Grayson County TXGenWeb

Gowdy Family

Left Photo: John L and Sarah Gowdy
Samuel Gowdy (1790, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania - 1876, Hiatt Co., Kentucky) was the only son of Samuel Gowdy and an Irish mother. His father died by the time Samuel was 2 years old. While still a youth, Samuel migrated to Kentucky and married Nancy Burnet.

James Logan Gowdy (29 December 1818, Lebanon, Marion Co., Kentucky - 1864, Tyler, Smith Co., Texas) was the 2nd son of Samuel & Nancy Burnet Gowdy and head of the Grayson Co., Texas line. He married Sarah M. Bass (1814 - 1889) on January 5, 1841 in Green Co., Kentucky. James and Sarah Gowdy came to Grayson County in 1855 from Kentucky with their children.

James Logan Gowdy, Private in the Texas State Troops, 2nd Regiment, Texas State Calvary State Troops for six months, "... died at Tyler, Texas while in the service of his country in 1864."

source : "Gowdy Family in Kentucky: Pennsylvania Branch"; Gowdy Family of Kentucky, vol. II

Fell asleep in Jesus at her residence near Whitewright, September 11, 1820, Mrs. Sarah M. Gowdy, in the 76 years of her life. Grandma Gowdy was born in Green County, Kentucky on the 3rd day of September 1814. Her maiden name was Sarah M. Bass; she was married to James L. Gowdy in 1841, with whom she lived for 23 years in the full enjoyment of all that mortals know of happiness. Six children were born unto them: 5 sons and 1 daughter. He died at Tyler, Smith Co., Texas while in the service of his country in 1864, leaving her to raise and educate their children, which duty she faithfully performed. She was an affectionate wife, a kind and indulgent mother, an obliging neighbor, a true friend and an humble Christian; a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. She came to Texas with her husband in 1855, and settled near Whitewright, where she lived, loved and honored by the good until called to her better home above the skies. During the last year of life, she suffered much, by the grace of God was able to bear it all with great patience and fortitude. Thus has gently passed away another old settler, leaving behind bright evidence that she was prepared for the immortal joys that awaited her in the land of blissful rest.
She leaves 3 sons, 1 daughter, 8 grandchildren and many friends to mourn her loss. May her children remember that they must put on immortality and be prepared to meet her, and from once more an unbroken family in heaven.
Saints die, and we should gently weep;
Sweetly in Jesus' arms they sleep.
Far from this world of sin and woe;
No sin, no pain, no grief they know.
- - - J.W.C.

Children
of
James Logan Gowdy & Sarah M. Bass

WILLIAM TOMAS GOWDY October 9, 1841, Taylor Co., Kentucky - July 1902 Never Married
JOSIAH WOODSON GOWDY September 23, 1843, Taylor Co., Kentucky - 9 April 1862 in service of Confederate Army Never Married
SUSAN FRANCIS GOWDY August 22, 1846, Taylor Co., Kentucky Marriage #1: James Bryson, September 20, 1868 Marriage #2: J. G. Maggs of Ocean Park, California Right: James & Susan Francis Bryson
JOHN SAMUEL GOWDY October 27, 1849, Campbellville, Kentucky - 28 December 1882, Whitewright, Texas Married Sarah Jane "Sallie Jo" Porter (November 14, 1850 - February 18, 1935), d/o Mary Jane Montgomery & Robert Felix Grundy Porter; she is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Paris, Texas.
MILLS ALFROD GOWDY April 16, 1851, Campbellville, Kentucky - February 12, 1903, Jackboro, Texas Married January 1, 1878 to Mary Ella Ray Mills Alford Gowdy lived in Jacksboro, Texas. The Christmas Card, right, may be his house in Jacksboro, Texas.
GEORGE BENJAMIN GOWDY January 25, 1853, Taylor Co., Kentucky - April 20, 1920 Buried in the City Cemetery Whitewright, Texas Married Vina Margaret "Maggie" Swearingen (January 16, 1875, Bloomington, Texas) on January 20, 1898.


1876 Sarah Jo & John S. Gowdy	1890 Sarah "Sallie" Jane Porter Gowdy & Mary Ella Gowdy Two years before Mary Ella’s marriage to James W. Goree in 1892.

Whitewright - After a 5-day illness of double pneumonia, Mrs. Sallie Jo Gowdy, 84, died Monday afternoon at the home of her only child, Mrs. J.W. Goree of Paris. Funeral services were held Monday from the Goree residence with burial in Evergreen cemetery.
Born in Alabama, November 14, 1850, Mrs. Gowdy came to Grayson county at the age of 15 with her widowed mother, Mrs. Grundy Porter, and her brother, Bill. They established a home on the farm of Mrs. Porter's brother, the late Emerson Montgomery, Grayson county pioneer.
In 1872 Miss Sallie Jo Porter married John L. Goree in the Cannon community church. Mr. Goree owned the land that was included in the southwest secion of the townsite of Whitewright soon after it was established in 1878, and it was here that he brought his bride. The first residence lots from the Goree estate were sold to the late Dr. David Ray, father of Misses Inex and Gladys Ray.
Mrs. Gowdy was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church from childhood on, and was a pioneer member of the church here. For years she was secretary-treasurer of the Ladies Aid Society.
Besides her daughter, Mrs. Goree, Mrs. Gowdy is survived by 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Attending the funeral service from here were Mrs. Fanny Badgett, Mrs. Motan Badgett, Mrs. J.F. Fender, Mrs. B.G. Gowdy, a sister-in-law; and her daughters, Miss Lena Mae and Mrs. Holmes Connelly of Trenton.
Mrs. Gowdy had made her home with her daughter since the latter's marriage in 1893. Mrs. Goree was born here and lived in Whitewright until moving to Paris in 1908.

Mrs. B.G. Gowdy and daughter, Miss Lena Mae; Mrs. J.F. Fender, Mrs. A.J. Badgett and Mrs. Moton Badgett attended the funeral of Mrs. Sallie J. Gowdy at Paris Tuesday afternoon. She was a resident of Whitewright for many years, but for the last 26 years had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. J.W. Goree, at Paris.

The Gowdy family gave some of their land to the city of Whitewright, and there is a Gowdy Street named after the family in Whitewright.

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Susan Hawkins
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