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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Tipperary => Topic started by: karenb on Saturday 29 January 05 21:05 GMT (UK)

Title: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: karenb on Saturday 29 January 05 21:05 GMT (UK)
I'm am trying to trace my ancestors back to Ireland and haven't been able to get anywhere.  I am hoping that someone may be able to help.

I am looking for any kind of record regarding a Matthew Cowan, his wife, parents, children or anything at all.

Matthew was born Abt. 1775 in Tipperary County.  At some point he was in the yeomanry.  He was married twice and I know nothing of his 1st wife.  His 2nd wife was Elizabeth Nicholson, Abt. 1771, who came from Thurles.  She was a widow and had the name Elizabeth Martin before she married Matthew.

I have  a letter of reference for Matthew written July 2nd 1827 which is signed by  (what looks like) an Alexander Hodges, Curiate of Ballymoreen or Ballymurreen.  The writting is hardly readable and unfortunately that is all I have to go on.  Elizabeth also has a letter of reference written on the same day and signed by a George F???? (Forester?), Rector of the Parish of Thurles.

Matthew and Elizabeth emigrated to Canada August 1827.  Matthew had a daughter from his 1st marriage, Kitty Cowan , and Elizabeth also had 2 children from her 1st marriage, Sam and Eliza Martin Abt. 1798.  Together they had another 4 children: Mary Ann Cowan Abt. 1812; Margaret Cowan Abt. 1814; William Cowan Abt. 1818 and Matthew Abt. 1820 all born in Tipperary County.  Sam Martin stayed behind in Ireland when the family went to Canada.

Also there may be connections to a Ryan, Glover or Gibbs family.  We have found documents in Canada which state that they were related to the Ryans.  (before they settled in Canada)

Anyways, I seem to be up against a brick wall and would certainly appreciate any help!!!

Thank-you,

Karen

Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: mattcowan on Monday 16 May 05 18:44 BST (UK)
Hi- my name is Matt Cowan. I was doing a google search on my name and saw this message. I have a cousin that has done years of extensive research on our family and has traced the Cowan family back to the 1400's.  She has been all over the U.S. taking pictures of gravesites, old homes, etc. From the looks of this website it's coming from the U.K. I actually live in New York.
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: BarbMN on Saturday 08 April 23 23:26 BST (UK)
I would love any information you can provide about Ryan, Gibbs, Cowan, Glover families once of Ireland and then to Ontario Canada. Early 1800's.  It seems Karen Bell on here, but only says email not working now, had a bunch of information to share.  It's a brick wall right now for us.
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: sarah on Sunday 09 April 23 15:58 BST (UK)
Hi Barb,

Yes I am sorry but this member updated her email address but never changed the profile here on RootsChat, we are sadly no longer able to make contact with them.

Regards

Sarah
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: BarbMN on Sunday 09 April 23 16:31 BST (UK)
Thank you for the notice.  A total bummer though.  Is Ann Gibbs still an active member?  She had replied back and forth to Karen Bell.
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: karenb on Sunday 09 April 23 17:41 BST (UK)
I'm still around.  I just haven't been on my computer for years and forgot my password.  ;)

I'd love to exchange information!

I don't know how to get in touch because I have just been told to remove my email address.

Thanks and Happy Easter,
Karen Bell
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: Kiltaglassan on Sunday 09 April 23 17:53 BST (UK)

You will need to remove your e-mail address.


Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: BarbMN on Sunday 09 April 23 18:34 BST (UK)
Great to hear from you Karen.  I'm on Ancestory BarbsHomes MN.
William Gibbs is my gg grandfather.  You shared notes about john Ryan marring Maria Gibbs in 1845.  I am most interested in finding the RYANS branch.
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: sarah on Monday 10 April 23 11:22 BST (UK)
Welcome back Karen :)

Sarah
Title: Re: COWAN / COWEN / NICHOLSON in Thurles-Ballymurreen
Post by: rebeccaclaire86 on Tuesday 11 April 23 21:40 BST (UK)
I don't come on Rootschat often nowadays, but did the other day and happened to see this thread on the most recent and immediately recognised the surnames.  Karen we emailed a couple of years back about the Cowins, I hope you're keeping well!  My line is the descendants of John Cowin and Mary Switzer who settled in Halton County and who are almost certainly cousins to your Matthew Cowin. 

I was researching the Irish Cowins last year and found a really interesting entry in the Registry of Deeds here https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJ9-2S3?i=332&cat=185720 (it starts in the bottom right) a deed from 1804 that was registered in 1818 for a Matthew Cowin of Clonoragh (my John Cowin came from Clonoura).  I'm not entirely clear on the significance of it, I think it's a lease, but it mentions a Joseph Switzer and references deceased brothers named Samuel and Richard.  Sadly doesn't mention my John though, but I still do think he was likely Matthew's brother.  Hope this is of interest!