Richard Johnson sold his 400 acre settlement and 1000 acre preemption on McCullough Run to David Hall on 17 Nov 1788, when both were residents in Louisa County, Virginia. Although the Jefferson County deed book #2 in which this was recorded has since gone missing, we are fortunate that a lawyer named Beattie had copied it, and the Louisville Title Mortgage Company had obtained this around 1901. Then an abstract was made of it in 1935, and is available on familysearch.org where we found these two entries.
From Book 2, page 11:
"Richard Johnston and Susanna of Louisa County to David Hall of the same location, 17 Nov 1788 @ 160 pounds, 400 acres of land by survey on the waters of Salt River, entered by the name of Poplar level, beginning at the west side of McCullough's Run, about 400 poles above where the Falls road crosses the said creek. Proved in court by 3 witnesses on 2 Jun 1789."
Then on page 16 is this entry:
"Richard Johnston and Susanna of Louisa County to David Hall of the same location, 17 Nov 1788 @ 560 pounds paid, 1000 acres of land on the waters of Salt River in the Poplar Level, adjoining his 400 acre tract, thence to the west side of a branch, waters of Floyd's Fork, to a corner of his 400 acre tract and on to the west side of McCullough's run. Proved in court on 2 Jun 1789."
David Hall had apparently purchased these tracts "jointly and agreeable to stipulations between the parties (viz) David Hall, Clifton Hall, William Hall, David Paris, Edmond Stringer & Thomas Harris and for the convenience of those concerned," and would later begin distributing parts of it when he deeded a part to Richard Stringer at the request of Edmond Stringer, as is shown by that deed on another page.
Then, beginning on 18 Aug 1796, Richard Johnson [link to his land acquisitions] began selling the rest of his Bullitt County land. The first sale we've discovered was to Benjamin Newkirk on that date. Handling the sale was William G. Johnson who was acting as Richard Johnson's attorney. Richard was apparently living in Louisa County, Virginia at the time. Below is a transcription of that deed, and an image of it follows.
Jump to deeds from Johnson to
| Lawrence Bishop | Tunus Newkirk | George Bishop | David Sligo | Henry Sousley |
| Conerode Hoopengarner | Cornelius Bogard |
Bullitt County Deed Book A1, Page 3 & Deed Book A2, Pages 6-7
Richard Johnson to Benjamin Newkirk
This indenture made the 18th day of August 1796 between Richard Johnson by William G. Johnson his attorney of the State of Virginia and County of Louisa on the one part and Benjamin Newkirk of the State of Kentucky and County of Jefferson on the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney as aforesaid for and in hand the sum of two hundred and thirty pounds as good and lawful money of said state has granted, bargained and sold unto the said Benjamin Newkirk one certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in County of Jefferson and binding on Salt River. Beginning as follows (to wit) at a hicory ash and dogwood corners with Tunis Newkirk, thence S 20 W 284 poles to 4 sugar trees and beech on the bank of Salt River, and binding thereon 384 poles when reduced to a strate line to two hoopwoods, mulberry and beech on the said river, thence N 21 E 458 poles to a hicory white oak sugar tree and dogwood, thence E 70 poles to two white oaks and black oak, thence N 38 poles to two white oaks and sugartree, thence S 70 E 235 poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said land and all the appurtenances thereto belonging. And the said Richard Johnson doth hereby agree to warrant and defend the title of said land against himself, his heirs .. or any other person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof he has hereunto set his name and affixed his seal the same date and year above mentioned. (signed) Richard Johnson by William Johnson, his attorney.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of David Sligar, Lawrence Bishop, Henry Sousby.
Then on 18 May 1798, Johnson sold at least six tracts to six different men. We will report them in the order in which they were recorded in the Bullitt County deed book. First up was a sale to Lawrence Bishop.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, Page 57
Richard Johnson to Lawrence Bishop
This indenture made this 18th day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight between Richard Johnson of the State of Virginia on the one part and Laurance Bishop of the State of Kentucky & County of Bullitt on the other part, witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has granted, bargained, sold, and delivered unto the said Laurance Bishop one certain tract or parcel of land lying in Bullitt County on the waters of Salt River, containing by actual survey one hundred forty acres, for and in consideration of the sum of forty pounds in hand paid and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at a black oak and two hickory trees thence South twenty degrees West one hundred and seventy two poles to red oak, white oak, elm and dogwood, thence East one hundred & thirty poles to a white oak & poplar and ironwood, thence North twenty one degrees East one hundred and seventy two poles to a black oak, dogwood and ironwood trees, thence West one hundred and thirty poles to the Beginning. The above mentioned tract or parcel of land the said Richard Johnson do relinquish all his rights and title unto the said Laurence Bishop with all the appertianances thereunto belonging, and do hereby further agree to warrant and defend the right and title to the said land unto the said Laurance Bishop and his heirs to free and clear from the claim of himself, his heirs to or from any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have here unto set my name and caused my seal to be affixed the same day and year above mentioned.
(signed) Richard Johnson by William G. Johnson, his attorney
Signed, sealed in the presence of Henry Sousley, David Sligar, Tunus Newkirk.
Note that the sale to Benjamin Newkirk had been witnessed by David Sligar, Lawrence Bishop, and Henry Sousby; and the deed to Lawrence Bishop was witnessed by Henry Sousley, David Sligar, and Tunus Newkirk. We will see these names frequently repeated in later deeds.
The next deed recorded was from Johnson to Tunus Newkirk for 175 acres. It is shown and transcribed below.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, page 58
Richard Johnson to Tunus Newkirk
This indenture made this 18th day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight between Richard Johnson of the State of Virginia on the one part and Tunus Newkirk of the State of Kentucky and County of Bullitt of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has granted, bargained & sold and delivered unto the said Tunus Newkirk on certain tract or parcel of land lying in the County of Bullitt on the waters of Salt River containing by actual survey one hundred and seventy five acres for and in the consideration of one hundred pounds in hand paid and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at three poplars from one root, thence South seventy degrees East two hundred and forty poles to an ash, hickory & dogwood trees, thence North fifteen degrees East eight poles to two Beech trees in berrystine (Berry's line?) and with said line North eight degrees West one hundred and fifty poles to a line of Thomas Johnson's preemption, and with said line north seventy degrees West one hundred and twelve poles to a black oak, red oak & dogwood, thence South twenty degrees West one hundred and forty poles to the Beginning. The above described tract or parcel of land the said Richard Johnson do relinquish all his right and title unto the said Tunus Newkirk with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and do further agree to warrant and defend the right and title to the said land unto the said Tunus Newkirk, his heirs & free from the claim of myself, ny heirs & or from any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my seal and caused my name to be affixed the same day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Henry Sousley, David Sligar, Lawrence Bishop.
Richard Johnson by Wm G. Johnson, his attorney
The next deed recorded was from Johnson to George Bishop for fifty acres. It is shown and transcribed below.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, pp 58-59
Richard Johnson to George Bishop
This indenture made this 18th day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight between Richard Johnson of the State of Virginia of the one part and George Bishop of the State of Kentucky and County of Bullitt on the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has bargained, sold, and delivered unto the said George Bishop one certain tract or parcel of land lying in the County of Bullitt on the waters of Salt River containing by actual survey fifty acres for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars in hand paid and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at Black Oak and two Hickory trees and running thence E one hundred & thirty poles to a black oak, dogwood & iron wood, thence North 21 degrees East sixty two poles to a hickory, white oak and dogwood trees, thence West one hundred and thirty poles to two dogwood trees, thence South twenty degrees West sixty two poles to the Beginning. The above described tract or parcel of land the said Richard Johnson do hereby relinquish all his right & title with the said George Bishop with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, and do hereby further agree to warrant and defend the right and title to the above tract of land unto the said George Bishop & his heirs & free and clear from himself, his heirs and also from any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have here unto set my name and caused my seal to be fixed the same day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of David Sligar, Henry Sousley, Lawrence Bishop.
Richard Johnson by Wm G. Johnson, his attorney
Next we find a deed from Johnson to David Sligo. It is unclear how much land was included, as parts of the deed's words were scribbled out. Also, the plot lines seem to be incomplete.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, page 59
Richard Johnson to David Sligo
This indenture made this 18th day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight between Richard Johnson of the state of Virginia of the one part and David Sligo of the State of Kentucky and County of Bullitt on the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has granted, bargained & sold and delivered unto the said David Sligo one certain tract or parcel of land lying in the County of Bullitt on the waters of Salt River containing by actual survey ?? acres for and in the consideration of the sum of five dollars to me in hand paid, and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at Tunus Newkirk's west corner running a straight line fifty six poles to a pen oak & two white oaks in a glade, thence South twenty one degrees West sixty poles to a hickory, white oak, sugar tree and dogwood. [further plot lines appear to be missing.] The above described tract or parcel of land the said Richard Johnson do relinquish all his right and title unto the said David Sligo with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and do hereby further agree to warrant and defend the right to the above mentioned tract of land unto thesaid David Sligo, his heirs & free from the claim of myself, my heirs & or from the claim of any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused my seal to be affixed the same day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Tunus Newkirk, George Bishop, Conerod Hopengarner.
Richard Johnson by Wm G. Johnson, his attorney
Next is a deed from Johnson to Henry Sousley for 144 acres on the waters of Floyds Fork that borders on the land of Tunus Newkirk.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, pp 59-60
Richard Johnson to Henry Sousley
This indenture made this 18th day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight between Richard Johnson of the State of Virginia of the one part and Henry Sousley of the State of Kentucky and County of Bullitt of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has granted, bargained, sold and delivered unto said Henry Sousley one certain tract or parcel of land lying in Bullitt County on the waters of Floyds Fork containing by actual survey one hundred forty four acres for and in consideration of twenty five pounds in hand paid, and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning at three poplars at one root, corner with Tunus Newkirk, thence North 70 West eleven poles to two white oaks and sugar tree, thence North three hundred and forty six poles to two ashes & two white oaks corner on Leaches line, thence South sixty degrees East one hundred & forty two poles to two white oaks and hickory corner on said line, thence South 20 degrees West one hundred and fifty two poles, thence North twenty degrees West seven poles to a white oak corner with Tunus Newkirk, thence South twenty degrees West one hundred and forty poles to the Beginning. The above described tract of land the said Richard Johnson do relinquish all his right and title unto the said Henry Sousley with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and do further agree to warrant and defend the right and title to the said tract of land unto the said Henry Sousley and his heirs also free and clear from the claim of myself, ny heirs & or from any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused my seal to be affixed the same day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Tunus Newkirk, Conerod Hopengarner, George Bishop.
Richard Johnson by Wm G. Johnson, his attorney
The next deed listed in the deed book was from Johnson to Conerode Hoopengarner for 150 acres. It is displayed and transcribed below.
Bullitt County Deed Book A, pp 60-61
Richard Johnson to Conerode Hoopengarner
This indenture made this 18th day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight between Richard Johnson of the State of Virginia of the one part and Conerode Hoopengarner of the State of Kentucky and County of Bullitt of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Johnson by his attorney has granted, bargained, sold and delivered unto said Conerode Hoopengarner one certain tract or parcel of land lying on Salt River containing by actual survey one hundred and fifty acres for & in consideration of the sum of twenty four pounds in hand paid, and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning a red oak, white oak, elm and dogwood, thence South twenty degrees West one hundred and sixty six poles to a poplar, sugartree, & elm on the bank of Salt River, thence up said river one hundred and thirty poles to a mulberry, beech & two ash trees corner to Benjamin Newkirk, thence North twenty one degrees East two hundred and twenty four poles to a poplar, white oak, and ironwood trees, thence West one hundred and thirty poles to the beginning. The above above described tract or parcel of land the said Richard Johnson do relinquish all his right and title unto the said Conerode Hoopengarner with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and do hereby further agree to warrant and defend the right and title to the above mentioned tract of land unto the said Conerode Hoopengarner and his heirs to be free and clear from the claim of myself, my heirs, & also from any person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused my seal to be affixed the same day and year above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Henry Sousley, David Sligar, Lawrence Bishop.
Richard Johnson by William G. Johnson, his attorney.
That concluded a busy day's work for William G. Johnson as attorney for Richard, having completed seven sales in one day. However, we have found one other sale by William for Richard in 1805 that identifies Richard as William's father. It is a deed from Richard Johnson to Cornelius Bogard, dated 13 Sep 1805. View it and its transcript below.
Bullitt County Deed Book B, Page 62
Richard Johnson to Cornelius Bogard
This indenture made this 13th day of Sept one thousand eight hundred & five between William Johnson (attorney for his father Richard Johnson) of the County of Scott and Commonwealth of Kentucky of the one part, Cornelius Bogard of the County of Bullitt and same Commonwealth of the other part. Witnesseth that the said William Johnson for and in consideration of the sum of twelve pounds current money of Kentucky to him in hand paid also before the excution of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained, sold, by these presents doth grant, bargain ... unto the said Cornelius Bogard a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Bullitt and on Salt River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a hoop.. hickory and elm trees, thence N 20 E 152 poles to a red oak, elm & ash trees in Genel Lewis's line, thence S 60 E 90 poles ... hoopash, sugartree, honey locust ... on the bank of McCullocks run, thence down said run S 28 W 76 poles to the river, then down the river S70 W 92 poles to the Beginning, containing fifty three acres to the same more or less. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said Cor. Bogard, his heirs & assigns to his and their only proper use benefit & behoof forever, and the said Richard Johnson by his attorney aforesaid will warrant & defend the said fifty three acres of land & and every part thereof against the claims of himself, his heirs & the claim of Henry Criss K Woolfork & their heirs forever. In testimony whereof the said William Johnson has hereunto set his hand and seal this day & year first above written.
Wm Johnson, attorney for Richard Johnson.
Witnessed by Clifton Hall, Pleasant Scott, Richard Bougham.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Jan 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/johnson-sells.html
