Cornelius Johnson, Jr. (Cornelius), was born ca 1680/811 probably in what is now eastern Sussex County, Delaware in the vicinity of Cedar Creek and Broadkiln Hundreds. Exactly at what point Cornelius Johnson arrived in Dorchester County, Maryland has not been determined but it was most likely during the late 1680s when he was still a small child. There are no probate records for his father, Cornelius Johnson, Sr., in Maryland or Delaware but he probably died in Dorchester County, Maryland after 1705. When or wherever Cornelius Johnson, Sr. died his son Cornelius, Jr. became the owner of "Tiddenton" which had been left by Henry Harman in his will of 1702 to Barbary Johnson and her heirs.

16 May 1721 Joseph Alford and Hannah, his wife, to Samuel Irland (Ireland), "Richardson's Choice" containing 100 acres, adjoining Benjamin Nicholls' land. Wit: William Parry, Cornelius Johnson. Acknowledged 12 Feb. 1721(/22)[2 old 107]2

9 June 1724, James Hayes of Dorchester County, to John Dodd of the same county, tract called "Hogg Quarter" containing 100 acres, on the northwest fork of Nanticoke River, adj. "Vinsuns Chance." Wit: Cornelius Johnson, John WIllington (8 old 59)3

15 March 1726(/27) Richard Pritchard of Dorchester County, blacksmith, and Sarah his wife, to John Cooke and John Stevens, Jun'r of the same county, Yeomen, "Pritchard's Adventure" in the freshes of Great Choptank River, on Hooper's Branch of the northwest fork of Nanticoke River, on a path leading from Cornelius Johnson's to William Kirk's, containing 100 acres. (8 old 147)4

6 December 1727, John Hodson, Sen'r, of Dorchester County, planter, to John Rodgers of the same county, Yeoman, a tract called "Hodson's Plaines" containing 93 acres, on a path between the plantations of Cornelius Johnson and William Harper. (8 old 170)5

15 March 1728(/29) John Cook and John Stevens, Jun'r, of Dorchester County, Gentlemen, to Robert Wing of said county, Gentleman, "Pritchett's Adventure" in the freshes of Great Choptank, on the south side of Harper's Branch which issues out of the northwest fork of Nanticoke River, on a path from Cornelius Johnson's to William Kirk's, containing 100 acres, Mary Cook and Priscilla Stevens mentioned as the wives of John Cook and John Stevens, Jun'r. (8 old 261)6

2 July 1729, Cornelius Johnson is granted a patent for 315 acres lying in Dorchester County called "Hardship" (MD Patents Lib. PL7 fol. 111 & MD Certificates Lib. ILA fol. 782)7

19 March 1730(/31) Deposition of Cornelius Johnson of Dorchester Co., aged about 50, regarding several tracts-- "Painter's Range," "The Grove," "Wiltshire" and "Dorchester"  Note "Dorchester" should be "Doncaster." [MSA Vol. 5, p. 780]8

19 October 1739, Cornelius Johnson writes his will and it is probated on the 6th of December following. Cornelius Johnson devises his home plantation "Tittenton" (Tiddenton) containing 85 acres to his wife Mary, and at her death to pass to his son Isaac. He left his son Harmon part of a tract called "Hardship" lying on the west side of his Lordships Road and the part of "Hardship" lying on the east side of the road was left to Isaac. Cornelius also left a tract of 100 acres called "Pokedy" in Kent County on the Delaware to his daughters, Sarah Dukes and Rachel Sexton. Finally he appoints his wife, Mary, and son Harmon as executors of his last will and testament. Witnesses to the document were John Young, Thomas Causey and John Andrew. (MD Wills Lib. 22 fol. 124)9

1 Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland 1669-1782, by Debbie Hooper, p. 72.

2 Abstracts From The Land Records Of Dorchester County, Maryland, Vol. A, by James A. McAllister, Jr., p. 23.

3 Abstracts From The Land Records Of Dorchester County, Maryland, Vol. B, by James A. McAllister, Jr., p. 104.

4 Abstracts From The Land Records Of Dorchester County, Maryland, Vol. B, by James A. McAllister, Jr., p. 115.

5 Abstracts From The Land Records Of Dorchester County, Maryland, Vol. B, by James A. McAllister, Jr., p. 118 & 119.

6 Abstracts From The Land Records Of Dorchester County, Maryland, Vol. B, by James A. McAllister, Jr., p. 127.

7 Settlers of Maryland 1701-1730, by Peter Wilson Coldham, p. 88.

8 Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland 1669-1782, by Debbie Hooper, p. 72.

9 Maryland Calendar of Wills, Vol. 8 1738-1743, by Jane Cotton, p. 60.

Updated Tuesday, 09 October 2007

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