| Notes |
- [johns file.FTW]
The following are from the Buckingham Co., VA Land Tax Summaries:
JAMES JOHNS paid taxes in Buckingham Co., VA from 1782-1813.
1794- JAMES JOHNS bought 312 acres from G. Gannaway.
1794- JAMES JOHNS sold 300 acres to William Johns.
1795- JAMES JOHNS sold 113 acres to James Porter.
1798- JAMES JOHNS sold 100 acres to Charles Leauallen.
A document announcing the sale to the highest bidder the movable esta te of "John Gannaway, decd, Junr.," dated Dec 13, 1781 is signed by Robe rt Sanders, JAMES JOHNS, John Woodson, as co-heirs on part of their wive s. { From the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2n d. Ser., Vol. 7, No. 3. (Jul., 1927), pp. 174-180.
JAMES JOHNS and his family relocated from Virginia to Kentucky in late 18 03 or early 1804. Two of his children were married in Virginia in Ju ly of 1803. In August of 1804, a daughter was married in Jessamine Co., K Y.
JAMES JOHNS' widow, MARY GANNAWAY JOHNS, applied for a pension (as the wid ow of a Revolutionary War soldier) on 11 July 1837 in Russell County, K Y. The pension papers stated that the soldier lived in Buckingham Co ., VA before the Revolutionary War and died in October of 1817. (see below )
Besty Warriner of Pulaski County, KY made an affidavit on 18 July 1837 a nd stated she was the soldier's oldest child. (see below)
Susannah Acree, age 70, made an affidavit on 8 Oct 1852 in Russell Count y, KY and stated she was the only surviving child of the soldier and wido w. Per the affidavit: the widow died 2 Mar 1845. The soldier and widow w ere married in Cumberland County or Buckingham County VA. The widow's na me before her marriage was Mary Gannaway. The widow left, at her deat h, a son William Johns who was deceased prior to November 1852. (See below )
JAMES JOHNS' PENSION FILE -- A Transcript by Larry Murdock (N718CD@Home.co m)
State of Kentucky
County of Russell
On the eleventh day of July, 1837 personally appeared before me a justi ce of the peace for the County aforesaid Mary Johns resident of the Coun ty of Russell State of Kentucky aged 87 years who being first duly sworn a ccording to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in ord er to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress dat ed July 4, 1836.
That she is the widow of James Johns who was a Lieutenant in the army of t he Revolution. The name of his Captain was William Johns, his Major Thom as Jones, his Colonel William Lewis and his Genl [blank] Lawson. Her husb and entered the service in the Spring of the year 1777 and left the servi ce after the capture of Cornwallis. He never served under any other offic ers than those before mentioned and never was at home but three times duri ng the war. Her husband resided in the County of Buckingham, State of Vir ginia when he entered the service. He was drafted in all his service s. He was engaged in one or more battles in one of which he was wounded w ith shot which he carried to his grave. But she has forgotten -- nam es of the Battle if she ever knew.
He entered the service in Buckingham and marched off toward Richmond. I h ave heard him in his life time speak at being at Williamsburg, Norfolk, a nd Little York. But what county that is in I do not know. She states th at she is unable to refer to any other particulars unless she would mere ly give his history of his services, and the time has passed so long and s he is so old that she is unwilling to confide in a memory which is provi ng treacherous. She states that her husband had a final discharge from t he service which he brought home from the siege of York and kept it whi le he lived But which was burned by Mr. John Akers among a great many oth er of his papers as a worthless piece of paper as she nor any one kin to h er never expected to derive any benefit from it after he was dead.
She further that she was married to the said James Johns on the 25th d ay of December 1765 by old Parson Peasley. That her husband died on the [ blank] day of October 1817 and that she has remained a widow ever since th at _ as _ more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Mary X Johns (her mark)
A. Jackman J.P.R.C.
I Alear Jackman the justice of the peace before whom the foregoing declara tion was made state that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Johns and gi ve it as my opinion that from bodily infirmity she is unable to attend cou rt at this seat of which for this County Given under my hand this 11th d ay of July 1837 --
A. Jackman J.P.R.C.
State of Kentucky
Russell County
This day John Akers personally appeared before me a justice of the peace f or said county and after being first duly sworn deposeth and saith: Th at he is 55 years of age. That for the last 32 years he has been acquaint ed with the widow of James Johns decd. That he was well acquainted with d ecedent in his life time. That he has repeatedly heard him _ the histo ry of his services in the War of the Revolution at a time when he nor h is wife did not anticipate any pension or annuity from his government b ut merly from that disposition which most old men have to fight over aga in in the chimney corner the battles of their youth. He has often heard h im say that he was nearly four years in the army during the war as a Lieut enant and was wounded with shot in a Battle which wound he this deponent h as often seen. When said John departed this life he left his papers ... [ here the record ends].
State of Kentucky
Pulaski County
This day Betsy Wariner personally appeared before me Bourne Goggin a justi ce of the peace in and for said county and made oath in our form of l aw to the following statements, viz
That she is the oldest child of James, and Mary Johns. That she does n ot know how old she is having no record of her age but from information s he must be near seventy. That she has a distinct recollection of the ti me of the Revolution and states that she remembers her father having le ft home to go to the war and his returning on one occasion she believes t he last time he came home. The circumstance is stamped more indelibly up on her memory from a circumstance which she will narrate -- Her mother a nd the children lived by themselves when their father was gone and th ey _ continual apprehension from the tories and negroes - and when her fat her came home it was in the night. He knocked at the door and ask ed to be admitted. Her mother refused, believing it was tory or negro th at wanted to get in, when she told her mother that it was her father, f or she knew his voice. She had some difficulty in making her mother belie ve it. But she, finally opened the door and her father came in. He was v ery dirty and ragged. She has often heard her father many years ago spe ak of his services and the troubles and dangers of the war. That her fath er and mother as she often heard were married by old Parson Peasely in Buc kingham County. She has herself seen Parson Peasely and was present wh en he christened one of her sisters. Her father and mother lived togeth er as man and wife for many years in great peace and harmony __ - this Ju ly 18th, 1837
Betsy Wariner
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of July 1837.
Bourne Goggin J.P.
Also James Wariner being first duly sworn made the following statements vi z
That he married the foregoing affiant in the County of Buckingham 44 yea rs ago last March. That at that time he was in his 20th year and his wi fe was said to be older than himself but how much as no record was in t he family of her age. That he has often heard persons speak of the weddi ng of his father and mother-in-law. He was well acquainted with Parson Pe asly the clergyman who was said to have married them. He was also well ac quainted with Captain William Johns and Major Thomas Jones. He knew them s hortly after the war and they bore the rank of Captain and Major. He h as often heard James Johns speak of his services in the Revolutionary W ar at a time when he nor any of his family ever expected to derive any ben efit from them. James Johns departed this life in the Fall of 1817 and h is widow has never married since that period. - July 18th, 1837 -
James Warinner
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th July 1837
Bourne Goggin J.P.
State of Kentucky
Russell County
Russell County Court November term, 1852. It satisfactorily appeari ng to this court, it is ordered that Mrs. Mary Johns, widow of James John s, who was a Revolutionary soldier, departed this life on the 2nd day of M arch, 1845, leaving Mrs. Susannah Acres, of the aforesaid County and Sta te and William Johns of Allen or Barren County Ky his only surviving child ren. [In different handwriting:] William Johns is since dead leaving child ren - the no. and names not known.
I William S. Patterson, Clerk of the County Court within and for the Coun ty and State aforesaid, certify that the foregoing order is truly copi ed from the records in my office.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix my seal of office and subscri be my name this 2nd day of December 1852
Will S. Patterson
N.B. interlined before Certified & signed
W. J. Patterson Clk
State of Kentucky
Russell County
On this 8th day of October 1852, before me, Jacob Wolford, an acting justi ce of the peace within the County and State aforesaid, personally appear ed Susannah Acres, aged seventy (70) years, a resident of the aforesaid Co unty and State, who, being sworn according to law, on her oath makes the f ollowing declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of any a ct or acts of Congress granting her a pension, as the daughter of a Revolu tionary soldier, viz.
That she is the only surviving child of James and Mary Johns deceased. Th at the said Johns died in Fayette County Ky, upwards of thirty years ag o, leaving Mary Johns his widow, who survived him and remained a widow unt il she died in Russell County, Kentucky, on the second day of March, one t housand eight hundred forty five; aged about eighty five years. That at t he time of her mother's death she was the only child living. That the sa id James and Mary were married in Cumberland or Buckingham County, Virgini a, about the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy two, she not bei ng able to state the precise time of the marriage for _ of which she refe rs to the declaration of her mother, made at the time of a previous applic ation, and to the accompanying affidavit of the Rev. James Warriner. Th at the name of the said Mary Johns before her marriage was Mary Gannawa y. She further declares that she has often heard her father speak of havi ng served a long time in the Virginia State or continental line of the ar my of the Revolution, as Lieutenant in the company commanded by William Jo hns as Captain in the Regiment of Colonel William Lewis, in the brigade co mmanded by Major Thomas Jones. That his service may have consisted of mo re than one tour, as she has heard him speak of having been in service t he greater part of the time during the war. That he was at the surrend er of Cornwallis. That for proof of his said services she refers to the p apers now on file in the Pension Office, and to the army records and must er rolls.
Susannah X Acres (her mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of October, 1852. And I he reby further certify that Mrs. Susannah... [here the record ends]
JAMES JOHNS' REVOLUTIONARY WAR MILITARY SERVICE RECORD:
The following is a summary of James Johns' military service during the Ame rican Revolution. It is based on information found in his military servi ce file kept by the National Archives and Records Administration. The info rmation is limited, all of it being found on monthly regimental muster a nd payroll sheets.
James was drafted into service as a private with the 14th Virginia Regime nt on October 1, 1777. There is no indication of the place where he was d rafted. The companies that made up the 14th Virginia were raised from num erous counties in central and southern Virginia, ranging from Dinwiddie a nd Prince George in the east to Albemarle in the north, to Botetourt in t he west, and to Pittsylvania and Halifax in the south. We know that Jam es lived in Buckingham county both before and after the war. Buckingham l ies in the middle of the region from which the 14th was recruited.
James' company, consisting of about 100 men, was led by Captain John Overt on. Overton commanded the company throughout the known term of James' ser vice.
James was first listed on regimental pay returns dated January, 1778, wi th the remark that he "Lately joined the 14th Virga Regt. -- never drew p ay or any payroll before". His pay was 6 and 2/3 dollars per month.
The February, 1778, payroll sheet identified the regimental commander as C olonel Lewis. The muster roll stated that James had enlisted for three ye ars service.
In March, 1778, James was with his regiment at Valley Forge, where it h ad been since the previous November. The 14th had undergone a change of c ommand; Lt. Col. Abraham Buford was now in charge.
In April the regiment remained at Valley Forge. There had been another ch ange in leadership, Colonel William Davies was now commanding. Davies l ed the 14th throughout the remainder of James Johns' service.
The 14th, part of George Washington's army, left Valley Forge in mid Ju ne to pursue the British army, which had just evacuated Philadelphia.
By August, 1778, the regiment was posted at White Plains, about 25 miles n orth of New York City. Washington's army, revived and in high spirits aft er a miserable winter, had followed General Sir Henry Clinton's army acro ss New Jersey, looking for a chance to strike it. On June 28, 1778, the t wo armies collided in a brief, furious battle at Monmouth Court Hous e. On September 1, the day the August roll was drawn up, James was list ed as "sick, present". Whatever ailment he suffered from may have continu ed to bother him because the September roll, made in early October while t he 14th was at West Point, New York, noted that James was "Sick at Fish Ki ll".
By October, the regiment was in Middlebrook, New Jersey, and had gone in to winter camp.
In December, 1778, because many regiments of the Continental army were bad ly understrength due to battle deaths, wounds, expiration of service, sick ness and desertion, the 14th was redesignated the 10th Virginia.
The newly renamed 10th Virginia remained at Middlebrook, New Jersey, throu gh April, 1779. In May and June they were posted at a place called Smith 's Clove, near present day Monroe, New York, about 40 miles north of New Y ork City.
During July, August and September of 1779, the 10th was in Camp Ramapou gh in northern New Jersey. Ramapough was about 30 miles northeast of Phil adelphia. The army was guarding the approaches of that city. In Septembe r, James Johns was listed as "sick, present" For the month he was pa id a total of 16 and 2/3 dollars, 10 of which was for subsistence and t he remainder as pay.
In October, the regiment had moved to Haverstraw, New York. In Novemb er it was at Morristown, New Jersey, and had gone into winter camp.
Here the records end, even though James had a year more to serve. What ha ppened to the regimental documents? Probably this: In early December t he 10th Virginia was assigned to the Southern Department of the Continent al army and marched south to Charleston, South Carolina. There it had t he great misfortune of being assigned to the Colonial forces under Gener al Benjamin Lincoln. Thanks to Lincoln's vacillations and incompetence t he Charleston garrison was captured in its entirety by the British under G eneral Sir Henry Clinton, on May 12, 1780. This is probably why regiment al records don't appear in James John's file. They were lost as a resu lt of the capture of the regiment, or destroyed by the British captors.
14th/10th Virginia Regiment
Itinerary and Chronology
During James Johns' Service
January, 1778 -- December, 1779
January to June, 1778 Valley Forge, PA
June 28 Monmouth Court House, NJ
August White Plains, NY
September 1 James sick at Fish Kill, NY
October to April, 1779 Middlebrook, NJ
May to June Smith's Clove [Monroe], NY
July to September Camp Ramapough, NJ
October Haverstraw, NY
November Morristown, NJ
December left Morristown NJ for Charleston, SC
May 12, 1780 regiment captured at Charleston by British under Cornw allis
Many thanks to Larry Murdock, who is a descendant of James Johns and Ma ry Gannaway, for providing the Revolutionary War Service Record as we ll as his transcription of the pension papers for James Johns.
|
Taylor Family Genealogy
Abt 1742 - 1817 (~ 75 years)
[2]