The Capture of Shadrach Johns

Sometime between 1854 and June 1860 Shadrach Johns, my 2nd Great Grandfather packed up his family in Chesterfield County, SC and moved to Russell County, Alabama.


In the 1850 Census for Chesterfield County, the family composition consisted of the parents and 4 children. 

The 1860 Census for Russell County shows the family with one additional daughter that was born in 1854 in South Carolina. So we know that Shadrach and Mary Boan Johns left Chesterfield after the birth of their daughter Anna W. Johns in 1854.

In 1860, Shadrach was 60 years old and working as a day laborer. We know in the following year that our nation would enter into a Civil War. Shadrach is now 61. His son Thomas H. b. about 1847 and Joseph Henry, b. about Apr 1849 are too young to fight thus was spared from serving in the War.


Shadrach was not so lucky. On 12 August 1862 Shadrach John/Johns was conscripted into service as a Private with Company “K”, 24th Reg’t Alabama Infantry. 

In Nov 1862, 4 months later, the Southern Army claims that Shadrach had been a deserter for eight months.

I cannot tell from the Alabama records when or if Shadrach was discharged from Company “K”, 24th Alabama or if he just left the state but by September 1864 he is in Washington County, Florida where he is again conscripted into Capt. Parson's Company (FLA), Home Guard. This turned out to be another misfortune for Shadrach Johns.


On September 27, 1864, this contingency of Home Guard would be dispatched to face Federal Troops in what became known as the Battle of Vernon in Washington County, Florida.
  

The ensuing battle at Hard Labor Creek resulted in disastrous results with causalities, wounded and many Confederates being taken prisoners by the Federal Army.


Dale Cox, a Florida Civil War Historian and Author, has done an excellent piece on this battle; one of which can be found here.



Dale’s original article is no longer available online; but, in that article, he made the following statements: 

“[quote]…On our way to Marianna we met a company of Federals, near Hard Labor Creek, and Jones company was captured and taken to Ship Island Prison. I made my escape on horseback and outran them. I was pursued all the way back to Vernon and shot at many times but escaped without injury.


In either the initial melee or the running fight that followed, Captain Jones and ten of his men were captured. Four of these men, Andrew and James Gable of the 6th Florida Infantry and H.R. and B.A. Walker of the 1st Florida Reorganized Infantry, were Confederate regulars home on leave who volunteered to fight with the home guards. Also captured were Enoch Johns, Shadrick Johns, John Nelson, Cary Taylor, Freeman Irwin and Nathaniel Miller. Irwin had represented Washington County at Florida’s secession convention in 1861 and Taylor was a former Washington County sheriff.” [Dale Cox]


“The stories of the prisoners tare quite tragic. Carried away by the Union troops, they were shipped to prison camps first at New Orleans and then Ship Island, Mississippi, before finally reaching the disease-ridden compound at Elmira, New York. Cary Taylor and Enoch Johns died there of small pox on December 27, 1864, less than two months after the Battle of Vernon.

Shadrick Johns and Cary Taylor tried to secure their freedom by offering to swear oaths of allegiance to the United States government. They both said they had been “conscripted, ordered out by the Governor to resist a raiding party, and had been captured the same day.” Although they were seriously ill and over 50 years old, their request was denied and both men remained at Elmira until the end of the war.” [From The Battle of Vernon, Florida by Dale Cox] [unquote]

After his capture, Shadrach Johns was sent from Ship Island, Miss to New York on November 5, 1864 by Capt. M. R. Marston; Imprisoned at Elmira, NY; He was released from Elmira on 29 May 1865. 

While at Elmira he attempted to gain his release by taking the “Oath of Allegiance.” In his statement, he said “was ordered out by the Governor to resist a Union raiding party. Is a Union man and is over 60 years of age, and was captured the same day that he was ordered out. Desires to go to Pensacola, Fla.”
“http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|127927670


Shadrach Johns was released on 29 May 1865; the War had been over since 9  April 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate troops to the Union's Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.


I don’t know how Shadrach traveled from New York back to Florida but I do know he returned to his family in Washington County, Florida. Two Chesterfield, SC land deeds are on file whereby Shadrach, his wife Mary, and the entire family signed and sold 8 acres of land. In those deeds they state that “Know all men by these presents, that we, SHADRACH JOHNS and MARY JOHNS of the county of Washington and State of Florida,” verifying their home of record.


After the signing of these two deeds, tragedy struck the family and we next find Shadrach Johns in the 1880 Census for Marlboro County, South Carolina.  Shadrach made it back to South Carolina with one of his sons and two grandchildren. What happened to the remainder of his family, Wife, son, two daughters, and son-in-law is unknown.








___________________________________
[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 (https://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 (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 23 January 2013), entry for Shadrick Johns, Private; Capt. Parson's Company; Confederate.
[5] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 20 August 2011), entry for Shadrack JOHNS, Private; Captain W. B. Jones Florida Home Guard; Confederate.
[6] Link no longer active - http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/wchs13.html
[7] Release from Prison - Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 23 January 2013), entry for Shadrick Johns, Private; Florida Home Guard; Confederate.
[8] Land Deed - S. Johns & Others to Alice Goodwin Deed; 3 December 1866; Deed Book #6; Page(s) 177; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 1999.
[9] 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, SC; 1999.
[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.

Amanuensis Monday~1866 Land Deed~Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.


His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.


Today’s subject is a 1866 Land Deed~Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin.¹

Back in 1976 when I first started my genealogical journey I found out that my 3rd Great Grandfather was married to a lady with the given name Mary and whose last name was unknown. At this point in my journey I had concentrated on Census and other readily available resources. My knowledge of these resources were very limited at this time.

There was no internet and networking was done by US Mail or telephone calls and of course there were no cell phones. However there were some “Car” phones. If you don’t know what a car phone is just google the phrase - car phone.

Mary was an obscure entity back in 1976 and remains an obscure entity today. Thanks to networking and an introduction to a genealogist who became a dear friend until her death I now know that Mary [LNU] is Mary Boan. My new found friend, Marie Gulledge Wiggins, sent me to the Chesterfield Courthouse to procure a copy of this Land Deed (Chesterfield County SC Deed Book 5, page 598-599 and also Deed Book 6, page 177).

Little did I know then, back in the 1970’s, this land deed would become the last known document to name most of the Shadrach and Mary Boan Johns family. No record of Mary, most of her children and Son-in-law has been found after the date of this deed, 3 Dec. 1866. 




Transcription:

Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed
State of South Carolina
Know all men by these presents, that we, SHADRACH JOHNS and MARY JOHNS of the county of Washington and State of Florida, and JAMES EDDINGS, ANN EDDINGS, and REBECCA BONE of the District of Chesterfield, and State of South Carolina, have in consequence of ninety dollars to us in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged paid by WILLIAM T. GOODWIN of the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN all that parcel or tract of land, containing eight acres, more or less, being a part of a tract of land purchased by MARY BONE deceased of A. P. LaCOSTE deceased together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances, to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining; to have and to hold, all and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns forever; and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to warrant and forever defend, all and singular the said premises unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns, against ourselves and heirs, and all persons whatsoever lawfully claiming, or to claim the same or any part thereof Witness our hands and seals this the third day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and in the Ninety-First year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed, Sealed and delivered                        Aner X Johns
in the presence of E. Rushing                       A. C. Toler
in the presence of R. C. Goodwin                James X Eddings
W. N. Eddings                                               Rebecca x Boan
F. T. Eddings                                                 Ann Eddings
                                                                     Wm T. Goodwin
                                                                     Alice Goodwin
                                                                     H. J. x Johns

U. S. stamps amounting to

Fifty Cents properly canceled

 
State of South Carolina
County of Chesterfield
Personally appeared R. C. GOODWIN who made oath that he was present and saw JAMES EDDINGS REBECCA BOAN ANN EDDINGS and ALICE GOODWIN sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within instrument of writing and that defendant with E. RUSHING attested the execution thereof.
                                                            R. C. GOODWIN
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. A D 1879}
A. A. Pollock}
Notary Public}
 
State of South Carolina
County of Chesterfield
Personally appeared before me F. T. EDDINGS and being duly sworn says on oath that he saw the within named ANN JOHNS A.C. JOHNS and JOSEPH JOHNS sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within written Deed and that he with WILLIAM M. EDDINGS witnessed the execution thereof.
                                                                        F. T. EDDINGS
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. AD 1879 }
A. A. Pollock }
Notary Public }
Recorded 12th Sept. 1879

Orig'l deliv'd to W. T. Goodwin

 

 

______________

[1] DEED: Chesterfield County South Carolina Land Deed between Jas. Eddings & Others recorded in Book 5, Pages 598-599.

It’s Family Time~Alice Catherine Johns and Joel S. Toler

Sometime between 1850 and 1860 my 2nd Great Grandfather Shadrach Johns moved his family from Chesterfield County, South Carolina  to Russell County, Alabama.¹  

While there in September 1869 their oldest daughter Alice Catherine ‘Katie’ Johns met and married a young man by the name of Joel S. Toler. The marriage license below indicates that they were married on 30 September 1869 in Bullock County, Alabama. ²

 

Joel S. Toler and Alice Catherine ‘Katie’ Johns had the following children:
 
i. Mary Toler, born 2 Jun 1871, Silver Run, Russell, Alabama; married Jack Jones, abt 1891; married Malcolm Barfield, aft 1900, Marlboro County, South Carolina; died 12 May 1955, McColl, Marlboro County, South Carolina.
ii. William Shadrac Toler, born 5 Apr 1874, Seal Station, Russell, Alabama; married Margaret Alice Linton, 27 Dec 1896, SC; died 19 Jun 1955, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
 
Nothing more is known about Katie and Joel until their two children are found with their Grandfather and Uncle Henry Joseph Johns in the 1880 census for Marlboro County. ³





No additional records have been found for either Joel or Katie after their marriage and the birth of their two children. Nor have I found any record of Katie's Mother Mary Boan Johns, her sister Anna or brother Thomas Johns.
 
Katie Johns and her husband Joel S. Toler are my Great Grand Aunt and Uncle.

______________________________
[1]\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.
[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 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.

DNA and Other Evidence Suggests a Relationship Between Mary Boan Johns, Charles Wesley Boan and John Lewis Percy Boan

 
For many years I struggled with the identity of my maternal 2^nd Great Grandmother. All I knew about her came from the 1850 Chesterfield County Census. That information was that:

• Her name was Mary and she was born about 1815 in South Carolina
• She married my 2nd Great Grandfather - Shadrach John/Johns
• They had 4 children; 2 sons and 2 daughters
• One of those sons (Joseph Henry) was my Great Grandfather

Then my friend and fellow researcher Marie Gulledge Wiggins told me about two land deeds in the Register of Deeds Office at Chesterfield, South Carolina these two deeds were:

• DB 5, Page 598-599 -- Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed
• DB 6, page 177 -- S. Johns & Others to Alice Goodwin Deed
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/03/amanuensis-monday-land-deed-db-6177.html

These two land deeds were very insignificant in that they were transferring a small plot of land, 8 acres, from Shadrach and Mary to the Eddings and Goodwin families. These 8 acres were estate lands of Mary Boan/Bone, deceased; some say Mary Therrell Boan, mother of:
 
Ann Bone Eddings, wife of John Ellis Eddings, Sr.
Rebecca Bone,
Mary Bone Johns, Wife of Shadrach Johns
Effy Bone Goodwin, Wife of William Thomas Goodwin

On the other hand the parties’ names within the two deeds were very significant.
First, the land deed was dated 6 December 1866 and stated that the Shadrach Johns family was of Washington County, Florida. Three of the four children of Shadrach and Mary were named along with a son-in-law, Joel Toler, husband of Alice Catherine Johns Toler, H. J. Johns; not named is Thomas H. Johns, son of Shadrach and Mary and he is presumed deceased.
 
Other parties named within these two deeds were: 
 
James Eddings, Ann Eddings, W. H. Eddings, F. T. Eddings, Rebecca Bone, Alice Goodwin, Mary Boan/Bone, deceased, Effy Goodwin, William T. Goodwin
Witness were E. Rushing, James Grant, 
 
So all parties are either daughters of Mary Bone, deceased; her Son-in-laws, grandchildren, or witnesses to the land deed transaction. 
 
For a while this line has remained static with no additional leads to push forward; that is until DNA became popular within the past few years. Over three years ago, I tested with FTDNA, then Later with 23and me and finally with Ancestry. 
 
Now with DNA, we have additional evidence of Mary Boan/Bone Johns ancestry and connections to the Boan/Bone of Chesterfield County. I believe that Mary Bone is a daughter of Archibald Boan thus making her a sister to Charles Wesley Boan and John Lewis Percy Boan or she and they are 1^st cousins.
 
First, we have the proven DNA connection to Charles Wesley Boan

My line on the left and Charles Wesley on the right; I have 7.1 centimorgans shared across 1 DNA segments with this researcher and Charles Wesley Boan descendant. 
 
Next we have the DNA Connection to John Lewis Percy Boan.

My line on the left and John L. Percy on the right; I have 10.7 centimorgans shared across 2 DNA segments with this researcher and John L. P. Boan descendant. 
 

With another John L. P. descendant I share 61 centimorgans across 6 DNA segments.
 
The DNA and land deed evidence all proved that Shadrach Johns wife Mary was/is a Boan descendant related to John Lewis Percy and Charles Wesley Boan, sons of Archibald A. Boan and his wife Mary Walton.
 
 
 








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[1] Ancestry.com DNA = A244596
[2] Family Tree DNA = F205903
[3] 23andMe = M141800
[4] GEDMatch.com

52 Ancestors: #36, Mary Toler Barfield

 

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.”

The focus of today’s blog posting is Mary Toler Barfield.  

Mary Toler¹ was born on 2 Jun 1871 in Russell County, Alabama.^{2 3} She appeared in the 1880, 1900-1920 census for Marlboro and Dillon County, South Carolina.^{4 5 6} I have not found her in the 1930 and 1940 censuses.

She died on 12 May 1955 at the age of 83 and was buried at Beaverdam Cemetery in McColl, Marlboro County,, South Carolina.^{7 8}
 
The 1900 census shows that she was single in 1900; yet, her daughter Dora was born in 1897 and in 1910 she stated that she and Malcolm Barfield had been married 19 years with 1 child, living.
In 1920 she states that her Father was born in Ireland and her Mother was born in England. However, she is not to be faulted for all this confusion. She was raised by her 73-80+ grandfather and a 30+ uncle. Sometime after her brother (William Shadrac) birth on 5 April 1874, her Father, Mother, grandmother, an uncle and aunt perish. By the time she became a teenager, only one man, her Uncle Joseph Henry Johns (my Great Grandfather) was the only person alive that knew the story of what happens to this family in Russell County, Alabama or Washington County, Florida.



During my search for this family I was told that Mary was twice married; first to Jack Jones and then to Malcolm Barfield. I have found no proof of a marriage to Jack Jones.

Mary Toler and Malcolm Barfield were married (date unknown) in South Carolina. Malcolm Barfield, son of William Barfield and Catherine, was born about 1864 in Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1900 in Adamsville, Marlboro, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Harleesville, Dillon, South Carolina.⁹ Malcolm is believed to have died between 1910/1920. In 1920, Mary is living with her daughter and says that she is a widow.  

I have not found Mary in either the 1930 or the 1940 censuses.

Malcolm Barfield and Mary Toler had the following child:
 
i. Dora Barfield, born 4 Jul 1897, Marlboro, South Carolina; married Cordie Marvin Snipes, abt 1911; died 17 Oct 1965, McColl,Marlboro Co.,SC.
 
Mary Toler Barfield is my 1st Cousin twice removed.








 
______________________________
1. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Harleesville, Dillon County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0062, Page 101A, Dwelling #106, Family #111, Household of Make Barfield; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 3 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
2. Mary Toler Barfield, death certificate 007845 (12 May 1955), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
3. 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.
4. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Adamsville Twp, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0086, Page: 26A(stamped); Line 33, Dwelling 126, Family 127, Mary Toler in Household of Mary BAGLEY; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1535.
5. 1910 U. S. Census, Dillon County, South Carolina, population schedule, Harleesville, Dillon County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0062, Page 21A/101(stamped), Line 46, Dwelling 106, Family 111, Make BARFIELD; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 24 January 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T624_1458.
6. 1920 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, McColl, Red Bluff, Marlboro County, South Carolina, Page: 206, dwelling 12, amily 14, Household of Cordie Marvin Snipes; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625, Roll: 1703.
7. Mary Toler Barfield, Marlboro County death certificate 007845 (12 May 1955).
8. Ibid.
9. 1910 U. S. Census, Dillon County, South Carolina, population schedule, Harleesville, Dillon County, South Carolina, ED 0062, Page 21A/101(stamped), Line 46, Dwelling 106, Family 111, Make BARFIELD.

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.

52 Ancestors, #14~Alice Catherine Johns Toler

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.”

The focus of My blog posting today is Alice Catherine “Katie” Johns Toler daughter of Shadrach Johns and Mary Boan.
 
Katie was born in 1844 and first appears in the 1850 census for South Carolina. Her father is 50 years and farming to make a living. Shadrach must have became tired of farming and got an itch to travel and try another line of work. In 1860 we find the family living in Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama and Shadrach occupation is that of a – shingle getter. ^{1 2}
 
The War starts and Shadrach goes off to war leaving his wife Mary to care for the four children – 2 boys and 2 girls. On 27 Sept 1864 at the age of 64, Shadrach got himself taken prisoner by the Yankee Army  at The Battle of Vernon, Florida. He was sent off to Elmira, new York. On 29 May 1865 Shadrach was released from prison. ³
 
Then in December 1866 the entire family made a trek back to Chesterfield, South Carolina to execute two lands deeds for the sale of property they inherited. At this time they were living in Washington County, Florida. ⁴
 
Returning back to Alabama, Alice Catherine Johns weds Joel S. Toler on 30 Sept 1869 in Bullock County, Alabama. ⁵
 

The extended family now consists of Shadrach, his wife Mary; daughter Alice Catherine and Anna W.; two sons, Thomas H. and Joseph Henry and son-in-law, Joel S. Toler. 
Then the family become a complete mystery. No record of any of the 7 individuals listed above can be found until 1880 Marlboro County, South Carolina.⁶





Shadrach, his son Joseph Henry, my great grandfather and two grandchildren, May/Mary and William Shadrac Toler are now living in Marlboro, County, South Carolina. Mary and William died with weeks of each other in May and June 1955.
What happen to the other family members – Mary, Anna, Alice, Thomas and Joel is still unknown today. I have exhausted ever lead trying to discover what happened to these five individuals between April 1874 and 3 June 1880 the date of the Census. Alice may had died from complication with the birth of her son William Shadrac in April 1874. Still, there is no explanation for what may have happen to the other family members. The family has not been found in any census for the year 1870. If you have information on this family, please contact me. 

Alice Catherine Johns Toler is my Great Grand Aunt
 
______________________
[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 Shadrick Johns, Private; Capt. Parson's Company; Confederate.
[4] 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.
[5] "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.
[6] 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~The Shadrach Johns Family

The male side of my maternal line has been a genealogist nightmare. Initially, I was unable to find either a death certificate or an obituary for Grandfather and Grandmother. Eventually I did locate both a death certificate and a n obituary.

Then there my great great grandfather, either Henry Joseph or Joseph Henry Johns. Who did he married. Marlboro County census and death certificates for two of the children suggests that he married Laura Driggers, granddaughter of Jeremiah Polston.

Then there is great great grandfather Shadrach John and his wife Mary Boan/Bone. At every step there are stumbling blocks. In 1850, Shadrach is in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.¹  



By 1860 Shadrach & Mary had added another child to the family – Anna W. Johns and are living in Russell County, Alabama. Notice also the surname was “JOHN” in 1850 and “JOHNS” in 1860.²



Shadrach at age 60, served with Co. K, 24th Alabama Infantry and with Capt. Parson's Company (A-W), Florida Militia. While serving in Florida, Shadrach was captured on 27 September 1864 at Hard Labor Creek during The Battle of Vernon. ^3.
 
Shadrach and his family has not been found in the 1870 Census. We know that Alice C (Alice Catherine) married Joel  S. Toler, 30 September 1869 in Bullock County, Alabama. I have their marriage licensee and we know that Joel and Alice had two children – William Shadrac Toler and Mary Toler. ⁴



We know this because Shadrach Johns and Henry Joseph Johns and the two grand kids are found on the 1880 Census for Marlboro County,, South Carolina. ⁵

 

The deed below and the 1869 Marriage licensee are important in that they show all family members named within the 1850-1860 to be alive in December 1866 with the exception of THOMAS H. JOHN.
Named in the land deed are:
Shadrach JOHN/JOHNS
Mary BOAN/BONE JOHN/JOHNS
Anna W. JOHN/JOHNS
A.[lice] C.[atherine] TOLER Bullock Co. AL Marriage Licensee dated 30 Sept 1869. Land Deed dated 3 Dec. 1866.
H. [enry] J. [oseph] JOHN/JOHNS

As stated above, all member of the family with the exception of Thomas H. Johns are named in land deeds in December 1866. 

Then in 1880 Shadrach and Henry J. Johns are alone with two grandchildren in Marlboro County, South Carolina.

The big question is: What happen to Mary Boan Johns, Alice Catherine Toler, Joel S. Toler and Anna W. Johns between 3 December 1866 and 3 June 1880? 

Why is Alice Catherine referred to as A. C. Toler in the land deed when her marriage licensee is dated 30 September 1869. 

What happen ti Thomas H. Johns? Did he die in the Civil War? No record can be found of any service during the war. 

Transcription of Land Deed between Jas Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin recorded in DEED BOOK 5, pages 598-599, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield County Courthouse, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ⁶



Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed
State of South Carolina
Know all men by these presents, that we, SHADRACH JOHNS and MARY JOHNS of the county of Washington and State of Florida, and JAMES EDDINGS, ANN EDDINGS, and REBECCA BONE of the District of Chesterfield, and State of South Carolina, have in consequence of ninety dollars to us in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged paid by WILLIAM T. GOODWIN of the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN all that parcel or tract of land, containing eight acres, more or less, being a part of a tract of land purchased by MARY BONE deceased of A. P. LaCOSTE deceased together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances, to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining; to have and to hold, all and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns forever; and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to warrant and forever defend, all and singular the said premises unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns, against ourselves and heirs, and all persons whatsoever lawfully claiming, or to claim the same or any part thereof Witness our hands and seals this the third day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and in the ninety-first year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed, Sealed and delivered                            Ann X Johns
in the presence of E. Rushing                            A. C. Toler
in the presence of R.C. Goodwin                      James X Eddings
W. N. Eddings                                                   Rebecca X Boan
F. T. Eddings                                                     Ann Eddings
                                                                          Alice Goodwin
                                                                         H. J. X Johns
                                                                    U. S. stamps amounting to
                                                                    Fifty Cents properly canceled
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
Personally appeared R. C. GOODWIN who made oath that he was present and saw JAMES EDDINGS, REBECCA BOAN, ANN EDDINGS and ALICE GOODWIN sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within instrument of writing and that defendant with E. RUSHING attested the execution thereof.
                                                                               R. C. GOODWIN
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. A D 1879 }
A. A. Pollock }
Notary Public }
 
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
Personally appeared before me F. T. EDDINGS and being duly sworn says on oath that he saw the within named ANN JOHNS, A.C. JOHNS and JOSEPH JOHNS sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within written Deed and that he with WILLIAM M. EDDINGS witnessed the execution thereof.
F. T. EDDINGS   
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. AD 1879 }
A. A. Pollock }
Notary Public }
Recorded 12th Sept. 1879
Orig'l deliv'd to W. T. Goodwin
 
This line is full of unanswered questions. If you can provide any answers or comments please contact me by e-mail or through this blog.
 
 
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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] 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 20 August 2011), entry for Shadrack JOHNS, Private; Captain W. B. Jones Florida Home Guard; Confederate
[4] "Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-9834-45374-94?cc=1743384&wc=M9WB-HV4:n1570558734 : accessed 20 Jan 2014), 1954390 (004539872) > image 321 of 1140.
[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] 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.

Surname Saturday~Johns, Bone and Toler

After 37 years there are many unanswered question about my 2nd great grandparents Shadrach and Mary Johns and their family.

While we work backward in genealogy; for the purpose of this article we will moved forward. This is what is known after 37 years of research.

Shadrach, aka Shade, JOHN or JOHNS was born about 1800. His parents are unknown.

A Shade JOHN found in the 1830 Darlington County, South Carolina population census[1] may or may not be the same Shade or Shadrach JOHN/JOHNS that I know as my 2nd Great grandfather. The Shade JOHN listed is between 20-29 years of age; his wife is also between 20-29 and they have a son and a daughter less than 5 years of age.  Nothing more is known of this family.

Moving forward 20 years and we find Shadrach and his family in the 1850 Population census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.[2]

The Family composition is:


Shadrach John had married Mary Bone/Boan about 1842 and by 1850 they had three (3) children. Joseph JOHN listed as age 1 is my great grandfather. Shadrach’s occupation is listed as a laborer.  

Sometime between 1850 and 1860 Shadrach and Mary decided that a westward movement might improve their lot in life and we find then living in Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama in the 1860 population schedule.[3]



At this point another child has been added to the family, daughter, Anna W. JOHNS. Note at this point an “S” has been added to the surname.  The 1860 Census shows Anna birthplace as South Carolina so we can adjust the movement from South Carolina to Alabama to between 1854 and 1860.

We all know that in 1861 we had the firing on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War. You would think that at his age an old man like Shadrach JOHNS, age 60, would have been exempted from the war; but, that is not the case. 

Fold3 shows that Shadrick/Shadrach JOHNS served with Co. H, 24th Alabama Infantry during in the Civil War.[4]



Not only did he serve in the 24th Alabama Infantry but he was also in the Capt. Parson's[5] Company of the Florida Home Guard. On 27 September 1864, Shadrach JOHN was captured by Union forces under the leadership of Gen. Alexander Asboth at Hard Labor Creek, during the Battle for Vernon, Florida and was imprisoned at Elmira, New York. Also captured was his kinsman Enoch JOHNS who died 27 December 1864 while imprisoned at Elmira.[6]

Local historian and blogger, Dale Cox, has written a detail article on The West Florida War, A New Look at the 1864 Raid on Marianna.[7] Look under the section entitle – The Battle for Vernon. While Enoch didn't return from the War, Shadrach Johns signed an oath of allegiance and returned home to his family.

OATH of ALLEGIANCE [8]
J Confederate Fla.  Shadrack John
Pvt. Capt. Jones Co. Fla. Mil
Appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War At Elmira, New York desirous to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States Roll dated Headquarters Prison Camp, Elmira N. Y. Dec. 16, 1864
Join Station : - Nov. 20, 186x.
Where Captured: - near Vernon, Fla
When Captured :-- Sept 28, 1864
Remarks: - Was ordered out by the Governor to resist an Union raiding party. Is a Union man and is over 60 years of age, and was captured same day that he was ordered out Desires to go to Pensacola, Fla.
Shadrach JOHN was released from Elmira on 29 May 1865.

When captured, it’s look as if Shadrach and his family had moved from Russell County, Alabama to Washington County, Florida. A Land Deed on file at the Chesterfield Courthouse, chesterfield, South Carolina provided proof that they in fact were living in Washington County on December 3, 1866.

Land deed between Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed dated 3 December 1866 states:[9]

Know all men by these presents, that we, SHADRACH JOHNS and MARY JOHNS of the county of Washington and State of Florida, and JAMES EDDINGS, ANN EDDINGS, and REBECCA BONE of the District of Chesterfield, and State of South Carolina, have in consequence of ninety dollars to us in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged paid by WILLIAM T. GOODWIN of the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN all that parcel or tract of land, containing eight acres, more or less, being a part of a tract of land purchased by MARY BONE deceased of A. P. LaCOSTE deceased...

We see in this land deed that both Shadrach and Mary JOHNS are named as partied to the deed and three of their four children signed the deed.



Children names are Anner [Anna] JOHNS; A. C. TOLER and my great grandfather H. J. [Henry Joseph] JOHNS. Not named is  son, Thomas H. Johns.

The fate of Thomas H. Johns is not known but is suspected to have died in the Civil War. Alice Catherine Johns wasn’t really A. C. Toler in December 1866. She wouldn't become A. C. TOLER until 3 years later. Alice Catherine JOHNS married Joel S. TOLER, who served in Company A, 29th Regiment Alabama, on 30 September 1869 in Bullock County, Alabama. [10]



Our last glimpse of Shadrach Johns is the 1880 Population Census for Marlboro County, South Carolina.[11] In this census we find Shadrach, his son Joseph Henry and two grandchildren Mary & William TOLAR. Great Great Grandpa Shadrach is now eighty years old.





We know that Shadrach and Mary’s son, Thomas H. JOHNS, b. abt 1847 in SC is missing and presumed dead by December 1866 when the Land Deed was transacted in Chesterfield, SC and Thomas was not mentioned.

Now, 14 years later and no information has been found to determine what happened to Mary Bone JOHNS wife of Shadrach, Joel S. TOLER/TOLAR, son-in-law; Alice Catherine Johns TOLER daughter or Anna W. JOHNS,  Daughter. 

We do know that whatever happened the two children of Joel & Catherine, Mary and William Shadrac, did survived along with their Uncle Joseph Henry and their Grandfather Shadrach Johns. 
When Shadrach Johns died and his exact place of burial is not known; but, he most likely died in Marlboro County.
The struggles that my great grandparents faced must have seem so unbearable at times. This has been a difficult story to document and still many gaps exist. 

What happen to Thomas H. Johns? Did he die in the Civil War?
Where were Mary & Shadrach in 1870? I haven’t found them in the 1870 census? They were in Washington County, Florida in Dec. 1866.
What happen to Mary and Anna Johns, Joel and Catherine Toler between December 1866 and June 1880?

Your thoughts and suggestions greatly welcome on how to proceed with this mystery.
 
 
 




 
 

---

[1] 1830 U. S. Census, Darlington County, South Carolina, population schedule, Darlington County, South Carolina, Page 219 Line 6, Household of Shade JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M19_173.
[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] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] 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.
[6] Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 2 January 2012; Headstone for Enoch Johns; Memorial # 66434473.
[7] http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~fljackso/cox/WFW4.htm
[8] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|127927670
[9] 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.
[10] Bullock County, Alabama, marriage (30 September 1869), Joel S. Toler to Catherine Johns; Montgomery, Alabama, USA, State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division.
[11] 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.