Henry Goodloe Johnston

DAR Ancestor #: A063935

It is reported that Henry's youngest son inherited the Goodloe familyBible and took it with him when he migrated to Mississippi. The George H.S. King papers (in the Virginia Archives) say that Henry's estate was inventoried in Spotsylvania Co., Va July 6, 1802 and valued at L1045.7.3.

William A, Crozier's accounts of Records from Spotsylvania County, Virginia show several occasions where Henry Johns(t)on was a witness. Henry Johnson is a witness to the will of his grandmother, Elizabeth Goodloe, widow and relic of Henry Goodloe of Spotsylvania Co., VA. She dies Feb. 25, 1750, will proved Dec. 3, 1751. Other witnesses were: Elizabeth Maulden and Robert Goodloe. (Will Book B 1749-1759)

In a sale of April 7, 1760, recorded June 2, 1760; Henry, a carpenter, purchased 400 acres of land in Spotsylvania Co., VA from John Waller, planter. Witnesses: Z. Lewis (A Zachary Lewis is mentioned as "King's Attorney" Nov. 9, 1739 in other records. He was also Agnes Waller Johnston's uncle by marriage.), Edward Herndon, & Benjamin Holloday. Henry Johnston was a witness to the sale of 400 acres of land by Stephen Johnston of Essex Co. and his wife, Phebe, on August 1, 1763. The Order Book 1768-1774 shows: Henry Johnson, Gent., commisioned Lieutenant in the Militia of Spotsylvania County May 9, 1769. He took the oath November 6, 1769.

On March 20, 1793, Henry Johnson of Spotsylvania Co. to John Waller Johnston of Chesterfield Co. 14s. 121 23-40a. part of tract of said Henry Johnson lives on in Spotsylvania Co., etc. Recodred April 2, 1793.

March 19, 1793 record states, "Be it remembered that although my father, Henry Johnston has made me a deed for 121 23-40 acres of land etc., he and my mother, Agnes Johnston to have use of same during their lives, etc. Recorded April 2, 1793.

An article in The Virginia Herald and Fredricksburg Advisor, June 26, 1794, says that Henry Johnson of Spotsylvania County accuses his wife, Agnes, of having taken up with another man and of conspiring to take his estate and commit him to the local mad house. The will of his oldest son, John Waller Johnston, states that Henry gave him land at the time of 'the derangement of his mental faculties'. Records show that January 2, 1793 (Henry would be 65) there was an agreement between Henry Johnson of Spotsylvania Co. and John Waller Johnson of the same county. The said Henry conveys to the said John Waller Johnson in trust, for the maintenance of the said Henry, viz. 402 acres, whereon Henry lives also numerous slaves, cattle, sheep, hogs, goods, and chattles, etc. and whereas the said Henry owes sundry debts, the said property in trust, for the payment thereof and the overplus for the benefit of the said Henry and his wife, Agnes, etc. Recorded July 1, 1794 and witnessed by: Betsy Conner, John Somnell (? may be Sorrell) and Garland Hill.

On December 31, 1794 Henry Johnson and Agnes, his wife, and John Shirley Jr. and Frances, his wife, "Exchange of lands." Said Johnson conveys to said Shirley Jr. 193 acres formerly purchased from said Shirley and James Wigglesworth Sr. & Jr. etc. The said Shirley coveys to said Johnson 258 acres in Spotsylvania County, etc. Witnesses: Thomas Towles, Richard Shackleford, Mary Shackleford. Recorded Jan. 6, 1795. (note that Henry's daughter, Agnes, married a Thomas Wigglesworth and Henry's daughter, Sarah, married a Richard Shackleford) Although he did not fight in the Revolutionary War, Henry Johnston is listed in DAR Patriot Index as having supplied beef to the Continental Army.