Compiled by Kathleen Jones

Joseph Owen has been identified as the son of Samuel Owen and Sarah Nutting of Brookfield, Massachusetts. He was born April 12, 1759, with a Revolutionary War veteran's pension issued to Joseph Owen confirming the date of birth. Joseph's parents' names has been confirmed through in-depth research conducted by OWEN descendant and researcher, Nancy Clague of Royal Oak, Michigan.

Joseph Owen served 3 years in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. In the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Volume 11, page 720, is an entry that describes Joseph's service in the army.

After the war, Joseph Owen and other family members removed to Vermont and settled in Tinmouth, Rutland County. This would have been prior to 1787, when he married Susanna Newell. Deed research in Ira Township, Rutland Twp., VT, shows that brothers Joseph and Ebenezer, and brother-in-law Henry Woodhouse, lived on adjacent farms.

According to an affidavits in his pension file, Joseph Owen married Susannah Newell on March 1, 1787 in Tinmouth, Rutland County, Vermont. Joseph and Susannah had several children.

Joseph was an "intemperate" man, apparently given to heavy drinking and violent behavior. In 1809, Joseph is said to have beaten Susanna (perhaps already having a history of domestic violence and spousal abuse), then threw her out of the house. By this time they had only one minor-aged child left at home, Amanda. Amanda was left in the care of one of three Porter brothers (Zachariah, Thomas or Jared -- uncles or cousins of Susanna, whose mother was a Porter.) Susanna left for Ohio to live with her daughter, Lucy Owen French. On June 19, 1813 a divorce was granted, but whether to Susanna or Joseph I do not presently know.

According to an affidavit by son-in-law Daniel French, Joseph came briefly to Ohio, but left shortly after he learned of the Act of 1818, which would allow him to file for a veteran's pension. He returned to Vermont, where he filed for, and received, his pension. He remained there until his death.

In 1820, his name was added to the pension rolls. According to the pension file index, Joseph was receiving an annual allowance of $96. Joseph Owen's name can be found in the Vermont census returns for 1790, 1800 and 1810. Whatever property he may have once had, he apparently lost. Affidavits in his pension file speak of him having no residence of his own, and regularly moving from place to place. He is said to have died penniless.