| Notes |
- WILLIAM JOHNS was born about 1708. He was probably the son of William Johns of St. John's Parish, King William County, Virginia. Conclusive proof for this connection remains elusive. WILLIAM JOHNS first appeared in Goochland County, Virginia in 1744 when he witnessed a deed in Southam Parish. In 1745 he purchased land from Stephen Sanders on the south side of the James River in Southam Parish. Southam Parish fell into the newly formed Cumberland County in 1749. Per Cumberland County records, WILLIAM JOHNS was a farmer and ordinary keeper. He remained in Cumberland County until 1752 when he moved west to Albemarle County. He eventually settled north of the Appomattox River in a portion of Albemarle County that became Buckingham County in 1761. Unfortunately, early records for Buckingham County were lost in a fire. As a result, information about the later years of WILLIAM JOHNS, including his date of death, is scarce. He was on the 1773 and 1774 Virginia tithe list from Buckingham County and in 1783 he filed a Virginia Public Service Claim in Buckingham County for goods and services provided to troops during the Revolutionary War. It is presumed that he died about 1787, when his son William Johns, Jr. ceased to affix 'junior' to his name.
WILLIAM JOHNS was first married to Ann, as proved by several county documents. Her maiden name is believed to have been Merryman. WILLIAM and ANN MERRYMAN JOHNS were the parents of seven sons and four daughters. It is possible that there were other daughters who have not been discovered. Their children married into the Terry, Turner, Tinsley, Sanders, Glover, Gannaway and Jones families. Their grandchildren married into the Trigg, Nash, Winston, Spencer, Gilliam, Fuqua, Farris, Stith, Martin, Lanier and Walker families. Some of these families also had roots in St. John's Parish, King William County, Virginia and may have been long time acquaintances of the Johns family. It appears that WILLIAM JOHNS married for a second time in the mid 1760s. The identity of the second wife has not been found.
Many of WILLIAM JOHNS' descendants moved west to Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, while others settled in North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. Several of his grandchildren remained in Buckingham County, north of the Appomattox River near the town of New Store, until the mid 1800s and probably lived on land that he owned. Many descendants, although only a few with 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 Goochland Co. on the south side of the James River on the head of Muddy Creek and being the plantation wheron Huriah Prewett now dwells. This being the land conveyed to James Knott by John Maddox. Mary, wife of James Knott relinquished her right of dower. Witnesses: WILLIAM JOHNS and Jacob Winfree.
4 MAY 1745- Stephen Sanders of Albemarle Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Goochland Co. for 25 pounds, 200 acres in Goochland Co. on the south side of the James River and on Muddy Creek and adjoining Jacob Winfree and John Merryman. This being the plantation that formerly belonged to Stephen Sanders. Priscilla, wife of Stephen Sanders relinquished her right of dower. Witnesses: James Sanders, Arthelus Jarratt and Rosemon Swillvent.
NOTE: WILLIAM JOHNS' son Jesse Johns was married in Buckingham Co., VA (abt. 1766) to Sarah Sanders, daughter of Stephen and Priscilla Sanders.
16 APRIL 1747- Field Bradshaw of Goochland Co. to Field Robinson of Goochland Co. for 100 pounds, 200 acres in Goochland Co. on the south side of the James River on Deep Creek, being the plantation on which John Robinson, Jr. dwells and adjoining Sam'l Nuchkholds, William Tabor and William Bradshaw. Witnesses: WILLIAM JOHNS, ANNE JOHNS and Mary May. Deed Book 5, Pages 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 Co. for 25 pounds, 200 acres on the branches of Willis Creek, bound on the north and west by James Cunningham, on the south by Samuel Adkinson and Thomas Carter, and east by John Johnson and Alexander Cunningham, it being part of a tract patented to Christopher Bolling. Witnesses: WILLIAM JOHNS and William Hobson. Deed Book 1, pg. 6.
26 NOV 1750- Samuel Nucholls of Louisa Co., VA to WILLIAM JOHNS of Southam Parish, Cumberland Co. for 50 pounds, 200 acres in Southam Parish and adjoining said JOHNS and said Nucholl's old line, it being part of a greater quantity granted to the said Nuckolls by patent dated 20 June 1733. Witnesses: John Dobie, Job Thomas, James Taylor. Deed Book 1, pg. 236.
20 JUL 1751- WILLIAM JOHNS of Southam Parish to Richard Murry of Caroline Co., VA for 160 pounds, 400 acres in Southam Parish in Cumberland Co. and adjoining the lands of John Merryman, Samuel Nuchols and Thomas Robertson. Witnesses: Thomas Merryman, Royal Richard and Henry Terry. ANN, the wife of the said WILLIAM JOHNS, personally appeared in court and relinquished her right of dower. Deed Book 1, pg. 381.
17 Jan. 1763 - Patrick Corner, of the county of Buckingham, to Samuel Phelps, of Cumberland Co. Samuel bought 143 acres with the Plantation, being part of the Patent granted to John Watkins and bound by the Appomattox River, Richard Randolph's line northeast across Mabry's Branch....... (unclear)... Signed (Marked) by Patrick Corner and Ellenner Corner. Witnessed by William Walker, Susanna Terry, John Woodson, WM. JOHNS. (Deed Book 3, pg. 361)
28 MAY 1764- William Hudgens Jr. of Cumberland Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Buckingham Co. for 60 pounds, 200 acres of land in Cumberland Co. Signed and sealed the day above written, Wm. Hudgens Jr. Witnesses: None.
Deed Book 3, pg. 471. (Received payment 60 pounds 28 May 1764, Wm. Hudgens. Takes Livery and seizin and delivers to WILLIAM JOHNS. Wife Elizabeth of Hudgens releases dower at Court held 28 May 1764. Wm Hudgens acknowledges receipt of sixty pounds and indenture ordered to be recorded. Swann Clerk)
8 APR 1771- WILLIAM JOHNS of Buckingham Co. to Joseph Calland of Cumberland Co. for 62 pounds, 200 acres land in Cumberland Co., it being the same land the said William Johns bought of William Hudgens. Signed and sealed by WILLIAM JOHNS on the day and year written above. Livery and seizin taken and receipt of 62 pounds acknowledged by WILLIAM JOHNS 8 April 1771. Witnesses: Geo Carrington, Jos. Hill, Tho Word, Wm Clarke. Deed Bk 4, pg. 478. (At a court held 22 April 1771, the Indenture and memorandum of receipt were proved by Geo Carrington & Jos Hill and at a court held for the county 24 June 1771 the same were further proved by Thomas Word another 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 house in Cumberland County for the ensuing year. Security given by William Trigg and Thomas Davenport, Jr.
1750- WILLIAM JOHNS was mentioned in the Last Will and Testament of Alexander Trent, to wit:
'I give my son Peter Field Trent all the hoggs & cattle which is at his plantation cai'd Brookes together with what is at the other of his plantations where Thomas Johns now lives & ten other head of cattle four of which was a late purchased of WILLIAM JOHNS. and the other six to be young cattle from the plantation where I now live.'
1751- WILLIAM JOHNS was issued a license to keep an Ordinary at his house in Cumberland County for the ensuing year. Security given by William Trigg.
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 for one pound eleven shillings & five pence due from the deft. To the plt. By note of hand, this day came the said plt. By his attorney & the dft. having been served with a copy of the Petition and Summons & non-called & not appearing, therefore it is considered by the court that the said plt. Moves against the said dft. his aforesaid debt together with his costs by him in his behalf expended.
May Court 1753
Pg. 79 Johns vs Terry, The Petition and Summons brought by William Johns against Henry Terry for a debt therein said to be due, for reasons appearing to the Court, is ordered to be dismissed.
Pg. 79 William Johns vs Henry Hatcher, Plt. awarded sum of one pound seven 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. therefor the same is ordered to be dismissed.
January Court 1755
Pg 243 Johns vs. Christian, On the Petition and Summons brought by William Johns plaintiff against Anthony Christian for two pounds two shillings & seven pence said to be due by note of hand?this day came the parties and after being carefully heard and deliberated, it is considered by the Court that said pltf. Recover the same against the deft. Together with costs.
Cumberland County Court Orders 1758-1762
August Court 1759
Pg. 116 Johns & Mann vs. Merryman. On the motion of William Johns, a witness for Gideon Mann at the suit of John Bonds, it is ordered that the said Mann pay him one hundred seventy pounds of tobacco for one days attendance and one coming and returning 40 miles according to law. ( Mann won the 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 became special bail for the defd and special importance granted him.
August Court 1762
Pg. 470 William Johns vs. Thomas Merryman (in debt) Abates, the defendant being dead.
Pg. 486 William Johns vs. Phebe Merryman administrator of the estate of Thomas 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 Thomas Merryman dec'd def. Payment due.
Pg. 76 William Johns Pltf. Against Gideon Patterson Def. On a writ of Sine Fascias. Alias Sine Fascias awarded
Pg. 97 William Johns vs. Phebe Merryman Administrator of the estate of Thomas Merryman dec'd awarded 17 pounds eight shillings together with damages and costs.
Pg. 194 William Johns against Gideon Patterson Def. On a writ of Sine Fascias. Dismissed the pltf. Failing to prosecute.
December Court 1762
Pg. 117 William Johns vs. Ashley Johnson. Continued by consent of parties
March Court 1763
Page 151 William Johns pltf. against Ashley Johnson def. On a petition. The case dismissed and the def. To collect from the pltf. His costs plus attorney's fees. ( The following additional judgments were made, Noah Waddel, a witness for Ashley Johnson, 370 pounds tobacco for four days attendance and 3 times coming and returning 30 miles. John Johnson a witness for Ashley Johnson five hundred and twenty five pounds of tobacco for six days attendance and five times coming and returning twenty five miles. Jarret Johnson, witness for Ashley Johnson, ninety eight pounds of tobacco and one shilling for two days attendance and once coming and returning sixteen miles. James Spicer, a witness for William Johns against Ashley Johnson, Johns to pay eight hundred & forty five pounds of tobacco for five days attendance and for four times coming and returning sixty miles.
November Court 1762
Pg. 109 William Johns against Ashley Johnson. Continued at the motion and cost of the defendant.
December Court 1762
Pg. 117 William Johns against Ashley Johnson. Continued by consent of parties.
Order Book 1764-1767
Pg. 534 27 July 1767. William Johns against John Merryman Junior. An attachment 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 wit Jesse Thomas, James Holloway, Timothy Chandler, Frederick Webb, Mark Andrews, Edmund Logwood, Charles Barker, and Drury Hudgens who being sworn well and truly to enquire of damages in this case upon their oath do say that the pltf hath sustained damages occaision of the breach of promise in the declaration mentioned amounting to five pounds ten shillings besides costs. Therefor it is considered by the Court that the pltf recover against the deft his damages aforesaid in form aforesaid assessed together with his costs by him in this behalf expended & the deft in money and it is ordered that the Sherriff sell according to law one spoon by him attached of the deft's estate and pay the money arising thereby to the pltf towards the discharge of this judgement.
28 September 1767 Court
Jesse Johns vs Jesse Merryman This suit dismissed, the pltf failing to prosecute.
Court of 23 May 1768
Pg. 158 William Johns vs John Butterworth Colbert deft. John Burton, Jesse Merryman, and William Allen became special bail for the deft and a conditional judgment is ordered against the said deft.
Court of 25 July 1768
Pg. 185 William Johns pltf vs John Butterworth Colbert deft. Attachment is ordered.
Court of 23 August 1768
Pg. 228 William Johns vs John Butterworth Colbert. The attachment issued in the case being executed on one spoon o the deft estate and he not appearing it is considered by the Court that the pltf recover against the deft his damages occasioned by the promises to be enquired of by a jury at the next Court.
Court 22 August 1768
Pg. 218 William Johns assignee of Thomas Turpin pltf vs John Merryman Junior and Richard Richardson defts. This day came as well the plft by his attorney and the defts in their proper persons and the defts say that they cannot deny the pltf's action for nine pounds shillings and one penny. Therefor by consent of the parties it is considered by the Court that the pltf recover against the defts the said sum and his costs by him in this behalf expended and the defts in money pay.
The pltf agrees to stay execution on this judgement whish is accordingly ordered.
Court 26 September 1768
Pg. 246 William Johns vs John B Colbert
Johns wins judgment against Colbert for eleven pounds eleven shillings and costs.
Same Court and deft
Pg. 246William Johns wins judgment against Colbert for fifteen pounds eleven shillings and costs.
Court 23 May 1769
Pg 368 William Johns acts as witness for Sarah Basham deft in a case brought by Standley Chapin. Judgment in favor of Chapin to recover a slave named Roger from Basham. William Johns to be paid 160 pounds tobacco by Basham 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 against deft Walton for 4 pounds two shillings and one penny also costs of 130 pounds new tobacco and 15 shillings or 150 pounds tobacco also five percent interest on said debt.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY VIRGINIA DEEDS THAT MENTION WILLIAM JOHNS.
1 MAR 1752- John Bostick of Cumberland Co. to WILLIAM JOHNS of Cumberland Co. for 100 pounds, 730 acres where James Staples lives, adjoining William Gray, Nathaniel Hoggatt and Anthony Hoggatt. Witnesses: William Gray, Josuha Doss, William Ballard, James Claiborne, Gideon Marr and Charles Lynch. Deed Book 1, pg. 487.
25 MAY 1752- William Womack to WILLIAM JOHNS for 100 pounds, 400 acres on both sides of Willis Creek, adjoining Daniel Low, Johns Sanders and 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 both 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 acres, part of where Bostick lives, adjoining the head of Little Willis Branch, 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 pounds, 400 acres where Stone formerly lived. Deed of gift from John Bostick 8 Jun 1757. Adjoining John Jennings and the Appomaxttox River. Witnesses: Nathanel Hoggatt, Joel Walker, Charles Galloway and Lucy Stone (wife of Marvil Stone). Deed Book 2, pg. 155.
31 OCT 1759- John Low, Jr. of St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle Co. to Benjamin Arnold of same county and parish for 135 pounds, 250 acres lying on both sides of the Willis River, 50 acres of which was purchased by John Low from John Childress and 200 acres of which was purchased by Low, Jun'r of Daniel Johnson Low and adjoining Daniel Johnson Low, John Childress 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 150 pounds, 530 acres where John Fisher lives, adjoining John Mossum. Witnesses: 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 for the said Edmund', 400 acres of land in Buckingham County, VA, adjoining Christian Staples and Dillard on the south side of the James River, together with 4 negroes named Harry, Chloe, Henry and Frederick, 2 horses, 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 dutiful son to both his father and mother, and not to let or see them want during 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 River in ALBEMARLE CO., VA. Patents No. 33, 1756-61, p. 720. (VA State Library Web Site)
7 JUL 1763- WILLIAM JOHNS 300 acres on the north side of the Appomattox River in BUCKINGHAM CO., VA. Patents No. 35, 1762-64, p. 222. (VA State Library Web Site)
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Abt 1708 - Abt 1787 (79 years)
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