In researching Patriot William Walker and his life, we came across some findings about the Owen family and ties with Gordon, Ohio, cemetery and early church. William Walker lived with his daughter, Peggy Margaret, a number of years after his service. See our blog for details about his military record. https://awths.org/2025/06/revolutionary-war-patriots-walker-and-farmer/
From Find-a-Grave: Margaret “Peggy” Walker Owen was born 1794 in North Carolina. According to Find-a-Grave, her death is unknown and she is thought to be buried in Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Ohio. As of 2025 a stone wasn’t located, although many are down and unreadable. In checking Anita Short’s cemetery readings of Gordon Cemetery from 1960’s, the Owen name is not mentioned. However, it does mention the Gordon Cemetery being deeded in 1843. From the Recorders Office. Volume N-1 Page 707. “John K. Owen et al. to Trustees M.E. Church 7-11-1843; 300 rods (sq.) N.E. qt. Sec 35, Twp.8, R 3E.” So it’s possible John Owen and Margaret aren’t buried at Gordon or another speculation is that the stone was absent at Anita Short’s readings as John died in 1854. I’m not sure why William would be possibly buried at Ithaca as mentioned in his military record from DAR and his daughter and John at Gordon. A mystery to be solved.
So, I searched the work of Stephens & Spencer, 2011 #34 Thomas aka Lynch Cemetery Volume 2. Bingo! Margaret Owen’s stone was found and read. Amazing! She was not buried at Gordon Cemetery as previously noted. Per the reading, she died in March of 1865, 70 years and 14 days. Peggy or Margaret was the wife of John K. Owen. His name was on the land deed for the sale of land to the M. E. Church in Gordon in 1843. No stone was found for John Owen. Please note this is a old family or church cemetery that was abandoned way back and on private land.
John K Owen
John K. Owen was born 29 May 1788 in Orange County, North Carolina. He married Margaret Peggy Walker 12 March 1814 in Knox County Tennessee.
Per John’s obit found through Greenville Journal October 21, 1854, he died of typhoid fever, at his late residence near this place, October 7th, 1854.
“He was born in Orange County, North Carolina, May 29,1788. In 1803 his father emigrated to Knox County Tennessee. In 1813 he was married to Miss Margaret Walker, (his present bereaved widow). In 1815 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has lived a consistent member till the day of his death. In 1819 he emigrated to western Ohio, and permanently in Twin Township.\, Darke County. His zealousness for the church and the cause for Christ has elicited for him and extended acquaintance. For near 40 years his house has been a welcome home of the weary itinerant, and all who might chance to give him a call. Several years ago, he together with a few others erected a meeting house and laid out a grave yard on his own farm, which he deeded to the Church in 1843, ( this was later called Gordon Cemetery). In this grave yard close to his own beautiful residence rests the body of our beloved father.
He has left a wife, four children, and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.
Writer is his family physician”. I am wondering if the notation in parathesis was added by someone else?
We also found this note about the early church and notation of John Owen:
Gordon Methodist Church History donated by Janet Rhoades and compiled by Marvin & Jennie Miller in 1985.
“According to the history given to AWTHS, we read the Sesquicentennial year was 1985 as the church was organized in 1835.
In 1830 a few Methodist families met for worship in the home of Alanson and Jan Ashley. This was the Milbert Ressler place ( in 1985 Ed Boomershine Place) north of Preble-Darke County Line Road on Gordan Landis Road. (Read more on the Ashley’s at AWTHS). There is also Lynch Cemetery in this area on plat maps and is listed as Lynch Cemetery on the 1910 plat map. It is recorded that there are “Thomas stones” in this cemetery.
In 1835 Edmund C. Thomas bought the Ashley farm and the society was organized. See the earliest map AWTHS has of Twin Twp., 1857 in section 35.
In 1843 John Owen sold the trustees 30 square rods off the Lynch farm for $10. The log church was completed and recorded on the Lewisburg circuit as the “Thomas Meeting House”.
In 1841 the Eaton circuit was divided. The log church was falling apart so a location in town was proposed. In 1857 this society joined with the Baptist society in town located near the present cemetery. There was also a old school there at one time according to the old plat map.”
Nancy Owen Gordon
In the 1860’s US Federal Census, we find Margaret living with her daughter, Nancy Owen Gordon, wife of Henry Gordon. Post office-Gordon-town-Twin Township, Darke County Ohio.
We are not sure of the other children’s names in the obit for John without further research. We would also like to know more about Peggy Margaret Walker family as well. According to Find-a-Grave, Margaret’s has a sister, Esther Walker Snodgrass.
My speculation from these different accounts of the church, land and cemeteries, is that John Owen possibly owned land on Gordan-Landis Road or near by and was sold to start the cemetery there known as Lynch or Thomas as well as the log church. Or for some reason he sold off 10 rods of land of the Lynch farm. This corresponds with the findings of Stephens & Spencer of their stone readings, photos and findings. As well as the obit (except for part about Gordon Cemetery) and the M. E. Church early history. Plus, we have the land-deed records. To be exact, deeds would need to be compared of the Owens land in conjunction with the Lynch aka Thomas Cemetery location verses the cemetery in Gordon and church there. It’s even possible her father, William Walker, could have actually been buried with the Owen’s family since he died 1837; however it sounds like the Lynch Cemetery wasn’t started until 1843 and Gordon was started in 1843. So seeing deeds verses sections would help verify. Perhaps he had several farms and one sold the Thomas aka Lynch and another the Gordon Cemetery in town? I don’t know why Margaret’s stone would be at Lynch aka Thomas as she died later and her husband buried in Gordon. Definitely needs more research!
If you wish to see a photo of the Lynch Cemetery or Margaret Owen’s stone, please view the Stephens and Spencer Cemetery Reading and Photo book about this cemetery. It can possibly still be purchased or viewed through Garst in the Darke Genealogy section.
Please contact AWTHS if you are a descendant of any of these families or have additional information or photos.
Please follow AWTHS blog guidelines as far as copyrights. Information is credited to Find-a-Grave and AWTHS archival records. Also Stephens & Spencer Cemetery readings and photos of Lynch aka Thomas Cemetery work.