Hi,

How do you know if this family was free during that time period (pre-civil war)?

Can you give us some more details - this is a surname that is frequently mis-spelled in census records - I only see listings in 1860 for white Gowen's:

GOWEN, TIMOTHY (1860 U.S. Census)
Missouri , RAY, CROOKED RVR TWP, Age 19, Male, Race: White, Born: TN
Series: M653 Roll: 643 Page: 5

GOWEN, ALEX (1860 U.S. Census)
Missouri , RAY, CAMDEN TWP, Age 19, Male, Race: White, Born: MO
Series: M653 Roll: 643 Page: 41

In 1870 the closest hit I can find are:

GOE, WM MOREHEAD (1870 U.S. Census)
Missouri , RAY, POLK TWP, Age 24, Male, Race: Black, Born: MO
Series: M593 Roll: 803 Page: 503

GOINGS, GEORGE (1870 U.S. Census)
Missouri , RAY, RICHMOND TWP, Age 55, Male, Race: Black, Born: TN
Series: M593 Roll: 803 Page: 520

Denise