I do not like to squash peoples beliefs or ridicule their conclusions but I must set the record straight in the matter concerning my ancestor Cornelius Johnson and the other Cornelius Johnsons, who have resided in various areas of the Delmarva Peninsula and elsewhere. I am sure that not all of these Cornelius Johnsons are the same individual but these  are most likely not my Cornelius Johnson.

6 September 1654, William Robinson and Cornelius Johnson receive a patent for 400 acres in Westmoreland Co., Virginia, the land was located on the south side of Petomeck (Potomac) River and on the north east side of Oquy River, bounded on the east side with land of Xph. Boory and on the north west  upon Capt. Giles Brent,  for transporting 8 persons into the colony of Virginia. Those transported were; Robt. Bord, illegible, Eliz. Parry, Lawrence Dary, Fra. Morgan, and 4 negroes, by assignment of Capt. Morgan. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666 by Nellie Marion Nugent, pg. 293)

1655, A Cornelius Johnson immigrates to Maryland. (The Early Settlers of Maryland, by Gust Skordas, pg. 259)

1662, A Cornelius Johnson is transported to Maryland. (The Early Settlers of Maryland, by Gust Skordas, pg. 259)

February 1662/63 Cornelius Johnson, late servant of Thomas Savage, presented in Northampton County (Virginia) Court for adultery with Alice Baily (whom he has since married.) (Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, by Clayton Torrence, pg. 447)

March 1662/63 Cornelius Johnson is fined 500 pounds of Tobacco for incontenency before marriage by Northampton County (Virginia) Court. (Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, by Clayton Torrence, pg. 447) This usually means that a child had been born by this time. I believe this child was Cornelius Johnson (d. 1696) of Northampton County, Virginia who married Ann Bradford and had issue; Cornelius, Bayl(e)y, John & Rebecca Johnson. If he had recently been born in March of 1662/63 he would have been about 33 years old at the time of his death in 1696.

4 June 1666 The cattle marke of Cornelius Johnson was recorded in Somerset County Court records, "Vizt; Cropt on the right ear & swallowe tayld on the left." (Maryland State Archives Vol.54 pg.745) Note: this was 6 years before Cornelius & Barbara Johnson with their daughters immigrated to Maryland.

8 August 1666 Cornelius Johnson and Edmund Beauchamp witness  a document from William Whittfeeld to Francis Betts in Somerset County, Maryland  and signs his name with his mark of "FE."  (Maryland State Archives Vol. 37 pg. 632) while our ancestor Cornelius Johnson of Pokomoke consistently signed his name Cornelius Johnson. After the arrival of our ancestor this earlier Cornelius was referred to as Cornelius Johnson of Manny / Money / Monie / Great Manny / etc. in order to distinguish between the two men.

12 March 1671(/72) Cornelius Johnson is listed as being on a Grand Jury of the Court held in Somerset County, Maryland. (Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, by Clayton Torrence, pg. 118)

November 1675, John Perse vs. Cornelius Johnson of Manny, John Pers Complaneth & Saith y't he hath served his term by
ag't finishing his Servitude & humbly Craves order for his freedom Cornelius Johnson of Manny def't with Corne & clothes accustomed. These writings ffollowing were produced in Court & read vizt; This is to Certifie y't wee arived in Virg'a ye 12th october 1671 & y't John Pearse was Sold to mr. Zepshott of Accomack for the term of four years wittness my hand Jno Bromstine bossin of the Prosperous. I Isaac Jacob doth assign over unto James Weatherle or his assignes one man Serv't named John Pers for the full term of three years wanting only one month or two with warranty from all persons or persons whatsoever as wittness my hand this 20th ffebruary 1673: Isaac Jacob on the back Side of the said writing written vizt I James Weatherle Doe assigne over all my right & Title of this assignem't unto Cornelius Johnson or his assignes 16 march 1673: James Weatherle. This Court Takeing the premisses into their serious Consideracon Doe order y't the plt John Pers Doe serve his master Cornelius Johnson or his assignes: According to ye assignm't here produced in Court And if in case the said John Perse makes appear otherwise then the Said Cornelius Johnson
to pay him a years Service. (Maryland State Archives Vol. 89 pg. 3)

1676, A. Corn. Johnson is transported to Maryland. (The Early Settlers of Maryland, by Gust Skordas, pg. 259)

29 September 1683, Cornelius Johnson, planter, of Somerset county,  patents Cox's Mistake  containing 200 acres in Somerset County, Maryland (Settlers of Maryland 1679-1700, by Peter Wilson Coldham, pg. 93)

18 December 1686, Cornelius Johnson, planter, of Somerset county,  patents Cox's Choice  containing 300 acres in Somerset County, Maryland (Settlers of Maryland 1679-1700, by Peter Wilson Coldham, pg. 93)

14 February 1686/87 Cornelius Johnson writes his will  (he being of Somerset County) which was probated on 17 June 1687 in Somerset County, Maryland. He mentions no relatives in his will, the only persons mentioned were Margaret Jones (personalty), daughter of William Jones, William Jones, Jr. & Daniel Jones (residue of estate at age 18), Executor William Jones, Witnesses were Geo. Betts, Jno. Panther, Jno. Webb. (MD Wills Lib. 4 fol. 273)

1696, A Cornelius Johnson dies intestate in Northampton County, Virginia leaving an inventory bearing this date. (Virginia Wills And Administrations 1632-1800, compiled by Clayton Torrence, pg. 234)

No Date, Ann Bradford marries first Cornelius Johnson, by whom she has Bayly, Cornelius, John and Rebecca Johnson. After the death of Cornelius Johnson Ann marries secondly John Laylor. (Virginia's Eastern Shore, by Ralph T. Whitelaw, pg. 779) The elder Cornelius Johnson is probably the one who died intestate in Northampton County, VA in 1696.

No Date, Will of John Laylor of Accomack County, Virginia, (not dated) probated 1 February 1708(/09), mentions daughter Leah Laylor  who is left "my plantation at her mother's death or remarriage, but if she should die without issue then to my sons in law Cornelius & Bayley Johnson, sons of my wife." Also mentioned his daughter-in-law Rebecca Johnson. His wife (not named) was appointed executrix. Witnesses were Henry Lurton, Francis Wharton, David Allford & Charles Marshall. (Wills And Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia 1663-1800, compiled by Stratton Nottingham, pg 41)

This Page Belongs to E. Parker Todd.