Person Page 995

Nicolas Thomas Johnson

Parents

Father	Nicholas Johnson (b. 10 October 1713, d. 6 June 1766)
Mother	Elizabeth Hudson (b. 14 July 1718, d. 1798)

Children with Elizabeth Meriweather (b. 3 March 1744, d. 1 September 1812)

Daughter	Mary Johnson+ (b. 30 August 1763, d. 22 November 1823)
Daughter	Elizabeth Thornton Johnson+ (b. 30 August 1763, d. 14 September 1812)
Son	Nicholas Johnson+ (b. 11 August 1768, d. 1832)
Daughter	Rebecca Mitchell Johnson (b. 27 February 1773, d. 1836)
Daughter	Lucy Johnson+ (b. 2 June 1773, d. August 1841)
Son	David Johnson+ (b. 7 April 1778, d. 12 January 1833)
Daughter	Sarah Johnson+ (b. August 1782, d. 1803)
Son	Thomas Johnson (b. 14 November 1783, d. 2 November 1842)
Daughter	Ann Meriwether Johnson+ (b. 10 October 1786, d. June 1866)
Daughter	Nancy Johnson+ (b. 1795, d. 2 September 1851)

Person Exhibits

Biography

Anecdote		Thomas was probably born before 1740, but his birth date is not known & he may have been underage at the date of this deed: 30 Aug. 1754. John Boswell, and Ann, his wife, Thomas Johnson of Caroline Co., Gent., and William Johnson of Louisa Co., Gent. For natural affection to our Nephew, Thomas Johnson, Son of Nicholas Johnson of Louisa Co. One negro Woman Slave, named Jenny and 4 negro boys named Ned, Roger, Stephen and Gutridge and 1 girl named Sarah with all her increase; sd. Negroes part of the estate of Thomas Johnson, late of King William, father to sd. Ann Boswell, Thomas Johnson and William Johnson and by a Division of sd. Estate fell to sd. Ann Boswell, Thomas Johnson and William Johnson. Wit: Robert Lesley, Thomas Bowles, William Morris. Signed: John Boswell, Thomas Johnson, William Johnson. 28 May 1754 ackn. by Thomas and William Johnson. (Lo DB A, p. 547) This deed is very useful. The names of the slaves provide a way of tracing Thomas Johnson, Sheriff in the tithables records of Louisa. There were several sheriffs, including another Thomas Johnson, in Louisa County at any one time, but this Thomas held the position over many years. Some time before 1760, Thomas married Elizabeth Meriwether, daughter of Thomas Meriwether. They were the parents of at least the following children: Nicholas Johnson c. 1760 David Johnson c. 1761 Francis "Frank" Johnson Mary Johnson Winston Elizabeth Johnson 8/30/1763 Rebecca Johnson Winston Lucy Johnson Quarles 2/27/1776 Sarah Johnson Overton Thomas Johnson 11/14/1783 Ann Johnson Barrett 10/10/1786 The Rev. Douglas recorded the birth of Elizabeth in August 30, 1763, Lucy on Feb. 27, 177_ (& her baptism on April 12, 1773), Thomas on Nov. 14, 1783 and Ann Meriwether on Oct. 10, 1786. (Jones, 227-8). The births of the others were not recorded in this register, but the wills of both Thomas and Elizabeth identify their surviving children. According to the Tithable lists of Louisa County, Thomas Johnson, Jr. lived in St. Martin’s Parish until 1772. The 1767 tithables list had a John McKenne living with him. The will of Elizabeth Meriwether Johnson made special provision for John Kenney as someone who had provided help for her. This was probably the same man. By 1772, Thomas Johnson Sheriff was living on 446 acres of land in Trinity Parish. The records there consistently refer to him as Sheriff. For several years, John Kenney/Haney/Kinnley lived with Thomas Johnson’s household. For only one year, 1778, did Thomas have an identified overseer, John Perkins. He continued to acquire land. Thomas died between 1801 and 1803 when his will was submitted for probate: 23 Dec. 1801 Will of Thomas Johnson. to son David slaves; to wife Elizabeth during her life all estate when my son Thomas Johnson arrives at age 21 wife to give him Negroes and other estate as will be equal to Negroes given my other children (land not taken into consideration here) when daughter Ann Meriwether Johnson shall marry or near 21 she to be given Negroes. Residue of my estate to wife under her control only. At her death can be given to children or grandchildren as she may think proper. Appoint wife exor. Wit. Jno. Poindexter, William G. Poindexter, William Hughes. 24 Feb. 1801. Sig. Thomas Johnson. Codicil- son Thomas Johnson shall have land whereon I live including tract I purchased of Col. Richard Anderson as by deed made by me to son Thomas recorded in Louisa. Rec. 10 Oct. 1803. (Lo. Will Book: 5,123) Elizabeth lived several more years. Her will was filed on Sept. 14, 1812 .Apparently Thomas, the sheriff and his wife had two more sons, Nicholas and Frank or Francis, than the number mentioned in either will. Governor George R. Gilmer of Georgia wrote a description of several of the children of Sheriff Thomas Johnson of Louisa Co., Virginia in his book "Georgians- Sketches of Some of the First Settlers of Upper Georgia, of the Cherokees and the Author." “Elizabeth married Thomas Johnson, of Louisa, Virginia, called Sheriff Tom. They had a large family of children, Nicholas, the oldest, moved to Georgia. David, Frank and Tom, married and continued to live in Virginia until their deaths. Each of them had a family of children. They were social and respectable men. I knew them so slightly that I am unable to give any particulars of their lives."
DNA Verified		21 DNA matches through Nicolas Thomas Johnson
Anecdote		Nicholas Johnson was the son of Thomas Johnson, of Louisa County, Virginia, and Ann Meriwether, the daughter of Thomas Meriwether, of Albemarle County. Whilst acting as deputy sheriff he rendered himself liable to arrest for some act of violence. To escape the danger, he left Virginia for the Broad River settlement, where he appeared in more dashing style than had ever been seen in that hard-working, economical, simple-habited frontier community. He was attended by a well-dressed servant, rode a fine blooded horse, his servant another, and a third followed for the relief of the other two. His dress was a blue coat, red waistcoat, and buff pantaloons. He used to say that when a young man went into a crowd so dressed, every body made way for him, and he heard, as he passed along, Who is that ? Who is that ? His person was stout, his features full and round, his complexion fair and florid, his voice well modulated, and his address exceedingly civil. He was a constant and very plausible talker. He united grand scheming with successful doing in a very unusual and often amusing way. When he went to any public place, a crowd might generally be seen gathered about him, listening to his fervent account of some danger which threatened the nation, or some new fashion of planting corn, tobacco, or cotton. His land was very poor, and his plantation very large, with granite rocks scattered about over it. He described to some acquaintances in Augusta the beauty of the native flowers and shrubs, and the wild scenery of the rocky hills about him, in such glowing terms, that they planned a special visit to enjoy the pleasure of the sight. He once told his neighbor, Dr. Bradly, a very bookish planter, in seemingly earnest terms, how to make a fortune by raising hogs. The Doctor was nigh losing the entire profits of a year’s labor by following the plan.1
Birth	6 March 1736	He was born on 6 March 1736 at Roundabout CastleBG in Louisa, Virginia, United StatesBGO.
Marriage	8 December 1762	He and Elizabeth Meriweather were married on 8 December 1762 in Goochland, Virginia, United StatesBGO.
Anecdote	1779	Thomas Johnson (1735-18o3) was a member of the Committee of Safety, 1775, and of the House of Delegates, 1779. He was born and died in Louisa County, Va.
Will	23 December 1801	He signed a will on 23 December 1801 in Louisa, Virginia, United StatesBGO. Cty. Lou, Book: 5, Page: 123, Thomas Johnson, Type: Will, Date: 10-Oct-1803 Will Thomas Johnson (sheriff). To my son David Johnson slaves Hannah daughter of Betty and her 3 children Janny, Patty and Rhoda, Bibb, and her son Matt. To wife Elizabeth during her life all estate whatever kind and when my son Thomas Johnson shall arrive to age of 21 years wife to give him Negroes and as much other estate to be equal in value as given to my other children when they came of age (land not taken into consideration here) . Residue of estate loaned to wife to be entirely under her management and at her death subject to her will to children or grandchildren. 24 Feb. 1801 [sig] Thos. Johnson. wit. Jno. Poindexter, William G. Poindexter, William Hughes. Codicil. son Thomas Johnson shall have the land whereon I now live including tract I purchased of Col. Richard Anderson as specified in deed made by myself to my sd. son Thomas, to possess after death of my wife Elizabeth. 23 Dec. 1801. Recorded 10 Oct. 1803. Elizabeth Johnson executrix.
Will	23 December 1801	He signed a will on 23 December 1801 in Louisa, Virginia, United StatesBGO. Cty. Lou, Book: 5, Page: 123, Thomas Johnson, Type: Will, Date: 10-Oct-1803 Will Thomas Johnson to son David slaves; to wife Elizabeth during her life all estate when my son Thomas Johnson arrives at age 21 wife to give him Negroes and other estate as will be equal to Negroes given my other children (land not taken into consideration here) when daughter Ann Meriwether Johnson shall marry or near 21 she to be given Negroes. Residue of my estate to wife under her control only. At her death can be given to children or grandchildren as she may think proper. Appoint wife exor 24 Feb. 1801. Sig. Thomas Johnson. wit. Jno. Poindexter, William G. Poindexter, William Hughes. Codicil- son Thomas Johnson shall have land whereon I live including tract I purchased of Col. Richard Anderson as by deed made by me to son Thomas recorded in Louisa. will written 23 Dec. 1801 Rec. 10 Oct. 1803.
Death	12 August 1803	He died on 12 August 1803 at age 67 in Louisa, Louisa, Virginia, United StatesBGO.2
Burial	after 12 August 1803	He was buried after 12 August 1803 at Roundabout Castle Burying GroundBG in Louisa, Louisa, Virginia, United StatesBGO.

Citations

1. [S7746] Gilmer, First Settlers of Upper Georgia (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), p 115
2. [S863] Bright/Wilkins/Creamer/Everhart/Clark/Wade/Butler/Norcross/Summers/Davenport Tree, Captain 'Sheriff' Thomas Johnson