Johnson
William Sr.
1763 – 1830
William Johnson Sr. was born in Orange County, North Carolina. Many people believe that he is the son of Stephen Johnson (b. 1744 in PA), son of Robert Johnson and Katherine Hadley, and Martha Wethereld of Ireleand or Pennsylvania. It can be shown that Robert and Katherine had a son Stephen that appears to have moved away from the family. It is not 100% certain that this is the same Stephen Johnson that married Martha Wethereld. In addition, no record has been found that shows that they were William’s parents.
Marriage & Children
William married Sarah Adams in Surrey County, North Carolina in 1798. They were the parents of at least 7 children:
- Stephen [m. Abigail Macy]
- Martha [m. Benjamin Hutchins]
- Susannah [m. Joshua Cranor]
- George [m. Mary Ann Huff]
- Anne [m. Jonas Lykens]. Anne and Joseph raise Lydia, one of William Johnson Jr.’s children, after William and his wife Rachel died.
- William♥
- Samuel [m. Catherine Ladd]
Indiana Here We Come
Approximately 1811, William and Sarah moved their family to Wayne County, Indiana. They settled in Green Township where William farmed and opened a grist-mill. They were located near what is now Williamsburg. The town was named after William as he was the proprietor of the town when it was laid out in 1830.
There were many other families that made a similar move as a good portion of the early settlers in Wayne County had roots in North Carolina