| Notes |
- Genealogy of Captain John Johnson of Roxbury, Massachusetts
Attempt the end and never stand in doubt;
Nothing so hard but search will find it out.
-Herrick
The home of our ancestor in England has not been learned. As his known relatives resided about twelve miles from London on the River Lee, it is safe to say that he probably came from the same locality. Neither has the maiden name of his wife Margery been ascertained. Through the relationship mentioned in certain legal documents, it has been assumed by some that she was Margery Heath.
John Johnson, with his family, came to this country in the fleet with Winthrop, landing at Salem June 22, 1630. He settled in Roxbury, where he, with his son-in-law Richard Mowry, (Roger Ed.) was made Freeman May 18, 1631. He was active in the business of the Colony, as Juryman, serving on Committees, as Surveyor laying out the bounds of Towns around Boston. March 4, 1634/5 John Johnson and Richard Dumer were ordered to build a bridge across Muddy River. Five towns were to contribute to the cost. Mary 25, 1636 or 1635 he was chosen one of a Committee to determine the valuation of the several towns. September 8, 1636 he was again chosen for that purpose. May 17, 1637 he was chosen one of the Deputies to levy on the towns for raising fifty men to send against the Pequots. He was also chosen Surveyor General, an office, which at that time, included the care of the stock of arms and the ammunition of the Colony. An interesting account of the burning of his house, with the Colony's stock of powder, also the Town Records of Roxbury, of which he was Town Clerk, is given in Governor Winthrop's History, also in Drake's History of Roxbury. He was chosen Deputy to the House of Deputies to represent Roxbury in 1634, the first year of that Assembly; and was chosen for twenty-one years afterward, nearly all consecutively.
"Captain John Johnson was the first Clerk of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. His son, Isaac, was its Captain, and leader at one time. It is the oldest military organization in this country, founded March 13, 1638, and which still proudly maintains its existence. Upon the rolls of its members are to be seen the names of men who in their day, through the entire history of Massachusetts, were foremost in peace and war, and who occupied the highest place in science, art, and literature, and in social, political and military life. At no time could any but a distinguished citizen have become a member of its society."
Late in his life, John Johnson was granted one thousand acres of land in consideration of his great service to the Colony.
Duties and position of the Surveyor General are described by Osgood in "American Colonies in the 17th Century" Volume I, page 513:
"In the Massachusetts Bay System the germ of the modern military staff appears chiefly in the office ordinarily designated as that of Surveyor of Ordinance, or later as General Surveyor of Arms. Early in 1631 the general court chose a Surveyor of Ordinance, to be allowed £10 per year. But from 1632 to 1642 the business of the office was mainly transacted through committees. In 1642, owing to fear of an Indian attack and the desire that the colony might be well supplied with powder, John Johnson was appointed Surveyor General of the Arms. From that time until the downfall of the Colony government, the many references to the office indicate its importance. The Surveyor General of Arms was a custodian of the Colony's supply of ordinance, arms and ammunition; under authority from the general court, he delivered powder to the towns, and received back from them any excessive supplies which might have been issued. He could also sell ammunition. He was empowered to recover arms belonging to the Colony from individuals or towns that had them in their possession, to either preserve them pending an order of the general court, or to sell them at a fair price and procure others in their place. The purchases of ammunition were usually made through the Surveyor General, though in co-operation with the treasurer. Orders of the general court that he should loan munitions to individuals are common. When in 1643, arms and stores were brought from Castle Island, an invoice of the whole was given to the Surveyor General and the arms were delivered into his custody...."
Captain Johnson was married second to Grace Negus, widow of Barnabas Fowler. Grace died on September 29th, according to town records.
SML Comment: For detailed information on his life and possible ancestry, refer to THE BIOGRAPHY AND GENEALOGY OF CAPTAIN JOHN JOHNSON FROM ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, by Gerald Garth Johnson (2000, Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD), available from the publisher.
He married Mary Heath, daughter of William Heath & Agnes Cheney, in England. Died on 9 Jan 1655. Buried Roxbury, Mass., on 9 Apr 1655.
Many authorities add JOHN to the list of children and generally as first child. This seems to be an error, perhaps stated by Farmer's General Register, page 163, which give "1 JOHN: who died in 1661." The JOHN who died in 1661 was a son of Captain Isaak Johnson as shown by the church records. It is certain that no JOHN came over with the family. There is no evidence whatever that there was any child other than the five given .
They had the following children:
2 i. Isaac (-1675)
3 ii. Mary (-1678)
4 iii. Humphrey (-1692)
5 iv. Elizabeth (-1683)
6 v. Sarah (~1627-)
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Children of John Johnson and Mary Heath:
Mary, baptized 31 July 1614 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, buried 29 January 1678/1679 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; married first Roger Mowry, born in England, died 5 January or March 1666 in Providence, Rhode Island, a friend of Roger Williams. Roger arrived at Boston in 1631, moved to Plymouth, then Salem, and settled at Providence, Rhode Island. Mary married second on 16 March 1673/1674 John Kingsley, buried 6 January 1678/1679 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
Isaac, baptized 11 February 1615/1616 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 19 December 1675 in Four Corners, Rhode Island, while in battle.
John, baptized 8 April 1618 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, possibly buried 6 July 1627 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
Elizabeth, baptized 22 August 1619 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 5 January 1683/1684, Roxbury, Massachusetts; married 14 March 1642/1643 Robert Pepper, born about 1620, died 7 July 1684 in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Humphrey, born 5 November 1620 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, died 24 July 1692 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He was Sergeant in the company commanded by brother Isaac and was an original donor to the Free School at Roxbury. He moved about 1651 to Scituate, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. He married first on 20 March 1641/1642 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Ellen/Elinor Cheney, born about 1620 in England, died 28 September 1678 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He married second on 6 December 1678, Abigail May, died after 14 May 1714, widow of Samuel May. They were the ancestors of Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Joseph, baptized 20 April 1622 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, buried there in May 1622.
Susan, baptized 16 July 1623 in Ware End, Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England, buried there 16 August 1629 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
Sarah, baptized 12 November 1624 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England; probably married first by 1647 Hugh Burt; she married second by July 1653 at Lynn, Massachusetts, William Bartram, who died in Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.
Joseph, baptized 6 March 1626/1627 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England, probably buried there 30 March 1627.
Hannah, baptized 23 Mar 1627/1628 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England; possibly married Hugh Burt (instead of sister Sarah).
WILL:
- Will of John Johnson
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30 September 1659
The last will and Testament of John Johnson of Roxbury, this 30th of the 7th, '59, having my perfect memory and understanding by the blessing of my mercyfull Father, whose reconciled face in Jesus Christ my soule waitesth to behold. I dispose of my worldly goods and estate as followeth. My dwelling house and certaine lands I have allready given to my beloved wife during the term of her natural live, according to a deed wh is extant wh deede my will is shall be fulfilled, wherein also I have given her 60 pounds for her household furniture, wh house and lands after my wifes decease I give unto my 5 children to be equally divided, my eldest sonne having a double portion therein, according to the word of God. I give unto my two grandchildren who have lived with me Elizabeth Johnson and Mehitable Johnson, each of them 5 Lbs this to be paide within one yeare after my decease. I have formerly given to my sonnes Isaac Johnson and Robert Pepper a parcel of lands of 55 acres in the third division of the towns which I do hereby confirme.
All the rest of my lands debts and moveable goods, my debts and funeral charges being first discharged I doe give unto my five children to be equally divided, my eldest sonne haveing a double portion. Also I make my sonns Isaak Johnson and Robert Pepper my executors of this my last will and Testament, and I request my deare brethren Elder Heath, and Deakon Parke, to be overseers of this my will and Testament, and in token of my love I give you each 10 pounds. If my children should disagree in any thing, I dow order them to choose one man more, to these my overseers, and stand to theire determination.
the mark of J. J. John Johnson
Witness
John Eliot
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RNT Family History
1590 - 1659 (69 years)