Johns Family Research Group
The Will of John Johns, Columbia County GAWills 1790 - 1793 from Will Book "A" Columbia County, Georgia In the name of God Amen, I ,John Johns, Carpenter of
the State of Georgia and County of Columbia being low in
body, but of sound mind and memory believing my departure
is at hand, do make this my last Will and Testament,
first I commit my precious soul into the hands of the
Father of Spirits believing He is able to keep it til
that day, my (?) body I commit to the dust to be buried
in a christian manner at the discretion of my friends. As
to the property that the Father of Mercies has committed
to my care, I dispose of in the following manner and form.
First I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife,
Elizabeth, the tract of land where I now live during her
life, the whole of the property I remain in her hands til
the youngest child comes of age, then she to take one
third of the movable property. The remainder of the
movables to be equally divided among my children that is
to say Mary Elizabeth, James, Thomas, John James, Francis,
Robert, Nancy and David and at the death of my wife her
thirds and the land be equally divided among (?) heirs. I
constitute, ordain, and appoint my wife, Elizabeth, my
eldest son, James and my son-in-law, John Culbreath my
sole executors of this my last will and testament,
revoking and disallowing all others, as witness my hand
and seal in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety-two November 27 Georgia, Columbia County, Register of (?) both office,
personally appeared Daniel Marshall, James Divine and
Joseph Marshall (?) being the subscribing witness to the
last will and testament of John Johns, deceased, who
being duly sworn, made oath that they were personally
present and saw the testator, John Johns, sign seal and
acknowledge the within instrument of writing to be and
contain his last Will and Testament and that he was of
sound mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and
belief and that they signed their names as witness to the
said will at the request of the testator and in his
presence and in the presence of each other.
|
| Witness Preasent | |
| John Porter | |
| Susanna Turner | |
| Eleanore Willson | Isaih Johns (SEAL) |
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The Will of Thomas Johns, Sr, Cumberland County VA
Will of Thomas Johns, Sr., Cumberland County, VA, Book 8, page 899, 27 August 1832
In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Johns, Sr. of the County of Cumberland, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make this my last will and testament. The disposal of my estate after my death and by these presents do make and disannul all other wills by me heretofore made..
Item 1st. I will that after my decease as soon as practicable, that all my just debts be paid and that all debts or moneys due me shall be collected and appropriated to the benefit of my estate, and I further will that there be no appraisement of my estate after my decease.
Item 2nd. I lend to my beloved wife, Martha, during her natural life, all my estate, both real and personal that may be in my possession at my death, including stock, household & kitchen furniture, plantation utensils etc.
Item 3rd. At the final division of my estate, I will to my two grandsons, James Johns and Micajiah Johns, the sons of my deceased son, Thomas Johns, the sum of fifty dollars each, which with what I have paid for their father together with what I have given him I consider equal to what I can give to my other children.
Item 4th. I give to my son Henry Johns one equal child's part of my estate after the death of my wife, deducting from his said equal child's part the sum of seventy pounds Virginia currency heretofore received by him.
Item 5th. My will and desire is that, at the death of my wife, John H.Wilson shall receive into his possession my son James Johns equal part of my estate subject to no deductions and the said legacy so received I wish to be used or paid out for the comfort and support of my said son James during his natural life and that in no event shall said legacy be subject to the disposal of my said son James.
Item 6th. I will to my grand daughter, Mary Johns, daughter of John A. L. Johns, after the death of my wife one equal part of my estate with my children before and hereafter named subject to no deduction to her and her heirs forever.
Item 7th. I will to my son, Daniel B. Johns one equal child's part of my estate, after the death of his mother and at the final division of my estate subject to no deduction to him and his heirs forever.
Item 8th. I will that after the death of my said wife, that Daniel B. Johns shall acquire and hold my daughter, Elizabeth Lyons, equal child's part of my estate during her life and for the exclusive comfort and support of my said daughter, & at her death, I give said legacy to the lawful heirs of her body, but in the event of my sqaid daughter Elizabeth having no lawful heir of her body, at her death my will and desire is that her legacey return into my estate and be divided between my surviving children or in case of the death of any of their issue, if any, my further will and desire is that at the final division of my estate, Daniel B. Johns shall receive for my said daughter Elizabeth one hundred dollars in cash over and above her equal part of my estate which said hundred dollars shall be held exclusively for my said daughter Elizabeth.
Item 9th. I will that at the death of my wife that Daniel B. Jhns shall also receive and hold for the comfort and support of my daughter Nancy Haskins, during her natural life, one equal childs part of my estate, subject to a deduction of two hundred dollars heretofore given to my said daughter Nancy in a negro boy named Miller, and after the death of my said daughter Nancy, I give and bequeath said legacey to the lawful heirs of her body forever.
Item 10th. My will and desire is that if any of my children, or my before named grand daughter Mary Johns, die without issue that their portion of my estate, above willed, shall return to my estate and shall be equally divided among my surviving children and my said grand daughter Mary, or in the event of any _____ should they leave any.
Item 11th. My will and desire is that at the death of my said wife the whole of my said negros household and kitching furniture, be divided between my children and grand daughter, as above set forth in this my last will and testament, my futher will and desire is that my executors hereinafter named make sale of all of my land, stock, plantation utensils, and the money arising from the said sale be divided among my children and grand children, agreeably to this my last will and testament, but it is my express will and desire that my son James and daughters Elizabeth and Nancy parts or portions of my land, negro, stock, house, household and kitching furniture be held as presented in the 5th, 8th, and 9th items of this will.
Item 12th. My will and desire is that should my son James at any time during my said wife's life, become or be unable to support himself, that in that event he shall be supported out of my estate during my wife's life.
Item 13. Ido hereby appoint my son Daniel B. Johns and
my friend William B. Hobson executors to this my last
will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal, this the 28th day of April
1830.
Signed in the presence of: Thomas Johns Sr. SS
Chas Womack, Charles H. Womack
Codicil to the foregoing will.
My further will and desire is that should my son James
receive any support from my estate, provided in the 12th
item of this will, that whatever he may receive be
deducted out of his part of my estate before a final
division, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal tthe 22nd day of April 1831.
Signed in the presence of : Thomas Johns Sr. SS
Chas Womack, Charles H. Womack
At a court held for Cumberland County the 27th day of
August 1832 this last will and testament of Thomas Johns
decd, with the codicil thereto annexed was presented in
court and proven by Charles Womack and Charles H. Womack,
two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be
recorded. And at a court held for said county the 26th
day of November 1832, Daniel B. Johns and William B.
Hobson executors named in the will of Thomas Johns Sr.
decd appeared in court and refused to qualify as such,
and on the motion of Martha Johns who with Charles Womack
the security entered into and acknowledged their bond in
the penalty of twelve thousand dollars conditioned
according to the law, and took the oath required by law,
administration with the will annexed thereof in due form
is granted her.
Teste, Miller Woodson Clk
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The Will of Robert Johns, Chambers County AL
In the name of God Amen; I Robert Johns being of sound mind and memory in view of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do ordain this my last will and testament.
First I resign my spirit to God who gave it and my body to the earth the mother earth.
2nd I will to my wife Sarah the negro gedrl Malissa, one Bed Bedstead and furniture, the family clock chest and Side Board this to have and hold by perfect perpetual absolute title to use and dispose of as she may wish, also an equal share of the rest of my estate, after all debts shall have been paid. with my children. Eliza Heart, Nancy N. Cogburn, John Johns, Frances Youngblood, Lavinia Lewis, Jane Gray, Thomas J. Johns, and William Johns. Said dividend to my wife Sarah to be placed at interest by my executor herein named and the annual interest to be given to her annual support, during her life, but if in the opinion of my executor or executors, the circumstances indicate as necessary , the use of any part of the principle, then it is my will that he or they may be authrized to make use of the principle for the support and comfort of my wife Sarah. but if instead of the above named portion with the condition shall prefer an unqualified title to an equal distribution share with my children named above. Then it is my will that the entire estate be disposed of at public or private sale and the proceeds , after all debts are settled, be equally divided between her and my children above named. With complete purfect and perpetual titles.
3rd It is my will that my executors have power to use such portions of my estate as in their judgement may be necessary and proper to wall and enclose or ornament the graves of my deceased wives and myself.
4th It is further my will that the amount of the debts of my son John paid by me to James Bean in 1853 and to Wm Buckhdlter at a more recent date be deducted from his distributive share of my estate, provided that his distributive share shall be equal to the indebtedness, if not it is my will that the balance those debts be cancelled and the papers returned.
5th It is further my will that my son William Johns
and Warner W. Meadows act as my executors. whom I invest
with full power and authority to manage my estate, to
bargain sell and convey and perfect titles. to any and
all the property of any kind belonging to my estate, by
public or private sale or contract as they may think for
the interest of my wife and children, without any order
of court witness my hand and seal this the 5th day of
August 1856.
Robert Johns (SEAL)
Thomas W Meadows
Nancy E Meadows
John Meadows
(Transcribed by Robert Johns)
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The Will of William Johns, Chambers County AL
Know all men by these presents that 1. William Johns. of the County of Chambers, and the State of Alabama. considering the uncertainty of this life, and being of sound mind and memory, do make. declare and publish this my last Will and Testament.
First I give and bequeath unto my sister Lavinia Lewis two thousand ($2000) Dollars, including the balance due on a note given to me William Johns) and by me held against John W. Youngblood for her use, together with the proceeds of the sale or lease of a tract of land lying in Pike county, State of Alabama on the water of White Water Creek, and containing four hundred 400) acres more or less, on which L. L. Lewis now lives.
Second, I give devise and bequeath to my brother John Johns, and my sisters Lavinia Lewis, Eliza Heart, Nancy Cogburn, Frances Youngblood, and Jane Gray, the residue of my estate to be distributed equally among them after the settlement in full of all of my just and lawful debts.
Third, I nominate and appoint Jesse R. Todd, William P. Buckalew and Jonathan W. Williams of the State of Alabama to be the executors of this my last will and testament in said State.
Fourth. I appoint Rev. J. W. Williams of Pike county and State of Alabama. as trustee for my sister Lavinia Lewis, with full power to manage and control whatever of my estate may accrue to her by these presents, and he is hereby invested with full power to manage, buy, sell, lease, rent, hire or invest in any way that he may deem best for the interests of her and her children that now live or that hereafter may be born. I further invest the said Williams with full power to appoint an agent or successor with full power and authority to transact any business that be himself would be authorized to do as trustee for her.
Fifth I invest my executors with full power to bargain, sell, convey, and manage any property connected with my estate in such way as they may think best, without any reference to qualifications. decisions of courts, or legal enactments, as fully and completely as if it were their own private business without bond or security for the faithful and legal performance of the same.
Sixth In addition to the three persons named in the third section of this instrument I nominate and appoint James H. Callaway, and John F Autry of the town of La Grange in the County of Troup and State of Georgia to be executors of this my last will and testament in said State of Georgia invested with full power and authority as specified in the previous section.
In testimony whereof I date this my last will and
testament Contained on one sheet of paper, subscribe my
name and affix my seal this the -- day of March A. D. one
thousand eight hundred and sixty five. (1865)
Wm. Johns (SEAL).
Signed, sealed, declared and published by the said Wm. Johns as for his last will and testament. In presence of us, who. at his request, and in his presence and in presence of each other subscribe our names as witnesses: hereto. Toliver Toules, A.F. Stanley, A.F.R. Frederick, A.J. Cooper.
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The Will of Obadiah Johns, Edgefield District SC
In the name of God Amen. I Obadiah Johns of the state of South Carolina and Edgefield District being weak in body, but of Sound mind & memory thanks be to God for his mercies, but calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die and after death to Judgemnt; have thought proper to dispose of my worldly goods in the following manner, Viz.
First, I recommend my soul to God who gave it, and my body to be buried in a Christian like Buriel: Secondly I will all my property that I die possessed of, to my beloved wife Elizabeth during her life(if she be the longest liver) and at her disposial and after her death (if there is any left) to be sold and One Third part to be reserved in the hands of my Executor for the use of my youngest Son Arthur and after paying all my Just debts and Other Expences the residue to be Equally divided between my three sons, James, Wm & Thomas, and also I will Each of my other Children five shillings Viz Jimimah, Merrit, Barbarah, & Obadiah, which money is to be paid out apy/ Two thirds left between (James William & Thomas) by my Executor, thirdly and lastly I will that my Son James H. Johns be my sole Executor of this my last will & Testament, and renounce all other will or wills previous to this date, In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal this 25th day of September 1877
| In presence of | his |
| William B Norris | Obadiah X Johns |
| Willam K Deshaza | mark |
| David Jenkins | (SEAL) |
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The Will of Archibald Johns, Starke SC
Archibald Hardy JOHNS was born 12 May, 1810 in Camden County, GA, the son of William W. Johns, Sr. and Lucinda (Lucy) Johns, formerly of Charleston District (now Colleton County), SC. Proof of this family is found in SC Deed Book L, pages 268-272, recorded 9 April 1817, in which Archibald's grandfather, Jacob Johns, settles his estate of 646 acres (the bulk of this estate was based on a grant by the State of South Carolina to Jacob Johns and his wife Patience dated 5 June 1797).
Archibald quickly moved further south as he is found in the Hamilton County, FL census of 1830. He married Margaret PREVATT about 1832 and is found in the 1850 Columbia County, FL census with his second wife, Margaret GEIGER, and six children. His father and mother at ages 77 and 78 are working the farm next door with four grown children.
Archibald was an ambitious and successful man; at this time his farm was valued at $1,000, which was twice as much as his father's was worth, and a goodly sum for that time (when most were share croppers trying to put $100 together for a down payment on their own place.) He is in the 1860 New River County Tax rolls with 305 acres and 29 slaves.
Archibald Johns married for a third time, 20 October, 1859 to Adeline (Addie) Augusta ROBERTS of Maine, after fathering an illegitimate son. They are found in 1870 Columbia County, FL census where Archibald is listed as 59 and Addie is 38. His tenth child, Marion, resides with them.
Archibald Johns died testate at Starke, FL on the 6th of January 1878, and is buried in the Crosby Lake Cemetery there. Jeremiah M. and Erwin Johns were names as executors. At this death, Archibald had accumulated quite an impressive estate - $12,264 in gold currency, $12,000 in US 5% bonds, 800 head of cattle, 5 tomato lots in Starke, a160 acre farm in Putnam County, and a new home site of 180 acres, (valued at $5,000) near Starke which was highly improved with 300 orange trees and a peach orchard. He left his wife Addie with life estate in two lots in Starke with two houses to be built for her use, and 1/9th of remainder of his estate. She was not satisfied, however, and asked for a third of his personal property and one third of real estate for life. His son Erwin Johns resigned as executor shortly thereafter citing ill health.
Archibald and Margaret Prevatt had the following children: 1. Hester P., b. abt 1833, married a Wynn 2. Jacob, b. 1835, married Mary A.C.
Archibald and Margaret Geiger had the following children: 3. John H., b. 1841 4. Erwin (Irvin), b. 27 Sep 1840, married Elizabeth Andreu 5. Jeremiah M., b. Oct 1844, married Annie Cone 6. Mary Margaret, b. 1845 7. Francis P., b. 1848 8. Dora, b. abt 1852 9. Thomas Jefferson, b. 1856, (illeg.) married Evelyn Prescott
Archibald and Addie Roberts had the following children: 10. Marion L., b. 1861
Source: Judge Huxford's notes; Gloria Johns Glines
books at Baker Co. Historical Library, McClenny, FL;
Early Georgia Marriages by Maddox; Florida census data as
cited, wills and tax records.
Submitted by Clifford M Johns
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The Will of John Johns, Charlton County GA
Whereas John J. Johns late of Charlton County, Georgia deceased having died intestate there being no incumbrances, that the heirs were unable to settle without resorting to law. It was agreed with and by them to divide the real and person Estate without administration.
Now therefore this indenture made this the 12th day of July in the year AD 1886 Between Sarah Johns Sr Martha M. Mizell, Annie E. Johns, David Mizell agent for wife Mary Mizell, Nancy E.Dixon, Sarah J. Johns, Julia Smith and Lillian S. Snowden heirs at law of the said John J. Johns.
In for and in consideration of a like number of acres of land hat bargained sold and conveyed unto the said Wm. Johns his heirs and...convey unto said William Johns of said county and state all that tract lot or parcel of land containing one hundred and twenty five acres more or less situate lying and being in the aforesaid county and state and bounded as follows on the east by the St Marys River, South and North by the estate Mizell & David Mizell and for Mary Mizell and on the west by Sarah J. Johns land. To have and hold the aforesaid tact lot or parcel of land with all the rights, members and appurtenances belonging on in anywise appertaining to the same forever in fee simple. And the said Sarah Johns Sr wife of said deceased, Martha M. Mizell. Annie E. Johns, David Mizell agt for wife Mary Mizell, Nancy E. Dixon, Sarah J. Johns, Julia Smith and Lillian S. Snowden for themselves their heirs and assigns will warrant and define the same to the said William Johns his heirs and assigns against themselves their heirs and assigns and against the claims of all persons whatsoever.
In witness whereof the said parties have hereto set
their hand and seal this day and ...above written.
Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of
| JT Hutchin | |
| JC Walker JA | Sarah Johns Sr |
| Martha M. Mizell | |
| Annie E. Johns | |
| David Mizell agt | |
| For wife Mary Mizell | |
| Nancy E. Dixon | |
| Sarah J. Johns | |
| Julia Smith | |
| Lillian S. Snowden |
Recorded August 23rd 1886
AG Gorman Clk