James Johns (abt. 1740 - 1817)

Born about 1740 in Virginia

Husband of Mary (Gannaway) Johns — married 25 Dec 1769 in Buckingham, Virginia

Descendants

Died Oct 1817 at about age 77 in Fayette County, Kentucky

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Biography

James Johns is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A097138.

Died Oct 1817. Fayette County, Kentucky. ^[1]

Note: #NI8940.

Marriage Husband James Johns. Wife @I8941@. Marriage 25 Dec 1765. Cumberland or Buckingham County Virginia. ^[2] Note: #NF1587. Child: Elizabeth "Betsey" Johns.

Notes

Note NI8940The following are from the Buckingham Co., VA Land Tax Summaries:

JAMES JOHNS paid taxes in Buckingham Co., VA from 1782-1813.

1794- JAMES JOHNS bought 312 acres from G. Gannaway. JAMES JOHNS sold 300 acres to William Johns.

1795- JAMES JOHNS sold 113 acres to James Porter.

1798- JAMES JOHNS sold 100 acres to Charles Leauallen.

A document announcing the sale to the highest bidder the movable estate of "John Gannaway, decd, Junr.," dated Dec 13, 1781 is signed by Robert Sanders, JAMES JOHNS, John Woodson, as co-heirs on part of their wives. From the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2nd. Ser., Vol. 7, No. 3. (Jul., 1927), pp. 174-180. 1

JAMES JOHNS and his family relocated from Virginia to Kentucky in late 1803 or early 1804. Two of his children were married in Virginia in July of 1803. In August of 1804, a daughter was married in Jessamine Co., KY. 1 JOHNS' widow, MARY GANNAWAY JOHNS, applied for a pension (as the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier) on 11 July 1837 in Russell County, KY. The pension papers stated that the soldier lived in Buckingham Co., VA before the Revolutionary War and died in October of 1817. (see below)__Besty Warriner of Pulaski County, KY made an affidavit on 18 July 1837 and stated she was the soldier's oldest child. (see below)__Susannah Acree, age 70, made an affidavit on 8 Oct 1852 in Russell County, KY and stated she was the only surviving child of the soldier and widow. Per the affidavit: the widow died 2 Mar 1845. The soldier and widow were married in Cumberland County or Buckingham County VA. The widow's name before her marriage was Mary Gannaway. The widow left, at her death, a son William Johns who was deceased prior to November 1852. (See below). 1 JOHNS' PENSION FILE -- A Transcript by Larry Murdock State of Kentucky_County of Russell__On the eleventh day of July, 1837 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Mary Johns resident of the County of Russell State of Kentucky aged 87 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress dated July 4, 1836.__That she is the widow of James Johns who was a Lieutenant in the army of the Revolution. The name of his Captain was William Johns, his Major Thomas Jones, his Colonel William Lewis and his Genl [blank] Lawson. Her husband entered the service in the Spring of the year 1777 and left the service after the capture of Cornwallis. He never served under any other officers than those before mentioned and never was at home but three times during the war. Her husband resided in the County of Buckingham, State of Virginia when he entered the service. He was drafted in all his services. He was engaged in one or more battles in one of which he was wounded with shot which he carried to his grave. But she has forgotten -- names of the Battle if she ever knew.__He entered the service in Buckingham and marched off toward Richmond. I have heard him in his life time speak at being at Williamsburg, Norfolk, and Little York. But what county that is in I do not know. She states that she is unable to refer to any other particulars unless she would merely give his history of his services, and the time has passed so long and she is so old that she is unwilling to confide in a memory which is proving treacherous. She states that her husband had a final discharge from the service which he brought home from the siege of York and kept it while he lived But which was burned by Mr. John Akers among a great many other of his papers as a worthless piece of paper as she nor any one kin to her never expected to derive any benefit from it after he was dead.__She further that she was married to the said James Johns on the 25th day of December 1765 by old Parson Peasley. That her husband died on the [blank] day of October 1817 and that she has remained a widow ever since that _ as _ more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.__Mary X Johns (her mark)__A. Jackman J.P.R.C.__I Alear Jackman the justice of the peace before whom the foregoing declaration was made state that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Johns and give it as my opinion that from bodily infirmity she is unable.

to attend court at this seat of which for this County Given under my hand this 11th day of July 1837 --__A. Jackman J.P.R.C.___State of Kentucky_Russell County__This day John Akers personally appeared before me a justice of the.

peace for said county and after being first duly sworn deposeth and saith: That he is 55 years of age. That for the last 32 years he has been acquainted with the widow of James Johns decd. That he was well acquainted with decedent in his life time. That he has repeatedly heard him _ the history of his services in the War of the Revolution at a time when he nor his wife did not anticipate any pension or annuity from his government but merly from that disposition which most old men have to fight over again in the chimney corner the battles of their youth. He.

has often heard him say that he was nearly four years in the army during the war as a Lieutenant and was wounded with shot in a Battle which wound he this deponent has often seen. When said John departed this life he left his papers ... [here the record ends].__State of Kentucky_Pulaski County__This day Betsy Wariner personally appeared before me Bourne Goggin a justice of the peace in and for said county and made oath in our form of law to the following statements, viz__That she is the oldest child of James, and Mary Johns. That she does not know how old she is having no record of her age but from information she must be near seventy. That she has a distinct recollection of the time of the Revolution and states that she remembers her father having left home to go to the war and his returning on one occasion she believes the last time he came home. The circumstance is stamped more indelibly upon her memory from a circumstance which she will narrate -- Her mother and the children lived by themselves when their father was gone and they _ continual apprehension from the tories and negroes - and when her father came home it was in the night. He knocked at the door and asked to be admitted. Her mother refused, believing it was tory or negro that wanted to get in, when she told her mother that it was her father, for she knew his voice. She had some difficulty in making her mother believe it. But she, finally opened the door and her father came in. He was very dirty and ragged. She has often heard her father many years ago speak of his services and the troubles and dangers of the war. That her father and mother as she often heard were married by old Parson Peasely in Buckingham County. She has herself seen Parson Peasely and was present when he christened one of her sisters. Her father and mother lived together as man and wife for many years in great peace and harmony __ - this July 18th, 1837_Betsy Wariner__Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of July 1837._Bourne Goggin J.P.__Also James Wariner being first duly sworn made the following statements viz__That he married the foregoing affiant in the County of Buckingham 44 years ago last March. That at that time he was in his 20th year and his wife was said to be older than himself but how much as no record was in the family of her age. That he has often heard persons speak of the wedding of his father and mother-in-law. He was well acquainted with Parson Peasly the clergyman who was said to have married them. He was also well acquainted with Captain William Johns and.

Major Thomas Jones. He knew them shortly after the war and they bore the rank of Captain and Major. He has often heard James Johns speak of his services in the Revolutionary War at a time when he nor any of his family ever expected to derive any benefit from them. James Johns departed this life in the Fall of 1817 and his widow has never married since that period. - July 18th, 1837 -__James Warinner__Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th July 1837_Bourne Goggin J.P.___State of Kentucky_Russell County__Russell County Court November term, 1852. It satisfactorily appearing to this court, it is ordered that Mrs. Mary Johns, widow of James Johns, who was a Revolutionary soldier, departed this life on the 2nd day of March, 1845, leaving Mrs. Susannah Acres, of the aforesaid County and State and William Johns of Allen or Barren County Ky his only surviving children. [In different handwriting:] William Johns is since dead leaving children - the no. and names not known.__I William S. Patterson,.

Clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, certify that the foregoing order is truly copied from the records in my office.__In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix my seal of office and subscribe my name this 2nd day of December 1852__Will S. Patterson__N.B. interlined before Certified & signed_W. J. Patterson Clk__State of Kentucky_Russell County__On this 8th day of October 1852, before me, Jacob Wolford, an acting.

justice of the peace within the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Susannah Acres, aged seventy (70) years, a resident of the aforesaid County and State, who, being sworn according to law, on her oath makes the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of any act or acts of Congress granting her a pension, as the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, viz.__That she is the only surviving child of James and Mary Johns deceased. That the said Johns died in Fayette County Ky, upwards of thirty years ago, leaving Mary Johns his widow, who survived him and remained a widow until she died in Russell County, Kentucky, on the second day of March, one thousand eight hundred forty five; aged about eighty five years. That at the time of her mother's death she was the only child living. That the said James and Mary were married in Cumberland or Buckingham County, Virginia, about the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy two, she not being able to state the precise time of the marriage for _ of which she refers to the declaration of her mother, made at the time of a previous application, and to the accompanying affidavit of the Rev. James Warriner. That the name of the said Mary Johns before her marriage was Mary Gannaway. She further declares that she has often heard her father speak of having served a long time in the Virginia State or continental line of the army of the Revolution, as Lieutenant in the company commanded by William Johns as Captain in the Regiment of Colonel William Lewis, in the brigade commanded by.

Major Thomas Jones. That his service may have consisted of more than one tour, as she has heard him speak of having been in service the greater part of the time during the war. That he was at the surrender of Cornwallis. That for proof of his said services she refers to the papers now on file in the Pension Office, and to the army records and muster rolls.__Susannah X Acres (her mark)__Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of October, 1852. And I hereby further certify that Mrs. Susannah... [here the record ends]. 1

JAMES JOHNS' REVOLUTIONARY WAR MILITARY SERVICE RECORD:__The following is a summary of James Johns' military service during the American Revolution. It is based on information found in his military service file kept by the National Archives and Records Administration. The information is limited, all of it being found on monthly regimental muster and payroll sheets.__James was drafted into service as a private with the 14th Virginia Regiment on October 1, 1777. There is no indication of the place where he was drafted. The companies that made up the 14th Virginia were raised from numerous counties in central and southern Virginia, ranging from Dinwiddie and Prince George in the east to Albemarle in the north, to Botetourt in the west, and to Pittsylvania and Halifax in the south. We know that James lived in Buckingham county both before and after the war. Buckingham lies in the middle of the region from which the 14th was recruited.__James' company, consisting of about 100 men, was led by Captain John Overton. Overton commanded the company throughout the known term of James' service.__James was first listed on regimental pay returns dated January, 1778, with the remark that he "Lately joined the 14th Virga Regt. -- never drew pay or any payroll before". His pay was 6 and 2/3 dollars per month.__The February, 1778, payroll sheet identified the regimental commander as Colonel Lewis. The muster roll stated that James had enlisted for three years service.__In March, 1778, James was with his regiment at Valley Forge, where it had been since the previous November. The 14th had undergone a change of command; Lt. Col. Abraham Buford was now in charge.__In April the regiment remained at Valley Forge. There had been another change in leadership, Colonel William Davies was now commanding. Davies led the 14th throughout the remainder of James Johns' service.__The 14th, part of George Washington's army, left Valley Forge in mid June to pursue the British army, which had just evacuated Philadelphia.__By August, 1778, the regiment was posted at White Plains, about 25 miles north of New York City. Washington's army, revived and in high spirits after a miserable winter, had followed General Sir Henry Clinton's army across.

New Jersey, looking for a chance to strike it. On June 28, 1778, the two armies collided in a brief, furious battle at Monmouth Court House. On September 1, the day the August roll was drawn up, James was listed as "sick, present". Whatever ailment he suffered from may have continued to bother him because the September roll, made in early October while the 14th was at West Point, New York, noted that James was "Sick at Fish Kill".__By October, the regiment was in Middlebrook, New Jersey, and had gone into winter camp.__In December, 1778, because many regiments of the Continental army were badly understrength due to battle deaths, wounds, expiration of service, sickness and desertion, the 14th was redesignated the 10th Virginia.__The newly renamed 10th Virginia remained at Middlebrook, New Jersey, through April, 1779. In May and June they were posted at a place called Smith's Clove, near present day Monroe, New York, about 40 miles north of New York City.__During July, August and September of.

1779, the 10th was in Camp Ramapough in northern New Jersey. Ramapough was about 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia. The army was guarding the approaches of that city. In September, James Johns was listed as "sick, present" For the month he was paid a total of 16 and 2/3 dollars, 10 of which was for subsistence and the remainder as pay.__In October, the regiment had moved to Haverstraw, New York. In November it was at Morristown, New Jersey, and had gone into winter camp.__Here the records end, even though James had a year more to serve.

What happened to the regimental documents? Probably this: In early December the 10th Virginia was assigned to the Southern Department of the Continental army and marched south to Charleston, South Carolina. There it had the great misfortune of being assigned to the Colonial forces under General Benjamin Lincoln. Thanks to Lincoln's vacillations and incompetence the Charleston garrison was captured in its entirety by the British under General Sir Henry Clinton, on May 12, 1780. This is probably why regimental records don't appear in James John's file. They were lost as a result of the capture of the regiment, or destroyed by the British captors.__14th/10th Virginia Regiment_Itinerary and Chronology_During James Johns' Service_January, 1778 -- December, 1779___January to June, 1778 Valley Forge, PA__June 28 Monmouth Court House, NJ__August White Plains, NY__September 1 James sick at Fish Kill, NY__October to April, 1779 Middlebrook, NJ__May to June Smith's Clove [Monroe], NY__July to September Camp Ramapough, NJ__October Haverstraw, NY__November Morristown, NJ__December left Morristown NJ for Charleston, SC__May 12, 1780 regiment captured at Charleston by British under Cornwallis____Many thanks to Larry Murdock, who is a descendant of James Johns and Mary Gannaway, for providing the Revolutionary War Service Record as well as his transcription of the pension papers for James Johns.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S16 James Johns, Virginia, number R5593 Certainty: 0
2. ↑ Source: #S16 James Johns, Virginia, number R5593, pg. 3-4 Certainty: 0

• Source: S16 Revolutionary War Pension Records Publication: Digitial images. Heritage Quest