JOHNSON Edna Marion

Notes:

EDNA MARION JOHNSON
Edna was Sidney and Ruth's second child and she was born on September 12, 1918. She was a good and sweet little girl and she worked to help her mother with the chores. She studied the piano and played it well. She was the last of the children to leave home and helped care for her father until his death in 1942. She moved to Newport News and worked in the shipyard during the war, living with her younger sister, Katherine. She met James W. Watt, Jr., and they were married on January 20, 1945. Jim was from Michigan and when he was discharged from the Army they moved there, settling in Allen Park. They had three children; David Alexander (1945), James Sidney (1946), and Ruth Helen (1948). Edna and Jim still live in Allen Park, have several grandchildren, and occasionally make trips to Virginia to visit relatives and friends.

Edna married WATT James W., Jr. on 20 Jan 1945. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: 1861-1865, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Surry Cavalry
• Residence: 1890, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Marl Spring Farm

Notes:

Hi Gene: You have Sidney Thomas Johnson and Ruth Ella Rogers on you web page. In the Sussex-Surry Dispatch March 7 edition was obit for Katherine J. Fox listing them as her parents... Jean Johnsom

...................................................
NINTH GENERATION
SIDNEY THOMAS JOHNSON, son of David Peyton Johnson (a veteran of the Civil War) and Mahala Elizabeth Rogers, was born on January 20, 1868. As most of Surry County was left bankrupt after the Civil War, his boyhood was a simple one characterized by hard work. Schools were of the one-room variety and pupils ranged in age from seven years to adults. Sidney was a bright boy and quickly mastered his three R'B. At age eighteen he went to work in Waverly at a small general store. He worked for his board and a few dollars a month. Being only six miles from home, he walked the distance when time permitted. On one occasion, he was taken ill and his father had to drive a horse and dump cart the six miles through a snowstorm to get him. The cart was bedded down with hay and a quilt on top to make a bed. More quilts were placed over him and a table oilcloth covered all. He was snug and warm but doubtlessly had a rough ride, all the same.
It was at the small store in Waverly that he gained experience and acquired some knowledge of business management. After four years he had saved enough out of his meager earnings to make a down payment on a farm of his own.
In 1890, at age 22, he bought Marl Spring Farm. The manor house had burned down some time before, leaving but a small cabin; it was here that he lived for two years while he farmed and kept a small neighborhood store. On an adjacent farm lived the Cotton family, with three young girls. Boy met girl and he courted Mary Etta Cotton, marrying her at Union Church on January 27, 1892. He was described in a contemporary account as being a "popular young bachelor" and she was a lovely bride, as evidenced in photographs. A "grand reception" was held at her home after the ceremony.
After the wedding, Sidney and Mary set up housekeeping in the cabin which had been his home for two years. Now, as a team, they worked to make their lives better. He started building a proper house as time and money permitted. The house was built in two sections, the first of which was completed before 1895- The west end of their cabin housed a forge and tools while the house was being built. Their child, Ruth Olga, was born in the tiny cabin, while those which followed were born in the new house. The years went by while they worked and strived to make a good home for themselves and their growing family. Sidney was a very intelligent man and throughout his life showed greater ability than his simple schooling would indicate.
Fortunately, there were no wars during Sidney's young manhood, but he was a volunteer member of the Surry Cavalry. He occasionally rode to Surry on his black horse for drills, sporting a blue uniform with brass trappings and a gleaming saber at his side. He was a man of great energy and knowhow, inventing and making things to simplify the work that had to be done. Mary, dear wife and the mother of his six children, died on May 9i 1909t after an illness of about two years. She was but 37 years of age. Mary is remembered by her children as a loving woman and she was greatly beloved by all who knew her. The family suffered a tragic loss at her death.
Some difficult years followed with Sidney left alone with six children ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. Almost two years later he was married to Ruth ELla Rogers, but 18 years old. Her father was William Thomas Rogers and was related to Sidney's mother, who called him "Cousin Tommy." Sidney and Ruth had three children between 1912 and 1919, and by the time these were growing up the others had married and moved away. The first family car came in 1916 and it made visiting much easier. Sidney Johnson is remembered by Surry County farmers even today as having been able to plow an incredibly straight line with a mule. He, at one point, had a cantankerous steel-wheeled tractor and may have cussed it and ordered it around as did some of the older farmers, who plowed with mules all their lives.

The Johnson farmhouse was the junction of the first telephone line across Surry County and the children remember its switchboard. Sidney had educated himself in legal matters and became a justice of the peace around 1920. For many years he tried cases, both misdemeanors and felonies, in his office in a cabin just west of the house. With some felony cases, the proceedings were briefly suspended in order that he could chase the children away from under the window and prevent them from hearing the gruesome details. He was especially busy with his duties during the prohibition years.
During the 1930 's, the rest of the children finished school at Dendron and moved away. Ruth died in a Richmond hospital on March 31, 1941, only 48 years of age, leaving Sidney alone again at 73. She was greatly loved by all the children and was sadly missed. She was a robust woman and was so kind that it is said that she "would give the butter right off the table to someone in need." Sidney remained at home for a while then, enfeebled, went to Kibler Nursing Home in Claremont where he died on September 4, 1942. His funeral was held at his home and was attended by a large number of his friends and relatives. He was. a longtime member of Carsley Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Surry between Mary and Ruth under a grove of young oak trees.
ISSUE

by Mary Etta Cotton
RUTH OLGA b. 1893, d. 1969 m. 1926 Earl L. Madison
BERTHA MAY b. 1895, d. 1987 m. 1920 Charles Lawrence Bartlett
MYRA BELL b. 1897, m. 1917 Nelson Miles Huber
ALBERT SIDNEY b. 1899, m. 1927 Marjorie Ruth Kincaid d. 1982
MYRTIE LEE b. 1902, m. 1920 John Harris Lane, Jr., d. 1971
HUGH THOMAS b. 1905, m. 1936 Edith Lorraine Duncan, d. 1965

by Ruth Ella Rogers

PAULINE ISABEL b. 1912, m. 1941 Thomas Linwood Gofer d. 1988
EDNA MARION b. 1918, m. 1945 James W. Watt, Jr. d. 1996
KATHERINE GLADYS b. 1919, m. 1941 Eiwin Adler Fox, Jr.
Mary Etta Cotton Sidney Thomas Johnson Ruth Ella Rogers

Military:
Bertha (Johnson) Bartlett, wrote that her father, Sidney T. Johnson, was a member of the Surry Cavalry when she was a girl, in the first decade of the 20th century. She says he occasionally rode to Surry Courthouse on his black horse for drills, sporting a blue uniform with brass trappings and a gleaming saber at his side. Fortunately, there were no wars during bis young manhood.

Residence:
In 1890, at age 22, he bought Marl Spring Farm. The manor house had burned down some time before, leaving but a small cabin; it was here that he lived for two years while he farmed and kept a small neighborhood store. On an adjacent farm lived the Cotton family, with three young girls. Boy met girl and he courted Mary Etta Cotton, marrying her at Union Church on January 27, 1892. He was described in a contemporary account as being a "popular young bachelor" and she was a lovely bride, as evidenced in photographs. A "grand reception" was held at her home after the ceremony.
After the wedding, Sidney and Mary set up housekeeping in the cabin which had been his home for two years. Now, as a team, they worked to make their lives better. He started building a proper house as time and money permitted. built in two sections, the first of which was completed before 1895- The west end of their cabin housed a forge and tools while the house was being built. Their child, Ruth Olga, was born in the tiny cabin, while those which followed were born in the new house. The years went by while they worked and strived to make a good home for themselves and their growing family. Sidney was a very intelligent man and throughout his life showed greater ability than his simple schooling would indicate.

Died:
Ruth died in a Richmond hospital on March 31, 1941, only 48 years of age, leaving Sidney alone again at 73. Sidney remained at home for awhile, then, greatly enfeebled, went into Kibler Nursing Home in Claremont where he died on September 4,1942. His funeral was held at his home and was attended by a large number of friends and relatives. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery between Etta and Ruth under a grove of young oak trees.

Buried:
he died on September 4, 1942. His funeral was held at his home and was attended by a large number of his friends and relatives. He was. a longtime member of Carsley Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Surry between Mary and Ruth under a grove of young oak trees.

Sidney married ROGERS Ruth Ella about 1911. Ruth (daughter of ROGERS William Thomas and ANDREWS Elizabeth Rebecca) was born on 11 Nov 1893; died on 31 Mar 1941; was buried in Surry, Surry County, VA (Oakwood Cemetary). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Ruth died in a Richmond hospital on March 31, 1941, only 48 years of age,

Notes:

Married:
Some difficult years followed with Sidney left alone with six children ranging in age from 3 to 16 years. Almost two years later he was married to Ruth ELla Rogers, but 18 years old. Her father was William Thomas Rogers and was related to Sidney's mother, who called him "Cousin Tommy." Sidney and Ruth had three children between 1912 and 1919, and by the time these were growing up the others had married and moved away.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alt. Burial: Surry County, VA (Rogers Family Cemetary, Off Rt.40)
• Alt. Name: David Paten Jphnson
• Name: David Paten
• Reference Number: 672
• Military: 2 May 1862; Confederate Army
• Census: 1900, Guilford, Surry, Virginia
• Census: 1910, Guilford, Surry, Virginia

Notes:

Patin is also possibly the spelling (Pattie Arwood 1-3-204)

I am very much interested in seeing if the Beverly Booth connection would qualify me for the Jamestown Society. He is my DAR ancestor through his daughter Mary E. who married John C. Rogers. Her daughter married David Payton Johnson, my great-grandfather and Confederate ancestor. I'd be interested in any information you might have.

Can you connect the Rogers line to the Revolution? My other Surry lines are Maddera, Sledge, Cotton and Hobbs. There are a couple of others but I'm not sure if they were widows or if the names were maiden names.

Look forward to hearing from you soon! Pat Hall
.......................................................
There was a small Bible with "Edmon Johnson's book, July the 17th, 1832" in his hand writing inside the back cover and "Surry Bible Society" and "David P. Johnson" inside the front cover...Information from William Adler Fox and Bertha Johnson Bartlett:

EIGHTH GENERATION
37 1 DAVID PATEN JOHNSON, son of (28 1), was born on August 5, 1840. His early life must have been spent in a busy household with his half-brothers and sisters growing up around him. He and his father and these brothers undoubtedly worked the same plots of land along the county line and Blackwater River that had been worked by previous generations of Johnsons.

In 1862, war came to Virginia and Surry County and David enlisted in Martin's Battery, Company "B" 12th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery, commanded by Captain S. T. Martin. His enlistment occurred 01 May 3, 1862, in Richmond. Also serving in his and other Surry County units were many of his present or future relatives, including his half-brother Randolph. He was almost immediately detailed as a teamster for his battalion which was with General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Early in the war, his unit had been stationed at Fort Clifton Franklin, and along the Blackwater River. At about the time that his unit was engaged in battle with Butler's forces in Chesterfield County, he was detached from his unit and detailed as a courier to Major F. J. Boggs, Battalion Commander. At some point during the final months of the war, Private Johnson was taken prisoner by Union forces and was held until he was paroled on April 16, 1865, and allowed to return home. It is said that under the terms of the surrender he was allowed to keep his horse but that it died on the way back to Surry and he had to walk the rest of the way.
He returned home and soon began courting Mahala Elizabeth Rogers, who lived on a farm close to his father's. They were married at her home, Pleasant Hill Farm, on January 29, 1867, and went to live and work their farm of about 100 acres on Route 612 between Carsley and Route kQ. Some of this land was given to them by Mahaley's mother, Mary Booth Rogers. Roads in the county were more intensive then than they are now and maps of the era show several Johnson farms and have references to a "Johnson's Mill" and "Johnson's Bridge." These places are now overgrown with forest and no one remembers to whom they belonged. David and Mahaley built a modest farmhouse and had their first child, Sidney, on January 20, 1868. He was followed by seven brothers and sisters between then and 1885. The death of his sister, Mary Elizabeth, in 1893 brought great sorrow to the family as she was a lovely girl of but 23 who was shortly to be married. The Johnsons were a strong family, it appears, as eight healthy children were raised when infant mortality was high due to epidemics. Within a few years after the turn of the century, all of the children had married. Granddaughter Bertha Johnson remembers visits to her grandparents at their farm, these always lasted all day as a six mile drive in a "surrey with the fringe on top" was required to get there. Their house was a one-and-a-half story with a parlor that David had added. The kitchen was detached from the house and as this was before the era of the screen door, Mahaley always had trouble keeping the chickens out. For the same reason, someone would have to stand over the table at mealtime and wave a "shoo-fly" (paper streamers crimped onto a reed) to keep the flies away. Mahaley is remembered as a stern and statuesque woman who was as vigorous as she was durable. As Bertha recalls, "What she knew, she knew. She was set in her ways." Her husband, in contrast, was a quiet, gentle, and genteel man. He was a teetotaler except for a glass of.homemade blackberry wine that he would accept after the ride to see his son, Sidney, at Marl Spring. In later years, David was sometimes sickly and he blamed his illnesses on months of poor conditions in prison camps during the Civil War. He died at home on August 12, 1919, and was buried near his farm. His wife inherited the farm but sold it shortly afterward and went to live with her son, Sidney, and his family. On a visit to her son, Asa, in Petersburg she contracted pneumonia and died on May 8, 1923. She was buried beside her husband and daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
ISSUE
39 1 SIDNEY THOMAS      b. 1868 d. 1942:
               m. 1892 Mary Etta Cotton
               m. 1911 Ruth Ella Rogers
2 MARY ELIZABETH      b. l870 d. 1893
3 FLOYD IMAN           b. l872      m. 1993 Annie C. Rogers d. 1915
4 WILDER LEE           b. 1874      m. 1912 Dora Self d.
5 JOSEPH FRANKLIN      b. l876 m. Edmonia Collier d. 1943
6 ASA BERNARD           b. l879 m. 1906 Cornelia A. Harrison d.
7 PATTIE MAY           b. 1882 m. 1905 J. Thomas Holdsworth d. 1932
46 8 JOHN ROGERS      b. 1885 m. 1911 Nannie C. Rogers d.

Nat Sturdivant

Some Recollections of Him and of His Capture in Front of Petersburg

To the Editor of the Dispatch:

I have seen something in your Confederate column about one of the brave captains of the old Twelfth Battalion of Virginia Light Artillery, Nat Sturdivant. I was personally acquainted with Sturdivant and was a member of the Battalion. I endorse what Mr. Shifflett has written. I was an eye-witness to a good part of what he has related. I don't think he or any other man can say too much for that brave man.
At the time of the Seven Days' fighting in front of Richmond our battalion was at old Camp Lee and Sturdivant's battery and S. T. Martin's battery, of which the writer was a member, were not equipped for service, but we were ordered to the front all the same.
I don't know just where Studivant's company was sent, but I was on picket duty between Richmond and the battlefields. That was in the summer of 1862.
In May, 1864, when General Grant landed his troops at City Point, and our small force held Petersburg. I was acting as courier for the commanding officer of our battalion, F. J. Boggs and was sent on that memorable day to carry a dispatch to Sturdivant. I road down the City Point road to our lines, and knew not where to find the Captain until I met with R. A. Pryor. He told me where Sturdivant was and I crossed the road leading to Prince George Courthouse and upon the hill at ___(looks like 205) battery, I found Studivant.
I went back to Petersburg and that night Captain Sturdivant and his men stood to their guns and fired at the enemy until they broke through our lines and took him prisoner. After he was exchanged, he was promoted to the rank of major of that battalion, and Captain Boggs was sent to some other command. The last time I remember to have seen Major Sturdivant was on Sunday morning , April 9, 1865, when he gave me a piece of Old Virginia bacon and bread to eat between Appomattox Courthouse and Lynchburg.
D. P. JOHNSON
Carsley, Va.

Military:
David Peyton Johnson served in the Civil War in Martin's Battery (CO. B, 12th Battalion Virginia Light Artillery) detailed as a battalion wagon driver then later detached as a courier for Major Boggs.

Census:

1900 United States Federal Census about David Johnson
Name:      David Johnson
Age:      59
Birth Date:      Aug 1840
Birthplace:      Virginia
Home in 1900:      Guildford, Surry, Virginia
Race:      White
Gender:      Male
Relation to Head of House:      Head
Marital Status:      Married
Spouse's Name:      Mahala Johnson
Marriage Year:      1867
Years Married:      33
Father's Birthplace:      Virginia
Mother's Birthplace:      Virginia
Occupation: Farmer

Census:

1910 United States Federal Census about David D Johnson
Name:      David D Johnson
Age in 1910:      70
Birth Year:      abt 1840
Birthplace:      Virginia
Home in 1910:      Guilford, Surry, Virginia
Race:      White
Gender:      Male
Relation to Head of House:      Head
Marital Status:      Married
Spouse's Name:      Mahala E Johnson
Father's Birthplace:      Virginia
Mother's Birthplace:      Virginia
Neighbors:      View others on page
Household Members:     
Name      Age
David D Johnson      70
Mahala E Johnson      65
Jack R Johnson      25 (listed as Son)

David married ROGERS Mahala Elizabeth on 29 Jan 1867 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. Mahala (daughter of ROGERS John Clark, Sr. and BOOTH Mary Ellis) was born on 20 Sep 1844 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died on 8 May 1923; was buried in Surry County, VA (Johnson Family Cemetary). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alt. Burial: Surry County, VA (Rogers Family Cemetary, Off Rt.40)
• Reference Number: 671

Notes:

Update on names Pattie Arwood (1-3-2004)

Notes:

Married:
married at Pleasant Hill farm

Notes:

Had 10 children per obit

William married ANDREWS Elizabeth Rebecca on 13 Apr 1879. Elizabeth was born on 25 Jun 1853; died on 13 Apr 1922; was buried in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth Rebecca Andrews was the second wife of William Thomas Rogers, and the mother of Ruth Ella Rogers

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1850

Notes:

There was a small Bible with "Edmon Johnson's book, July the 17th, 1832" in his hand writing inside the back cover and "Surry Bible Society" and "David P. Johnson" inside the front cover...Information from William Adler Fox and Bertha Johnson Bartlett:

SEVENTH GENERATION
28 1 EDMUND JOHNSON, son of (2k 1), was born around 1788. He had received a modest legacy from his father and was a farmer like generations before him. He married Lucy Solomon in Surry on November 20, l8l0. They sold some land to Lewis Sheffield in September 1812. Edmund and Lucy had six children before her death which probably came in the late 1830's. On March 7, 1837, Edmund was married to Sally Hobbs. Their son, David Paten Johnson, was born on August 5, 1840 There may have been other children but they did not survive infancy. Edmund was last listed in the 1850 United States Census, aged 61, with one son Davy, aged 9, at home. We do not know when he died or where he was buried and all that survives of him is a small Bible with "Edmon Johnson's book, July the 17th, 1832" in his hand inside the back cover and "Surry Bible Society" and "David P. Johnson" inside the front cover.
ISSUE55
30 1 ELISA b. 1814
31 2 RANDOLPH b. 1818
32 3 MCHERUS b. 1821
33 k ELIZABETH b. l8224
34 5 MARTHA b. 1826
35 6 GEORGE b. 1827

by Sally Hobbs
37 1 DAVID PATEN b. 1840 m. 1867, Mahala E. Rogers d. 1919

Census:
listed as 61 yoa and one son "Davy" age 9

Edmund married HOBBS Sara "Sally" on 7 Mar 1837. Sara (daughter of HOBBS Thomas and GLOVER Rebecca) was born between 1800 and 1805 in Sussex County, VA; died between 1840 and 1850 in Sussex County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Nickname: Sally

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 451
• Census: 1850, Southwark Parish, Surry Co., Virginia

Notes:

On July 23, 1855, John C. Rogers was granted administration of Mary Cornwall Booth's estate. and surity of $500 was posted by William M. West. He then married her daughter, Mary E. Booth on August 22, 1859. He returned warrant 155002. Mary Presson Cornwall Booth died July 2nd, 1855.

Sherrie Haskett is doing research research done by Sam Ferris and Charoltte Bain.

Census:
1850 United States Federal Census
about Beverly Rogers
Name:Beverly Rogers          
Age:10          
Birth Year:abt 1840          
Home in 1850:Southwark Parish, Surry, Virginia          
Gender:Male          
Family Number:247          
Household Members:NameAge               
John C Rogers 30               
Mary Rogers 27               
Beverly Rogers 10               
Catena T Rogers 8               
Mahala Rogers 5               
Mary Q Rogers 4               
John C Rogus 2               
Martha Presson 12               
Micajah Ramey 22               



Died:
Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917
about John C Rogers
Name:John C Rogers          
Birth Date:abt 1820          
Birth Place:Surry, Virginia          
Death Date:3 Nov 1884          
Death Place:Surry, Virginia          
Death Age:64          
Occupation:Farmer          
Race:White          
Marital Status:Married          
Gender:Male          
Father Name:Micajah Rogers          
Mother Name:Mary Rogers          
Spouse Name:Mary E. Rogers          
FHL Film Number:2048585          

John married BOOTH Mary Ellis on 9 Apr 1840 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. Mary (daughter of BOOTH Beverly and CORNWALL Mary Presson) was born on 20 Dec 1822 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died on 23 May 1898 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; was buried in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 450
• Alt. Birth: 20 Dec 1820
• Alt. Marriage: 22 Aug 1859

Notes:

John C. Rogers was granted administration of the estate of Mary's mother on July 23, 1855. She had died on July 2nd, 1855. He then married her daughter Mary Ellis Booth on Aug 22nd, 1859. Booth family bible circa 1800 shows her marriage as 4-9-1840, which would make her 18 yoa.

John C. Rogers was granted administration of the estate of Mary's mother on
July 23, 1855. She had died on July 2nd, 1855. He then married her daughter
Mary Ellis Booth on Aug 22nd, 1859 - Ref. Page 50 LDS Booth Genealogy- This must be an incorrect date, as the family Bible shows them married in 1840.


On July 23, 1855, John C. Rogers was granted administration of Mary Cornwall Booth's estate.
and surity of $500 was posted by William M. West. He returned warrant 155002.

Mary Presson Cornwall Booth died July 2nd, 1855.

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1740-1850
about John C. Rogers
Name:John C. Rogers          
Gender:Male          
Spouse Name:Mary E. Booth          
Spouse Gender:Female          
Marriage Date:23 Mar 1840          
County:Surry          
State:Virginia          

William married DAVIS Harriet A. on 26 Dec 1826. Harriet was born about 1811; died in Nov 1860 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]