Champaign Co. Will Book A page 18
John Cowan probated 11/5/1822
Wife (no name), sons William, John, David, James, Thomas. Samuel, Alexander and Wilson Cowan
(John and David minors; daus Mary Kirkley, Margaret Frankenberger and Caroline Cowan. Mentions acreage and a tan yard. Son Willliam Cowan and Benjamin Cheney exec. Wit: Benjamin Cheney, John Hoover, Jonathan Harbert, Carlos Kirkley, Sarah Cheney. Signed 11/2/1820

Champaign Co. Early Settlers pag 64
Oakdale Cemetary was part of the orginal Cowan farm.

Record Book 9 Page 10 -- Filed 21 March 1825 --Heard October Term 1825 Joel Frankenberger, guardian etc. on Petition to Sell Personal Property Frankenberger was made the guardian of John Cowan, David Cowen, Samuel Cowan 12 yr Alexander Cowen, Wilson Cowaqn BY and Caroline Cowne 6y, minor heirs to John Cowen who died August 22 in Champaign County. By last will and testament of Rachel Cowan all of the articles of personal property was left to the youngest child, Caroline. The appraisers, John Peppers, John Frankenberger and William Frankenberger, valued the personal property at $48. The property was sold at auction on 15 April 1825 for $44.82,

WILL OF JOHN COWAN
(Will Book B, Page 18) ...

IN THE NAME OF GOD. AMEN. I, John Cowan of Champaign County and state of Ohio, affected in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will testament, that is to say punctually and first of all I give and recommend my soul to the hands of the Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate werewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise of the same in the following manner and form, viz, first, I give and bequeath unto my son William Cowan ten acres of land in the southeast corner of the plantation I now live on, including the tan yard I now own, including the building belonging to said tan yard. The said ten acres is to begin at the Southeast corner and to run with my east line so as to the tan yard aforesaid and to make the ten acres as near in the square as can be done with convenience, but before the fight to the said ten acres of land is vested in the said William, he shall pay to my two sons John and David Cowan, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each when they arrive at lawful age.

And I hereby will and devise that the remainder of my estate, when my youngest child arrives at lawful age, shall be sold and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my five sons and daughter, viz. James, Thomas, Samuel, Alexander, and Wilson Cowan, and Mary Kirkley, Frankeberger and Caroline Cowan, and the rest of the plantation I now own, and the personal property I may have at my death I wish it all except my widow's lawful dowry I wish it applied towards raising supporting and schooling my children under age, and it is my will and desire my sons that are under age should be put to some trade when they should arrive at a suitable age.

And I hereby appoint my son William Cowan and Benjamin Chenny my executor, and hereby utterly disavow, revoke, and disannul all and every other will by me willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming my last will and testament whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.

Witnesses present:

JOHN COWAN (Seal), Benjamin Chenny, John Hoover, Jonathan Hartest, Cathore Kirkley Sarah Climy

November 5, 1822 a true record of the original will and testament of John Cowan, deceased, as proven in open Court by two of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded.

Attest
John C. Pearson, Clerk100