William Johnson testified he was fifty years old on 9 December 1698. His parents haven't been proven. Tradition has that he was born in Scotland, yet there isn't any documentation that proves this, also there isn't any proof he was born in Isle of Wight, Virginia, until proof of location can be established, leaving birth location empty.[citation needed]
William Johnson married Sarah Griffith, the daughter of Owen Griffith, before 1670, they already had two sons by 1678 when third son Thomas was born.
It appears he had an affair with Philarete Woodward, for on 21 December 1678, he signed a receipt for 4,000 pounds of tobacco in a cask from William Johnson "for ye maintenance of my child". Philarete Woodward became the wife of John Giles of Isle of Wight County by 24 August 1680; for with her consent he executed a deed of gift to Jane, "daughter of said Philarete," of a plantation of 400 acres at Blackwater where Edward Hayes lived.[1]
William Johnson is mentioned as Son in Law in the 1698 will of Owen Griffith: "I give unto my Son in Law Wm Jnoson twellf pence for to Cut him of that mentionable my Extr for what I designe to give him with Daughter I have gave him Already."[2]
1701, William and Sarah Johnson sold 100acres of land in IOW.[3][4]
He wrote his will on 10 April 1719 it was probated on 28 September 1719 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.[5]In his will he mentions his wife Sarah, and mentions "my six children", he named his four sons: John Johnson, William Johnson, Thomas Johnson, and Benjamin Johnson.
William's parents haven't been identified, John Johnson and Deborah Ward have no documentation that links them with William. William has also been attached to Edmund Johnston, again there isn't any documentation that shows him as William's father.
The only record of William Johnson with parents are from unsourced trees.
(This note is added by Wesley Bass) A potential parental connection is Israel Johnson b. 1618 and d. 1668.
Link below: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Johnson-148767
The potential connection is based on circumstantial evidence at best but it is based on an association between Israel Johnson, Evan Griffith, Symmon Symmons, Richard Staples, Godfrey Hunt. This is based on the following:
Israell Johnson 200 acs near head of the NW branch Nansemond River butting on land of Symon Simons & land of Rich. Staples. Feb 1663. Renewal of patent 1652 CPv1
Luke Lunn Upper Parish adj land of Symon Symmonds, Evan Griffith, Griffin�s land, Will Pope, Israell Johnson Apr 1667 CPv2
Richard Staples was a headright for Symon Symmons in 1655.
Richard was alive in April 1670 when named as an abutter to land of Mr. Godfrey Hunt.
Godfrey Hunt was the father of Mary Hunt who married Owen Griffith, parents of Sarah Griffith who married William Johnson b. 1648 most likely in Isle of Wight Co., VA.
Again, the evidence is circumstantial but, If not a parental connection, these associations could indicate at least a familial connection of some kind.
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Categories: Isle of Wight, Virginia