William A Gowens I

Born in Virginia and listed as living in Halsey Georgia (Dekalb county) on the 1850 census next door to his son Solomon's family.

1860 Census has Alexander living in Polk county Georgia (Cedar town Post Office). The value of his real estate is listed as $500. Living with Mary Gowens, Elizabeth Wright and Jesse A Wright.

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From the note in the discussion section (Arlee's Word):

"Thomas Gowen may have been the first member of the family to be "transported," but he would not be the last. Fifteen years later William Alexander Gowen, a Scottish prisoner of war taken in the Battle of Dunbar, arrived on the ship "Unity" at Strawberry Bank Colony, later Portland, Maine. History tells us little about these individual immigrants and our genealogies even less. Not all of our ancestors came to America seeking religious freedom."

So Thomas came over around 1635 and that would put William Alexander Gowens coming over around 1650. This could not be William Alexander Gowens I as listed on our tree but I have to believe that there may be a connection somehow. Our William Alexander was born around 1784 some 134 years after the aforementioned William. That's at least two generations between the two and finding records of that time may prove difficult.

Gary