William Sowell, living in Madison County, Tenn 1850
I have been trying for years to find the parents of my ancestor, Wiliam Sowell, who according the the 1850 Madison County, TN census was born ca 1790 in North Carolina. Some have told me is was John Sowell, born 1755, Duplin, NC, son of Obediah Sowell. However, no one has been able to give me proof to back that up. Then about two years ago I was told William's father was Dempsey Sowell of Hertford County, NC, again, with nothing to back it up.
Thia Dempsey Sowell was the son of Richard Sowell and wife, Sarah. Dempsey did buy property from Sarah Sowell's estate when she died in 1785, so he probably was a son, along with William Sowell, who was the administrator of the estate. William and Dempsey Sowell were living close by in the 1790 and 1800 Census. So the chances of them being brothers is pretty great.
I am leaning more toward the Dempsey Sowell being the father of my William Sowell. William named his only son, Dempsey, this son, named his son William Henry Sowell. and William Henry Sewell named his son, Dempsey. With this naming pattern, it would make sense that Dempsey would be the father.
I have corresponded with some, who believe the James C. Sowell, listed on the 1850 Madison County, TN Census are brothers. They have to be close kin, because James descendants settled in White County, Ark, where my William's descendants lived. James' son, Cader Sowell had several children, two who were named William Henry Sewell and Medora Lew Sowell. my great-grandfather, was William Henry Sewell and he had a sister named Madora Ann Sewll.
Cader's Medora is spelled differently, but the same name.
Now are both William Sowell and James C. Sowell brothers and son of Dempsey of Hertford Co, NC? Both were listed as born in 1790 in the 1850 Census.
In looking at the 1790 Hertford County, NC census for Dempsey Sowell, he only had one male under 16, one male 16 and over, and no females. So perhaps the wife died giving birth to the one who was under 16. If both James and William were really born in 1790, then it is unlikely they are brothers. However, the 1860 Madison County, TN census lists James as born in 1792. This would make him 8 years old in 1800. In the 1800 census Dempsey had 3 males under 10, and two males 10-15 and one male 26-44. There was one female 10-15 in 1800 and one female 26-44, which suggests that Dempsey married a widow who had children. So if James and William are brothers, they are half-brothers. But close enough that they traveled to Tenn together. Would like others thoughts on this.