| Marriage* | | John Cowls married Mary Abigail Johnson, daughter of Artemus Johnson and Mary Barns; John Cowles, born in 1772 in Connecticut came to Bradford. County in 1805, his ancester John having come from England and founded Farmington, Massachusetts about 1634. He was also one of the founders of Hatfield, where he died. From him descended in successive generations Timothy, Joseph, and John, father of the Orwell pioneer, who was also a descendant of Captain Joseph Ellsworth who put out the lights and hid the Connecticut Charter in the oak at Hartford when Governor Andros by the king's order was trying to revoke it. (Heverly, Patriot & Pioneer Families of Bradford Co., Vol.II, page 98).
When he arrived in Orwell, his money, all in silver dollars, filled a half-bushe1 measure. He purchased land and worked in improving it until his death July 11, 1825. Among other things Mr.Cowles was remembered for was his characteristic word, "totteration", used when a little vexed. He married first Miss Mary Abigail Johnson, (born 1771 in Connecticut, died September 13, 1810 in Orwell) daughter of Artemus Johnson of Burlington, Connecticut; second, Lucy Coburn. His children were: Johnson, Charles, Addison and William. (History of Churches of Orwell.) |