Mary Gowans

Brief Life History of Mary

When Mary Gowans was born on 15 September 1797, her father, John Gowans, was 25 and her mother, Hellen Chrystie, was 32. She married John Methven on 22 July 1814. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 7 daughters. She lived in Monifieth, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom in 1841. She died on 15 January 1868, in Newport, Campbell, Kentucky, United States, at the age of 70.

Photos and Memories (1)

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Family Time Line

John Methven
1793–1855
Mary Gowans
1797–1868
Marriage: 22 July 1814
George Methven
1815–
John Edwin Methven
1816–1903
Helen Methven
1831–
Mary Methven
1837–
Margaret Brodie Methven
1818–
Alexander Webster Methven
1820–
Robert Methven
1822–
Ann Methven
1823–1864
Elizabeth Webster Methven
1825–1906
William Methven
1826–
James Methven
1828–1886
David Christie Methven
1829–1889
Elisabeth Carsewell Methven
1835–
Caroline Cairncross Methven
1838–1880

Sources (11)

  • Margaret Methven in household of John Methven, "Scotland Census, 1841"
  • Mary Gowans, "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950"
  • Mary Gowans in entry for Cairncross Methven, "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950"

World Events (8)

1800 · Movement to Washington D.C.

While the growth of the new nation was exponential, the United States didn’t have permanent location to house the Government. The First capital was temporary in New York City but by the second term of George Washington the Capital moved to Philadelphia for the following 10 years. Ultimately during the Presidency of John Adams, the Capital found a permanent home in the District of Columbia.

1801 · Cane Ridge Revival

The Cane Ridge Revival took place for six days in Cane Ridge, Kentucky. From August 6, 1801- August 12 or 13, 1801, around 20 thousand people gathered together for what was called the Second Great Awakening.

1817 · Dryburgh Abbey Bridge

Dryburgh Abbey Bridge was a cable-stayed footbridge that connected the villages of Dryburgh and St. Boswells, across the River Tweed. Before its construction, A ferry crossing service had existed here for centuries. It was originally 79 meters long and was undergoing a period of rapid growth in popularity. The Bridge was completed on August 1 but a few months later it collapsed. Very shortly after the collapse, another bridge was built further downstream. A new bridge, which still stands today, was constructed after the first World War.

Name Meaning

Irish and Scottish: variant of McGowan ‘son of the smith’, in which the Gaelic patronymic prefix Mac has been replaced by the English patronymic suffix -s.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Story Highlight

Mormon Pioneer

Mary Gowans (under her married name Methven) travelled with the John Banks Company in 1856. With her were her son David Methven and daughter Caroline Thackham. Caroline was baptised as Cairncross but …

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