William Deans Cowan (1844-1924)

[calidris]

Dear all,

Could some-one help me a bit with William Deans Cowan, born at 21 June 1844 at Edinburgh and he died supposedly in 1924 at Newbattle (near Edinburgh). What date did he die, who did he marry and who are his parents?

Best wishes,

Justin Jansen
The Netherlands

[MonicaL]

Hi Justin

We might be able to help with some of the information without you looking at the pay to view site www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

There is this marriage showing on the IGI index:

William Deans Cowan and Cecil Craig married on 5 June 1874 in Duddingston, Midlothian.

A little here online:

www.woodsbj.btinternet.co.uk/btree/gp430.htm
www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/1800170?uid=3738032&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=47698817955157
www.rootschat.com/links/0l17/ - google books.

From the jstor link, was he Rev. William Deans Cowan?

Not seeing the death details you mention on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk unfortunately.

Monica 

[calidris]

Dear Monica,

Thank you it adds a bit more information on this explorer of Madagascar!

Yours, Justin

[MonicaL]

Is this his death details I wonder www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?available=yes&fullname=William%20Deans%20Cowan&grave=197008&personid=416296

There is a William D Cowan death entry showing on FreeCen in 2nd Qrt. 1924 in Stow, Suffolk  - age 80 so born c. 1844.

Monica

[MonicaL]

Some of the children also showing as born in Magadascar! From 1891, in West Ham, Essex:

William Deans Cowan 48 widower b. Scotland
Jessie Rae Cowan 15 b. Magadascar
James Craig Cowan 14 b. Magadascar
William Kris Cowan 11 b. Magadascar
David Craig Cowan 10 b. Magadascar
Archibald Cowan 3 b. Scotland
George Clanghton Cowan 1 b. Forest Gate, Essex

RG12/1334/79/38

Regarding mother Cecil, this would need to be confirmed from the 1874 marriage cert but, again from the IGI index, this looks a possible christening entry for Cecil:

Cecil CRAIG chr. 16 OCT 1851 in Newbattle, Midlothian
Parents: David CRAIG and Jessie RAE

Fits well with the names used for their early born children.

Monica

[calidris]

Pfff it get's now at bit cloudy. I do know he was at madagascar till spring 1885 and he then returned to England, however all since that time is shrouded in mystery. Thank you!

Justin

[Gadget]

Probate 12 June 1924  for William Deans Cowan

The Rev William Deans Cowan of the Rectory, Beyton,  Suffolk, clerk,  died 9th April 1924. Probate Bury St Edmunds 12 June to Archibald Alan Cowan, schoolmaster  Effects £713 12s 1d


gnu

[calidris]

Amazing, this brings me indeed on other dates and locations as previously thought!

Thank you so much,

Justin

[MonicaL]

If he was a Newbattle boy, this is the closest I can see for him in 1851 - all the children showing as born in Newbattle:

James Cowan 33, stoneminer b. Lasswade, Midlothian
Jane Cowan 29 b. Dalkeith, Midlothian
Willm Cowan 7
Christian Cowan 5
James Cowan 3
George Cowan 2 Months

Address: Westhouses, Newbattle, Midlothian

Good possibility this may be his family as mother Jane's maiden surname looks to be Deans (from IGI entry for the birth of a daughter Marion in 1856 in Newbattle).

The best place to confirm both William and Cecil's parents' info will be that 1874 marriage cert, Justin.

Monica

Added: Can't see any of the children's births/christenings pre 1855 and the start of official registration in Scotland. Those born after 1855 show. There is a marriage/banns entry showing on the index though:

James COWAN and Jean DEANS - 3 Sept. 1842 in Newbattle, Midlothian.