Issue of Years
Provisions for Widow

James McGowen, Deceased,
Letters of Administration

James McGowen,
Deceased, Letters of Administration

State of Tennessee } 
White County } Whereas on this 7th day of December A.D. 1840 the 
death of James McGOWEN late of the County of White Deceased was 
suggested in open Court and that he departed this life intestate 
whereupon Amos McGOWEN was appointed and qualified as administrator. 
These and therefore to enpower the said Administrator to enter and 
upon all and singular the goods and chattles, rights and Credits of 
the said Deceased and then unto his possessions take whatsoever the 
same may be found in this state and an Inventory to return unto the
Court within the time limited (?) by law and all the Just debts of 
the Deceased to pay so far as said Estate will extend or Amount to. 
Witness: Nicholas OLDHAM clerk of White County Court at office the
first Monday of December A.D. 1840. 
                                    Test. N. OLDHAM , Clk. 
Recorded the 9th December 1840.

Source: White Co., TN Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Minute Book, 
Vol. 1 (1835-1841), p. 416. 

Inventory and Sale of the Property 
of the Estate of James McGowan, Dec'd.

Return of An Account
of the Estate of James McGowen, dec'd. 

Jan. 4, 1841 : Amos McGOWEN, adm'r. of the estate of James 
McGOWEN, dec'd. returned into court upon oath an account of 
the sales of the property of the deceased which is ordered. 

Source: White Co., TN Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 
Minute Book, Vol. 1 (1835-1841), p. 416.

Monday 6th October, A.D. 1851

This day Leroy Helton was appointed Guardian to 
Roxy Ann McGowan and Ozias D. McGowan, minor heirs 
of James McGowan, Deceased, who being present in 
Open Court took the Oath prescribed by law and 
together with Edward Gleason and Indimon B. Moore 
entered with and acknowledged and approved Bond 
in the sum of Four hundred dollars Conditioned 
as law requires.

Source: White County Court of Pleas & Quarter 
Sessions Book, 1848-1853, p.278.

Leroy HELTON for himself and as Guardian to Roxana 
and Ozias D. McGOWAN, Joseph CLARK and his wife 
Kiziah, Bryan McGOWAN and Elizabeth A. CLARK, heirs 
and distributors of James McGOWAN, Deceased. 

Petition to Sell Land 

Be it remembered that this cause came on to be heard 
before the Worshipful County Court of White County 
when it was ordered by the court that the clerk have 
proof and report instantly whether it would be to the 
interest of petitioners to sell said land mentioned in 
the petition and whether the land is susceptive of  
division -- all also as to the value of the land which 
being done and said report being accepted to is in 
all things confirmed.

James McGOWAN heirs:
        Pet. Exparted to Sell Land         DECREE
Be it remembered that this cause came on again to 
be heard this 6th day of October 1851 Upon the 
Petition and report of the clerk, which appeared 
that it would be manifestly to the interest of the 
heirs to sell the Lands in the petition mentioned. 
It is therefore decreed by the Court that the 
Clerk of this Court sell said tract of land upon 
the promises of the highest bidder upon a credit 
of twelve months, first advertising the time and 
place at least twenty days at three or more public 
places in said County one of which shall be on 
the Court house door.  Taking note with good 
security for the purchase money and retain a 
lein upon the land until paid for and report to 
the next term of Court, all other matters being 
reserved with the coming in of said report, the 
bidding to open at $400.

Source: White County Court of Pleas & Quarter 
Sessions Book, 1848-1853, p. 279.

NOTE: The heirs of James McGowan, dec'd. were as follows: 
Widow Nancy McGowen and 2nd husband, Leroy Helton;
Children of James & Nancy (Morris) McGowan:
1. Kessiah C. McGOWEN & husband Joseph CLARK, Jr.;
2. Bryant McGOWEN [No further information];
3. Elizabeth Ann (McGOWEN) CLARK; 
4. Roxanna McGOWEN, later married William Riley HELTON; 
5. Ozias Denton McGOWEN {Killed in Civil War} 

James McGowan heirs Petition to Sell Land

In the above Cause the Clerk of this Court who was appointed to 
sell said Land made his report which being unexcepted (?) to is 
in all things confirmed and upon application of Petitioners the 
Sum is continued with the next Term of this Court.

Source: White County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Book, 1848-1853, 
p. 288.

Monday 5th January A.D. 1852

Be it remembered that the above cause came on to be heard before 
the Court upon the report of the Clerk and interlocutory(?) Decree 
made in permance thereof which is suscepted(?) to and is in all 
things Confirmed, from which it appeared that the Clerk, after 
advertising as directed in the interlocutory Decree sold the said 
tract of land mentioned in the pleadings upon the promises on the 
30th day of October 1851 when the sum was bid off by Pleasant 
GLEESON at the price of Four hundred and fifty dollars he being the 
highest and best bidder.  And executed Bond and Security for the 
Purchase money which is good and retaining a Lein upon the Land, 
Whereupon it is decreed that as soon as the purchase money is paid 
that the Title to the said Land be diverted and vested in the 
purchaser, And that the Clerk of this Court execute to him a deed 
thereof.  It is further Decreed that Samuel TURNEY be allowed for 
his services as solicitor Fifteen dollars in this cause to be paid out 
of the bond,  And that all cost is this cause be paid out of the bond 
arriving from the sale and it is decreed accordingly.

Source: White County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Book, 1848-1853, p. 301.

Family of James McGowen

James McGOWEN (c.1801-1840) was a son of Joseph McGOWEN, Jr. 
(c.1769-c.1850's) of Tyrrell Co. and Hyde Co., NC. Their family 
moved to White Co., TN in 1819. There James had married by 1825 
to Nancy MORRIS (c.1808-1882). They were parents of at least 
five children (see below). After James' death, Nancy remarried 
in 1845 to Leroy HELTON.

1. Kessiah C. McGOWEN (1826-1903), m. Joseph CLARK, Jr. (1825-1889) 
2. Bryant McGOWEN (c1828-by1850?) [Died Young ?] 
3. Elizabeth Ann McGOWEN (c1831-1902), m. Samuel CLARK, Jr. (?) 
4. Roxanna McGOWEN (1833-1916), m. William Riley HELTON (1834-1922) 
5. Ozias Denton McGOWEN (1835-1862) {Killed in Civil War, Battle of 
Perryville, KY} 

Anyone with materials on the McGOWAN / McGOWEN family in Hyde Co., 
NC, White Co., TN and points West, please contact John McGowan.

McGowan Family Home Page