| Maternal |
| JOHNSON, c.1588-1684 | Related Families: Heath | Cheney | Pepper |
Migration:
Hertfordshire, ENG>Roxbury, MA
(1) John Johnson,
born about 1588, England, died 30 September 1659 in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
It has been suggested that he was the son of John Johnson of Co. Kent,
England, and of royal descent. John's will, dated 30
September 1659 (the day he died) and proved 15 October 1659 names son Isaac
as co-executor. John arrived in New England with the 
Winthrop
fleet at Salem on 22 June 1630. He settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and
was made a freeman on 18 May 1631. He subsequently served the town and
colony in many capacities, including Constable (first on 19 October 1630),
Surveyor General, Town Clerk, Deputy to the House of Deputies, and Clerk
of the Military Company of Massachusetts. The position as Surveyor General
of Arms and Ammunitions of the Colonies made Capt. Johnson responsible
for the acquisition, maintenance and distribution of the primary means
of protection. Gov. John Winthrop wrote in his Journal under the date of
6 February 1645:
"John Johnson, the Surveyor General of Arms and Ammunition, a very industrious and faithful man in his place, having built a fair house in the midst of the town, with divers barns and outhouses, it fell on fire in the day time, no man knowing by what occasion, and there being in it seventeen barrels of the country's powder, and many arms, all was suddenly burnt and blown up, to the value of four or five hundred pounds, wherein a special providence of God appeared, for, he, being from home, the people came together to help and many were in the house, no man thinking of the powder till one of the company put them in mind of it, whereupon they all withdrew, and soon after the powder took fire and blew up all about it, and shook the houses in Boston and Cambridge, so that men thought it had been an earthquake, and carried great pieces of timber a great way off, and some rags and such light things beyond Boston meeting house, there being then a stiff gale south, it drove the fire from the other houses in the town (for this was the most northerly) otherwise it had endangered the greatest part of the town."John was one of the founders of the town and church at Roxbury and, together with his sons Isaac and Humphrey, was an original donor to the Free School in Roxbury. He first married 21 September 1613 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, Mary Heath, died May 1629, Hertfordshire, England, buried 15 May 1629 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, daughter of William Heath and Agnes Cheney. His second wife, married by 1633, was possibly Margery Scudder, born England, buried 9 June 1655 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, daughter of William, died 1607, and Margery Scudder of Darenth, Kent. The will of William Scudder was dated 27 July 1607, and probated 4 November 1607, naming John Johnson, Sr., John Johnson Jr. and daughter Margaret. John married third in 1655 or later Grace Negus, died 19 December 1671, widow of Barnabas Fawer, and sister of Jonathan and Benjamin Negus.
Children of John Johnson and Mary Heath:
- Mary, baptized 31 July 1614 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, buried 29 January 1678/1679 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; married first Roger Mowry, born in England, died 5 January or March 1666 in Providence, Rhode Island, a friend of Roger Williams. Roger arrived at Boston in 1631, moved to Plymouth, then Salem, and settled at Providence, Rhode Island. Mary married second on 16 March 1673/1674 John Kingsley, buried 6 January 1678/1679 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
- Isaac, baptized 11 February 1615/1616 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 19 December 1675 in Four Corners, Rhode Island, while in battle.
- John, baptized 8 April 1618 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, possibly buried 6 July 1627 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
- Elizabeth, baptized 22 August 1619 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 5 January 1683/1684, Roxbury, Massachusetts; married 14 March 1642/1643 Robert Pepper, born about 1620, died 7 July 1684 in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
- Humphrey, born 5 November 1620 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 24 July 1692 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He was Sergeant in the company commanded by brother Isaac and was an original donor to the Free School at Roxbury. He moved about 1651 to Scituate, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. He married first on 20 March 1641/1642 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Ellen/Elinor Cheney, born about 1620 in England, died 28 September 1678 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He married second on 6 December 1678, Abigail May, died after 14 May 1714, widow of Samuel May. They were the ancestors of Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
- Joseph, baptized 20 April 1622 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, buried there in May 1622.
- Susan, baptized 16 July 1623 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, buried there 16 August 1629 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
- Sarah, baptized 12 November 1624 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England; probably married first by 1647 Hugh Burt; she married second by July 1653 at Lynn, Massachusetts, William Bartram, who died in Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.
- Joseph, baptized 6 March 1626/1627 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, probably buried there 30 March 1627.
- Hannah, baptized 23 Mar 1627/1628 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England; possibly married Hugh Burt (instead of sister Sarah).
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Last updated May 1999 |
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30 September 1659 The last will and Testament of John Johnson of Roxbury, this 30th of the 7th, '59, having my perfect memory and understanding by the blessing of my mercyfull Father, whose reconciled face in Jesus Christ my soule waitesth to behold. I dispose of my worldly goods and estate as followeth. My dwelling house and certaine lands I have allready given to my beloved wife during the term of her natural live, according to a deed wh is extant wh deede my will is shall be fulfilled, wherein also I have given her 60 pounds for her household furniture, wh house and lands after my wifes decease I give unto my 5 children to be equally divided, my eldest sonne having a double portion therein, according to the word of God. I give unto my two grandchildren who have lived with me Elizabeth Johnson and Mehitable Johnson, each of them 5 Lbs this to be paide within one yeare after my decease. I have formerly given to my sonnes Isaac Johnson and Robert Pepper a parcel of lands of 55 acres in the third division of the towns which I do hereby confirme. |