Ezekiel JOHNSON

Notes:

I have assumed that these dates from the RI Cemetery Database belong to this Ezekiel, because they are in the right time frame and the grave is in the right area.

Some genealogies show that Ezekiel married Elizabeth's sister, Abigail. It is a confusing puzzle that needs more research.

The will of Ezekiel Johnson, of Coventry, was dated 18 Apr 1789 and proved 7 Nov 1791. In it he mentions his wife Elizabeth, four sons, and four daughters, the last of which - at least - is under 18.

I have wondered if he had another son named Philip who died in 1785. There was a Philip Johnson who is noted in the Maple Root records as having died 13 July 1785. This might explain why Ezekiel Jr. had a son named Philip. Based on his age at death and place of burial (information from Linda Mathew), I am including him in this family group.

From Linda Mathew: "Ezekiel . . . when he made his [will] in 1789 left all of his real estate, undivided, to his sons Ezekiel, Edmund, and Daniel. Ezekiel, Sr., died in 1791 and the following year the brothers divided the land. Daniel received 50 acres in West Greenwich. Ezekiel and Edmund got the Coventry portions of their father's land, but Edmund sold his to Ezekiel a few years later when he moved to upstate New York."

Ezekiel married Elizabeth GREENE Abt 1754. Elizabeth (daughter of Uzal GREENE and Susannah HILL) was born 28 Jan 1735/36. [Group Sheet]

1. Mary Marcy Johnson was born Abt 1754, RI; died 26 Jun 1834, West Greenwich, Kent Co., RI; was buried , Levi Whitford Lot, Weaver Hill Rd., West Greenwich, RI.
2. Levi Johnson was born 1756.
3. Susannah Johnson was born 1758.
4. Ezekiel JOHNSON, Jr. was born 1760; died 15 Aug 1849, Coventry, RI; was buried , Maple Root Cemetery, Coventry, RI.
5. Philip Johnson was born Between 1761 and 1762; died 13 Jul 1785; was buried , Maple Root Cemetery, Harkney Hill Rd., Coventry, RI.
6. Dinah Johnson was born 1764.
7. Edmond Johnson was born 1767.
8. Daniel JOHNSON was born Abt 1770; died Abt 1834.
9. Huldah Johnson was born Abt 1776.

Notes:

I have estimated the birth years of some of the children, based on the order in which they are named in Elisha's will.

Some genealogies show Elisha as having an earlier wife named Mary Spencer. (needs more research)

Elisha's father Elkanah deeded to him on 4 February 1720 a piece of land located in Warwick that he had bought from Samuel & Susannah Gorton.

Elisha married Mary GREENE Abt 1726. Mary (daughter of John GREENE and Abigail WARDWELL) was born Abt 1706; died Between 4 May 1741 and Jul 1750. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It is not known whether Elkanah was born in England or America. There are references to an Elkanah Johnson elsewhere, but if that was the same individual as this, that fact is unclear. An Elkanah Johnson was summoned to the Plymouth Court on 1 June 1669; an Elkena Johnson served on a jury at Newport in May 1674. The earliest reference to Elkanah in the west bay area of RI is a 1705 East Greenwich land record identifying him as "Elkany Johnson of East Greenwich."

In February 1726/27, "Alkanah" Johnson contributed to the building of the meetinghouse for the Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich.

(Source for the above information: Linda L. Mathew in "A Line of Descent from Elkanah Johnson of Coventry . . ." in RI Roots Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 3, p. 113 - 115)

Linda Mathews also suggests that Elkanah may have come to East Greenwich from Newport, as did Elisha Johnson, who bought land at East Greenwich 14 August 1715. The similar names of some of their children may indicate that they were related.

Elkanah married Mary BARTHOLOMEW Abt 1696. Mary was born Abt 1675. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Some genealogies have this John Greene as a son of John "Quidnessett" Greene, but other more recent researchers strongly dispute that. A closer study of land records indicates that John Jr., the son of John "Quidnessett" Greene, was living in Newport, and may in fact have died earlier than this John, who lived in East Greenwich and then the Harkney Hill section of Coventry.

Since the evidence for parentage of this particular John Greene has been called into question, I have not extended our family tree beyond this point. For further information, see the following web site: http://www.hal-pc.org/~wmewrght/green.html

William E. Wright is one of may compilers of Greene genealogies. His book and web site provide a comprehensive analysis of other Greene family researchers, which can be evaluated and compared by interested individuals.

However, as further research comes to light in the future, descendants may have to yet again change their genealogy data!

John — Abigail WARDWELL. Abigail (daughter of Uzal WARDWELL and Unknown Wife) was born 27 Oct 1665, Bristol, RI; died Aft 19 Oct 1739. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her name appears as Abigail D. in some sources, but most genealogies have agreed that she was a daughter of Usal/Uzal Wardwell of Bristol, RI. I have concurred for the present.

One genealogy says she was born at Ipswich.

Abigail died after 19 Oct 1739, when she was named in the will of her stepmother.

Notes:

His death record at Bristol: "WORDALL Uzal, 93y., Oct. 25, 1732"

The will of Uzal Wardwell, administered 7 Dec 1732 at Bristol, RI, mentions his wife Grace and five sons: Joseph, Uzal, James, William, & Benjamin. No daughters are mentioned, although it is known that he had daughters.

I am not sure which of his children were born of his second wife, although I am fairly sure that Sarah was Grace's daughter because she and her husband are named as executors in Grace's will. Also, I have found James in the Bristol birth records, as a son of Uzal & Grace.

The surname is spelled variously as Wardwell, Wordwell, Wordall, Wordell, & Wardel.

Uzal came from Ipswich, MA, and settled in Bristol, RI, where it is said he was an innkeeper.

Uzal married Unknown Wife Abt 1665. Unknown was born Abt 1643; died Bef 1682. [Group Sheet]