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Johnston: Generation 3

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The Children of Joseph Johnston & Mary Darden

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Johnston & John King Wilburn

 

8 Jun 1803: John was born in Sussex County, VA, the son of William Wilburn and Rebecca Oliver.[1]

22 Apr 1810: Elizabeth was born in Warren County, GA, no doubt at the Johnston home on Red Lick Creek.[2]  Her name is written as “Betsy” in the Stephen D. Johnston Bible.  Emmye Simmons claimed  her nickname was Betty, but that her full name was Susan Elizabeth.  The problem with that claim is that Emmye also had "Betty" marrying Vincent Clem on 26 Jan 1836 in Limestone County.[3]

June 1825: John and Betsy were married in Limestone County, AL.[4]  After their marriage, the couple was given five-year-old slave Caroline by [Elizabeth's father] Joseph Johnston, plus a total of $2,172 through 9 Mar 1844.[5]

1830: John K. Wellborn bought a house on the stagecoach road to Huntsville about one mile southeast of Athens, AL.

23 Aug 1830: Along with Joseph Johnston and Calvin Hine, John K. Wilburn witnessed the will of Benjamin Allen.  The will was proved in court with Joseph on 27 Oct 1831.[6]

27 Mar 1832: He was acting Justice of the Peace in Limestone County when a deed from  Joseph and Polly Johnston to Wade H. Vining was proven before him and John G. Lauderdale.[7]

30 Oct 1832: John witnessed the will of [Elizabeth’s grandfather] Samuel Johnston, along with [Elizabeth's brother] Stephen D. Johnston and [Elizabeth's uncle by marriage] James Bailey.[8]

11 Feb 1833: He and Stephen D. Johnston were securities for Joseph Johnston in the latter's role as executor of the Samuel Johnston estate in Limestone County.[9]

11 Oct 1833: Listed in claims against the Elizabeth Kay estate was: "John K. Wilborn, Esqr for qualifying appraisers ofc 1.75".  This debt had apparently still not been paid to John by 5 Jan 1835.[10]

3 Mar 1834: He was involved in a trust deed on 80 acres owned by James Hunt, who was in debt to Joseph Johnston for $184.45.  Under the terms of the mortgage, John paid that amount plus $1.00 to Hunt, Hunt was then required to repay on time or the property would be sold at public auction at the discretion of either Joseph  or John - In short, a mortgage.[11]

15 Dec 1834: John was party to another mortgage resulting from a debt of $1,540 incurred by Jacob Lamb and Solomon York to Joseph Johnston.  Once again, John held the trust deed.[12]

23 Dec 1835: He bought 1 book for $1.00 at the estate sale of Calvin Hine in Limestone County.[13]

1847: John K. Wellborn sold his house on the stagecoach road to Huntsville to Rev. James Wilburn Allen, the son of Benjamin and Mary Wilburn Allen.[14]

27 Nov 1850 Census, Fayette County, TN (Civil District #12):  Farmer age 47, born in VA, with real estate valued at $10,000; Elizabeth age 40, born in GA; Rebecca O. 23; Mary F. 18; Sarah E. 16; Nancy M. 13; Matilda D. 9; Martha D. Watkins age 10 and Emily D. Watkins age 8; Marion Dowdle age 28, a farmer born SC.  Both Watkins girls were born in TN; all the other children in AL.[15]

 17 Aug 1860 Census, Fayette County, TN (District 12): Farmer John K. Wilborn 57, born VA, with real and personal property worth $15,000 and $85,140 respectively; Elizabeth 50, born GA; Matilda 18, born AL; Julia 14, born TN; Mattie 14, also born in TN.[15a] 

31 Oct 1862: Elizabeth died in Fayette County.[16]

29 Jun 1870 Census, La Grange, Fayette County, TN: Farmer Jno K. Wilburn 67, born VA, with property valued at $9,000 and $500; Mary D. age 44, born AL; Elma 3 and Jno K. Jr. 5/12, both born in TN.[16a] 

John married Mary D. Lane Mayfield, a widow, before 1870.

21 Dec 1873: John died in Fayette County.[17]  Both he and Elizabeth are buried in the family graveyard in Fayette County.[17a]

 

 

Children of Elizabeth Johnston and John King Wilburn:

 

Rebecca Oliver Wilburn (25 Mar 1827 – 13 Aug 1863; m. Samuel M. Kerr)

Joseph H. Wilburn (18 May 1829 – 25 Mar 1831)

Mary Frances Wilburn (29 Mar 1831 – 29 Aug 1853; m. John Calhoun Davis)

Sarah Elizabeth "Sallie" Wilburn (17 Dec 1833 – 6 Mar 1922; m. Sampson Lane 29 Aug 1853)   )

Nancy M. Wilburn (19 Nov 1836 –     ; m. 1st John Calhoun Davis*, m. 2nd Dr. James C. Word*) 

William D. Wilburn (7 May 1839 - 5 Jun 1839)

Matilda Denty Wilburn (16 Jun 1841 – 7 Jul 1879; m. Dr. James C. Word c. 1865)

Julia Prudence Wilburn (29 Jun 1845 - 5 Sep 1898; m. Meshach Franklin 1866)

Martha Charity "Mattie" Wilburn (29 Jun 1845 - 10 Dec 1927; m. Samuel Word Baker)

 

 

                *Both of Nancy's husbands had been previously married to her deceased sisters.[17b]

 

           

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Stephen Darden Johnston & Rebecca Elizabeth Flinn

 

6 Feb 1812: Named for his maternal grandfather, Stephen Darden Johnston was born in Warren County, GA.[18]  The middle name given by Emmye Simmons was the older form of “Durden”.

 Robert Edward Johnston claims that Stephen was "sandy-headed", and that all the earlier Johnstons were red-headed.

11 Apr 1817: Rebecca Flinn, daughter of Stephen Flinn, was born in AL, presumably in Limestone County.[19]  Her father was almost certainly the Stephen Flinn who was so closely associated with Joseph Johnston in Limestone County, and who owned 1,500 acres in Desoto County, MS in the 1850 Agricultural Census.[20]

30 Oct 1832: Stephen witnessed the will of [grandfather] Samuel Johnston in Limestone County, AL; along with [uncle by marriage] James Bailey and [brother-in-law] John K. Wilburn.  He was security for [father] Joseph on 11 Feb 1833 when the latter produced Samuel's will in court.[21]

9 Jun 1834: Stephen Johnson purchased "2 red steers" for $11.00 at the estate sale of Reuben Tillman in Limestone County.[22]

12 Aug 1835: Stephen and Rebecca were married by James Wood in Limestone County.  The license had been obtained on 10 August.[23]

31 Oct 1836: He purchased 1/3 of S34 T2 R7W in Desoto County, MS for $833.33 from father Joseph.  Samuel Johnston [Stephen’s brother] bought the other third.[24]

According to Hazel McCook, Stephen and Rebecca actually moved to Desoto in February of 1837.[25]

31 Jan 1837: Along with Ebenezer Titus, Stephen witnessed the testimony of Ruffin Coleman verifying an earlier deed to Joseph Johnston.c. 1839: The Police Board in Desoto County required Stephen to provide hands to work on the road from Hernando to Samuel Johnston’s under Thomas L. Banks, overseer.[26]

1839 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  Stephen D. Johnston was listed with 1 white poll, 5 slaves, for tax of $3.50.

Spring, 1840: He was appointed to a jury of view to lay out the best route for a road from Hernando to intersect the Holly Springs and Germantown Roads.  This jury included [brother-in-law] Jacob Prewit, Sam Johnston, and Joseph Johnston.[27]  Jacob had bought the other 1/3 of Joseph’s first section of land.  The thirds were therefore, Stephen, Jacob, and Samuel.

1840 Census, Desoto County, MS: 1 male under 5, 1 20-30; 1 female under 5, 1 20-30; 8 slaves.[28]  The family was enumerated next to Samuel Johnston, and close to Joseph Johnston.

15 Apr 1840: Along with R. T. Saunders, he witnessed a deed from Joseph and Polly Johnston to Susan Huddleston.[29]

1841 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  S. D. Johnson was listed with 213 acres valued at $1,700, 1 poll, 7 slaves aged 5-60, clocks valued at $12, tax $10.06.

June 1841: He was appointed Deacon of the recently established Hernando Baptist Church.[30]

1842 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: 1 pleasure carriage worth $100, clocks $10, 1 poll, 8 slaves ages 5-60, tax $7.05.

August 1842: Stephen, Joseph, and Samuel Johnston were appointed to a jury of view to mark out the best route for a road from Steam Mill to the Chulahoma Road in the direction of Memphis.[31]

September 1842: He and Sam Johnson were ordered to work on the road from his farm to the line between Sections 11 and 1 in T2 R7.  Lemuel Banks, with all former hands except those belonging to Stephen and Samuel Johnston, was ordered to oversee the Germantown Road from Stephen Johnston's.[32]

8 May 1843: Along with Joseph Johnston, he purchased 320 acres from Henry and Sarah Wright for $1,000.  This parcel was described as W½ S8 T2 R8W.[33]

1843 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Taxable property included clocks valued at $10, 1 poll, 8 slaves aged 5-60, tax assessment of $4.55 (or $6.55, very hard to read).

1844 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  1 pleasure carriage worth $75, clocks $10, 1 poll; 8 slaves over 5 years old, 2 under, resulting in taxes of $7.85 to the state, $1.96¼  to the county.

Stephen was given a total of $2,151 by father Joseph through 30 Mar 1844, partly in notes.[34]

1 Jan 1845: He witnessed the sale of slave Jerry from Obid Nichols to [brother] Jesse Johnston; along with Victor Cole and Joseph Johnston.[35]

1845 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: 1 pleasure carriage worth $50, clocks $12, 1 poll; 11 slaves over 5, 3 under, tax $10.12.

c. 1846: He was one of the commissioners and appraisers of the estate of Allen Stokes.  Fellow commissioners were Lemuel Banks, Thomas Gray, Thomas Nesbitt, R. F. Saunders, and John C. Dougherty.[36]

4 Nov 1845: Stephen was given power of attorney from Ruffin Coleman of Lowndes County, MS.[37]

8 Dec 1845: He was among the buyers at the estate sale of Allen Stokes.[38] 

12 Dec 1845: Along with R. T. Saunders and Lemuel Banks, Stephen was appointed a commissioner to divide the estate of Luke Driver.[39]

27 Dec 1845: As executor of his father’s estate, he sold lands at public action held at Joseph's residence.  The sales were confirmed in court on 5 Jan 1846.

3 May 1846: He witnessed the will of Henry Banks, along with William White and B. E. Cobb.[40]  The surname was recorded as both "Johnson" and “Johnston".

1846 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: 1 pleasure carriage valued at $60, clocks $5, 4 cattle [only the number  over 20 head were counted, thus he actually owned 24 head], 1 poll, 18 slaves, tax $12.09.

19 Jan 1847: He purchased N½ S3 T3 R7W from Boston and Massachusetts Cotton & Land Company for $1,440.  Witnesses: William Stephens and George Thacker.[41]

1 Jul 1847: He witnessed the will of Thomas Gray, along with Thomas S. Maxwell and John B. Bridgeforth.  Along with Sam Johnston, Lemuel Banks, and Drew Smith, he was appointed one of the commissioners to appraise the estate on 2 Aug 1847.  He and Samuel then took the inventory on 16 Dec 1847.[42]

10 Dec 1847: Stephen was among the buyers at the estate sale of Elizabeth Perryman.[43]

20 Jan 1848: He and Rebecca E. Johnston sold part of NE¼ S3 T3 R7W to Stephen M. Morris for $200.[44]

7 Feb 1848: Stephen and Samuel Johnston were among the appraisers who turned in an inventory of the Thomas Gray estate.[45]

20 Apr 1848: He bought SW¼  S3 T3 R7W from Boston & Massachusetts Land Company for $500.  Witnesses: S. Beal and G. Thatcher.[46]

3 May 1848: A deed was recorded to verify the title of William H. Denty to 10 acres, NE¼ S35 T2 R7W, land given to Denty by Joseph Johnston on 22 Dec 1842.  This naturally involved Stephen as executor of Joseph's estate.[47]  William Denty was the brother of John Ramsey Denty, who had married Stephen's sister Matilda Johnston.

18 Sep 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS (Northern Division, Dwelling #256): Farmer Stephen D. Johnston 38, born GA, with real estate worth $5,000; wife Rebecca E. 33, born AL; mother Mary, age 60, born GA; son James age 14, born AL; Mary A. age 11, born MS; Elizabeth 7; Frances 5; niece Mary S. Denty 13, born AL; overseer William F. Henley 23, born AL.  Mary was the daughter of Matilda Johnston Denty, Stephen's sister, who had died in 1845.

7 Jan 1856: Stephen applied for the guardianship of Mary S. Denty, a minor heir of Matilda C. Denty.  The petition was granted.[48]  Mary was now 19 years old and had lived with the Johnstons for at least six years, probably more.  It's uncertain why the guardianship was obtained so late.

1 Nov 1858: S. D. Johnston was surety for Stephen Flinn as contractor of the bridge across Camp Creek on Mount Pleasant Road.[49]  This was either Rebecca's father or brother.

1859-1860: He was President of the Board of Police in Desoto County from at least 27 Aug 1859 until at least 6 Feb 1860.[50]

1860: S. D. Johnston, J. G. Lauderdale, and J. W. Lauderdale, among others, were appointed as hands on Laughter Road from Gatewood Road to S34 T2 R7.  In addition, S. D. and Samuel Johnston were appointed to work the Mt. Pleasant Road.[51]  They didn't actually labor themselves, but supplied slaves.  J. G. Lauderdale was John Gammel Lauderdale, brother of Minerva Leonard Johnston, Stephen's sister-in-law.   J. W. was John's son.

1860 Census, Desoto County, MS (Hernando P.O.): Farmer S. D. Johnston 43, born GA, with real and personal property estimated at $20,000 and $58,000; wife R. E. 43; mother Mary Johnston 70, born GA, with real and personal property worth $1,000 and $2,000; Lovie E. 17; Fannie W. 15; R. F. 9; S. D. 6; Willie G. 4; and Joseph 2.  All the children were born in MS.[52]

On the Slave Schedule for that year S. D. Johnston is shown owning 40 slaves.[53]

1860 Agricultural Census, Desoto County, MS: 723 acres improved, 840 unimproved, $20,000 cash value of farm land; $650 in implements and machinery; 6 horses, 17 asses and mules, 13 milch cows, 0 oxen, 23 other cattle, 55 sheep, 200 swine, $4,360 total value of livestock; 250 bushels of wheat, 55 of rye, 3,400 of Indian corn, 0 oats, 0 rice, 155 bales of ginned cotton, 120 lbs of wood, 700 bushels of peas, and beans, 100 of Irish potatoes, 300 of sweet potatoes, orchard products valued at $40, 700 lbs of butter, 15 tons of hay, 40 lbs of honey, home manufacturers valued at $100, slaughtered animals valued at $1,600.

7 Jan 1861: As a Delegate to the State Legislature, he signed the Ordinance of Secession now on display at the Hall of Fame, State Capitol, Jackson, MS.[54]

1863 Personal Property Tax List, Desoto County, MS:  S. D. Johnston was taxed on liquor, 2 watches, 1 sword, 20 horses, and 1 slave.[55]

29 Jul 1858: Stephen signed his will . . . .

 

Will of Stephen Darden Johnston[56]

 

            I Stephen D. Johnston of the State of Mississippi and the County of Desoto do this the 29th day of July A.D. 1858 make and publish the following as my last Will and Testament:
      1st. I hereby give the possession of the whole of any Estate to my wife Rebecca E. Johnston so long as she remains my widow to control, manage or use in any way which in her judgment will best promote the joint interest and mutual happiness of her and our children, and to distribute among our children as they  become of age or marry in such manner and in such amounts as she may think proper without being required to account to the Probate Court for her management of the same during the time she may have it in possession by virtue of my last Will and Testament.  I wish her, however, to keep an account of all property with its proper and true value which she may give our children as they become of age or marry, and the account so kept by her I wish brought into and to form a part of the final division of any Estate as directed in the 3rd Section of this instrument.
      2nd. Whenever a division of my Estate takes place according to the 3rd Section of my will, I wish my daughter Mary Amaranda Gray to account for the property which I gave her shortly after her marriage which I valued at Three Thousand Three Hundred and Twelve + 95/100 Dollars, $3312.95.
      3rd. In the event my wife should marry I wish my Executors to have her legal portion of my Estate set apart and delivered to her and in the event of her marriage or death, I desire that our children who may be of age or married have their distributive and equal shares of my whole Estate set apart to them also and the balance of the children as they become of age or marry in like manner to receive their equal shares of the undivided balance of my Estate.  That part of my Estate not set apart to the children of age or married, I wish to be considered as the undivided property of the children under age or unmarried and as they severally reach their majority or marry to receive their distribution of the same.  If my Executors should think it best to sell any portion of my Estate except my slaves, for a division of the same, I wish them to sell without an order from the Court.
      4th. I hereby nominate and appoint my brothers Samuel Johnston and Jesse Johnston my Executors whenever the trust conferred in my wife Rebecca E. Johnston by the 1st Section of this instrument shall have ceased by her marriage or death and having the highest confidence in said two brothers do not require any Security on the Bond that may be required of them by the Court.
      In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
                                                                                                Stephen D. Johnston         Seal

 

The State of Mississippi, Desoto County Probate Court, October Term, 1865

     This day personally appeared in open court Robt S. Flinn, A. W. Stokes and D. W. Bristol who having first been duly sworn deposed and said that they were each personally acquainted with Stephen D. Johnston in his lifetime and that he departed this life in August 1863, that they were also well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Stephen D. Johnston having often seen him write and sign his name, and that these depossants [sic] verily believe that the instrument of writing hereto attached purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said Stephen D. Johnston, late of said County, now deceased, is in the proper hand writing of him, the said Stephen D. Johnston, and that the same together with his signature thereto is genuine.

 

21 Aug 1863: Stephen died in a fall from his horse suffered while fleeing the sacking and burning of Hernando by Federal troops.[57]

26 Aug 1870 Census, Desoto County, MS (Township 2 Range 7, Nesbit Depot P.O.): R. E. Johnston 52, born AL, a farmer with real and personal property valued at $14,430 and $3,625; male S. D. 16; male W. J. 14; male J. S. 12; female S. C. 8; W. L. Gray 35, a farmer born AL; female M. A. 30; female M. B. 11.  All were born in MS except Rebecca and W. L. Gray.[58]  Those in the census were Rebecca, sons Stephen Darden, William Jesse, and Joseph Samuel; daughter Sarah; and daughter and son-in-law Mary and Washington L. Gary and their daughter Minnie.

13 Dec 1876: As executrix of Stephen D. Johnston's will, Rebecca Johnston made three deeds of gift to three of her children: 1) to Fannie W. Gray, N½ SW¼ S3 T3 R7W valued at $500; 2) to Rebecca F. Gray, S½ SW¼ S3 T3 R7W valued at $500; 3) to Stephen D. Johnston, SE¼  S1 T3 R7W and N½ SW¼  S1 T3 R7W.  The properties totaled $1,250 in value.[59]

15 Jun 1880 Census, Desoto County, MS (Lauderdale Voting Beat): Widow Rebecca Johnston, a farmer 63, AL SC SC; son Joseph S. 22, MS AL AL; Sallie C. 18, MS AL AL; black servants Isaac Jackson age 50, born NC; Wash Witherspoon 29, born TN; Susan Payne 30, born AL, and her son Isaac, age 1.[60]

23 May 1899: In his will signed on that date, William J. Johnston refers to his "mother's place" stating that he had paid her 3 bales of cotton weighing 500 lbs each as rent for that year.[61]

13 Jun 1900 Census, Desoto County, MS: Rebecca Johnston, a widow born in Apr 1817, AL SC SC,  was residing in the household of farmer [son] Joseph S. Johnston.  Besides Joseph's wife and son, the household included father-in-law Joe A. Lauderdale, age 72, and Charles Nesbitt, a young black servant.  Rebecca was listed by the census taker as the mother of 9 children, only 5 still living.[62]  Son Joseph had married Sarah Lauderdale, granddaughter of John Gammel Lauderdale.

11 Sep 1900: Rebecca Flinn Johnston died in Desoto County.[63]

15 Sep 1900: In an unidentified newspaper:

 

Died Tuesday evening at one o’clock Mrs. Rebecca E. Johnston, age 83 years and four months.  The remains were interred Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in the family graveyard near her home place.  She was born in Limestone county, Ala., in 1817 and moved to Desoto county in 1836.  Her first residence in this county was on the place where she died and had been occupied by her since 1837.  For years she was a member of the Baptist church, but latterly united with the Christian church near her home place.  Overburdened with the weight of years, she has joined her noble husband who had awaited her coming for thirty-seven years.[64]

 

Stephen and Rebecca are buried in the Johnston Cemetery just east of Malone Road, south of Sunset Drive, on property at NW¼ S35 T2S R7W believed to be currently owned by Jeannie McMahon.  The inscription on his tombstone includes: "1812-1863".[65]

                Robert Edward Johnston reported in 1991 that the frame house belonging to Stephen and Rebecca was torn down many years ago.  Originally built of logs, it was later sided over with clapboards.  It must've been located on the North Memphis Road since, between 1858 and 1868, David Garrett was appointed overseer of the road between "S. D. Johnston's and Yancy's School House".[66]

               

 

Children of Stephen Darden and Rebecca Flinn Johnston:

                               

James Bailey Johnston (31 Aug 1836 – 22 Aug 1851)

Mary Amaranda Johnston (1 Nov 1839 – Oct 1870; m. Washington Lafayette Gray 11 Nov 1857)

Lovie Elizabeth Johnston (20 Feb 1843 –     ; m. Hyphecion Alexander Stuart Dec 1862)

Frances Wilson Johnston (2 Jul 1845 – c. 29 Dec 1889; m. John Marion Gray 1 Mar 1864)

Rebecca F. Johnston (26 Aug 1851 – 1876; m. 1st Leonidas Clay Gray 5 Dec 1867, m. 2nd Edwin Scales)

Stephen Darden Johnston (30 Dec 1853 –     ; m. Anna E. Nesbit 15 Jan 1879)

William Jesse Johnston (10 Mar 1856 – 27 May 1899; m. 1st Lizzie Lindsey 15 May 1879, m. 2nd Lillie M. Nesbit 25 Oct 1883)

Joseph Samuel Johnston (13 Mar 1858 – 19 Dec 1914; m. Sarah Elizabeth Lauderdale 10 Jan 1884)

Sarah Cornelius Johnston (9 Jan 1862 -     ; m. Henry Banks Wilkinson 11 Jan 1881)

 

 

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Samuel Johnston & Minerva Leonard

 

8 Dec 1813: Samuel Johnston was born on Red Lick Creek in Warren County, GA.[67]   Robert Edward Johnston claims a birth year of 1812, rather than 1813.

4 Mar 1816: Minerva Leonard was born on Cane Creek in Lincoln County, TN, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Lauderdale Leonard.[68]   Minerva's death notice claimed that she had been born in Limestone County, AL, but Minerva herself maintained in three separate censuses that she was born in TN.  Her father Thomas Leonard purchased property in Mississippi Territory in 1811, was recorded in Lincoln County in 1814, but wasn’t recorded in Limestone County until 1818.  With no evidence to the contrary, we must take Minerva at her word.

27 Aug 1835: Samuel and Minerva were married by Baptist minister Jeremiah Tucker in Limestone County, AL.[69] (The license had been obtained on 24 August.)  Mildred Scott claimed a marriage date of 7 Aug 1835, but that might simply have been a typo.[70]

The Johnstons supposedly moved to Desoto Co, MS just six months after their marriage in Limestone County, which would mean a move in February 1836.  Hazel McCook claimed that the Johnstons moved in February 1837.  It’s more than possible that the family members moved at various times during 1836-1837.

31 Oct 1836: Joseph Johnston sold 1/3 of S34 T2 R7W to each of his sons Stephen and Samuel.  On 23 Feb 1837 Joseph sold the remaining 1/3 to Jacob M. Pruitt, the deed describing Section 34 as equally divided between Sam, Stephen, and Jacob.[71]  Sam still owned 80 acres of this tract on 31 Jan 1887.  Jacob M. Pruitt was married to Samuel's sister Nancy.

c. 1839: Samuel was appointed overseer of the Germantown Road from his house to the Mount Pleasant Road.  Among those ordered to provide hands to work under him was Joseph Johnston.[72]

1840 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  He was taxed for the amount loaned at interest or invested $100; 1 poll; 3 slaves aged 5-60; taxes $2.50.

1840 Census, Desoto County, MS: 2 males under 5, 1 20-30; 1 female under 5, 1 10-15, 1 20-30, 1 30-40, 3 slaves.[73]  Son Thomas Franklin Johnston was under 5, but who was the other young male?  And who were the 10-15 and 30-40 year old females?  This must be our Sam because he was enumerated right next to S. D. Johnston, on the same page as "Jos Johnston".  (There was another Samuel Johnston in Desoto, age 30-40, with 6 children in his household that year.  That man was not the Samuel P. Johnston who later resided in Desoto County.  Whoever the father of six was, he was gone by 1850.)

1840: Sam was named to a jury of view to lay out the best route for a road from Hernando to intersect Old Holly Springs and Germantown Roads.  Other members of the jury included Joseph and Stephen Johnston and Jacob Prewit.[74]

August 1840: He was once again named overseer to work on the Germantown Road, this time between his house and the 11 mile post.  He was also to contribute hands, along with Joseph Johnston and Jacob Prewitt.[75]

1841 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  213 acres valued at $1,400; 1 poll; 4 slaves aged 5-60; tax $7.00.

1842 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  Amount loaned at interest or invested $100; clocks valued at $12; 1 poll; 4 slaves aged 5-60; tax $3.81.

August 1842: Samuel, Joseph, and Stephen D. Johnston were appointed to jury of view to mark out a road from the steam mill to Chulahoma Road in the direction of Memphis.[76]

8 Aug 1842: David Maxwell was released from working on William Gray's road to work instead under Samuel Johnston.[77] 

September 1842: Along with Stephen Johnston, Sam Johnson was ordered to work on the road from the latter's house to the line between Sec 11 and Sec 1 T2 R7.  Lemuel Banks, appointed overseer of the Germantown Road from Stephen Johnston's, was to work all of his former hands except those of Sam and Stephen.[78]

1843 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Clocks estimated at $12; 1 poll; 4 slaves; tax $3.56.

30 Mar 1844: Mark Hobdy borrowed $600 from Samuel with his slave Issac as collateral; the due date being 1 Apr 1845. This transaction was witnessed by Joseph Johnston.[79] Sam apparently didn't receive payment, however, until 1848.

1844 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Clocks valued at $10, watches $25; 1 poll; 4 slaves over 5, 3 under; with tax assessments of $4.60 to the state, $1.15 to the county.

October 1844: Along with "J. D. Dentz" [actually brother-in-law John R. Denty] and J. W. Blanton, Sam was appointed to appraise the estate of Joseph Eckford Mudge.[80] 

Sam was given a total of $2,150 by father Joseph through 30 Mar 1844, partly in notes.  In the inventory of Joseph's estate filed 4 Aug 1845, Samuel Johnston is listed for a note due 1 Jan 1846 in the amount of $628.69.

1845 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS:  Clocks valued at $10; 1 poll; 7 slaves over 5, 5 under; tax $7.10.

26 Sep 1845: He purchased 106½ acres for $900 from Jacob and Nancy Preuit.  The parcel was described as N½ E 1/3 S34 T2 R7W.  Witnesses: A. R. Hutchinson and N. A. Nisbett.[81] 

27 Dec 1845: He was security for [brother] Jesse Johnston for $400 to cover his purchase on credit of 320 acres, part of the estate of Joseph Johnston.[82]

2 Mar 1846: The estate of Alfred Dockery included a note of Samuel Johnston dated Dec of 1845.[83]

1846 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Clocks estimated at $10; 1 poll; 15 slaves; tax $9.60.

2 Aug 1847: Sam Johnston was a commissioner, along with S. Johnston, Lemuel Banks, and Drew Smith, appointed to appraise the estate of Thomas Gray.  On 16 Dec 1847 Samuel and Stephen took an estate inventory.[84]

10 Feb 1848: He submitted an inventory of the slaves belonging to James F. Fariss, minor heir of William Fariss, deceased.  The slaves were described as being "now in the hands and possession of the undersigned guardian of said minor", none other than Samuel Johnston.[85]  But was he ours?  One clue could be that brother Jesse Johnston was one of the commissioners appointed to divide the estate of James P. and Mary C. Ferris in 1848. 

26 May 1848: Sam finally obtained payment for his loan to Mark Hobdy of $600.  The transaction included mention of "Campbell & White, Attorneys for Samuel Johnston".[86]

1 Feb 1850: He purchased two parcels totaling 146 acres from John H. and Nancy West for $1,030.  The parcels were described as S½ E 1/3 S34 T2 R7W (106 acres) and NE¼ S3 T3 R7W (40 acres).[87]

11 Sep 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS (Northern Division, Dwelling #177): Farmer age 36, born in GA, with real estate valued at $3,000; wife Minerva age 32, born TN; Thomas 14, born AL; Sarah 10, Joseph 8, Theodore 4, Urbane 2, 1 month old Mary.   The family was enumerated very near that of [brother] James F. Johnston.  Although listed as a female, Urbane was actually son Samuel Urbane.

On the 1850 Slave Schedule, Samuel Johnson is shown owning 20 slaves.

25 Oct 1855: A notice appeared in the newspaper of a suit brought by Samuel Johnson against Calvin M. Powers for $103.25.  Powers was being called to appear at the November Session of Circuit Court.[88]  Is this our Sam?  Thomas L. Clifton was also suing this defendant for $75.30.

3 Apr 1856: "More Testimony for the Knuckle Washing Machine" appeared in the Hernando newspaper: "This is to show that Mrs. Johnston has tested Deberry & Williamson's Knuckle Washing Machine.  She washed with it the same amount of clothes in three hours which usually required a negro woman and a girl a day to wash in the ordinary way.  She is satisfied as well as I am, that the machine is a good one.  Samuel Johnston."[89]

29 Jul 1858: Samuel and Jesse Johnston were named co-executors of the will of Stephen D. Johnston in the event of the death or remarriage of the first named executor, Stephen’s wife Rebecca Johnston.[90]

21 Feb 1859: Sam Johnston was appointed by the Board of Police to be a grand juror for the June Term, District 5, along with J. C. Dockery, T. B. Jones, and J. S. B. Boon.

24 Jun 1859: Samuel Johnston was appointed to work the Mount Pleasant Road. Other workers included German Baker and S. D. Johnston.[91]

1 Dec 1859: Samuel and Minerva sold 148 acres to N. J. Dobbins for $1,100. This land was described as 26 acres in SE¼  S26, 3½  acres in the northeast corner of NW¼  S35, and all of SW¼  S26 T2 R7W except 46½  acres in the northwest corner known as the Desoto Academy and one acre on which stood a Methodist Church.[92]  The Desoto Academy was a school established and taught by Jesse Johnston.  The 46 ½ acres listed would seem excessive for such a school.  The deed was actually recorded on 4 Feb 1884 because clarification was needed of these boundaries and exemptions. The question is: When were these parcels purchased?

1860: Samuel and S. D. Johnston were appointed as hands on the Mt. Pleasant Road.[93]

30 May 1860: He was appointed to work on Cobb Road from Gatewood Road to Holly Springs Road.

1860 Census, Desoto County, MS: Farmer age 47, born in GA, with real and personal property estimated at $12,000 and $32,000; Minerva age 48, born TN; Thomas F. age 24; Theodore F. age 14; William 12; Nannie P. age 8; Laura 5.  Where is Samuel Urbane?

On the Slave Schedule, Samuel Johnston is listed as the owner of 44 slaves.  See Slaves Mentioned by Name in Johnston Records.

1860 Agricultural Census, Desoto County, MS (Hernando P.O.): 300 acres improved, 886 unimproved, land valued at $12,000; implements and machinery valued at $250; 5 horses, 8 asses and/or mules, 6 milch cows, 0 oxen, 20 other cattle, 33 sheep, 80 swine, livestock valued at $1,600; 45 bushels of wheat, 80 bushels of rye, 1,500 bushels of Indian corn, 63 bales of ginned cotton, 100 lbs of wood, 300 bushels peas & beans, 10 Irish potatoes, 150 sweet, orchard products valued at $100; 300 lbs butter, 0 hay, 1,000 lbs of honey, home manufactures valued at $100, animals slaughtered valued at $500.  Average holdings for his closest 19 neighbors (p. 2-4) on this census are: Real estate valued at $4,810 for all heads of families, $6,093 for all property holders, and personal property valued at $7,155.  Sam is obviously relatively affluent, but like so many, his worth lies in slaves, livestock, and land, the majority of the latter uncultivated, probably used as pasture.  As Desoto County was a battleground of competing armies during the Civil War, the slaves would have escaped or been emancipated and the livestock killed or requisitioned.  Only the land would have remained.

1863 Personal Property Tax List, Desoto County, MS: Samuel Johnston was taxed on two watches and one slave.[94]  Already the slaves are gone.

1870 Census, Desoto County, MS (Hernando & Nesbit): Farmer age 56, born in GA, with real and personal property worth $2,450 and $3,832; Minerva 55, born TN; farmer S. M. age 22, and Laura age 15.[95]  S. M. Johnston was probably Samuel Urbane, in spite of his enumeration with brother Thomas Johnston that year.

14 Sep 1875: Sam paid [daughter] Laura (or somebody) two payments of $400, one of which resulted in Laura's one-half, undivided interest in 80 acres being sold to J. J. Dobbins, the other of which resulted in the sale of her interest in another 80 acres to W. G. Dobbins.[96]  What was happening here?  One can only assume Sam owed money to the Dobbins.

1878: After the death of daughter Sarah Johnston Garrett, her children came to live with Sam and Minerva.

17 Sep 1878: Theodore F. and M. E. Johnston acknowledged a sale of land before Samuel Johnston J. P.[97]  Theodore was Sam and Minerva's son.  M. E. was wife Margaret Emma Maxwell Johnston.15 Nov 1878: Sam sold 53 acres, NW¼ E 1/3 S34 T2 R7W, to Laura E. Johnston for $500.[98]  This land adjoined Joseph Shields and [daughter-in-law] Flora E. Johnston.

11 Feb 1879: Samuel and Minerva D. Johnston sold 160 acres (SW¼ S19 T3 R6W) to Benjamin F. Griffin for $152.[99]

1 Jun 1879: Sam sold 53 acres described as "the middle" of S34 T2 R7W to Laura E. Johnston for $250.[100]

15 Jun 1880 Census, Desoto County, MS (Lauderdale Voting Beat):  Farmer age 66, GA GA GA; wife Minerva D. 64, TN SC SC; daughter Laura E. 24; and grandchildren Anna 17, Walter 15, and Gordon Garrett 13.[101]  Enumerated next to the family are son-in-law Nathaniel and daughter Nancy Denty; several dwellings away is the family of Stephen's widow, Rebecca Johnston and the family of Theodore F. Johnston.

29 Dec 1880: Sam purchased 80 acres described as the south end of E 1/3 S34 T2 R7W from Flora E. and Thomas F. Johnston for $225.[102]

5 Feb 1881: He was granted power of attorney from Theodore F. Johnston of Hot Spring County, AR.[103]

17 Jan 1884: Alice Denty Dean wrote: "Cousin Dock [Nathaniel Winningham Denty, Sam’s son-in-law]   is now out on a visit to his little children . . . Uncle John [Denty] came so as to be with him.  You have heard of Cousin Dock's losing his wife, if not, why she [Nancy Johnston Denty] died in Ark about 5 months ago & he came over with his little children, 5 in number, to their grandfather's Mr. Sam Johnson's to make his house their home . . . Cousin Dock will remain about a week or more."[104]  On 25 Jul 1884, Nathaniel Denty married Laura, Sam and Minerva's youngest daughter, the children returning to AR with their father and his new wife.

6 Dec 1885: A Minerva Johnson sold N½ E¼ S29 T6 R17W in Hot Spring County, AR to C. H. Gale.  Was this our Minerva?  Son Theodore had moved to Hot Spring County in 1880 with his brother-in-law and business partner Nathaniel Denty, but his health failed.  On 16 May 1885 Theodore sold land described as SW¼ SW¼ S9 T6 R18W to Tom Gale.[105]  Had Sam and Minerva contemplated moving to AR to live near Theodore and Laura, only to be thwarted by their son's illness?  Theodore died the following spring.

7 Mar 1887: Samuel wrote his will . . . .

 

Will of Samuel Johnston[106]

 

        Samuel Johnston's last will which is intended to supercede all former ones.  I will that my son Samuel U. Johnston shall be my Executor, and that he shall do the same without giving any security.  I further desire he shall have my will recorded sixty days after my death.

        Now as he has agreed to take care of me and my wife Minerva D. Johnston until we each die, which taking care of us well in sickness and in health, and bury each one of us decently at our family.  And also pay the following debts, one to W. H. Dean for about Ninety five dollars, one note to Mrs. Emma Johnston [most probably Theodore’s widow and thus Sam’s daughter-in-law] for Eighty dollars, and an amount to Powell and Buchanan, and any other debt I may make for the benefit of his family or my wife and myself made in the year of 1887 or any future year for the same parties.  He is to have as a consideration for the same my two mules, Jack and Tobe, now under a lien for the debts named, our large young spotted cow, now under a lien to secure W. H. Dean debt, also two heifers two years old, and our old spot cow and her calf, and our red and white pided cow and her calf, and as a further consideration for taking care of us our present lot of Pork hogs, in number six being a sow and five shoats, and our corn, wagon and farm tools, and our household and kitchen furniture not given in this will and named in it to Mrs. Laura E. Denty our daughter.  And we further agree that after the death of my wife Minerva D. Johnston and myself is to have, hold and keep forever, if he has rendered the foregoing consideration, my tract of land on which I now reside and the improvements and appurtenances there to belonging which lies in Desoto County Mississippi and known in the Survey of the Chickasaw Cession as Eighty acres, off of the North and of the middle third of Section Thirty four, Township Two, Range Seven, west of the basis Meridian, said section being divided in thirds by North and South lines.  I also give to my daughter Laura E. Denty two beds and and [sic] one tall and one low posted bed steads on which the beds named are now resting.  These beds and bedding and bedstead are expected to remain in possession of our wife her lifetime and me my lifetime if I out live her for our use all the time.  Now should my wife before named out live me I desire she should continue to live with my son before named at his expense but if he prefers and she does also, he shall pay Eighty dollars each year in quarterly payments to pay clothing and board any place she wishes to go any where else.

        Now in testimony of what is before written I sign my name and seal this 31st of January 1887.

                                            Samuel Johnston          Seal

 

        The will of Samuel Johnston having been offered for probate before me on this 7 day of March 1887, personally appeared before me R. R. West, Clerk of the Chancery Court of Desoto County, Miss, Stephen D. Johnston, William J. Johnston, who being duly sworn state on oath that they were well acquainted with Samuel Johnston the testator in his lifetime, lived in the same neighborhood with him and they know his handwriting from seeing him write and seeing his handwriting.  That they and each of them have examined the paper purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said Samuel Johnston including the signature to the same, and they state that the entire will including the signature is in the handwriting of the said Samuel Johnston, that the said Samuel Johnston was over twenty one years of age and of sound and disposing memory at the date of said Will.  The said Samuel Johnston had long been a citizen and resident of said County of Desoto, State of Mississippi when he died on the 4th day of March 1887.  Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 7 of March 1887.

 

The above was apparently written in his own hand without benefit of lawyer or witnesses.  Only two children are named, yet unnamed son Thomas Franklin Johnston didn't die until 1906.

Samuel died on 4 Mar 1887.  When the will was filed in Probate Court on 7 Mar 1887, it was recorded that: "he died on the 4th day of March 1887".[107]  His death date was given as 2 Aug 1887 in transcript of cemetery inscriptions provided by Elizabeth Hogue, but that date is obviously after the will went to probate.

29 Oct 1888: In a letter to Rebecca Denty Abernathy, Alice Denty Dean wrote that recently widowed Nathaniel Winningham Denty "now lives at Donaldson, Ark.  Two of his children are out here.  Irvin his eldest & his youngest by his first wife.  Cousin M. has the youngest Sammy.  Irvine is with his grandma."[108]  Laura Johnston Denty had died on 19 Dec 1887.  Sammy and Irvine's grandma, of course, was Minerva Johnston.  "Cousin M." was Mary Denty, daughter of John and Matilda Johnston Denty.  Mary had been raised in the household of Stephen Darden Johnston.

10 Nov 1889: According to Alice Denty Dean, "Lula Denty is now over here . . . at her grandmother's about six miles from us".[109]

14 Jan 1899, Times-Promoter: "Mrs. Minerva D. Johnston, born in Limestone County, Ala., March 4th, 1816, married Samuel Johnston in 1835, moved to Desoto County in 1837, and died last Sunday morning about one o'clock.  She leaves behind her a large number of children and grand-children."  This was the Saturday Times-Promoter, which means that Minerva died on 8 Jan 1899.[110]

Sam’s grave is not to be found in Bell and Scott, Desoto County Cemetery Inscriptions, yet in his will is the request that son Samuel "bury each one of us decently at our family".  Is Sam referring here to the Johnston Family Cemetery just east of Malone Road, or another perhaps smaller family plot?[111]

Robert Edward Johnston reported that the log home built by Samuel was torn down about 1975.

 

 

Children of Samuel and Minerva Leonard Johnston:

 

Thomas Franklin Johnston (1836 – 30 Dec 1906; m. 1st  Flora Ann Elizabeth Maxwell; m. 2nd Georgia A. Howard 5 Apr 1885)

Sarah E. Johnston (c. 1840 - 1878; m. David M. Garrett 17 Nov 1858)

Joseph W. Johnston (29 Dec 1842 – 28 Jan 1859)

Theodore F. Johnston (19 Mar 1846 – 27 Apr 1886; m. Margaret Emma Maxwell 11 Jan 1869)

Samuel Urbane Johnston (14 May 1848 – 6 May 1911; m. Nancy Jane Massey 6 Sep 1871)

Mary A. Johnston (16 Jun 1850 – Mar 1851)

Nancy P. Johnston (c. 1852 – 12 Sep 1883; m. Nathaniel W. Denty 23 Dec 1868)

Laura Elizabeth Johnston (c. 1856 – 19 Dec 1887; m. Nathaniel W. Denty 25 Jul 1884)

 

 

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James F. Johnston & Eliza Ann Sanders

 

21 Dec 1815: James was born in Warren County, GA.[112] 

c. 1819: Eliza, the daughter of Rev. Theophilus Sanders, M.D., and Angelina Whitaker, was born in NC.

1833: James graduated from Miami University in Ohio.  He became a schoolteacher in both TN and MS. 

1839: James Johnston married Eliza Sanders.15 Mar 1840: "The Hernando Male Academy under James F. Johnston Esq. will commence its first session on 15 March 1840."[113]

1841 Desoto County (Hernando) Tax Roll: J. F. Johnston was listed as the owner of 2 town lots valued at $200, taxes of 50 cents.[114]  Were the two town lots the location of the Hernando Male Academy?

1842 Desoto County Tax Roll: James F. Johnston was listed with 1 poll and taxed 50 cents.

James was given a total of $2,300 by his father through June of 1844.

27 Dec 1845: He was co-security for [brother-in-law] Jacob M. Prewit for the latter's credit purchase of 2 tracts of land, part of the estate of Joseph Johnston sold at public auction.  At that same public estate auction, James purchased 140 acres described as N½ S36 T2 R7W (except N½ of the NE¼) for $900 on credit of one and two years.  His security was Jacob Prewit.[115]

1846 Desoto County Tax Roll: Clocks valued at $7.00, 5 slaves, 1 poll, taxes $3.50.

21 Dec 1846: He purchased one pair of stretchers at the estate sale of C. C. Prior.[116]

10 Sep 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS  (Northern Division, Dwelling #175):  James F. Johnston 44, born GA, farmer with real estate valued at $2,400; Eliza [with middle initial of T. or M.] 31, born NC; Theophilus F. age 7, born TN; Mary A. age 3, born MS; farmer B. F. Saunders, age 20, born TN.  In Dwelling #177 lived the family of Samuel Johnston.

In the Slave Schedule for 1850, "James F. Johnston" was listed as the owner of 10 slaves.

13 Dec 1854: In her will signed on that date mother Mary Johnston stated, "I wish my son James F. Johnston to have my negro man Bird."[117]

12 Jun 1860 Census, Memphis, Shelby County, TN (7^th Ward): Speculator James F. Johnson 45, born AL, with real and personal property valued at $20,000 and $5,000; Elisa 42, born NC; Frank 17, born TN; Mary 13, born MS; N. A. Banks 38, a tailor with personal property estimated at $5,000, born VA; female Varth (vary hard to read] 22, born VA; Julia 11.[119]

1863 Personal Property Tax List, Desoto County, MS:  James Johnston was taxed for 1 clock.[120]

12 Jul 1870 Census, Desoto County, MS: J. F. Johnston, age 53, born GA with real and personal property valued at $2,000 and $2,000; Eliza Ann 50, born NC.  The [son] Frank T. Johnson household was next door.[121]

30 Oct 1882: James died in Senatobia, MS.

24 Nov 1882, The Christian Advocate:

 

Mr. James F. Johnston was born in 1816, and died at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. A. V. Sanders, Senatobia, Miss., Oct. 30, 1882.  He was raised in Alabama, passed a collegiate course in Tuscaloosa, and graduated at the Miami University, Ohio, in 1833; was married to Miss Eliza Sanders, daughter of Rev. Theophilus Sanders, M.D., in 1839.  Mr. Johnston choose school-teaching for a profession, and in Denmark, Tenn., he taught successfully for many years, and afterward in Mississippi, until failing health caused him to seek more active employment [sic].  He moved to Memphis, and engaged in [the] real estate business, in which he continued until the breaking out of the war, when he sold out and retired to private life in Mississippi, where he spent the evening of his life.  Mr. Johnston made a profession of religion in 1839, and for many years was an active member of the M. E. Church, South.  He was a close student and made the Bible his chief study; being master of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, he was prepared to study it thoroughly.  Mr. Johnston was one of the most conscientious men I have ever met, his life seemed to be conformed to Bible principles.  The last two years of his life he was a great sufferer, but with Christian fortitude he bore his affliction, and his last days were full of deep religious enjoyment; he felt the sweet consolations of religion.  His dying message to the writer was "Tell Brother Sage I die as any Christian dies", and soon after calmly fell asleep in Jesus, and went to rejoin his loved ones in the 'sweet by and by'.[122]

 

 

Children of James F. and Eliza Sanders Johnston:

 

Julia S. Johnston (29 May 1840 - 26 Jul 1846)

Theophilus Frank Johnston (c. 1843 –     ; m. Elizabeth _______)

Mary A. Johnston (c. 1847 –     )

 

 

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Nancy P. Johnston & Jacob Madison Pruitt

 

6 Mar 1816: Jacob Madison Pruitt was born in Lawrence County, AL, the son of William Madison Pruitt and Sally Cavett.  Father William Madison Pruitt was born 22 Dec 1786, died 5 Jul 1841 in Moulton, Lawrence County, AL.  His mother Sally was born 3 Apr 1782 and died 30 Aug 1830, also in Lawrence County.[123] The family name is most often written as Prewit in the following records, but modern descendants use Pruitt.

11 Feb 1818: Nancy was born 11 Feb 1818 in Warren County, GA.[124]   Kaye Steele, however, claims a birth date of 11 Mar 1818 in AL. 

To this researcher’s knowledge, only her middle initial has been discovered in records, but Mina Denty Baxter, a descendant of Nancy’s brother Samuel Johnston, claims very strongly that Samuel's  daughter was named Nancy Partridge Johnston, and it's likely that the two Nancy P. Johnstons shared a middle name.

28 Jan 1836: Jacob and Nancy were married by Baptist minister Jeremiah Tucker in Limestone County, AL.[125]  Kaye Steele claims that they were married in Lawrence County, AL.

10 Feb 1836: The newlyweds were given slaves Lucy (age 30), Reuben (age 4), and Lavina (age 2) by [father] Joseph Johnston.  These slaves along with other gifts from Joseph totaled $1,640 through 26 Jan 1838.[126]

23 Feb 1837: "Jacob M. Pruitt of Lawrence County, AL" purchased 1/3 of S34 T2 R4W in Desoto from  Joseph Johnston, with the other 2/3 of the section having gone to [Nancy's brothers] Stephen and Samuel Johnston the previous October.[127]  Jacob and Nancy must have actually moved to MS at this time as their first child was born in AL in 1836, their second in MS in 1838.

1839 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Jacob M. Prewitt was listed with 1 poll, 7 slaves aged 5-60, tax $4.75.

1840: That spring Jacob was appointed to a jury of view to lay out the best route for a road from Hernando to intersect the old Holly Springs and Germantown Road.  Other members included Joseph, Stephen, and Samuel Johnston.[128]

May 1840: Along with Joseph and Samuel Johnston, Jacob was appointed to a jury of view in to alter the old Holly Springs Road through S12 T3 R7W.  In August he and Joseph Johnston were ordered to contribute hands to work on the Germantown Road under overseer Samuel Johnston.[129]

24 Aug 1840: The Pruitts were given a note plus cash by Joseph Johnston, but the amount was not specified.[130]

1841 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: J. M. Prewet was assessed for 213 acres valued at $1,500, 1 poll, 9 slaves aged 5-60, tax illegible.

February 1842: Jacob was ordered to contribute hands to work on the road from William Solomon's to the Camp Creek Bridge.  Also working were [Nancy's brother-in-law] "John Denty and hands, William Denty, Joseph Johnston and hands, [Nancy's brother] Jesse Johnston".[131] 

1842 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Jacob M. Pruitt with 1 stallion priced at $7.00 per season, clocks valued at $10, 1 poll, 13 slaves aged 5-60, taxes $17.30.

1843 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Jacob Pruitt with clocks worth $10, 1 poll, 16 slaves aged 5-60, tax $12.55.

26 Sep 1845: Jacob and Nancy Prewitt sold 106½ acres (N½ E 1/3 S34 T2 R7W) to Samuel Johnston for $900.  Witnesses: N. A. Nisbet and A. R. Hutchinson.[132]

27 Dec 1845: He purchased 2 parcels of 160 acres each in S2 T3 R7W at the estate sale of Joseph Johnston: the SW¼ for $352, and the NW½ for $488.  Both parcels were bought on credit of one and two years, with Jacob's co-security being [brother-in-law] James F. Johnston.   Jacob then became security for James in the latter's purchase of 140 acres on credit of one and two years.[133]

1846 Tax Roll, Desoto County, MS: Jacob M. Pruet with amount loaned at interest or invested $15.00; 2 slaves, 1 poll, tax $1.70.  What happened to all his slaves?

12 Dec 1846: W. G. Huddleston, Howell Albretton, and J. M. Prewit were appointed commissioners to divide the slaves of Eliza Ann and James W. Bell,.[134]

21 Dec 1846: Jacob Pruit purchased 2 axes and 2 iron wedges at the estate sale of C. C. Pryor.  Other purchasers included James F. Johnston.[135]

15 Nov 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS: Farmer J. M. Pruitt 35, born AL, with real estate valued at $12,500; wife M. age 32, born GA; male C. 14, born AL; female C. 12, born MS;  female A. 10; female O. 6; male H. or F. 3; and male R. age 1.  These children were Castrillon, Caledonia, Antoinette, Ophelia, Henry, and Rentilus.

29 Sep 1851: ”Jacob M. Prewet and wife, Nancy Fanny", along with F. A. and Nancy Ann, sold 2 acres bought from the Indians to the Trustees of Hinds Chapel Methodist Church.[136]  Nancy Fanny?

8 Nov 1856: He bought several parcels in T12 R5W, Drew County, AR, from John R. Denty.  The deed was recorded on 5 Jan 1857.

15 Jan 1858: Along with John R. Denty, Jacob received patents in Drew County, AR from the Helena Land Office.  He was described as the "assignees of Tis-Ah-To-Nah, representative of Taush-Ok-Chiak". The patents totaled 2 parcels (one of 0, and one of 340.14 acres) in S1 T12 R5W and 5 parcels (all of 0 acres) in S2 T12 R5W.[137]   Are they town lots?

17 Jul 1860 Census, Bartholomew, Drew county, AR: Farmer J. M. Pruitt 44, born AL, with real and personal property valued at $10,000 and $17,000; N. P. 42, born GA; male H. P. 12, born MS; Eugenia 6, born MS; A. 4, born AR; Drew 6/12, born AR; A. J. Posey, farm manager, age 24, born GA.[138]

According to Kaye Steele, the family moved to TX c. 1867.

2 Sep 1871: Nancy P. Prewitt granted power of attorney to James P. Stanley in Drew County, AR.[139]

1880 Census, Coryell County, TX: Jacob M. Pruet 64, born AL; Nancy P. age 62, born GA.[140]

6 Nov 1883: Nancy died at "The Grove" in Coryell County, TX.[141]

27 Nov 1884: Jacob married Sarah Amanda Lawrence.

7 Sep 1890: Jacob died at "The Grove" in Coryell County.[142]  Both he and Nancy are buried in Graham Cemetery.

A Jacob M. or J. M. Prewitt is listed in the Drew County Deed Index until 1896.  Of course, that might be reference to his estate.

 

 

Children of Nancy Johnston and Jacob Madison Pruitt:

 

Castrillon Pruitt (b. 30 Oct 1836 – 29 Oct 1864; m. Mary E. Touchtone 13 Jan 1859)

Caledonia Pruitt (14 Jul 1838 – 5 Feb 1897; m. 1st John Allen Walker 6 Aug 1856, m. 2nd Aaron Washington Dunn 23 Mar 1871)

Antoinette Pruitt (30 Jan 1840 - 28 Apr 1918; m. J. T. W. Tiller 3 Oct 1855)

Orleans Pruitt (male, 11 Apr 1842 – 2 Aug 1843)

Ophelia Pruitt (25 May 1844 – 7 Aug 1921; m. B. F. Collins 20 Mar 1860)

Merian Pruitt (female, 21 Jul 1846 – 21 Sep 1846)

Henry T. Pruitt (28 Jul 1847 – 28 Jun 1864)

Rentilus Pruitt (21 Aug 1849 – 31 Aug 1853)

Lee Pruitt (6 Sep 1851 – 22 Sep 1855)

Eugenia Pruitt (14 Oct 1853 - 18 Sep 1895; m. William C. Grisham 21 Jan 1869)

Aurelius Pruitt (13 Aug 1856 – 4 Apr 1925; m. Polly Eliza Elliot 18 Jan 1877)

Drew Pruitt (1 Jan 1860 - 16 Jan 1937; m. Willie Franklin 25 May 1877)     

 

 

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Matilda C. Johnston & John Ramsey Denty »

 

 

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Jesse Johnston

 

26 Jan 1823: Jesse was born in Limestone County, AL.[143]  Could Jesse actually be the son of Joseph's younger brother Samuel?  That man also had a son named Jesse born between 1820 and 1825.  Could Joseph have adopted him?

August 1840: Father Joseph sent money to Jesse in Tennessee.  He was very likely attending school.

February 1842: Jesse was appointed to work on the road from William Solomon's to the Camp Creek Bridge, along with "John Denty & hands, William Denty, Jacob Prewitt & hands, Joseph Johnston & hands".[144]   John Denty and Jacob Prewit were Jesse’s brothers-in-law.

May 1843: Joseph Johnston once again sent money to Jesse in Tennessee.  Joseph also gave Jesse a slave named Angus, a horse, saddle, and notes.  In all, his gifts to Jesse through 2 Jan 1845 totaled $2004.86.[145]

1844 Desoto County Tax Roll: Joseph Johnston was listed with 2 polls.  As Joseph himself was not counted, one of the two polls must have been Jesse.

1 Jan 1845: Jesse purchased "negro boy Jerry", age 6, from Obid Nichols for $224.08.[146]

1845 Desoto County, MS Tax Roll: Amount loaned at interest or invested $350; 1 poll; 2 slaves over 5, tax $3.05.

27 Dec 1845: He purchased 320 acres (W½ S8 T2 R8W) from [brother] Stephen D.  Johnston, executor, at the estate sale of Joseph Johnston for $400.  Jesse was given credit of 1 and 2 years with [brother] Samuel Johnston as security.[147]

1846-1848: Judging from the 1850 Census, Jesse must have married his first wife during these years.

1848: Jesse was one of the commissioners appointed to divide the slaves belonging to James P. and Mary C. Farris.[148]

28 Oct 1850 Census, Desoto County, MS  (Dwelling #641):  Farmer Jesse Johnston 26, born AL, with real estate estimated at $3,500; C. 20, born TN ; one year old female "M."; Alfred Dockery, age 6, with real estate valued at $600; "Mr. Weatherspoon", a laborer age 25.  Alfred, the son of sister Sarah Johnston Dockery, had been the ward Joseph Johnston, now deceased.  Wife “C.” may have been named Cynthia since a younger daughter was named Cynthia A. Johnston.In the Slave Schedule Jesse Johnston is listed as the owner of 21 slaves.

8 Aug 1853: Jesse Johnston married Lucy Ann Hinds in Desoto County.[149]

In Hind's Chapel Methodist Cemetery is the tombstone of Lucy Ann Johnston, born 13 Nov 1834, "Wife of Jesse Johnston, Daughter of J. and T. Hinds".  The death date is broken off.[150] 

29 Jul 1858: In his will Stephen D. Johnston named brothers Jesse and Samuel as co-executors in the event of the remarriage or death of Rebecca Flinn Johnston, his wife.[151]

12 Oct 1858: Jesse Johnston was appointed as a hand to work on Lower Panola Road.[152]  Among the other hands was Josiah Hinds, who was no doubt related to Lucy Hinds Johnston.

29 Nov 1858: He was appointed Overseer of the Poor for District #4 in Desoto County, along with George W. Perkins.[153]

3 Mar 1859: Jesse married Molly Lawrason, the daughter of Dr. James Lawrason.  The ceremony was performed by Lewis C. Taylor, V.D.M.  The bondsman was J. G. Nesbitt.[154]

1859: Jesse Johnston was appointed overseer of Fogg Road from Glaze's Shop to Whitsell's land.[155]

1860 Census, Desoto County, MS (Horn Lake): Farmer Jesse Johnston 36, born MS, with real and personal property worth $9,600 [questionable as almost illegible] and $19,080; wife M. E. age 22, born MS; male S. D. 8; female F. E. 6; female S. A. 4; male J. F. 2; male G. S. 7/12.[156]   Next door is Dr. Josiah Hinds and family. 

In the Slave Schedule Jesse Johnston is shown owning 24 slaves.

1860 Agricultural Census, Desoto County, MS: 240 acres improved, 400 unimproved - valued at $9600; $1000 implements and machinery, 1 horse, 5 asses and/or mules, 10 milch cows, 4 oxen, 16 other cattle, 15 sheep, 60 swine - livestock valued at $1590; 50 bales ginned cotton, 50 lbs wood, 200 bushels peas and beans, 25 bushels Irish potatoes, 100 sweet, no orchard products, 600 lbs butter, 4 tons hay. Horn Lake P.O.

1863 Desoto County, MS Personal Property Tax Roll: There are two Jesse Johnstons listed, one taxed for 1 watch and 1 sword, one for liquor and 1 watch.[157]  This means that all entries for Jesse must eventually be verified as "our" Jesse.

30 July 1870 Census, Desoto County, MS (T2 R8 Horn Lake Post Office): Farmer age 46, born in AL with real and personal property valued at $7,000 and $1,480; Mollie age 32, born in TN; Stephen 18, Fannie 15, Cynthia 13, James 12, Gidlam 10, Irne 9, Anna 7, Alice 2; _____ Laurason, 21 year old farmer.[158]

1880 Census, Sullivan Township, Sharp County, AR: Farmer 56, AL VA GA, described as suffering from kidney disease; Mollie O. age 42, TN VA TN; Cynthia A. age 24; James F. age 27, a farmer; daughter Jessie L. 19; Gid L. age 20, also farming; Annie T. age 18; Allie T. age 11; Matt W. age 7; Joe 5.  All the children are listed MS AL TN.[159]

 

 

Children of Jesse Johnston:  Jesse's first wife "C." must have been the mother of M. and Stephen.  C. or Lucy Hinds could have given birth to Fannie, Cynthia, and James.  Mollie Lawrason was undoubtedly the mother of Gidlam, Irne, Anna, and Alice. 

 

M. Johnston (female, 1849 –     )

Stephen D. Johnston (c. 1852 –     )

Fannie E. Johnston (1854/55 –     )

Cynthia A. Johnston (1856/57 –     )

James Franklin Johnston (c. 1858 –     )

Gidlam S. Johnston (c. 1860 –     ; m. T. P. Cole)

Irne Johnston (c. 1861 –     )

Anna Johnston (c. 1863 –     )

 

 

Sarah Johnston & Benjamin H. Dockery

 

26 Apr 1826: Sarah was born in Limestone County, AL.[160]

1836-1839: A Benjamin H. Dockery was listed as a litigant in the Desoto County Circuit Court Record.[161]

February 1842: Sarah Johnston married Benjamin Dockery. [162]

The local Hernando newspaper, The Phenix, carried advertisements for "B. H. Dockery & Co, Dry Goods".  And they must have been fairly successful since almost all estate accounts found in Desoto County, MS Probate Record 1846-1848 have "B. H. Dockery & Co" listed.[163]  Of course, the store may have belonged to Benjamin’s father or uncle.

14 Sep 1841 Desoto County (Hernando) Tax Roll: Benjamin Dockery listed as the owner of 1 town lot valued at $1,500.[164]   But is this Sarah Johnston’s husband?

25 Oct 1844: Sarah died in Desoto County, MS.[165]  This date is from Joseph’s will.  I have not checked for any probate proceedings on Sarah.

The couple had been given gifts from Joseph Johnston at various times which included: cash, 2 slaves, a saddle and bridle, a bed and covering, corn, fodder, bacon, lard, a cow and calf.  These gifts totaled $1,640.84¼ in value through 1 May 1843.  When Joseph took over the raising of Alfred, Benjamin returned everything but $500 "given to him".[166]

February 1848: Benjamin filed his annual report as guardian of Alfred Dockery. The balance in the account was $2,977.93.[167]

22 Sep 1849: B. H. Dockery died, aged 37.  He is buried in the Hernando Baptist Cemetery.[168]

 

 

Children of Sarah Johnston and Benjamin Dockery:

 

Alfred Dockery (26 Dec 1843 – 15 Jun 1853)

 

 

 

If you have material about or photos 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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