| The Johnson Family Book 2 -
Johnsons of St. George, Georgia
By Viva Jean Johnson Outterson
Chapter 2 Pages 21-46 THE JOHNSONS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA The
Johnsons were early settlers of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This Scottish family was among the first to accept the invitation from William Penn to settle in an area where religious and political freedom was to be a way of life. From years 1700 to 1730 large numbers of Scots sought the freedom that was to be found in the new frontier, Pennsylvania, and the Johnsons were among them. The name Johnson or Johnston was at the time quite common in Scotland and England so that many families
bearing that name came to Lancaster County in those early years. Historical records of the early colonial period in Pennsylvania are incomplete. The records and writings that are available are very limited which makes it almost impossible to establish family member associations. The many Johnson families who came to this country add greatly to the difficulty of tracing one's ancestral heritage and in most cases the suspected lineage is inconclusive.
Lancaster County was established in the early 1700s and the area of the county that the Johnson family of this collection settled was later identified as Little Britain, Fulton, Bart and Colerain Townships. By 1730 several Johnsons had settled in this area of Lancaster County. The families of Robert Johnson, John Johnson, Samuel Johnson, William Johnson and James Johnson were located here and it is not known if they were in any way related. It is suspected that they may have been brothers.
The confirmed beginning lineage of this collection is John Johnson who was born on May 23, 1732, in Lancaster County. The first mention of his presence in the area found in the writings indicate that John, by virtue of two patents, dated respectively November 19, 1764, and February 28, 1773, acquired 364 acres and 55 perches of land in Little Britain Township. From time to time John added to his landholdings. John developed his plantation into a highly productive farm and
amassed a large fortune. Today this property is still in active farming.  |
THE NORTHERN SECTION OF THE JOHNSON PLANTATION TODAY |
THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE JOHNSON PLANTATION TODAYJohn Johnson and Jean Bell were married on his twentieth birthday, May 23, 1752. Jean was born in 1734, the daughter of John Bell. Father Bell, born in 1705 and died on December 23, 1796, is buried in the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located in Bart Township of Lancaster County. John and Jean were very active church members and according to church records were the parents of a very large family.
Their children were Robert, born on November 25, 1755; Mary, born on May 15, 1756; Hugh (William), born on December 8, 1758; Catherine, born on October 3, 1760; John, born on November 16, 1762; James, born on August 1, 1764; Jean, born on September 18, 1765; Margaret, born on December 20, 1769; Elizabeth, born on January 19, 1772; Alexander, born on September 30, 1774; and Joseph, born on August 12, 1776.  John's oldest son, Robert, was appointed ensign and staff officer in Company 6 of the Second Battalion. Both John and Robert saw action against the British at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777.
Descendents of John & Jean Bell Johnson.
Click image for a larger view. JOHNSONS RUN TODAYA map dated 1824 indicates that a small stream running southward on the Johnson plantation was called Johnson Run. Another stream running northward on the same property was also called Johnson Run.Both of these streams contributed to what was called Johnsons Run. Johnsons Run empties into the west branch of the Octorara
Creek which separates Little Britain Township from Colerain Township. John and Jean's son Robert developed the fifty acres of land that he bought from his father into a very productive farm. Robert married and fathered several children. John and Jean's daughter Catherine married John Young; daughter Jean married Thomas Hawkins; and daughter Margaret married John Craig. They all made their
family homes in Lancaster County. Margaret and John Craig's only child Elizabeth died as a child. John and Jean's daughter Mary married James Creswell in 1779. James was born in 1743 in Port Deposit, Maryland. He served as a private in Captain John Ramsey's Company, 2"' Battalion of the Chester County, Pennsylvania Militia. Mary and James made their home in Lancaster County and later moved to Brooke County, Virginia where he died in 1816 and she in 1823.
Not much is known about John and Jean's sons, John and William (who used the name Hugh). These sons married and had children. It is thought that they traveled west and made their family homes in Wayne and Medina Counties of Ohio. John and Jean's son Joseph married Jane Asking on March 26, 1793. It is thought that Joseph and Jane moved away from the area. John and Jean's son James never married but stayed on the plantation and took over its operation in his father's declining years. Mother
Jean Bell died about 1800 followed by Father John on March 20, 1804. The following is a copy of John's will. In the name of God, amen! I, John Johnson, of Little Britain Township, Lancaster County of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, yeoman being weak in body but of sound mind, memory, and understanding do make and order this my last will and testament, recommending that my immortal soul to the Almighty God, Creator and Providor, Imprimis. I order all my just debts and funeral charges to be paid by my executors herein after named. Item. I give devise and bequeath all my real and personal what so ever and where so ever of what nature or kind so ever to my beloved son James Johnson, his heirs and assigns forever his and their only proper use and benefit and behoove he my said son paying the several legacies herein after mentioned and bequeathed. I give and
bequeath unto my beloved daughter Catherine, married to John Young, ten shillings in full of her share of and in my estate real and personal except as herein after set forth. I give and bequeath to my beloved son Alexander Johnson sixty pounds in full of his share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Mary, wife of James Carswell, thirty-five
pounds in full of her share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Jean, wife of Thomas Hawkins, forty-seven pounds in full of her share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Margaret, wife of John Craig, ten pounds in full of her share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons Hugh Johnson
and Robert Johnson ten shillings each in full of their share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Joseph Johnson ten pounds in full of his share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved son John Johnson, Henry's Commentaries and Calvin's Institutes in full of his share of and in my estate real and personal. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Catherine, aforesaid to and for her sole
separate use and benefit not withstanding her present coverture, the sum of fifty pounds which I charge on my real estate and which I direct to be paid to my said daughter by my son James or the owner of the said real estate devised my said son from time to time in annual payments of five pounds each to commence one year after my death, the first payment to be made and annually after continued during her life till
the said sum is fully paid, but if my said daughter before the whole of the said sum be paid shall be and remain unpaid at her death shall fall and sink unto my estate for the benefit of my son James. I hereby direct that my daughter's receipt for the said payments shall be a full and complete discharge, not withstanding her coverture. Lastly, I nominate constitutionally and appoint my beloved son James and my trusty
friend John Steel the executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former and other wills by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and no other to by my last will and testament. The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Two.
-John Johnson As indicated in John's will, he gave the family plantation to his son James who had
been his right-hand man in the operation of the plantation.  John and Jean's son, Alexander, in the late 1790s married Jane Glenn, who was born about 1777. Together they developed a very productive farm adjacent to the family plantation where they reared their family. The children of Alexander and Jane were Nancy, born in 1804; Jane, born in 1799; John,
born in 1801; and James M., born in 1805. Alexander and Jane's daughter, Jane, married Daniel Retzer who was born in 1788. They made their home and reared their family on her father's farm with her father and mother, Alexander and Jane.
Descendents of Alexander G. & Jane Glenn Johnson. Click image for a larger view.
COLERAIN UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHAlexander and Jane's sons, John and James purchased on April 5, 1823, a farm located a short distance away in Colerain Township. They were very successful as farmers and developed a highly productive farm.
In 1827 John and Nancy Andrews were married and made their home on John and James' Colerain farm. Nancy's parents were Arthur born in 1782 and Jane Andrews born in 1781. Jane died on March 20, 1818, and Arthur died January 6, 1868. They are buried together in the Colerain United Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Colerain Township of Lancaster County. On April 29, 1829, the Reverend Barr, minister of the Middle Octorara Church in Bart
Township, married James and Ann Caughey who was born on June 12, 1804. James and Ann made their home on the Colerain farm with his brother James and his family. Ann's father and mother, John and Elizabeth Kerr Caughey, were large landholders in Bart Township, located adjacent to Colerain and Little Britain Townships. The story of the Caughey family is the subject of Chapter Three. Alexander and Jane's daughter Nancy never married but lived most of her life on the
family plantation where she made a home for her Uncle James. Her uncle, with the help of some of the other family members, had taken over the operation of the plantation. James Johnson was a very successful farmer and became a highly respected member of the community. In the 1820s, James became the Justice of the Peace in Little Britain Township. In this capacity he witnessed many of the legal documents currently
on file in the Lancaster historical archives. As the family members moved away and his duties as Justice of the Peace increased, James' interest in farming waned and the plantation's productivity declined. In late 1829, John and Nancy moved their family from the farm in Colerain to the family plantation in Little Britain Township. John built a house for his family as his sister Nancy. John's Uncle James continued to live in plantation home. John and Nancy were
parents of James, born in 1828; Arthur A., born in 1830; Elizabeth, born in 1832; Mary Isabella, born in 1834; Phebe Jane, born in 1836; John, Jr., born in 1838; Joseph Franklin, born in 1840; and Sarah L., born in 1845. John's unmarried sister, Nancy had remained on the plantation to care for her Uncle James. John's brother, James, with whom John purchased the farm in 1823, continued to operate the Colerain farm after John and his family moved to the plantation in Little
Britain. While living in Colerain, James and his wife Ann Caughey were parents to Franklin A., born on March 18, 1830; Eliza R., born May 25, 1832; and Phebe Jane, born on June 3, 1834. In late 1835 James and Ann loaded a locally built Conestoga wagon and traveled west following the path of Ann's brothers and James' cousins to the new frontier of Ohio. On May 28, 1836, John and James sold the farm in Colerain Township. Many members of
Johnson and Caughey families had settled in Medina and Wayne Counties, Ohio. James and Ann chose to settle in Canaan Township of Wayne County. The story of the family of James Johnson and Ann Caughey in Wayne County, Ohio, is the subject of Chapter Four. After moving back to the family plantation in 1829, John and Nancy's worked to improve the productivity of the plantation. John's Uncle James' interest in operating the
farm diminished after being appointed Justice of the Peace and the productivity of the farm suffered. John and Nancy's expanding young family and lack of farmhands limited their efforts to increase production. Father Alexander with his daughter, Jane, and her husband, Daniel Ret-zer, operated Alexander's farm that adjoined the family plantation. Daniel and Jane were parents to James J., born in 1834 and Eliza Jane, born in 1838. Alexander's wife, Jane, died
sometime during the 1820s so the duty of caring for aging father Alexander fell to Jane, his daughter, and Daniel, his son in law. Daniel and Jane's daughter, Eliza Jane, became the wife of James C. Taylor and their son James J. married Aleitta B. On April 27, 1840, John's Uncle James, who owned the plantation, sold a large part of the plantation lend to his nephew John. James died shortly after on May 20, 1842. A copy of James' will follows, which shows the distribution of his estate.
Last Will and Testament of James Johnson Be it remembered that I, James Johnson of Little Britain Township in the County of Lancaster, being weak in body but through Divine Mercy favoured with a sound mind, memory and understanding and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner and form following,
that is to say as for and concerning all my estate whatsoever, wherewith it hath pleased Divine Providence to bless me in this life, I dispose thereof as follows, to wit: First, I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied. Item. I give and bequeath unto the children of my brother, Robert Johnson, the sum of two thousand dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common.
Item. I give and bequeath unto the children of my sister, Mary Johnson who intermarried with James Carswell, the sum of one thousand dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common. Item. To the children of my sister, Jean Johnson who intermarried with Thomas Hawkins, I give and bequeath the sum of five hundred dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common.
Item. I give and bequeath to the children of my brother, Joseph Johnson, the sum of two thousand dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common. Item. I give and bequeath to the children of my sister, Margaret Johnson who intermarried with John Craig, as follows to wit: to her son, John Johnson Craig, and to his heirs and assigns the sum of one thousand dollars; to her son, Alexander Craig,
his heirs and assigns, the like sum of one thousand dollars; and to her daughters, the sum of one thousand dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common. Item. I give and bequeath to the children of my sister, Catherine Johnson who intermarried with John Young, the sum of five hundred dollars to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as tenants in common. Item. To my brother, Alexander Johnson, I give and bequeath (if he be living) a
promissory note I hold against him, dated the 7th day of April 1812, for the sum of forty-six dollars. Item. I give and bequeath to John Harris of Lancaster County, who lived with me several years, the sum of three hundred dollars. Item. I give and bequeath to Benjamin Franklin Harris, a young who now lives with me, the sum of two hundred dollars to be paid to him when he arrives to the age of sixteen years. Item. To my niece, Nancy Johnson, I give and bequeath the sum of one dollar per
week to by calculated from the fourth day of July A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-Four (1834) to the day of my death in addition to all former payments and allowances made and given to her and I also give and bequeath to my said niece, Nancy Johnson, all the gold and silver that may be found in my desk or drawers at the time of my decease. Item. To my friend and relative, John Hannah of Little Britain Township, I give and bequeath the sum of two hundred dollars.
Item. I give and bequeath to my niece, Jean Johnson Retzer, wife of Daniel Retzer of Little Britain Township, the sum of five hundred dollars. Item. It is my will and I hereby direct and order that all my personal property be sold at public vendue as soon after my decease as conveniently may be and after all the foregoing special legacies are paid. I give and bequeath all the residue to my two
nephews, John Johnson and James Johnsons (sons of my brother, Alexander Johnson) their heirs and assigns, share and share alike, except my clock which I give to my nephew John Johnson. And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my nephew, John Johnson, and my friend, Leavin H. Jackson, both ofLittle Britain Township, executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke, annul and make void all wills and testaments
by me heretofore made and publish and declare this only to be and contain my last will and testament. In witness whereof I, the said James Johnson, the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of May A.D. 1842.
-James Johnson In 1883, James' nephew John still owned the land that he bought from his Uncle James. All of Alexander's sons and daughters shared in the proceeds of James' estate
with most of the remaining land of the original plantation transferred to John who took over the full operation of the plantation. John's sister Nancy continued to live in the house on the family plantation next door to her father Alexander and her sister Jane Retzer's family. Father Alexander passed away in 1852, followed by his daughter Nancy on September 11, 1863. The following is a copy of Nancy's will. Last Will and Testament of Nancy Johnson I, Nancy Johnson, of the township of Little Britain County of Lancaster and State of
Pennsylvania, (single woman), being in a delicate state of health, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, knowing the uncertainty of human life and the certainty of death, and feeling desirous of arranging my worldly affairs while competent to do so, therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows, to wit: 1st. It is my will and I do order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses
shall be fully paid and satisfied as soon after my decease as can conveniently be done. 2nd. To my beloved niece, Mary Isabella Johnson, daughter of John Johnson, I do give, devise and bequeath my high post bedstead, my second best bed, one quilt, one pair of sheets, one blanket, one pair of pillow cases, one bolster case, said bed clothing to be of the best in my possession, and also the sum of fifty dollars in money. 3rd. To my beloved niece, Phebe Jane Johnson, daughter of my brother, John
Johnson, I do give, devise and bequeath my large copper kettle and the sum of fifty dollars in money. 4th. To my beloved nephew, James J. Retzer, son of my deceased sister, Jane (Johnson) Retzer, I do give, devise and bequeath the sum of two hundred dollars. 5th. To James Thomas Long, a young man raised and brought up by my brother-in-law, Daniel Retzer, I do give, devise and bequeath the sum of two-hundred dollars. 6th. To my sister-in-law, Ann (Caughey) Johnson, widow of my brother, James
McCullough Johnson, late of Wayne County in the State of Ohio, I do give, devise and bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars. 7th. To my beloved niece, Eliza Jane (Retzer) Taylor, daughter of my deceased sister, Jane (Johnson) Retzer, I do give, devise and bequeath all my wearing apparel, my some copper kettle, half-a-dozen each of cups and saucers, half-a-dozen dinner plates and one wash bowl and pitcher, all of the best of my ware, all my carpet, towels
and napkins, my side saddle and riding whip, my best bed, and all the residue of my bed clothing not hereinbefore disposed of, and also the sum of one thousand dollars in money, all to be for her sole and separate use only and for no other person. 8th. The residue of my personal property not herein disposed of, is to be sold by my executor at public sale and the proceeds of such sale is to be applied to the payment
of expenses and charges incurred in setting up my estate, and if any interest shall have accrued on my money loaned out, more than sufficient to enable my executor to pay all legacies herein mentioned and all costs and charges for setting up my estate, the residue of such interest shall be paid over to the legatees hereinbefore named, to be divided into pro rata proportion among them, according to the amount of money devised to each, said legatees to be paid in one year after my decease.
9th. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint James Johnson, son of my brother, John Johnson, to be the executor of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all other wills by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony hereof I have hereunto et my hand and seal this Twenty-fifth day of May in
the year of our Lord, A. D., One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-two, 1862.
-Nancy Johnson In the 1840s and 1850s life was difficult for John and his wife Nancy, as the plantation was not very productive. The children assisted as much as possible in working the land but as soon as they were old enough they took jobs as domestics or farmhands on other plantations. Even as the children were working at other jobs, they continued to
help in making the plantation productive once more. By the late 1860s most of the children returned to live with their father and mother on the plantation that had begun to prosper. Nancy passed away on December 15, 1868. After her death, John and Nancy's daughter, Mary Isabella, maintained the house on the family farm for her father. John died on December 6, 1883. John and Nancy are buried together in the Colerain United Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Upon John's death the title of the
plantation was transferred to his son John. John and Nancy's children, Phebe Jane, Joseph Franklin and Sarah L., never married and continued to live on the family plantation.  |
THE GRAVES OF JOHN AND NANCY JOHNSONJohn and Nancy's daughter Elizabeth and Jacob Raymond Greenleaf were married and
developed a farm in Colerain Township. Jacob, born in 1832, was one of the six children born to Martin and Margaret Greenleaf. Jacob and Elizabeth were parents to Mary, born in 1859, John, born in 1861, Frank M., born in 1862, Louisa, born in 1864 and Margaret "Maggie", born in 1867. Margaret died as a very young child in 1870. Elizabeth died in 1876 and Jacob died in 1920. They are buried together in the Colerain United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
John and Nancy's son John, Jr. and Elizabeth A. Criswell were married in the 1870s. They had no children. John bought and developed the farm that once belonged to his great Uncle Robert. Upon the death of his father in 1883, John inherited the family plantation. Elizabeth died on May 25, 1891, followed by John, Jr. on June 18, 1896. They are buried to gether in the Colerain United Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Colerain Township.
John and Nancy's son James and Alice White were married about 1873. They developed a farm not far from his father's farm. James and Alice were parents to Edgar, born in 1874, and Emma M., born in 1875. In the 1870s, John and Nancy's daughter Mary Isabella and Dr. John Wesley Zell were married. John was born December 9, 1828 and was a very successful medical doctor. Mary was John's second wife. In 1865, John had married Mary Rebecca Patterson who
died on September 23, 1870. After John and Mary married they made their home in Fairmount, Pennsylvania. They had no children. Years later, Mary's aging sister Phebe came to live with Mary and John Zell. John died on February 15, 1908, followed by Phebe on December 4, 1908. Mary died on April 23, 1917. John, Mary and Phebe are interred in the Colerain Union United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
John and Nancy's son Arthur A. and Margaret Hays were married on January 11, 1867. They developed their own farm in Little Britain Township. Arthur and Margaret were the parents of Mary N., born May 28, 1873, and Leeta H., born May 27, 1879. Both children died at an early age, Mary on February 14, 1884, and Leeta on June 25, 1898. Arthur died February 10, 1897, followed by Margaret on December 28, 1924.
The family is buried together in the Colerain United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.  The following is a brief biographical sketch of Arthur A. Johnson that appeared in the BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY, published about 1900:
ARTHUR A. JOHNSON, who passed to his reward February 10, 1897, was born in Little Britain
Township, March 20, 1830, a son of John and Mary [sic Nancy] Johnson of that township. John Johnson was the father of the following family: James; Arthur A.; Elizabeth; Mary, wife of Dr. John Zell of Little Britain Township; Miss Phebe of Fairmount; John, deceased; Franklin, deceased; and Sarah, deceased. Arthur A. Johnson was one of the leading farmers of the township and a prominent citizen. In politics he was a stanch Republican and in religious matters
was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death he was in very comfortable circumstances, leaving an estate consisting of his fine farm of 175 acres, all well improved and with excellent buildings. He was a kind neighbor, an honorable citizen and a loving husband and father. His untimely death was mourned by all who knew him and his family have never recovered from his loss.
On January 11, 1867, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Margaret Hays of Little Britain Township, a daughter of John and Margaret (Clendennin) Hays, and two children were born of this union: Mary N., born May 28, 1873, died February 14, 1884; and Leeta H., born May 27, 1879, died June 25, 1898, she being a student at Normal when she was taken ill; her death was a severe blow to her already bereaved mother, and she is
remembered as a loving girl, bright, attractive and gentle, a true Christian and a general favorite. Mrs. Johnson came of a family well known in Lancaster County, and was one of nine children born to her parents: Catherine, born June 10, 1815; Mary, born September 21, 1817; William, born June 2, 1820; John, born February 28, 1822; Wallace, born June 2, 1824; Jemima, born June 10, 1827; Charles, born January 16, 1830; James, born July
27, 1832; and Margaret, Mrs. Johnson. All are now deceased except Mrs. Johnson and her brother Charles of Little Britain Township. Bereft of her loved ones, Mrs. Johnson now lives wholly for others.
[End Chapter Two] Chapter 3 - The Caugheys of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
