February 22, 2006:

Hello George, Mitchell, Valerie, Marlene and Al,

I'm writing from England and I've really enjoyed reading the information which you 
have written in Bytown.net and I was wondering if I could ask if you have any details /
information on my Great-great Grandfather John Cowan born 1840 in Drumbshambo, 
County Leitrim, Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1852. His father was Patrick 
Cowan and mother Ann, who resided in Manotick in 1864 (possibly earlier), John 
married an Elizabeth Clarke (whose father was Nicholas Clarke, mother Francis Mills).  
John was a carpenter / storekeeper, then went on to become a grocery storekeeper.  
They had nine children, Nicholas Hamilton, Charles William, Alfred Ernest, 
John George, Francis (f), Bertha, Lottie, Robert H, Kate Fenehout.  I was wondering 
if you would be able to tell me where the nearest church was where they may have been 
christened?  John belonged to the Loyal Orange Lodge, No 477 and was Worshipful Master 
and met in the Orange Hall in Manotick Village, on the first Friday in each month.  
Would you know if any records would have been kept?  Also, if any School records for 
John and Elizabeth's children would be have been kept anywhere?  Sorry for all the 
questions, but if you have any information/pointers for where I could try, it would 
be gratefully received.

Thanks for your time.
Maria Lewis
______________________

Here is a family headed by John Cowan and Elizabeth. Their children's names match
some of the names provided above by Maria. Wellington Ward is in Upper Town, Ottawa.

1881 Census Place:	Wellington Ward, Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada
	Source:	FHL Film 1375865  NAC C-13229  Dist 105  SubDist A  Div 2  Page 70  Family 329
	Sex	Marr	Age	Origin	Birthplace
John COWAN	M	M	42	Irish	Ireland
	Occ:	Merchant	
Elizabeth COWAN	F	M	37	Irish	Ontario			
Charles W. COWAN	M		15	Irish	Ontario			
Alfred E. COWAN	M		12	Irish	Ontario			
John COWAN	M		10	Irish	Ontario			
Francis COWAN	F		6	Irish	Ontario				
Bertha COWAN	F		5	Irish	Ontario				
Lottie COWAN	F		3	Irish	Ontario			
Harry COWAN	M		1	Irish	Ontario
				Born:	born July, 9/12	
 February 27, 2006:
Hello Al, 

Thanks for your note.  John Cowan (on later census records) is down as being 
Reformed Ppiscopal and he was one of the pioneer members of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church 
(I don't know where in Ottawa this is).  He was later a member of the Prince of Wales 
Lodge number 371 and was their deputy worshipful master, A.F. and A. M. (I don't know 
what this is), and also the Maceabees and Cherry Lodge, L.O.L.  
Thanks again, Maria
___________________

See "Ritualism and the Beginnings of the Reformed Epispocal Movement in Ottawa", 
by Bruce S. Elliott in Journal of the Canadian Church Historical Society, XXVII, No.1 ,
(April 1985): 18-41