I am not sure that I can answer your question Grace...I have 4 generations of Bown in my tree that I can trace through family history papers...3 of which have location info. The older 2 generations, William Bown Jr. and his son Thomas Samuel Bown are both listed as being born in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and having died there as well.

The youngest generation is that of Maria Susanna Bown, born in Sydeny, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and died in Britt, Hancock Co., Iowa. She and her husband (a Boutilier) and several other Boutilier relatives migrated through Pennsylvania to Iowa where most planted roots around Hancock County.

Perhaps Maria is a younger sister to your Bown, or perhaps her father is an older brother...?