Ann Meriwether Johnson Cosby (M124)
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

Ann’s birth year is not known for certain; records in St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent County, show:

"Anne Daugh. of Nicho Meriwether Gent. bapt the 15 July, 169_." 190

If we assume she was at least 18 when she first married, she was born on or before 1694.

She married, first, Thomas Johnson about 1712 and had issue. She is mentioned as “Ann, wife of Thomas Johnson” in the 1721 will of her cousin, Francis Clements, from whom she was bequeathed a ring. She is also mentioned as “daughter Ann Johnson” several times in the 1744 will of her father, Nicholas Meriwether II.

In February 1735, Ann was appointed the guardian of her children Richard, Jane, Ann, Thomas and William. In the same month she gave one Negro boy and three Negro girls to her son Nicholas.

Sometime after 1750, she married, second, John Cosby, no issue.

Ann died in March 1785, probably in Louisa County, at the advanced age of about 90 or 91.

Selected Entries from Deed Books A & B - Louisa Co. VA

P 161-163 26 Apr 1757 Ann Cosby (lately Ann Johnson) of Louisa Co., to Thomas Johnson of Caroline Co. L60 sterling and also for L100 curr. money.Va.

Two tracts begins at Col. Nicholas Meriwether's corner... on north side of South Anna across the same. other tract of 311 acres begins pointers in Nick. Meriwether's (now Thomas Johnsons) line... to the river...to pointers on round about neck ridge (now in Thos. Johnson's line). Ann Cosby. Wit: Wm Johnson, Wm Cruther, Robert Estes.

Ann Cosby

Ann’s will was dated 2 Feb 1780 and proven 9 May 1785.

"Will of Ann Cosby of Louisa County dated 2nd. Feb. 1780, executors son Thomas and William Johnson, Proved 9th May 1785 by William Johnson Gent. Witnesses, Henry Ashton Johnson and Fanny Garth."

The Will states that the testatrix was a "person of advanced age."

Devises to "daughter Ann Boswell books and money enough to buy her a marriage ring.”

To my son Thomas Johnson my great Bible and my mourning ring.

To my son William Johnson all the rest of my estate except slaves.

To my grand-daughter Jane Wiley the labor of certain slaves til her daughters Ann Meriwether Wiley and Martha Jones Wiley shall arrive at eighteen years old.

“To my great grand daughter Ann Meriwether Wiley and Martha Jones Wiley” certain slaves "equally divided between them when the said Ann arrives at age of eighteen years.

The marriage of Anne and Thomas Johnson is shown by the will of Francis Clement, dated 8 April 1721: “Anne, wife of Thomas Johnson…”. They probably married in late 1712, as their first known son, Nicholas, was born in Oct 1713. Nicholas received a deed of gift from Ann in 1734. Other known children are Richard, Jane, Ann and Thomas, all listed orphans of Thomas Johnson in Feb 1735. A 1734 deed from Nicholas identifies his sisters Jane and Ann Johnson. Thomas, William and Ann are also mentioned in Ann’s will.

Other children alleged to belong to Thomas and Ann are: Semi Ramis/Semiramis, Henry, James and David Johnson. No records have been found to confirm them as children. The few records for Semiramis Johnson, who married Thomas Paulett, tend to discount the possibility that she is Ann’s daughter.

Supporting references:

Orphan bond: On 6 February 1734/5, Ann Johnson widow and David Meriwether Gent. and Joseph Fox of Hanover County are firmly bound unto Nicholas Meriwether Gent. first Justice in the Commission of the Peace for Hanover County as guardians of Richard, Jane, Ann and Thomas Johnson, orphans of Thomas Johnson, deceased. (Son Nicholas was married by Oct 1733 and did not need a guardian.)

Deed of Gift, 12 December 1734, from Ann Johnson to her son Nicholas Johnson, a Boy Slave named Daniel and 3 Negro Girl Slaves, Sarah, Ester and Tamar.

Deed, January 1734, from Nicholas Johnson of King William County, to his sisters Jane and Ann Johnson.

On 26 April 1758, Ann Crosby gave to her son, Richard Johnson of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover County, 14 Negro slaves.