United States Senator John Edwards, Patriot Ancestor of Ronald Mayo Johnson, was born March 16, 1748 in Stafford County, Virginia to Hayden Edwards and Penelope Sanford. He married Susanna Wroe (1748-1883) around 1768 and with her had the following children, most of whom were born in Kentucky: Elizabeth (1769-1834), Hayden (1771-1849) from whom Johnson descends, John Henry (1773-1852), Benjamin (1775-1837), Amos (1776-1834), Susannah (ca 1778-), Nancy (1784-), Gustavus Erixon (1786-), George, Polly, Wroe, Jane, and Benjamin W. (1778-1856).
On the front lawn of the Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky courthouse is a large Historical Marker No. 1722 inscribed on two sides as follows:
“JOHN EDWARDS
1748-1837
As early legislator, Edwards was member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1781-83, 1785, 1786. He was a delegate to the convention to ratify Federal Constitution, June 1778, and to conventions that separated Kentucky from Virginia. Edwards served as a representative to the 1792 convention which framed the first constitution of Ky.
WESTWOOD
Six miles west on Brentsville Road on Cooper’s Run is the site of the home of John Edwards, one of Kentucky’s first two United States senators, 1792-95. In Virginia he married Susannah Wroe and came to Ky. in 1780. He served in militia and became first clerk of Bourbon County. Elected to Ky. House of Representatives, 1795: then to Ky. Senate, 1796-1800.”
As one of the first two U.S. Senators from Kentucky, John Edwards served during the second term of President George Washington. He was a member of the Anti Administration Party who supported slavery. He owned extensive properties including stores, plantations, mills and slaves before his life took a decidedly new course. On July 15, 1799 John Edwards sold to Jesse Williams a light mulatto 22 year old slave named Preciller Johnson. Seven days later on July 22nd Mr. Williams filed a deed of emancipation for Preciller Johnson in payment of forty pounds. Both documents were certified and recorded by the county clerk the next day.
Mr. Edwards left the family home in 1799, taking up residence in Duncan Tavern for reasons made clear in Deed Book E page 373 of the Court Records of Bourbon County:
“Indenture Made This Twenty-Ninth Day of March Year 1800 Between John Edwards, Esquire, Of The County Of Bourbon, State of Kentucky Of The First Part, Amos Edwards, John Edwards, Jr. And James Hutchison Of County And State Aforesaid Of Second Part, Susannah Edwards, Wife Of Said John Edwards, Esquire, of the Third Part, And Susannah Reeder, Widow, Polly Edwards, Nancy Edwards, Gustavus Erixon Edwards And Benjamin Edwards, Children Of The Said John Edwards, Esquire And Wife Susannah Of The Fourth Part, Witnesseth That In Consideration Of The Sum Of Five Shillings Lawful Money Of The State Of Kentucky Paid By Said Amos Edwards, John Edwards, Jr. And James Hutchinson, And consideration Of Love And Affection Which The Said John Edwards Hath For The Said Susannah And Others Named And For The Support and Separate Maintenance of Said Susannah And Said Children And For Settling And Assuring The Lands, Tenements And Negroes Herein Named Unto Uses Declared, He The Said John Edwards, Esquire Grants And Confirms Unto The Said Amos Edwards, John Edwards, Jr. And James Hutchison All That Tract Called “Westwood” Lying in Bourbon Along With The Negroes, Said Susannah During Her Life To Receive Rents And Profits And Product Of The Labour Of Said Negroes For Her Support And Support And Education Of Her Children, And After Her Death Then To Susannah Reeder, Polly Edwards, Nancy Edwards, Gustavus Erixon Edwards And Benjamin Edwards, Property To Remain For Purpose Aforesaid Upon The Trusts Aforesaid.”
Following John Edwards separating from and making provision for his wife of 30 years and minor children, he commenced selling his numerous Kentucky properties in connection with some debt problems he was encountering and a bankruptcy.
Meanwhile, Prisceller Johnson was acquiring property and land as well as producing a number of children; Joseph, John, Sally, May and Jane were later mentioned in her Perry County, Missouri will in 1838; Nelly, Harriet and Perneally were registered in Scioto County, Ohio where John Edwards owned land; and Lou and Asa were also with her in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
From 1817 forward a number of deeds appear in the records in Cape Giradeau, Perry County Missouri showing property transactions between Prisciller Johnson and John Edwards including a transfer of a slave named Bob from John to Prisciller. Deeds sometimes described Prisciller as landlady or housekeeper and John as attorney in fact. As a result of two court proceedings near the end of John Edwards’ life, it is possible to establish more clearly both his earlier military record during the Revolutionary War and his relationship to Perciller Johnson and her children.
The Cape Girardeau, Missouri County Court Records, Book D, pages 339, 340 show that on March 30, 1833 the court, after investigating and taking evidence, found that John Edwards was a Revolutionary soldier and officer and served in the grades and manner as he stated. It further ordered that a certified copy of the court’s order be provided him for the War Department. John’s declaration (Cape Girardeau, Missouri County Court: Box M 1 File 6 of the County Clerk) follows:
“John Edwards declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the United States of June 7th 1832 State of Missouri County of Cape Girardeau on this twenty fifth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Circuit court for the County of Cape Giradeau. Aforesaid John Edwards a resident of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri aged eighty three years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That in 1775 volunteer companies were raised in Virginia at the recommendation of the Colonial Congress who were afterward turned into minuit men. That the said John Edwards acted as ensign in Capt. John Fristos company. After this in 1776 he became Captain in a militia company and marched to the Potomac River where he remained some time. Gov Dunmore who had been driven from Williamsburg came up the river in a British Vessell. In this service guarding the exposed frontier of Virginia he continued until about 1778 in spring of the year when he went to Kentucky in 1779 and took with him a load of flower and whiskey and two negroes that he sold and made considerable advances to the garrison at Louisville in Provisions. About one year afterward he received a lieutenant Col commission from the Governor of Virginia to raise men to repel the incursions of the Indians. He was then with General Clark in 1782 and was appointed by him Commissary General to take charge of the stores and plunder obtained from the Indians which was considerable. In 1785 or 1786 he was ordered by Gen. Clark to march from where Cincinnati now is and from a junction with him on the Wabash. He and Logan with their regiments started for that purpose but failing to hear of Gen Clark they separated for the purpose of destroying the Indian settlements near the head of Ohio River. The town Logan went to sued for peace. The one he went to resisted. A battle was fought the Indians defeated the town destroyed and about sixty or seventy Indians men women and children taken prisoners and carried to Kentucky. In this engagement he had his horse fall under him. In 1786 he was called on by the commander of the Militia in Bourbon County Kentucky to assist them in stopping the depredations of the Indians on the Ohio. He refused to march until the expedition was authorized by the Governor. He thereafter received the Governors order. He then raised four hundred and fifty men with whom he marched to the Indian country -------- in their town and done them considerable injury in consequence of which they were stoped for some time from infesting the Ohio River. After this on the 6th of April 1787 the Indians broke in to the settlement in Kentucky where he lived and killed almost a whole family. In the morning he raided a number of men as Col of the County pursued the enemy overtook them and killed all but one man who escaped wounded. My three commissions as Captain, Lieut Col and later Commandant were taken from me in the year 1804 by the Commissioner of Bankruptcy with all my other papers. I was commissioned Captain in 1776. In 1782 I received the Commission of Lieut Col. And in 1784 I was commissioned Col. Commandant of the County of Bourbon, Kentucky.”
“I do hereby extinguish my claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and I do declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency or any state. Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year aforesaid. John Edwards”
Since the court did not sign its order until May 30, 1833 and John Edwards died shortly thereafter, the Revolutionary War pension he sought was never processed. His will was filed in the Cape Girardeau County Probate Box 74 Bundle 1410. Over the years some of his probate records have disappeared but the County Archivist provided a copy of his will in John’s own handwriting:
“In the name of God Amen. I John Edwards Senr of the county of Cape Girardeau and State of Mesurie a citizen of the United States of America formerly a member of the Senate in Congress do make ordain and declare this instrument which is written with my own hand subscribed with my name to be my Last will and Testament hereby revoking all others I imprise all my just debts legally proved to be paid in the said state of Misury out of my property or money that I may own at my death in Misurie State and out of any arrears or portion that may be due me together with any debts due me by notes in said state or Kentucky one note on Phillips and Say now in my possession for two hundred and fifty five dollars. They live in Kentucky also notes to very considerable amount delivered to Albert Dupe for Collection in presence of Mr. George Baker which has never been returned nor the proceeds. A letter late from him informs me he shall collect a part. All land that I may yet own or at my death in Kentucky I leave one fourth to my daughter Jane Beall & one fourth to my son Majr John Edwards Junr and the other half to Preciller Johnson and her children with any moneys, debts or property that I may own after my Missouri debts are paid to be divided equally between her and her children which I have adopted as mine all which I hope my Executors will attend to who will be hereinafter mentioned. I wish nothing but a plain decent burial after my death. Item I leave all or any slaves I may own at my decease free from bondage in any part of the United States and do hereby immansipate them fully and freely forever and their Children after them which I hope my Executors will attend to. Lastly I constitute my good friend George Scrips Executor of my Last Will and testament. In witness of all and each of the things herein contained I have hereunder set my hand and seal this 17th day of September 1832 John Edwards Sen”
Probate records of the Cape Girardeau Court show that on February 14, 1834 the attesting witnesses to the will declared it was actually signed September 17, 1833 rather than 1832. Interestingly, the Biographical Directory of the United States Senate as well as the plaque on the grounds of the Paris, Kentucky Courthouse list John’s death year as 1837.The Biographical Directory further states he died and is buried on his plantation near Paris. In truth, he died in Missouri between September 17, 1833 and February 14, 1834 and to this day no one is sure where he is buried. It is believed that family sensitivities caused the obfuscation of facts about this interesting patriot; fortunately, legal documents shed much light on the Edwards family secrets. Thus ended the life of United States Senator John Edwards.
*Legal documents quoted herein containing errors in usage, spelling and punctuation are as shown in the original documents to the extent such were decipherable.