General Notes

Alias:<ALIA> James /H./
Some sources list his birth in 1803 or 1819 and his death in 1848. Some
sources list his burial in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Sargent Township, 
Coles County, Illinois but he is on cemetery lists of Douglas County next
to his wife, Eliza.
Many family historians list James as the son of Judge William McDowell
and his wife Margaret Madison McDowell.
But according to Betty Frodin of Ottawa, Illinois, "This is the correct
McDowell family: Husband's Name John MC DOWELL born abt 1774 in PA, Died
Bef 15 Sep 1851 in Pike, Ohio (son of John Mc Dowell)."  John Mc Dowell
born about 1775 married Catherine Hayes born abt 1773 in Ireland. Their
children are listed as John Jr. Mc Dowell born abt 1799 in pA, James Mc
Dowell born abt 1801 Of Pike Co, Oh, Mary born abt 1803; Anna born abt
1805; Jane aborn abt 1807 in PA and Eliza born abt 1809. More research is
needed to determine and prove James' parentage. Both families are listed
in this family tree. Linda Cooper (cooper1411@@yahoo.com) also reported in
her 10/9/2004 email: "Yes, I've also found 2 different ets of parents for
James (John McDowell & Catherine Hayes, and Wm. McDowell & Margaret
Madison,) in addition to different dates and locations in Ohio for James'
birth.  I tend to lean toward John & Catherine as his parents for the
following reasons: 1. Wm. McDowell was Presbyterian (James & Eliza were
Methodist.) 2. Wm. supposedly went from VA to KY in 1784 (James was born
in 1800 in OH.) 3. "Historic Families of Kentucky" does not list James as
1 of William's children. 4. Familysearch.org has Wm. & Margaret listed as
James' parents.....and they've been wrong or contradictory with lots of
other things I've found at their website. Still searching though! And I
no longer believe anything until I can prove it!"
John & Carole Brodbeck (carole.brodbeck@@verizon.net) who is a descendant
thru daughter Mary Eliza states that James McDowell was born August 9,
1800 in Ross County, Ohio and died January 6, 1846 in Sargent Township,
Coles County, Illinois. John reported in an email dated 2/5/2005: "I got
the birth and death dates for James and Eliza (Daniels) McDowell from a
cemetery index located in the Arcola, Douglas Co., Library.  I located
the cemetery last February but because of weather, I was not able to find
the actual stones.  I still plan to do that.  The index read as follows: 
McWilliams, Eliza E., Dau of J. & L. E. Died Oct 2, 1863 age 1 y 1 m 5 d
McDowell, James  Died Jan. 3, 1846 ae 45 y 4 m 15d; Eliza, wf. died Sep.
10, 1871 ae  63 y 1m 25d; Lucinda, Dau of J. & E. died Aug. 27,1851  ae
18y 11m 20d.  James and Eliza's daughter Lydia Ellen married James P.
McWilliams on Sept 12, 1861.  There is a very good probability that Eliza
McWilliams is their daughter since they are all buried together.  James
and Lydia later moved to LaSalle Co., Illinois.  Another daughter of
James and Liza was Lucinda.  She was listed with Eliza in the 1850 census
for New Albany Precinct, Coles Col, Illinois.  New Albany Precinct later
became part of Douglas Co.  All of their birth dates were calculated from
the age on the tombstones so there could be a sllight mistake in the
calculations."