Col. Thomas Johnson ¹

Mr. Thomas Johnson was in Virginia prior to 1642 as he received land as a gift on Jan 3 1642 at Northampton Co, VA via a certificate granted for bringing in himself and 7 others, including a Mary Johnson, to the colony of Virginia.

In the timeframe 1643-1646 Thomas Johnson often appeared in Northampton Court as a witness, juror and jury foreman. On Jul 20 1643 "Mr. Thomas Johnson" appeared as sheriff of Northampton Co. On Jul 28 1646, he appeared on the Bench as a Justice, which continued through 1653.

Thomas patented land on Jun 4 1646 at Northampton Co, VA. It was on this date that Thomas Johnson, Gentleman was awarded a patent for 600a at Nassawadox (as Nasswattock) Creek for transporting 12 persons into the colony of Virginia.

He was given power of attorney on Mar 26 1647 at Northampton Co, VA. "I, ffrancis Carsley, do by these presence authorize & appoint my uncle Thomas Johnson to be my lawfull attorney to ask & demand, recover by law & receive into his possession all the estate of my dec'd sister Ann Carsley. Signed 26 March 1647 in the presence of George (X) Trulett and Ginkin (X) Price, by Frances (X) Carsley."

Thomas patented land on Apr 9 1647 in Northampton Co. He, listed as Gentleman, was granted 1,000 acres in Occahannock (as Occhahannocke) Creek bounded at the western part of Mattasippe Neck.

During the interregnum/Cromwell years in England from 1649 to 1660, Col. Thomas Johnson (as a Burgess) took the oath of allegiance to engage and promise to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England as it is now established without King or House of Lords on Mar 25 1651 at Northampton Co. He served as a Burgess representing Northampton Co. to the Virginia House of Burgesses that was still located in Jamestown (until 1699) from 1645-1655.

Thomas patented more land on Mar 14 1655 in Northampton Co. He had been granted 200 acres in the county at Occahannock Creek at the head of Matachepeneek for transporting 4 persons into the Virginia colony.

Col. Thomas Johnson wrote his will on Nov 25 1658 and it was proven at Northampton Co. on Dec 28 1658:
- William, John, Alie and Jane Major to be paid out of my estate what is due them by their father's last will
- Thomas Johnson to have neck of land called "Old Neck" and land abutting being part of 200a patent, and a colt due from Mr. Yeo which is in lieu and staisfaction of 450a at Pungoteague sold to me by Mr. Yeo, the patent being in Thomas Johnson's name
- To son Obedience Johnson when age 18, the neck of land called "Matasippy" whereon I now live and his mother's rug
- To son Richard, 4 cows
- To William Major, the neck of land called "Poplar Neck" abutting the Poplar Branch containing 200a with a 30 foot house to be built upon it in lieu of a plantation at Nassawadox belonging to the said William which I sold to Mr. Westerhouse for 6,000 lbs of tobacco
- To servant Hugh, a calf when he is free
- Wife to be executrix (she is not named here but appears as Jane in other probate), John Robinson and William Major to oversee
Witness: John Dixon (NoVAW-IX-7:27)

Thomas married Mary Berryman, daughter of William Berryman and Alice (?), before 1642. (Mary Berryman was born about 1615 and died before 1648 in Northampton Co., VA.)

Thomas next married Jane Larrimore about 1648 in Northampton Co., VA. (Jane Larrimore was born about 1620.)