Johnston: Generation 1

Samuel Johnston & Elizabeth Ballenger

After a search of many years, I became convinced that Samuel and Ruth Baker Johnston of Ward's Fork  in Charlotte County, VA, were the parents  (or very close relatives)  of our Samuel Johnston of Leatherwood Creek in Henry County, VA.   The evidence, while circumstantial, was compelling.[a]  Recent Y-DNA tests contradict that conclusion.  A male descendant of James Johnston of Turkey Cock Creek in Henry County, who almost certainly was the son of Samuel and Ruth Johnston, differs substantially from two descendants of our Samuel of Leatherwood.  While all three men tested show the unique characteristics of the Johnston Y-chromosome, the results nevertheless indicate that James and Samuel could not have been closely related and, ipso facto, Samuel Johnston of Ward's Fork would not have been the father of  our Samuel Johnston of Leatherwood.  That would also eliminate Caleb and Martha Brooks Baker as his grandparents.    

I nevertheless find that paper trail hard to dismiss.  Could we have a case of false paternity?  If so, it did not occur in the generations leading down from Samuel of Leatherwood's son Joseph to our two testees, who varied by only one out of 67 markers.  It would be informative if a male descendant from another of Samuel and Ruth Baker Johnston's sons (Caleb or William) could be tested.  See also, Nancy's Thoughts on Genes and Genealogy.

Another source for Samuel's origin proved erroneous early in my research.  The Lure and Lore of Limestone County, Alabama contained the assertion that the Johnstons had not immigrated into the United States until 1799, their daughter Sarah being married just before embarking from Belfast, Ireland.  The first assertion is just plain wrong, as these pages will - I hope convincingly - demonstrate.  And finally, descendant Roseann Johnston's mother claimed that our Johnston line was founded by two brothers "Johnstone" who came to the Colonies from England.   That could very well be true.        

c. 1753: Based upon his reputed age of 80 at death, Samuel Johnston was born c. 1753.

14 Feb 1758: Elizabeth Ballenger, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Hensley Franklin Ballenger, was born in Albemarle [now Amherst] County, VA.  Her name was given variously as Elizabeth, Betsy, Betty, or Ellsbeth in later records.[1]

27 May 1772: In a deed of trust to Henry and Edmund Lyne in Pittsylvania County, VA, William Frogg sold "one Waggon made by Samuel Johnson".[2]  Since Samuel was only about 19 years old that year, this may well be a reference to a  Samuel Senior.  Samuel Johnston of Ward's Fork in Charlotte County, of course, was a wagon maker.

29 May 1773: Samuel Johnston "Junior" witnessed the sale of a horse formerly belonging to [brother] Caleb Johnston from Josiah Mann to John Morton of Pittsylvania in Charlotte County, VA.[3]

12 Feb 1777: Samuel was listed among the accounts due the Silvanus Webb estate.[4]

10 May 1777: Along with Joseph Akin, Daniel Hankins, and John Tompson, he witnessed a deed from Jehu to Joseph Morton on the Sandy River in Pittsylvania County.[5]

1777: Samuel signed the Oath of Allegiance in Pittsylvania County.  Among those appearing with him on Capt. Hankin's list were William Johnson, Jesse Hodges, and Joseph Ballinger.[6]   A Jesse Hodges, from a younger generation, married Samuel and Elizabeth's daughter Ruth in 1812 in AL.

26 Jun 1777: A bond for the marriage of Samuel Johnston to Elizabeth Ballinger was issued in Pittsylvania County, VA, with Joseph Akin as bondsman.  Elizabeth's father Joseph Ballenger signed his permission as Elizabeth was underage.  Witnesses: John Adams, John Herswolf, and William Turnbull.[7]   

1778: Samuel appeared on the Henry County Tax List along with James, Jacob, William, and Hudson Johnson.[8]   Henry County had been formed from the western portion of Pittsylvania the previous year.  According to DNA results, Hudson Johnson was only very distantly related to our Samuel.  William Johnson, however, is another story. 

1779: Samuel appeared on the Henry County Tax List.[9] 

1779-1780: He had 4 tracts of land surveyed in Henry County between 10 Jun 1779 and 10 Jun 1780: 308 acres; 410 acres adjoining Short, Delosure, Lomax, and Samuel's own property on 5 Nov 1779; 250 acres; and 272 acres on 30 Mar 1780, all apparently on Leatherwood Creek.[10]   

5 Apr 1780: Along with Jacob Cleveland and Adam Stultz, Betty Johnson witnessed the sale of 40 acres from Joseph Morton to Joseph Ballenger in Pittsylvania County.[11] 

28 Sep 1780: The purchase of land in Henry County by Samuel Johnson from William Johnson was recorded in the Order Books.[12]  This was undoubtedly the 326 acres on Baretree Fork of Chestnut Creek granted to William Johnston on 20 Oct 1779 and sold by Samuel and Betty on 21 Mar 1785.  The parcel description is identical.

28 Dec 1780: Samuel was appointed "Surveyor of the road from the Fishing Fork of Leatherwood to Blagg's Creek, in the place of William Stewart" in Henry County.[13]

1 Feb 1781: He received 3 land patents in Henry County: 1) 272 acres on the waters of Leatherwood adjoining Dickerson; 2) 410 acres on branches of Leatherwood; 3) 350 acres on Grassy Fork of Fishing Fork of Leatherwood Creek "by transfer from Ralph Elkins"; and also 90 acres on the waters of Leatherwood Creek in Pittsylvania County adjoining Short and Lomax.  That last parcel adjoined Garrett Birch, Short, Samuel's own line, and Thomas Connor.[14]  What about the 308 acre tract he had surveyed 1779-1780?  And was the 250 acres listed above actually 350 acres?  Another researcher has written that he had 265 acres adjoining Hamilton, Melton, and Lomax surveyed on 29 Mar 1781 and 350 acres, not described, on 30 Mar 1780.

26 Jul 1781: Samuel served on a Henry County jury finding Abraham Cristman guilty of "being inimical to the rights and liberties of America".[15]

5 Jan 1782: In Pittsylvania, Elizabeth [with "Johnson" in margin] received a bill of sale from father Joseph Ballenger for one slave girl named Dicy.  Witnesses: Daniel Hankins, John Stockton, Joseph Austin, and James Morton.[16]

1782 Henry County Tax List: Samuel Johnson was listed between Thompson Dickenson and Larkin Tarrant with 1 tithable, 4 blacks, 4 horses, and 12 cattle.[17]  Reubin Tarrant married Charity Cox Ballenger, Elizabeth's sister, in 1784.  The other Johns[t]ons on the list were William, Hezekiah, and David.

1782-1787: Henry County Tax List: Samuel Johnson was shown with 1 poll, 4 slaves.[18]

4 Jun 1784: He purchased 400 acres on both sides of Turkey Cock Creek in Henry County adjoining John Cunningham and Edward Smith from John Shields of Pittsylvania for £160.  Witnesses: Killis Ballenger, Edward Smith, John and Joseph Cunningham.[19]  "Killis" is Achilles Ballenger, Elizabeth's brother.

21 Mar 1785: Samuel and Betty sold 326 acres on both sides of Baretree Fork of Chestnut Creek in Henry County to Francis Hill of Prince Edward County for £50.  Witnesses: John Cunningham and Bally Conway.[20]  This is the parcel described above under 28 Sep 1780.

24 Mar 1785: Samuel sold two parcels on branches of Leatherwood Creek: 1) 450 acres adjoining Garret Birch to David Watson for £100; 2) 272 acres adjoining Dickenson's corner to Mathew Wells for £25.  The latter was located on a spur of Turkey Cock Mountain.[21]

9 Apr 1787: Samuel Johnson voted for Abraham Penn and Thomas Cooper at the county courthouse.[22] 

29 Apr 1787, Henry County Tax List A: Samuel Johnson was listed with 1 white male 16-26, 1 black over 16, 2 blacks under 16, 2 horses, 15 cattle, and 1 unnamed male over 21.[23]  Could the other 16-26 year old male be Killis Ballenger or a Johnston brother? 

11 Aug 1787: He served on the jury at an inquest to view the body of Charles Sprouse and determine the cause of death.  The jury found that J. Forsice "not having God before his eyes but being seduced by the instigation of the devil . . .with a gun made of iron of a value of 30 shilling . . . below the navel shot a brace of lead."[24]  The foreman was John Wells, father-in-law James Johnston of Turkey Cock Creek.  

20 Nov 1787: Samuel witnessed a deed from James Williams to William Brown on Leatherwood, then again on 15 Nov 1787.  Other witnesses were Robert Stockton and Reuben Nance.[25] 

4 Dec 1787: Along with Rowland Tankersley, he sold 400 acres on Leatherwood to Edward DeLosure for £200.[26]  Why was Tankersley involved?  There's no record of Samuel co-owning the property.  A John Tankersley married  Anne Brumfield Johnston, widow of William Johnston, in Charlotte County in 1783.

29 Jan 1789: He witnessed a deed from E. Smith and J. Morton to Achilles Ballenger on Turkey Cock in Henry County.[27] 

18 Apr 1789: Samuel and Bettey Johnson sold 2 parcels of 100 acres, one to William Lawrance, and one on both sides of Turkey Cock adjoining John Cunningham to Henry Lawrance.  Each sold for £50.  Witnesses: James Johnson, Achillis Ballinger, and William Cunningham.  On that same day, along with Achilles Ballenger, Sam witnessed a deed from John Cunningham to James Johnson on Turkey Cock Creek.[28]  Witness James Johnson was almost certainly the son of Samuel Johnston of Ward's Fork in Charlotte County.

21 Aug 1789: He witnessed a deed of trust from Achillis Ballenger to "Calland & Smith, Merchants" in Henry County.  Other witnesses were L. A. Tompkins Junior and James Isham.[29]

29 Apr 1790 Henry County Tax List: Samuel Johnston with 3 white tithes, 3 blacks over 16, 5 horses.  Samuel Tarrant, Ballenger Waid, and Archelaus [Achilles] Ballinger were also on the list.[30]  The Johns[t]ons listed were James Johnson ("Leatherwood") on May 27; Holson Johnston on Jun 17; David, James, and John Johnston on Apr 3.  Samuel and Elizabeth's oldest son was only five that year, so who are the three white tithes in Samuel's household? 

1792: "Samuel and Elizabeth Johnson, his wife," sold 100 acres on both sides of Grassy Fork of Leatherwood Creek adjoining Dickerson to James Hailey for £15.  The property crossed Camp Branch.

3 Jul 1792: He sold 200 acres on both sides of Turkey Cock Creek to Samuel Hughes for £150.  Witnesses: Samuel Calland, Booker Smith, and Sam Tompkins Junior.[31] 

4 Jul 1792: Samuel was among the witnesses to a trust deed from Samuel Hughes to Samuel Calland to cover the cost of 200 acres bought from Samuel Johnson.[32]

18 Aug 1792: "Samuel and Elizabeth Johnson" sold 77 acres on the Banister River in Pittsylvania County to Barnet Burnett for £50.  This was recorded on 15 Oct 1792.[33]   When and how did they obtain this parcel?  Was it from Elizabeth's father Joseph?  There are two Ballenger Creeks in Virginia.  One of them flows into the Bannister River.

7 Nov 1792: Along with William Laurance, Samuel Johnson sold 176 acres on both sides of Turkey Cock adjoining John Cunningham to Henry Laurance for £100.  This canceled the deed of 27 Apr 1789, being the "same tract" sold to William and Henry Lawrence on that date.   Witnesses: James Johnson, Samuel (x) and Alijah (x) Hughs.[34]

30 Jul 1795: In both the 1850 and 1860 Censuses daughter Ruth Johnston claimed to have been born in SC.  If so, mother Elizabeth Johnston was back in VA by late 1797.

9 Nov 1797: "Betty Johnson, wife of Samuel Johnson, formerly propriety of the above land", witnessed a deed on Leatherwood in Henry County.[35]

The Johnstons were in GA by 6 Jan 1799, when son James was born there.

9 Feb 1799: Samuel purchased land on Redlick Creek in Warren County, GA from William Tyler for £100.  Witnesses: William and Mary Lovell.[36]  There was a Samuel Johnson mentioned earlier in Warren County witnessing a deed on "Ogechee", but I’m presuming that witness to have been the Samuel Johnston who  purchased land on Joe’s Creek of Ogeechee on 19 Apr 1790.  That Samuel was no doubt related (father, son, brother) to the James Johnston who witnessed a deed on Joe’s Creek on 21 Oct 1802.

28 Feb 1799: Samuel and Elizabeth sold 300 acres on Redlick Creek in Warren County to Flemen Hodges for $400.  Signed Samuel and Betsy Johnson and witnessed by J. J. Kennedy.[37]   Fleming Hodges married daughter Patsy Johnston.  

26 Apr 1799: "Samuel Johnston of the County of Warren State of Georgia" sold land on Grassy Fork of Fishing Fork of Leatherwood Creek [patented 1781] in Henry County, VA for £35 to Joshua Proctor, excepting the part sold to Mathew Wells and conveyed by Samuel to James Haley at the request of Mathew Wells.  (The parcel adjoined James Haley and John Cook.)  Witnesses: Mary Lovell and William Lovell, "acting" J. P. for Warren County.[38]   William and Mary Lovell were the same couple who witnessed Samuel's purchase of his land on Redlick Creek in GA. 

3 Feb 1802: "Elizabeth Johnston" is mentioned as one of his children in Joseph Ballenger's will, but no reference is made to her place of residence.[39]  Joseph was residing in Amherst County, VA.

17 May 1805: Samuel bought 24½ acres on Redlick Creek in Warren County adjoining Robert Sanford from James Weeks for £100.[40]

1805 Tax List, Warren County, GA (Capt. T. Mullin's District): Samuel Johnstone is listed with 324 acres on Red Lick adjoining Hodges, 1 poll, 4 slaves.[41]   His neighbor is Fleming Hodges, who had married daughter Martha.  James Bailey, who had married daughter Sarah in 1803, was enumerated on the other side.

1808-1809: According to a court case heard in 1817, Samuel moved to "the western country" in 1808, but was in Oglethorpe County, GA at least briefly in 1809. 

8 May 1810: Samuel received patent #261 for SE¼ S24 T3 R2W in Madison County, MS Territory.[42]  This part of the Mississippi Territory would become Madison County, Alabama.

1810: The court in Madison County heard the case of Samuel Johnston versus Jeremiah Taylor in Madison re blacksmithing.

1811 MS Territorial Census: Samuel Johnson is listed, along with David Bailey and Fleming Hodges.  David Bailey had married daughter Milly Johnston.

13 Jan 1812: Samuel brought suit in Superior Court in Madison County against Thomas Jones and Clement Clay.[43]

1812 MS Territorial Census: Samuel is listed, along with James Bailey and Fleming Hodge.

16 Nov 1812: Along with Fleming Hodge, Adam Hope, and William Edminson, Samuel was appointed to appraise the Anthony Chamless estate in Madison County,.[44]

1814 MS Territorial Census: He was listed along with David Bailey, James Bailey, Flemin Hodge, and Joseph Johnson.  Son Joseph didn't move to Limestone Co, AL until 1819; but did he already own land there?

28 Sep 1814: He received patent #1076 for NW¼ S24 T3 R2W in Madison County.[45]

1815: A Samuel Johnson appeared on the Muster Roll of Capt. Flemen Hodges Company, William Russell's Separate Battalion, TN Volunteer Mounted Gunmen.  Also listed were David Bailey and Jesse Hodges, who had married daughter Ruth Johnston on 4 Nov 1812.  But surely Sam was too old at age about 60.  Was this Samuel Junior, age 15-25?  Another unknown source lists this individual as "Sgt Samuel Johnson".

15 Oct 1815: Fleming Hodges sold 62 acres, NW¼ S25 T3S R2W, to Samuel Johnston Senior for $160.  The parcel was described as land "on which Samuel Johnston now lives, except reserving free pass-way to, and equal interest in, spring from house I now live in".  Witnesses: Skelton Standifer, Asa Hodges, and a third illegible name.[46]

9 Mar 1816: David Bailey deeded land on Funnel Creek to the Deacons of the [Baptist] Salem Meeting House.  One of those deacons was Samuel.[47]  This might have been the deed referred to by Pauline Jones Gandrud involving James and David Bailey and Samuel Johnson.  Once again, Gandrud's abstract does not specify the details, thus can't be sure whether we're talking about one deed or two.

1816 MS Territorial Census, Huntsville Township: There are two Samuel Johnsons, along with one Joseph and two Williams.

 23 Jan 1817: He was appointed guardian of grandson Joseph Hodges in Madison County, son-in-law Jesse having died in 1815.  The witness was daughter Ruth's new husband William Ham.  The bond was posted by William Ham and James Johnson.[48]  But son James was only 18.  Was there another James?

12 Dec 1817: John Echols versus Samuel Johnston and David Bailey.  In 1802 plaintiff Echols purchased a mare from Samuel Johnston for $160 in "soldiers certificates" issued by the state of Georgia.  "Not long afterward" Samuel went to Echols' father claiming the certificates were of little value and prevailing upon Echols Senior to accept their return and pay $60 in lieu of them.  Later, without Echols Junior's knowledge, Samuel "prevailed" upon him to sign a note for $100, which was first given to Micajah Trotwell, and then to David Bailey.  On 5 May 1818 Samuel answered that it is untrue that he ever received any soldier's certificates.  That year Samuel was a resident of Warren County, GA where he met the complainant, who desired to purchase his mare.  Sam spent the night at the house of Echols Senior.  He could not say if the complainant was then 21 years or not.  Attempting to collect the note later, he found Echols at the house of Julius Alford in Greene County, GA.  Echols said he would borrow the money to pay respondent from his brother-in-law Mr. Williams, but never did.  The note was sent to Mr. Fretwell in Greene County.  In 1808 Samuel moved to the "western country".  In 1809, when he was back in Oglethorpe County, he found Echols teaching school.  A new note was signed and given to William T. Morton of Putnam County, GA when Samuel returned to the western country.  In 1815 plaintiff Echols moved to Madison County, AL.  Samuel sold the note to his son-in-law David Bailey.  He [presumably Sam] "does not believe the testimony of Christopher Irvine."  Grief Carroll had known said Irvine in GA.  The suit was dismissed, with costs assessed against plaintiff Echols.[49]  [Since grandson Samuel Bailey was born in TN in 1809, was that state the "western country" - or was it the MS Territory?]     There was a case, presumably this one, brought by Echols on 10 Apr 1817, a commission from Putnam County, GA.   Christopher Irwin testified that on 22 Aug 1809, "Samuel Johnston presented a note of hand to John Echols which had come under the law of limitations, and Echols renewed the note, due 1811".[50] 

12 Sep 1818: Samuel sold land located in S24 T3 R2W to James Bailey.[51]

1819:  Son Joseph gave Samuel $100 when the latter was "in distress by the hurricane".[52]  Joseph was compensated for this gift in Samuel's will dated 30 Oct 1832. 

20 Jun 1821: Samuel Johnston filed suit against George Bell and John Logan for a debt of $122.50.  Sam was represented by attorney Minor.   At the March Term of 1822 the defendants did not appear, thus judgment was in Sam's favor, including court costs of $13.20.[53]

28 Jan 1822: He was an appraiser in Orphan's Court in Madison County.[54]  I’m assuming this was Senior, not Junior. 

21 Dec 1822: Along with wife Elizabeth, Samuel sold 80 acres in S24 T3 R2W to Joseph or Thomas Turner.[55]

11 Mar 1823: Samuel and wife Ellsbeth sold 62 acres (NW¼ S25 T3 R2W) to Addison Binford.[56]

1823: A Samuel Johnson was excluded from the Round Island Baptist Church in Limestone County.[57]  Was this our Samuel, his son, or neither?  The Lauderdales, among other associated families, belonged to this church.

7 Jan 1824: Samuel Johnston, along with Joseph Johnson and Uriah York, appraised a bay mare "taken up" by Samuel Rentfro in Limestone County.[58]  This was probably Senior.  Limestone County borders Madison County on the west.  It may've been that Samuel moved in with son Joseph in 1823/24.  He was certainly residing with him by 1830.

17 Jan 1824: Along with R. W. Rafer, Samuel Johnston witnessed a sale of land from Isaac and William Jones to Joseph Johnston in Limestone County.[59]   This may have been Sam Junior.  

26 Feb 1826: Samuel made a deed of gift to daughter Ruthy Ham and her heirs of one-half quarter section of land in Limestone County described as W½ NW¼ S25 T3 R6W, said land to be held by him "during my life and my wife's".  Witnesses: John and J. P. Wofford.[60]  No later mention of "wife" Elizabeth has been found by this researcher.  No older female was enumerated with Samuel in son Joseph's household in the 1830 Census. 

1 Jan 1827: The estate of David Hobbs listed a note given by Samuel Johnston for $14.75 due on that date.[61]   This could also be Senior or Junior. 

11 Sep 1827: Samuel Johnston Senior bequeathed his "grandchildren Elizabeth and Jesse Johnston, the son and daughter of Samuel Johnston Junior," the following property: 1 brown mare, 9 sheep, 10 hogs, 8 cattle, 1 cart, 1 yoke of steers, "all household and kitchen furniture now in possession of Samuel Johnston Junior", 1 set blacksmith's tools, and 1 set wagon maker's tools.  Witnesses: John N. Biard and William Pounders.[62]  In light of his other numerous heirs, this seems an extraordinary amount.  Was Samuel that affluent, did he favor these grandchildren, or was he intending to bypass their father in his will?

15 Oct 1827: He sold W½ NW¼ S24 T3 R2W in Madison County to [son] William Johnston for $500.  Witnesses: James F. Johnston, Obediah Gerault, and William East.[63]

16 Oct 1827: He sold E½ NW¼ S24 T3 R2W in Madison County to [son] James F. Johnston for $500.  Witnesses: William Johnston, Obediah Gerault, and William East.[64]

1829: Son Joseph loaned or paid Samuel $448 for which he was later compensated in Samuel's will dated 30 Oct 1832.[65]

1830 Census, Limestone County, AL: Joseph Johnston had a 70-80 year old male in his household.  This was undoubtedly Samuel.

30 Oct 1832: Samuel signed his will . . .

Will of Samuel Johnston Senior[66]

             In the name of God Amen, I, Samuel Johnston Senior of the County of Limestone and State of Alabama, being mindful of my mortality and being sound in my mind and memory, do constitute the following as my last will and testament.

      1^st  I desire after my decease to be decently buried without any pompous show or extravagance.  2^nd  I will and desire that my son Joseph Johnston be my Executor, and in case of his death I will that his lawful representative be my Executor.  3^rd  I will and desire that my son Joseph Johnston or his lawful representative shall have my negro man John, and in case of the death of John, I will that he or his representative shall have my negro man Abram as a compensation for money which my son Joseph paid for me in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, the sum being four hundred and forty-eight dollars.  4^th  I will that my ball horse and my bed and furniture shall belong to my son Joseph or his representative, in consideration of one hundred dollars that I have rec’d from him in the year eighteen hundred and nineteen when I was in distress by the hurricane.  5^th  I will and desire that my negro woman Dicy be left free to live where she pleases, but if any dispute should arise among my children about Dicy, that one that will give bond and security to the County Court to maintain her I will shall have her whether she is willing or not.  6^th  I will and desire that if my negro man should live till after my decease and thereby pay my son Joseph by being his property, I will that Abram be sold to the highest bidder among my lawful heirs on a credit of twelve months after giving ten days notice to my heirs, there being nothing else that I wish to have sold or have to sell, disposing of it otherwise.  7^th  I will and desire that my son William, Joseph, the children of Samuel and James, and my daughter Sarah Bailey, the children of my daughter Patsy Hodges, the children of my daughter Milley Bailey, and the children of my daughter Ruth Ham share equal in the price of Abram, if he should be sold and on the conditions stated.  8^th  I will and desire that a bay horse, the bed and furniture and lot of wagon making tools consisting of one handsaw, one cross cut saw, five augers, 2 drawing knives, 3 plows, one lock chain, five chisels, together with a stock of cattle, sheep and hogs which I have loaned with the increase thereof to Ruth Ham [for] her lifetime for her benefit and the benefit of her children and at her death I give the same to her children, also eight strands of bees I loan in the same manner.  9^th  I will and desire that my son Samuel Johnston be not pushed on the several Judgments and Executions that I hold against him in the office of John N. Beard, Esqr. unless circumstances make it necessary for the purpose of saving the property from other Executions, and then if any property should be sold under my Executions I will that my Executor buy it as long as my Executions will pay for the property, and loan the property to Samuel Johnston’s children, and I will that the property that I have loaned belong to his children when they become of age to receive it.  Given under my hand and seal this 30^th day of October 1832.

Samuel Johnston     Seal

Acknowledged in the presence of us

James Bailey

John K. Wilburn

Stephen D. Johnston

Dicy may well have been the "negro girl" given to Elizabeth Ballenger Johnston by father Joseph Ballenger in 1782.  John K. Wilburn was Samuel's grandson-in-law and Stephen D. Johnston was Samuel's grandson.

11 Feb 1833: Joseph produced the will in open court with son Stephen Johnston as security.

18 Feb 1833, National Banner & Nashville Daily Advertizer: "Samuel Johnston, age 80, died near Athens, AL".[67]

16 Mar 1833: An inventory and sale of the estate property included: "Negro man named Abram in possession of Joseph Johnston . . . one blind bay horse, 5 sheep, 3 cows and 3 yearlings, 1 yoke of oxen, two sows and ten stoats, plains, augers and draw knife, and bed and furniture in the possession of William Ham".  The property was given a total value of $405.50.   Appraisers: Thomas Wilburn, Anderson Meadows, and J. K. Wilburn.[68] 

11 Aug 1834: Joseph Johnston filed the final settlement of Sam's estate.[69]

Samuel and Elizabeth's burial places remain unknown.

Children of Samuel and Elizabeth Ballenger Johnston: 

Martha Johnston (c. 1778 – c. 1822; married Fleming Hodges)

Sarah F. Johnston (24 Apr 1780 – 12 Oct 1857; m. James F. Bailey 6 Dec 1803)

William H. Johnston (c. 1785 – 1864; m. Elizabeth Forrester)

Joseph Johnston (14 Aug 1786 – 9 May 1845; m. Mary Darden 6 Jun 1809)

Mildred Johnston (c. 1791 –     ; m. David Bailey 5 Mar 1807)

Samuel Johnston (1790/1800 –     ; married Sarah)

Ruth Johnston (30 Jul 1795 – 24 Jan 1872; m. 1^st Jesse Hodges 4 Nov 1812, m. 2^nd C. William Ham 9 Nov 1816)

James F. Johnston (6 Jan 1799 – 3 Mar 1860; m. Mary Wynne 20 Feb 1820)

Another possible child of Samuel and Elizabeth was Tabitha Johnston, a suggestive Christian name because of Elizabeth's stepmother Tabitha Ballow.  Tabitha and Joel Kinsey were issued their marriage license on the same day as Millie Johnston and David Bailey.  No other licenses were recorded in Warren County, GA on that date.  (There were four Kinseys in the 1820 Census in Warren County, GA, but no Joel Kinsey.)

Not a child of Samuel and Elizabeth was Robert Johnson of Warren County, GA, incorrectly listed as such by the DAR Lineage Books.  The surname has survived down to the present as "Johnson", and Abraham Johns[t]on had a son named Robert who was named in his will dated 27 Sep 1803.  (The "DAR Robert” was born 1781, died 1867, married Barbara Ormond in 1818, had a son named William who was born 1820, died 1888, and married Mary Cummings in 1844).  This family lived in a different area of Warren County and none are ever mentioned by any of the other children or descendants of Sam and Elizabeth.

If you have material about of any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal

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