My JOHNS ancestors were German. JOHNS is the surname an English clerk used in translating the surname on Jacob Hons will. We aren't certain what the actual surname is and have many varitions to the spelling. In having Jacob and Henry's signatures translated, several that we have consulted say the surname is HANSS.
William Finley JOHNS was born 1, Mar. 1855, in Hancock Co., IN. Son of Matthew/Mathias JOHNS and Ellen MAGGARD Johns. Matthew Johns was born 16, April 1817, in Grainger County, Tennessee. Son of Henry HONS/JOHNS and Elizabeth FIRESTONE Johns. Henry JOHNS was born 1773, in Pennsylvania. Son of Jacob HONS and Cathren ( ). Jacob and family settled in Botetourt County, Virginia in 1793. We have no information from 1773 to 1793. We do not know when they left Pennsylvania or if they settled in another location before settling in Botetourt County, Virginia. We do know Jacob had a first marriage and children, as he mentions the children in his will, but doesn't name them.
William Finley and Mary Luvina (DAVIS) Johns were the parents of 5 children:
1- William T. JOHNS, born Feb. 1876, Hancock Co., IN. Married Mary Perkins, 11, Sept. 1906. Died 22, Mar. 1908.
2- Riley M. JOHNS, born 16, Dec. 1877, Hancock Co., IN. Married Lillie M. Collingwood, 16, Dec. 1896. (Lillie was born 9, Nov. 1879; died: 20, April 1953). Riley died 22, Aug. 1965. Both are buried at McCray Cemetery, Hancock Co., IN.
3- Sarah Louise JOHNS, born 29, Feb. 1880, Hancock Co., IN. Married Joseph (Frank) Sheets, 12, Jan. 1896, Madison County, IN. (Frank born Feb. 1875; died: 1949). Sarah Louise died 29, Nov. 1971. Both are buried at McCray Cemetery, Hancock, IN.
4- Ethel Jane JOHNS, born 20, June 1882, in Hancock County, IN. Married William Perry WARE 14, Jan. 1899 in Hancock County, IN. Died 24, Feb. 1953, in Hancock Co., IN. Buried at McCray Cemetery, Hancock Co., IN.
5- Mary E. JOHNS, born: 1884, Hancock Co., IN; died: 22, Oct. 1886, Brown, Hancock, IN. Buried: Simmons Cemetery, Jackson Twp., Hancock Co., IN.
Mary Luvina (DAVIS) Johns died 17, Dec. 1886, Hancock, IN. She is buried at Simmons Cemetery, Hancock, IN. Mary Luvina was the daughter of Isaac and Margaret Jane (McCORKHILL) Davis.
William Finley JOHNS married 2nd to Nancy Jane Noland, 1, Dec. 1887, Hancock Co., IN. No children were born of the 2nd marriage. William Finley JOHNS died 30, March 1897, Hancock County, Indiana. Buried Simmons Cemetery, Hancock Co., IN.
Matthew JOHNS married Ellen MAGGARD, 26, April 1843, Hancock County, IN. Ellen was the daughter of John and Mary (MAGRO) Maggard. After Ellen's death, Matthew married Elizabeth Jane (Reddick) Fisher Freel, 19, May 1887, Madison Co., IN.
Matthew and Ellen (MAGGARD) Johns were the parents of 11 children.
I would like to hear from anyone researching German JOHNS families. It has been difficult finding my ancestors because of the many surnames used by the descendants. Maybe we can help eachother.
Links to other sites on the Web
Arkansas Johns
Florida Johns
South Carolina Johns
© 1997 tapalot@hotmail.com
Get your own Free Home Page