The Ancestors and Family of Andrew McDowell

The material in this summary was contributed by Pj Little of Carthage, MO. Pj is a descendant of the Littles and can be reached at Pj Little. The Sullivan County Genealogical Web Page is grateful to Pj for her contribution of this information..

 

Andrew McDowell

The McDowells were another one of the Scottish families that landed on New Jersey's shore about the time John Little[1] arrived with his wife and two sons.

Andrew McDowell, born in 1710, came to New Jersey in 1718 with his parents and sisters Elenor and Mary. They purchased land near Raritan, Monmouth County, and raised their children. Andrew wed Mary Givens and they had four children: Mary, Jane, George and John. Unfortunately, Mary Givens died at sea. It's unclear whether she was stricken or was lost overboard. In any event it was a tragedy of major proportions for Andrew and his children that would be rectified with a little help from his friends.

Andrew took for his second wife Isabella Little, who was the first born grandchild of emigrant John Little[1], and the only child of his deceased son Thomas. Andrew and Isabella wed at Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey on 8 March 1749/50, and in the following years, between 1752 and 1760, they had four children: Thomas, Isabell, Andrew, Jr., and George McDowell.

The Codicil of the Will of John Little[1], dated 12 Feb 1751, specifically mentions .. "son Thomas, deceased and his daughter Isabella...." The three named witnesses included Andrew McDowell.

Andrew McDowell Jr., married Elizabeth Sutphen in 1799 and they had issue. Their children were (according to the family bible) Isabel, Elenor (died young), John, George, Thomas, Jane, Mary Williamsen, Eliza, Margaret and a daughter who died at birth.

More about the McDowell history and their involvement in the Revolutionary War in New Jersey can be found on the website of descendant Leo McDowell at: My McDowell Family.