Rev. James Fowler Family

". . . he came to S. C. just before the Revolution (a James Fowler bought 475 acres on Black River in July, 1770; Memorials, X. 420); although bred a Presbyterian, he and two Rogers brothers formed a creed of their own directly from the Bible; this they later found to agree with Baptist principles; the were baptized and began to hold meetings, in which James Fowler led, as a branch of Fairforest; he was licensed in 1774 or 1775, ordained and chosen pastor of Sandy River Dec. 23, 1776, and served Pacolet Church occasionally 1787-1790, and regularly 1990-1801; he lived in York County without slaves in 1790 (Census p. 30): said to have been the first moderator of Bethel Association, he was one of its honored and active members until his death; his relations with Charleston Association, to which he went as a delegate several times in the first years of Bethel Association, were most cordial, and it is though his influence had much to do with obviating the differences between Separates and Regulars; his literary ability must have been high, as he was so often chosen to write circular and associational letters and to superintend the printing of the minutes; his death occurred in February, 1802; his will dated Dec. 18, 1801, mentions sons Robert, William, and Stephenson. and grandson James Hinds Fowler, son of Robert; it lists some personal property including books. " [Townsend - footnote from Bethel Assoc. Min. p. 141-142]

"Buffalo Church, only a half mile south of the North Carolina line and about seven miles west of Blacksburg, S. C., was in its early years connected with the Fairforest group of churches. James Fowler, a young licentiate of Fairforest, supplied the church occasionally in 1775-1776. Rev. Joseph Camp is the only minister recorded before 1800, and as early as September, 1776, he is said to have represented Buffalo Church at a meeting of delegates held at Fairforest (Congaree Association). These statements indicate that the congregation had been constituted a church before 1777, the date usually assigned, and had entered Congaree Association. Like most churches of the back country, Buffalo Church disappears from recorded history during the Revolution; it emerged in 1789 as a constituent member of Bethel Association. Rev. Joseph Camp had probably been the pastor during the whole period and continued to serve at least through 1800 and possibly several years longer. " [Townsend 139]

1790 - 1801 - James Fowler was listed as the minister of the Sandy River congregation in York County, South Carolina. Since this county is on the border of North Carolina, many of the congregation members were from there. "It is not certain, because of the records during the Revolution, though it is probable, that Mr. Fowler became Sandy River's minister at that time; he held the position in 1790 and continued in it at least through 1800; in 1791-1792 he was assisted by Rev. William Woodward; in 1802-1803 the church was without a pastor; and was supplied in 1803 by Rev. Messrs. William Woodward and Samuel McCreary." [Townsend 141]

year ministers other messengers bapt. recd. by dismissed excluded dead total
to association letter members

1790 James   Fowler                         -                       -          -                    -                  -            -        75
1791    "              "                William Embry            -          -                    -                  -            -           -
         William Woodward                                          6         1                   -                  3           1         81
1792     "           "                                                       -          -                   -                   -              -         -
         James Fowler                                                   5         -                    -                  1            1        84
1793      "         "                   Wilson Henderson        -         -                   5                  3            -           76
1794      "        "                    Churchill Carter           -         -                    -                   -            -            -
                                             William Bell                 -          -                   -                   -            -           76
1795      "        "                                                         -          2                  2                  3           1          72
1796      "         "                   James Kolb                  2        -                    -                    -           -          74
1797     "         "                       "          "                     1        -                  -                 2           1           72
1798     "         "                    "    "                    1        2                   -                 2            - 73
1799 " "    John Roden    -     1 - -    1 73
1800 "    " Enoch Edwards    -     1 4      -    1 69
1801    -     -    - -    - -
1802 Jesse Wall     3    -    4    -    1 68
1803 (letter)         5 4    5 - -    57
                       [Townsend p 141]

1800- US Censu, South Carolina, York Dist., page 623
                                           m-10 to16 to26 to45 45+ f-10 to16 to26 to 45 45+    others   slaves
Rev. James Fowler      2        - -       1        1    2    - -        1    - - -
            Stephen Fowler          - -    -       1    -             1    -        1        -        1    - 1

State of South Carolina
In the Name of God Amen. This Indenture Witnesseth That I James Fowler of the district of York and State of South Carolina made this 18th day of December in the year of Lord one thousand eight hundred and one and in the twenty fifth year of the Indenency{residency? EC) of the United States of America. Calling to mind the Mortallity of men that it is appointed for men once to Die being infirm in Body and in a Low state of health but with Exercise of the my Reason and Understanding as ordinary do make this my last will and Testament After my Death my Body be interred in a Plain and decent manner And as touching my property I will and Bequeth in the following manner(that is to any) First I will and Bequeth my bed and furniture to mary Fowler my grand Daughter. Daughter of my son Robert Fowler and my watch to James Hinds Fowler my grandson and my horse Saddle and bridle I will to my son Robert and at the End of one year after my Descense I will that Robert pay twenty five Dollars to my son William also at the end of two years to pay twenty Dollars to my son Stephenson also my gun and Shot pouch I will to my son Robert also my wearing apperrel to equally divided between William and Robert Except one suit of Black Casimire viz Coat waistcoat and Small cloathe I will to Stephenson also an equal Divide of Books between William and Robert I do ordain Constitute and Request my sons Willam and Robert to be executors to put in force as the Law directs this my Last and testament and to by these presents renounce Revoke and Disanull all former wills, and bequeths by me made and Declare this to be my Last will and testament as sealed with my seal and signed with my hand the Date above written

Signed, Sealed and acknowledged
in the presence of     --------------
Wm. Robinson                                                                        James Fowler   ---- (seal)
Mary Stephenson
Probated July 19, 1802
Case No. 56         File   No. 141            Will Book "A", p-90 [South Carolina Archives, image #S108093/S108094]

males                           -10 10-15   16-25   25-45       45+     f-10   f10-15   f16-25 25-45 f45+ in Agri.
453    Fowler, Robert     3 2 0 2      0    1 2 1 3    0        1        5
461    Fowler, James    2       1         0 0      0 1             3    0    0      1          1            2
466    Fowler, John        3        1        0           2    0    1            1        3           1        0          1            3

Ferman Fowler           56              farmer              1000              SC
Linsa Fowler              41                                                             Ala
William P. Fowler      20                                                             Ala
Robert O. Fowler       17                                                             Ala
John W. Fowler          12                                                            Ala
Jones C. Fowler          11                                                            Ala
Mary T. Fowler            7                                                             Ala
Richard F. Fowler        6                                                           Ala
Ara D. Fowler              3                                                             Ala
Felin G. Fowler            0                                                            Ala

1855, 7 Dec. - Rogersville, Lauderdale, Alabama. Mary Tennell Fowler died at the home of her grandson, Robert Fowler McKee.[Wade email 2/13/01]

Robert Fowler McKee (the grandson was b 6 July 1846 Winchester, Franklin County, TN. d 24 Apr 1922 Rogersville, Lauderdale, County, AL., m 11 Aug 1867, Courtland, Lauderdale, AL., Mary Ann Pirkinson.

I wanted to share some information about Reverend James Fowler’s family. In 1765 at Rockingham Co Virginia he married Mary Stephenson. She was born before 19 September 1742 and died around 1790.Her Father was David Stephenson, who with his four brothers(JOHN, WILLIAM, THOMAS ,and ROBERT) came to America from the British Isles . I am beginning to believe that this clan of Stephenson's may have been in the area of Ahoghill

Parrish in Northern Ireland about 20 miles west of the seaport town of Larne, Ireland. Reference "1766 Religious Census of Ahoghill Parish, Diocese of Connor, County Antrim, Ireland ". Note the

Latham, Stinson, and other surnames closely allied with the clan in the Shanandoan Valley of Virginia and in SC in the mid 1700's.

A James Fowler lived close to David Stephenson in Rockingham Co. VA before David and Annos moved to SC. It might be that this Rev. James Fowler was a son and making it feasible that he and Mary were married in Rockingham Co. VA. One of their son was Stephenson Fowler who went to Kentucky and married his is one of our ancestor. His brother William came to Kentucky with him, but in 1816 he moved his family to ILL AND he died there. I THINK YOU HAVE CONFUSED WILLIAM STEPHENSON WITH WILLIAM FOWLER .

WILLIAM4 STEPHENSON (James3, David2, ?1) was born on 04 Oct 1768 in South Carolina. He died on 05 Mar 1858 in Clairborne Parrish Louisiana. He married (1) JANE CAMPBELL on 04 Feb 1794 in Greene Co. TN. She was born on 19 Dec 1773 in Augusta Co. VA. She died on 18 Aug 1846 in Clairborne Parrish Louisiana. He married (2) ELIZABETH ANN JONES MRS HOGHLAND.

It is fairly certain that this was "William Stevenson, the Travelling Preacher" who went to ARK, MO, LA, and TX and was the first of the Methodist faith to preach in Texas. In his biography William Stevenson said he was born in the Ninety-Six District in S.C. in 1768 and mentioned going to the Nollichucky River area in Greene County,TN with his cousin Stephenson Fowler. Stephenson Fowler would have been the brother of his mother Elizabeth. He wrote in his driWILLIAM4 STEPHENSON (James3, David2, ?1) was born on 04 Oct 1768 in South Carolina. He died on 05 Mar 1858 in Clairborne Parrish Louisiana. He married (1) JANE CAMPBELL on 04 Feb 1794 in Greene Co. TN. She was born on 19 Dec 1773 in Augusta Co. VA. She died on 18 Aug 1846 in Clairborne Parrish Louisiana. He married (2) ELIZABETH ANN JONES MRS HOGHLAND.

It is fairly certain that this was "William Stevenson, the Travelling Preacher" who went to ARK, MO, LA, and TX and was the first of the Methodist faith to preach in Texas.

In his biography William Stevenson said he was born in the Ninety-Six District in S.C. in 1768 and mentioned going to the Nollichucky River area in Greene County,TN with his cousin Stephenson

Robert Fowler	b. 1765 South Carolina	d. 12 Sep 1840 Franklin, Tennessee	m Mary Tennel (b. Jun 1773 d. 7 Dec 1855 Rogersville, Lauderdale, Alabama)
William Fowler	b. South Carolina	d. move to Illiinois 1816, died there	m.
Stephenson Fowler	b.	d. 11 Sep 1859 Lauderdale, AL. buried: Hurrican Cem., Lauderdale Co. AL	m. Derial McKee 6 Jan 1841. (son of Hezekiah McKee b abt 1777 Ireland)