(from Cowles Families in America)

According to tradition, John came directly from England to Virginia, and settled near Williamsburg, James City County, but he was the immigrant ancestor admits of grave doubt. It is not uncommon for families when they reach the name of the last known ancestor to conclude that he was the original immigrant, whereas he may have been born in the immediate neighborhood. The present case may be no exception to the general rule and it would be well to bear in mond that all the branches of the Cowles family of Virginia may be descended from Richard Cowles who was in Virginia in 1614 and perhaps earlier.

Thomas is the only child of John Cowles mentioned in the tradition but from the evedence contained in the will of John Cooper, he probably had other children listed below. The name of his wiofe is unknown.

If the inference is correct that he names one of his sons Edmund, of which there can be but little doubt, the presumption is strong that he was a descendent of Edmund Cowles who was in Charles City County and James City County, VA, in 1666 and perhaps earlier, and who patented land which had been bought by Richard Cowlws in 1614, perhaps his father.

(Cowles Families in America)

perhaps elected member of a committee of safety by the freeholders of James

City County, VA. in 11/25/1774. He was mentioned in John Coopers will

12/15/1791. Probably raised near the Chickahominy River.

More About THOMAS COWLES:

Will: April 23, 1804, James City Co., VA

Marriage Notes for THOMAS COWLES and NAME UNKNOWN:

I know what you are thinking if I have the date they were married I should have the name of the wife. This date was given to me by a cousin in which she probably got from, "Cowles Families in America."

(cowles families in America)

Born and raised in James City Co. VA; removed to Fauquier Co VA perhaps about 1785, as he bought 150 acres of land there in that year.

He married Alice Edwards and they were both living there in 1825. The family were Methodists, and James Cowles, says tradition , was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Military service: Revolutionary War

Religion: Methodist

Went to: Abt. 1785, Fauquier Co., VA

(Cowles Families in America)

After her husband Jamed Died she went to live with her son John Cowles near Franklin Tenn. She was there in 1830, where she died and was buried in the family burying ground on her sons farm afterward owned by her grandson Samuel Macon Cowles.

Religion: Methodist

(from Cowles Families in America)

Edmund Cowles Sr.

supposed son of John Cowles of James City County, VA is doubtless the Edmund Cowles who executed a bond in Middlesex County VA, Dec 24, 1773, with James Wortham as security, for his marriage to Ann Wortham b. Dec 29th, 1745.

He was called Edmund Cowles, Senior, in a survey made by his order in 1804 and, as a witness to a will, signed his name Edmund Cowles, Sr., in 1804.

His will mentions children L Lane, Henry B, to get his plantation after his wife ANNs death. Mitcham got some land also. Goodall (daughter). Grandson John Cowles. He also mentions his sister Elizabeth and gives her a cabin that her negros live in. In an annex to the will, he mentions his land in VA to bo sold at the time of his death and the proceeds go to Jane his daughter.

Henry arrived in KY with his sister, Elizabeth who brought along 2 slaves Peter and Ned from VA and gave them to John Cowles. He settled a lot of land having passed over on acct. of scarcity of water on a farm 2 miles from Pine Grove Church and 5 miles from Chalybeate, KY.

(cowles families in America)

Henry witnessed the will of Richard Brack of James City Co. VA in 1789, and is mentioned in the will of John Cooper of same county in 1791.

According to tradition he moved to Barren County KY, in 1804 with his sister Elizabeth who brought along 2 slaves Peter and Ned from VA and gave them to John Cowles. He settled in what is now Edmonson County KY, much more desireable land having been passed over on account of the scarcity of water, on a farm some two miles from Pine Grove Church and five miles from Chalybeate Springs. He and his maiden sister Elizabeth are buried in the family burying ground in the farm but their graves are unmarked.

In 1903, a part of the farm was known as the Jerry Poteet place, and part of it was owned by James Cowles, a grandson of Henry Cowles.

The wife of Henry Cowles was names Elizabeth and some of her descendants claim that her maiden name was Piggott, or Pickett. Edmund Cowles married Elizabeth Piggott or Toana, VA in May 1800, but it is not impossible that there should have been two of the same name.

Henry Cowles was a methodist, wore knee breeches and was a learned man. He bought land of a Mr. Holcomb in Edmonson Co. KY and there lived and died.

Will of henry Cowles 1835:

I, Henry Cowles, of the county of Edmonson and the state of KY do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say 1st, I desire that out of the money due to my estate all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. Should the debts due my estate prove insufficient for the above purpose then I desire my executor here after names may sell such of my property as he may think just and out of the money arising from the sale thereof pay and satisfy such of my debts as shall remain unpaid. 2nd, after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give to my wofe Elizabeth all my estate bu\oth real and personal for and during the time of her natural life and after her death I give the same tomy children and grandchildren after mentioned to be divided as follows (unclear) 3rd, I give my son Leroy Cowles portion of my tract of land including the farm and the house in which I now live to extend to a line I wish to run acrop the land from north to the south line within 20 ft of the fence and parallel to the fence on the south east side of the farm above mentioned to have and his heirs that portion which wil l be left after the lines are run as directed in the portion alloted to my son Leroy W. Cowles. 5th I give my grand daughter Sharlott Cowles one fourth of my personal property. 6th, all the balance of my personal property I wish equally divided between my two sons, Vincent and Leroy Cowles accept my negroe woman Lucy whom I desire them to free and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my some Leroy Cowles executor of my last will and testement by me heretofor made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 3rd day of Augost in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred thirty five.

According to family tradition, Henry B. Cowles was noted as being a lover.

More About HENRY B. COWLES:

Burial: Family burial grounds, Pine Grove, KY

General: He witnessed the will of Richard Brack of James City Co., Va in 1789 and is mentioned in the will of John Cooper of the same county in 1791.

Property: 1825, According to a 1825 Edmonson Co. Tax List owned 325 acres

Religion: Methodist

Burial: family burial grounds Pine Grove KY

Religion: Methodist

(Cowles Families in America)

Wesley was a member of the firm Cowles and Ernst, wholesale dealers in chinaware, Baltimore, and amassed a considerable fortune.

He settled in Franklin TN about 1830 where he spent his life

He signed the Jubilee paper issued by bishop Madison at Jamestown, May 13, 1807

In 1807, a dignified celebration marked the bicentennial of Jamestown. Sometimes referred to as "Virginiad," the celebration was most commonly called the Grand National Jubilee. No less than 3,500 people attended the event. Twelve to 14 vessels anchored in the river near the island to deliver many of the participants. College of William and Mary students gave orations and a company of players from Norfolk performed, converting an old barn on the island into a temporary theater. There were many dignitaries, politicians, and historians among the celebrants. One of these, Jamestown's own Colonel Champion Travis, was honored as a surviving member of the Virginia Convention of 1776--first to declare for state independence. May 13th was the opening day of the festival, which began with a procession which marched to the graveyard of the old church. The attending bishop reportedly stood on a tombstone to deliver the prayer. The procession then moved to the Travis mansion. The celebrants dined and danced in the mansion that evening. Jamestown claimed the life of another victim when a young man succumbed to heat stroke and "too free use of ice in cider." Visitors attended his funeral on the 14th. The Bicentennial celebration concluded with a dinner and toast at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg.

Military service: War of 1812, 3rd Reg., KY Detached Militia

Military service: War of 1812 3rd Regiment, KY Detached Malitia

(From Cowles families in America)

Henry Brown Cowles served in the Army or 1812; removed from Williamsburg, VA, or near there, to Lyon Co. KY, with his two sisters, Lucy and Jane, and died not long after 1832, as his youngest son born that year was raised an orphan by an aunt.

Military service: War of 1812, 3rd Reg, KY Detached Malitia

Notes for VINCENT D. COWLES:

I can't find a will on Vincent maybe he moved or something. Maybe he didn't fool with a will.

More About VINCENT D. COWLES:

Burial: possible: at Sturdivant-Hawks Cemtery

Military service: 1812, Fought in War of 1812

Occupation: 1850, Farmer

Wife (Facts Pg): Poss. wife was a Madeline ?

Military service: War of 1812

Occupation: farmer

Notes for MARY PATSEY OR PANSEY NORRIS (PANSLEY KING):

I have thought that Pansley King was the mother of James Nathaniel and his siblings. Due to information and census reports I believe they were the same person. Also I'd like to say it is still possible that there was a Pansley King Cowles but I think it is about a 5% chance of that. In Warren County Marriage Register Mary Norris is listed as Patsey Norris. Speculation: Mary Norris full name was Mary Patsey King Norris. Some people think that Patsey or Pansley whatever you want to call her that she was married to a King before Vincent but I don't believe this happened. Vincent and Patsey were married according to the Warren Co. Marriage Register. They were around the age of 21. Their son my 2nd great grandfather James was born in 1825 they were around the age of 33. According to a 1850 cenus they were still married being at the age of 58. Some problems though if I read it correctly Mary P. was born in TN. I read in a census report that said his (James N.) mother was !born in VA.????? Maybe Mary's mother was a King or something and they named her that. The Cowles Families in America might have wrote the wrong name down. Debbie Gravens grandaughter of William Arthur and Mae Cowles interviewed her grandmother Mae she gave what she had by memory had said that Vincent D.'s wife was Pansley King. This is a mystery to me.

Letter: Lilly Mae Cowles to Eunice Mae MillsEstes

Title: Lilly Mae Cowles, Letter from Mae Cowles to Eunice Mae Mills Estes. (Bowling Green, KY: 13 Mar 1978)ling Green, KY: 13 Mar 1978.

Text: Mrs. Eunice Estes Bowling Green, KY

Hollis, OK March 13, 1978

Dear Cousin,

Surprise to have letter from you. I am a very poor hand to write as you will see. I am now 72 years old. Still do my work and work 5 hour day in the store. My daughter work from 7 till 3. I work 2 till 6:30, right long in the summer. My husband open at 5. He is almost deaf. Everyone know it, so the store is self service store. They get what they want. I live on a farm 13 miles from B. G. Noth. We have a 350 acre farm, but lots is in timber. It poor land if there is any poor land money wise. I have 3 girls. Two live in Louisville, one live 3 mile hea on a farm. She has a birthday today. She is 49. She two girls.

Well, I will tell all I know about our family. Mollie Cowles Mills was my father's sister. His name was Ronzil Cowles. He was the son of Albert Cowles and Ruth Wingfield Cowles. Albert Cowles father was Vincent D. Cowles. He was born Oct. 9, 1792. They came from England. First settle in Connict. After the Civil War come to Ky with a family of Kings. His wife was Patsey King, born May 27, 1792. I have the old Bible with the records. The sheet got tore half in two some way down the road. Albert was born Nov. 4, 1827. They had seven children. My father had 18 children. He married 3 times. 6 children by each. I am the only girl in the second wife. I am the only one left here as old as I am. I have one bro. in Louisville. He left here when he was 17. I lived with Uncle Gentry & Maggie. They had one boy, Roy. All passed away. I bought this farm Aunt Maggie.

Albert Cowles had lots of kids. Haddie Cowles married Penner. Alice C. and Sera C. went to Anderson before I was born. That I know of them.

Mollie Cowles Mills

Marvin Cowles died at 17.

Gentry Cowles married Maggie Jones

John Cowles married a Lewis

Clara Cowles live at Uncle Gentry. Never married. You see I was a Cowles on your side. Also my mother was a Mills. I married a Cowles.

Aunt Mollie visit Gentry one time when I live there. I remembered her.

Your Grandfather Mills was my Grandfather's brother, so Great grandfather was Tom Mills. I remember him. He live till he was 92.

I must write to Beulah. I also visit Clyde Essary one time in '52 in Hollis, Okla. You see I am forgettable. I can't remember as good as I would like to.

We have operated a country store for 42 years. The Great God has bless the labor of our hands. We are not rich, but are not poor either. I was rose country and still live country. I have a modern house. Not fancy. I we also have 4 houses to rent, so you know how many headaches we have. We have 20 cows and should sell. Then we rent the land to who we can. We are not able for that kind of work. We both have lots of trouble, but still try keep going. We should retire, but you get wound up and no place to stop. My car went out on me. Wa is out get a clutch put in. We had snow 6 Jan. still spots of snow. This has been a bad year. I was so afraid I fall and brok my hip I didn't go no where only at the store and back. We had buy a 4 wheel drive pickup to go at all. I hope I have bore you too much with this letter.

Your Cousin,

Mae Cowles

R. 1

Bowling Green

Occupation: Farmer

Occupation: Farmer

Mary was living in 1903, at the age of 85 and through having a well-preserved memory, had been blind for fifteen years. She remember her father-in-law, Henry, and was at his funeral. He was buried in the family graveyard on the place where he first settled in Edmonson Co., KY having bought the land from Mr. Holcomb.

Military service: Civil War, 3rd VA Calvary

From Cowles Families in America:

Warren CO court order book 1858-1864 has: ordered than WIlliam N Cowles be and he is appointed surveyor to SaltRiver Road from the knob to the county line in the room of W N Lewis and that all hands in the following bounds beginning at the county line on the Salt River Road thence with the knob to Phillip Spinks Thence to Standford WIlsons Thence to the county line thence with the county line to the beginning do aid and assist said Cowles in keeping said road in repair.

According to Juanita Cowles Johnson Bird: William Norwood Cowles fought in the civil war

Williams grave is in a remote part near the fence of Sturdivant-Hawks Cemetery, Pine Grove KY. The tombstone is very hard to read. There are other rocks around him probably his relatives.

Occupation: Farmer

Middle name might be Patsey

Possibly buried in Sturdivant-Hawks Cemetery if he and his wife is buried there it is unmarked.

James was killed when his daughter Mattie was 4 years old making it around 1882. A tree fell on him and killed him.

Grave is now unmarked. Grace Bolton said there used to be a headstone for James and his wife. According to Grace some people went to the cemetery and messed it up. She is said it was a motorcycle gang. I think it is probably close to his brother William Norwood.

More About JAMES NATHANIEL COWLES:

Burial: Sturdivant-Hawks Cemetery in Pine Grove, KY

Cause of Death: Tree fell on him and killed him.

In the 1852 Warren County marriage register the last name of James and his witness his brother William Norwood were spelled C-o-l-e-s.

In the 1852 Warren County marriage register the last name of James and his witness his brother William Norwood were spelled C-o-l-e-s.

Farmer

All of Mandie's family died with Tuberculous. Also Catherine Tinsley Cowles is believed to have died with Tuberculous. Could Catherine and Mandie be related? Catherine is the first wife of Jesse Marcellus Cowles.

Thomas Mills death certificate lists his father as Stephen Mills. This was given by Alva Mills, Dovie's

half brother who was born in 1884 to Tom's second wife

It has been reported to me by someone that their was a note on the back of the certificate giving

his name as Benjamin Thomas Mills and possibly listing his parents as Stephen and Anne Nancy Raley or at least they had made the connection. I had always been told that Tom's father was Benjamin. I wonder if his father is really Stephen and could it be coupled with Benjamin?

Dovie's certificate just say that father Thomas Mills and was given by Uncle Twain.

According to family tradition, Tom Mills was an orphan found at a grist mill at Bowling Green, Kentucky by the mill owner whose first name was Tom. It is believed that Tom Mills was abandoned by Indians that went through that night. He was named Mills because he was found at a mill. A "Tom Mill" used a large "hammer" to pound the grain. He was supposed to have been taken in and raised by a Wingfield family. This story appears to be incorrect, but widely spread. Mae Cowles of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Brent Mills Bledsoe of Brownsville, Kentucky and Hal D. Dinwiddie of Fairdale, Kentucky had also heard versions of this story. Jack L. Flowers reports that he had always been told that Tom Mills was an Indian

Burial: Pine Grove Church

Cowles Spring is probably located in the Pine Grove area

Burial: Smiths Grove Cemetery

Occupation: VP of Globe Building and Loan, Louisville KY

He was a Federal Soldier in the 11 Th KY Volunteers E Co. in the Civil War, enlisted at 21 yrs of age on Sept. 22, 1861 at Brownsville, KY. He became sick at Hamburg, TN. He was discharged December 16, 1864 at BG, KY. This info. is from the 11th KY Volunteers detailed roster compiled from Regimental Records at the National Archives. All enlistments were for 3 yrs, unless otherwise noted. The regiment was mustered into Federal Service on 12-9-1861 at Calhoun, KY. Hospitalizations, wounds, transfers. promotions and other information are also included. The regiment was muster out of Federal Service on 12-14 to 17, 1864 at BG, KY. Unfortunately, the regimental papers were lost to rebel forces on 11-23-1864 due to the abandonment of Pulaski, TN by Federal forces. Major Gen. Schofield ordered the evacuation of Pulaski to return to Nashville and only essentials materials were taken along. However, a few duplicate enlistment and discharge certificates still survive.

Leander's family info. is taken from 1880 census.

Info. obtained from cousin Sharon Wallace Blais

More About LEANDER A. COWLES:

Burial: Penns Chapel Ch. of Christ cemetery

Military service: Federal soldier in Civil War