Person:John Longino (1)

Latest research points to his original name being Bartolomeo Longino.His first son is named after him. He changed his name to John Thomas due to respect of John Thomas a preacher of the time. AFter leaving Italy, Ravenna, He lived in Richmond Virginia. He moved to Surry North Carolina in 1777.

JOHN THOMAS LONGINO John Thomas Longino came upon the Surry scene in the 1770s and became quite active in Surry affairs. He settled first near Richmond, the first county seat of Surry. He later received grants and purchased land near Rockford which became the second county seat of Surry.

On the 12th of August 1778 at the Surry Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions at Richmond, John Thomas Longino took the oath of Allegiance and the oath of Deputy Sheriff. In the May Court of 1779, he was appointed constable and justice to tell the people about the newly established tax district. He was appointed tax collector for 1780 and was appointed temporary entry-taker 15 Feb 1782. In 1783 he was given permission to operate a tavern. He served as justice and constable as well as deputy sheriff in 1785.

In 1789 and 1790, John Thomas Longino was appointed as one of the commissioners named to sell lots in Rockford and to superintend the building of the town of Rockford. By this time he had moved from Richmond to Fall Creek just across the Yadkin River from Rockford. Thus, he was on the spot to sell lots in Rockford with the money from such sales to be used to build a courthouse, jail, stocks and other necessary county buildings. Thus, John Thomas Longino was one of the founders of Rockford. He was sheriff in 1791 and continued to be active until his death in 1794.

Revolutionary War vouchers at NC Archives show that John Thomas Longino loaned the State of North Carolina money at 6% during the war.

He came to the colonies from Europe. He was born in Italy in the 1720-1730s according to Mrs. Lucy Houck of Copeland in her book, The Story of Rockford. The father of John Thomas Longino was an Italian nobleman who fell under the displeasure of the Powers that be of The Holy Inquisition. He was stripped of his power and wealth and was executed as a heretic.

His son, John Thomas Longino, went into hiding. He slipped back home, found his father's coat with gold coin buttons, cut the buttons from the coat, sailed to England and from there came to the colonies. It is not known where he lived before coming to Surry. He first married a woman named Elizabeth who died in 1789. He married second Sarah Cassady Bohannon, widow of John Bohannon. This marriage took place in 1790.

John Thomas Longino left a will, Surry Will Book 3, p. 24. The children's names as listed in the will: Bartholomew served in the Rev. from Surry and moved to Georgia. John md. at Surry Nancy Phillips in 1788. Thomas md. at Surry Mary Ransome in 1788. He was executor of his father's will.Thomas lived in what is now Stokes and served in the NC Legislature. Angelica (Ann) md. at Surry Benjamin Hunter in 1791. James md. Ruth Holcomb 1808 at Surry. Ludovicia (Luddie), a twin, md. Mr. Carleton at Surry and remained in Surry. Elizabeth, a twin, md. at Surry Isaac Vestal, son of James, and remained in Surry. Amelia (Mellie) md. at Surry Jacob Amold in 1807. Hugh, no information.

None of the Longino males remained in Surry. They moved to Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and other places and did very well.

Incidentally, John Thomas Longino mentioned in his will that he had a "frame" house, a mark of distinction.

(Information from Lucy Houck, Surry deeds, wills, estate records, and marriage records.)