Introducing James Johnson
Steven Weaver
PARENTAGE
James Johnson was a lifelong resident of Wake County, North Carolina,
the only known son of Richard and Patience (Mann) Johnson, and a son-
in-law of Frederick Rollins. His parents married in Wake County on 22
September 1801. The Johnson and Mann families were recent arrivals to
piedmont North Carolina, having relocated from Northampton County to
Wake County and Chatham County during the 1790s in a migration
mentioned by Rev. Johnson Olive in his memoirs.
BIRTH
James Johnson's birth date is uncertain but census data suggest that
he was born circa 1813. He was undoubtedly born and raised in
southwest Wake County where his father Richard had settled in the
Buckhorn District and owned property on Tom Jack Branch.
MARRIAGE
James Johnson married Jane Rollins, daughter of Frederick Rollins of
neighboring Chatham County, circa 1832. The North Carolina State
Archives does not have a marriage bond for this union but it is
documented in the death certificate of the couple's daughter Cornelia
Holland. The death certificate of J. Charlie Johnson, the couple's
youngest son, also names Jane Rollins as his mother.
CENSUS
James Johnson appears as a Wake County, North Carolina head of
household in census records for the years 1840-80. In 1840 the
household consisted of James W. and Jane (both 20-29 years of age), a
second unknown male 20-29 years of age, one girl 5-9 years of age, one
girl 0-4 years of age, and one boy 0-4 years of age. The two girls
correspond to daughters Sarah and Miley, respectively, while the boy
corresponds to son William.
In 1850, 36-year-old farmer James "Jonston" resided in Wake County's
Western Division. Residing in his household were 35-year-old Jane, 16-
year-old Sarah, 14-year-old "Milly," 11-year-old William, 6-year-old
Henry, 4-year-old Monroe, and 6-month-old John. John evidently died
young as he does not subsequently appear in the household. James
Jonston's real estate was valued at $224.
In 1860, 47-year-old farmer James Johnson resided in Wake County's
Southern Division. Residing in his household were 45-year-old Jane,
25-year-old Sarah, 22-year-old Milly, 21-year-old William, 16-year-old
Henry, 14-year-old Munroe, 7-year-old Cornelia, and 4-year-old Laura.
Also residing in the household was 70-year-old Amsha Bynum
(relationship, if any, unknown). James Johnson's real estate was
valued at $672; his personal estate was valued at $552.
In 1870, 55-year-old farmer James Johnson resided in Wake County's
Buck Horn District. Residing in his household were 53-year-old Jane,
17-year-old Cornelia, 15-year-old Laura, and 8-year-old Charles.
Sarah, Miley, and William had married and left the household during
the 1860s; the whereabouts of Henry and Munroe at this time remains
unknown. James Johnson's real estate was valued at $600; his personal
estate was valued at $500.
In 1880, 63-year-old farmer James Johnson resided in Wake County's
Buck Horn District 255. Residing in his household were 60-year-old
wife Jane, 43-year-old widowed daughter Sarah (widow of Andrew Jackson
Davis but listed by her maiden name), 18-year-old son Charles, and 15-
year-old granddaughter Delia (daughter of Andrew Jackson Davis but
listed as a Johnson). Daughters Cornelia and Laura had married and
left the household during the 1870s.
BUCKHORN TAX LISTS
James Johnson appears in Buckhorn District tax records for the years
1835-50. In 1835 and 1836 he is listed as a landless poll, suggesting
a birth year of 1814 or earlier; also in 1835 he paid taxes on his
father Richard Johnson's 420 acres. From 1837 to 1850 he appears on
the list of taxables as a landowner. District tax lists for
subsequent years remain to be examined.
PROPERTY
In July 1834 James Johnson purchased two tracts of land totaling 230
acres and lying on both sides of Tom Jack Branch from his father
Richard Johnson. Significantly, both deeds were witnessed by F.
Rollins (his father-in-law) and Neal Gunter (his brother-in-law). In
1861 James Johnson also purchased property in Chatham County from his
mother-in-law Rebecca Rollins.
RELIGION
The Johnson family belonged to the Christian Church founded by James
O'Kelly (of which James' father-in-law Frederick Rollins was a
minister). The family possibly worshipped at Christian Chapel in
Chatham County.
DEATH
James Johnson's death date is uncertain. He was still alive on 11
January 1889 when he sold property to his son Henry T. Johnson; he
does not appear in the 1900 federal census and so likely died during
the 1890s. His wife Jane appears in the 1880 federal census beyond
which I have no further record. The couple's burial place is also
unknown. I have not been able to locate their graves in any known
area church or family graveyards; they were likely buried in a family
graveyard on property that was subsequently flooded with the
construction of Shearon Harris Reservoir.
CHILDREN
1. SARAH ANN JOHNSON born circa 1833; married 7 October 1860 ANDREW
JACKSON DAVIS
2. MILEY JOHNSON born 17 January 1835; died 3 September 1871; married
14 March 1869 WESLEY BUCHANAN
3. WILLIAM JOHNSON born circa 1839; married circa 1861 ELVIRA <?>
4. HENRY THOMAS JOHNSON born 2 July 1843; died 22 June 1922; married 6
December 1871 JULIA EMMA UTLEY
5. MUNROE JOHNSON born circa 1846
6. JOHN JOHNSON born circa 1850
7. MARY CORNELIA JOHNSON born October 1853; died 26 April 1921;
married 16 June 1871 JOHNSON D. HOLLAND
8. LAURA JOHNSON born 12 July 1858; died 7 February 1920; married 25
October 1876 JOSEPH JOHN PALMER
9. JAMES CHARLES JOHNSON born 14 September 1863; died 15 May 1926;
married first circa 1885 ELIZA POOLE; married second 28 November 1920
ELLA J. BENNETT
SOURCES
1840 Federal Census, Wake County, North Carolina, page 150
1850 Federal Census, Wake County, North Carolina (Western Division),
page 195
1860 Federal Census, Wake County, North Carolina (Southern Division),
page 39
1870 Federal Census, Wake County, North Carolina (Buck Horn), page 26
1880 Federal Census, Wake County, North Carolina (Buck Horn-District
255), page 29
Death Certificate for Cornelia Holland, died 26 April 1921, Vance
County, North Carolina, photocopy obtained from Department of Cultural
Resources, Division of Archives & History, Archives & Records Section,
109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC
Death Certificate for J. Charlie Johnson, died 15 May 1926, Durham
County, North Carolina, photocopy obtained from Vital Records, Durham
County Health Department, 414 East Main Street, Durham, NC
Deed of Sale from James Johnson to Henry T. Johnson, 11 January 1889,
Wake County, North Carolina, Deed Book 104, page 626 (illegible),
photocopy obtained from Wake County Register of Deeds, 300 South
Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC
Deed of Sale from Rebecca Rollins to James Johnson, 1861, Chatham
County, North Carolina, Deed Book A-M, page 144, listed in the Index
to Deeds, Mortgages, and Real Estate Conveyances, Chatham County,
N.C., Grantees at http://www.chathamncrod.org/
Deed of Sale from Richard Johnson to James Johnson, 16 July 1834, Wake
County, North Carolina, Deed Book 13, page 364, photocopy obtained
from Wake County Register of Deeds, 300 South Salisbury Street,
Raleigh, NC
Deed of Sale from Richard Johnson to James Johnson, 10 July 1834, Wake
County, North Carolina, Deed Book 13, page 417, photocopy obtained
from Wake County Register of Deeds, 300 South Salisbury Street,
Raleigh, NC
Olive, Johnson, One of the Wonders of the Age, or, the Life and Times
of Rev. Johnson Olive, Wake County, North Carolina (Raleigh: Edwards,
Broughton, & Co., 1886), page 12, accessible online via
http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/olive/menu.html
Wake County Tax Lists, Buckhorn District, 1835-1850, microfilmed
copies of North Carolina State Archive originals viewed at the Durham
County Public Library, 300 North Roxboro Street, Durham, North
Carolina
FURTHER RESEARCH
Obtain copy of Rollins-Johnson deed in Chatham County
Further examine Buckhorn tax lists
Check on Shearon Harris surveys for grave location or removal
Request will or estate records from State Archives
clro...@bellsouth.net
Two questions: (1) I've never heard of the migration from Northhampton to Wake/Chatham, but I've seen lots of refrences to Rawlings/Rollings/Rollins in Northhampton. Our family tradition is that they came up the Cape Fear River in "bateaux's" but that counld be a figment. Could you get us any more info on Rev.Olive (Olive Chapel Road in Wake County?) ? (2) Was one of James' sons the one who knew the St. Louis James M. Rollins?
Hey, I'm beginning to think you've got a bunch of these "in the can." You trying to make us look bad?
Laney
Steven Weaver
Rev. Johnson Olive was born on 7 June 1816 in Chatham County and died
on 24 January 1885 in Wake County. He married Martha Hunter, daughter
of Alsey Hunter, and is buried in the Apex Town Cemetery. His
maternal grandfather was John Johnson, stepbrother of James Johnson's
father Richard Johnson.
I do not have any certain knowledge about the migration route taken by
the Johnsons and Manns from Northampton to Wake but expect they
probably took an overland route barring evidence to the contrary.
Other families may have traveled up the Cape Fear as you describe.
The James M. Rollins who removed to Saint Louis was a son of Henry G.
Rollins and grandson of Frederick Rollins.
Yeah, I'm trying to make you look bad! How am I doing?!? No, just
kidding, the can is empty - but I sure would like to consolidate and
compile my notes into something halfway intelligent and hang it out
here for others to see, comment on, correct, add to, and so forth.
Steve
Edgar A Rollins
St Louis turns out to be a black hole for Rollins's. There is a lot of
conflicting information that I find in St Louis about the Rollins
family. One of them even disapeared off the face of the earth there.
Not to be mentioned enywhere ever again.
Sorry I cant help much with the research lately. I am still here in
this hell hole for a few more months. Hopefully I will be back in the
land of decent internet speeds soon, and will be able to help. I would
deffinatly check with the army corps of engineers on weather they
moved those graves or not.
Ed
Steven Weaver
Good to hear from you. Watch yourself over there. Guys, Ed is a
descendent of Frederick Rollins via his son Henry and grandson Isaac.
We spoke for a long while via telephone over the Christmas holidays
while Ed was home on leave. He has since returned to Iraq. Hope your
family is well. Stay safe and stay in touch - hopefully this group
will make it easier for us to collaborate.
Steven Weaver
Branson's Directory of Raleigh With Wake Co. Farmers (1891) lists
James Johnson (post office: New Hill) as the owner of 73 acres of land
valued at $255 in Buckhorn District. This page is accessible online
at http://web.co.wake.nc.us/library/locations/orl/Farmers_Land%20Owners%201891/flo_IJ.htm.
Steve
Steven Weaver
So far I have not been able to find James' father Richard Johnson in
1840 census records for Wake County but shortly thereafter it appears
that he came to live in James' household. Richard appears in Wake
County guardian bonds for the years 1842-47 as "N. C. M." or "non
compos mentis," meaning that he likely became senile in his old age.
A guardian, Samuel P. Norris of Wake County, was appointed to handle
his financial affairs and filed annual reports with the County Court
on Richard's income and expenses.
James Johnson (in practice, more likely his wife Jane Rollins) was
charged with Richard Johnson's physical care. Thus we find "Samuel P.
Norris in Account with old Mr. Richard Johnson (N. C. M.)" from
February 1846 to February 1847 during which time Mr. Norris reports
paying $60.00 "to James Johnson for keeping his father."
These guardian accounts are corroborated by Wake County tax lists for
Buckhorn District during the same years in which one finds Samuel P.
Norris paying Richard Johnson's taxes.
The guardian accounts and tax list entries for Richard Johnson end in
the late 1840s, most likely as a consequence of his death.
Several years ago I contacted the North Carolina State Archives about
a will or estate records for Richard Johnson but they were unable to
locate any.
Steve