Individual Details

William Johnson was deceased before 1738 when Dr. Peter Hay presented a petition to the House of Burgesses on behalf of himself, Philip Johnson, and Oriana Littlepage for compensation for a negro slave belonging to the estate of William Johnson, deceased. The slave had died of a long confinement in jail. Dr. Hay's wife was Grissell Johnson, daughter of William Johnson. William Johnson's wife is unknown. I have also seen this interpreted as Grissell was the remarried wife of William Johnson.

A patent dated 2 May 1705, shows William Johnson with 4900 acres given him by the will of Col. Richard Johnson. The will does imply that at least some of Richard's sons were minors in 1699.

Another researcher notes that a William Johnson was an appraisor in King William Co by 1702 - so he was likely born prior to 1681 - if this is the same William Johnson.

There were several William Johnsons in colonial Virginia at about the same time. Researchers do not agree on which was the son of Col. Richard.

This William is often cited as one who had died before 1738 in King William County, leaving children identified in the court case that year as Grissel Hay, wife of Dr. Peter Hay, Oriana Littlepage, wife of Richard Littlepage and Col. Philip Johnson. This identification was partly made because of a broken and improperly read tombstone - later investigations have shown that Oriana, buried with Col. Richard Johnson and his son Maj. Richard Johnson, was instead the wife of their son Major Richard, and certainly not Oriana Littlepage. Some say this connection has always seemed not quite right because of the unusual names of Grissel, Oriana and Philip. Their residences seem to fit better a William Johnson who left records in James City Co and surrounding counties. Also this Philip had married into the Bray family which family owned property adjacent William Johnson. "Other neighbors of William Johnson's 4900 acre estate before 1705 were Thomas Bray, Richard Gissedge, James Minge, Edmund Jenings, Peter White and Richard Yarbrough in 1695" However, based on the approximate ages of those named in this suit, their father also seems to be a little too old to have been the William, son of Col. Richard.
One item which makes me think this William is correctly identified IS the fact that he had a daughter named Oriana, which was the name of his Maj. Richard's wife and probably a brother. Another factor is that no one really has determined the ages of the sons of Col. Richard - he was much older than wife Susan Duncombe and could have had some or all of his sons by an earlier wife. I have also seen Grissel Hay as the remarried widow of William Johnson - Grissel & William's only children as Oriana and Philip.

Researcher Robert E. Wilson has built an interesting case for the son of Col. Richard, named William Johnson, is the same as a William who died in Louisa Co about 1746. This man's wife was Sarah and the had a large family which is documented in Lousia. He apparently did live near Thomas Johnson, proved son of Col. Richard.

Death

Bef 1733

Child	Grissel Johnson (1705 - 1778)
Child	Oriana Johnson (1710 - )
Child	Philip Johnson (1715 - )

Father	Col. Richard Johnson (1629 - 1699)
Mother	Susanna Duncombe (1664 - 1686)
Sibling	Thomas Johnson (1685 - 1733)
Sibling	Maj. Richard Johnson ( - 1733)