Sterling and James W Fowler of Forsyth County Georgia

I am looking for information on my 3rd great grandfather, Sterling W. Fowler, and his son, James W. Fowler, (my 2nd great grandfather).I know Sterling was born 1800 in Virginia and married Patsy Barnett in Granville, North Carolina.Their children: Mary A (b 1833), James W (b 1835), Mary J (b 1839), and Mordicai Abbest (b 1844). Patsy died shortly after Mordicai's birth, and the family moved to Forsyth County, Georgia.

In 1847, Sterling married Mary Davis and had two additional children: Mary 'Sophia' Sophrony (b 1856) and Adair (b 1857). Sterling can be traced through the 1870 census, living in Forsyth County, as does his son, James W. Fowler.However, both no longer appear in the 1880 census.While it is very possible Sterling died, his son James' disappeared.

The 1880 census has James' family living in Walker County, his wife, Mary Harris Fowler is listed as married, but James does not appear in the household.It's a mystery I have yet to uncover.