Jean Hinshelwood
Biography
Role: Of Langholm, Dumfriesshire — mother of Esther Cowan (1783–1856), who married John Murray and is an ancestor of the Australian Telfer line (through her daughter Jean Murray).
Born: before 26 June 1750 (baptised 26 June 1750) — Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Died: before 13 December 1809 (buried 13 December 1809) — Langholm Old Graveyard, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Also known as: Jane
Branch: Hinshelwood — Langholm, Dumfriesshire (Scottish Borders) — non-Telfer in-law line
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | James Hinshelwood (1722–bef. 1802) |
| Mother | Margaret Paisley (1725–bef. 1779) |
| Spouse | James Cowan (~1741–1786), baker of Langholm |
| Daughter | Esther Cowan (1783–1856) — m. John Murray (1779–1849), mother of Jean Murray who married Francis Telfer |
Life Summary
Jean Hinshelwood — also recorded as Jane — was born at Langholm, Dumfriesshire, and baptised there on 26 June 1750, the second daughter of James Hinshelwood and Margaret Paisley.
She married James Cowan, a baker of Langholm. They had at least eleven children — James, Elizabeth, John, William, Thomas, George, Matthew, Charles, Margaret, Esther (born 31 March 1783), and Myrtle. Their daughter Esther Cowan married John Murray of Langshawburn and became the mother of the family that carried the line to South Australia.
Her husband James died in 1786. Jean died in December 1809 and was buried on 13 December in Langholm Old Graveyard.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1750 | Baptised — Langholm, Dumfriesshire |
| — | Married James Cowan |
| 31 Mar 1783 | Daughter Esther Cowan (1783–1856) born — Langholm |
| 2 Apr 1786 | Husband James Cowan died — Langholm |
| 13 Dec 1809 | Buried — Langholm Old Graveyard |
Sources
- Source: WikiTree profile Hinshelwood-6 — Jean (Hinshelwood) Cowan (bef. 1750–bef. 1809), baptised 26 Jun 1750 Langholm, daughter of James Hinshelwood & Margaret Paisley; buried 13 Dec 1809 Langholm Old Graveyard; mother of eleven children including Esther. Cites Scotland's People OPR 839/10/94, Frame 100. Accessed 16 Oct 2026.
- Source: WikiTree profile Cowan-7830 — Esther Cowan (1783–1858), records her parents as James Cowan (baker) and Jean Hinshelwood of Langholm. Accessed 16 Oct 2026.
- Source: From the Borders to the Bush (1989), p.20 — names Esther Cowen (b. 1781, d. 1856) as the wife of John Murray. (Second independent source group for the Hinshelwood–Cowan–Murray connection.)
Tags
Spouse
- James Cowan (1741 – 1786)
Children
- Esther Cowan (1783 – 1856)