James Lowery

The line of James Lowery is one of the most well-documented Lowrey lines to move through Georgia, yet, like most of the other lines, it is surrounded by numerous unanswered questions. Though his surname is almost universally spelled -ERY by his descendants, it was apparently subject to the same confusion as the others, appearing in the record as -RY and -REY as well. He left a will in Franklin Co, Georgia that named his children, yet he is credited with fathering at least three sons that were not mentioned in the will either directly or indirectly. And though his wife's name has been documented in several places as "Honor" (sometimes spelled "Onner"), many researchers still list her as "Anna". Perhaps "Honor" is considered to be uncommon, therefore less likely. The name was actually fairly common in a time when daughters were given names such as "Patience" and "Comfort".

It is generally assumed that James was originally from Virginia but this has not been firmly established. He fought in the American Revolution, possibly in Virginia or possibly in North Carolina. His first known residence was in Rowan Co, North Carolina when he appears in the tax records in 1778. He was a farmer & given a grant of 200 acres on waters of Falling Creek in Elbert Co, bounded by Joshua Sewell, H McDonald, James Lowry, John Baker, & William Lowry which land was granted to said Lowry by his honor George Mathews the 25 of Feb 1795. Recorded in Book KKK-808. He and Honor sold this land 19 April 1799. Recorded in Book F-19. He was given a few other grants over a period of years in Franklin Co GA. Honor and sons Benjamin and John Wesley sold this land January 9, 1826, Recorded in Book BB-79.

On December 9, 1820 James made a will in which he named his wife (the transcriber of the will wrote "Onner/Anner") and his children. The wording of the will seems explicit in its meaning, that these were ALL of James' children living at the time:

All the rest of my property I bequeath to all my children say; Benjamin Lowrey, Henry Lowrey, Mary Holbrook, Christopher Lowrey, Sally Lowrey, Aby Trimble, & John Wesley Lowrey to be equally divided between them all

However, as previously noted, other children have been attributed to James. Some say that, in addition to the ones mentioned in his will, he also had sons William, James and Joel. If this is true, then they were either dead or estranged from their father when he made his will. Either scenario is, of course, possible. The three sons missing from the will could very well have died before 1820 but it would seem unusual that their widows and children were not included. Perhaps all three died unmarried.

James Lowery died in Franklin Co, Georgia about 1824. In the years following James' death, his family would scatter to Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois and possibly Tennessee. Honor most likely died in Fayette Co, Alabama between 1830 and 1840. Sons Benjamin and Christopher lived out their lives in Mississippi. John Wesley went to Texas and Mary went to Illinois. It is not known for sure where the other children went. There is some evidence that son Henry may have gone to Tennessee. Aby married in Franklin Co, Georgia but it is not known if she stayed there or moved west like most of the other Lowreys of that county. Nothing is known about Sally other than her name.