By family oral tradition, Thomas OWEN was born in England, but considered to be Welsh. He was a blacksmith with the British Army, and allegedly was a sole surviving son when he sailed off to fight the rebels in North America.

He reportedly could hear his dead brother's funeral bells as he left London. He was stationed on Long Island, NY, where he allegedly buried some money (inheritance or blacksmithing tips) that he never managed to go back for. He later was in Cornwallis' campaign in the Carolinas and Virginia, ending at Yorktown. He reportedly was seriously wounded and separated from his unit, and after being nursed by civilians, was afraid to rejoin his regiment due to being thought a deserter. He ended up marrying his nurse Margaret Hunter

What is known for sure is that Thomas Owen married Margaret Hunter, daughter of John and Rachel Hunter in the 1780s, probably in Halifax Co., VA. They soon settled in the Surry/Stokes/Forsyth counties area of NC, with her parents in tow. Thomas died without a will (but his estate papers survive) in Stokes Co., NC, in 1801. His widow was still alive three years later. She is buried in the Mock Cemetery in Forsyth Co., NC, but the marker has no dates.

They supposedly had six sons and two daughters, but only four offspring have been definitely identified.

Parents:
Father: Possible Evan Owen
Mother: Unknown Name

Brothers and Sisters:
Possible Robert Owen

Marrages:
Margaret Hunter m-c1780

Known Children:

John Hunter Owen, 1784-1834, m. Susan ELROD in 1816 in Indiana and died in Greene Co., IN.

Payton Owen, 17??-1849, m. Rachel GRIFFITH circa 1818, lived briefly in Greene Co., IN, and died in Caldwell Co., MO.

Josiah Owen, 1795-1883, m. Polly PHILLIPS in 1820 in Surry Co., NC, moved to Greene Co., IN, then later died in Wayne Co., IA.

Elizabeth Owen, 1799-1884, m. David MOCK in 1821 in Surry Co., NC, and he died in 1834 and is buried with her mother. She m. William GOODWIN in 1830s and moved to Greene Co., IN, then died in Cumberland Co., IL.

Suspected Children:
Evan Owen b-1786 d-1861

Other Possible Names of Thomas Owen:
Captain Thomas Barlow Owen
Thomas Owen
John Thomas Owen

Thanks to Rick Albright (kd6dkc@aol.com) and
Bill Owen (WmOwen@aol.com) for most of this information.

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