Treasure Chest Thursday~ Photos of Julius and Walter Johns

One of my biggest treasure is a photo I have of my maternal Grandfather and Maternal Grandmother. 

Today’s treasure is the photo of my Maternal Grandfather Julius Johns and one of his brother Walter Joseph Johns.

Julius and Walter were the two oldest children of Joseph Henry Johns and Laura Driggers. They had a brother named Samuel, b. abt 1890 who only appears in one census – the 1920 Census for Marlboro County, South Carolina. ¹

Julius Johns

Julius Johns, b. 4 May 1887, died 16 May 1937, was hit by an automobile while walking home. He died in a hospital in Monroe, North Carolina. He was married to Mary Catherine ‘Mamie” Brock. ²

Walter Joseph Johns

Walter Joseph Johns, b. 2 Aug 1883, d. 30 January 1964, was the first born. Walter was married 3 times and had 11 children by the 1st and 3rd wife. His wives were 1) Arletha Quick, 2) Blanche Scott and 3) Ellen Grooms.³











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[1] 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #36, Page: 34B/95(stamped); Line 99, Dwelling 735, Family 736, Household of Joseph Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 January 2013); Memorial page for Julius Johns; (4 March 1887–16 May 1937); Find a Grave memorial # 78564265, Citing Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery; Brocks Mill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 January 2013); Memorial page for Walter Joseph Johns, Sr.; (2 August 1883–31 January 1964); Find a Grave memorial # 50786801, Citing Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery; Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[4] Walter Joseph Johns photo courtesy of Roxanne Hunter.

It’s Family Time~Who are the Parents of my Great Grandmother-Laura Driggers

For almost 40 years I have looked for the parents of my Great Grandmother Laura Driggers. Only two known clues exist to even prove that Laura ever existed and only family folklore exist that she is in fact my Great Grandmother.   

But, first some background. Sometime before 1860, my Great, Great Grandfather moved from Chesterfield County, SC to Russell County, Alabama where he and the family can be found in 1860. ¹


1860 CENSUS: Southern Division, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama Roll: M653_22; Page: 893; Image: 499; Family History Library Film: 803022; Line 7, Household 238/227. Shadrick JOHNS, 60, Male, Day Laborer, born in SC; Mary JOHNS, 44, Female, House Keeper, born in SC; Alice C. JOHNS, 16, Female, House Keeper, born in SC; Thomas H. JOHNS, 14, Male, born in SC; Henry J. JOHNS, 11, male, born in SC and Anna W. JOHNS, 6, female, born in SC.
 

You can see that the family consisted of 2 sons and two daughters. The oldest daughter Alice Catherine married Joel S. Toler in Bullock County, Alabama on 30 Sept 1869.  We next find Shadrach, Joseph Henry and two grandchildren, William Shadrac and Mary Toler in Marlboro county in 1880.^{2 3}

1880 CENSUS: Hebron Twsp., Marlboro County, South Carolina; T9_Roll: 1235; Family History Film: 1255235; Page: 460A; Enumeration District: 108; . Film #0448724, Soundex for 1880 SC Census, Film #1255235, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43. Shade JOHN, age 80, Shingle Getter, born in SC; Joseph JOHN, son, age 31, May TOLAR, grand daughter, age 10, born in SC and William TOLAR, grand son, age 7, born in SC. 

To this day, I still do not know what happened to Mary Boan Johns (Wife of Shadrach) Alice Catherine Johns Toler, Joel S. Toler, Thomas H. Johns and Anna W. Johns.
But back in Marlboro in 1880 we find Shadrach (aka Shade), Henry Joseph and the two grandchildren living beside Jeremiah Polston and his family. ⁴

1880 Hebron, Marlboro Co., SC

In the household of Jeremiah Polston is his granddaughter, Laura Driggers, age 10. This is one of the sources I mentioned in the beginning of this post. Yes, I know my Great Grandfather Joseph Henry is listed as age 31 in this census.

Family folklore says that Joseph Henry married Laura Driggers. It is believed that they were married about the time that Laura turned thirteen or about 1883. Over the next 15 years they would conceive 8 known children. Laura would not survived the birth of her eighth child, Mamie in July 1898 and ultimately the child did not survive.  Their children were: ⁵

• Walter Joseph, b. abt 1885
• Julius, b. Mar 1887 (My Grand Father)
• Annie Bell, b. May 1888
• Samuel, b. aby 1890
• Nellie, b. Jul 891
• Fanny Belle, b. Jul 1892
• Ida B., abt 1893
• Mamie, b. July 1898

The other known source that mentions the name Laura Driggers is the death certificate for her daughter – Nellie Johns Heustess. 












That’s it, Laura Driggers existences is only mention in two known documents:

• 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, ED #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN.
• Nellie Huestes, Chesterfield County, South Carolina death certificate 000520 (18 January 1928).⁶

Laura is not enumerated in the 1900 censuses and I can only surmise that she perished during or shortly after the birth of her daughter Mamie in July 1898. 

If you have some spare time, I challenge each and every one reading this blog post to take just a few minutes to look and see if they can find any additional information about Laura Driggers.








________________________________
[1] 1860 CENSUS: Southern Division, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama Roll: M653_22; Page: 893; Image: 499; Family History Library Film: 803022; Line 7, Household 238/227. Shadrick JOHNS, 60, Male, Day Laborer, born in SC; Mary JOHNS, 44, Female, House Keeper, born in SC; Alice C. JOHNS, 16, Female, House Keeper, born in SC; Thomas H. JOHNS, 14, Male, born in SC; Henry J. JOHNS, 11, male, born in SC and Anna W. JOHNS, 6, female, born in SC.
[2] Bullock County, Alabama, Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950, , Marriage of Joel S. Toler & Alice Catherine Johns, 30 September 1869; image, Latter Day Saints, Family Search (http://www.FamilySearch.com : viewed, download 23 May 2014).
[3] 1880 CENSUS: Hebron Twsp., Marlboro County, South Carolina; T9_Roll: 1235; Family History Film: 1255235; Page: 460A; Enumeration District: 108; . Film #0448724, Soundex for 1880 SC Census, Film #1255235, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43. Shade JOHN, age 80, Shingle Getter, born in SC; Joseph JOHN, son, age 31, May TOLAR, grand daughter, age 10, born in SC and William TOLAR, grand son, age 7, born in SC.
[4] Ibid.
[5] 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
[6] Nellie Huestes, death certificate 000520 (18 January 1928), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Thriller Thursday~Joseph Henry Johns

CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE
Mr. Johns, of McFarland Community, Shoots Himself -- Buried Yesterday
--Other McFarlan News.

McFarlan, April 10 - A horrible tragedy occurred this (Wednesday) morning when an old Confederate veteran, Mr Johns, committed suicide. He was 87 years of age and had been in ill health for some time. Mr. Johns was making his home with his son, Walter Johns of McFarlan. It seems that early in the morning after his sons had gone to work and the children were outside Mr. Johns took a shotgun and fired through his heart, death being instant. The deceased is survived by several children in Anson and Chesterfield counties.
The Johns family had been living in the McFarland section only since the first of the year. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, and interment was in Pleasant Grove cemetery, Chesterfield County, between Cheraw and Chesterfield.

Joseph Henry Johns is my Great Grandfather.

No proof has been found to shows that Joseph served in the Civil War. He was just barely 16 when the war ended; so I doubt that he served.

My Mother said that Joseph was a paraplegic and was only able to move around the house with two crutches to support him.

Joseph allegedly got up out of bed on the morning of 8 April 1929, walk over to the door way, lifted a shotgun off of two hangars above the door, return to his bed, laid down and shot himself.

Joseph Henry Johns was 80 years old. He was survived by four children, Walter Joseph, Julius, Fannie Belle and Ida B. Johns.  He was buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Chesterfield County, SC.





______________________
[1] CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE, The Messenger and Intellengence, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, 11 April 1929, Front page. Joseph Henry Johns.
[2]  Note: This obituary claimed that Joseph Henry Johns was a Confederate Veteran. No proof found to substantiate this claim of Civil War Service, his father -Shadrach- did serve in the Civil War with the Co. H, 24th Alabama Infantry. Joe was only 16 years old when the War ended, so I doubt that he served.

Census Sunday~ 38 Years, 2 Documents

 
Crowdsourcing, Wikipedia define crowdsourcing as:
“ the process of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, and especially from an online community,…” ¹

Today I’m asking you, my fellow genealogist and family historian, to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule, read the story I am about to present and then see if you can add to this story.

I have been researching my family for 38 years. The first 24 years I lived in Utah and had access to the LDS Family History Library which I visited frequently. Yet I haven’t made any progress on this story.

Family tradition and folklore says that my maternal 2^nd Great Grandmother is Laura Driggers. My mother also said she died very young from complication due to childbirth. My second Great Grandfather was Joseph Henry John/Johns. In 1880 Joseph Henry Johns also known as Joe Johns was single, age 31.

Joseph and his elderly father can be found in the 1880 Census for Marlboro County, South Carolina. ²



This same census is one of two documents that I have found that contains the name Laura Driggers. You can see that Laura is listed next door in the Household of her Grandfather Jeremiah Polston. She is a mere 10 years of age according to this census.

But, who are Laura Driggers parents? Her presence in the household of Jeremiah suggests that her Mother was a Polston, daughter of Jerimiah, and that her Father was a Driggers.
Joseph John/Johns married Laura Driggers, about 1882. Their first born a son, Walter Joseph Johns, Sr. was born 2 August 1883.

Joseph Henry Johns and Laura Driggers had the following children:
i. Walter Joseph Johns Sr., born 2 Aug 1883, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Arletha Quick, 2 Feb 1914, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Blanche Scott, 10 Aug 1927, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Ellen Grooms, 22 Aug 1933, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 31 Jan 1964, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ii. Julius Johns, born 4 Mar 1887, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Mary Catherine Brock, 16 Jun 1912, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 16 May 1937, Monroe, Union, North Carolina.
iii. Annie Bell Johns, born May 1888, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Robert Roller, abt 1914; married William Ellis Boan, abt 1919; died 22 Jul 1923, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
iv. Samuel Johns was born about 1890 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1920.
v. Nellie Johns, born Jul 1891, Marlboro County, South Carolina; married George Washington Heustess, Oct 1909; died 18 Jan 1928, Columbia, Richland, South Carolina.
vi. Fanny Belle Johns, born Jul 1892, Marlboro County, South Carolina; married Julius Jones, 12 Nov 1912, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina.
vii. Ida B Johns was born about 1893 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. She appeared in the census in 1900.
viii. Mamie Johns was born in Jul 1898 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. She died before 1910.

Laura (Driggers) Johns is not listed in the 1900 Census. This corresponds with family folklore that she died during or shortly after the birth of her daughter, Mamie Johns. A snapshot of the Census shows that Joseph married in 1882 and in 1900 he is listed as a widow with 6 children in the household. ³



Joseph Henry Johns never remarried and was partially paralyzed shortly before his death on 10 April 1929 in McFarland, Anson County, North Carolina.

Up until this point no document has been found that named Laura Driggers as the wife of Joseph Henry Johns. The only knowledge of the event is family folklore and only one document has been found that mentions Laura Driggers – the 1880 Marlboro County, South Carolina Census.

Child Name	Death date	Father Name	Mother Name
Walter Joseph	31 Jan 1964	Certificate Restricted	(not released by state)
Julius	16 May 1937	Joe John	Not Known
Annie Bell	22 July 1923	Joseph John	Blank
Samuel**
Nellie	18 January 1928	Joe Johns	Laura Driggers
Fannie
Mamie	Bef 1910

· ** Samuel only found in one Census the 1920 census for Marlboro County, SC



Laura (Driggers) Johns, age 28/29, is believed to have died at or shortly after the birth of her daughter, Mamie in 1898. Her absence from the 1900 Marlboro County census and family folklore substantiate this thought process. Only two documents (1880 Census, SC death certificate of daughter Nellie (Johns) Heustes) have been found that substantiate her existence. ⁴

If you have any data about Laura Driggers (1869/70-1898), granddaughter of Jeremiah Polston, please contact me through this blog.

If you have some spare time, take a look for Laura, maybe the “Genealogy Genie” will look favorable of your adventure and we can add some additional facts to timeline of Laura (Driggers) Johns.
 
 










_______________________
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdsourcing
[2] 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.
[3] 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
[4] Nellie Huestes, death certificate 000520 (18 January 1928), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

52 Ancestors: #27, Joseph Henry Johns

 

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”
 
Today’s blog posting today is about my Great Grandfather Joseph Henry Johns. 

Joseph Henry Johns was the youngest son of Shadrach Johns and his wife Mary Boan/Bone. He was born in April 1849, Chesterfield County, and first appeared in the 1850 census for Chesterfield County.¹ 

By 1860 his family had migrated to Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama where his father Shadrach obtained a job as a “shingle getter”.² This must have been quite an adventure for a young lad not yet 10 years of age. 

Joseph Henry had 3 siblings, an older brother Thomas, an older sister, Alice Catherine “Katie” and a younger sister Anna W. Johns. 

On August 12, 1862, Shadrack John was conscripted into Company “H”, 24th Reg’t Alabama.  He was 62 years of age. ³

At some point after August 1862 and before September 1864  Shadrack moved his family to Washington County, Florida.In Florida, Shadrack was again conscripted into the Florida Home Guard.⁴  

On 27 September 1864, Shadrack, age 64, was captured at Captured at Hard Labor Creek, Vernon, FL and imprisoned at Elmira, NY.⁵

It is not known how Mary and the 4 children survived during this time but I am sure a large burden was placed on the oldest son, Thomas H., age 17 and his brother Joseph Henry, age 15.
Shadrack is released from Elmira , by taking an “Oath of Allegiance” on May 29th, 1865. He returned to Washington County, Florida. Then on 3 December 1866, the family appeared in Chesterfield County to sell off eight  acres of land, part of an inheritance from the Boan/Bone side of the family (BD 6: 177 and DB 5: 598-599). ^{6 7 8}

The next event in young Joseph life was the marriage of his older sister Alice Catherine in In September 1869 to Joel S. Toler in Bulloch County, Alabama.⁹
 
Then the entire family dropped off the “face of this earth” until 1880 when Shadrack, age 80 and Joseph Henry, age 31 appears in the 1880 Census of Marlboro County, South Carolina. Also in the Household is two young grandchildren, Mary Toler, age 10 and William Shadrac Toler, age 8.¹⁰
The absence of wife Mary Boan Johns, Alice Catherine Johns Toloer, Thomas H. Johns, Anna W. Johns and Joel S. Toler, son-in-law, is still a big mystery today with no reference of them after the 1866 Land deed except for Catherine and Joel in 1869 at their marriage. 

About 1882 Joseph Henry, now age 33, married Laura Driggers, age 13, the grand daughter of Jeremiah Polson. 

Joseph and Laura would have 8 children 3 sons and 5 daughter, between 1883 and 1898 when she (Laura) died from complication in the birth of her daughter Mamie Johns. Laura was a young lady, age 29, at her death. 

Joseph Henry Johns died 8 April 1929, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while living with his oldest son Walter Joseph Johns in McFarland, Anson County, North Carolina. IN his latter years he was bed-ridden and was unable to walk unless supported by double crutches. Yet, he is said to have taken a shotgun from over the bed room door and killed himself. He was 80 years of age. ¹¹


His Obituary entitled “CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE
Mr. Johns, of McFarland Community, Shoots Himself -- Buried Yesterday
--Other McFarlan News” was published in The Messenger-Intelligence, Wadesboro, NC, 11 April 1929. ¹²

There is no evidence that he served in the Civil War. He was a mere lad of 15 when the war ended in April 1865.He was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. No tombstone marks his grave.   

_______________________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Russell County, Alabama, population schedule, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 893, Line 7, dwelling 238, family 227, Household of Shadrick Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_22.
[3] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 23 January 2013), entry for Shadrack JOHN, Private; Co. H, 24th Alabama Infantry; Confederate.
[4] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 23 January 2013), entry for Shadrick Johns, Private; Capt. Parson's Company; Confederate.
[5] http://www.fold3.com/image/20/127927662/
[6] http://www.fold3.com/image/20/127927675/
[7] Land Deed - S. Johns & Others to Alice Goodwin Deed; 3 December 1866; Deed Book #6; Page(s) 177; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; 1999.
[8] Land Deed - Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed; 3 December 1866; Deed Book #5; Page(s) 598 & 599; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; 1999.
[9] "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-9834-45374-94?cc=1743384 : accessed 02 Apr 2014), 1954390 (004539872) > image 321 of 1140.
[10] 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.
[11] Joseph Johns, death certificate #1929 (1929), Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
[12] CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE, The Messenger and Intellengence, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, 11 April 1929, Front page. Joseph Henry Johns.

Surname Saturday~Driggers

Laura Driggers Johns is my Great Grandmother.
 
After thirty-five plus years of research today’s posting is meager because little evidence has been found to document her life.

My Great Grandfather, Joseph Henry Johns, was born April 1849 and died 8 April 1929. He was the son of Shadrach Johns and Mary Boan. ^{1 2}

Joseph Henry married between the 1880-1900 censuses and his wife passed away during that time. The exact date of Joseph marriage is unknown but what we do know is that his first born was a son named Walter Joseph, born 2 Aug 1883. This date is from the 1900 census and there is conflict over Walter Joseph’s birthdate. 

BIRTH NOTE CONFLICT: 1900 Census shows Walter John born August 1883. Social Security Form 5 shows Walter Johns date of birth as 2 August 1878. He died in Jan 1964. Draft Registration Card shows DOB as 2 Aug 1878. Film #1852503. Tombstone shows birth year of 1899. Social Security Death Index shows a birth as 2 Aug 1895.(You can see that Joseph Henry was not married until after 1880, so we know the 1878 birth date is bogus.)

Great Uncle Walter lived until 31 Jan. 1964. His obituary has no mention of his parents. His South  Carolina Death Certificate should become available this year.³ 
 
Family folklore maintains that Joseph Henry wife name was Laura Driggers. South Carolina Death certificate #000520 for Nellie Johns Huestes shows her parent as Joe Johns and Laura Driggers. ⁴

The only Laura Driggers I have found is a 10 year old living with her grandfather Jeremiah Polson/Polston in the 1880 Census. Next door is Joseph Johns. ⁵



Family Finder on FTDNA says that my DNA match with another descendant of Jeremiah Polston through his grandson Jesse Allen Polston and that we are 2nd to 4th Cousin. My match on FTDNA also has “Driggers” connection.⁶

Joseph (Joe) and Laura has 8 children between the early 1880’s and July 1898, when their youngest daughter, Mamie was born. Laura is not listed in the 1900 census; Mamie is listed but is gone by 1910. It looks as if Laura did not survive the birth of her daughter and that her daughter Mamie also perished before the 1910 census was enumerated.

After the loss of Laura, Joseph remained single and his NC death certificate shows that he took his own life on 8 April 1929 in McFarland, Anson County, North Carolina. ⁷

In summary here is what I know about Laura Driggers.

• She was listed as age 10 in the 1880 census.
• She is the Grand daughter of Jeremiah Polston. Jeremiah had at least 3 wives and 23 children; 11 sons and 12 daughters. One of those 12 daughters is the Mother of Laura Driggers  for her to be Jeremiah Polston grand daughter.
• She married Joseph Henry Johns most likely before Aug 1883.
• She had 8 known children; five (5) survived to adulthood.
• She died before 1900 most likely due to complications with the birth of her daughter Mamie in July 1898.
• Her parents have not been identified, as of today.

__________________________
[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] North Carolina, death # #1929 (8 April 1929), Joseph Johns; http://www.Ancestry.com, Anson County, North Carolina.
[3] South Carolina Death certificates become public records fifty years after  death.<http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/South_Carolina_Deaths,_1915-1943_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29>
[4] Nellie Huestes, death certificate 000520 (18 January 1928), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[5] 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.
[6] https://www.familytreedna.com/family-finder-compare.aspx
[7] North Carolina, death # #1929 (8 April 1929), Joseph Johns; http://www.Ancestry.com, Anson County, North Carolina.

Mystery Monday~The Wife of Joseph Henry Johns

Joseph Henry Johns is my Great Grandfather. He was born in April 1949 and died 8 April 1929 in McFarlan, Anson County, North Carolina.^{1 2} In 1882 Joseph Henry Johns was married.³ Available records in Marlboro and Chesterfield County, South Carolina and  and Anson County, North Carolina indicates that he and his wife were the parents of eight children; 5 daughters and 3 sons.

Those children in order of birth are:
i. Walter Joseph Johns Sr., born 2 Aug 1883, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Arletha Quick, 2 Feb 1914, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Blanche Scott, 10 Aug 1927, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Ellen Grooms, 22 Aug 1933, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 31 Jan 1964, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ii. Julius Johns, born 4 Mar 1887, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Mary Catherine Brock, 16 Jun 1912, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 16 May 1937, Monroe, Union, North Carolina.
iii. Annie Bell Johns, born May 1888, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Robert Roller, abt 1914; married William Ellis Boan, abt 1919; died 22 Jul 1923, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
iv. Samuel Johns was born about 1890 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1920.⁴
v. Nellie Johns, born Jul 1891, Marlboro County, South Carolina; married George Washington Heustess, Oct 1909; died 18 Jan 1928, Columbia, Richland, South Carolina.
vi. Fanny Belle Johns, born Jul 1892, Marlboro County, South Carolina; married Julius Jones, 12 Nov 1912, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina.
vii. Ida B Johns was born about 1893 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. She appeared in the census in 1900. ¹³
viii. Mamie Johns was born in Jul 1898 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. ¹⁴ She died before 1910 at the age of 12 or less.

 

We can see from the above matrix that we had death dates for 4 of the eight known children. Only three of the 4 death certificate were available for reviews. Only one death certificate contained the name of the mother; the death certificate for daughter Nellie Johns Heustess.⁵
Obituaries has been found for Walter Joseph and Joseph Henry but contained no information on the names of their parents within the obituary.^{6 7}

No death dates has been found for:
Samuel Johns
Fanny Belle Johns
Ida B. Johns
Mamie Johns

So we have one document that says that the wife of Joseph Henry Johns was/is Laura Driggers. Based on the 1900 census, it looks as if the mother of the family perished with the birth of Mamie John in 1899.⁸ 



Joseph states that he is a Widower and had been married 18 years having married in the year 1882.



If we go back to the 1880 census we find that there is a Laura Driggers enumerated next door to the family of Shadrach and Joseph John but the girl is only a child and Joseph Henry John/Johns is a mature man. Did he marry this child? ⁹



I have still have many unanswered questions on exactly who was the wife of Joseph Henry Johns, my great grandfather. This is a great mystery; if you have any suggestions or recommendations I readily welcome them.





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[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] North Carolina, death # #1929 (8 April 1929), Joseph Johns; http://www.Ancestry.com, Anson County, North Carolina.
[3] 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
[4] 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #36, page 95B, Line 99, dwelling 735, Household 736, Household of Joseph Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
[5] Nellie Huestes, death certificate 000520 (18 January 1928), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[6] Walter Johns obituary, The State, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 31 January 1964, page 3-C.
[7] FATAL HIGHWAY ACCIDENT - Julius Johns obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, South Carolina, 20 May 1937.
[8] 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
[9] 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Joseph Henry Johns

 
It's Treasure Chest Thursday and today’s treasure is the death certificate for my Great Grandfather Joe Johns who died 8 April 1929 in Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina. 

My Great Grand Father Joseph Henry Johns¹ was born in Apr 1849 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.^{2 3 4 5 6 7 8} He died  from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on 8 Apr 1929 at the age of 80 in McFarlan, Anson, North Carolina.⁹ He was buried on 10 Apr 1929 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{10 11}

Circumstantial evidence indicates that Joseph Henry Johns married Laura Driggers, about 1882. She died about 1898 at the age of 29 due to complication related to childbirth.

Joseph Henry Johns and Laura Driggers had the following children:

i. Walter Joseph Johns Sr., born 2 Aug 1883, died 31 Jan 1964, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ii. Julius Johns, born 4 Mar 1887, died 16 May 1937, Monroe, Union, North Carolina.
iii. Annie Bell Johns, born May 1888, died 22 Jul 1923, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
iv. Samuel Johns was born about 1890.¹²
v. Nellie Johns, born Jul 1891, died 18 Jan 1928, Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, United States.
vi. Fanny Belle Johns, born Jul 1892.
vii. Ida B John was born about 1893. ¹³
viii. Mamie John was born in Jul 1898;¹⁴ she died before 1910. 

It is not known why; but, the information on this death was given by a non-family informant. R. E. Lee Northcutt was the informant and it’s obvious he didn’t have any knowledge of my great grandfather’s vital statistics.

The death certificate shows cause of death as gunshot wound of thorax, and external and internal hemorrhages. 

CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE
Mr. Johns, of McFarland Community, Shoots Himself -- Buried Yesterday
--Other McFarlan News.
McFarlan, April 10 - A horrible tragedy occurred this (Wednesday) morning
when an old Confederate veteran, Mr Johns, committed suicide. He was 87 years of age and had been in ill health for some time. Mr. Johns was making his home with his son, Walter Johns of McFarlan. It seems that early in the morning after his sons had gone to work and the children were outside Mr.
Johns took a shotgun and fired through his heart, death being instant. The deceased is survived by several children in Anson and Chesterfield counties.
The Johns family had been living in the McFarland section only since the first of the year. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, and interment was in Pleasant Grove cemetery, Chesterfield County, between Cheraw and Chesterfield.

Article on JOSEPH HENRY JOHNS death on 8 April 1929 states that he was a CIVIL WAR VETERAN. [Note: No proof found to substantiate this claim of Civil War Service, his father -Shadrach- did serve in the Civil War with the Co. H, 24th Alabama Infantry. Joe was only 16 years old when the War ended, so I doubt that he served.] The Messenger-Intelligence, Wadesboro, NC, 11 April 1929.





______________________
1. , The Messenger and Intellengence, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, .
2. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
3. Ibid.
4. 1860 U. S. Census, Russell County, Alabama, population schedule, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 893, Line 7, dwelling 238, family 227, Household of Shadrick Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_22.
5. 1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.
6. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
7. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Courthouse, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0037, page 149, dwelling 400, family 400, Household of Joe John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
8. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #36, page 95B, Line 99, dwelling 735, Household 736, Household of Joseph Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
9. Joseph Johns, death certificate #1929 (1929), Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
10. Ibid.
11. The Messenger and Intellengence, 11 April 1929.
12. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED #36, page 95B, Line 99, dwelling 735, Household 736, Household of Joseph Johns.
13. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Courthouse, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED #0037, page 149, dwelling 400, family 400, Household of Joe John.
14. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, ED 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John.

Surname Saturday–No Paper Trail, No Leads

Joseph Henry Johns is my 2nd  Great Grandfather. Of all the extended families I have research, this family has been the most problematic; especially for what is almost modern day family.

The first problem I encounter was  - Who was Joseph Henry Johns wife? And to tell the truth, I still am not fully convinced that I know the correct answer. In 1880 census, Marlboro County, SC, Joseph Henry is with his father, unmarried, age 31.[1]

   

In 1900, Joseph Henry is a widower with 6 children.[2] His wife most likely died during childbirth in July 1898. A young daughter, Mamie, is in the household in 1900 born,  July 1898. 

By 1910, Mamie is missing from the household and is presumed to have passed away. Remaining in the household are  Ida, Fanny and Walter.

Julius, Annie Bell and Nellie have moved out of the household and have married or are about to be married.  Samuel, born 1890, is a total mystery until he shows up in 1920 census and then disappears again.

Joseph Henry Johns was born in Apr 1849 in Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.[3][4] He appeared in the census in 1900 in Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.[5] He appeared in the census in 1910 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States.[6] Joseph appeared in the census in 1920 in Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States.[7] He died on 8 Apr 1929 at the age of 80 in McFarlan, Anson County, North Carolina.[8–9] He was buried on 10 Apr 1929 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States.

Joseph Henry Johns and Laura Driggers were married about 1882. Laura Driggers was born about 1869 in Marlboro, South Carolina, United States. She died about 1898 at the age of 29.

Joseph Henry Johns and Laura Driggers had the following children:

i. Walter Joseph Johns Sr., born 2 Aug 1883, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Arletha Quick, abt 1913; married Blanche Scott, 10 Aug 1927, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Ellen Grooms, 22 Aug 1933, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 31 Jan 1964, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

ii. Julius Johns, born 4 Mar 1887, Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Mary Catherine Brock, 16 Jun 1912, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died 16 May 1937, Monroe, Union, North Carolina.

iii. Annie Bell Johns, born May 1888, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Robert Roller, abt 1914; married Will Ellis Boan, abt 1919; died 22 Jul 1923, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

iv. Samuel Johns was born about 1890 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1920.[10] 

v. Nellie Johns, born Jul 1891, ,Marlboro Co.,South Carolina; married George Washington Heustess, Oct 1909; died 18 Jan 1928, Columbia, Richland, South Carolina.

vi. Fanny Belle Johns, born Jul 1892, Marlboro Co.,South Carolina; married John T. Jones.

vii. Ida B. John was born about 1893 in ,Marlboro Co.,South Carolina.[11]

viii. Mamie John was born in Jul 1898 in ,Marlboro Co.,South Carolina.[12]

Now, let's look at data found for Joseph and his children:

Joseph Henry Johns, My Great Grandfather. He was said to have been paralyzed in his old age; yet, his obit & NC Death Certificate says he killed himself with a shotgun. Died April 8, 1929 in Anson County, North Carolina. His NC Death Certificate has "not known" listed for both parents. NC Death Certificate shows he was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Cheraw, SC. No tombstone.

Laura Driggers, my Great Grandmother?,  listed as a 10 year in 1880 with her Grandfather Jeremiah Polson or Polston.

Walter Joseph Johns, my great Uncle, married 3 times.  I knew him vaguely, most of that time he was crippled and bed-ridden. Died 31 Jan 1964, SC will not released death record until 2016. Buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Cheraw, South Carolina.

Julius Johns, My Grandfather, died 16 May 1937, 5 years before I was born. His NC Death Certificate lists his Father as Joe Johns, Mother "not known". Buried at Zoar United Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina  

Annie Bell Johns Boan, my Great Aunt, died 22 Jul 1923; SC death certificate shows father as Joseph Johns, No mother listed.

Samuel Johns, b. about 1890, only record is 1930 census listed as son; living with Joseph Johns. Never knew nor met him. Was Samuel really a son of Joseph Johns and Laura Driggers???

Nellie Johns, my Great Aunt, married George Washington Heustess, died 18 Jan 1928. Buried at Bethesda cemetery. Her SC death certificate says her Father was Joe Johns and Mother was Laura Driggers.

Fanny Belle Johns, my Great Aunt, married  John T. Jones. Unable to find after 1920 census. Eight known children, no record for them found.

Ida Belle Johns, my Great Aunt, born 1893; no further info found.

Mamie Johns, my Great Aunt, born, July 1898, presumed to have died at a young age before 1910.

This family is a real puzzle.  There just does not seem to be any paper trail for these people, not even a crumb of a lead.

Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed. 

<sup>______________________
1.  1880 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #108, page 460A, Line 22, Dwelling # 43, Family #43, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_1235.
2. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1536.</sup>
3. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
4. 1860 U. S. Census, Russell County, Alabama, population schedule, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 893, Line 7, dwelling 238, family 227, Household of Shadrick Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_22.
5. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 87, page 55A, dwelling 365, family 383, Household of Joseph John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
6. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Courthouse, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0037, page 149, dwelling 400, family 400, Household of Joe John; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
7. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #36, page 95B, Line 99, dwelling 735, Household 736, Household of Joseph Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
8. Joseph Johns, death certificate #1929 (1929), Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
9. CONFEDERATE VETERAN COMMITS SUICIDE, The Messenger and Intelligence, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, 11 April 1929, Front page. Joseph Henry Johns
10. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED #36, page 95B, Line 99, dwelling 735, Household 736, Household of Joseph Johns.
11. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Courthouse, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED #0037, page 149, dwelling 400, family 400, Household of Joe John.
12. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina.