Dr. James E. McDowell, "a handsome, graceful gentleman"
James Ephriam McDowell was born in Kentucky in 1797. He was of Scottish descent. His parents were Colonel, “Old Thunder” James McDowell and his mother Mary Paxton Lyle McDowell. The family had moved from Rockbridge, Virginia to Kentucky in 1784. How his father gained the nickname “Old Thunder” is as of yet, unknown however because he served as a 16 year old soldier during the Revolution then again as a Colonel during the War of 1812, there has to be a good story in there somewhere. It remains on my bucket list.
Amanda's Husband James McDowell
Little is known of young James growing up years, in fact the first time he comes on the scene in my research is when he married Lt. Col. Robert Pogues daughter, Amanda. Where he studied medicine is unknown but more than likely it was in Lexington, Ky.
He is described in several sources as being a “handsome, graceful gentleman”
Another unknown is how he came to meet Amanda Pague but judging of how well “connected” he Pogues were to the Governor of Kentucky and other dignitaries, it was probably one of those socialite things.
James and Amanda married on Monday, September 9, 1822. James was 25 and Amanda was 24. At one point they lived beside Amandas parents on a large plantation east of Mayslick, Kentucky. Whether they had children is unknown at this point. With the exception of 1 brother, 8 of her 9 brother brothers and sisters died before the age of 44.
Amanda died on Monday, New Years Day 1827 at the age of 25 years, 9 months, 28 days. She is buried in the family plot near Mayslick.
On Thursday, April 9, 1829 James married Lucretia Caroline Feemster. A son, Lucien McDowell born in 1830 and like his father and grandfather went on to become a doctor He served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. A second son James, also a doctor and Captain of a Missouri company in the Confederate army, died from the effect of wounds received while fighting at the front in the battle of Springfield, Mo.
Lucretia McDowell, James second wife died on October 1, 1843.
Despite the death of their daughter and James remarrying, Amanda’s father and mother remained friends with James. In fact, James posted bond Eli Pogue, newphew of Amanda’s brother Edwin.
A Slave Owner
Yes, James E. McDowell, the sainted husband of our beloved Amanda was a slave owner (as were Amanda's parents). In August of 1856 several of James McDowells slaves escaped across the Ohio River into Ohio. When it was discovered, McDowell and several others went looking for them but no luck. What happened next turned tragic.
A group of slave hunters took up the chase into Brown County, Ohio where they found a 33 year old “free man of color” named George Williams. The slave hunters were convinced that Williams had helped guide McDowells slave across the river. When Williams denied the accusation, one of the Kentuckians drew a knife and threatened to “cut his guts out” if he didn’t confess.
The slave hunters took back to Mason County during which time pistols were drawn on him twice. Once back in Mason County, Williams claimed that he was forced to confess against his will. Being a free man, Williams was entitled to trial by jury (Transcripts of the file can be found at "Commonwealth vs. George Williams." (Box 257). Mason Circuit Case Files, KDLA.). The jury found Williams guilty and he was thrown into jail. in Frankfort, Kentucky. He pleas for a new trial on October 31, 1856 was overruled and he was sent to the dreaded “Hemp House” in the Frankfort prison. He died of consumption there on December 29, 1858 at the age of 35.
Whether Williams was an agent on the underground railroad or simply a scapegoat will probably never be known. The graveyard for the old prison was at the west end of Murrell st. in Frankfort, but the graves were dug up and reburied in a single grave nearby on Fort Hill
End of Life
James McDowell died on Thursday, July 1, 1869 at the age of 72 in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. To my knowledge, he never remaried a third time. He is buried in Fleming County Cemetery in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, plot old section F beside his second wife Lucretia. Their son Lucien is buried nearby.Solve a Mystery
Because James fathered at least 2 sons, it is entirely possible that James and Amanda had at least one child. It would also be possible that Amanda didn't die from illness, but perhaps in childbirth. What we know is that she died at the home of her mother and father on their farm east of Mayslick, Kentucky. Her death notice in a local newspaper is shown below. It reads,"At the residence of her father, (Gen. Robert Pogue,) in this county, last week, Mrs. Amanda McDowell, consort of Dr. McDowell of Flemingsburg."
