The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: 1st Lieutenant / Patriotic Service
Birth: 01 May 1742 / Caroline / VA Death: 15 Feb 1824 / Elbert / GA
Qualifying Service Description:
Lieutenant, Capt Miller's Company, Orange Co, VA Militia
Furnished Supplies
Additional References:
"Patriots of the Upcountry - Orange Co, VA" by Wm. H B Thomas, 1976, pg 87-9, Appendix I, Roster of Military Personnel, Orange County
Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, by John Gwathmey, publ. by, Dietz Press, 1938, pg 283
"Wills and Settlements of Estates Wilkes County" by Sarah Quinn Smith publ. originally, at Washington, GA in 1959. Reprinted for Clearfield Co, Inc. by Genealogical Publ. Co, Inc. Balt, MD, pg 68
Author: John Kerr Bowman
Born on May 1, 1742, in Carolina County, Virginia, Thomas Fortson, Jr. was the son of Thomas Fortson, Sr. and Elizabeth Guinea. About 1764 in Carolina County, Virginia, he married Rachel Winn, daughter of Benjamin Winn, Sr. and a Miss Taverner. Thomas and Rachel had six children: Benjamin Fortson, who married first Sally Head, and second, Elizabeth Gaines; Elizabeth Fortson, who married Dr. William Hasell Gibbs; William Fortson, who married Ann Higgenbothom; Richard Fortson, who married Lucy Tate Arnold; Mildred Fortson, who married Revolutionary Soldier John Willis; and Jesse Fortson, who married Mary B. White. Thomas Fortson, Jr. joined the Orange County, Virginia, militia, and was appointed Lieutenant in it on May 24, 1780. He also furnished eight hundred fifteen pounds of beef and four hundred ninety pounds of Indian corn for the use of Revolutionary Soldiers. Fortson and his wife lived in Orange County, Virginia, from 1774 to 1792. Moving to Elbert County, Georgia, in 1792, Fortson died on February 15, 1824. He was buried somewhere on his plantation there; his grave is not marked.
Thomas Jr. & a bro. William Fortson's parents are Thomas Fortson, Sr. (1716-1742) who died at age 26, married Elizabeth Winn in Caroline Co., VA. Thomas, Jr.'s Revolutionary War service appears, above, attributed to appl., NSSAR Nat'l. No. 175443 approved on Nov 2, 2009. Remarks, below: VA Type of Service Lieutenant Birth 1 May 1742 Death 15 Feb 1824 Children 1) William; 2) Jesse; 3) Benjamin b., 1765, Caroline Co., VA; m., Eliz. Gaines during 1797 at Elbert Co., formed from Wilkes Co., GA; 1) Rachel (sic) Winn* [True name: Wynn (1746-1824) m., Thos., in VA; Cemetery County Elbert State GA City Rich. B Russell State Park
Thomas FORTSON Jr SAR Patriot Index Edition III (CD: PP2210, Progeny Publ., 2002) plus data to 2004. Revolutionary War service as a commissioned Lieutenant (VA) militia; source, "Patriots of the Upcountry -Orange Co., VA" by Wm. H B Thomas, 1976, pgs 87-9, Appendix I, Roster of Military Personnel, Orange County; and, "Lt Fortson furnished supplies": Certified by Benj. Winslow; Deputy Clerk of Orange County" that Fortson furnished beef." Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, by John Gwathney, publ. by, Dietz Press, copyright, 1938, pg 238; within the Library of Virginia at Richmond. Biographic, details of Thomas Fortson, Jr's son, Benj. are recorded in "Early GA Wills and Settlements of Estates Wilkes County" by Sarah Quinn Smith publ. originally, at Washington, GA in 1959. Reprinted for Clearfield Co., Inc. by Genealogical Publ. Co., Inc. Balt., MD, pg 68. Remarks Cenotaph / Latin: "No Bones" / for named, RevWar Soldiers
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