William H. Johnson (1809) and Elizabeth Woodberry of Horry Co, SC

Note: It has come to my attention that this William's wife was not Elizabeth Woodberry as I had originally concluded. Instead it seems her maiden name was Cooper, and that Elizabeth Woodberry was wife of a different William H. Johnson who lived in old Williamsburg (now Florence) County. I'll have to revise this page when time permits, so please ignore any references to Woodberry on this page in the meantime.... Marty 04-20-2002.

This family resided in the section of Horry County later known as Dog Bluff Township.

The Horry County Johnson families were listed on most early census records with the spelling "Johnston", though in later census records, it was most often listed as "Johnson". I'm not sure which is the "correct" spelling for this family. Several of William's children's tombstones show the "t" spelling (Johnston).

William H. Johnson was born 15 Jun 1809 (per tombstone) in South Carolina, presumably Horry District. I don't know what his middle initial stood for.

William H. Johnson is a proven son of William Johnson Sr (1770/75) and was named in his Will dated 6 Apr 1833. He was a son of William and his first wife, who's name is unknown.

William seems to be home with his parents for the 1810 census in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10).

In 1820, William would have been about 10 or 11 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1804/10), and sure enough, William Sr had two apparent sons this age with him in 1820.

In 1830, William H. Johnson would have been about 20 or 21 years old, so if listed, he would be in the 20-29 age category (born ca 1800/10). ** Unfortunately, I don't yet have the 1830 enumerations. It seems likely he was still home with his father.

William H. Johnson married Elizabeth Woodberry ca 1830/31, probably in the Brittons Neck area of neighboring Marion District. She was a child of General William Woodberry and his first wife Hannah Davis. Woodberry's 2nd wife was William H. Johnson's sister Sarah B. Johnson, making Elizabeth his step-niece. The Woodberry family was written up in W. W. Sellers book "A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902 on pages 355 - 358. This article mentions that Elizabeth Woodberry married William H. Johnson. Elizabeth Woodberry was born ca 1800/10 (per 1840 census), presumably in Marion District, SC. Later records give her approximate birth year as ca 1826, ca 1825, and ca 1820. She was also known as "Penelope", so perhaps she had three given names: i.e. "Elizabeth Ann Penelope Woodberry" or something like that.

William H. Johnson was listed on the 1840 census in Horry Dist, SC. He was on the same page with his father William, and with other Johnsons.

"William H. Johnson" was listed on the 1845 Horry District tax list and taxed for 4900 acres and 27 slaves. (Horry District Taxpayers 1845-1846 online at the Horry County Historical Society Web pages)

For some reason, it would appear that William and Elizabeth Woodberry Johnson separated sometime between 1840 and 1850, presumably in Horry District. She was not with him in 1850 (I thought she had died) nor 1860, but she was on her own in 1860, and back with him in 1870 (if it is the same person, and it seems to be).

William and children were listed on the 1850 census in Horry Dist, SC just a few houses from Urias Johnson (c1815), relationship unknown.

Elizabeth Woodberry Johnson was not found on the 1850 census, in either Horry or Marion.

William H. Johnson became Sheriff of Horry District sometime around the 1850's. I don't know exactly when it happened though.

On 29 Dec 1853 a suit was filed in the Marion District Court of Equity regarding the estate of William Woodberry, deceased (Elizabeth's father), and she is mentioned in those records as the wife of William Johnson, and she is referred to variously as "Penelope" and "Elizabeth A." and "Peppy". (Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", # 269 page 87, by Lucille Utley)

William H. Johnston was listed on the 1860 census in Horry District with 2 young children with him. They may be grandchildren, unless he and Elizabeth got back together for a time. He was listed next to his widowed step-mother Elizabeth Johnson, and next to his now married son John M. Johnson.

Elizabeth Woodberry Johnson (or at least I think it is her) was listed in Horry also, next door to her cousin-in-law Ann, widow of John L. Johnson (1787). She was listed with "W." Johnson, age 18, probably her son. There were several young Bruton's living with them, relationship unknown.

William H. Johnson was listed on the 1870 census in Horry, in Dog Bluff Township. Apparently Elizabeth had come back home by this time, as they were together (unless this was a different person, but it does not seem to be a different person).

William H. Johnson died 22 Sep 1878 (per tombstone) in Horry Co, SC. He is buried at Bunker Hill Cemetery in Horry County.

I found Elizabeth and young Edward in Bucks township, listed next door to son Henry Johnson. She was listed as "Peppy", which is a nickname for "Penelope", which was one of Elizabeth's names (I wonder what name she went by most of the time?).

Children

William and his wife Elizabeth Woodberry Johnson apparently had as many as nine children. Since they seemed to have separated for a time, and weren't together for every census, I'm not sure if all of these are their children, as some might be grandchildren instead.

Edward Johnston was born 22 Apr 1831 (per tombstone) in Horry Dist, SC. He seemed to be home with his parents for the 1840 census, age 5-9 (ca 1830/35). He was with his widowed father for the 1850 census.

Edward Johnston died on 13 Jul 1855 in Horry Dist, SC. He is buried at Bunker Hill Cemetery. (Online at Horry County Historical Society web pages)

It is possible that Edward married before he died, and that the two small children with William in 1860 were his. One was born 1850 (Caroline), the other 1853 (Glover), so those dates are compatible. If they are his, I don't know who their mother was. Perhaps she died also.

William V. Johnson was born ca 1833/34 (per 1850 census) in Horry Dist, SC. He seemed to be home with his parents for the 1840 census, age 5-9 (ca 1830/35). He was with his widowed father for the 1850 census.

William V. Johnson married Elizabeth --- ca 1850/60 in Horry Dist, SC. They probably married closer to 1860, for by the 1860 census, they had no children yet. I don't know her maiden name. She was born ca 1842/43 in SC, presumably Horry.

William and Elizabeth were listed on the 1860 census in Horry District, just a few houses from John A. Johnson (1822).

I didn't find William in Horry for the 1870 census. I did find an apparent widow Elizabeth who might be the same Elizabeth. I'm not totally sure, but she does fit. She was in Dog Bluff Township next door to William's widowed step-grandmother Elizabeth Johnson.

John Monroe Johnston was born 15 Jul 1835 (per tombstone) in Horry Dist, SC. He seemed to be home with his parents for the 1840 census, age "under 5" (ca 1835/40). He was with his widowed father for the 1850 census.

John M. Johnston married Amanda Victoria Causey ca 1857 in Horry Dist, SC. She was born 6 Sep 1837 (per tombstone) or more likely ca 1842 (per 1850 and later census records). Her full name, and maiden name were given on her tombstone. I found her on the 1850 census with her parents W. G. Causey and Margaret W. --- Causey. The young Edward Johnson living with them seems to be John's little brother instead of his child (but I could be wrong), as in later years (1870 and 1880) he was living with John's father or mother).

John and Amanda were on the 1870 census in Dog Bluff Township. They were next door to his first cousin Francis Marion Johnson, son of William Johnson Sr.

** I have not yet checked 1900 and later census records for more on this family.

W. Johnson was born ca 1841/42 in Horry Dist, SC. I do not know what his "W" stood for. It probably was not "William" as he had an older brother named William.

He was not home with his father in 1850, so he was probably with his mother then (I have not found her on the 1850 census yet).

In 1860, he was in Horry, as head of household, with his mother and some others residing with him.

Caroline Johnson was born ca 1849/50 in Horry Dist, SC. She might be a grandchild of William H. Johnson instead of a child. She was not with him in 1850, but was living with him in 1860. She was not with him in 1870, nor found elsewhere, so probably had died or married by then.

I think Caroline could be a child of Edward Johnson (1831), who could have married ca 1850. He died in 1855, so it fits, but it is just a guess at this point. Either that or she was William's child, but living with her mother in 1850 (who's 1850 census record I have not yet found).

Glover Johnson was born ca 1852/53 in Horry Dist, SC. He could be a grandchild of William H. Johnson instead of a child. He was living with William in 1860. He was not with him in 1870, nor found elsewhere, so probably had died or moved away by then.

I think Glover could be a child of Edward Johnson (1831), who could have married ca 1850. He died in 1855, so it fits, but it is just a guess at this point.

Sarah Johnson was born ca 1855/56 in Horry Dist, SC. She could be a grandchild of William H. Johnson instead of a child. She was not with him in 1860, but was living with him in 1870.

Edward Johnson was born ca 1858/59 in Horry Dist, SC. At first I was sure he was a grandson of William, and not a son, as he already had a son named "Edward", but that Edward died in 1855, and it has been known to happen where a new child is named for one who died young.

In 1860, Edward was residing with his brother John and his wife Amanda. I thought he was their child, as they had just married about that time, and Edward was only 1 year old for the 1860 census. However, by 1870, Edward was living with William and Elizabeth, and in 1880 he was with Elizabeth, then widowed, and listed as her "son".

Henry Johnson was born ca 1859/60 in Horry Dist, SC. He is probably a grandchild of William H. Johnson instead of a child. He was not with him in 1860, but was living with him in 1870.

Henry Johnson married Josephine --- ca 1879/80 in Horry Co, SC. I don't know her maiden name.

They were listed on the 1880 census in Bucks Township next to his widowed mother Elizabeth "Peppy".

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. William H¹ Johnson Sheriff , born 15 Jun 1809 in Horry Dist, SC; died 22 Sep 1878 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem, Horry Co, SC, son of William Johnson and ? (---) . He married in 1830/31 in Marion Dist, SC Elizabeth Ann Penelope Woodberry , born 1800/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1880 in Horry Co, SC, daughter of William Woodberry General and Hannah Davis .

Children of William H Johnson Sheriff and Elizabeth Ann Penelope Woodberry were as follows:

2 i Edward² Johnston , born 22 Apr 1831 in Horry Dist, SC; died 13 Jul 1855 in Horry Dist, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC.

+ 3 ii William V² Johnson , born 1833/34 in Horry Dist, SC; died 1860/70 in Horry Dist, SC. He married Elizabeth (---) .

+ 4 iii John Monroe² Johnston , born 15 Jul 1835 in Horry Dist, SC; died 23 Dec 1892 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC. He married Amanda Victoria Causey .

5 iv W² Johnson , born 1841/42 in Horry Dist, SC.

6 v Caroline² Johnson , born 1849/50 in Horry Dist, SC.

7 vi Glover² Johnson , born 1852/53 in Horry Dist, SC.

8 vii Sarah² Johnson , born 1855/56 in Horry Dist, SC.

9 viii Edward² Johnson , born 1858/59 in Horry Dist, SC.

10 ix Henry² Johnson , born 1859/60 in Horry Dist, SC. He married in 1870/80 in Horry Co, SC Josephine (---) , born 1860/61 in Horry Dist, SC.

Generation 2

3. William V² Johnson (William H¹), born 1833/34 in Horry Dist, SC; died 1860/70 in Horry Dist, SC. He married in 1850/60 in Horry Dist, SC Elizabeth (---) , born 1842/43 in Horry Dist, SC.

Children of William V Johnson and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

11 i Mary³ Johnson , born 1860 in Horry Dist, SC.

12 ii Cosby³ Johnson , born 1861/62 in Horry Dist, SC.

13 iii Georgianna³ Johnson , born Dec 1869 in Horry Co, SC.

4. John Monroe² Johnston (William H¹), born 15 Jul 1835 in Horry Dist, SC; died 23 Dec 1892 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC. He married in 1850/59 in Horry Dist, SC Amanda Victoria Causey , born 6 Sep 1837 in Horry Dist, SC; died 16 Oct 1900 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC, daughter of W G Causey and Margaret W (---) .

Children of John Monroe Johnston and Amanda Victoria Causey were as follows:

14 i Haly³ Johnston , born 1864/65 in Horry Dist, SC.

15 ii Hester³ Johnston , born 1866/67 in Horry Dist, SC.

16 iii Ralston Vandike³ Johnston , born 1868 in Horry Co, SC; died 1870 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC.

17 iv Sumter³ Johnston , born Oct 1869 in Horry Co, SC.

18 v Brookie³ Johnston , born 1871 in Horry Co, SC; died 1879 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC.

19 vi Hessie³ Johnston , born 1872 in Horry Co, SC; died 1879 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC.

20 vii John Monroe³ Johnston , born 8 May 1873 in Horry Co, SC; died 8 Feb 1922 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem, Horry Co, SC.

21 viii Florence³ Johnston , born 1874 in Horry Co, SC; died 1876 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Bunker Hill Cem,Horry Co, SC.

22 ix Mary³ Johnston , born 1874/75 in Horry Co, SC.

23 x Alfred³ Johnston , born 1876/77 in Horry Co, SC.