John McGowan(#1) and Bridget Murray(#2) had five children. Liza(#5) the oldest, married a John Whibby(#9) who was from the U.S.A. It is believed they lived in Maine, not far from the New Brunswick border. It was not uncommon for their children Henry, Mary and John Jr. to spend a good deal of time at the Rollingdam farm with their grand-father. During the time of census taking in 1861, all three are shown as living there. In 1871, only John, the youngest, is shown living there.

Mary McGowan(#6) married an O'Neill(#10) who I understand was from Calais, Maine.

Next born was John McGowan (to be dealt with later in this write-up).

Catherine(#4) married Hugh Calder(#8) who lived on a farm near-by in the community. They had at least three children: Susan, Charles and Peter, all born in the early 1870's.

Ann McGowan(#7) was the youngest daughter of John and Bridget. She was born sometime before 1844. When old enough, Ann became a nun. At the time of her death she was living in a convent in Joliet, Illinois. She was known as sister Mary Dominic.

In 1845, Bridget Murray(#2) passed away at the young age of 30 years. Her five children would have been quite young at the time. John McGowan Jr.(#3) was eight years old. It is unknown to what her death was attributed, but there is a good chance it was from one of the several deadly diseases of the time such as smallpox, diphtheria or scarlet fever.

Based on 1851 census records, it appears that a widow by the name of Jane Lundy, who came from Ireland in 1825, lived on the McGowan farm. She was about 57 years old at the time. John McGowan(#1) was about 50. It is possible that she was his sister or a close relative. It is also possible that with the death of Bridget(#2) in 1845, she was employed there as a house-keeper. Also living there were her two daughters, Eliza Lundy and Mary Lundy who were 23 and 21 years old respectively as well as a grand-daughter, Mary Lundy, who was 2 years old. All three were born in New Brunswick.