War of 1812 Record of Richard Fowler, a citizen of Union Parish Louisiana ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives by T. D. Hudson, 4/2008 http:/www.usgwarchives.org/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= War of 1812 Record of Richard Fowler, a citizen of Union Parish Louisiana Transcribed and Submitted by T. D. Hudson from the original records in the National Archives ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF RICHARD FOWLER: Richard Fowler was born on 17 January 1792 in what is now Horry County South Carolina, then Georgetown District, the son of John Fowler and Elizabeth Rackley. John Fowler had served in the American Revolution; in particular, he fought at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in southern North Carolina. This battle helped deflate the Tory cause in North Carolina. Richard Fowler grew up in northern South Carolina and Columbus County North Carolina. He served in the North Carolina Militia during the War of 1812. About this time, he married Sarah, born on 3 May 1790 in North Carolina. It is not clear what her maiden name was. Descendents insist she was a Parramore, but some evidence suggests she was Sarah Wilson. At this time it is not certain which one is correct. Richard and Sarah Fowler lived in Columbus County North Carolina for a while, but in 1817 or 1818, they moved to Monroe County Alabama. About 1827, Richard left there and moved a short distance north, settling near the Village of Snow Hill in Wilcox County. He purchased a plantation from the government that lay on either side of the Wilcox/Dallas County line. He helped to form the Bethsaida Primitive Baptist Church at Snow Hill. The 1840s brought about much change in the Snow Hill vicinity, with many residents leaving in the latter part of the decade. Evidence indicates that a severe drought plagued Georgia and Alabama, causing repeated crop failures. This may have prompted numerous residents to sell out and move elsewhere. Several of Richard's children left Snow Hill and moved to Union Parish Louisiana in 1847, and in November 1850, Richard and Sarah sold their plantation there and follwed their children to north Louisiana. Richard purchased a farm about seven miles from Farmerville. His property adjoined the farms of his daughters, Samantha Fowler Scarborough, Sarah Ann Fowler Albritton, and Susannah Fowler Albritton. Richard Fowler died there between 1855 and 1858. Sarah Fowler died in November 1859 of pneumonia. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Transcription of Richard Fowler's War of 1812 Bounty Land Warrant Application Explanation: The United States government rewarded military veterans with free land if their applications were approved. Richard Fowler applied under the Act of 1855 for such a warrant from the U.S. Land Office for free land. His file is transcribed below: ================================================================================== ================================================================================== State of Louisiana Parish of Union On this 25th day of August A.D. 1852 - personal [sic] appeared before me a justice of the Peace in and for the Parish and State aforesaid, RICHARD FOWLER aged Sixty years, a resident of the Parish of Union State of Louisiana who being duly sworn according to Law, declared that he is the identical Richard Fowler who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain CALEB STEVENS in the Battalion Commanded by Major LINDSEY, North Carolina Volunteers (name of Colonel commanding Regiment forgotten) in the War of 1812 with Great Britain. That he enlisted at Whitesville in the State of North Carolina on or about the last of May or first of June 1812 (exact date forgotten) for the term of six months, and continued in actual service in said War for the term of six months or about that term, and was honorably discharged at Wilmington, North Carolina on or about the 20th December A.D. 1812, but received no certificate of discharge, from some cause not known to him. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the "Act granting bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States" passed September 28th 1850 & further that he is entitled under no other act. /signed/ Richard Fowler Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year above written, and I certify that I believe the said Richard Fowler to be the identical man who served aforesaid, and that he is of the ago above stated. /signed Tom Van Hook Justice Peace ================================================================================== Abstract of Richard Fowler's Compiled Service Record from the War of 1812, National Archives ================================================================================== Major John A. Lillington's Detachment, Capt. Caleb Steven's Company of North Carolina Militia, stationed at Deepwater Point, North Carolina. ++ Muster Roll for July 27 to December 26, 1812: Private Richard Fowler from Columbus County, enlisted July 27, 1812 for 6 months; present ++ Company Pay Roll for July 27 to October 31, 1812. Private Richard Fowler paid $20.86 for 3 months, 4 days service @ $6.66 per month. ++ Company Pay Roll for November and December 1812. Private Richard Fowler paid $12.38 for 1 month, 26 days service @ $6.66 per month. ++ Private Richard Fowler engaged in service until December 23, 1812. ###########################################################