Justus/Justice Families

The majority of the 295 million people currently living in the United States are descended from European immigrants who arrived here in the past 500 years. Latin American immigrants from countries to the south, and African American people, most of whom were originally introduced as slave labor, form the next largest ethnic groups. The Native American people who were displaced by the Old World Immigrants now form only a small minority of the population. People of "American" ancestry are generally assumed to be predominately English, Scottish, or Welsh, though many are likely to be people of several different European ethnicity who are unable or unwilling to choose one. The estimate of United States citizens who are of Scotch-Irish descent is approximately 15-18 %. (This percentage was arrived at by analyzing the Federal Population Census schedules.) While some "Americans" can trace their ancestry back to a single ethnic group or population in Europe, Africa, or Asia, these are usually first or second generation Americans. Naturally, the degree of mixed heritage increases the longer one's ancestors have lived in the United States. The surname Justus/Justice was first found in Perthshire and Angus areas of Central Scotland, where they were seated from very ancient times. Some researchers say they were there long before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William of Hastings in 1066 A.D. A Henry Justus arrived in Virginia around 1700 and a Hugh Justice in Maryland in 1736. A Sarah Justice arrived in San Francisco, California around 1862. Jackson Clint Justus Sarah Ann Justus Hurley High School

Johannes (John) Broyles

My ancestor Johannes Broyles was the first of my family line who immigrated to America. He was part of the Second Germanna Colony, who were mostly Lutherans seeking to escape from the persecution of the French. They traveled up the Rhine River to board a ship at Rotterdam located in South Holland. Their ship departed on July 12, 1717 on their way to Pennsylvania. The ship was stopped in London for several weeks because their captain was put in jail for debts he owed. The Germanna Record reported that the people's food supplies were used up while the people on the ship waited for the release of their captain.

Many people starved and it is reported that as many as fifty people mostly children died. Captain Scott was finally released and the voyage across the ocean ended not in Pennsylvania as planned but in Virginia. The captain upon landing told Governor Spotswood that the passengers had not paid their passage money and refused to allow them to land until Governor Spotswood gave him the amount he demanded. Governor Spotswood made the immigrants agree to be indentured servants for eight years in payment for the monies Spotswood paid Captain Scott for their passage.

The immigrants were indentured to Governor Spotswood not the British Government. When the eight years was over, Johannes Broyles was granted land in Madison County, VA. Johannes died on February 5, 1733 in Spotsylvania, VA. Information from The Germanna Record Number Six, page 19. Amanda Broyles Hurley High School