| Notes |
- [johns file.FTW]
WILLIAM JOHNS was born about 1708. He was probably the son of William Joh ns of St. John's Parish, King William County, Virginia. Conclusive pro of for this connection remains elusive. WILLIAM JOHNS first appeared in G oochland County, Virginia in 1744 when he witnessed a deed in Southam Pari sh. In 1745 he purchased land from Stephen Sanders on the south side of t he James River in Southam Parish. Southam Parish fell into the newly form ed Cumberland County in 1749. Per Cumberland County records, WILLIAM JOH NS was a farmer and ordinary keeper. He remained in Cumberland County unt il 1752 when he moved west to Albemarle County. He eventually settled nor th of the Appomattox River in a portion of Albemarle County that became Bu ckingham County in 1761. Unfortunately, early records for Buckingham Coun ty were lost in a fire. As a result, information about the later yea rs of WILLIAM JOHNS, including his date of death, is scarce. He was on t he 1773 and 1774 Virginia tithe list from Buckingham County and in 17 83 he filed a Virginia Public Service Claim in Buckingham County for goo ds and services provided to troops during the Revolutionary War. It is pre sumed that he died about 1787, when his son William Johns, Jr. ceased to a ffix "junior" to his name.
WILLIAM JOHNS was first married to Ann, as proved by several county docume nts. Her maiden name is believed to have been Merryman. WILLIAM and ANN M ERRYMAN JOHNS were the parents of seven sons and four daughters. It is po ssible that there were other daughters who have not been discovered. The ir children married into the Terry, Turner, Tinsley, Sanders, Glover, Gann away and Jones families. Their grandchildren married into the Trigg, Nas h, Winston, Spencer, Gilliam, Fuqua, Farris, Stith, Martin, Lanier and Wal ker families. Some of these families also had roots in St. John's Paris h, King William County, Virginia and may have been long time acquaintanc es of the Johns family. It appears that WILLIAM JOHNS married for a seco nd time in the mid 1760s. The identity of the second wife has not been fo und.
Many of WILLIAM JOHNS' descendants moved west to Tennessee, Kentucky and M issouri, while others settled in North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. Se veral of his grandchildren remained in Buckingham County, north of the App omattox River near the town of New Store, until the mid 1800s and probab ly lived on land that he owned. Many descendants, although only a few wi th the name Johns, continue to live in piedmont and southside Virginia.
GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS:
15 JAN 1744- James Knott to John Merriman for 12 pounds, 200 acres in Gooc hland Co. on the south side of the James River on the head of Muddy Cre ek and being the plantation wheron Huriah Prewett now dwells. This bei ng the land conveyed to James Knott by John Maddox. Mary, wife of James Kn ott relinquished her right of dower. Witnesses: WILLIAM JOHNS and Jacob W infree.
4 MAY 1745- Stephen Sanders of Albemarle Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Goochla nd Co. for 25 pounds, 200 acres in Goochland Co. on the south side of t he James River and on Muddy Creek and adjoining Jacob Winfree and John Mer ryman. This being the plantation that formerly belonged to Stephen Sander s. Priscilla, wife of Stephen Sanders relinquished her right of dower. Wit nesses: James Sanders, Arthelus Jarratt and Rosemon Swillvent.
NOTE: WILLIAM JOHNS' son Jesse Johns was married in Buckingham Co., VA (ab t. 1766) to Sarah Sanders, daughter of Stephen and Priscilla Sanders.
16 APRIL 1747- Field Bradshaw of Goochland Co. to Field Robinson of Goochl and Co. for 100 pounds, 200 acres in Goochland Co. on the south side of t he James River on Deep Creek, being the plantation on which John Robinso n, Jr. dwells and adjoining Sam'l Nuchkholds, William Tabor and William Br adshaw. Witnesses: WILLIAM JOHNS, ANNE JOHNS and Mary May. Deed Book 5, Pa ges 253-255.
GOOCHLAND COUNTY VIRGINIA RECORDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS:
1746- WILLIAM JOHNS was on the tithe list in Goochland Co.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY VIRGINIA DEEDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS:
22 May 1749- James Bolling of Cumberland Co. to Jonas Meador of Caroline C o. for 25 pounds, 200 acres on the branches of Willis Creek, bound on t he north and west by James Cunningham, on the south by Samuel Adkinson a nd Thomas Carter, and east by John Johnson and Alexander Cunningham, it be ing part of a tract patented to Christopher Bolling. Witnesses: WILLI AM JOHNS and William Hobson. Deed Book 1, pg. 6.
26 NOV 1750- Samuel Nucholls of Louisa Co., VA to WILLIAM JOHNS of South am Parish, Cumberland Co. for 50 pounds, 200 acres in Southam Parish and a djoining said JOHNS and said Nucholl's old line, it being part of a great er quantity granted to the said Nuckolls by patent dated 20 June 1733. Wi tnesses: John Dobie, Job Thomas, James Taylor. Deed Book 1, pg. 236.
20 JUL 1751- WILLIAM JOHNS of Southam Parish to Richard Murry of Caroli ne Co., VA for 160 pounds, 400 acres in Southam Parish in Cumberland Co. a nd adjoining the lands of John Merryman, Samuel Nuchols and Thomas Roberts on. Witnesses: Thomas Merryman, Royal Richard and Henry Terry. ANN, the w ife of the said WILLIAM JOHNS, personally appeared in court and relinquish ed her right of dower. Deed Book 1, pg. 381.
17 Jan. 1763 - Patrick Corner, of the county of Buckingham, to Samuel Phel ps, of Cumberland Co. Samuel bought 143 acres with the Plantation, being p art of the Patent granted to John Watkins and bound by the Appomattox Rive r, Richard Randolph's line northeast across Mabry's Branch....... (unclear )... Signed (Marked) by Patrick Corner and Ellenner Corner. Witness ed by William Walker, Susanna Terry, John Woodson, WM. JOHNS. (Deed Bo ok 3, pg. 361)
28 MAY 1764- William Hudgens Jr. of Cumberland Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Buc kingham Co. for 60 pounds, 200 acres of land in Cumberland Co. Signed a nd sealed the day above written, Wm. Hudgens Jr. Witnesses: None.
Deed Book 3, pg. 471. (Received payment 60 pounds 28 May 1764, Wm. Hudg ens. Takes Livery and seizin and delivers to WILLIAM JOHNS. Wife Elizabe th of Hudgens releases dower at Court held 28 May 1764. Wm Hudgens acknowl edges receipt of sixty pounds and indenture ordered to be recorded. Swa nn Clerk)
8 APR 1771- WILLIAM JOHNS of Buckingham Co. to Joseph Calland of Cumberla nd Co. for 62 pounds, 200 acres land in Cumberland Co., it being the sa me land the said William Johns bought of William Hudgens. Signed and seal ed by WILLIAM JOHNS on the day and year written above. Livery and seizin t aken and receipt of 62 pounds acknowledged by WILLIAM JOHNS 8 April 177 1. Witnesses: Geo Carrington, Jos. Hill, Tho Word, Wm Clarke. Deed Bk 4, p g. 478. (At a court held 22 April 1771, the Indenture and memorandum of re ceipt were proved by Geo Carrington & Jos Hill and at a court held for t he county 24 June 1771 the same were further proved by Thomas Word anoth er witness and ordered to be recorded. Teste, Thompson Swann Clerk.)
CUMBERLAND COUNTY VIRGINIA COURT RECORDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS:
1750- WILLIAM JOHNS was issued a license to keep an Ordinary at his hou se in Cumberland County for the ensuing year. Security given by William T rigg and Thomas Davenport, Jr.
1750- WILLIAM JOHNS was mentioned in the Last Will and Testament of Alexan der Trent, to wit:
"I give my son Peter Field Trent all the hoggs & cattle which is at his pl antation cai'd Brookes together with what is at the other of his plantatio ns where Thomas Johns now lives & ten other head of cattle four of which w as a late purchased of WILLIAM JOHNS. and the other six to be young catt le from the plantation where I now live."
1751- WILLIAM JOHNS was issued a license to keep an Ordinary at his hou se in Cumberland County for the ensuing year. Security given by William T rigg.
Cumberland Court Orders 1752-1758
November Court 1752
Pg. 50 Johns vs Allen
On the petition and summons brought by William Johns against John Allen f or one pound eleven shillings & five pence due from the deft. To the pl t. By note of hand, this day came the said plt. By his attorney & the df t. having been served with a copy of the Petition and Summons & non-call ed & not appearing, therefore it is considered by the court that the sa id plt. Moves against the said dft. his aforesaid debt together with his c osts by him in his behalf expended.
May Court 1753
Pg. 79 Johns vs Terry, The Petition and Summons brought by William Joh ns against Henry Terry for a debt therein said to be due, for reasons appe aring to the Court, is ordered to be dismissed.
Pg. 79 William Johns vs Henry Hatcher, Plt. awarded sum of one pound sev en shillings against deft. (who did not appear.) and costs.
August Court 1753
Pg. 118 William Johns vs George Carrington Gent. Defendant
It appears that this suit is commenced for money laid on a horse race. the refor the same is ordered to be dismissed.
January Court 1755
Pg 243 Johns vs. Christian, On the Petition and Summons brought by Willi am Johns plaintiff against Anthony Christian for two pounds two shillin gs & seven pence said to be due by note of hand…this day came the parti es and after being carefully heard and deliberated, it is considered by t he Court that said pltf. Recover the same against the deft. Together wi th costs.
Cumberland County Court Orders 1758-1762
August Court 1759
Pg. 116 Johns & Mann vs. Merryman. On the motion of William Johns, a witn ess for Gideon Mann at the suit of John Bonds, it is ordered that the sa id Mann pay him one hundred seventy pounds of tobacco for one days attenda nce and one coming and returning 40 miles according to law. ( Mann won t he suit against Bonds and costs ed.)
Pg. 414 William Johns vs. Thomas Merryman defendant. Alias copias awarded .
November Court 1761
Pg. 429 William Johns vs. Thomas Merryman defd. (in debt) John Brown beca me special bail for the defd and special importance granted him.
August Court 1762
Pg. 470 William Johns vs. Thomas Merryman (in debt) Abates, the defenda nt being dead.
Pg. 486 William Johns vs. Phebe Merryman administrator of the estate of Th omas Merrymann, special importance.
Cumberland County Court Orders 1762-1767
Call # 026593
Order Book 1762-1764
Pg. 22 William Johns vs. Phebe Merryman (in debt) Admunistrator of Thom as Merryman dec'd def. Payment due.
Pg. 76 William Johns Pltf. Against Gideon Patterson Def. On a writ of Si ne Fascias. Alias Sine Fascias awarded
Pg. 97 William Johns vs. Phebe Merryman Administrator of the estate of Tho mas Merryman dec'd awarded 17 pounds eight shillings together with damag es and costs.
Pg. 194 William Johns against Gideon Patterson Def. On a writ of Sine Fasc ias. Dismissed the pltf. Failing to prosecute.
December Court 1762
Pg. 117 William Johns vs. Ashley Johnson. Continued by consent of partie s
March Court 1763
Page 151 William Johns pltf. against Ashley Johnson def. On a petitio n. The case dismissed and the def. To collect from the pltf. His costs pl us attorney's fees. ( The following additional judgments were made, No ah Waddel, a witness for Ashley Johnson, 370 pounds tobacco for four da ys attendance and 3 times coming and returning 30 miles. John Johnson a w itness for Ashley Johnson five hundred and twenty five pounds of tobacco f or six days attendance and five times coming and returning twenty five mil es. Jarret Johnson, witness for Ashley Johnson, ninety eight pounds of to bacco and one shilling for two days attendance and once coming and returni ng sixteen miles. James Spicer, a witness for William Johns against Ashl ey Johnson, Johns to pay eight hundred & forty five pounds of tobacco f or five days attendance and for four times coming and returning sixty mile s.
November Court 1762
Pg. 109 William Johns against Ashley Johnson. Continued at the motion a nd cost of the defendant.
December Court 1762
Pg. 117 William Johns against Ashley Johnson. Continued by consent of part ies.
Order Book 1764-1767
Pg. 534 27 July 1767. William Johns against John Merryman Junior. An atta chment is ordered against deft estate.
Cumberland County Court Orders 1767-1774
Film # 0030761
Court of 25n august 1767
Pg. 20 William Johns Pltf vs John Merryman Junior Deft
This day came the pltf by his attorney & thereupon came also a Jury to w it Jesse Thomas, James Holloway, Timothy Chandler, Frederick Webb, Mark An drews, Edmund Logwood, Charles Barker, and Drury Hudgens who being sworn w ell and truly to enquire of damages in this case upon their oath do say th at the pltf hath sustained damages occaision of the breach of promise in t he declaration mentioned amounting to five pounds ten shillings besides co sts. Therefor it is considered by the Court that the pltf recover again st the deft his damages aforesaid in form aforesaid assessed together wi th his costs by him in this behalf expended & the deft in money a nd it is ordered that the Sherriff sell according to law one spoon by h im attached of the deft's estate and pay the money arising thereby to t he pltf towards the discharge of this judgement.
28 September 1767 Court
Jesse Johns vs Jesse Merryman This suit dismissed, the pltf failing to pro secute.
Court of 23 May 1768
Pg. 158 William Johns vs John Butterworth Colbert deft. John Burton, Jes se Merryman, and William Allen became special bail for the deft and a cond itional judgment is ordered against the said deft.
Court of 25 July 1768
Pg. 185 William Johns pltf vs John Butterworth Colbert deft. Attachme nt is ordered.
Court of 23 August 1768
Pg. 228 William Johns vs John Butterworth Colbert. The attachment issu ed in the case being executed on one spoon o the deft estate and he not ap pearing it is considered by the Court that the pltf recover against the de ft his damages occasioned by the promises to be enquired of by a jury at t he next Court.
Court 22 August 1768
Pg. 218 William Johns assignee of Thomas Turpin pltf vs John Merryman Jun ior and Richard Richardson defts. This day came as well the plft by his a ttorney and the defts in their proper persons and the defts say that th ey cannot deny the pltf's action for nine pounds shillings and one penn y. Therefor by consent of the parties it is considered by the Court th at the pltf recover against the defts the said sum and his costs by h im in this behalf expended and the defts in money pay.
The pltf agrees to stay execution on this judgement whish is according ly ordered.
Court 26 September 1768
Pg. 246 William Johns vs John B Colbert
Johns wins judgment against Colbert for eleven pounds eleven shillings a nd costs.
Same Court and deft
Pg. 246William Johns wins judgment against Colbert for fifteen pounds elev en shillings and costs.
Court 23 May 1769
Pg 368 William Johns acts as witness for Sarah Basham deft in a case broug ht by Standley Chapin. Judgment in favor of Chapin to recover a slave nam ed Roger from Basham. William Johns to be paid 160 pounds tobacco by Bash am for 2 days attendance and one coming and going of 34 miles.
Court 29 August 1769
Pg 413 William Johns vs Edward Walton. William Johns wins judgment again st deft Walton for 4 pounds two shillings and one penny also costs of 1 30 pounds new tobacco and 15 shillings or 150 pounds tobacco also five per cent interest on said debt.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY VIRGINIA DEEDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS.
1 MAR 1752- John Bostick of Cumberland Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Cumberla nd Co. for 100 pounds, 730 acres where James Staples lives, adjoining Will iam Gray, Nathaniel Hoggatt and Anthony Hoggatt. Witnesses: William Gra y, Josuha Doss, William Ballard, James Claiborne, Gideon Marr and Charl es Lynch. Deed Book 1, pg. 487.
25 MAY 1752- William Womack to WILLIAM JOHNS for 100 pounds, 400 acr es on both sides of Willis Creek, adjoining Daniel Low, Johns Sanders a nd John Cook. Witnesses: Benjamin Harris, Gideon Marr, William Trigg.
Deed Book 1, pg. 491.
11 MAY 1758- WILLIAM JOHNS to William Low for 100 pounds, 400 acres on bo th sides of Willis Creek, adjoining
Daniel Low, John Sanders and John Cook. Deed Book 2, pg. 42.
1 MAY 1759- John Bostick, Sr. to Volentine Hatcher for 30 pounds, 200 acre s, part of where Bostick lives, adjoining the head of Little Willis Branc h, WILLIAM JOHNS and John Bostick, Jr. Deed Book 2, pg. 101.
1 JUL 1759- Marvil Stone of Halifax Co., VA to WILLIAM JOHNS for 45 pound s, 400 acres where Stone formerly lived. Deed of gift from John Bosti ck 8 Jun 1757. Adjoining John Jennings and the Appomaxttox River. Witness es: Nathanel Hoggatt, Joel Walker, Charles Galloway and Lucy Stone (wi fe of Marvil Stone). Deed Book 2, pg. 155.
31 OCT 1759- John Low, Jr. of St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle Co. to Benjam in Arnold of same county and parish for 135 pounds, 250 acres lying on bo th sides of the Willis River, 50 acres of which was purchased by John L ow from John Childress and 200 acres of which was purchased by Low, Jun 'r of Daniel Johnson Low and adjoining Daniel Johnson Low, John Childre ss and Nathaniel Jeffries. Witness: WILLIAM JOHNS. Deed Book 2, p. 213.
6 NOV 1759- WILLIAM JOHNS to Robert Hastie of Prince Edward Co., VA for 1 50 pounds, 530 acres where John Fisher lives, adjoining John Mossum. Witne sses: Henry Dawson and John Fisher. Deed Book 2, pg. 215.
CAMPBELL COUNTY VIRGINIA DEED THAT MENTIONS WILLIAM JOHNS:
10 Jan 1785- From WILLIAM JOHNS to Edmund Johns," for the love I have f or the said Edmund", 400 acres of land in Buckingham County, VA, adjoini ng Christian Staples and Dillard on the south side of the James River, tog ether with 4 negroes named Harry, Chloe, Henry and Frederick, 2 horse s, 12 cattle, 30 hogs and all my household furniture.
Signed: WILLIAM JOHNS
Witnesses: Thos. Jones, Jesse Johns, Betty Jones.
Memorandum that the within named Edmund Johns is to be a good and dutif ul son to both his father and mother, and not to let or see them want duri ng life, under the penalty of making the within deed void.
Signed: WILLIAM JOHNS
Witnesses: Tho. Jones, Jesse Johns, Betty Jones.
Recorded: May 5, 1785
VIRGINIA LAND PATENTS FOR WILLIAM JOHNS
3 MAR 1760- WILLIAM JOHNS 208 acres on both sides of the Hollidays Riv er in ALBEMARLE CO., VA. Patents No. 33, 1756-61, p. 720. (VA State Libra ry Web Site)
7 JUL 1763- WILLIAM JOHNS 300 acres on the north side of the Appomatt ox River in BUCKINGHAM CO., VA. Patents No. 35, 1762-64, p. 222. (VA Sta te Library Web Site)
|
Taylor Family Genealogy
Abt 1708 - Abt 1787 (~ 79 years)
[2]