Notes |
- There is some debate as to whether Penelope was a Johnson/Johnston or a Bolling. There is evidence for both arguments, as there are many males in the Christopher Clark/Penelope Johnson lineage with the first name Bolling; however, that may also be a name inherited from another female in the family. There were Johnsons in the Cedar Creek Meeting, and as notes for Christopher Clark mentioned, some members of the Cedar Creek Meeting were ousted for marrying outside the meeting, which shifts the evidence in favor of Penelope being a Johnson.
Even though the Stevens-Davis Book (page 196) states that Christopher Clark (son of Micajah Clark and Sallie Ann Moorman) married circa 1709, Penelope Massie or Bolling, (died post 1754), the daughter of William Bolling and a grandaughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper (121-83), First Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord High Commander of England, and the father of Habeas Corpus, "Anthony Roots and Branches," (page 181) states that the wife of Christopher Clark is believed to have been Penelope Johnson, b. Aug 4, 1684, dau. of Edward Johnson and Elizabeth Walker, St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co., VA. Randolph A. Malone, in his book, "Josiah Carter," page 243, refers to Capt. Christopher Clark and Penelope (Johnson) Clark. "Anthony Roots and Branches," (page 198) also states that Penelope Johnson was the right age, and in the right place to have been the wife of Christopher Clark, and that Christopher Clark named four of his children for names in the Edward Johnson family, including Penelope. It is also stated on the same page (198) that the Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter day Saints has accepted Johnson as the last name of Penelope, wife of Christopher Clark. Also stated on the same page (198) is the following:
(1) "Descendants of William and John Johnson" by Dr. Lorand V. Johnson says in comments in the back of the book re: Chart 1: "Agnes Clark was the daughter of Christopher and Penelope Clark. Penelope Johnson was the daughter of Edward Johnson of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co."
(2)Publications disagree about the names of the parents of Christopher Clark's wife but there is a recurring statement that she was a granddaughter or great-granddaughter of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the First Earl of Shaftesbury [which adds to the confusion].
Dr. Lorand Johnson attempted to show that the First Earl of Shaftesbury was a likely father of Sarah and Lucretia Massie, who married William and John Johnston of New Kent County, Virginia in the late 1600s. Lord Ashley had three marriages, but none of his wives are named. Lord Ashley was made one of the proprietors of Carolina in the spring of 1655; he persuaded Quakers to go to Carolina in the early 1670s. About this time, he became the Earl of Shaftesbury. He became involved in a plot agains the king in 1679, and escaped to the Netherlands under the name Johnson.
Anthony-Ashey Cooper, First Earl of Shaftesbury, secured passage of the Habeas Corpus Act in 1679. He became prominent under Cromwell, then helped plan the restoration of the monarchy. King Charles II made him Baron Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury, and Lord Chancellor.
If it is proven that Penelope was a Bolling, she would be a descendant of Pocahontas. However, as such respected sources as have been listed here have accepted Penelope as a Johnson/Johnston, the Johnson/Johnston lineage is the one given in this family file.
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