This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HUMPHRIES, JOHNSTON, PERSINGER Classification: Will Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/GBC.2ACI/737.11.1.2.1.1 Message Board Post: Alas! This one has been an ongoing puzzle for many of us descendents for many years. Who WAS Henry's wife, Grizzy, as mentioned in his 1824 will? Many thought she was a Griselda/Grizelda. Now I am actually submitting TWO (2) CHANGES to John Henry PERSINGER (1752-1824) that need be known & corrected. John Henry PERSINGER's wife WAS Grace "Elizabeth" KIMBERLING (aka Grizzy!) Hindsight - NOW it makes perfect sense. There was one sole female PERSINGER in the 1830 Census, following Henry's death in 1824. She was Grace PERSINGER. Just tonite, I found RECORD that John PERSINGER married Elizabeth KIMBERLING in 1778 in Botetourt Co., VA. Apparently, she must have been a Grace Elizabeth KIMBERLING (aka Grizzy). This can be VERIFIED in the Marriages of Virginia Residents Vol II, Part II, Surnames O-P, (Page 201). This one, however, is the SHOCKER...... John Henry PERSINGER's parents were NOT whom we thought (Jacob Sr. PERSINGER & Rebecca UNKNOWN). John "Henry" PERSINGER's mother was either a) Eve PERSINGER JOHNSTON or b) Eve UNKNOWN PERSINGER JOHNSTON. If Eve was married previously, she was probably the wife of Christopher PERSINGER (I have NOT located such a marriage as of yet; Working on it). Before you read the balance of this, to include Eve PERSINGER JOHNSTON's will, please note that I've researched the 1810 & 1820 census. Our John "Henry" PERSINGER was the ONLY "Henry PERSINGER" in VA. Additionally, come the 1820 Census, Henry PERSINGER claims to have ONE (1) slave (You'll understand better once you read Eve JOHNSTON's will further below): >From the CHRONICES of AUGUSTA CO COURT RECORDS I located the following (& Note Definition of DEPOSE – To bear witness; to testify under oath; to make deposition). CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS, SECTION "I." JUDGMENTS; Page 67 Thomas Kincade vs. Cunningham--O. S. 22; N. S. 8--Bill filed 30th April, 1802: Thomas, on 10th January, 1771, purchased of Jacob Persinger a tract in Greenbrier called the Spring Lick tract, which Persinger had brought of Christian Landers, who had made a settlement thereon...... Jacob Persinger was son of Jacob Persinger, Sr., deceased, 1803. Eve Johnston testifies she lived within a mile of Christian (Christopher) Lander in 1753-54 in Greenbrier. 1803: (Bill FILED; Kinkade vs. Cunningham): (Partial)….. Eve JOHNSTON deposes: That she lived on Potts Creek in 1782, and several years before she lived within a mile of Christopher Landiss (Landers) in 1753-54. Christopher PERSINGER deposes: That he, with Landers, first improved the land. Eve JOHNSTON, as well as Christopher PERSINGER, testify that they were OF Greenbrier County in 1753-1754. John Henry PERSINGER was to have been born in 1752. So, suspect would lead one to believe that: a)Christopher PERSINGER was John Henry PERSINGER's father, or b)Perhaps a deceased sibling to Christopher PERSINGER may have been (had the PERSINGER BOYS's migrated to Greenbrier together). c)Or that ALL of the PERSINGER's may have been OF Greenbrier in 1752-1753; Eve COULD have been a sister to Christopher PERSINGER. TIME WILL TELL. 1809: To follow is a copy of Eve JOHNSTON's will. The following is a translation of the her will. In the name of God Amen, I Eve Johnston of Botetourt County and the state of Virginia, being this the abundant mercy of God in perfect understanding and memory do constitute this my last will and testament and desire ti to be received by all as such. ----I most humbly bequeath my soul to God my maker beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it. --- --- sufficient merits and ------ of myu most companions. Redeemer Jesus Christ who ave himself to be an atonnment for my sins and si able to save to the utmost all the --- to come unto God by him --------. I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the last day and for my burial I desire that it should be decent without pomp at the discredion of my executors hereafter named who should --- ----- manage it with all required ----- also my worldly estate I will and positively order that all my debts be paid. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved son, Henry Persinger named Samin forever. Item, I give and bequeath ot my beloved son Andrew Johnston a tract of land lying and being in the state of Kentucky containing three hundred acres. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Jacob Johnston one Negro woman named Briss and one Negro boy named Abram forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved son William Johnston a tract of land joining his own land where he now lives and one Negro boy named Jim which he sold to Samuel Porter forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Sarah Porter hereafter named. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rachael Sinkhorn two tracts of land joining together where she now lives. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Margaret Smith's daughter Rebecca Smith one hundred dollars cash. the residue of my estate not particularly mentioned above is to be sold at pullick sale and the money equally divided amoungst the degatees mentioned except Rebecca Smith. And I do constitue Jacob Persinger, Sr. and Michael Mallow my sole Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 21st day of June 1809. Eve Johnson, mark (seal) Witness, Jacob Persinger, Marget Persinger, John Wright. Addl' Notes on Eve PERSINGER JOHNSTON's deceased husband: Ezekiel JOHNSTON, husband of Eve UNKNOWN PERSINGER JOHNSTON (to have been married in 1766 Botetourt Co., VA) was killed at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War Battle on August 9, 1781 (which began on March 15, 1781 and marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War). The inventory of Ezekiel JOHNSTON’s estate is recorded in Will Book A, Page 208, of Botetourt County, Virginia records. It was approved in July court, 1784 and was valued at 326 pounds, 14 shillings (I have the inventory on file). And Lastly, Food for Thought..... Associated with Ezekiel's family is the facet that there were to have been seven (7) children. As you can see in Eve's will, we can only find evidence of six (6) JOHNSTON children. Could John JOHNSTON have previously died? OR could unfound "John", son of Ezekiel & Eve PERSINGER JOHNSTON have been "JOHN HENRY" PERSINGER, raised by Ezekiel & Eve JOHNSTON? Respectfully Submitted, Sandra HUMPHRIES RAEDEL