Individual Details

The surname of the wife of James is not known. His children were Agnes d. ca 1802, Drury who married Hannah Clark, Sarah who married Stephen Sampson, James who married Rachel Haden, Mary who maried Bartholomew Turner, David who married Lucy Ellis, Isham who died before 1798, and Benjamin who married Martha Hughes. James died after 1787, indicating that he had lived longer than any of his brothers. He had land handed down to him by his father Michael. A deed of the son James dated 4 Jan 1757, states "part of a tract of land taken up by Michael Johnson, grandfather of said James Johnson" bounded by Tuckahoe Creek. [Goochland DB 7, p.140] This deed furnishes proof of the relationship of James as Michael's son and also proves Daniel as a son as Daniel had named James Johnson as a brother in his will.

Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. III
p.204 James Johnson, 400 acres (N.L.) Henrico Co. on N side of James River adj. Cha. Eavens; John Johnson; Joseph Woodson; & Benja. Woodson. 12 Jul 1718. PB 10, p.380
[First known patent - he was probably at least age 21.]
A patent by Charles Johnson [no known relationship] dated 28 Sep 1732 for 77 acres on Dover Mill Creek and Geneto Creek was bounded by Daniel Johnson, Henry Turner, George Floyd, Mrs. Finney, James Johnson & John Johnson. Daniel, James & John were all sons of Michael Johnson.
This patent was sold two years later to Benjamin Watkins.

VA PB 18, p.260
26 Mar 1739 James Johnson received a patent for 400 acres on branches of the Bird Creek next to Abraham Venable, Thomas Banks, and the Hanover Co line; this is likely an area that was incorporated by the formation of Albemarle Co in 1744, and Fluvanna in 1777. [See Albemarle deeds, later.]

Goochland DB 5, p. 55
29 Oct 1745 James Johnson to James Cocke for 8£. 55 acres on North side James near head of Col. John Boling's Mill Crk. South side main Road, Charles Evens former patent, corner to Wm Finney, Finney's line. Signed: James Johnson.
Wit: Wm Street, John Johnson, James Cocke Jr. Ack 19 Nov 1745.
Goochland DB 6, p.26
19 Sep 1749 James Cocke of Henrico for love & affection to James Cocke Junr, my son. All lands I bought of Wm & John Knight and of JAMES JOHNSON. 185 acres.

Connections of James Johnson the Elder to the family of Anthony HadenAlbemarle DB 1, p.270
13 May 1751 John Woody to John Howard of Hanover for 33£. 375 acres in Albermarle on branch of Bird Creek, corner to JAMES JOHNSON, on Frans. Baker, John Woody, James Johnson to 1st station. Granted to John Wood on 16 Sep 1740.
Wit: Arthur Hopkins, John Hopkins.
[Arthur Hopkins & his son John. Arthur was granted a tract of 2600 acres which he gave to his son Samuel who in turn sold it to John Haden, brother to Rachel Haden who married James Johnson "Jr". ]
p.341
26 Jun 1751 Richard Stockton, weaver, & Agnes his wife to Samuel Black. 150£. 400 acres both sides Stockton's Creek, Joel Terril's line. Wit: JAMES JOHNSTON, Thos. Reid
[Richard & Agnes' son, the Rev. Richard Stockton married Catherine Blakey, a granddaughter of Anthony Haden.]
Goochland DB 6, p.307.
20 Sep 1752 LW&T of Benjamin Watkins. James Johnson was to be one of the Executors. Wit: James Johnson, Isham Johnson & James Johnson Junior. Proved 18 Sep 1753.

Goochland DB 9, p.9
15 Oct 1765 James Johnson the Elder. Deed of gift to son David Johnson. 115 acres on branches of Jeneto Creek. One-third of 345 acres granted by patent adj Joseph Watkins & John Geurrants. Signed: James Johnson.
Wit: Joseph Pleasants, Amos (X) Ladd. Ack. 15 Oct 1765.
p.140
Apr 1768 James Johnson the Elder for natural affection to son Isham. 115 acres on Genetoe Creek. Granted by patent 12 Jul 1718. [400 acres adj. Charles Evans, next to his brother John and Benj & John Woodson - Henrico Co in 1718] Adj. John Haws??, James Cocke, to David Johnson's line. Signed: James Johnson
Wit: Matthew Vaughan, William Price, John Wade. Proved by the witnesses on 19 Apr 1768.
p.220
19 Jun 1769 James Johnson the Elder for love & affection to son Benjamin. Tract on Genetoe granted me 12 Jul 1718. Adj land of son Isham to whom I have formerly given same. Adj. David Johnson, Joseph Watkins, James Cocke. Signed: James Johson.
Wit: Isham Johnson, David Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Wm (W) Woodall, Bartholemew (X) Turner. Ack by James Johnson 21 Aug 1769.

12 Nov 1766 Albemarle DB 4, p.329 James Johnson the Elder ot Goochland to Thomas Pleasants. 200 acres in Albemarle on branches of Byrd Creek, 1/2 of 400 acres granted to James Johnson by patent, adj James Johnson Junr, Christopher Shepherd, Stephen Thomas Banks & the line dividing Albemarle & Louisa. Wit: John (x) Shepherd, Alexander Toney, Bishop (x) Toney, James Johnson. Proved by oaths of John Shepherd, Bishop Toney, & James Johnson Junr. 12 Mar 1767.
Oct 20 1777 Fluvanna Co Thomas Pleasant of Goochland sold to Jacob Johnson 200 acres in Fluvanna on branches of the Bryd, 1/2 of 400 acres patented to James Johnson the Elder of Goochland and by him conveyed to said Thomas Pleasants by deed, adj the lands of David Johnson Jr who is in possession of the other 200 acres, Christopher Shepherd, Thomas Banks, and the Louisa-Fluvanna Co line. Signed: Tho. Pleasants. Wit: Isham Johnson [Jacob's brother or uncle], Thomas Oliver, Edward McBride, Abram Parrish, David Nowlen, Turner Clarke, Clab (x) Johnson [Jacob's brother Clayborn]. Rec. 4 Nov 1779.
1 Jun 1784 Fluvanna DB 2, p.44 Jacob Johnson & Sarah his wife of Goochland and Claiborne Johnson of Chesterfield sell to Thomas Pleasants. 200 acres in Fluvanna on Byrd Crk, 1/2 of 400 acres granted to James Johnson the elder of Goochland.
Apparently David Johnson the younger also sold his 1/2 to Thomas Pleasants in 1789 & 1797. [This must be David, son of James Jr since his father had possession in 1766..]

James Johnson the elder is said to have died after 1787. He is said to be on the 1787 personal property tax list, but this could be a different James? He would have been at least 90 and persons over age 60 were generally exempt for taxation.

Birth	Bef 1697
Death	Aft 1787

Child	Isham JOHNSON ( - 1794)
Child	Drury JOHNSON ( - 1783)
Child	Sarah JOHNSON ( - )
Child	David JOHNSON ( - 1799)
Child	Mary JOHNSON ( - )
Child	Benjamin JOHNSON ( - )
Child	Agnes JOHNSON ( - 1799)
Child	James Johnson ( - )

Father	MICHAEL JOHNSON ( - 1719)
Mother	SARAH Watson ( - )
Sibling	Daniel JOHNSON ( - 1754)
Sibling	JOHN JOHNSON (1697 - 1750)
Sibling	Isaac JOHNSON ( - 1793)
Sibling	Joseph JOHNSON ( - 1761)
Sibling	Benjamin JOHNSON ( - 1744)
Sibling	Anne Johnson ( - )
Sibling	Sarah Johnson ( - )
Sibling	Agnes Johnson ( - )