James Fortner (abt. 1797 - bef. 1820)

Born about 1797 in Georgia, United States [uncertain]

Husband of Sarah Jane (Swain) Fortner — married Mar 1818 in Emanuel, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died before 7 Aug 1820 before about age 23 in Emanuel, Georgia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Thomas Fortner [send private message] and Cecile Bedgood [send private message]

Biography

Some trees show John and Susan/Sarah Brooke Fortner as James parents. That is not this James. Susan would not have been old enough to have been his mother, and there is no evidence linking him to them.

Before 1818, James Fortner was a resident of Washington County, Georgia, and would have been there at least three years. In early 1818, James pre-registered himself for the 1820 Georgia Land Lottery. He would have had to be 18 years old and living in Georgia for at least three years. As a bachelor in early 1818, he was eligible for one draw. The one fortunate draw was for 250 acres of land in Early County. He would have had to take an oral oath as to his eligibility. Many Washington County settlers relocated in Emanuel County and purchased their land there using the proceeds from their lottery draws. Some of those families (including the Swains) who relocated to from Washington County to Emanuel County had a North Carolina origin. At this time, no records have been found to place James Fortner's beginnings in North Carolina. He was not identified as a war veteran.

In 1818 James Fortner was one of the settlers who relocated to Emanuel County and acquired land. It was there that he met Sarah Jane Swain, who was residing in the household of her uncle Stephen Swain. She was 17 at the time. In March 1818 James Fortner and Sarah Jane Swain were married in a civil ceremony by her uncle Stephen Swain. The marriage took place at the residence of Stephen Swain in Emanuel County, Georgia.

Their first child, a son, Mitchell Griffin Fortner was born 4 Feb 1819.

James Fortner died at age 23 in early summer (bef 7 Aug 1820) of a communicable disease. At that time, his wife Sarah is expecting their second child and she listed as head of household on the 1820 census, dated 7 Aug 1820..

Sources

• Swain, Carl E. "Stephen Swain of Georgia." Swain Family Genealogy, Apr 2000, pp48-59 Bedgood-33 has a copy of it and will email copies on request.