Mystery Monday - Betty Nannie Lamb and John Gowan

Betty Nannie W. Lamb Gowan would be distantly related to me as my 1st cousin 3 times removed. But there is a story in this family.

Betty Nannie Lamb was born 3/29/1870 in Tennessee to William Riley Lamb (DOB 2/7/1832 in Limestone Springs, Greene County, TN; DOD 11/6/1917 in Paint Rock, Madison County, NC) and Eliza Ann Rollins (DOB 3/20/1838 in Limestone Springs, Greene County, TN; DOD 10/21/1907 in Bluff, Madison County, NC). She was the 8th child of ten children.

1870 U.S. Census of District 18, Greene County, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1531; Page: 390B; Image: 336496; Family History Library Film: 553030, Lines 13-21, "Family #181, "William Lamb"
William Lamb, 35 yrs old (DOB 1825), M(ale), W(hite), Farm Laborer, $0 Real Estate Value, $100 Personal Estate Value, Born in NC Can read and write
Eliza Lamb, 32 yrs old (DOB 1828), F, W, Keeping house, Born in NC, Can read, Cannot write
Mary J. Lamb, 16 yrs old (DOB 1854), F, W, Born in NC
Rachel E. Lamb, 14 yrs old (DOB 1856), F, W, Born in NC
Martha E. Lamb, 12 yrs old (DOB 1858), F, W, Born in NC
Bethia T. Lamb, 10 yrs old (DOB 1860), F, W, Born in NC
John R. Lamb, 8 yrs old (DOB 1862), M, W, Born in NC
David T. Lamb, 6 yrs old (DOB 1864), M, W, Born in NC
Louisa C. Lamb, 4 yrs old (DOB 1866), F, W, Born in NC
Nannie B.W. Lamb, 2/12 mos old (DOB 1870), F, W, Born in NC

1880 U.S. Census of Pine Creek, Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: 971; Family History Film: 1254971; Page: 94A; Enumeration District: 129; Image: 0358, Lines 36-50, Family #51, "William Lamb"
William Lamb, W(hite), M(ale), 49 yrs old (DOB 1831), Head, Married, Farmer, Can read and write, Born in TN, Both parents born in NC
Eliza Lamb, W, F, 42 yrs old (DOB 1838), Wife, Married, Keeping house, Cannot read or write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Jane Lamb, W, F, 25 yrs old (DOB 1855), Daughter, Single, Without occupation, Cannot read or write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Emma Lamb, W, F, 24 yrs old (DOB 1856), Daughter, Single, Without occupation, Cannot read or write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
John Lamb, W, M, 16 yrs old (DOB 1864), Son, Single, Farm laborer, Attends school, Cannot read or write, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Edward Lamb, W, M, 14 yrs old (DOB 1866), Son, Single, Farm laborer, Attends school, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Louisa Lamb, W, F, 11 yrs old (DOB 1869), Daughter, Single, Attends school, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Nannie Lamb, W, F, 10 yrs old (DOB 1870), Daughter, Single, Attends school, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN
Carrie Lamb, W, F, 8 yrs old (DOB 1872), Daughter, Attends school, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Alice Lamb, W, F, 6 yrs old (DOB 1874), Daughter, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Cyntha Lamb, W, F, 9/12 mos old (DOB 8/1879), Daughter, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Charley Lamb, W, M, 2 yrs old, Grandson, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
William Lamb, W, M, 7/12 mos old (DOB 10/1879), Grandson, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Nancy Lamb, W, F, 3/12 mos old (DOB 2/1880), Granddaughter, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN
Columbus Lamb, W, M, 18 yrs old (DOB 1862), Nephew, Cannot read or wrote, Born in TN, Both parents born in TN

Nannie Lamb married John Gowan (aka John Gowen). John Gowen was born about 12/28/1861 in North Carolina to Scribner Woodson and Eliza Gowan. They had 6 children:

1) Grover Cleveland Gowen (DOB 8/19/1891 in Madison County, NC; DOD 3/16/1990 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC) married Ica Brooks (DOB 10/2/1890 in TN; DOD 2/1/1919 in Madison County, NC) and they had Lena Addie Gowan, Diora Letha Gowan and Ruth Gowan. He married 2nd Lola Eliza Cook (DOB 2/23/1902 in NC; DOD 10/22/1994 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC) and they had Inez May Gowan, Loetta Gowan, Beulah Lucille Gowan, Nona Leona Gowen, Eloise Tennessee "Tenny" Gowan. He married 3rd Reba Ramsey McDarris.

2) Lou Ella Gowen (aka Lou Ellen Gowan) (DOB 8/11/1895 in NC; DOD 3/19/1931 in Little Pine Creek, Madison County, NC) married Randall Wyatt (DOB 4/16/1896 in NC; DOD 1/12/1951 in Greenville, Greenville County, SC). They had Esther N. Wyatt, Minnie Garney Wyatt, Edward G. Wyatt and Roscoe Wyatt. She died at the young age of 35 yrs old of chronic nephritis and myocarditis.

3) Nona Elizabeth Gowan (DOB 12/9/1897 in Madison County, NC; DOD 9/9/1979 in Madison County, NC) married 1st George Carl Miller (DOB 6/14/1870 in Madison County, NC; DOD 11/17/1934 in Madison County, NC). George had been married to Sarah "Sallie" Jane Huff (DOB 10/1874 in TN, DOD 1908 in Hot Springs, Madison County, NC) and they had Loyd Robert Miller, Jessie Mae Miller, James Clayton Miller, Eufala Miller, Clara Leona Miller, Ruble Miller, Drummond Miller, Terra Viola Miller and Sanford Miller. Then he married Nona Elizabeth Gowan and they had Carl Doyle Miller, Fannie Miller, Lillian Miller, Minnie Miller and Lunenia Miller. Then she married 2nd Grady Thadius Woodson (DOB 7/2/1895 in NC; DOD 9/11/1944 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC). They had Reva Phyllis Woodson, Sylvia Woodson and Jack Woodson.

3) Charles Richmond Gowan (aka Charles Richard Gowen) (DOB 9/3/1901 in Madison County, NC; DOD 8/10/1922 in Madison County, NC). Never married, see story below.

4) Dora Leona Lee Gowan (DOB 1/10/1904 in Madison County, NC; DOD 8/31/1998 in Madison County, NC) married Edward "Ed" Cummings (DOB About 1903 in Madison County, NC; DOD 8/10/1922 in Madison County, NC). They were only married 5 hours (see story below). She married 2nd Burnett Jefferson Holt (DOB 9/7/1903 in Madison County, NC; DOD 1/28/1974 in Madison County, NC) and they had Samuel Tona Holt (DOB 3/6/1926 in Madison County, NC; DOD 2/11/2008 in Madison County, NC). She married 3rd Charles Wyatt (DOB ? in ? ; DOD ? in ? ).

5) Burnett "Doc" Gowan (DOB 8/11/1908 in Upper Shut In Creek, Madison County, NC; DOD 3/26/1989 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC) married Sue Cummings.

5) Ervin Edward Gowan (DOB 4/16/1911 in Madison County, NC; DOD 2/28/2004 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC) married Enice Kathleen Etherton (DOB 2/8/1917 in NC; DOD 5/8/1991 in Asheville, Buncombe County, NC). They had Ernest Ruble Gowan.

1900 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: 1205; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0082; FHL microfilm: 1241205, Lines 11-15, Family #103, "John Gowan"
John Gowan, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Aug, 1862, 37 yrs old, Married 11 yrs (DOM 1889), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Garmer, Can read and write, Rented farm
Bettie Gowan, Wife, W, F, Born May, 1870 30 yrs old, Married 11 yrs, 5 children with 3 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in TN, Can read and write
Grover C. Gowan, Son, W, M, Born Aug, 1891, 8 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Lou E. Gowan, Daughter, W, F, Born Sept, 1895, 4 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Nona Gowan, Daughter, W, F, Born Dec, 1897, 2 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC

1910 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: T624_1107; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 0080; FHL microfilm: 1375120, Lines 74-82, Family #249, "John Gowen"
John Gowen, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 47 yrs old (DOB 1863), Married 20 yrs (DOM 1890), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer, Can't read or write, Owns farm
Bettie Gowen, Wife, F, W, 39 yrs old (DOB 1871), Married 20 yrs, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Can read and write
Grover Gowen, Son, M, W, 18 yrs old (DOB 1892), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm Can read and write
Eller Gowen, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1895), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Nona Gowen, Daughter, F, W, 12 yrs old (DOB 1898), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Richmond Gowen, Son, M, W, 9 yrs old (DOB 1899), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Dora Gowen, Daughter, F, W, 8 yrs old (DOB 1902), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Burnett Gowen, Son, M, W, 1 6/12 mos old (DOB 1908), Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Julia Cummons (sic), Aunt, F, W, 75 yrs old (DOB 1835), Widowed, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Own income, Cannot read or write

1920 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: T625_1294; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 116; Image: 799, Lines 60-65, Family #127, "John Gowan"
John Gowan, Head, Owns farm, M(ale), W(hite), 57 yrs old (DOB 1863), Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer
Bettie Gowan, Wife, F, W, 49 yrs old (DOB 1871), Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Richard Gowan (sic), Son, M, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1903), Single, Does not attend school, Can read, Cannot write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Dora Gowan, Daughter, F, W, 16 yrs old (DOB 1904), Does not attend school, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Spinner at cotton mill
Burnett Gowan, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1909), Single, Attends school, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Erving Gowan (sic), Son, M, W, 8 yr sold (DOB 1912), Single, Does not attend school, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC

John Gowan died on 12/27/1928 in Madison County, NC.

NC Death Certificate #191, Registration District #585762, Register #14, John Gowan, DOD 12/27/1928 in Madison County, NC
Male, White, Married to Bethie Gowan (sic), DOB 8/28/1861 in Buncombe County, NC, 66 yrs old
Occupation: Farmer
Father: Scrib Woodson, born in "unknown"
Mother: Lince Gowan, born in "unknown"
Informant: Grover Gowan (son), Tennelina, NC
DOD 12/27/1928
Cause of death: Bronchitis and Flue
Buried: 12/28/1928 in Bonnie Hill

Nannie Bettie Lamb Gowan then married Vance Robert Gowan on 1/3/1930 in Cocke County, TN. He had been previously married to Rachel S. Potter (DOB 4/5/180 in Carter County, TN; DOD 10/31/1915 in Madison County, NC).They had had 10 children.

1930 U.S. Census of Hot Springs, Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: 1704; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0007; Image: 721.0; FHL microfilm: 2341438, Lines 18-21, Family #86, "Vance Gowan"
Vance Gowan, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 75 yrs old (DOB 1855), Married at age 75 years old (DOM 1930), Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer
Bettie Gowan, Wife, F, W, 60 yrs old (DOB 1870), Married at age 60 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Burnett Gowan, Son, M, W, 21 yrs old (DOB 1909), Single, Cannot read or write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Ervin Gowan, Son, M, W, 18 yrs old (DOB 1922), Single, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC

Robert Vance Gowan only lived 4 years with Betty before he died 5/12/1934 in Madison County, NC.

NC Death Certificate #153, Registration District #58-08, Certificate #3, Vance Gowan, DOD 5/12/1934 in Shut In Creek, Madison County, NC
Male, White, Married to Betty Lamb, DOB ? in Shut In Creek, Madison County, NC, 82 yrs old
Occupation: Farmer, owned farm, last worked as farmer in 1928
Father: Nick Elenburg (Nicholas Ellenburg), born in Madison County, NC
Mother: Mariah Gowan, born in Madison County, NC
Informant: Rev. Lou Price, Tennelina, NC
DOD 5/12/1934 at 11:00am
Cause of death: Myocarditis, chronic
Buried: 5/13/1934 in Paint Rock

1940 U.S. Census of Madison County, North Carolina; Roll: T627_2939; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 58-7A, Lines 74-75, Family #154, "Betty Gowan"
Betty Gowan, Head, F(emale), W(hite), 70 yrs old (DOB 1870), Widowed, Attended school through 5th grade, Born in TN, Lived in the same place in 1935, No occupation
Burnett Gowan, Son, M, W, 30 yrs old (DOB 1910), Single, Attended school thru 3rd grade, Born in NC, Lived in the same place in 1935, Laborer piecework

Betty Lamb Gowan died 10/30/1959 in Madison County, TN.

NC Death Certificate #30934, Registration District #58-00, Betty Gowan, DOD 10/30/1959 in French Broad, Madison County, NC
Usual residence: French Broad, Madison County, NC
Female, White, DOB 3/29/1870 in TN, 89 yrs old, Widowed
Occupation: Housewife
Father: William Lamb, Mother: Eliza Rollins, Informant: Grover Gowan, French Broad, Tenn.
DOD 10/30/1959 at 1:00pm
Cause of death: Cardiac failure (duration 30 mins) due to cerebral vascular accident effecting swallowing (duration 5 days)
Prolonged hospitalization, shock following 2nd operation
Buried: 11/1/1959 in Fairview, Hot Springs, NC


Now for the odd story that goes with this family.

It seems that Betty and John Gowan's daughter, Dora Leona "Lee" Gowan married one of her brother, Charles R. Gowan's friends, Ed Cummings. But just 5 hours after they were married, Ed killed his friend and his wife's brother, Charles. Ed shot Charles Gowan to death and then committed suicide. I found this story in the local newspaper. The details give no reason for the murder. It may have been an accident or a drunken manslaughter or intentional murder. I wish I knew the story of the cause. Anyway, two young men were dead at the end of the day. One was only 20 and the killer was only 19 yrs old. He left a brand new bride without a husband and having lost a brother. She went on to marry again but I can only imagine how awful it was for her.

The Beginning Of Fall

My sister and her family went fishing at a local fishing lake last Friday evening. She got some wonderful photos. Here are some of the digital scrapbooking pages I made of her grandchildren at the lake.

Savannah and Hannah At Hailie's Wedding

Our nephew's wife, Hannah, has a younger sister who got married this summer. Hannah was in the wedding along with Luke and Hannah's daughter, Savannah. They had some adorable photos with Hannah and Savannah at the wedding, being in the wedding party. I made these digital scrapbook pages of them.

Hailie wore Hannah's bridal veil. In this photo, they had put it on Savannah so she's wearing her mother's bridal veil. Such a sweet photo.

Shopping Last Saturday

Stan and I took Mom and Dad with us on a little shopping day trip. First we went to an annual yard sale, craft and bake sale at St. James United Methodist Church. They always have a good one and this time was no different. We saw this old Ford Falcon convertible on our way.

This person had re-purposed old glass pieces to make garden art. I loved it and we bought a bird feeder from them.

I bought some canned homemade salsa and blackberry jam. I also bought the handmade carved wooden cross. Then I went to the bake sale table and bought us some large cookies for snacking later.

Then it was on towards the mountains. When we go that way, we always visit the Hospice Barn Thrift Store in Landrum.

Next stop was an apple stand in Saluda, NC. It's apple season and we had to stop. I bought mulled cider, Gala apples, pickled okra. We bought Dad a bushel of apples for him to make apple butter.

We took the scenic route up SC Hwy 176 to Hendersonville. We stopped at the Council On Aging Thrift Store. It's a nice store but I didn't find anything so we decided it was lunch time. We like to eat lunch at Hannah Flannagan's Pub and Eatery downtown. Parking is a little dicey. There is a parking lot you can pay to park out a block behind the restaurant. The bad thing is it's an uphill climb from parking lot to Main St. But we are all healthy enough to make it and we had a great lunch. I love to get their corned beef and cabbage plate. Mother got the chicken pot pie, Dad got the Irish Pot Roast. We were well satisfied. Then we meandered and shopped downtown. There are thrift stores, consignment shops, antique shops, Mast General Store, jewelry and gift stores.

For our 39th wedding anniversary tomorrow, Stan bought me a silver and turquoise ring from a gem and jewelry shop. I put it on with my amethyst ring right then and there.

Polish pottery, beautiful!!

We ended our great day with Chocolate Lattes from the Black Bear Coffee Shop and headed home. It was a wonderful day together.

A Shopping Trip To Charlotte, NC

This weekend our friends came over to stay the weekend and we took Saturday for a shopping trip to Gastonia, NC and Charlotte, NC. We love thrift stores, yard sales, antique malls, etc. We all love getting a bargain and we can hunt them like a bloodhound. LOL! We stopped at Bojangles and picked up breakfast biscuits and stopped at a QT (Quick Trip) convenience store for coffee. I'm hooked on QT coffee. Then it was to Gastonia where we stopped at B and B Antique Mall. It was neat, clean, well displayed and the prices were great. The staff were very helpful. I ended up purchasing a bunch of stuff. I bought 6 pieces of vintage Pyrex and a small carnival glass dish and a pair of cotton mill spindles that had been turned into wall sconces.

Here are photos of other things that interested me. This cute little hand knitted poodle fits right over a can of hair spray!

This tiny metal kitchen set had so many details.

Someone had used a lot of imagination and did a wonderful job using scrap glass pieces!

Here's a great way to use old keys.

This little doll wardrobe was handmade by someone who loved a little girl. I placed my 24 oz coffee cup next to it so you could measure it's size.

This little doll high chair was so cute!

We stopped at a couple of thrift stores in Gastonia but then headed into Charlotte for lunch. Then it was on to the Assistant League Thrift Store, one of my favorites. It's very neat, clean and well run. The prices are good so whenever we are in Charlotte we like to make a stop. I bought a foot massager for $5, two baskets for .50 cents each, another basket for $12 and a lap desk for $2 and a book for $1.25.

We stopped at the QT for a refreshment and then stopped at another thrift store where I found an hilarious chair.

We finished at a huge antique mall that we also make a point to visit whenever we are in Charlotte, the Sleepy Poet on South Boulevard.

 Beautiful amethyst purple glass bottles.

A unique way to use old license plates. They were also used to made a pendant light.

Again, my husband was interested in all the different ways people repurpose old stuff to make light fixtures and lamps. So I took these photos for him.

A lamp made from a cam shaft.

Someone made a clock out of this old oil can.

Stan and Randall were getting ideas!

This basket carried two pies.

I like this repurpose of an old shutter and I would like to have one like it.

We had a great day together. We enjoyed a sunny day that was cooler and low humidity so it was perfect weather for our day trip.