The first of this family in Virginia was
1. Col. Richard 1 Johnson, of Bilsby, Lincolnshire, England, who came to Virginia and settled in what is now King and Queen County. The exact year of his arrival in Virginia is unknown; but in 1679, as "Capt. Richard Johnson" he was living in New Kent (from which King and Queen was formed). In 1680 he was J. P. for New Kent and Captain of horse in the militia (Va. Mag. I, 248). He was appointed to the Council in 1696 and died in 1698. As the records of New Kent and King and Queen have been destroyed, but few details can be learned in regard to him. He evidently bought land from private owners as he owned much more than that embraced in his one patent. This, dated, Oct. 25, 1695, and, for some reason unknown, surrendered Oct. 15, 1696, granted to Col. Richard Johnson 3285 acres in King and Queen Co.; in Pamunkey Neck (now King William Co.) The head-rights were: Richard Johnson, Jane Johnson, Richard Johnson, Susanne Johnson, &c. These evidently included Col. Johnson and his children and probably his wife.
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