Kentucky: A History of the State, Perrin, Battle, Kniffin, 4th ed., 1887,
Boyle County.

THOMAS GESS COTTON was born October 31, 1818, in Fayette County, Ky.  In
1838 he removed to Danville, Boyle County, and in 1848 located four miles
west of that city on the Lebanon pike, where he has since resided.  His
father, George Cotton, born near Athens, Fayette County, was a farmer and
miller, and died in 1822, while a comparatively young man.  He was the son
of Harry Cotton, of Maryland; a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a
contemporary with Daniel Boone in Kentucky; a farmer and slave owner who
died in 1823.  His children were Susan (Hudson); Almede; Mrs. Capt. Fintch,
of Covington; George and Mrs. Jones.  George married Susan Gess of Fayette
County (died in 1839, aged forty-two years), and from their union sprang
Mary (Oldham), Thomas G. and George Jr.  On September 17, 1848, Thomas G.
Cotton married Miss Lucy, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Templeman) Wilson,
of Boyle County (born May 15, 1826), and to them have been born Susan
(Collingsworth); John Templeman; Mary P. (Cowherd); Samuel Wilson; David
and Robert (twins), both deceased; Minnie (deceased); Stella Lee (lately
deceased); Lou W. and Belle I.  For ten years Mr. Cotton conducted a
merchant tailoring establishment with success in Danville.  He is now
engaged in farming, having 155 acres of land in fine condition.  His
family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics
Mr. Cotton is a Democrat.  He lost eighteen slaves by the late war.  Lucy
(Wilson) Cotton's father, Samuel Wilson, was born three miles west of
Danville, January 15, 1786; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died
July 12, 1870.  His father was the first settler in the vicinity of
Danville, and his stone dwelling is now standing, with its old port-holes
intact, constructed when Indians were numerous and dangerous.  He was a
Revolutionary soldier and an Indian fighter in Kentucky.

Cotton Hudson Oldham Templeman Collingsworth Cowherd Gess
Wilson Fintch Jones

Fayette-KY Kenton-KY MD

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/boyle/cotton.tg.txt