His name was a flash in genealogy records — a mention in the 1850 census, then nothing more. Thompson Fowler was one of many “pieces of the puzzle” missing from my research. Until now.
Thompson Fowler was the son of Stephen Fowler (1800-1866) and first wife Sarah. He was born in Union County, South Carolina about 1828.
He was recorded in the 1850 Union County Census in the household of William Fowler and family. It is my thought at the moment that William was an older brother.
The Thomas Fowler in the 1860 household with Cely Hames was almost certainly Thompson Fowler. The location near Stephen Fowler is circumstantial evidence if not actual proof.
Cely Hames (b. circa 1835) was the daughter of Theresa Hames (b. 1812), daughter of Lydia Fowler Hames (1785-1852) who was a sister of Stephen Fowler.
Thompson Fowler and Cely Hames would have been first cousins, once removed. There is no evidence that they were married, but the close cousin relationship would not have prevented marriage.
Whispers of war had been present for a few years. Then, the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. The Civil War had begun, and like many men from the southern states, Thompson Fowler rushed to enlist.
During my search for civil war records, I found two header cards for Thompson Fowler. His name spelled both “Thomson” and “Thomas“:
Thirty-three year old Thompson Fowler was enlisted in the South Carolina 15th Infantry Company H by William Henry Sims. He joined on September 11, 1861 at Mount Tabor –a tiny community in Union County. He was mustered into service on September 16, 1861 at Lightwood Knot Springs near Columbia.
The Company Muster Rolls for January/February and March/April 1862 show that Private Thompson Fowler was “present” in his regiment:
The document below was a genealogical jackpot. It reveals the fate of Thompson Fowler and the name of his widow. I knew neither before my discovery of this information buried in Civil War records.
On June 9, 1863, Huldah Fowler filed a claim for the death of her soldier husband Thompson Fowler. He was a private in Sims Company, 15th Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers, and he had died at Hardyville.
The Civil War records of Thompson Fowler seem incomplete, but this was not uncommon. Considering the chaos of that war, it is nothing short of miraculous that we have any records at all.
There are, however, extensive war records for William Henry Sims (1824-1893). He was Captain of Company H., and a physician after the war. He was the son of Joseph Stark Sims (1801-1875), a prominent businessman and politician.
The photo below is said to be that of William Henry Sims. If so, then it is a face Thompson Fowler would have gazed upon for guidance during the war.
While searching Equity Court Records –my new go-to research tool — I found proof that Huldah Lipsey was the daughter of Rickertson Lipsey (1806- aft 1880).
Was Huldah Williard in the 1850 census the young widow, Huldah Lipsey Williard? More research is needed to prove that Huldah Willard was the same woman who would marry Thompson Fowler. She was in the 1850 household of a well digger.
Huldah Lipsey had three male children in her household in 1860. I have sketchy research that she had been married to Charles Lipsey (b. 1820). Again, more research is needed.
By 1870, Huldah Lipsey was Huldah Fowler. The presence of a son named Jefferson is excellent evidence that Huldah Lipsey married Thompson Fowler after the 1860 census.
Huldah Fowler and her son Jefferson Lipsey were in the 1880 household of Shelton Fowler.
Shelton Fowler was a documented son of Stephen Fowler. Shelton Fowler is found in 1850, 1860, and 1870 census records with wife Mary and no children.
After the death of his wife Mary between 1870 and 1880, had Shelton Fowler married his brother’s widow? Or was Huldah merely living in the household of her brother-in-law which also included other extended family members?
I am still searching for concrete proof that Thompson Fowler was a son of Stephen Fowler. I am looking for evidence of his short-lived marriage to a woman named Huldah.
I am analyzing civil war records to confirm if he died in Hardyville, Virginia or Hardeeville, South Carolina. When exactly did he die? Did he die of disease or did he perish on the battlefield. ? Where was he buried?
One civil war record revealed his fate to me. There are still many questions. I know that I am on the right path to finding answers.
“The past is dead; let it bury its dead, its hopes and its aspirations; before you lies the future–a future full of golden promise.”
– Jefferson Davis
THE FOWLER FAMILIES OF UNION COUNTY, SC 