Abner Mordecai Johnson (abt. 1759 - 1850)

Born about 1759 in North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy (Beckett) Johnson — married 14 Mar 1783 in Hardeman Co, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 22 Oct 1850 at about age 91 in Maury, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Abner was born in Prince Edward Co., VA, shortly after his father had purchased the farm along Saylor’s Creek. No family or religious reason has been found for the naming of Abner or his brother Mordecai or sister Naomi.

Abner is said to have been wounded at the tide-turning battle of Guilford (N.C.) Courthouse although he made no such claim when he applied for a war pension.

In October 1777, while living in the Dan River valley, Abner volunteered for militia service under his neighbor, Capt. John Nelson; if not enough volunteered, then able-bodied men were drafted to fill out the unit. Capt. Nelson's company was organized under Col. Paseley's regiment with Charles Hughes as lieutenant, Allen Walker as sergeant and George Parks and Abner as ensigns. Col. Paseley's regiment from Guilford Co. was joined with Col. Saunders' regiment from Granville County under the command of Gen. Rutherford.

The troops reported to Guilford Court House and then marched to SC through Salisbury and Charlotte, NC and Camden, SC. The destination was Smoky Camp near the town of Purrysburgh, according to Abner's pension papers. The troops ranged across the Black Swamp and as far as Augusta and Savannah in Georgia. ^[1]

Around May 10, 1778, Abner was discharged, and he made his way back to the Dan River settlement with his neighbor, Capt. Nelson.

In a second stint of duty, Abner was called up for three months as a bodyguard against British and Tory attacks for "Governor Martin," who lived in the same county and was traveling to Nutbush for a meeting of the state legislature. However, a quorum of legislators failed to attend.

Finally, he again was called to accompany Alexander Martin to "Marcurian Tavern" for another session of the legislature, but again sufficient members failed to gather.

(The royal governor of North Carolina at the time was Josiah Martin. Abner, however, accompanied Alexander Martin of Guilford Co., who was only a member of the NC legislature. Alexander later became governor of North Carolina after statehood, and Abner referred to him as governor out of habit and respect in the pension papers.)

Abner married Nancy Beckett on 14 March 1783 in Hardeman, Tennessee. They had the following children:

1. Elizabeth J. Johnson
2. Mary Polly Johnson

Military Service

From OCT 1777 TO ABT MAY 10 1778 (McConnell, p. 5,8) Abner served the colonial cause in the Revolutionary War.

Abner died on 22 OCT 1850 in Maury Co., TN.(McConnell p. 8,9) Randy McConnell Title: The Johns(t)ons from Caskieben to Missouri: ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Revolutionary War Johnsons (Johnstons) of Early Tennessee, Compiled by C. Hammett, 2001
2. ↑ Abner Johnsont