CLINE JOHNSON

Dual Name Tradition

William Cline Johnson used both Cline and Johnson interchangeably throughout his life as demonstrated below:

1. 1886 Land Deed:  This document leaves no doubt that William used both surnames.  This land transaction is between the Gillespies and the "heirs of William Johnson, alias William Cline."
2. Federal Census Records: William appears on four U.S. censuses - 1850, 1860, 1870 & 1880, all in Tazewell County, Virginia.  William is listed as "William Cline" in the 1850, 1870 & 1880 censuses.  For the 1860 census, he is listed as "William Johnson."  The 1850 census was the first to require census enumerators to list all of the names of persons living at a given residence.  Thus, because of William's age, he was not head of household until his marriage in 1849.  Because it is the same county, and the wife's and childrens' names are the same, the William Cline and William Johnson listed in all four of these censuses is the same man.
3. Childrens' Census Records: There are several examples of the children of William and Sophia using Cline and Johnson interchangeably.  For example, John Henry Cline Johnson lists himself as "John H. Cline" in the 1900 census; in 1910, he is listed as "John H. Johnson."
4. Tazewell County Court Order Book: In the summer of 1849, and prior to their marriage on August 24, 1849, William and Sophia are charged with living together without being married.  William is listed in these court documents as "William C. Johnson."
5. Marriage Record: William and Sophia's marriage record of August 24, 1849 lists William as "William C. Johnson."
6. Marriages of William and Sophia's Children: After 1853, the State of Virginia required all marriage registers to list the names of the parents of the bride and groom.  Of the six children of William and Sophia, all six marry as "Johnson."  However, James Cline Johnson, who marries as "James Johnson," lists his parents as "William & Sophia Cline."
7. Personal Property Tax Records:  Depending upon the year, the Virginia personal property tax records variously list William as "William Cline," "William Johnson," "William C. Johnson" or "William J. Cline."
8. Other Land Documents:  A land transaction in 1904 between John Henry Cline Johnson and his brother, William Trigg Cline Johnson, shows how entrenched was this practice of using two surnames.  The document lists "John Henry Johnson and Sarah Cline of the first part ... and William Johnson of the second part" then, further down, lists "John Henry Johnson and Sarah Johnson (of the second part)."  The Sarah Johnson and Sarah Cline listed are the same person --- Sarah Shelton Cline Johnson, wife of John Henry!
9. Red Root Ridge School Picture (below): Although we are not exactly sure when the names were attached to the persons in this picture, it has obviously taken place since 1953, when the picture was taken.  The provider lists several children with the surname "Clines/Johnson."  This article was copied from a book contained in the Tazewell County Library.  Unfortunately, it was copied many years ago and we cannot remember the title or publisher.
10. Bible: The Bible records from John Henry Cline's Bible use "Cline Johnson" and "Johnson Cline" interchangeably as the surname for the entries.
11. Oral History:  Many of the descendents of William Cline Johnson report having used both surnames or at least remember their parents and/or grandparents using both names.  The story is always the same - we are "Johnsons raised by Clines" or vice-versa. (see "Cline Johnson Theories" to the right of this page for more on this).