Benjamin Johnson, son of Michael Johnson
 of Goochland County, Virginia
By Bonnie Flythe
fly1776@rcn.com
© 2007

July 26, 2007

This Benjamin Johnson was probably a son of Michael Johnson.  I say that because of Benjamin’s association with Isaac Johnson, proven son of Michael Johnson.  In 1756, Isaac Johnson, a proven son of Michael Johnson, sold some land to his brother John, mentioning adjacent land of Benj. Johnson, dec’d.   Owning neighboring land is not proof of a relationship, but it may be a clue that further research could illuminate. In addition,  Isaac Johnson was involved in the settling of Benjamin’s estate.  Thanks to Leonard Johnson for providing documentary evidence of the apparent end of this particular male family line. 

Benjamin was named as a neighbor in the 1725 land patent of Roger Powel suggesting Benjamin, as a land owner, was at least 21 (therefore was probably born before 1704);
17 Aug 1725. Roger Powel 400 acs Henrico Co on N side James River; adj. John Pleasants’ land on Wolf Br; Ralph Hudspith’s line & Benjamin JOHNSON’s corner; p. 284. 40 shillings (CVP, v. 3, 290)

Benjamin’s first known patent was in 1727;  
Patent.  Oct. 13, 1727.  by Benjamin Johnson for 326 acres for 35 shillings.  Henrico Co. on north side of James River.  Bounded by Robert Woodson in the low ground of Genitoe Cr., Mr. Addams & Benj. Woodson (Foley, Vol I, pg. 71)

Then, in 1732, a Benjamin patented 400 acres in the western portion of Goochland County on the branches of Byrd Creek.  
Patent.  April 11, 1732.  400 acres to Benjamin Johnson for 40 shillings, on branches of Byrd Creek on Horsepen Branch of sd. Creek.  (Foley Vol.I, pg. 87)
Again, this Benjamin was at least 21, giving him a birth year of 1710 or earlier.
 
By May of 1744, this Benjamin Johnson was dead. Even though he died intestate & no record of his marriage has surfaced, a sequence of documents reveals the identity of his widow as Agnes (Arrington) Johnson.  There is no formal record of their marriage, but a sequence of documents reveals Agnes identity:  
May Court 1744.   Johnson Administrator.  Agnes Johnson comes into court & makes oath that Benj. Johnson died without any will so far as she knows or believes & on her motion Certificate is granted her for obtaining Letters of Administration in due form.  Isaac Johnson, William Arrington, Outring(??) Thompson security for same
Ordered that Philip Webber, George Payne, Thomas Wadlow, Robt Burton Junr. or any three of them being first sworn by Justices of the Peace do appraise the estate of Benj. Johnson, Decd. & that this administratrix do return an inventory thereof to the next court. (Go.Co., OB#5, p. 389 ) 
In June of 1744, an inventory of Benjamin’s estate was recorded in Goochland:
June 21, 1744. Inventory of Benjamin Johnson.  Value L 34/9/6 by Geo. Payne, Phill. Webber, Thomas (T) Wodlow.  Rec. Aug. 21, 1744  (Weisiger, Go.Co. Wills, 7)

There was some concern on the part of Isaac Johnson, son of Michael Johnson, about this estate and he petitioned the court May of 1746:
May Court 1746.  Johnson agt. Barnet.  On the petition of Isaac Johnson agt. John Barnet, Jr. & Agnes his wife setting forth that they wasted the estate of Benjamin Johnson deceased for the said Agnes's administration on whole estate the petitioner _____ security & praying to be relieved It is ordered that the said John Barnet, Jr. do enter into bond to the petitioner with good & sufficient security to indemnify him from being security for the sd. Agnes as aforesaid on failure of which the said Barnet is ordered to deliver unto the petitioner the estate of the said Benjamin Johnson Deceased. (Go. Co., OB #6, p.191)

Obviously, John Barnet, Jr. married Agnes Johnson not long after the death of her husband, Benjamin Johnson.  According to the Douglas Register, John Barnard and Agnes Arrington had a daughter Mary Howard on April 26, 1757 and a son Daniel on July 14, 1759 (Jones, 156).  There may have been other Barnet children, but they remain unidentified.  The parents of Agnes Arrington have not been identified at this time, but she may descend from William & Susannah Arrington who were early residents of Goochland County.  Additionally, a William Arrington signed the security bond for her administration of Benjamin Johnson’s estate. 
  
The wording of Isaac’s petition suggests there were irregularities in the handling of the estate.  Isaac himself may have moved away to Lunenburg County as early as 1747 when he and his brother Joseph patented land in that area.  Goochland County Order Books 5 & 6, which cover the years 1741-1749 contain no guardian orders, bonds or other records naming the children of Benjamin and Agnes Johnson. 

Presumably, Agnes and John Barnett kept the Johnson estate intact for the maintenance of the orphan or orphans, but it is not known how many there were.  Subsequent documents indicate that Benjamin and Agnes were the parents of only two children: Benjamin and Elizabeth Johnson.

In 1756, Isaac Johnson sold 150 acres of land on the south side of Tuckahoe Creek.  
Jan. 19, 1756.  Isaac Johnson of Looningburg Co. To John Johnson of Goochland Co. For 100 pounds, 150 acres south side of Tockahoe Creek.  Bounded by Benj. Johnson Decd., Daniel Johnson, Decd. & John Johnson, Decd. and Moses Brumfield on Tockahoe Creek “except the graveyard where Michael Johnson, his wife and child is buried...” Wit: William Miller, Daniel Johnson , Wilmanton (his H mark) Harris.  Rec. Jan. 20, 1756.  Mary wife of Isaac Johnson, relinq. Dower right (DB#7, pg. 59) 
The mention of neighboring land owners as Benj. Johnson, decd, Daniel Johnson, decd., John Johnson, decd. reinforces the likelihood that all of these men were sons of Michael.  In addition, Agnes Barnett was a witness to the will of Moses Brumfield in 1758 (Henley, 45).  It seems that Agnes and John Barnett were neighbors of these Johnsons. 

In 1763, Benjamin Johnson sold 150 acres of land on Tuckahoe Creek to Elisha Leake.  It is not certain that this is the same land as that purchased in 1727, but both tracts had Robert Woodson as a neighbor and the location is near the land in the Isaac Johnson deed. 
Jan. 15, 1763.  Benjamin Johnson and John Barnett & Agnes his wife to Elisha Leake, for 120 pounds, 150 acres on Tuckahoe Creek.  Bounded by Robert Woodson, William Webber, John LaPrade, lands of Moses Brumfield, Dec. Benjamin Johnson & John Barnett & Agnes “agree to do and execute any other act or conveyance for 20 years if requested” Wit: Benj. Woodson, Jr., Wm Hodges, Joseph Johnson, John Johnson.  Signed:  Benj. Johnson, John Barnett, Agnes  (X) Barnett.  Rec. April 19, 1763.  Relinq dower right: July 19, 1763 (DB#8, pg. 322).  
Benjamin’s mother was relinquishing her dower right in signing this deed.   It is unusual for a 20 year commitment to be included in a deed and this reinforces the possibility that the title to the land might not be clear of confusion. 

In 1765, Benjamin Johnson sold to William Liggon ½ of the 1732 tract on Byrd Creek that his father had patented. 
Feb. 19, 1765.  Benjamin Johnson, son of Benjamin Johnson of Albemarle Co. to William Liggon  for 20 pounds, 200 acres in Goochland and Albemarle counties “granted unto Benjamin Johnson, decd.  By patent April 11, 1732 it being half of 400 acres” Bounded by John Lowry, Horsepen Branch of Byrd Creek. Wit: Thomas Pleasants, Michl Holland, Benjamin Johnson.  Signed: Benjamin Johnson.  Rec: Feb. 19, 1765 (DB#8, pg. 448). 
Part of the Byrd Creek patent fell in Albemarle and, when Fluvanna County was created in 1777, the land became a part of the new county.  

The next year, Benjamin Johnson of Albemarle sold personal property to Elizabeth Johnson:
Aug. 11, 1766. Benjamin Johnson sells to Elizabeth Johnson for 29 pounds a cow & calf, a feather bed, a rifle gun, dish and basin, furniture, etc.  Wit: Lucy Amos, Wm Amos, William Creasy. Signed: Ben Johnson Rec: March 1767 (Johnson, Leonard email, June 18, 2007, Sparacio, Deed Abstracts,  Alb.Co. DB 4, p. 365)
Benjamin’s health may have been poor because in the next year, Elizabeth Johnson sold 200 acres of land to John Napier: 
This indenture made the 11th day of December 1767 Between Elizabeth Johnson of the county of Albemarle of one part and John Napier of same of other part  Witnesseth that for sum of Twenty pounds Currt money paid the said Eliza. Johnson doth sell unto said John Napier his heirs Two hundred acres of land being partly in county of Goochland & Albemarle on the head branches of the Sepin Creek, joining the lines of John Lowry, Andrew Grub & Wm Hughs to include the old Field know by the name of Gothods, as legely desended to me from my decased Brother Benjamin Johnson the part of the Tract Bug sold to Wm. Ligion and by these presents hath confirmed unto said John Napier.  In presence of Thomas Napier, Martha (+) Webb, Agness (S) Barnett.  Signed: Elizabeth (+) Johnson  (Johnson, Leonard email of June 18, 2007, Sparacio, Deed Abstracts, Alb. DB #4, 503)
It appears that Agnes Barnett acted as a witness to an instrument involving her Johnson son and daughter!  The exact date is not known, but it seems that Benjamin died sometime in 1766 or 1767.  The land Elizabeth sold was the other ½ of the land Benjamin sold to William Ligon in 1765. 

Elizabeth Johnson has not been traced in Albemarle County.  Her brother Benjamin seems to have died as a relatively young man and did not leave any children. 

Descendency Chart of Benjamin Johnson
Michael Johnson  (  -1719 Henr. )
  m. Sarah Watson
	1. Benjamin (ca. 1704- 1744Go.Co.)
	    m. Agnes Arrington
		A. Benjamin (bef. 1744- ca. 1766Alb. Co.)
		B. Elizabeth (bef. 1744-       )

Bibliography

Fluvanna Co., Deed Book Vol.1-3 1777-1801, LDS #31467
Foley, Louis Pledge Heath, Early Virginia Families Along the James River, Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Henrico County-Goochland County, Virginia, Vol. I (Baltimore, MD., Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1983)
___________, Fluvanna County, Virginia Deeds, 1777-1783, (Miami Beach, Fla.: T.L.C., 1991)
Goochland Co., Deed Book (with Wills & Inventories) Vol. 6-8, LDS #31655
Goochland Co., Order Book Vol. 5-6, LDS #31672
Henley, Margaret V., Abstracts of Wills From Goochland County, Virginia 1727-1777, (Goochland, Va.: Goochland County Historical Society, 1990)
Johnson, Leonard.  Email of, June 18, 2007 
Jones, W. Mac, The Douglas Register, (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1977)
Nugent, Nell Marion, Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants. (Richmond, VA.: Virginia State Library, 1979)
Weisiger III, Benjamin B. Goochland County, Virginia Wills and Deeds 1742-1749. (Richmond, Va.: Benjamin B. Weisiger, 1984)