Interesting! As you see I also have the name Gowin.

My research on the family name put me in touch with Mr. Phillip Gowan who published a book on the Gowan-Morley family in 1975.

In his book, he indicates that my ancestors were John Gowan and his wife Mariah J. Peacock Gowan who were married in 1838. They lived in Simpson and later in Smith County Miss. There were eight children born to them and oddly enough all of the childrens last name were recorded as Gowin. Phillip told me that during the Civil War the local courthouse was burned not once but twice, that coupled with the high illiteracy of the time plus the spelling being as the name sounded may have led to the change.

At any rate, his book does list a Garrett Crawford Gowan, born 2 July 1841, died 20 Oct. 1888 in Attala County Miss.

Unfortunately, this only adds to your search.

Chuck Gowin