Thanks very much for the replies. I think I am looking at a different Owings family: I have a Benjamin Franklin Owings (1839 SC - 1862) who married Sunie Bartsdale. This Ben's father was John Owings (1783 SC - 1872 SC) who married Nancy Dorroh. John/Nancy had 10 children, including Ben and a sibling, Sarah (1827 SC - 1914 TX). Sarah spelled her name Owens (on tombstone). She married Leonard Griffith - they lived in Texas later in life.

Have you come across any other Owings who changed the spelling of their name to Owens? One reason I was given was that there were so many Owings that it was a way to differentiate some families. What do you think?

Thanks for any thoughts or information! Stephanie