Elbert County GaArchives Biography of William Fortson (1774-1846) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by Chandler Eavenson March 21, 2005 Biography William Fortson (1774-1846) William Fortson, born 28 Feb 1774 in Caroline or Orange Co., VA, died 9 Jan 1846 in Greene Co., AL, was the son of Rev. Sol. Lt. Thomas Fortson, Jr. and wife Rachel Winn. He married Ann Higginbotham on 7 Aug 1794 in Elbert Co., she the daughter of Rev. Sol. Col. Samuel Higginbotham and Jane Satterwhite who came to Elbert Co. from Amherst Co., VA. Wiliam was a well-to-do farmer, served in the War of 1812, as of 1809 was a Captain in the Georgia Militia. From 1810 to 1813 he was a Justice of the Inferior Court of Elbert Co. and in 1813 was a member of the GA House of Representatives from Elbert Co. He had moved from Elbert Co. to Greene Co., AL by 1829. His Will is on file at Eutaw, Greene Co., AL. He and wife Ann are buried near Clinton, Greene Co., AL. Simeon Maxwell, husband of William's daughter Elizabeth, served as executor of his Will and as Administrator of the estate of his wife Ann's estate. His children were Jane, Rachel Winn (Mrs. Burrell Ridgeway), Samuel (married Vilate Higginbotham), Elizabeth (Mrs. Simeon Maxwell), William Thomas (married 1st Sarah H. Shackelford, 2nd Miss Johnson, 3rd Mrs. McGowan), Frances (Fannie)(married Mr. Harris), Elijah Satterwhite (married Mary Ann Elizabeth Richardson), Jeptha V., Ann, Roderick R., Elisha, Peter E. and Aaron J. Fortson. Ref: Book "Looking Back, Vol. 3" by Edwin D. Kuykendall of Dallas, TX, pub. 1986. Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson