Person:William Johnson (337)

Disputed Parentage

Some researchers have placed William Johnson as the son of Richard Johnson and his wife, Jael Harrison, but there does not appear to be any evidence to support this. In addition, none of William's sons were named Richard, assuming he would have followed the regular naming pattern followed during those days. Additional research is necessary to conclusively prove his parentage.

Will of William Johnson

Pages 358-59. Will of William Johnson of the County of Orange being sick and weak, dated 16 March 1766.

Unto my son Robert my land which I have in Culpeper County, but that he do not enjoy the same during the widowhood of my wife who I desire may possess the same during her widowhood.

The land whereon I now live in Orange County unto my son Benjamin subject nevertheless to the use of my wife during her widowhood, but in case she should marry again then she shell enjoy one third part of my sald land that I live on.

In case my son Robert should die without issue the land I have devised to him shall go to my son William Cave Johnson subject nevertheless to the limitation above mentioned.

In case my son Benjamin shall die without issue the land devised to him shall go to my son Valentine subject nevertheless to the limitation in favour of my wife.

To my well beloved wife Elizabeth my mill during her natural life and after her decease to my son William Cave Johnson.

To my daughter Anne Rogers one feather bed and its furniture, also my blaze face bay mare.

To m[y] son Benjamin one sorrell colt avout two years old.

I also desire that my wife will give each of my children (except my sons Robert and Benjamin and my daughter Anne Rogers) when they go from her to live one riding beast.

All the residue to my well beloved wife Elizabeth during her widowhood and in case she should marry again or at the time of her death, equally divided among all my children then living of their legal representatives, except my daughter Anne Rogers who is to make an allowance of the value of the feather bed and its furniture and mare.

My sons Robert and Benjamin executors.

(signed) William Johnson.

Wit: James Madison, John Cave, Robert Johnson, Robert Deering, Benja. Cave.

[Orange County Virginia Will Book 2, 1744-1778, Dorman, pg. 72-73].

22 May 1766. Presented into Court by Robert Johnson Junr. Proved by Robert Johnson Senr. and Benjamin Cave. Executor with Benjamin Head, Benja. Cave and Robt. Johnson Senr., entered into bond in the sum of £1,000 current money.

Pages 360-62. Mr. William Johnson. Inventory. Made pursuant to order of 22 May 1766. Total valuation £643.6.5½, including nine slaves valued at £200. (signed) Thomas Barbour, John Scockdell, Edward Deering.

26 June 1766. Returned.

[Orange County Virginia Will Book 2, 1744-1778, Dorman, pg. 73].

1. ↑ Aldridge, Anna Martha. Jacob Stucker Sr. and his kinfolks, 1700-1956. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
   p. 29.