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My grandmother’s mother, Effie J. Rhining’s maternal grandparents were William Cowan (1815-1898) and Nancy Campbell Smith Parish Cowan (1823-1908) of Monmouth IL. Prior to now, my genealogy stopped with them. But I recently decided to take another look and was able to trace the Cowans back to Pennsylvania, where they settled in the Pequea Valley around 1720, after immigrating from Berwickshire, Scottish borderlands.

David W. Cowan (1790-1845)

William was the son of David W. Cowan (1790-1845) and Margaret Kyle (b. about 1795). David worked as a tanner and currier in Chester County, according to the biography on William that was published in1886.

David W. Cowan and Margaret Kyle were married 25 Sep 1812 at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania. David was about 22 years old on their wedding day. The marriage was performed by Rev James Latta.

According to the church’s website, Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church (UOPC) was established in 1720 by a group of Scottish and Irish immigrants, including a number of Cowans– however they were not “our” Cowans.

Episcopalian Roots

David W. Cowan was born into an Episcopalian Scottish family but was baptized Presbyterian on October 10, 1813, one year after his marriage to Margaret Kyle.

David’s grandfather and great-grandfather, both also named David Cowan, were founding members of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Pequea, located in the Town of Compass, West Caln Township, Chester County. The family’s Episcopalian roots distinguished them from the unrelated Hugh Cowan family that settled in the Pequea Valley around the same time.

Scottish immigrants were more commonly Presbyterian; the Ulster Scots, also known as Scotch-Irish settlers, were primarily Presbyterians who had been driven to Ireland for different reasons. Some fled due to the War of the Three Kingdoms and the religious persecution of Scottish Covenanters, who had opposed the Crown in their fight for a Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Others were sent by King James as part of a colonization project designed to rid Ireland of the Irish people and Catholics. However, this plan largely failed, as the Irish resisted and drove many of the settlers out—either back to Scotland or onward to the American Colonies.

Unlike many of their countrymen, David W. Cowan’s forefathers were steadfast in their Episcopalian beliefs. Rather than joining the well-established Presbyterian church that stood practically in their backyard, they helped establish their own congregation and build St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Children of David W. Cowan and Margaret Kyle

1. Joseph W Cowan, born 5 July 1813 (source: A Cowan History, by Terry Cowan) in Chester County Pennsylvania, baptized 17 October 1813 at Upper Octorara, married Eliza J. Barre (need source but supported by DNA matches), died after 1882 in Hillsboro, Washington County PA.
2. William Cowan, born 10 February 1815, baptized 6 August 1815 at Upper Octorara; married Nancy Campbell Smith Parrish 3 Oct 1840 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri; died 20 June 1898; buried in Monmouth Cemetery, Illinois.
3. David S. Cowan, born about 1816 most likely in Salisbury
4. Margaret Harriet Cowan, born 28 March 1821, married David Engle, died 18 August 1906, buried in Thomas Cemetery in Marion County, West Virginia.

1830 United States Census

The 1830 US Census recorded a David Cowan in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County. Pennsylvania. More research is needed to confirm whether this is the right person; David was a very popular name in the large, extended Pennsylvania Cowan clan. This could be David S. Cowan, son of Robert Cowan.

David Cowan Household

• 1 Free White Male, aged 40-50 (David W. Cowan would have been about 40 years old at the time)
• 1 Free White Female, aged 30-40 (Margaret Kyle would’ve been about 35)

• 1 Free White Male under 5
• 1 Free White Male 10-14 (David Jr., William, and Joseph would’ve been 14, 15, and 17, respectively)
• 1 Free White Female 5-9 (Margaret would’ve been 9)
• 1 Free White Female 10-14

1840 United States Census

The 1840 US Census recorded a David Cowan in West Hempfield, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The census shows:

• 1 Free White Male, aged 50-60 (David W. Cowan would have been about 50 years old at the time)
• 1 Free White Female, aged 40-50 (Margaret Kyle would’ve been about 35)

• 3 Free White Males 20-30 (David Jr., William, and Joseph would’ve been 24, 25, and 27, respectively)
• 1 Free White Female 15-20 (Margaret would’ve been 19)
• 1 Free White Females 20-30