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Note: N2195 The 1880 census for all his children report that their father was born in Georgia.
Census for Thornton Fowler: 1820 Wilkinson Co., Georgia (His name spelled “Thoranton” in the census) 1 male 26-45 Thornton 1775-1794 2 females under 10 Mary and Emeline 1 female 26-45 Nancy 1775-1794
Listed next door: David Allen, 3 males under 10, 1 male 45 and over, 1 female under 10, 1 female 16 thru 25. Could David have been related to Thornton’s wife’s mother, Susanna Allen Kelly?
1830 Early Co., Georgia (Listed next household to Jeremiah Fowler) 1 male under 5 1 male 5-10 1 male 30-40 Thornton 1790-1800 1 female under 5 1 female 5-10 Elizabeth, 1822 2 females 10-15 Mary and Emeline 1 female 30-40 Nancy 1790-1800
1840 Dooly Co., Georgia 1 male 10-15 James J. 1826 1 male 15-20 John W. Dec 1825 1 male 40-50 Thornton 1790-1800 1 female 5-10 Rebecca Jane Dec 16 1832 1 female 10-15 Nancy 1 female 15-20 Elizabeth Aug 1822 1 female 20-30 Mary 1 female 40-50 Nancy 1790-1800
These censuses narrow Thornton and Nancy’s birthyears to 1790-1794
In the Georgia Land Lottery of 1820, Thornton Fowler of Wilkinson Co., Georgia drew land in Dist. 7, Lot #7,Early Co. and Dist. 16, Lot #120 in Irwin Co. Irwin was neighbor to Dooly. In 1853, Worth was created out of the two). Thornton was found in the 1820 census for Wilkinson Co., GA, aged 26-45, just as was his wife, living near Jacob Kelly, with whom they seemed to have a life-long relationship. They had two daughters then, both under 10. Their place of birth was indicated by Elizabeth's 1900 census. Thornton Fowler served on the 1822 Petit Jury of Houston Co., GA. About 1827, he was baptized in a Baptist church in Early Co. (from: "Some Pioneer History of Early County", p. 9). He was named as one of the first converts of the FIRST Baptist minister in the county. They were baptized in the mill pond on Judge Ransone's plantation near Blakely.
Early Co., History, Vl. 2: p. 254 Thornton registered a mark or brand at the Clerk's office, 1-4-1830, found on p. 21 of the brand book.
He was found in the 1830 Early Co. census, just a few households from James Kelley. I believe this James might be the father of our David Jackson Kelley. Thornton had 2 sons, 1 less than 5 (John W.), one 5-10 (William) and 4 daughters, 1 less than 5, one 5-10, and 2 15-20. These four girls must be Emaline, Elizabeth, Jane and Nancy.
In the 1840 Dooly Co. census, Thornton was found living near William Fowler, Cader Powell, Mary Mock (sister to Jacob Kelley), Jacob Kelley and William Kelley. Jeremiah Fowler was still back in Early Co. Thornton had 2 sons: 10-15, 15-20, himself; 40-50; 4 daughters: 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-30 and wife: 40-50. The two daughters from 1820 would have been in the 20-30 bracket, so one of them must be married (Evaline was married in 1835). On Nov. 3, 1840, be bought land back in Early Co., Dist. 7, #243. This is the same dist. that he drew land in 1820.
Births of grandchilldren indicate that the Fowler party must have come to Alabama about 1846 or 47.
In May of 1849, Thornton, Nancy, Elizabeth and David Kelly, Eveline and Kader Powell all became charter members of the Providence Baptist Church of Clayhatchee, Dale Co., Alabama. Thornton’s given name was left blank, but he was named in the minutes of the church when presenting a complaint against another member. He was also listed in a later church role. By Jul, 1849, John and Elizabeth Fowler’s names wee also included on the church roll. On the historical marker in front of the church, Thornton was called “Bill”, leaving some to think his name included William. I discount that, because all records showed him as Thornton. His son William may have been the one the church folk were thinking of. The marker was installed more than a century after the fact, so it was subject to much error. (Kader Powell, for instance, was shown on the marker as Kader Fowler).
Oct. 12 1850: Thornton’s daugher, Rebecca Jane, was married to John S. Garrett of Coffee Co., AL, son of William Garrett. They named their first son, William Thornton Garrett, after the 2 grandfathers, and their first daughter, Nancy Jane, after both grandmothers. They named another son, Jerry (Jeremiah).
Nov. 23, 1850, Thornton requested letters of dismissal from the church for himself, his wife and his daughters, Jane and Nancy, and Kader Powell and wife, suggesting a move away from that area.
1850 Coffee Co., census: Jacob Kelly with wife Chloe and children
Oct 1854, Kader Powell was granted a land patent for 320 acres in NE Covington Co., (just due west of Elba, Coffee Co.).
Between 1850-1860, Thornton must have died. The 1860 Coffee Co., AL (Geneva, pcnt #2, HH#198 census shows 70 yr. old Nancy Fowler living with John and Rebecca Jane Fowler Garrett. The 1860 Coffee Co., Elba, HH#1149, census shows David and Elizabeth Fowler Kelly. That same census, Geneva, shows Kader and Emeline Fowler Powell living between Jacob Kelly and his son, Allen.
From Jerry Fowler, June 11, 2000: HERE IS A MAJOR UPDATE Thornton like many others NEVER claimed his lottery land UNTIL the mid to late 1840"s when the CLAIM price was cut in half. This becomes evident with the lengthy e-mail, a copy of the land lotterys for the Fowlers, and a Hall Co. Map which shows disticts in the counties where land was given supderimposed with present counties. I will send you a copy by snail. Jeremiahs land where he was in 1830 is in Western portion of what is now Calhoun County and the intersection of Early County. Kolomoki where Thornton was baptised is just a few miles away. Thornton is next to Jeremiah in 1830 not on HIS land. In 1840 he goes back to Dooly next to William the Planter, Then in 1843 back to Early to CLAIM his land. John M. is not in Early until 1840. He is in Irwin working what appears to be his land and Thorntons 490 acres each. In 1840 he is in Early at the intersection of Early, Miller, and Seminole. It does appear though not substantiated that Jeremiah ends up on John M. 's property while Thorntons come from Irwin to Early to take over Thorntons land.
Barbara’s note: The 1940 Dooly found Thorntn listed on the same page rather than “next to William the Plantor” as Jerry noted.
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