BRANTLEY COUNTY, GEORGIA - FAMILY SKETCHES

JAMES PATRICK "POTLIKKER JIM" JOHNS FAMILY


DESCENDANTS

James Patrick Johns, the son of James Madison and Elender (Ellen) Courson Johns, was born in Charlton (now Brantley) Co., near Bachlott community on June 2, 1873. He married Ida Riggins (b. Mar. 29, 1874), the daughter of William Colquitt and Annie Hodge Riggins, on Mar. 19, 1894, and they had the following children:

 

1. ANNIE LEO NORA, b. 11/9/1897, d. 12/31/1993; m. John T. Lee; both are buried at Bachlott Cem.

 

2. MARY ELIZABETH, b. 2/7/1900, d. 4/10/1975; m. William Tyler Smith; both buried at Palmetto Cem. in Brunswick.

 

3. MILTON McKINLEY, b. 11/13/1902, d. 6/1/1904; buried at Bachlott Cem.

 

4. JOSEPH WARD, b. 9/22/1904, d. 3/8/1980; m. Mary Frances Johns. He is buried at Palmetto Cem., Brunswick.

 

5. JAMES LEONIDAS, b. 1/29/1907, d. 8/6/1979; m. Lula Andrew Cobb. Leon is buried at Palmetto Cem., Brunswick.

 

James and Ida Johns spent most of their lives at their home near the Bachlott Community and all of their children were born there, except Leon who was born in Florida where they lived for a short time. At one time Mr. Johns owned a Turpentine Still at Bachlott, however, he spent most of his life farming. He was a member of F.&A.M. and served in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1943, 44, 45, and 46.

 

Mr. And Mrs. Johns were members of the New Hope primitive Baptist Church. Ida Riggins Johns died 8/6/1943 and was buried at Bachlott Cemetery. Mr. Johns later married Mrs. Abbie Rowell Douglas (born and buried in Coffee Co., Ga., was also a member at New Hope. Mr. Johns died 11/11/1947 and was first buried at New Hope Cem., and later removed to Bachlott Cemetery.

 

James Patrick Johns was known to his friends as "Jim" or "Pot Likker Jim". Their home place is now the home of John I. and Eula Mae Herrin Lee. John is the grandson of James and Ida Riggins Johns and son of their daughter, Nora.

 

(Submitted by Dorothy Johns Thomas, granddaughter of James and Ida Johns, and daughter of their son, Ward (9/18/1996).

 

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