Unassigned Johns[t]ons in Selected Counties of Southside Virginia

The notes below are "leftovers".  After sorting through many Johnstons to discover my own line, I'm loathe to toss notes that might be beneficial to researchers of other families.  Any references to a Samuel, William, or James Johns[t]on may eventually turn out to refer to the Johnstons on Ward's Fork, but whenever identity can't be assigned with reasonable assurance, they're included here.  Because of such uncertainty, some entries may appear both here and in Johnston Generation 1 and 2.

See also Other Johnstons on Ward's Fork and/or Descendants of Michael Johnson of Tuckahoe Creek.  There is a wonderful Johnson/Johnston/Johnstone DNA Project hosted by Rootsweb and FamilyTree DNA.

Amelia County: Formed 1735 from Prince George and Brunswick Counties.  Amelia County was the early home of the Bakers in VA.

There were no Johns[t]ons on the1736 Tithable List.

22 Nov 1745: James Brumfield of Rawley Parish sold 190 acres between Saylor's Creek of Dawson's Branch where son William Brumfield "now lives", to Charles Johnson of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County.  Wife Elizabeth Brumfield relinquished her dower.  In 1749 both James and William Brumfield were listed as tithables in Lunenburg County.  Amelia County was home to Caleb and Mary Baker, parents of Ruth Baker Johnston, prior to 1754, the year when part of Amelia became Prince Edward County.  Anne Brumfield was the wife of William Johnston of Charlotte County, VA.

c. 1753: William Johnston was born.  His descendant Linda Ward Meadows has graciously contributed William's biography and will.     

Lunenburg County:  Formed 1746 from Brunswick County.  The Ward's Fork area of Lunenburg later became Charlotte County.

1 Mar 1747: James and William Johnson, along with Thomas Eastland, James Arnold, and Christopher Moring Junior, witnessed the sale of slave Dorrick from John Watson of Lunenburg to William Simmons of Brunswick.  This may be a reference to the two sons of Michael Johnson of Tuckahoe Creek.

1754: Taphenes Ward was given a deed of gift from her father of land located on Ward’s Creek adjoining John Johnson.  Could this John be the already grown son of the James Johnston who died in 1761?

1 Apr 1755: William Read and wife Hannah of Cumberland Parish sold 100 acres bordering Good and a branch of Blue Stone Creek to John Hight.  Witnesses: Samuel Johnson, Mathew Marable, and James Roberts Junior.[1]   Was this Samuel Johnston of Ward’s Fork?  It can’t be Samuel, son of James Johnson the Elder, because that Samuel was still of school age five years later.  Bluestone Creek was located in the area that later became Mecklenburg County.

5 Aug 1755: Samuel Johnson turned in accounts for the Joseph Dabbs estate.  In the Accounts Current under Credits was "Samuel Johnson, by a Constable's fee".[2]

1 Oct 1755: Isaac Johnston and wife Mary Justice were named executors of the will of Justinian Justice.  Witnesses: William Scott, Samuel Davies and William Johnston.  On 3 Jun 1756 William was paid for one day’s attendance to prove the will.  He also served on a jury that day.[3]  Isaac was the son of Michael Johnson of Tuckahoe Creek, but Samuel Johnson was one of the estate's appraisers on 3 Aug 1756.  Mary is undoubtedly the widow of the deceased Justinian Justice, nee Frame.

16 Aug 1756: Christopher Johnson received a patent for 294 acres on Buckhorn Creek, on the south side of the Meherrin River.  This area would be in present-day Mecklenburg.  A William Johnson resided on Buckhorn Creek in the 1770s.

2 Sep 1760: Moses Cornelius and wife Anne versus William Johnson and wife Anne.  This is probably William and Anne Brumfield Johnston.    There is, however, the possibility that the couple might be Ann Williams and William Johnson.  Plaintiff Anne Cornelius was born Ann Dodson.

2 Sep 1760: James Johnson petitioned for an attachment against the Zakariah Baker estate; Johnson to recover debt.[4]  Ruth Baker, daughter of Caleb and Martha Brooks Baker, was married to Samuel Johnston of Ward’s Fork, but I've not yet found a Zachariah in her family.

8 May 1761: Widow Mary Johnson married Charles Sullivant.  Bondsman: Owen Sullivant.[5]  Mary was born 1 Jun 1722 in Goochland.  Her name is given by various researchers as Mary Charlton Johnston or Mary Johnston Carlton.  If she was a Johnson widow, might she have been the widow of James Johnston the Elder, who died in March 1761.    William and/or Samuel Johnson were appointed appraisers of the Elizabeth Dudgeon estate, along with James and/or Charles Sullivant on 6 Oct 1761.  Owen Sullivant owned land on both Ward's Fork and Twitty's Creek from at least 1755; John Sullivant from at least 1746.    (At least one researcher  claims the marriage of  Charles and Mary occurred on 15 Jun 1749 in Greenville District, SC.)

7 Jul 1761: David Wimpee of Cornwall Parish sold William Johnson of Goochland County 700 acres bordering Cargill’s Creek in Lunenburg County for £50, with wife Mary Wimpee relinquishing her dower right.  On that same day, Edward Atkins was appointed surveyor "whereof Samuel Johnson [was] late surveyor".[6]  He is probably the grandson of Michael Johnson of Tuckahoe Creek.  Atkins resided close to Samuel Johnston of Ward's Fork.

1764 Tithe List, Cornwall Parish has the following unidentified Johnsons: 

William = 1 tithe, 700 acres This is the man from Goochland Count, who bought property in 1761 and sold in 1764.  He was married to an Elizabeth.

Then "in the lower end of this county", where our William is located:

John  Senior = _____, _____   He may be the son of James the Elder.

John Junior = 2 tithes, 200 acres

Andrew = 1 tithe, 460 acres

Charlotte County was formed from Lunenburg in 1764.  Was this list taken before or after Charlotte's creation?

13 Sep 1764: David Hudson sold 150 acres on the south side of Sandy Creek adjoining John Bond, Ann Williams, and the Staunton River to William Johnson for £100. Witnesses: William Harris, Daniel Hudson.  Ann Hudson, wife of David, relinquished her dower rights.[7]

10 Jun 1768: William Johnson was a buyer at the estate sale of John Cooper, deceased, recorded on that date.[8]

28 Apr 1768: Along with John Chamblis and Joseph (x) Dunman, William Johnson witnessed the will of John Green.[9]

10 Dec 1772: Isaac Johnson purchased 200 acres on a branch of Stokes Creek from Thomas Bruce.   The parcel was bordered by Johnson himself and Breedlove.  Witnesses: John and George Sammon and William Walker.[10]  This man is most probably the son of Michael and Sarah Watson Johnson.

12 Feb 1778: James and William Johnson were purchasers at the Richard Claiborne estate sale, recorded on that date.[11]

14 Oct 1779: James Johnson and John White, David Abernathy and Benjamin Cobb of Cumberland Parish witnessed sale of 2,759 acres from Peter Jones the Elder to Peter Jones the Younger.[12]   The daughter of David Jones married a Johnston and James White married a daughter of William and Ann Johnston.

1 Sep 1783: Jacob Morton and Will Bouldin posted bond for the marriage of Thomas Cox to Rebecca Johnston.

Halifax County: Formed 1752 from Lunenburg

James Johnston, planter of Halifax County, purchased land from William Byrd at Hickory on the Hico River for only 40 shillings.  The year was undisclosed.[13]

In 1783 and 1784 Samuel Johnson had surveys recorded in Halifax: 106 acres on Wynn's Creek, 693 and 249 acres on a "drau" of Wynn's Creek, 244 on Dan River, 376 on Dan River, 502 on Hico Road.

27 Dec 1784: Caleb Johnston had trust deed [mortgage] to Mathew Mullings for his 374 acres.[14]  Is this our Caleb, the son of Samuel and Ruth Johnston?

20 Oct 1798: Caleb Johnson had 374 acres on the Cattail Branch of Sycamore Creek in Pittsylvania or Halifax Counties surveyed; and 400 acres on "drau" of Aarons Creek on 2 Apr 1803.[15]   Sycamore Creek is in present-day Pittsylvania County. 

Charlotte County: Formed 1764 from that part of Lunenburg north of the Roanoke/Staunton River

20 Apr 1765: Samuel Johnston witnessed a deed from Godfrey Jones to Francis Clements for 144 acres bounded by William Foster Senior and William Gill.  Other witnesses were Thomas and James Forster, John Mitchell, William Holt, Simcock Cannon, and William Bailey.[16]  Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson and granddaughter of Michael Johnson, married Josiah Foster.  Our Samuel, however, certainly had associations with Simcock Cannon and the Baileys.

22 Apr 1765: Samuel Johnston, along with Francis Clement, Thomas Foster, _______ Isbell, William Holt, and William Bailey, witnessed a deed from Godfrey Jones to Simcock Cannon of Prince Edward County for 50 acres bounded by Collin’s old line and Clark.[17]  Jean Johnston, daughter of Samuel Johnston of Ward's Fork, married a David Bailey.

7 Oct 1765: Along with James Hunt and William Simmons, Samuel Johnston witnessed a deed from Nathaniel Barksdale of Halifax to John Hill of Prince Edward for 132 acres on Horsepen Fork of Cub Creek adjoining William Nixon and John Kinkade.[18]  In Henry, James Johnston witnessed a power of attorney from James Hunt to Edward Nunnely in 1802 and was then an appraiser of the James Hunt estate in 1803.  Horsepen Fork of Cub Creek may be the present day Horsepen Creek, which is the northernmost branch of Cub Creek, the upper reaches of which are currently in Appomattox County. But beware, there are many Horsepen Creeks, one of them lying east of Ward's fork toward Lunenburg County.  The important ingredient is Horsepen Fork of Cub Creek.

April 1767: Thomas Johnston and Nathaniel Hunt witnessed a deed from Isham and Frances Prewit to Martin Palmer for 200 acres formerly belonging to John Sullivan, deceased.[19]  Isham Prewit owned land along Ward’s Fork.

5 Dec 1768: Along with Josiah Porter, James Foster, James Speed, and Nathaniel Hunt, Thomas Johnston witnessed a deed from James McCraw to James Lyle of Chesterfield County.[20]

6 Aug 1770: John Johnson renounced all claim to a tract on the upper side of Cubb Creek at the mouth of Turkey Cock in Charlotte County. The land was being purchased by William Smith from Elisha White.[21]  One Turkey Cock Creek was located in Pittsylvania and Henry counties.  Was there another Turkey Cock actually in the Charlotte vicinity??

2 Jul 1772: James Johnston witnessed a deed from Stephen Cocke to Chastain Cocke on the north side of the Staunton River.  James signed with "A".[22]  The Staunton River forms the modern-day boundary between Pittsylvania on the south and Campbell on the north, Halifax on the south and Charlotte on the north.

6 Jul 1772: Archibald Johnson purchased 154 acres from Robert Neeley for £70.[23]

6 Sep 1772: Reuben Johnson purchased 100 acres adjoining Ruffin, Lidderdale, and Francis from Thomas Floyd for £50.[24]  This Lidderdale was from Scotland, and was not related to the Lauderdales of Botetourt County.

25 Dec 1773: Along with Eleanor Jackson, Samuel Johnston witnessed the sale of five slaves from Simon Jackson to Joel Jackson of Amelia County.[25]

17 Nov 1783: John Johnson received a grant on a branch of Ward’s Creek.[26]  Was this John H. Johnston?

27 Oct 1785: Reuben, William, Josiah, and Phillip Johnson, along with Oliver Sallee, John and Obediah Brumfield, signed religious petition in Charlotte County.[27]  William Brunfield owned land on the upper side of the Little Roanoke from 1749, also on Jones Creek.  Anne Brumfield married William Johnston.  William Johnston of Ward's Fork had daughters who married James White and Oliver Sallee.  

6 Mar 1787: Samuel Johnson versus Henry Benskin Lightfoot resulted in an attachment against the defendant’s estate for nonappearance.[28]  Was this Samuel of Ward’s Fork?

7 May 1787: James Johnston served on jury duty.[29]  Was this the son of Ward’s Fork Samuel?

6 Aug 1787: William Johnson was named to the Grand Jury; also on 5 Nov 1787, and on regular juries on 5 Mar 1788, 2 Mar 1789.[30]

The 1787 Tax List for Charlotte included[31]:

List A: The Ward's Fork Samuel, James, and William all appear on this list, but also . .

James Johnston Senior = 0 white males 16-21, 1 black over 16, 1 black under 16, 3 horses or mules, 19 cattle; 30 Mar  This must be James,  son of  the William who died in 1774, as "Senior" was unlikely to refer to James, son of Ward's Fork Samuel, or  James,  guardian of the children of Rev. Thomas Johnston.  One of the James Johnstons owned 297 acres on Ward's Fork adjoining Barksdale and Venable. 

List B:  In order of date

Nelson Johnston = No categories; Nelson Colvert charged with tax; 24 Mar

Phillip Johnston = 1 horse or mule; 14 Mar

Sias Johnston = 1 white male 16-21, 1 black over 16, 1 under, 3 horses or mules, 5 cattle; 27 Mar   (I'm assuming that Sias short for Josias.  This "Sias" married Phelletia Hankins, a widow, on 8 Oct 1798.)

Josias Johnston = No categories; Sias Johnston charged with tax; 27 Mar  (Was he the Josias who married Susannah Martin on 21 Jul 1789?)

William Johnston = 0 white males 16-21, 2 blacks over 16, 1 under, 3 horses or mules, 3 cattle; 28 Mar

Reubin Johnston = 2 horses or mules; 14 Mar and/or 2 Apr

James Johnston = 1 horse or mule; 2 Apr

John H. Johnston = 1 horse or mule; 9 May

20 Sep 1787: Mary Johnson married David Adams.  Bondsman: Reuben Johnson "-f".[32]  The designation "f" signifies "father".

21 Oct 1787: William Johnson, William Foster, and Thomas Toombs witnessed a deed from Joshua Blanton to Alexander Womack for 400 acres on both sides of Turkey Egg Branch of the Meherrin River.

4 Aug 1788: Reuben Johnston served on a jury.  Also that session, James Johnson served on a jury with Daniel Coleman.[33]

2 Mar 1789: William Johnson was a member of a grand jury returning presentment against James Johnston and Agnes Herbert for fornication.  That is almost undoubtedly our James, the son of Samuel of Ward’s Fork.  Surely this jury member wasn't his brother?

2 Apr 1789: William Johnston married Elizabeth Ford.[34]

21 Jul 1789: Josiah Johnson married Susanna Martin.  Bondsman: Abraham Martin.[35]

3 Aug 1789: William Johnson was named to a grand jury, also 3 Aug 1789 and 1 Nov 1790.[36] 

1 Mar 1791: Thomas Foster was found guilty of swearing 4 oaths at William Johnson’s sale on the last day of January.  James Mullins was found guilty for one oath at same.[37]  Could this have actually been the Samuel Johnston estate sale, with William as administrator?

22 Dec 1791: The will of Robert Breedlove bequeathed slave Pandas to "my sister Isabel Johnson".[38]  James and Robert Breedlove owned land on Pledge's Creek and Twitty's Creek from 1757.

27 Jan 1792: Thomas Johnston married Betsy Paulett.  Surety: Thomas Paulett.   Minister: Rev. William Mahon.[39]   Thomas was Elizabeth's father.  Thomas and Betsy Johnston moved to Campbell County, VA.

7 Jan 1793: Martha Johnson married Josiah Claybrook.  Bondsman: Reuben Johnson.[40]

7 Aug 1797: Ruben Johnson served on a grand jury with William Johnson; and also Ruben charged John Raine with selling liquor without a license.[41]  Why would Rueben be involved?  Was he the sheriff?

4 Sep 1798: An indenture between John McCargo and William Johnston was recorded.  The transcription included the note: "William Johnston’s lands were adjacent to John McCargo’s 400 acres tract on Horsepen Creek".[42]

William Johnson was Constable in 1798 and 1803.[43]

11 Oct 1798: Sias Johnson married Phelletia Hankins, widow of John Hankins.  Surety: James Mullins.  Minister: Rev. Edward Almond.[44]

15 Oct 1803 William Johnson married widow Nancy Brewer, with John Moon as surety.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. Obadiah Edge.[45]  According to Knorr, William was the son of Naum Johnson.

11 May 1808: Clarinda Johnson married Lewis Holcombe.[46]

6 Sep 1808: William Johnson married Lucy Roberson.[47]  Once again, we see the Robersons and Johns[t]ons closely associated.

1810 Census: James [over 45], Jesse, John H., Naum, Oliver, Rebecca, Reuben Senior and Reuben Junior, two Roberts, a Sims, and three William Johnsons.  Those over 45 are James, John H., Naum, Rebecca, Reuben Senior, Sims (who was actually deceased), and William.

1815: The William Johnston who resided on Ward's Fork had a son named Reuben.  There was also a Reuben Senior who owned land on Wallace's Creek and Dunivant's Creek.[48]

20 Mar 1816: Nancy Johnson, daughter of William Johnson, married Thomas Hamlett.

 Pittsylvania County:  Formed in 1767 from Halifax County

                Among the signatories to the 1777 Oath of Allegiance were:

On Capt. Hankin's List: William Johnson, [our] Samuel Johnson, [Samuel’s father-in-law] Joseph Ballinger, Jesse Hodges, James Gravely, Hodges, William Mayes, Richard Prewitt, and John White.

On William Witcher's List: James Johnston, John Henslie Junior, Benjamin Tarrant, William Thompson, Wades, and Sanders Ward.  The surnames Hensley, Tarrant, and Wade were closely allied with the Ballingers.

On Capt. James Roberts' List was Noble Johnson, Martin and William Bailey, John Hanna, Benjamin Laprad, and Samuel Bolling.  Noble Johnson (16 Jan 1761 – 2 Jul 1852 in Henderson County, NC) may have been the son of one James Johnson from Limerick, Ireland, and the father of another James.  One of these James was married to Anna Cole.

On James Morton's List: Daniel Johnston, Thomas Johnston, Joseph Austin, Coxes, Thomas Harget, Jehu and John Morton, Paynes, William Read, and Robertsons.[49]  Daniel Johnston's wife in 1799 was Sarah. 

3 Jul 1781: The will of Moses Johnson, probated 18 Jun 1782, mentioned sons Arther and Obediah.  Witnesses: Thomas Boaz, Henry Rawlings, and Constantine Clarkson.[50]  Obediah Johnson was married to Rosamond in 1801.  Moses Johnson (16 Jun 1745 – 12 Nov 1812) married Sarah (25 Dec 1754 – 2 Oct 1815).  Their children were: Mary (m. James Carr Wallen), Sarah, Elizabeth, Isaac, George, Nancy, James (b. 3 Jul 1784), Abigail, Susannah, Moses (b. 14 Jun 1793 in NC; m. Eleanor Holland), Lee, and John T. Johnson (married Sarah).  John and Sarah had children: Leonard, Andrew, Joseph, Hudson, Walter, Jane, and John H. Johnson.

18 Nov 1782: James Johnson of Pittsylvania County purchased 299 acres from Daniel Morgan.  Witnesses: John Owen, John Buckley, Richard Johnson, and James Buckley Junior.[51]  James and Richard Johnson were doubtless related, judging from their numerous dealings in the deed index.  In 1789, a James Johnson was married to a woman named Rebecca.

1783: James Johnson received payment for school boarding and expenses for a ward of Col. Robert Williams.[52]  One of the William Johnsons was married to an ann Williams as early as 1760.

18 Apr 1785: James Johnson granted a deed of gift to Richard Johnson.[53]

3 Nov 1785: Phillip Johnson married Susan Payne, with by David Barr performing the ceremony.[54]

16 Jul 1787: Sally Johnson married Bartlet Nunnellee.  Bondsman: R. C. Johnson.[55]  Our James Johnston witnessed a power of attorney from James Hunt to Edward Nunnely in Henry County in 1802.

4 Sep 1787: The will of Archibald Johnston mentioned sons James, William, Obediah, and Samuel; daughters, Silar Martin, Saley, Mary, and Elizabeth.  Joseph Terry and William Ryburn were named the children's trustees.  Witnesses: Abednego Turner and H. D. Holt.  The will was probated on 15 Sep 1788.  Is this the Archibald who purchased land in Charlotte County in 1772?  This Archibald has a deed in Pittsylvania County dated 1783.  According to The Patriot Index, Archibald was born 17 Jan 1750, married Jemima O'Bannion, served as LT VA.  Archibald and Jemima married on 30 Nov 1786 in Fauquier County.[56]  What happened to Archibald's son Samuel?  Could he be confused with our Samuel in the Henry County records?

22 Apr 1788: The will of Jeremiah White named widow Jane and children William, Jeremiah, John, Hamilton, Robert, and Nancy, and sons-in-law Braxton Mabry, William Clark, James Hinton, and daughter Mary Hardaway.   It mentioned land on Lick Fork of Horsepen Creek in Charlotte County.  Witnesses: Micajah and Tabitha Dodson.  Jeremiah White, the son of Jeremiah Senior and Mary Clark Martin, also owned land on Sandy Creek in Pittsylvania adjoining Wisdon and Terry; Sweeting Fork of Sandy Creek adjoining Thompson and Col. Robert Williams; and Lick Fork of Horsepen Creek in Charlotte adjoining Joshua Chafing.  Jeremiah's widow Jane (nee Shelton) White married James Johnson c. 1788.  Richard and Letitia Johnson and James F. and Nancy Johnson, along with Jeremiah, William, John, Hamilton, and Robert White, sued William Clark and William White, co-executors of Jeremiah White, deceased.  Was Letitia a White?  See 15 Mar 1795.

1790: James Johnson was a Justice of the Peace.

22 Sep 1790: Ginsey Johnson married John Pemberton.  Bondsman: James Mitchell.  The certificate was signed by Isham Johnson; the ceremony was performed by James Hurt.[57] 

3 May 1791: Elizabeth C. Johnson, daughter of James Johnson, married William Shelton, with Frederick Shelton as the bondsman.  The ceremony was performed by James Hurt.[58]

17 Jan 1795: Thomas Johnson married Mary Robinson.  Bondsman: Nicholas Robinson.[59]

15 Mar 1795: Richard Johnson married Lettice Hinton.  Bondsman: Jeremiah White.  Minister: Lazarus Dodson.[60]  Lazarus had also performed the marriage of George Pratley to Lydia Dodson with James Johnson as bondsman; and marriage of James Johnston to Joyce Wells.  Lazarus was minister of the Leatherwood Primitive Baptist Church.  John Johnston, son of Hudson Johnson, supposedly resided next to Lazarus Dodson in Pittsylvania.  See also 22 Apr 1788.

15 Dec 1795: Nancy Johnson married Elijah Prewett.[61]  The ceremony was performed by Richard Elliot.  I'd made a note that she was not the daughter of Archibald; yet in 1800 Elijah Prewet was bondsman for Obediah Johnson marrying Rossey Prewit Adams.

7 Mar 1796: Richard Johnson was bondsman for marriage of William Sheppard and Polly F. Taylor.[62]

26 Sep 1796: Langston Johnson married Polley Jones, daughter of William Jones.  Bondsman: William Sheppard.[63]  There was also a Johnston-Jones connection in Charlotte County, but then, there's probably a Johns[t]on-Jones connection in almost every Southern county.

16 Feb 1797: John Johnson signed permission as stepfather for the marriage of Seany Hackwork and James Harris.  Bondman: William Harris.[64]  According to Tony Johnson, this was probably the son of Hudson Johnson of Henry County, who had already migrated to TN.  John and wife Ann resided next to Lazarus Dodson on Sandy Creek.

James Johnson was Sheriff of Pittsylvania County in 1800.[65]

21 Jan 1800: William Johnson was bondsman for the marriage of Lewis Morgan and Frances White, daughter of Lucy White.[66]

13 Nov 1800: Rebecca Johnson married Johnson Hoskins.[67]

30 Dec 1800: Obediah Johnson [the son or grandson of deceased Archibald or Moses] married Rossey (Prewitt) Adams.  Bondsman: Elijah Prewet.  The ceremony was performed by Richard Elliot.[68]

Henry County:  Formed 1777 from Pittsylvania

8 Aug 1777: John Jonsoan witnessed a deed from Thomas Harbour to Phillip Anglin on Fall Creek.  John signed with his mark.[69]

1778 Henry County Tax List: William, Thomas, Jacob, James, Hudson, and [our] Samuel Johnson.  Jacob was assessed a double tax.  James and Hudson were listed together, implying the same household.[70]  Hudson Johnson (c. 1740-1828 in Dickson County, TN) married Agnes P.  In 1840, age 80-90, she was residing in the household of Thomas Murrell son.  Hudson Johnson is an exact Y-chromosome match for the descendants of Michael Johnson of Tuckahoe Creek.  See Nancy's Thoughts on Genes and Genealogy.

15 Feb 1779: Benjamin Johnson was appointed surveyor of the road from the Carolina line to the top of the Blue Ridge.[71]

1779 Tax List: William, Jacob, James, Hudson, Samuel, and Noble Johnson.   Thomas had disappeared; Hudson and Jacob were assessed treble tax, implying they were delinquent the previous year.[72]  According to Tony Johnson, William Johnson had land adjoining Rowland Chiles.  Hudson's wife Agnes was born 1740-1750. 

In 1779 or 1780 Moses Johnson received a patent for 400 acres, not surveyed until between 10 Jun 1780 and 10 Jun 1783.[73]  A Moses Johnson (b. 16 Jun 1745, d. 12 Nov 1812) who was married to Sarah Powell, was in Hawkins County, TN by 1785, where he was associated with Benjamin Murrell.  Hudson Johnston also moved to Hawkins County. 

15 Feb 1779: Benjamin Johnson was appointed surveyor of the road from Carolina to the top of Blue Ridge.[74] 

25 Jul 1779: Among the men ordered into militia service under Capt. Daniel Carlin was Benjamin Johnston.  They were discharged 10 Sep 1779.[75]  There were no other familiar surnames listed.

c. 1780: John Johnston witnessed a deed from Robert Woods to Hugh Martin.[76]

1780 Tax List: William, Jacob, James, and Hudson Johnson.[77]  Where are Noble and our Samuel?  Noble must have been there, see 28 Sep 1780.

28 Sep 1780: John Sams posted a bond to insure his good behavior for one year and one day, especially towards Noble Johnson.[78]  Is this the Noblet Johnson in Pendleton District, SC in 1790?

March 1781: James Johnson joined up under General Green.[79]  This should be  James Johnston, the son of Ward's Fork Samuel; but could he have  volunteered from Henry County?

11 Mar 1781: Noble Johnson fought at the Battle of Guildford Courthouse in David Lanier's Militia Company.[80]

26 Apr 1781: John Johnston witnessed a deed from Robert Woods to Hugh Martin on Chestnut Creek [present-day Franklin County].  Other witnesses were John Dickerson and William Woods. [81]

John Johnston appeared on the Tax List between 1782 and 1785 with 1 poll and 5 slaves.[82]  He was not on the Tax Lists of 1778, 1779, or 1780.

In addition to our Samuel, the 1782 Tax List had the following:[83]

Jacob Johnson = 1 tithable, 0 blacks, 6 horses, 8 cattle  (Loving's Creek)

William Johnson = 1 tithable, 0 blacks, 2 horses, 10 cattle 

Hezekiah Johnson = 1 tithable, 0 blacks, 1 horse, 2 cattle

David Johnson = 0 tithables, 0 blacks, 1 horse, 4 cattle

       Also on this 1782 list were: Samuel, John, William, Francis, John, and Charles Cox, John King, John Hensley, John, James, Samuel, Larkin, and Reuben Tarrant, John and Joseph Gravely, Matthew and Richard Wells, and Richard Tankersley - all names associated with the Johnstons.

20 Sep 1785: Jacob Johnson received a patent for 45 acres on both sides of Loving's Creek.[84]  See 1 Nov 1790 and 12 Dec 1792.

24 Sep 1785: In his will Joseph Anthony bequeathed "negroes James and a child of Milly which I formerly lent to James Johnson . . . . If Penelopy Johnson refuses to keep the negroes as slaves, they are to be returned to the estate".[85]   This must be that other James Johnson in Henry.

1787 Tax List: In addition to our Samuel of Leatherwood, who was enumerated on 29 Apr with another adult male in the household, we find . . . [86]

                On List A: 

David Johnson = 1 white male 16-21, 2 horses or mules, 6 cattle; enumerated 2 May.

James Johnson = 0 white males 16-21, 0 blacks, 3 horses or mules, 0 cattle; enumerated 2 May.

                On List B:

Jacob = 1 male 16-26; 0 blacks; 7 horses; 13 cows; enumerated 31 May.  (Loving's Creek)

Joseph Ray = 0 males 16-26; 0 blacks; 3 horses; 4 cows; enumerated 31 May. (Loving's Creek)

Moses = 0 males 16-26; 0 blacks; 0 horses; 2 cows; enumerated 2 June.

On the 1790 Tax List A were David, James, and John Johnston, recorded on Apr 3, our Samuel Johnston on Apr 29, James Johnson "(Leatherwood)" on May 27, and Holson Johnston on Jun 17.  On Tax List B were Moses Joseph, Joseph Rea, Jacob, Lewis, and Perry Johnson.  According to Tony Johnson, David Johnson, who also appeared on the 1782 Tax List, resided on Leatherwood not far from Reuben Tarrant.  Whose son is David? 

1 Nov 1790: Joseph Ray Johnson purchased 235 acres on Loving's Creek of the Yadkin River for £200 from Walter Bernard.[87]

12 Apr 1791: Barnaba Wells sold a slave named Dinah to David Johnson, with Joseph Gravely witnessing the bill of sale.[88]

12 Dec 1792: Joseph Johnson received a patent for 29 acres on both sides of Loving Creek.  On 17 Dec 1792 he received a patent for 57 acres on both sides of the north fork of the creek adjoining James Harrington.[89]

23 Jul 1793: William Johnson received a patent for 200 acres on both sides of Mill Creek adjoining Webster's line.[90]  According to Tony Johnson, this is William and Elizabeth Hutchenson Johnson, but see 5 Mar 1796.

5 Mar 1796: William Johnson and his wife Mary "of Patrick County, VA" sold 50 acres on Mill Creek to John Dempsey for £20.  In that same year, William Johnston sold land to Samuel Philpott.[91]

On the 1800 Tax List only our James Johnston of Leatherwood appears.  Are some now in Patrick County, formed 1791?

If you have material about 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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