griffin is
on tax list of Rowan Co., N.C. ca. 1769. Samuel was in Chester County, S.C. and named the children
of John Owen as his executor and witnesses to his will in 1799. I believe Wilmoth was the sister of
John. The last reference on Edward is in 1768 when he processioned his land. The 313 Acres surveyed for him in 1754 was transferred to Stephen Neal 2 October 1769 by William Echols. The land
adjoined Echols and William Gent. JAMES OWEN who also had land on Little Polecat transferred it
to Moses Hendrick. No other record has been found of Edward since 1769.
There are also records in Chester County, S.C. and Fairfield County of a John Owen, Jr., and Solomon
Owen who were probably related to John Owen, Sr. of Chester as his sons witnessed deeds of these two.
There are also deeds witnessed by Charles Raley and Conelius Malone of this John Owen and others in
Fairfield County. [End]
Mrs. Barnes carries her line down through John Owen. Other OFA members descend through Larkin
Owen, who may be descended from Edward Owen through Solomon. If the Larkin Owen listed in the
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44
Owen, who may be descended from Edward Owen through Solomon. If the Larkin Owen listed in
the 1800 Fairfield County SC Census, age 18-25, was born in Halifax County, he is not mentioned in
any records found there to date. It is, of course, a tantalizing possibility that he may have been.
WILLIAM OF THE WILL
There has always been a question among researchers as to whether this William Owen of the county line
group was a brother of Richard Owen (Staunton River). There is persuasive evidence that, while they were
contemporaries, they were not related. The first reference found, so far, is found in the land records of early
Henrico County, when William Owen sold his land holdings there. The location of the land being sold was
north of the James River, in what is now Goochland County. Instantly recognizable to us, witnesses for the
transaction were Francis Kirby and John Kirby, the latter being William Owen’s son-in-law, as we shall
later learn. The record does not show a wife signing away her dower rights, so it must be taken that William is already a widower. It is probable that he is old and infirm and making plans to move westward with
kith and kin. Missing in the land sale are the names of his sons, Lansford, ______, and William, Jr.
As we note in Mrs. Barnes’ lineage (above), Lansford Owen (surely there are not many Lansford Owens in
that time and place, so it is safe to assume that William’s son has already located in Prince George County.
Also, as noted, Edward Owen is listed at the same time in the same county. Are they brothers? That relationship is certainly a possibility.
We next pick up the thread through the probate of William’s will in Halifax County. Note that Francis
Kirby is a witness and that he and John Kirby are named executors. On first glance, it looks to be the instrument of a poor man passing on his little to poor relations. A second look is warranted because a lot can
be gleaned from this document.
WILL BOOK O., HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, PAGE 15
WILLIAM OWENS (part of this will is missing) “. . in my perfect sences [sic] but low & weak in constension [sic] and don’t know how sune [sic] it may please God to call me..” To my son ______ Owen one
shilling starlen [sic]. To my son William Owen one shilling starlen [sic]. To my son Lansford Owen one
shilling starlen [sic]. (
) one shilling starlen [sic] to her. To my dafter [sic] Mary Givens one shillen
[sic] starlen [sic]. To my dafter [sic] Joaner Kearbey one negro gal Diner & her increase. To my daftor
[sic] Leyda Adkens one shillen [sic] starlen [sic]. Also to Francis Kerbey one bed & furniture & personality to him & to his hears [sic]. Also to Grandson John Kerbey my horse bridle & saddle.
Exr: John Kearbey, Sr., & Francis Kearby; WD 23 October 1752 S/ William (O) Owens; Wit: William
(X) Mullins, Jacob (X) Adkens, Joseph Keatton ; WD 23 October 1752 S/ William (O) Owens
Wit: William (X) Mullins, Jacob (X) Adkens, Joseph Keatton
In the first place, the actual writer of the will is probably a product of what was then called a “common
school education,” and we do not know who that person was. It may have been someone who has been sent
for at the last minute to perform that task, as was often the case. Secondly, in the early colony, it was required that all property owners draw up wills for the desired distribution of that property. The question here
is why was such an instrument was needed for such a paltry estate? No land was being passed on, but it is a
very straightforward document. In it, as so often these early wills are drawn, his sons are named first, with
each receiving one shilling sterling. The daughters each receive one shilling sterling, and, if they are mentioned in the order of their birth, Joanna Kirby (Joaner Kearby) is the middle daughter. Then Frances
Kirby, who had been a witness to the land deal in Henrico County, is left a bed and furniture (bedding) and
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
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45
personality. Francis Kirby and his son, John Kirby, William’s son-in-law, are named executors.
The will is logically laid out, and it is to be noted that, when he mentions each daughter, William says, “my dafter,
Leyda, my dafter, Joanner,” etc. However, he had previously named ______ [there is a hole in the will where a name
would have been], and he says “to her I give one shilling.” It is very likely that he named his slave caretaker, Dinah-which was not uncommon in those days. Such legacies were often used by the slave to buy articles of clothing. Or,
of course, ______ could have been another relative.
Extant records perusal shows that both Francis and John Kirby are landowners. In an early deed, John Kirby sells
some acreage to John, Jr. (he who received the horse, saddle and bridle in his grandfather’s will). In the deed, both
men are called “planters” and, in class-conscious Virginia, they would not have been termed planters if they were
marginal farmers. Land records show that this family steadily added more property throughout the late 18th century.
It would appear, from the record in Halifax County, that the Kirby’s were doing well, and it looks as if John and Joanner have helped William Owen, aged and ailing, to divest his property in Henrico County and he has moved westward
with them. They settled in Lunenburg County, which would have been almost instantly split off as Halifax County,
1752, then as Lunenburg County shortly thereafter. Perhaps too frail to acquire and work new lands, he may have actually lived with the younger couple or with Francis Kirby. And since he left bed and furnishings to Francis (also his
saddle horses), it is likely that he lived in the latter’s home. No trouble, since he had his own caretaker in his female
slave (whom he left, with “any increase,” to his daughter, Joanner).
A witness to William’s will was Jacob Adkins, probably Leyda Owen Adkins’ husband, who apparently accepted the
provisions of the will as written. No land is passed on in the will, only personality. Since all the shillings listed added
up to less than £1 (1 pound sterling), one could surmise that any further money from the sale of the Henrico property
could have been used by the Kirbys to defray the expense of William’s last days. If this analysis is correct, then William Owen did not die in penury.
Of greatest importance to this study are the identities of his sons, ______ Owen, Lansford Owen, and William, Jr. To
each of them, he also left 1 shilling sterling. Why then go to Halifax County Courthouse to record the will, instead of
merely privately distributing the small legacies? This researcher believes that when William Owen sold his Henrico
property and moved to Lunenburg/Halifax/Pittsylvania County, he was too old and ailing to acquire land and “prove”
it in the manner required. He may have used his proceeds from the sale to pay his expenses all along, but certainly he
was in the care and on the premises of his family and friends. And when he died, it is our idea that they took their
shillings (and riding horse, etc.) and recorded the will in the sense of patrimony passed. (We see this as a salute to
William’s gallantry, expressed by his loving survivors.) And for later generations, it says, “William Owen was here.”
And of those sons, ______ Owen [this name cannot be read in the original document], Lansford Owen and William
Owen, Jr.? One looks into the back issues of the Owen Family Association Newsletter (Volume 7, No. 3, page 6) to
find a book review of a genealogy entitled David Owen Revolutionary War Soldier and His Descendants, by Charles
Sterling Owens (1991). In that dissertation, we find that William Owen, Jr. moved to Wilkes County, NC., with his
family and kin. His will is to be found in Wilkes County, North Carolina (not Wilkes County, Georgia). Of Lansford
Owen, we find only two references: the early one, in Virginia [see Mrs. Barnes’ article (above)], and William Owen’s
will in Halifax County. Are they the same man? And Edward Owen? Edward Owen and his sons, Solomon et al.
did themselves proud in Halifax land records. Was he (one asks) the other son enumerated in William’s will? We
note in his sale of lands, he did sell property to the brothers-in-law of the three legatees Owen, and it is certainly suggestive that Edward could have been the son of William of the Will.
Jane O. Hillard can be contacted at 3419 Mt. Rainier Drive, Louisville, KY 40241; (502) 426-4771.
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
Page 40
46
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I wish to thank Karen Grubaugh for stepping forward and volunteering to take over the duties of Editor &
Chief. She said that her husband, Bill, will continue to assist her in the publishing duties. As Publisher,
Karen is familiar with the process of newsletter assembly; she has the skills necessary to do the job.
Ninth Owen Biannual Reunion – They say, “Virginia is for Lovers.” However, because of its rich history,
I think it should also be known as a historian’s paradise. I am most pleased that the Owen Family Association selected Halifax as the site for the Ninth Biannual Reunion. Jane Hillard graciously volunteered to host
the 2003 Reunion. I can’t think of anyone better qualified to organize this event. I understand that Jane and
her husband Jack own a historic house in Halifax County which they have restored with tender loving care. In addition, she has a
fantastic knowledge of the history of this County. When I first telephoned Jane about hosting the reunion, her enthusiasm was
overwhelming. I am convinced hat she will do a bang-up job. If anyone can help Jane with the Halifax County Reunion, please
contact her at (503) 426-4771.
I predict that the Owen Family Association’s 2003 Biannual Reunion will be a memorable event. Don’t miss it! It might be a
once-in-a-lifetime chance to revisit history. The reunion is usually the last weekend in September but the exact date has yet to be
confirmed. We should have a date for the March Newsletter.
To my Owen cousins, I wish a happy and prosperous New Year.
As I edit the Owen Family News here in my Texas Hill Country
home, my first memory of the Owen family again comes to mind.
When I was six, my grandmother, Bertie Lee Owen Martin, first began turning the pages of the Owen photo album and carefully writing
on the back of each picture . . . “Karen’s great Uncle or Karen’s Aunt
Minnie’s son” and saying, “Someday this book will be yours.” She
was true to her word and all those wonderful Owen pictures are mine
but, sadly, none of the names are entered, only the relationship. A
search for those names began a life long interest in my Owen family.
From the Editor:
That childhood interest in one Owen history grew into an interest in
all Owen history and spawned my enthusiasm for editing the Owen Family News. A degree in American Studies, emphasis in early American History, and a Master of Arts in
Theological Studies, emphasis in Puritan writings, reveal my passion for early American
life and history. A few years working on the staff of the Brangus Journal, a few years
teaching and 44 years of genealogical research combine to give me the confidence to
serve as your editor. I hope you find this first effort acceptable. God bless each of you,
our military serving overseas and our wonderful country in this New Year.
Please send pictures
• Of four or more Owen generations.
• Of Owen folks who were soldiers.
• Of immigrating Owens.
• Of Owens at work.
• Of your Owens.
• Of Owen homes.
Please send short naratives
• About Owen folks at work.
• About Owen folks who came west.
• About your Owen folks.
• About famous Owens.
Send something to the editor!
• Send typed narratives
• Send pictures by e-mail or USPS
• Send ideas, too!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Jan Owen Perry #313
5803 Sawyer Road
Signal Mountain, TN 37377
(423) 886-1033
[email protected]
Ancestors: Jacob Owens b. VA abt.
1784, m. Mary “Polly” Sharp, b. Burks
Co., PA, abt. 1786.
MEMBERSHIP
For information about the Owen Family Association or an application for membership,
please
e-mail or write to:
Owen Family Association
C/o Arnold Owen
P O BOX 692
Westown, PA 19395-0692
[email protected]
The Editorial Staff
Editor & Chief—Publisher
Karen Grubaugh
111 Stonegate North
Boerne TX 78006
(830) 249-3487
[email protected]
Editors:
Jane Owen Hilliard
3419 Mt. Rainier Dr.
Louisville, KY 40244
(502) 426-4771
Kimberly Ayn Owen
8006 Cottesmore Ct.
Richmond, VA 23228
[email protected]
C. Owen Johnson
Crystal Plaza #809 So.
211 Jeff Davis Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 415-1473
William P. Owen, III
P O Box 24165
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33307
[email protected]
Publication Dates
[Deadlines are the 10th day of the
month preceding publication.]
March — June
September — December
December 2002
Index: Volume 17, No. 1-4
Surname Given Name(s)Page Number
,(Lewerezy) 28,
,(Lucy) 28,
,Alvie 26,
,Ambrose 38,
,Amelia J. 50,
,Bill 26, 40,
,Dinah 45,
,Evie 50,
,Frances 45,
,Harold 26, 27
,James 28,
,Janice 27,
,Joanner 45,
,John 45,
,John, Jr. 45,
,Lewcrese "X" 28,
,Leyda 45,
,Lucretia 15,
,Lucretia 28,
,Margaret 32,
,Martha 15,
,Mary 28,
,Rachel 42,
,Richard (a third) 28, 29,
,Richard, Jr. 28, 29,
,Sarah 38,
,Sherree 27,
,Stephen 27,
,William 45,
Abram, Lynwood 17,
Adkens, Jacob 44,
Adkens, Leyda 44,
Adkins, Jacob 45,
Adkins, Lydia Owen 45,
Anseghisel 1, 2
Arnulf, St. 1, 2, 3
Atkerson, Bettie 31,
Babb, J. L. 8,
Bacon, George 6,
Bahrach, Bernard S. 3,
Banulski, Joseph 5,
Barber, Jane 30,
Bark, William C. 3,
Barnes, 44, 45,
Barnes, Mary Lee 40, 41,
Barrett, 43,
Barrett, Robert 43,
Barrott, Robert 43,
Bauton, Sarah Stoval 36,
Begga 2,
Bennett, H. M. 9,
Bennett, H. R. 9,
Bickerstaff, Samuel 6,
Blaffer, Robert Lee 22,
Blaffer, Sarah Camp, 22,
Blantin, 20,
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
Boker, Maggie J. 20,
Bosley, John 24,
Bosson, George 20,
Bowman, N. R. 20,
Brockman, Bertha 30,
Brown, John M 8,
Brown, Martin 42,
Brown, Richard 43,
Burton, Alice
36,
Cabell, George C. 20,
Caesar, Julius 3,
Campbell, William 22,
Cargill, Cornelius 42,
Cargill, William 42,
Carloman 2,
Carlton, James 31,
Carr, John 28,
Charlemagne 2,
Charles, the Great 2,
Childrec III 2,
Clark, Thomas 30,
Clodulf 1, 2
Clothaire II 2,
Clovis 1,
Clovis I 2,
Cobbs, John 28,
Cobbs, 36,
Cocke, 20,
Cole, William 29,
Coles, Col. 28,
Cook, Lean [LeAnn?] 8,
Cosby, Dabney 40,
Cosby, Dabney Minor 40,
Cox, Ann 20,
Cox, John 43,
Cox, Lee 20,
Cully, Edward Rith 32,
Dagobert I, 1, 2
Daniels, Joane 1,
Deliyannis, Deborah 3,
Dickerson, Sussanah 36,
Doherty, J. H. 8,
Dove, Benjamin 6,
Duggin, William E. 50,
Easley, Dr. 31,
Easley, Mary Howerton 31,
Easley, Nancy 31,
Easley, 13,
Echols, 43,
Echols, William 43,
Edwards, Oliver H. 32,
Ellis, L. A. 32,
Epps, John 43,
Fell, Emaline 9,
Ficklen, Belle 31,
Ford, Julia 9,
Foreman, Everett 24,
Foster, Cecilia Cassingham 30,
Fourqierean, Mary (Boxley) 31
Page 40
47
Fourquerean, Reuben D. 31,
Francis, Winnie 9,
Furr, Sarah 9,
Gent, William 43,
Gents, William 42,
Gibson, Thomas 6,
Gilder, L. O. 8,
Givens, Mary 44,
Glass, S. S. 8,
Golden, 43,
Goodman, Hugh 40,
Gore, Elizabeth 37,
Gore, William 37,
Gray, Monroe 8,
Green, Henry, Jr. 43,
Green, Henry 43,
Green, John 50,
Griffin, Bartholomew 42,
Griffin, Edward 42,
Griffin, James M. 42,
Griffin, Mattie 50,
Griffin, Ralph 42, 43,
Griffin, Richd. 43,
Griffin, Richard 43,
Griffin, Richard, Jr. 43,
Griffin, Samuel 42, 43,
Griffin, Willy 42,
Griffin, Wilmoth 43,
Grubaugh, Karen 12, 24, 35, 40, 46, 49
Gundulf 1,
Harris, Martha 31,
Harris, 13,
Hendrick, Moses 43,
Hillard, Owen 22,
Hillard, Jack 46,
Hillard, Jack Richard 23,
Hillard, Jane 46,
Hillard, Jane O. 13, 17, 21, 23, 24, 32,
33, 40, 41, 45
Hillard, Jane Owen 28, 49,
Hillard, Jonathan R. 23,
Hillard, Richard Owen 23,
Holland, Frances (Fanny) 31,
Holland, Richard 31,
Holloway, Crowder 31,
Howe, Herbert H. 3,
Howerton, 13,
Hudson, Charles 31,
Hudson, Peter 17,
Hudson, Sarah 31,
Hundley, Nannie 31,
Hundley, 13,
Huston, M. P. 9,
Hutchison, Carlous 25,
Huttash, Ogreta W. 8, 40, 49, 51
Irby, Laura 1,
Irvin, George 31,
Jeannette, L. 20,
Jefferson, Thomas 40,
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Johnson, C. Owen12,24,35,39,40,49,51
Johnson, George 4,
Johnson, Kenneth 20,
Johnson, W. M. 8,
Jones, Allen 37,
Jones, Fanny 32,
Jones, John 29,
Jones, Jonathan, Jr. 42,
Jones, Richard 43,
Keesee (?), Tabitha Stovall 36,
Kemper, J. L. 20,
Kearbey, Joaner 44,
Kearbey, John, Sr. 44,
Kearby, Francis 44,
Kearby, Joaner 44,
Keatton, Joseph 44,
Kerbey, Francis 44,
Kerbey, John 44,
Kerby, William [Wm.] 42,
Kern, (Miss) 31,
Kirby, 45,
Kirby, Francis 44, 45,
Kirby, Joanna
44,
Kirby, John 44, 45,
Lacy, Thos., Jr. 43,
Landrum, Delores 17,
Lane, Mary A. 9,
Lash, Julius 20,
Lash, Susie 20,
Le Grand, Peter 17,
Le Grand, William 17,
Le Grand, Abraha16, 17,
Le Grand, Aggie 17, 28,
Le Grand, Alexander 28,
Le Grand, John 28,
Lee, Robert E. 20,
Lindsay, William 25,
Longstreet, James 20,
Longwell, William 25,
Madison, James 29,
Malone, Cornelius 43,
Mann, James 20,
Martel, Charles 2,
Martin, Bertie Lee O 46,
Martin, Richard 28,
Massey, Carmae 28,
McCrary, Robert J. 12, 24, 35, 39, 51
McKinney, Irving V. 20,
McKnight, Peter 8,
Meade, Richard, W Jr. 6,
Morrisett, W. J. 20,
Mullinax, Lydia 50,
Mullins, William 44,
Neal, Stephen
43,
Nichols, Ambrose 28,
Nichols, Bird
28,
Nichols, Charles 25,
Nichols, David 28,
Nichols, Elizabeth 15, 16,
Owen Family News
Nichols, Jesse
28,
Nichols, John
15,
Nichols, John
16, 28
Nichols, John
28, 29, 36
Nichols, Mary 16,
Nichols, Mary Ann 15,
Nichols, Mary Owen 28,
Nichols, Nanny 28,
Nichols, William 28,
Nichols, 13,
Nichols, 37,
Nicholson, David B. 32,
Norton, Emma Bell 31,
Owen, 44, 45,
Owen, A A. 31,
Owen, Addison 31,
Owen, Alfred
32,
Owen, Alexander Coleman 31, 32,
Owen, Ambrose 15, 36, 37,
Owen, Ambrose, Jr. 37,
Owen, Anderson C. 1,
Owen, Ann 21,
Owen, Ann Crawford
20,
Owen, Ann Dale 22,
Owen, Armesteace 29,
Owen, Arnie
1, 9,
Owen, Arnold, 10, 33, 35, 46, 51
Owen, Arnold C. 7,10,12,23,24,27,33,
Owen, Bartholomew
1, 10,
Owen, Bernice 8,
Owen, Bettie 31,
Owen, Betty 16, 17, 28,
Owen, Bill E. 11,12,22,24,34,35,50,51
Owen, Brackett 14, 16, 17, 18,
Owen, Bruce Wooding 1,
Owen, Burnet Reid 8,
Owen, Cattie
32,
Owen, Charlie L. 9,
Owen, Charles 8,
Owen, Charles D. 8,
Owen, Charles Sterling 45,
Owen, Cornelia 9,
Owen, Dakar [Decker] 16,
Owen,Daniel W. 31,
Owen, David
45,
Owen, David Dale 18,
Owen, David Franklin 40,
Owen, Dora Cox 8,
Owen, Dorcas 8,
Owen, Drury, II 1,
Owen, E. K. 6,
Owen, Edna Lee 8,
Owen, Edward 41, 42, 43, 44,45
Owen, Edwin
9,
Owen, Elias K. 5, 6, 7,
Owen, Eliza 32,
Owen, Elizabeth 14,15,29,36,37,41,42,
Owen, Fannie C. 31,
Owen, Fanny
50,
Page 40
48
Owen, Forrest 1, 3
Owen, Frances Aranda 31,
Owen, George Washington 50,
Owen, Graham C. 20, 21,
Owen, H. M. 9,
Owen, H. R. 9,
Owen, Hallie B. 31,
Owen, Hampton C. 1,
Owen, Harold
24, 25,
Owen, Harold Alvie 24, 25,
Owen, Harriett 19, 20,
Owen, Helen
31,
Owen, Henry9,15,18,19,20,21,29,30,31
Owen, Henry Ashton, Sr. 20,
Owen, Henry Thweatt 18, 21
Owen, Hezekiah 37,
Owen, Infant 8,
Owen, Isaac, 9,
Owen, Isbell 16,
Owen, Isom 32,
Owen, Ivy 31,
Owen, James 15, 29, 36, 37, 42, 43
Owen, James Abraham 32,
Owen, James Littleberry 37,
Owen, James, Col. 37,
Owen, James H. 50,
Owen,, Jane Blaffer 22,
Owen, Jane Dale 22,
Owen, Janie 8,
Owen, Jesse 17,
Owen, John 1,13,15,16,17,18,29, 30
41, 42, 43,
Owen, John Bailey 31,
Owen, John C. 31,
Owen, John M. 31,
Owen, John, Jr. 15, 16, 43,
Owen, John, Sr. 43,
Owen, Joseph
42,
Owen, Josiah
37,
Owen, Joyce 41, 42
Owen, Judy 12, 24, 29, 35, 50,
Owen, Judy B. 8,
Owen, Kenneth 17, 18,
Owen, Kenneth Dale
Owen, Kim 1, 10, 21
Owen, Kimberly Ann 10, 23, 33, 40, 49
Owen, Lansford 41, 43, 45,
Owen, Larkin
30, 43,
Owen, Lizzie
31,
Owen, Lucy
29,
Owen, Lucy Ann, Mrs. 8,
Owen, M. Fred 12, 24, 35, 51,
Owen, Marthian 16,
Owen, Mary 15, 16, 17, 32, 37
Owen, Mary A. 31,
Owen, Mary B. 31, 32,
Owen, Mary Emma 50,
Owen, Mary William Washington 32,
Owen, Minerva Scott 32,
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen, Nancy 30, 32
Owen, Nancy E. 31,
Owen, Nannie 31,
Owen, Napoleon Bonaparte 32,
Owen, Obediance 32,
Owen, Orlo T. 9,
Owen, Peter 36, 37,
Owen, Phoebe Stovall 36,
Owen, Polly 30,
Owen, Preston 31,
Owen, Ralph 15, 29, 36, 36,
Owen, Richard 1,10,13,14,15,16,17,28
29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 41, 43
Owen, Richard, Jr. 15,
Owen, Richard, Sr. 28, 29,
Owen, Robert
16, 17, 18, 41, 50
Owen, Robert E. 31,
Owen, Robert L. 31,
Owen, Robert Willia 1,
Owen, Robert, Jr. 1,
Owen, Robert, Sr. 1,
Owen, Robertson 30, 31, 32,
Owen, Robertson, Jr.32,
Owen, Robertson, Sr.30, 32,
Owen, Roxie E. 8,
Owen, Roy 50,
Owen, Rufus 31, 32,
Owen, Ruth 37,
Owen, Sallie 31,
Owen, Sarah 15, 29,
Owen, Sarah Ann 9,
Owen, Sarah Frances 32,
Owen, Solomon 41, 42, 43, 45
Owen, Susannah 16,
Owen, Tammy 50,
Owen, Thomas 15, 31, 36,
Owen, Thomas B. 4,
Owen, Thomas Barron 4,
Owen, Thomas E. 30, 31,
Owen, Thomas H., Col. 31,
Owen, Thomas M., Dr. 19,
Owen, Thos. 36,
Owen, Viola 50,
Owen, W. W. 9,
Owen, Washington 31,
Owen, Willa Mae 9,
Owen, William 9,13,14,15,16,17,20,
30,31,36,37,40,42,43,44,45
Owen, William Henry 31,
Owen, William Jack 18,
Owen, William L. 31,
Owen, William P. 4, 7, 10, 23, 33, 49
Owen, William T., Dr. 31,
Owen, William, Jr. 37, 43, 45,
Owen, Wilma 8,
Owen, Wilmouth 42,
Owens, A. J. 8,
Owens, Bob 8,
Owens, C. S. Miss 8
Owen Family News
Owens, Calvin C. 8,
Owens, David W. 8,
Owens, Dorothy 8,
Owens, Eli 9,
Owens, Eliza, Mrs. 8,
Owens, Esther 8,
Owens, Frank 9,
Owens, Harold 24, 25,
Owens, Harold Alvie
26,
Owens, Jacob 46,
Owens, Jane H. 8,
Owens, John 8,
Owens, Jones 9,
Owens, Katey, 8,
Owens, Leslie T. 8,
Owens, Martha M. 8,
Owens, Mary 8,
Owens, Mary A. 8,
Owens, Mary Ann 8,
Owens, Mary Catherine 8,
Owens, Nona 8,
Owens, Obed 8,
Owens, P. A., Mrs. 8,
Owens, Parry 8,
Owens, Walter Jackson 8,
Owens, William 44,
Palmer, James 32,
Palmer, Jeffrey 28,
Park, John 37,
Parker, Edward 16,
Parker, Judith (Hudson) 38,
Parker, Sarah 38,
Pepin 2,
Pepin, the Short 2,
Perry, Jan Owen 46,
Pettys, Charles 24,
Pickett, C. Owen 20,
Porter, D.D. 6,
Porter, David 7,
Porter, William 5,
Powell, David 43,
Powell, Mark 43,
Powell, William 43,
Price, Fanny 32,
Puckett, 13,
Purcell, 20,
Ragland, Evin 32,
Ragland, 13,
Rather, Lucy 9,
Raworth, Mamie 31,
Raley, Charles 43,
Richardson, Abner 32,
Riley, Robert J. 6,
Robards, James 36,
Robertson, Harriett Adalena 18,
Robertson, Sarah 28,
Robertson, Sary 17
Romaricus 1,2
Roper 20
Page 40
49
Roy, James 43,
Ruffin, Frank S. 20,
Russell, Gertrude 1,
Russells, 36,
Schaefer, Francis J. 3,
Scott, Alice Owen 8,
Scott, Francis, Jr. 32,
Scott, Susan Ann 32,
Selfridge, 6,
Sharp, Mary "Polly" 46,
Shirley, George 12, 24, 35, 39
Shirley, George 51,
Stanley, Stephen 20,
Starr, P.R. 6,
Stith, Drury Major 29,
Stoval, 13,
Stovall, Bartholomew 28, 36
Stovall, Betty Ann 36,
Stovall, George 28, 36
Stovall, Thomas 30, 36,37,
Stovall, Thomas 36,
Stuard, James 29,
Stuard, Randolph John 29,
Terry, Moses 43,
Theodebert II 1, 2
Thompson D. J. 20,
Ting, Bonnie 9,
Ting, Sandy Owen 9,
Toot, John S. 31,
Torian, Jacob 32,
Torian, Scare, Jr 32,
Tracy, Wanda 8,
Tuck, Edward 41, 42, 43,
Tunstall, John Orril 43,
Tunstall, Thomas 43,
Vaughn, James 43,
Verne, Jules 5,
Vernon, Ann Owen 18,
Wade, Robert
43,
Waldrum,William H. 8,
Walker, Nathan B.8,
Wall, Robert 43,
Walton, G. 43,
Ward, Janice Louise 26,
Webb, Reuben H.8,
White, Frances 9,
Whiteside, E. O. 20,
Whiteside, Emerson Owen 20,
Williams, B. 20,
Wilson, Thorton C., D.D. 31,
Womack, Abraham 36,
Womack, George 20,
Womack, Martina 20,
Womack, Richard 36, 37
Womack, Sarah 15, 36, 37
Womack, Sarah Owen 36,
Womack, Thomas 29, 36
Womack, 15,
Wood, James 42,
Wooding, R. 16,
Wray, Ovie 50,
Wynne, William 42,
Zachary, Pope 2,
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
Page 40
50
Using The Camcorder In Document Research.
by Tammy Owen
I started gathering information using a pad of paper and pencil. Next I read information into a tape recorder carefully noting alternative spellings. Then I
thought of the camcorder. I could copy the microfilm of the original record and
review it anytime. It was like having the original on my TV. The state library
has a microfilm room with readers. I take a suitcase on wheels with my equipment; camcorder, extra tapes, extension cord, notebook, laptop computer, digital
camera, extra batteries, pens, etc. Since most microfilm consists of single page
documents, I just stand there and record the page, zooming in on hard to read
names or numbers. I can pause it when I turn the wheel to the next page. I can
also make verbal notes to myself as the camera records sound. I then transcribe
the records by playing the tape on my TV. It’s so clear. I recorded the first volume of marriages at the Bastrop Courthouse with my camcorder, going down
each of the four columns to make sure the words would be large enough to read,
zooming in when I thought the last name would be hard to read and am transcribing them at night, when I have time. The good thing is that I have the original on
my TV and go back time and time again if I think there is an error. I can pause
the VCR at any time to read the information, piece by piece. No need to go
slow, the VCR can slow it down when you play it and it is clear as long as your
camcorder remains in focus during recording. I’ve tried taking my own scanner,
but that is time consuming. Through trial and error, the camcorder has been the
biggest benefit.
Seeking information about
George Washington Owen From census records: He was b.
May 1850, AL [death certificate
reports dob as 1848, POB TN] m.
(1) Amelia J. b. 1855 TN m. abt.
1875; res. 1880 Wilson Co., TN;
m. (2) Lydia Mullinax b. Sep
1854, TN m. 3/13/885 Dekalb
Co, TN; res. 1900 & 1920 Wilson Co, TN, 1910 Davidson Co.,
TN. Ch: James H. b. 1876 (wed
Evie), Mary Emma b. 1878 (wed
William E Duggin), Robert b.
1885 (wed Mattie Griffin), Roy
b. 1888 (wed Ovie Wray), Viola
b. 1892 (wed Amos Canaday),
Fanny b. 1895 (wed John
Green). Tammy Owen, 155 New Tammy Owen, of Bastrop Co., TX is an accomplished researcher and the Bastrop County Coordinator for http://www.rootsweb.com/~txbastro/bastrop.htm of
Lane, Smithville, TX 78957;
the USGenNet web hosting service. Her web site is well organized, attractive
[email protected]
and worth a visit.
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Owen Source Book
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Book 1 Owen Family Newsletters [Vol 1-8] $16.00
Book 2 Owen Family Newsletters [Vol 9-12] $16.00
Book 3 Owen Family Newsletters [Vol 13-16] $16.00
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Owen Family News
December 2002
Volume 17, Issue 4
Owen Family News
Page 40
1st class
postage
“Owen, a name worth knowing”
Owen Family Association
Karen Grubaugh, Publisher
111 Stonegate North
Boerne, TX 78006
Association Officers:
Mr. Arnold C. Owen
President
P.O. Box 692
Westtown, PA 19395-0692
(610) 399-0146
(941) 629-8211 (Winter)
[email protected]
Mr. M. Fred Owen
Vice President
1103 Marbrook Ct.
Houston, TX 77077-1951
(281) 531-4473
[email protected]
Mrs. Judy Owen
Secretary
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Mr. Bill E. Owen
Treasurer
6365 Glory Ave.
Milton, FL 32583
(850) 983-2749
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Robert McCrary
George Shirley
C. Owen Johnson
Owen Family Association
The Owen Family Association was organized in 1981.
The objectives of the association are:
▪ To establish and document as complete a list of descendants of Owen
and allied families as possible.
▪ To collect a narrative history of individual family lines of descent .
▪ To compile and maintain a listing of cemeteries, homes and other buildings
and sites associated with
Owen and allied families.
▪ To publish and distribute a periodic newsletter.
▪ To bring members of the family association together for periodic reunions.
▪ To aid association members to establish their family line and assist them in
joining hereditary and patriotic societies, if they so desire.
▪ To ultimately produce a volume documenting the verified family histories.
▪ To provide publications to Genealogy Libraries in order to assist Owen
researchers.
Annual dues of $10.00 is payable January 1st . The Owen Newsletter is published quarterly and is subject to copyright.