Married 1830 in Indian Springs, Butts Co., GA to James Bentley "Jim" Tomlinson.
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Died of cancer.

James' aunt Susannah Tomlinson married Thomas Shields. What relation?

A reference note: Jasper Co., GA Wills - Thomas Shields died by 3 Nov. 1817, when his will was proved in Jasper Co. & letters testimony were issued to Jemima Shields & William Shields, named in his will.

A Nancy Shields m. Thos. Hingson, 1828, Jasper Co.

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NOTES FOR JAMES:

???? A J. B. Tomlinson 2nd bondsman on the marriage of N. A. Crisler to L. M. Ivey - Nov. 1887.

Our J. B. died 1872 - WHO is this J.B.????

James lost his first wife & almost half of his children to cancer. He was the father of 16 children, all lived out of infancy, which was very rare in those days. His first 3 sons fought for the Confederacy. All survived to return home.

Moved to Chambers Co., AL from Butts Co., GA in 1849.

James was a fairly wealthy plantation owner before the war, and a Mason. He was a Justice of the Peace circa 1838. I have found a passing reference to "J.B. Tomlinson & Sons of Mobile" mentioning them as brokering their cotton at auction (that was the complete reference) in a book on Google Books. Very possibly our James, as he was a cotton plantation owner & needed to get his product to market. He was Postmaster at Bethlehem 1859-1873. Bethlehem was between present day White Plains & Five Points, Chambers Co., AL. It was established as a Post Office 24 July 1850 & discontinued 12 January 1876. You then had to go to Five Points to get the mail. James was the 8th of 10 Postmasters of Bethlehem. Although he died May 1872 they didn't appoint another Postmaster until 11 March 1873.

One of his freed slaves, Boss Tomlinson, is buried in his cemetery. Boss stayed with the family long after emancipation. It shows the Tomlinson's were not bad slave owners, but treated them rather well.

From Don Clark: From a Chambers Co., AL Deed Book: "James B. Tomlinson sold 1 acre of land to Deacons of Rock Shoals Church in 1850". Unfortunately I didn't record the Deed Book volume or page number at the time because I was looking for something else. I made the note because I had never (nor have I since) found any reference to a Rock Shoals Church in Chambers County.

Chambers County Will Book 3 1855-1895, Page 393
State of Alabama, Chambers County
Know all men by these presents, that James B. Tomlinson, of said State and County, considering the uncertainty of this life and being of sound mind and memory do make declare and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
1st I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Fannie Tomlinson, and my Daughter Amanda Tomlinson, the use and full control of all my estate both real and personal property of which I may be seized of ???? deceased, said estate to be used and controlled by them for the time of fifteen years for the support of them use of and the support and education of my minor children, they are hereby authorized to rent or lease the land and to sell any stock and the proceeds of such rent lease or sale apply to the ???? afore mentioned.
2nd At the close of fifteen years from my decease I will and desire that my executors advertise and sell all of my said estate that may be then remaining both real and personal, and the proceeds of such sale after paying all necessary cash & charges to be equally divided between my wife Fannie Tomlinson and six of my children, viz. Mary J. Sharp, Amanda, Viola, Alice, Martha A. E. and Leonard L. Tomlinson, together with one contemplated issue.
I do nominate and appoint my beloved wife Fannie Tomlinson and my daughter Amanda Tomlinson, to be the executrix of this my last will and testament. I desire that my said executrix do not be required to give any bond nor render any inventory of the property or put to any court cash saving the probating of this will and obtaining letters testamentary. In witness whereof I have this day hereunto subscribed my name and set my seal this 5th day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and seventy two.
James B. Tomlinson (HIS SEAL)
Signed, sealed, declared and published by the said James B. Tomlinson, as and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
J. A. DeLoach & Wm. J. Grady

Will probated December 20, 1872 by John A. DeLoach & William J. Grady.

15 years later was 1887, and upon selling everything that year, Fannie, a few of the remaining children & some grandchildren moved to Bell Co., TX. The "contemplated issue" stated above was Jim, who had not been born yet.

1850 Chambers Co., AL - $1000 Real Estate - $???? Personal Estate (5 slaves)
James B. Tomlinson - 43 - GA - Farmer
Mary - 33 - GA
Elizabeth 18 - GA
James - 14 - GA
Martha - 12 - GA
William - 10 - GA
Daniel - 8 - GA
Susan - 4 - GA
Lucy - 2 - GA (Leroy)

1860 North Div. Chambers Co., AL, Bethlehem P.O. - $1500 Real Estate, $8000 Personal Estate (6 slaves)
James B. Tomlinson - 53 - GA - Farmer
Fannie - 28 - GA
William T. - 20 - GA
Dan'l. W. - 18 - GA
Susan - 16 - GA
Catherine - 13 - GA
Leroy - 12 - GA
Mary J. - 10 - AL
Amanda - 8 - AL
John T. - 6 mo. - AL
Next door:
R. J. Tomlinson - 25 - 1835 - GA - Farmer
Louisa - 18 - 1842 - AL
Lina - 6 mo. - 1859 - AL

Can't find in the 1870 census, but I'm sure they were in Bethlehem/Chapel Hill/Five Points (White Plains) area. His land never changed, it was the post office/enumeration districts of the census that changed.

The PERRY TOMLINSON in Chambers Co. 1850 IS NOT related to us. Neither is the Christopher Tomlinson who was in Troup Co., GA. The Humphrey who was briefly in Troup Co. might be a distant cousin.

There is a note for J.B. Tomlinson in Randolph Co., GA Early Deeds Index 1831-1839, Lot 21/ Dist. 192. Explore this.