Descendants of William Johnson of Middlesex Virginia
Third Generation 
5. William JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 8 Oct 1722 in Middlesex Co. Virginia and died in 1796 in Goochland County at age 74.
General Notes:
It seems William Jr. was likely to have moved to Goochland prior to his father's death, and then his father left him the property in his will. William Johnson married Christian Leake in Goochland County in 1750. The Douglas Register lists the birth of all the children of William and Christian.
William and Christian lived in the upper end of Goochland on the Goochland/Fluvanna County lines on the two hundred fifty acres on Little Byrd Creek given to him by his father's will. We have found no other deeds for William and Christian. Some of their children are found in Fluvanna, and some in Goochland. .
Tax lists (or tithables) were prepared and taxes were paid during colonial times by each head of household. A tithable was any male (including black and white), and any black female over the age of 16. Anyone under the age of 21 was not considered a head of household. William Johnson is listed on the Personal Property Tax lists from 1750-1796 in Goochland County on Byrd Creek. In 1759 a Benjamin Johnson appears as a tithable with William. Since William and Christian had no son named Benjamin, this would be his brother Benjamin who was 20 years old.
In 1785, Stephen Johnson is listed as a tithable in the household of William Johnson. This would be William's son Stephen. Stephen is listed independently in the Tax list of 1787, but was described as "of Byrd Creek" just as his father was in the same list.
William Johnson's will was written on April 7, 1796 and probated Sept. 19, 1796. It is recorded in Goochland DB 17, PG 26: He named his son, Stephen Johnson sole executor.
abstract:
To Son Stephen Johnson, land and plantation "whereon I now live" & one negro man named Tom. My grandson John Smith Johnson. Daughter Christian Pope. Daughter Judah Johnson. Son Walter Johnson.
Exec.: Son Stephen Johnson. Wit: Wm. Massie, James Pace, Jesse Pace. Signed: William Johnson. Prob. Sept. 19, 1796.
William married Christian LEAKE in 1750 in Goochland County. Christian was born Est 1725 in Goochland County and died in Goochland County.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 22 F i. Judith JOHNSON was born in 1751 in Goochland County and died in Goochland County.
+ 23 M ii. Walter JOHNSON was born in 1755 in Fluvanna VA and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 24 M iii. Samuel JOHNSON was born in 1757 in Goochland County and died in Goochland County.
+ 25 M iv. Manoah JOHNSON was born in 1759 in Fluvanna VA and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 26 M v. Jeremiah JOHNSON was born in 1762 in Fluvanna VA.
+ 27 M vi. Stephen JOHNSON was born in 1763 in Fluvanna VA and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 28 F vii. Christian JOHNSON was born in 1767 in Fluvanna VA and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 29 M viii. Josiah JOHNSON was born in 1769 in Fluvanna VA and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 30 M ix. William JOHNSON was born in 1771 in Goochland County and died in Goochland County.
6. Elizabeth JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 28 May 1726 in Middlesex Virginia.
7. Henry JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 2 Mar 1727 in Middlesex Virginia.
8. Daniel JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 1 Jan 1729 in Middlesex Virginia.
9. Samuel JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 23 Jul 1731 in Middlesex Virginia and died on 19 Oct 1735 in Middlesex Virginia at age 4.
10. Jane JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 10 Apr 1733 in Middlesex Virginia and died on 23 Jan 1737 in Virginia at age 3.
11. Avarilla JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 7 Mar 1735 in Middlesex Virginia.
12. Benjamin JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 3 May 1739 in Middlesex Virginia and died in 1785 in Goochland Virginia at age 46.
General Notes:
Benjamin Johnson son of William Johnson and Margaret Pace married his cousin Susanna Pace daughter of Joseph Pace and Ann Bashford on July 22, 1759. The marriage is noted in the Douglas Register along with the birth of their children.
Benjamin first appears in Goochland on the Tithable Lists of Goochland County:
Mr. John Smith's list of tithables 1759 tax list
William Johnson next to Josiah Pace: page 86
William Johnson & Benj. Johnson with him.
It appears by this that sometime before 1759, Benjamin had come to live with his brother William on his land in Goochland. He probably worked the land along with William until he purchased land next to his brother from his cousin Josiah Pace.
Benjamin Johnson patented land in what was then Albemarle County but is now Fluvanna County on July 26, 1765 on the branches of Phil's Creek bounded by Arthur Hopkins, John Moseley, Philip Thurmond, and Guy Smith. Phil's Creek can be found today in Fluvanna County and is a tributary of Byrd Creek. Although it did not adjoin William's land, it was not so far that Benjamin would have a difficult time to farm the land.
Benjamin also purchased 140 acres in 1766 adjoining his brother William. This land was purchased from his cousin Josiah Pace son of Joseph Pace and brother to his wife Susanna. The purchase of this land is recorded in Goochland DB 9, Page 71.
Abstract: Sept. 3, 1766. Josias Pace to Benjamin Johnson for 60 pounds current money of Virginia, 140 acres on Little Bird Creek. Bounded by George Payne, William Johnson, John Moseley & Joseph Pace. Witness: Andrew Harrison, Wm. Harrison, Joseph Pace, Francis Houchins. Signed: Josiah Pace. Rec. May 19, 1767. Elizabeth relinquish dower right.
Benjamin and Susanna lived on this 140 acres for many years. The tax lists for 1782 and 1784 lists a Benjamin Jr. with Benjamin. Then on May 16, 1785 Benjamin died leaving a will: Goochland DB 14, page 60:
In the Name of God Amen. I Benjamun Johnson of the County of Goochland being very infirm at this present but praised be god of sound sense & memory as to what worldly estate it hath pleases God to bless me with I give and bequeath in the manner and form following item: lend unto my loving wife Susanna Johnson my land and plantation whereon I now live also too hundred and sixty acres of land in Fluvanna County also four Negroes & their increase also my house and stock of cattle, sheep, hogs, also all my household goods & furniture of every kind also my crop of corn wheat and oats also what money I have in hand all debts that is owe to me all that I have mention and my plantation tools & other kinds of tools I have lent as affoursaid unto my loving wife during her widdowhood or natural live. Item after my wife Death or marriage it is my will and desire that the whole of my estate shall be sold to the highest bidder and the money equaley divided amongst my children Joseph Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Susannah Pace, William Johnson, Curtis Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson & my Grandson Charles Houtchkins after deducting fourteen pounds of his part then to share an equal part with my above mentioned children now in case any of my above mentioned children should die before they arrive to lawfull age or leave no lawfull issue That their estate to be equally divided amongst the survivors of my children to whom I give the same and to thier heirs and do ordain constitute and appoint this my last will and testament and do appoint my loving wife Susannah Johnson my whole and soul executor in witness where of I have hereunto let my hand & seal this Eighth day of March one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five.
Signed sealed in the presence of
William Massie
William Johnson
Stephen Johnson
Benjamin Johnson (seal)
At a court held for Goochland County May 16, 1785 this writing was prov'd by the oaths of Wm. & Stephen Johnson to be the last will & Testament of Benj'm Johnson Dec'd which was therefore admitted to Record
It appears Benjamin's brother William was a witness to the will. It is possible their brother Stephen was also a witness. However, it is more likely that this is William and Christian's son Stephen who would be 22 at the time the will was written. Although Benjamin had willed that his land be sold after the death of his wife, it seems Susanna, who lived for many more years, had other plans as we find most of the land was not sold and is found in the hands of Benjamin's sons…
Susanna Johnson appears on the 1785 tax list along with two of her sons, tithables Joe Johnson and William Johnson. By this time, Benjamin Jr. was head of his own household. Susanna is listed with one tithable William Johnson in 1786. Also in the 1786 tax list Susanna is listed as insolvent.
DB#15, pg. 147 List of Insolvents for the revenues & certificate collection for the 1786 Returned by Wm Sampson Dty. Sheriff for Stephen Sampson.
Rec: Nov. 21, 1788
Susanna is not on the 1789 tax list, so we can assume she died sometime between 1788 and 1789.
Noted events in his life were:
• Land Transactions & Sources: Benjamin Johnson first patented 360 acres on the North side of the Rivanna River on the branches of Phil's Creek in Fluvanna County on July 26, 1765.
Later his son Joseph Johnson is found to have sold this parcel of land.
• Land Transactions & Sources: In 1766 Benjamin purchased 140 acres of land from Josiah Pace (Son of Joseph Pace and brother to his wife Susanna) bounded by Joseph Pace, William Johnson George Payne and John Moseley DB 9 PG 71.
In 1782 Benjamin is listed with Benjamin an infant on the Personal Property Tax list... This means the younger Benjamin is old enough to be taxed, but still under the age of 21.
• Will of Benjamin Johnson: In 1785 in DB 14 PG 160 we find the Will of Benjamin Johnson. He lists Susanna his wife and children and refers to the land noted above.
Even though the Will requires at Susanna's death for the land to be sold, this did not happen as we later see Joseph in possession of the land in Fluvanna and Benjamin has possession of the 140 acres in Goochland.
Benjamin married Susanna PACE, daughter of Joseph PACE and Ann BASHFORD, on 22 Jul 1759 in Goochland Va. Susanna was born in 1740 in Middlesex Co. Virginia and died in Goochland County.
General Notes: This Susanna Pace (daughter of Joseph Pace) is sometimes confused with the Susanna Pace who married Stephen Johnson and died in Nelson County.
Although Benjamin's will stated that all land was to be sold to the highest bidder at Susanna's death, as sole administrator of his estate, Susanna gave the land to her sons. The land on Phil's Creek was given to Joseph, and the land in Goochland was given to Benjamin. It appears that William moved to Kentucky. It is unknown about Curtis.
Susanna Pace Johnson appears in the 1785 tax list for the Upper District of Goochland with tithables Joe and William Johnson. She was again there in 1786 with "William under age" Susanna is gone by 1789, but Benjamin appears on the tax rolls.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 31 F i. Margaret JOHNSON was born on 13 May 1760 in Goochland Virginia and died in Fluvanna VA.
+ 32 M ii. Joseph JOHNSON was born on 9 Nov 1761 in Goochland Virginia.
+ 33 M iii. Benjamin JOHNSON was born on 18 Nov 1763 in Goochland Virginia and died in 1812 in Goochland Virginia at age 49.
+ 34 F iv. Susanna JOHNSON was born on 17 Oct 1765 in Goochland Virginia.
+ 35 M v. William JOHNSON was born on 16 Dec 1768 in Goochland Virginia and died in KY.
+ 36 M vi. Curtis JOHNSON was born on 21 Sep 1770 in Goochland Virginia.
+ 37 F vii. Elizabeth JOHNSON was born on 25 Nov 1777 in Goochland Virginia.
13. Stephen JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 14 Mar 1740 in Middlesex Virginia.
General Notes: A note of caution: According to Pace Researchers, this is the Stephen Johnson who married Susanna Pace, niece of the Susanna who married his brother Benjamin Johnson.
A marriage between Stephen Johnson and Susanna Pace is listed in the Douglas Register along with the birth of some of their children. We have included this line of Johnsons here because we feel it is most likely to be true, however we have not proved this line for ourselves.
Stephen married Susanna PACE, daughter of John PACE and Susanna HOUCHINS, on 1 Oct 1765. Susanna was born in 1749 in Goochland Va.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 38 M i. William JOHNSON was born in 1765 in Amherst.
+ 39 M ii. John JOHNSON was born in 1766 in Amherst.
+ 40 F iii. Elizabeth JOHNSON was born in 1768 in Amherst.
+ 41 M iv. Benjamin JOHNSON was born in 1772 in Amherst.
+ 42 F v. Margaret JOHNSON was born in 1773 in Amherst.
+ 43 M vi. Stephen JOHNSON was born in 1783 in Amherst.
+ 44 F vii. Avey JOHNSON was born in 1787 in Amherst.
+ 45 F viii. Sally JOHNSON was born in 1789 in Amherst.
+ 46 F ix. Susanna JOHNSON was born in 1793 in Amherst.
14. Samuel JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born on 19 Feb 1742 in Middlesex Co. Virginia.
15. John JOHNSON (William2, Henry1) was born from 1744 to 1745 in Middlesex Co. Virginia.
16. William JOHNSON (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born from 1729 to 1731.
17. Richard JOHNSON (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born between 1730 and 1740 and died in 1769 in Johnston Co. NC.
Richard married Phereby UNKNOWN. Phereby was born in Unk and died in Unk.
18. Sill JOHNSON Jr. (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born between 1730 and 1740 and died about 1774 in Johnston Co. NC.
Sill married Betty UNKNOWN. Betty was born in Unk and died in Unk.
19. Henry JOHNSON (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born between 1730 and 1740 and died about 1807 in Johnston Co. NC.
Henry married Unknown WEST. Unknown was born in Unk and died in Unk.
Henry next married Martha (Patsy) BEASLEY on 30 Jul 1807 in Wake Co. NC. Martha was born in Unk and died in Unk.
20. Benjamin JOHNSON (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born between 1750 and 1755 in Johnston Co. NC.
21. Absalom JOHNSON (Silvanus (Sill)3, Henry1) was born between 1750 and 1755 in Johnston Co. NC.
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