Walter Cowan^[1]

1778 - 1853  (~ 75 years)

• Name	Walter Cowan
  Born	CA 1778	of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91089595
  Immigration	1829	, Ontario, Canada
  Residence	187 West River Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-30834
  Died	1853	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Buried	Pioneer Pergola Cemetery, St. Andrew's Park, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Person ID	I30834	Generations
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025

  
  

  Family 1	Agnes Willison,   b. CA 1778, of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland ,   d. 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 75 years)
  Children	1. William Cowan,   b. 18 Apr 1823, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland ,   d. 28 Dec 1905, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 82 years)   2. Jane Scott Cowan,   b. 4 Jun 1825, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025
  Family ID	F9288	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Jennie Scott,   b. Abt 1790, of, Harden, , Scotland ,   d. Bef 1821  (Age ~ 30 years)
  Children	1. James Cowan,   b. 19 Aug 1809, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland ,   d. Abt 1853, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 43 years)   2. Walter Scott Cowan,   b. 31 Oct 1816, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland ,   d. 20 Jun 1886, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 69 years)
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025
  Family ID	F29174	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Many of the principal settlers of Dumfries came in about 1830. We learn from Mr. William Cowan, River Road, that the following well-known Dumfries families all sailed in the "Argus" of Workington, England, on the 3rd June, 1829: those of Francis Hogg, Walter Cowan, James Cowan, George Barrie and Hector Rennelson. The voyage was only nine weeks and two days! Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young __________________________________ A-1-12 Walter Cowan: The Last Will and Testament of Walter Cowan of the Township of Dumfries, Yeoman… …In the first place I desire my Executors hereinafter named to pay satisfy and discharge all ny just and lawful debts, funeral exdpenses and testamentary expenses and the expense of proving this my will as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give and devise unto my son William, all that my farm whereon I now reside, situate and being in the vicinity of the Village of Galt, containing 146 acres, or thereabouts, to have and to hold the same to him, my said son William, his heirs and assigns for ever, subject nevertheless to a certain debt due to the representatives of the late Honorable Robert Dickson in respect to part of the said farm, that is in respect of sixty eight acres and one rood thereof - and also subjected as hereinafter mentioned. I give and bequeath unto my son James the sum of five pounds which I desire my said Executors to pay within the period of one year from after my decease. I likewise give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Scott, the sum of sixty pounds which I direct my said Executor to pay unto her at the expiration of three years after my decease. I likewise give and bequeath unto her one half of all the bedding and bed clothes I possess. And I also, and concerning all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects not hereinbefore disposed of, I give and bequeath the same unto my said son William, to and for his own use and benefit. I do hereby charge the said Legacies of five pounds and sixty pounds before mentioned upon my said farm and it is my will that in case my said son William shall default in the payment of same or of either of them, it shall be lawful for my said son James and my daughter Jane Scott, or which ever of them shall remain unsatisfied into and upon the said farm, to enter and the same to have hold retain and enjoy by and out of the rents and profits to arise or result therefrom payment and satisfaction shall be made in regard of the said legacy or legacies ad the case may be and all costs and charges that may be incurred in respect thereof. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said son William to be the sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament… Witnesses R. Robertson and A. Ainslie Will dated 29 January 1848 Will proved and insinuated 15 August 1853 No inventory rendered at the time, but stated to amount over £100/- and under £200/- Wills of Waterloo County Register A 1853-1871, transcribed by Frances Hoffman

  
  

• Sources

  [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. William Cowan Born: Scotland Res: Dumfries Township Age: 40 Born: abt 1824 Father: Walter Mother: Agnes Spouse: Agnes T. Dun Age: 29 Born: abt 1835 born: Scotland Res: Galt Father: Adam Mother: Helen married 14 Apr 1864 county: Waterloo [S530] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Pioneer Pergola (formerly St. Andrews Presbyterian) CC#4488 Internet Link. Walter Cowan/ &/ Agness Willison/ 1853

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - CA 1778 - of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland Immigration - 1829 - , Ontario, Canada Residence - - 187 West River Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 1853 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Pioneer Pergola Cemetery, St. Andrew's Park, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth