I46572: Ruth CHAPMAN

Notes

"He resided at Green Spring Traverse and Adventure and owned Gist's Lime Pits and a sloop called "Two Brothers". Settled on the Yadkin River, North Carolina c. 1745-1750., explored part of Ohio and Kentucky for the Ohio Company in 1750-53 and was a friend and personal guide of George Washington. (1753-54). He was a companion of George Washington on his journey to Lake Erie in 1753. Compton Encyclopedia reports that George Washington and Christopher Gist were thrown off their raft while crossing the Allegheny River during this expedition.
On Oct. 1, 1755 he was commissioned Lt. in the Virginia forces. He was Captain of a company of scouts which he raised for services on the frontier. Per Comptons report on Virginia, the fierce fighting men of Virginia were called "Long Knives" by the Indians, among which were Christopher Gist, Ebenezer Zene, Lewis Wetzel, John Sevier and Charles Lewis.

He then went to the Carolinas to enlist Cherokee Indians for the English services, and for a time served as an Indian Agent. He died of smallpox on the road between Williamsburg and Winchester, VA, while guiding Catawba warriors to Winchester to guard the frontier against the French and other Indians.
Christopher Gist was Sequoyah's grandfather.
See also The Journal of Christopher Gist, 1750-1751 from the book "Annals of Southern Virginia, 1769-1800" Abingdon, Va. by Lewis P. Summers, 1929.

Colonial Families of the United States of America: Volume 7 page 240
COLONEL CHRISTOPHER GIST of Mt. Braddock, Fayette County, Pennsylvania;
b. in Maryland about 1706 and d. in 1759, of smallpox in South Carolina or Georgia. He was first a merchant in Baltimore Town, but failed in business and made an assignment to his relatives, CROMWELL and STANSBURY, in 1745. In 1750 he styled himself as "late of Baltimore County but then in the Colony of Virginia" and conveyed to Tobias STANSBURY the "Gist Lime pits" in Baltimore County. He later settled on the Yadkin, in Virginia, and was undoubtedly the most famous scout and first renowned explorer of the Ohio River and Valley through the present states, West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, as agent of the Ohio Company. This was in 1750; and he was associated with Gen. George WASHINGTON as Indian scout
and forest ranger, being his guide and companion on the journey to Lake Erie in 1753. He was made Captain of the Rangers, organized in Virginia for the defense of frontier, and served through 1756 and until the company was discharged in 1757. He received various titles of "Scout", "Captain" and "Colonel."

With his sons, Nathaniel and Thomas, he took part as guide and scout in BRADDOCK'S expedition. He served with George WASHINGTON in his victory at Great Meadows and in his disaster the next day, 4th July, 1754, at Fort Necessity, when WASHINGTON surrendered to the French, in superior numbers, but with the honors of war. At the battle of BRADDOCK'S Defeat, 9th July, 1755, he was present with his sons and afterwards raised a Company of Scouts in Maryland and Virginia and rendered efficient service. 1st October, 1755, he was commissioned Lieutenant of the Virginia (p. 240) forces and in 1756 was made Captain of a Company of Scouts. The same year he went to the Carolinas to enlist the Cherokee Indians for the English service, and as late as 1758 was Deputy Agent for Indian Affairs at Fort Frederick, Maryland; he acquired lands in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, which were inherited by his son Thomas; m. Sarah HOWARD, dau. of Joshua and Joanna (O'CARROLL) HOWARD of Baltimore County, Maryland, whose will of 1738 names his daughters, Sarah, Mary and Violetta, who had m. Col. Christopher GIST and his two brothers, Nathaniel and William respectively.
Ref: p. 562-3, Vol. II, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FRONTIER BIOGRAPHY, (G-0), compiled by Dan L. Thrapp, GIST, CHRISTOPHER, soldier, frontiersman (c 1706-July 25, 1759)."

Children:
2 Richard GIST b: 2 Sep 1729
2 Violetta GIST b: 4 Jul 1731 + William CROMWELL
2 Nathaniel GIST b: 15 Oct 1733 d: Abt. 1796 + Wurteh WATTS b: Abt. 1750 + Wut-Teh of the Paint Clan (CHEROKEE) b: ABT 1748
3 Sequoyah 'Cherokee' George GIST b: ABT 1770 d: ABT 1843
+ Judith Cary BELL b: 1750 d: 1833
2 Anne "Nancy" GIST b: Abt. 1734 d: Abt. 1795
2 Thomas GIST b: Abt. 1735 d: Abt. 1785

Early History of Wood County Va 1863 WVA
http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Wood/woohistory.html
"Christopher Gist was the first Englishman to leave a written account of his travels through the county. He passed through the county on his way to Ohio in 1751.

Notes

"Joel Johns served 7 years in the American Revolution under George Washington as chaplain among soldiers of his faith. (From the book, "Ante-bellum Homes of Lunenburg" by Evelyn H. Arvin, page 22-23.)

The Rev. Joel Johns was a Baptist minister in Lunenburg County, VA. He performed 70 marriages between 1801 and 1829 ( Lunenburg County Marriages 1750-1829 by Vogt and Kethley).

From the Tussekiah Baptist Church History: "In August, 1800, Joel Johns presented a letter of dismission from Mountain Creek Church (in Prince Edward Co., VA) for himself and wife and they were received into the fellowship of Tussekiah.

On the 20th of December, 1800, Brother Johns was regularly ordained to the work of the ministry, Elder James Shelburne and Elder Abner W. Watkins officiating. He rendered valuable assistance to the pastor in conducting meetings of the church and preached to neighboring churches with much acceptance."

Submitted by Ann Crymes, a member of Tussekiah Baptist Church, and the wife of a descendant of the Rev. Joel Johns.

Joel Johns died at Aspin Hall, his home in Lunenburg Co., Virginia about 1837.

From The Virginia Historical Inventory: Aspen Hall or DeLeans Tavern
Location: 11.6 miles north of Victoria, Virginia on RT 49, thence 4 miles southwest of RT 49 or RT 626 on west side of RT 626 Date : about 1700
Owners: Count DeLeau, about 1700. Records of Count DeLeau's ownership were made in Prince George County, as Lunenburg at that time was embraced in that county. Early court records were destroyed.
______ Stokes, given name unknown 17_
Joel Johns, before 1776
Joel Johns, 1837
Frances O. Johns, 1892
Mrs. Emma Johns Kauffman, 1927
Mrs. Mary Johns Dickenson, 1927
O. McGhinnes 1928

Description: The large lawn, fronting the highway, has a long walk leading to the house, hedged on each side by small boxwoods, which were planted in recent years. One large old Aspen tree still stands in the side yard. In the yard there are large Osage Orange trees, an Elm, and a very large Oak. Near the house is a Crepe Myrtle, which reached above the eaves of the tall house. The porch is a two story porch with a gabled roof supported by large, square columns. This was rebuilt several years ago, as a reproduction of the original porch. The quaint old house is in good condition. The beaded weather boarding, made of the heart of pine, seems fully able to withstand the storms of more centuries. The windows, which are rather small, were built high from the ground as a safe guard against Indian attacks, it is said. The large front door, of four panels seems unusually strong. Additions were made to the house prior to the Revolutionary War, and again by the fourth owner who inherited it in 1837. There are now eleven large rooms and three halls. Few changes have been made in the original house which was built as a tavern, for Count DeLeau, about 1700. This consists of seven large rooms and two halls. On each side of the large, square reception hall is a room. A walled in staircase leads from the hall, to a hall above, on which there are two rooms. One of these rooms opens on the second floor of the porch. From the hall on the second floor, a closed staircase leads to a very large room on the third floor. Their are two rooms in the basement which were probably used as a kitchen and dining room. The fireplaces are rather large. The mantels, windows and door facings are beautifully carved, the window facings being held together by wooden pegs. Most of the doors are of six panel, on two of which there are H and L hinges, and on some there are large iron locks. All of the walls are plastered. In three of the rooms there is wainscoting three feet high, with chair rail above.

Historical Significance: The first owner of the home was Count DeLeau, a Huguenot, who came over in 1699, seeking religious freedom. The house was built soon after his arrival, as a tavern, which seemed a very suitable location, as it was situated on the then famous King's Highway, which at that time was the only main road connecting that part of the state with North Carolina. The Count, it is said, had acres in vineyards, and wine kegs built in his cellar. He would stop passers-by, saying, "Come in, and have ye bitters." he lived to be a very old man, and his his old age, sold the tavern and plantation to a Mr. Stokes, and returned to France. Mr Stokes owed Joel Johns ten thousand dollars, and Mr Johns agreed to accept this property for the debt. Joel Johns, born at Mountain Hall, in Nottaway County, was very wealthy and an extensive landowner. Some of his land was acquired by grant, and he bought other large plantations, until he owned 23,000 acres, extending from Nottoway to the Meherrin River. It was he who planted the Aspen trees, from which the home took its name. He was a Chaplain in George Washington's Army and was imprisoned seven times for preaching the gospel contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England. With his own money, he built the first Baptist Church in the county, and he presented it to the people. Joel Johns also owned a large iron foundry, in which his slaves made plows and irons for all the surrounding country. When the War Between the States broke out, two of his sons, Branch Taylor Johns and William Creath Johns were students at Richmond College. They returned home at once and enlisted in the Lunenburg Calvary. During the first months of the war, General J.E.B. Stuart saw the young men shooting at a target as they made their horses jump a high fence. Admiring their skill, he sent for Mr. Branch Taylor Johns and made him his private courier during the four years of war. later he presented him with a fine sword, bearing the inscription, "To Branch Taylor Johns, for gallant bravery at all times, from General J.E.B. Stuart." The next owner of the home was Miss Frances Osborn Johns, who inherited the plantation from her father, Joel Johns. She dies in 1927, at the age of 92 years. Two of her nieces, Mrs. Emma Johns Kauffman and Mrs. Mary Johns Dickerson then inherited the property and the following year sold it to O. McGhinnis, the present owner.

Many distinguished guests have enjoyed the hospitality of Aspen Hall, among who may be mentioned; Patrick Henry, John Randolph, General Beauregard, General Fitzhugh Lee and General Rooney Lee, who with all his soldiers, camped in the yard. He slept in his tent, saying "I shall sleep like my soldiers."

Informants: Mrs. William D. Dickinson, Burkeville Va., great granddaughter of Joel Johns. Mrs Belford Kellam, 1248 Wealthy Avenue, Grand rapids, Michigan, great granddaughter of Joel Johns."

other Children:
2 Dorothy JOHNS b: ABT. 1784 + Stephen HERRING
2 Daughter JOHNS b: ABT. 1786 d: BEF. 1836
2 Daughter JOHNS b: ABT. 1788 d: BEF. 1836
2 Mary JOHNS b: 24 JUL 1790 d: 25 NOV 1850 + Stephen Bedford HAMLETT b: 26 MAY 1788 d: 15 SEP 1843
2 Tabitha JOHNS b: 20 JUL 1794 + Richard YARBOROUGH b: 16 JAN 1793 d: 2 DEC 1860
2 Susannah JOHNS b: ABT. 1796 + John BRUMMER b: ABT. 1796
2 Judith T. JOHNS b: ABT. 1799 + Charles F. WALL b: ABT. 1795

^[S2355]

My Southern Family

Ruth CHAPMAN

Russie Mae GATEWOOD

15 Jul 1893 - 30 Nov 1980

ID Number: I44202

Sources

Col. Christopher GIST "Scout"

1705 - 25 Jul 1759

ID Number: I71776

Notes

Sources

Dr Aylett HAWES M.D.

20 Apr 1768 - 29 Aug 1833

ID Number: I21427

Sources

Mattie HINES

ABT 1870 - 1961

ID Number: I23797

Sources

Rev. Joel JOHNS Sr.

ABT 1753 - ABT 1837

ID Number: I62493

Notes

Sources

Margaret Janice SANDERS

Susannah WATTS

ABT 1710 - ____

ID Number: I60123

Notes

Sources