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Riley Samuel Cowan 1803–1887

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 2 independent trees
Birth year and location consistent across 2 trees
Death year and location consistent across 2 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

B Reliability
B
Reliability Score: B
Medium — based on the source tree
Grade scale
  • A 3 criteria (Strong)
  • B 2 criteria (Medium)
  • C 1 criteria (Basic)
Verification checklist
  • Record available
  • Descendant's record available
  • Star tree owner

2 researchers on YourRoots have Riley Cowan in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 8 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 2 independent trees

Born 15 Sep 1803 · Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA
Died 28 Feb 1887 · Fallsville, Newton, Arkansas, USA
Father Sarah Margaret Keith Cowan
Spouse Phoebe Acree
Children Elizabeth A Betsy Cowan Campbell, James Martin Mart Cowan, Jasper Newton Jap Cowan, Mary A Polly Cowan Boen, Nancy Elzada Emmeline Cowan Boen, Robert Riley Bob Cowan, Stephen Cowan, William Isaac Isaac Cowan, William Riley Cowan
Siblings Eli Cowan, James Harvey Cowan, John Borden Cowan, Margaret Cowan Thomas, Samuel C Cowan, Stephen Anderpool Cowan, William Cowan, William J Cowan

Researchers connected through Riley Cowan 1803–1887

and 1 more tree owner connected with Riley Cowan 1803–1887

Biography

The story of Riley Samuel Cowan began in 1803 in Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA. Riley Samuel Cowan married phoebe acree, and had children including elizabeth a betsy cowan campbell, james martin mart cowan, jasper newton jap cowan, mary a polly cowan boen, nancy elzada emmeline cowan boen, robert riley bob cowan, stephen cowan, william isaac isaac cowan, william riley cowan. Riley Samuel Cowan passed away in 1887 in Fallsville, Newton, Arkansas, USA.

Sources

Life Timeline

1803
Birth of Riley Samuel Cowan in Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA
Birth
1823
Riley Samuel Cowan was married in KY
Marriage
1887
Death of Riley Samuel Cowan in Fallsville, Newton, Arkansas, USA
Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Riley Cowan

This ancestor line traces from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England (1581) to Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA (1803) across 8 generations.

Direct Lineage
generations

Frequently Asked Questions

Riley Cowan (1803–1887) was born in Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA and died in Fallsville, Newton, Arkansas, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (B) based on cross-tree validation.
Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have Riley in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 8 generations of this lineage geographically.
It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.

Riley Cowan's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self
Riley Samuel Cowan PTP
1803–1887
Monroe, Knox, Tennessee, USA
Parents
Unknown
Unknown
Grandparents
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

Riley Cowan's Descendants

1.
RC
Riley Samuel Cowan PTP 1803–1887