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Posted: 12:58 PM - Sep 08, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
I found an interesting entry on the Warren Co. VA General Index of Court Minutes. I hope to find additional court information about this item.
"John I. Johnston 1847 charged by State of VA murder of John M. Elliott" Book B 137
If found guilt-- most likely hanged-- which is why I can't find him on 1850 census.
There are interesting entries found for other Johnston person.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Warren Co. VA. I am getting closer to the time John I. Johnston was charged with murder. Hope to have more information about the end of the month.
Posted: 3:37 PM - Sep 26, 2009
Betty Powers
Another researcher years ago send me piece on "La Grange" it being the house of my ancestors Wm. Mitchell & Matilda Johnston.
"The land was given to Eunice Fearnley Fawcett by Wm. and Mercey Borden Fawcett and the house was no doubt built by Richard Fawcett (1806) as it is very similar in every way to other sotne houses built by this (Fawcett) family.
1806 Richard Fawcett to Stephen Davis
1809 Stephen Davis to Wm. Mitchell
1841 Matilda Mitchell (ex of Wm.) & his heirs to JOHN I. JOHNSTON
1849 John I. Johnston & his wife Emma to Matilda Mitchell
1850 Matilda Mitchell to Morgan Johnston
1871 Morgan Johnston in his will to Mrs. Ann Morgan Ashby for life
1889 division of estate Mrs. Burkner Ashby (Ann Morgan) to A. Maude Fritts
1891 George W. Fritts to Wm.F. Powers
1920 Wm. F. Powers to Robert McC. Powers
1934 The Potomac Joint Stock Land Bank to James P. Reardon
The question I have if John I. Johnston was charged in 1847 he was still free to sell said property in 1849. I since have not been able to find him on 1850 census.
LaGrange was owned by my Great Grandfather William Francis Powers. That property is presently owned by Butch(Edwin) Eastham and is located at the corner of Ashby Station Rd and Rockland Rd in Warren County, about 1/2 mile from Clover Hill. My great grandfather obtained it in 1878, I think it was. I have a copy of the deed in my files. You might also be interested in knowing that there is a Bowen child buried on Clover Hill property, tombstone is present-I can check the name on it the next time I go by if you would like me to.
Posted: 3:48 PM - Sep 26, 2009
Betty Powers
Facts about Ann Morgan Johnston
From the Warren Co. VA Minute Index we know that Ann M. Johnston picked Morgan Johnston as guardian in 1850.
I strongly suspect she was the daughter of John I. & Emily (Brownley) Johnston, so she went to live with her Uncle & Aunt, being related to both.
1850 Warren Co. VA Morgan Johnston 50, Nancy 50, Ann M. 6. I do not know if other have her listed at their child or not. Said Nancy/Ann would also be related to her mother's family--Brownley.
Marriage Record in Warren Co. VA: Buckner G. Ashby 26 years, single, born & living in Clarke Co. VA, Farmer, parents Buckner & Sophia G. Ashby married on 13 Mar 1862 to Ann Morgan Johnston, 17 years of age, single born & living in Warren Co. VA, parents Morgan & Nancy Johnston, married by Rev. Robert RR.S. Hough (Methodist Minister)"
Warren Co. VA Birth Registry has two of their children listed:
female ashby born dead Feb 1866, also listed Death Registry.
Alice Maud Ashby born 15 Aug 1869
Found on 1870 Warren Co. VA census: B.G. Ashby 35, Ann M. 26, SOPHIA B. 7, Wm. B. 6, Annie 3, Alice M. 10 months
According to her tomb stone she was born on 18 Feb 1844 and died 20 Mar 1880, buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Front Royal, VA, next to Morgan Johnston & his wife Ann Brownley
1880 Warren Co. VA: B.G. Ashby 45, SOPHIA B. 16, Willie 8, Nettie B. 12, Alice Maud 10.
I have not tried to trace the remaining people on census.
The notes of Hunter B. McKay have not given me direct answers to the ancestry of many of the female lines of his mother's line who was Etta Double Sowers, her father was George H. Sowers and her mother Martha Virginia Sowers. Which is why her middle name was "Double".
Her mother Martha V. Sowers was the daughter John W. Sowers & Mary Emily Mitchell.
It is the families of Mary E. Mitchell I have been trying to find out more. Mary E. Mitchell was the daughter of Wm. Mitchell & Matilda Johnston.
The question I have been picking at-- who were the siblings of said Matilda Johnston-- were they John I. & Morgan Johnstons ?
I found a note in my the Ashby File from Hunter B. McKay's note written by his mother Etta D. (Sowers) McKay
"The Ashbys that I know are not related to the McKays, but to my mother (Mrs. George H. Sowers) through the Mitchels and the Johnstons. Buck Ashby who lived at Ashby Station (now Bayard) married Miss Johnston who was Sophia Ashby's mother--you have heard me speak so often of Sophia"
I think I am on the right tract finding the ancestry of Matilda Johnston, but still need more information from Clarke & Warren Co. records.
I don't know if this could lead to a link to the Ashbys or not, but the lady who previously owned our farm here on Ashby Station Road was named Mary Stuart Jacobs(her maiden name) and it seems to me that I had heard down thru the years that she was related to Ashbys. There is a gentleman by the last name of Dunn in Clarke County who may have something on this-he would have been her great nephew and he is into genealogy. I usually meet up with him at funerals, but will try to make contact with him to confirm a connection.
Posted: 7:45 PM - Sep 26, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
Found Warren Co. VA Land Deed Book D255, probated 3 Sep 1849, John I. Johnston was living in Alleghany Co. VA. His wife was still living in Clarke Co. VA.
1850 census index for said county list a John T. Johnston (sic). At the moment the image on L.D.S. will not come up. I will check later to see if I can see who was living with him.
Listing of slaves shows he possessed nine slave in 1850. Not listed for that location 1860.
It would appear he was charged with murder but not found guilty. His family unit, however by 1860 census was living in the said various places and I have not found him.
The L.D.S. library has wills and death records for rent, will try those two films at a later date.
Posted: 2:59 PM - Oct 01, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
The Fairfax Public Library has come through again, found on film the 1850 Alleghany Co. VA census the household of John I. Johnston 55, Emma 55,Ann 21, Emma 12, John 8. Listed as being a farmer.
The L.D.S. system which has 1850 census indexed would not allow the actual image to be viewed.
The Fairfax Public Library has been told by State of VA charges for inter-library loan service from Richmond, VA not allowed. So I am back in business ordering film & books for "free" from State Library.
I will order land deeds & wills for Alleghany Co. VA to see I if I can find out more about John I. Johnston's family. By the 1860 census Emma (the wife) her daughter Emma living with her eldest daughter and son-in-law Edwin Bowen. I do not know what became of Ann Johnston of the 1850 census. Their son John I believe was off to college according to his military pay roll records. The son Joseph F. Johnston living with his aunt for the 1850 Clarke Co. VA census.
I still do not know the relationship of the Ann Morgan Johnston who was adopted by Morgan Johnston & living on the 1850 Warren Co. VA census.
Posted: 7:47 AM - Oct 19, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
I have order film through Fairfax Public Library three films covering land deeds for Alleghany Co. VA for years 1839-1876 and one film wills for location 1822-1876. I hope to find out more about John I. Johnston. Members of his family for 1860 removed back to Clarke Co. VA. Question is what happened to him ?
Another angle I am looking into the Who were the parents of Ann Morgan Johnston, adopted by Morgan Johnston. I am now looking to find out more about Wm. Johnston who was a young man for 1840 Warren Co. VA, but not listed for the 1850. Was he the father of said Ann, died and Morgan Johnston then adopted her ? I will re-order early Warren Co. VA wills to see if I can find him.
Posted: 12:48 PM - Dec 05, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
I "Google" the "Clover Hill" and up pop a farm of 72 acres with various buildings. However it does not say who owned the property in the past. It is for sale located adjacent to The Shenandoah Valley County Club and joins Bowling Green County Club. This posting as a map of the area showing the property and other's lots.
Another posting of cemetery listing has the farm with only one grave given of Mary Eliza Bowen the third daughter of Edwin & Eliza F. Bowen. Signs of other grave located at the burial ground. Said daughter born 25 Aug 1852 and died 30 Dec 1852. So I think I am looking for ownership with the Bowen family and will have to see who they sold it to at a later date.
The said couple Edwin Bowen & Eliza F. JOHNSTON married in Warren Co. VA 26 Mar 1844
Warren Co. VA Land Deed Book E,124, dated 4 Mar 1851, probated 31 Mar 1851, the couple Edwin Bowen & his wife Elizabeth F. used their farm farm containing @255a with all its appurtenances, situated in Warren Co. VA "adjoining the lands of Evelina O. Thomas, John B. Earle, Morgan Johnston & others" to secure their debt due to Mandly Taylor for $3500 to be paid off in two years.
Posted: 6:23 PM - Dec 14, 2009
Dee Ann Buck
LaGrange was owned by my Great Grandfather William Francis Powers. That property is presently owned by Butch(Edwin) Eastham and is located at the corner of Ashby Station Rd and Rockland Rd in Warren County, about 1/2 mile from Clover Hill. My great grandfather obtained it in 1878, I think it was. I have a copy of the deed in my files. You might also be interested in knowing that there is a Bowen child buried on Clover Hill property, tombstone is present-I can check the name on it the next time I go by if you would like me to.
I would be very interested if you have a legal document which named the former farm of Wm. Mitchell.
Posted: 2:48 PM - Nov 28, 2011
Dee Ann Buck
I've been asked if George Henry 'Cuba George' Sowers served in the military during the Civil War. I do not recall Hunter Branson McKay ever mentioning that his grandfather served during the war. I know he would have been in the right age group.
Found on State of VA Reel 79 #7359 death certificate of George H. Sowers late of Cedarville, Warren Co. VA, male, white, married, born July 4, 1834, age 84 years, farmere & stock dealer, born in VA, father Wm. Sowers, mother Mary Catherine Jenkins born in VA, informant R.L. Sowers, died 13 Feb 1919 of general disability due to old age, burial 15 Feb 1919 in Rockland, VA"
I have seen this document earlier when I compiled by Sowers Book in 1991 page 72. Picture of his and his wife included in this book.
Posted: 10:25 AM - Nov 29, 2011
Dee Ann Buck
As of now, I have failed to find an original record which George himself stated his middle name was Henry.
If others can point out to me a source I would appreciate it.
Information found on these death certificates, really the only information we can be sure is correct, date of death, cause of death and place of burial.
The rest of the information is only as accurate as the living supplying the information. I have in the past found so many mistake on these records.