The FRIZZELLs and DEASONs and a family of JOHNS(T)ONs all seem to have come from Maryland, but not together. Probably also some SHEPPERDs. My research on the DEASON-FRIZZELL-JOHNS(T)ON connection is very old, mostly done 20 years ago, and badly organized.

Oneil JOHNSON was granted 200 acres on "parting branches of Flat Creek". The survey was certified 11 Dec 1772; granted 26 July 1774; memorialized 3 Jan 1775. Oneil is one of a variety of spellings.

Oddly, on the 1880 census, Herod Johnson says his father, who would have been Neil or Neal or O'Neel Johnson or O'Neil, Junior, was born in Maryland. His mother was born in SC. However, Neal junior seems to have been born after the move to SC. If Neal senior had 200 acres surveyed in Dec 1772 and was granted the land on Flat Creek in 1774, then how could Neal junior have been born in MD? I have seen second-hand -- and would like to verify -- that Thomas FRIZZELL charged Neal JOHNSON's estate for the expense of "moving deceased from Maryland".

Probate papers from Camden District, South Carolina (Apt 35, packet 1265) show that one Neal JOHNSON died 22 March 1781. His widow married a DEESON, but when and whom is not specifically indicated, though Sarah DEESON's name appears among the documents.

1785, Oct 11: Henry Peebles/Peeples applied "as a particular friend" to become Neal JOHNSON's administrator on 11 Oct 1785. The citation was read at Flat Creek 25 Oct 1785 by Joseph Ferguson. Thomas Frizzel entered a caveat against the appointment on 21 Oct 1785. Thomas (x) Frizzel, Sarah Deeson, Fredk Kimbrall, and Francis Bettis signed an undated administration bond.

Gale Frizzle Senr was a purchaser at the estate sale held 13 Feb 1786 as were Benjamin Deason, Frederick Kimball, Benj Ladd Senr, and Ben Haile. Camden Probate, Apt 35, packet 1265.

Memorandum of the Appraisement of the Estate of Neal Johnson deceased, January 9th 1786 showed a rifle gun, 20 pounds of pewter, 3 female slaves, a tommy hawk, cattle, hogs, saddle, spinning wheel, farming implements, and household furnishings. The "Memorandum of the Sale of the Estate of Neal Johnston Deceased" shows £235.9.9.

Payments were made to Benjamin DEASON, Susannah JOHNSON, and David (looks to an abstractor like "Lawed") JOHNSON. Also to three unnamed children. (I have not read the original papers and am relying on a published abstract, so I fully expect that the name copied as "Lawed" is actually "David".)

Although this is not the best place to present my arguments, I believe the three unnamed children were name Neal, Frizzell (or Gale Frizzell), and John (or John Gale?) JOHNSON.

Benjamin DEASON apparently was a purchaser at the vendue, with Francis BETTIS and Benjamin HALE as securities, and a dispute over payment to Thomas FRIZZLE and Frederick KIMBALL is reflected in a deed book entry of September 1788.

There are several ways to read this and, unless the original records are more specific, we may never know who was who. For example, Was this Sarah DEESON on the bond the widow of Neal JOHNSON? That is not specified. Was she originally the Sarah FRIZZELL, born 1745, sister of John Gale FRIZZELL and Thomas FRIZZELL? That would make her Sarah (FRIZZELL) (JOHNSON) DEASON.

Whoever Neal's widow was, she married a DEASON. Which DEASON would she have married? Benjamin DEASON received payments which might have been those owed to his wife. He witnessed deeds for Neal JOHNSON (1787) and David JOHNSTON (1793, 1799); and co-witnessed with Susanna JOHNSTON (1793). I have no documentation, however, and this, again, is highly speculative.

I am of the opinion that Susannah and David JOHNSON were siblings rather than children of Neal JOHNSON who died 1781 leaving a widow (who married a DEASON) and three young children. This is only one of several possible interpretations. There are ways these Johnsons could have been related. For example, Susannah and David could have been older children of Neal, but they would have been many years older than the three minor children.

Thomas Frizzle appears to have been the youngest child of John and Elizabeth (GALE) Frizzell.

In May 1793, Henry GRACY sold to David JOHNSTON 218 acres on Flat Creek. Benjamin LADD Senior and Junior, Henry PEEBLES, and Wm TERRELL were adjoinees. Richmond TERRELL, Benjamin DEASON, and Hester LADD witnessed (D, 186-187).

In November 1793, Henry GRACY sold to Thomas FRIZZLE 400 acres on Lick Creek which had been granted to GRACY on 5 Sept 1791. The deed was witnessed by Benjamin DEASON, John FRISEL, and Susanna JOHNSTON (D, 185).

In March 1796, Thomas Frizzle sold some to Isaac Mallett. In March 1799, Mallett sold 150 acres of it to Joseph Haile (D, 184) and 50 acres to Randal McDonald (D, 201).

In October 1800, Thomas FRIZZLE, of Georgia, sold Flat Creek land to Andrew BAKER (F, 209). In Feb 1804, Andrew Baker sold his part of the 400 acres to Benjamin Deason, adjoining land of Colden Williams(F, 207). [One Thomas FRIZZEL appears in 1814 on a militia roll of Washington Co, GA. Bonner Frizzell of TX believed this Thomas was a son of Thomas and Elishaba FRIZZELL; that he married Temperance ELLIS; and that he died in 1858 in Pike Co, AL, a wealthy planter.

In March 1799, David JOHNSTON bought from Colden WILLIAMS 50 acres on Flat Creek adjoining his own land and that of John WELSH and John JOHNSTON and General SUMTER's survey. Witnesses were Benjamin DEASON, William FERGUSON, and Gale FRIZZLE (D, 194).

David is mentioned in a deed of February 1800 when Sarah LADD sold to Benjamin LADD land on Lick Creek adjoining Richard HUNLEY and David JOHNSON (F, 95-96).

In March 1803, land adjoining David JOHNSTON's was conveyed by John WELSH to John TUNSTON. Benjamin DEASON and Joseph HOUGH witnessed (F, 163).

1804, Nov 28: David JOHNSTON bought 350 acres on Double Branch, waters of Flat Creek from John WELSH, planter, for $70 (F, 251). Witnesses: Harrison BAIRD, Burrel WELSH (F, 251-252).

1805, Nov 1: Edward Kennington of Lick Creek sold to David JOHNSTON, formerly of Flat Creek, 2 acres, Including a house and stable, the upper part of his new survey whereon John Baker now lives. Witnessed by Edward Terrell and John Baker (F, 251).

Gale JOHNSTON was granted 215 acres on 4 Feb 1799, surveyed 9 June 1797, on branches of Flat Creek, bounded by line running northeast and southeast by Daniel Owin's land, southwest by vacant land, west and southwest by John Stintson's land, and northwest by Oneel JOHNSTON's land (SCLG #45, 60)

Frizzel JOHNSTON was granted 180 acres on 7 August 1809. Survey and plat by Samuel Dunlap. "Daniel" Johnston is said to be on plat, but this is most likely a misreading.

Is its possible that there was one person named Gale Frizzell JOHNSON, named for John Gale FRIZZELL. I don't know. Gayle JOHNSON never appears by that name on Lancaster Co, SC censuses that I have seen. To have land in 1799, a man could have been born no later than 1778. Perhaps he was one of the three unnamed children in the elder Neal JOHNSON's probate file.

In 1802 Frizel JOHNSON witnessed the will Isaac DEASON made in Barnwell District. If born ca 1780, he would have been of legal age to witness. The 1820 and 1830 censuses show him in Barnwell District. He witnessed a land deed in Barnwell District in 1829.

I believe that Neal JOHNSON (born ca 1775) was a son of the Neal JOHNSON who died in 1781 and the ancestor of a number of Flat Creek and Wild Cat Creek JOHNSONs down to modern times. In 1799, Benjamin DEASON witnessed the deed when Neal bought 180 acres on Wild Cat Creek. His heirs included Neal or Neil [ ca 1805] who m: Elizabeth (?Hough); Landy [Ca 1811/15] who m: Elizabeth Yarbrough; Herod or Herrod or Harrod [Oct 1817] who m: Rhoda Williams; Gayle; Sarah; Edy HAILE; and Elizabeth SMALL [1793-1862].

What I myself am looking for is the origin of one Barnett Johnson, sometimes called Barnet or Barnard, and William Johnson.