Joel Fowler was the youngest of John and Molly ---- Fowler's nine children, born about 1798. He married at an early age in the Lauren SC area, then later moved to DeKalb CO GA.following several of his family who had moved on to Georgia and Alabama, and Mississippi. He made his will on 22nd of December, 1853, and died on the 26th. We know that he had six children by his first wife, married his second wife in 1813 (in the will he refers to living with her for forty years) and that they had nine children. The first two were twins and the last two were twins. I am descended from his son John, (deceased at time of Joel's will, and whose twin sons, Joel and William Albert were living with their maternal grandparents, William Alexander, in Hall Co, GA.) He moved to Georgia in the 1830's and immediately became active in the church and community. He and his wife Sarah were charter members of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. JOEL FOWLER'S WILL: Dekalb County, Georgia In the name of God, Amen. I, Joel Fowler of the state and county aforesaid being of advanced age and knowing that according to the Course of Nature I must shortly depart this life but being of sound and disposing mind and memory and being desirous of making adisposition of the things of this world wherewith a kind providence has blessed me, do make this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me. Item first, I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian manner suitable to my circumstances and conditions in life. My Soul, I trust, shall return to rest with God who gave it hoping for eternal salvation through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose religion I have professed and hereby trust enjoyed for several years. Item second. I desire and I direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my executors herein after named & I am unwilling my creditors should be delayed in obtaining their rights. Item third. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah with whom I have lived in the strictest quiet and love for forty years, lot of land number one hundred and two in the fifteenth district of originally Henry County, now Dekalb County containing two hundred two and one half acres more or less together with all and Singular the rights, members and appertanancees thereof To have and to hold said lot of land. Item 4th. I bequeath to my son Drury Six Dollars in Cash. Item Fifth. I bequeath to my son Thomas Six Dollars in Cash Item sixth. I bequeath to my two Grandsons William A. and Joel in the right of my son John deceased Two hundred Dollars in Cash Equally divided between them. Item Seventh. I bequeath to my son Elias T Six Dollars in Cash. Item Eighth. I bequeath my son William W. Six Dollars in cash. Item Ninth. I give and bequeath to my two Grandaughters Lorena S and Sarah A. M. in right of my daughter Permelia, desceased, wife of J. M. Boring north half of lot Number Ninety Two in the Fifteenth District Originally Henry County, now Dekalb County with its appertenances. Item Tenth. I give and bequeath to my three Grandchildren William M. C., Sarah A. M., & Amanda in the right of my daughter Sarah A. deceased wife of William F Connally th South half of Lot number ninety two in the Fifteenth District of originally Henry now Dekalb County. ItemEleventh. I gie and bequeath to my four Grandchildren Elizabeth, Emma, Galen, and Joel in right of my daughter Charlett M (DECEASED) wife of Solomon Johnson Six Dollars in Cash. Item Twelfth. I bequeath to Turner Fowler Six Dollars in Cash. Item Thirteenth I give and bequeath to Sarah my wife, My son Hilliaard J, My son Joel M, My son Alford, My Daughter Mary A wife of David Boring & my Daughter Amanda wife of George Franks, all the rest and residue and remainder of my real and personal Estate (to wit) My lands, negroes, City property, Money, Notes and accounty, stock of all descriptions and everything else whatever of value not herein disposed of to be equally divided between my said wife and five children, share and share alike. Item Fourteenth. I do hereby Constitute and appoint my son Hilliard J Guardian of the property of my two Grandchildren minor heirs of my daughter Permelia. Item fifteenth. I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Alfred M Guardian of the property of my three Grandchildren minor heirs of my Daughter Sarah A. Item Sixteenth. I do hereby Constitute and appoint my beloved sons Hilliard J and Alford M Executors of my last will and Testament. Signed sealed published and declared by the said Joel Fowler to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers who have Subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the Testator and in the presence of each other this the 22nd December, 1853. W. L. Williams Joel Fowler Nathan Turner X his mark Lochlin Johnson This will copied from a photostat copy of Will in Will Book A p. 152 - 154 Courthouse, DeKalb County, GA