John McEwen, Sr., born 26 May 1806 in probably Northampton Co., PA. and died 23 Apr 1832, was the earliest known ancestor of the McEwen family of Lower Mt. Bethel twp., Northampton Co., PA, . He was the son of William and Sarah Johnson McEwen. This relationship was proven by the court records on file in Seneca Co. Ohio ®55 . In 1823 the McEwen family moved west, from Northampton Co. , Pennsylvania to Seneca Co. , Ohio.
Information given to me by my grandfather, Homer McEwen was that at one time there were 21 McEwens who all went west except his ancestor. When I began to do family research in the early 1970's I questioned by grandparents about what they knew of the family history. My grandfather, whom we called Pap said, "There were 21 McEwen's and they all went west except ours."
It has been learned that the family of our John did include "21" family members, all of whom traveled to Ohio in 1823. It is believed that our John returned to Northampton Co. , Lower Mt. Bethel Twp. , Pennsylvania to marry his sweetheart.

John Mc Ewen , Sr. married Anna Houck, November 6, 1828, as is recorded in their Bible. Prior to his marriage on Feb. 28, 1828, his parents, William and Sarah McEwen, granted their son John six acres of land in Lower Mt. Bethel twp. , Northampton Co. , PA . Records show that John and Anna McEwen sold their property in Lower Mt. Bethel Twp. Northampton Co. PA on March 11,1831. Perhaps they were planning to join the rest of the McEwen's in Ohio. Many persons from the Mt. Bethels had migrated to the west, including a pastor from their church, the German Reformed Church, who was called to serve a church in Tiffin, Ohio. Their baby, John Jr., was born that spring on March 28, 1831 and died that summer on Aug. 18, 1831. The following spring John McEwen, Sr. also died. He was only 25 years of age. Three months later on July 9th 1832, William McEwen, John's only surviving heir was born. John practiced the trade of sash maker (window panes) , just across the Delaware River, in Belvidere N.J. An inventory of his estate " John McGowan, Estate Insolvent" was filed on Dec. 25, 1834.

Anna Houck McEwen, born 10 Feb 1807 in Northampton Co., PA. and died Circa 1871/1880. Buried in Reformed Cem., Stone Church, PA . She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Miller Houck. Her baptismal record is recorded in the Church Record of the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congregation at Mount Bethel Township in Northampton Co., PA. page 89 and in the Family Bible ®51. Baptismal records for the children of John and Anna Houck McEwen are recorded in the Church Record of the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congregation at Mount Bethel Township in Northampton Co., PA. ®57
p. 224 Sallie Ann born July 2, 1829 baptized Aug. 16, 1829
parents John Mc Conard and Anna
sponsors John Houck and Elizabeth
p. 236 John born March 28, 1831 baptized May 21, 1831
parents John McKawan and Anna
sponsors John Miller and Margaret
p. 242 * William born July 3, 1832 baptized Aug.4, 1832 parents John M.Gauer and Anna sponsors Fred. Weber and Susan
Note that each record gives a different spelling for the name McEwen. These records are confirmed by the Bible records. This Bible is now in the possession of Cynthia Hughes Smith. The copyright date on this Bible is 1827, just prior to John's marriage to Anna Houck. It is likely that the Bible was a wedding gift to them, which was the custom at that time.
This Bible must have been kept by Anna until she gave it to her son Billy on April 13, 1851 , when he has written in the Bible : " William McEwen, his Bible April the 13th the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty one."
After John's death in 1831, Anna McEwen must have returned to the home of her parents, John and Elizabeth Houck of Lower Mt. Bethel twp. Northampton Co., PA for help with raising her two children. Her daughter Sally Ann died at the age of nine years leaving Anna alone with her young son, Billy. Census records show that Anna lived with her parents until their deaths. She is listed with them on the 1850 and 1860 censuses. I believe that she is also with them in 1840 as there is a woman matching her age on the record. There is also a young boy who matches William's age in 1840.

1. William McEwen I (8 Nov 1775 - 7 Aug 1840) & Sarah Johnson (1 Jan 1785 - 17 Sep 1842)
2. John McEwen (26 May 1806 - 23 Apr 1832)&Anna Houck (10 Feb 1807 - About 1871/1880)
3. William McEwen (9 Jul 1832 - 21 Apr 1902) & Sarah Rasley (24 Jan 1829 - 12 Jan 1919)
4. Henry McEwen (14 May 1856 - 19 Aug 1946) & Clara Illick (15 Sep 1859 - 20 Feb 1942)
5. Wm. "Homer" McEwen (10 Oct 1895 - 21 Oct 1977) & Sarah "Eliza" Long (24 Mar 1898 - 9 May 1987)

LINKS to Additional Information

More about William McEwen I, the father of John.

More about William McEwen, the son of John.

More about Henry McEwen , the son of William and the father of Homer.

More about Homer and Eliza McEwen .

For more about me and my interests please see Cynthia's Cite.

For more about other family history pages researched and created by me, please see Cynthia's Family Lines.

For more information about the Clan McEwen ; this is a linked site created by another researcher.