Notes

The gravestone of Elizabeth Vaughan Johns

Photo credit: Estelle Wright Hall
 

Estelle Wright Hall at the graves of her great-great-great-gran dparents Joseph B. and Elizabeth Vaughan Johns 

The gravestone of Joseph B. Johns

JOSEPH B. JOHNS settled in Tennessee in 1801. He lived briefly in Giles C o., TN and then settled in Rutherford Co., TN. He served in West Tenness ee Militia during the War of 1812. He enlisted 10 Dec 1812 and serv ed in the infantry under Col. Hall and Capt. Newton.

JOSEPH B. JOHNS received a land grant August 1831 for 71 acres in Rutherfo rd Co., TN.

JOSEPH B. JOHNS' date of death, 8 October 1839, was recorded in the Maj or Family Bible.

RECORDS IN RUTHERFORD CO., TENNESSEE THAT MENTION JOSEPH B. JOHNS:

April 1814- Order hands work under JOSEPH B. JOHNS, overseer of road: Dru ry Hale, Wm Hale, Wm Robertson & hands, Richd Cook, Thos Cook, Jno Methen y, Jesse Monday, Arthur Monday, Wm Sison, Zacheus Sison, Benjn Baker, Eli as Baker, Hill Wade, Jno Matthews 7 hands, Saul Dunnaway, Thos Dunaway, Ja cob Johns, David Reed, Jas Huckaby, James Robertson. (Rutherford Co. Cou rt Records 1811-1850, pg. 146)
Submitted by Estelle Hall.

May 1828- A true copy of the inventory of William Vaughan, decd., return ed to Rutherford County Court by JOSEPH B. JOHNS, administrator and Pat sy Vaughan, administrator, at May Term 1828.
(Rutherford Co., TN, Will Book 7, pg. 35)

18 Aug 1829- To the undersigned commissioned appointed by the County Cou rt of Rutherford, May term 1809. To settle with JOSEPH B. JOHNS, execut or of Abner Johns, decd. who was executor of Mary Johns, decd. Report th at the said Johns had received in his hand belonging to the estate seven h undred and nineteen dollars and paid out to the legatees of said as vouche rs appears as follows:
1. B. Coleman- $250.00
2. Burl Ganaway- $25.70/$28.40
3. Ganaway- $251.28
4. Jas. Rucker- $13.12/ $264.40
5. James Rucker- $157.51
6. J. F. Davis- $129.41/ $287.00
7. Edmund Johns' heirs- $145.14
Witnesses: T. C. Mitchell, S. Beesley, Samuel Wilson (commissioners)
(Rutherford Co., TN, Will Book 7, pg. 259)

DEEDS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE THAT MENTION JOSEPH B. JOHNS:

16 Sept. 1809-Transaction made between JOSEPH B. JOHNS and Redmund D. Bare y. This indenture made this 24th day of February in the year 1817 betwe en Redmond D. Barey of Sumner County and state of TN of the one part and J oseph B. Johns of Rutherford County and state of TN of the other part --- ------? that whereas the said Red D. Barey and on the 16th day of Septemb er 1809 gave his Bonds as obligation to the said Joseph B. Johns in this w ords of figure following - Know all men by these presents that I, Red D. B arey am held and firmly bound unto Joseph B. Johns in the just and full s um of two thousand dollars good and lawful money to the which payment -- -? and truly to be made bind myself ------ ----- ----? firmly by these pre sents the condition of the above obligation is that whereas the said Jose ph B. Johns hath this day purchased a tract of land from the said R ed D. on the waters of the East Fork of Stones River located by WilliamNa sh on warrant 4206 for 640 acres now is the said Red D. will as so on as he can conveniently obtain a grant and convey to the said Jose ph B. a good and sufficient title to the same agreeable to ---------? r un by William Nash as Joseph B. a few day ago provided said line does n ot interfere with the lines of Ben Phillips, Joshua Hadley or Bushnal Dobb ins ---? survey, then this obligation to be null and void otherwise to rem ain in full force and venue given under my hand and seal this 16th d ay of September 1809 ---? Sam Weakley now the said Red D. Barey for and in consideration of the promises of ten dollars to us in hand paid by the sa id Joseph B. Johns the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and him t he said Joseph B. forever therefrom exonerated and acquit hath and by the se presents doth bargain, sell, employ and convey unto the said Jose ph B. Johns the aforsaid tract or parcel of land situate lying and bei ng in the county of Rutherford on the waters of the east fork of Stones ri ver long the north side of said river beginning at an elm and small whi te oak it being Joshua Hadleys southwest corner of his six hundred and for ty acre tract of land he now lives on thence north three hundred and six ty six poles to a black oak thence east two hundred and eighty pol es to a wash and sugar tree thence south with said Hadleys line three hund red and sixty six poles to the beginning. Containing six hundred and for ty acres to the ---? more or less to have and to hold the above, etc, et c, etc........
Witness: Robert Foster, Jr and Isaac Johns Signed Joseph B. Johns (De ed Book L pg. 175-177)

15 July, 1817- JOSEPH B. JOHNS to Jacob Johns. 250 acres. Land Jose ph B. Johns purchased from Redmund D.Barry. (Deed Book L, pg. 195) Milita ry Law Office 640 acres given as grant 11 April, 1797.

20 Dec 1823- JOSEPH B. JOHNS and Charles Dement, both of Rutherford Co ., TN to Joshua Harrison of Rutherford Co., TN for $275.00, a lot in the t own of Murfreesboro, TN.
Signed: Charles Dement and JOSEPH B. JOHNS
(Deed Book Q, pg. 176)
Deed Recorded 19 January 1825. John R. Laughlin, Clk.

16 Jan 1826- Philip Osborne of Rutherford Co., TN to JOSEPH B. JOHNS of Ru therford Co., TN for $1,200.00, a 202 acre tract of land in Rutherford Co ., on the waters of the East Fork of Stones River. Bound by Elam's line a nd corner.
Signed: Philip Osborne
Witnesses: Benjamin Clayton and H. D. Wilson.

RECORDS IN RUTHERFORD CO., TENNESSEE WHICH PERTAIN TO THE SETTLEMENT OF T HE ESTATE OF JOSEPH B. JOHNS:

2 Dec 1839- December Term 1839, Rutherford County Court. To William and T homas Johns, citizens of Rutherford County. It appearing to the County Co urt that JOSEPH B. JOHNS has died leaving no will and the court being sati sfied as to your claim to the administration and you having given bond & t he court having ordered that letters of administration be issued to yo u. You are to take into your possession and control all the goods chattl es claims and papers and return a true and perfect inventory to our cou rt in ninety days, to collect and pay all debts and transact all the duti es in relation to said estate. Recorded 4 December 1839.
(Rutherford Co, TN, Will Book 10, pg. 462)

21 Mar 1840- Inventory of all the goods and chattles and credits of JOSE PH B. JOHNS, decd., not included inventory of the sales cash on hand, Tenn essee Bank $50.00, (illegible)$29.00, Twenty five dollars to Mississippi-A labama Railroad, one note on Isiah Elison and Elihu McMin $40.31, sever al receipts listed on several named persons, also several notes list ed to several named persons including one note on William Johns for $600. 00 and one note on Jacob Johns for $38.00, and Paul V. Johns' account $3.7 5, William Johns' account $29.93, Nicholas Johns' $1.12 and Thomas John s' account $2.00, Randolph V. Johns' $3.31. Cash received by the han ds of JOSEPH B. JOHNS for selling whiskey & c $38.00. Sales of 3rd Februa ry 1840. Signed by Wm. Johns and Thomas Johns, admin. Sales of esta te of JOSEPH B. JOHNS, decd.. Several items listed as sold to several nam ed persons including Elizabeth Johns, William Johns, Joseph B. Johns, Jr ., Randolph V. Johns, Will Johns, and Paul V. Johns and R. V. Johns and Th omas Johns and Jacob Johns.
Signed: John Hoover, Jas. Wade and Wm. F. Robinson.
(Rutherford Co., TN, Will Book 10, pg. 493)

12 Oct 1840- JOSEPH B. JOHNS, decd. Inventory of sale of tobacco, 10,6 77 lbs. Elizabeth Johns provisions for the year. Allotment to Jose ph B. Palmer. Mention of Virginia Charles ?. Signed Wm. Johns and Tho mas Johns.
(Rutherford Co., TN Will Book 11, pg. 78)

1 Jan 1842- JOSEPH B. JOHNS, decd. Settlement made with Thomas and Willi am Johns for sale of estate and proceeds of crop of tobacco minus credit s. List 54 names.
(Rutherford Co., TN Will Book 12, pg. 88 & 89)

20 Jan 1845- William Johns, Thomas Johns, Randel V. Johns, Paul V. John s, Joseph B. Johns, Varner D. Cowan and his wife Susan, William Major a nd his wife Garter, Samuel McAdo and his wife Sarah, and Joseph B. Palm er (grandson) by his guardian Varner D. Cowan and Caroline Mildred Smith ( granddaughter) by her guardian Samuel Smith, heirs of JOSEPH B. JOHNS, la te of the County of Rutherford who died intestate, to sell the land of JOS EPH B. JOHNS, decd.

To wit:
A tract of land in Rutherford Co. on McNairys Branch on the East Fork of S tones River, being the home tract, including the mansion house and plantat ion, containing about 540 acres (from which a dower containing 224 has be en allotted to Elizabeth Johns) and bound by Jacob Johns, Robertson's lin e, Phillips' line, Dodd's line and Nelson's line. A tract of land on McNa irys Branch containing about 51 acres. A tract of land, known as the Ca ve Spring Tract containing 243 acres and the adjoining Cedar Land Tract co ntaining 44 acres and bound by Samuel McAdo, John Donaldson, Momford's lin e, Vaughan's line and Hunt's line. The said tracts of land, exclusive of t he widow's dower, were sold by Samuel H. Hodge, Commissioner, to wit:

The 51 acre tract on McNairys Branch to Drury Dunaway for $458.91.
The 287 acre tract, known as the Cave Spring Tract and the Cedar Land Tra ct to Randell V. Johns for $1722.00.
The 272 acres tract, known as the home tract (excluding the widow's dowe r) to Paul V. Johns for $2,235.00.
Signed: Samuel H. Hodge
(Deed Book 2, pg. 96)

A letter to JOSEPH B. JOHNS from James Lanier (his brother-in-law) of Pitt sylvania Co., VA, indicating that JOSEPH B. JOHNS made visits back to Pitt sylvania Co., VA:

Pittsylvania County
State of VA
6 Jany 1824

Dear Sir:

I have no news of importance to write you there has nothing occured sin ce you was in this country worth naming. We are all in health and good con dition generally so fare as I am acquainted. I am in hope this will find y ou and yours enjoying the same blessing, soe I have thought proper to p ut your rept. in the hands of Esqr. Fulton you will be so good as to gi ve him up the notes for collection also your brother Abraham. If you ha ve not got his note, if so you can also give him the notes for collectio n, as I am owing some money his neighbourhood and Mr. Adams is desirous y ou would be in hastin senfing him the deed you promised when you was in th is country last, I fully expect to recd a letter from you before this fr om your promise when I saugh you last you will soe excuse last and exce pt of my best wishes and familys. I am with dere respect.
Jas. Lanier

I will write more fully by the first opportunity.

Addressed to Mr. JOSEPH B. JOHNS, Rutherford County, TN.

The following documents were in the possession of Mrs. W. A. Johns of Shel byville, TN and were copied by Edythe Johns Rucker Whitley in 1934:

20 Dec 1837
These few lines goes to certify a true statement of the amount of some not es and executions that Jacob Johns holdes against Isaac Johns, his brothe r, and a final settlement has taken plae betwixt them by his brother payi ng Jacob some furniture. Jacob Johns tells his brother, JOSEPH B. JOHNS, t hat he had waited untill he had now thought that he here would pay him a nd Jacob agreed with his brother, if he would let him these few whites th at is named on the back of the within instrument of writing he would gi ve the above notes and execution. The first note that Isaac Johns gave Ja cob Johns was given October 21, 1806, for one hundred dollars due 18 mont hs after the date.

On a full settlement made by the Comissioners in settlement of my father 's estate in Old Virginia, brother owe on a bond that fell to me that t he Commissioner gave me against said Isaac Johns for the amount of 20 poun ds or in other words gave brother JOSEPH B. JOHNS when I was a small bo y, a minor child.

Allso one execution Jacob Johns and Abraham, our brother, stayed for Isa ac Johns for which Jacob Johns payed the hole execution off to the office r. The judgement obtained before Gilbard Hubble the 27th day of August 182 0, the amount of judgement fifty dollars and 35 cents.

Thirty seven dollars and ninety one cents the 1st day of January 1806.

to one beauroe for $18.21
to one cupboard for $23.00
to one square table $3.50
to one side table $3.00
to one corner table $3.00
to one nine lite winder $1.50
to one widden lock $1.00
to one trunk papered $1.00
to one candlestand $1.00
to one bedstead in the year 1837 $10.00
to two windows thirty lites $5.00
to one folding table $10.00
Total: $119.91

To one years board $40.00

Allso credit for $50.00 broguht from Virginia interest on same up to Decem ber
1837 $95.00

the first note $100.00 due October 1806 $30.00

Settle up to December 1837 interest on $100 to December 1837 amounts to $2 86.00.

The 20 pound note beside the credit amount o $99.00

The amount of the execution that I, Jacob Johns, paid to the widow Quarles estate for Isaac Johns principal and interest is $99.00

This si to certify that this is the hole of the crecit that I, Jacob John s, received of to best of my knowledge.

This last $30.00 is the money that my mother gave me to give to Isaac John s.

Thomas Johns produced a commission and took the oath as Ensign of the Coun ty Militia. State of Virginia, County of Pittsylvania. Mrs. James S. Jon es of Chatham, VA being duly sworn, reposes and says that the foregoing t wo items are true to the best of her knowledge and belief and that she per sonally copied the same from the records. Subscribed and sworn to befo re me this 5th day April 1838.
Signed: M. E. Allen, Notary Public.

I had Mrs. Jones send me the above record of service of Thomas Johns, at w hich time I did not know that I was going to visit that county, but in le ss than one month after Mrs. Jones sent me the above service record of Tho mas Johns, I visited Pittsylvania County and rechecked the record mysel f. It is as found:

Richmond, Virginia State Archives, 10 April 1784. Reference Auditor's Acco unt XVIII, page 531, Militia Warrant to Thomas Johns for his service in t he militia of the state in 1781.

From Estelle Hall:

Joseph B. Johns and his wife Elizabeth Vaughn Johns.

Sacred
to the memory of
Joseph B. Johns
who departed this life
November 8, 1839
Aged 63 years
9 months
10 days

Sacred
to the memory of
Elizabeth Johns
who departed this life
May 26, 1844
aged 65 years
9 months
11 days.

Joseph B. Johns settled in Tennessee in 1801. He lived briefly in Giles C o.,
TN and then settled in Rutherford Co., TN. He served in the War of 1812.
He enlisted 10 Dec 1812 and served as a private Captain Newtons Co., Col.
Wm. Halls Regiment of West TN Militia 12-10-1812; and private in Capt.
Nathan Davis' Co. in Regt. under Gen. Andrew Jackson, 12-18-1813.
He purchased land on E. Fork Stones Riiver and at his death owned
about 1,000 acres.

This grave site is located on private property. There are 3 stones.
One without engraving is broken in many pieces. The two with the
inscription are broken from their base but the inscription part is
intact. They were laying on the ground covered by weeds. They are
currently leaning against a fence. It is incorrectly listed in several
publications as being west of Walter Hill on 266. The descriptions
incorrectly put it on property that was owned by my grandfather Will
Boone Johns. With the help of Ernest King Johns and my uncle Hascal
Johns I was able to locate the site of the graves off 266 East.
Traveling from Murfreesboro, TN on 231 No. Travel about 10 miles
to the intersection of 231 and 266 at the Walter Hill intersection.
Take a right onto 266 East towards Lascassas. Travel 2.1 miles to
Dunnaway Chapel Rd.(Kings Chapel Baptist Chruch). Take a left and
travel 1.3 miles to Lane Rd. Take a left on Lane Rd. and travel
.06 mile to bridge over creek. The graves are located approx. 300-400 yd s. N.W. in the corner of a fence line behind the old home. The land was o wned by a Johns descendant until the 1960s when it was sold to Jack Lan e. There is a new brick home built on the property and the old house is s cheduled to be torn down
spring 2001. Standing at the bridge looking toward the new home the gra ve sites are approx 100 yds. to the right.

Many thanks to Estelle Hall for providing the records in Rutherford Count y, TN for Joseph B. Johns.

The middle name of Joseph B. Johns:

Many Johns researchers, among them Edythe Rucker Whitley, believed that t he middle name of Joseph B. Johns was Barksdale. This was an easy assumpt ion to make, as Joseph B. Johns had a son who was named Joseph Barksdale J ohns. However, the Barksdale name was first introduced into the Johns fam ily by Elizabeth Vaughan, wife of Joseph B. Johns. There is no connecti on in the lineage of Joseph B. Johns with the Barksdale family and absolut ely no reason that his middle name would have been Barksdale.

It is likely that his middle name was "BENJAMIN" as General Joseph Benjam in Palmer, grandson of Joseph B. Johns and Elizabeth Vaughan, was pro ud of the fact that he was named for his grandfather Johns. Althou gh it is also possible that his middle name may have been Benning.

Photo credit: Estelle Wright Hall

Bob Newsome