FAMILY
Pro Aris Et Focis
Avon Lake, OH
William C. Johnson and Sophia Robnett were married on August 24, 1849 in Tazewell County, Virginia (Tazewell County Marriage Records). Apparently, William and Sophia were living together prior to their marriage and were indicted under a new Virginia law. According to the Library of Virginia, Research Notes No. 26 regarding Early Virginia Marriages, in the 1847-1848 session, the General Assembly passed an act entitled "Of Offences Against Chastity, Morality and Decency," which established fines for numerous offenses including "adultery, fornication, bigamy, cohabitation, interracial marriages, and marriages within the degrees of consanguinity." The following year, in 1849, William and Sophia were apparently indicted under the new law for "cohabitation":
Tazewell County Court Order Records
August, 1849
G.W. Johnson and E. Bateman, defendants on an indictment and William C. Johnson and S. Robinett, defendants on an indictment, this day came again the attorney for the Commonwealth. Thereupon came the several defendants by their attorney who pleaded as not guilty to which the attorney for the Commonwealth replied orally, and the trial of the --- is deferred till the next term.
Note - G.W. Johnson is George W. Johnson, son of Isaac and Sarah Johnston. Apparently, both George Johnson and William Cline Johnson were indicted on the same day and were most likely charged on the same day as well. This George Johnson is living very close to William Cline Johnson in the 1850 census.
August, 1849
The Commonwealth v. Wm. C. Johnson & S. Robinett, defts, on an indictment for lewdly and lasciviously cohabitating. This day came again the attorney for the Commonwealth and also the defendants by their attorney and by their agreement and with the assent of the Court it is ordered that this cause be dismissed and that the defendants pay the costs of this prosecution.
Avon Lake, OH