Letter - Joseph D. Cowan to Jesse Cowand

Paulding, Miss., Oct 31st 1858

To Jesse Cowand, Esq. Dear Sir,

I have been endeavoring for some time to trace the heirship of some property belonging to a Mr. W. J. Cowan, who died in the service of the Republic of Texas, during the revolution which resulted in its independence of Mexico. Various circumstances have led me to the conclusion that this W. J. Cowan was a kinsman of mine, and so believing, I am now trying to trace up my relatives in North Carolina and elsewhere in order to find out from them whether or not such is the fact, and if so, to enable the proper heir to inherit the estate. In prosecuting my investigations I put myself in correspondence with a cousin of mine, Mr. George Cowand, of Bertie county, North Carolina, who replied to my letter, and among other things, informed me that you were a son of my uncle James Cowand, who once resided in Bertie and afterwards moved to Edgecombe county. This was news to me, as I was not aware that I had such a relative living, and so near me.

And here I will say, that I am the only surviving son of Colin Cowand, formerly of Hertford county, North Carolina, and who moved from thence to Montgomery, Alabama, in the year 1823. His father's name was William Cowand, and his mother's, before marriage, I think was Cake. His brother's names were, Solomon, George, David, James, Jonathan, William, John, and, I think, Ephraim, but am not certain as to this last name, as my father died when I was but 11 years of age (in 1827) and my recollection may be defective.

My cousin George Cowand wrote to me that he was 62 years of age this month (Oct) which makes him a pretty old man. He also informed me that he has a brother and sister living in Bertie county, N.C.

At the same time that I wrote to George Cowand, I wrote to Mr. William Cowand, of Martin county, N. C., and received a letter from a Mr. Williams, stating that William Cowand had been dead 14 years. This Mr. William Cowand was a son of my uncle David Cowand.

I was principally raised in the city of Montgomery, Alabama, and have been residing there for the ten years preceding my removal to this place (about 2-1/2 years ago). I am a printer by trade, and am pretty generally known in Alabama and Mississippi, as I have been connected with the newspaper business in Alabama in various capacities for many years.

Contrary to the manner in which my relatives sign their names, I have always written mine without the d at the end of it: to=wit, J. D. Cowan. I know of no other reason for my doing so, than that my brother, Isaac W. Cowan, who died in 1832 never put the d to his, and he acted as a father to me after my father's death.

I have seen your name frequently in the New Orleans papers, and in 1838, whilst on a visit to my cousin Thomas Cowand (son of uncle David Cowand) I by accident saw your daughter. She was visiting at the house of Mrs. Brewer, of Washington Co., Ala. (where cousin Thomas Cowand resides, and only a mile or two from his house). Myself and a young Mr. Gayle were in company, preparing for a "possum hunt," and were in such a hurry that we had no time to talk to the ladies. We returned to the house after our hunt was over, and staid all night, but I left in the morning before breakfast and consequently did not get acquainted with her. Indeed, I had not the most distant idea at the time that we were related to each other. If living she will, perhaps, recollect it.

I have a family consisting of my wife, one grown daughter, 2 little girls, and a little boy (the baby) and am working for Mr. Adams in the Clarion offices whom you doubtless know by reputation.

I should be much pleased to receive a letter from you, with any information in your power to give concerning the W. J. Cowan, mentioned in the beginning of this letter. Did you ever have a brother of that name?

I address this letter to Pass Christian, but am not sure that that is your post office as I see a letter advertised for you at Handsboro.

With sentiments of affectionate esteem I am

Your Cousin

J. D. Cowan
(Joseph D.)

P.S. On reflection I have concluded to change the direction of this letter to Handsboro, with a request to the Postmaster to forward it to you in case that should not be your Postoffice. J.D.C.

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