RICHARD JOHNSON-2 was the first of this surname-line to come to Tennessee, and from deed records, we know he moved from Louisa County, Virginia, around 1806 and purchased lands in Sumner County. He also received a land warrant for his Revolutionary service. His parents were JAMES-1 and SARAH [TEMHAM?] JOHNSON from Louisa County, Virginia. Wills and deed records there outline the family connections. Marriage records in Virginia, and her tombstone in Sumner County, Tennessee, assure us that RICHARD’s wife was LUCY HUNTER, the daughter of GEORGE HUNTER and his wife, MILDRED AUSTIN. Her father, GEORGE HUNTER-2, was shown by his father’s will to be the youngest son of ANDREW-1 and JANE [maiden name unknown] HUNTER.

Richard Johnson-2

James Johnson-1; Richard-2; Austin-3; Richard E-4; Robert F-5 Felix Hill Johnson-6

RICHARD JOHNSON-2, son of JAMES-1 and SARAH [TEMHAM?] JOHNSON, was born between 1758 and 1761 in Louisa County, Virginia. He lived in Louisa County, but when he was still a teenager, in May of 1777, he enlisted in Revolutionary service as a soldier in the company of Captain Robert Dabney in nearby Hanover County. Some prominent men named Johnson fought from, and lived in, Hanover County. Perhaps a relationship with them caused him to enlist from the neighboring county. [Revolutionary Pension of Richard Johnson, National Archives, S2.664.]

His pension states he marched from Hanover County, which is the approximate location of Richmond, Virginia, today, to Old Williamsburg, and was discharged after seven weeks. In July of 1778, he enlisted again in the Virginia Militia from Hanover County in the regiment of Colonel Flemming, Major Robert Dandridge, and Captain John Anderson. He marched from Hanover through the cities of Richmond, James City, and Charles City, and was stationed at Cabin Point in Surry County, Virginia. He was then discharged again. His pension says in July, 1779, he was pressed[?] by Captain Wallen for three months and was discharged at the Meadows Bridge in Virginia. He enlisted again in Hanover in 1781 and served one month in the Virginia command of Colonel Harvey and Captain Martin Hawkins’ company. A statement in the pension that is almost unreadable says something about his being in the shoemaking business. He marched from Hanover County to Old Barracks in Albemarle County, Virginia, then to the City of Richmond and was discharged at the end of the 12 months by Captain Martin Hawkins. [Ibid.]

RICHARD-2 apparently wasn’t engaged in any major battles. If he was, he didn’t mention them in his pension. Apparently, his service was composed of a great deal of marching from place to place. How far they marched is really rather amazing when you read the lists of “marched to’s” in many Revolutionary pension applications.

RICHARD’s war-pension application says nothing about his family or his children. However, we can piece together quite a bit of information on his family from Sumner County records, deeds, wills, probates, estates, and his obituary. Specific citations will be forthcoming. [Ibid]

After the Revolution, he remained in Louisa County, Virginia, where he married LUCY HUNTER on February 21, 1783, and started raising a family. [Douglas Register] According to his obituary, he was active in the Methodist Church in Virginia, and was ordained a deacon in 1799. [Nashville Christian Advocate, Issue #44, August 31. 1849, pg. 4, col. 3.]

He moved to Sumner, Tennessee, by about 1806. He purchased land that year in Sumner County. He also had a revolutionary land grant [Sumner County Deed Book 4, Feb. 1806-Jun 1810, pg. 164.]

This article about Rev. Richard Johnson and his descendants was found on the Sumner County Genealogical website. Richard Johnson was the father of Austin Johnson, who was the father of Mary Francis Johnson, who was the wife of Enoch Simpson. The information concerning persons directly in our tree is in bold type.

Rev. Richard Johnson and his Descendants

Rev. Richard JOHNSON (c1760-1849) settled in Sumner County, Tennessee in about 1806. He moved there with his wife and children from Louisa County, Virginia, where he had been born abt. 1760, a son of James and Sarah Johnson. His siblings were Thomas, Isham, William, Sarah, Nancy, John, James, Rebecca (wife of William Moss) and Elizabeth (wife of William Powers). James Johnson died in Louisa County, Virginia in abt. 1792 and his wife, Sarah, died there in 1797.

Richard Johnson was a soldier in the American Revolution, and entered the service from Hanover County, Virginia in May 1777 for seven weeks in the regiment commanded by Col. William Dandridge and Major Thomas Johnson. He was in Capt. Robert Dabney's militia company and marched from Hanover to Williamsburg, and was discharged at the end of seven weeks. In July 1778 he again entered the militia for three months from Hanover County in the regiment commanded by Col. Flemming, and Major Robert Dandridge in Capt. John Anderson's company. He marched from Hanover County through the City of Richmond, James City and Charles City and was stationed at Cabin Point in Surrey County, Virginia. He was then "pressed" by Capt. James Waller in July 1779, one of the commissioners of the Army of the United States, and served for three months, being discharged at Meadow (?) Bridges in the State of Virginia. Once again he entered the militia service from Hanover County in the year 1781 [sic. Probably should be 1780] and served one month in the regiment commanded by Col. Charles Dabney, in Capt. Fox's company. In January 1781 he enlisted in the Continental Line of the United States from Hanover County, Virginia and served twelve months in the regiment commanded by Col. Harvey, in Capt. Martin Hawkins company as an artificer in the shoe making business. They marched from Hanover County to the Old Barracks in Albemarle County, Virginia and then to the City of Richmond, where he was discharged at the end of twelve months. On 21 February 1783 in Louisa County, VA Richard Johnson was married to Lucy HUNTER, daughter of George and Mildred (AUSTIN) HUNTER of Louisa County, and grandaughter of Andrew HUNTER of Hanover and Louisa Counties, Virginia. Lucy was born there on 25 November 1763 and was baptized by Parson William Douglas on 5 January 1764. Her siblings were Austin (b. 6 June 1761, and baptized 5 July 1761), Ann (b. 9 August 1766, and baptized 20 September 1766), David (b. 24 March 1769, and baptized 21 May 1769) and Samuel (b. 12 January 1773, and baptized 9 May 1773). George Hunter died in Louisa County, Virginia in about 1805, survived by his wife, Mildred and three children, Austin Hunter, Samuel Hunter and Lucy Johnson.

Richard and Lucy (Hunter) Johnson were the parents of eleven children: George H., Mary, Richard C., Benjamin, Samuel, Nancy, Austin, David L., Nathan, Andrew W. and Sarah. The Johnsons moved to Sumner County, Tennessee in about 1806. Most of their children were born in Virginia, except for perhaps the last two or three.

By 1816 Richard Johnson was listed in the Sumner County, Tennessee tax records as owning 167 acres on the East Fork of Bledsoe Creek. This continued for a number of years, although he sold 50 acres to John Mabry in 1818 and 24 acres, also to John Mabry in 1823. In 1837 he sold land to his son, Benjamin Johnson.

Early in life Richard Johnson espoused the cause of Methodism, and became an active local preacher in Virginia. He was ordained as a deacon of the Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Francis Asbury in September 1799 while still living in Virginia. In November 1812 he was ordained elder of the M. E. Church by Bishop McKendree at Fountain Head, Sumner County, Tennessee. He was well known in the Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Johnson deeded a one acre lot on 20 March 1819 to the Trustees of Providence Methodist Episcopal Church, who were named as Richard Baskerville, John Crenshaw, Richard Johnson [the grantor], Samuel Johnson, Richard C. Johnson, Austin Johnson and Chism Davis. According to the deed, "they shall erect a house of worship for the Methodists in the United States of America." This was taken from his own land on the waters of the East Fork of Bledsoe Creek just south of Bethpage.

Richard Johnson was allowed a pension of $68.80 per annum by the United States Congress beginning in 1832 based on his service during the Revolutionary War. His wife, Lucy (Hunter) Johnson died on Christmas Day, 25 December 1839. Richard continued to preach as long as he was able to ride horseback, and died 22 June 1849 of dropsey, in his 90th year. Lucy's grave in the family cemetery on Chipman Road south of Bethpage, bears an inscription with her name and dates of birth and death, although the date birth is off by one year, giving it as 1764 rather than 1763 as shown in the Douglas Register. An undiciphorable stone next to Lucy's is undoubtedly the grave of Richard Johnson, the Revolutionary soldier, shoemaker, Methodist preacher and farmer. Richard Johnson's Last Will and Testament, was dated 19 November 1848 and proved in the Sumner County Court during the November term 1849. He specifically named ten living children and provided for the heirs of his son, Austin Johnson, but did not name them in the will.

Obit
From the Nashville Christian Advocate, Issue 44, Friday, August 31, 1849
      Died, June 22d, 1849, of dropsey; Rev Richard Johnson, of Sumner county, Tenn, in the 90th year of his age.
     He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and died like Simeon, saying, "Now Lord lettest thou they servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people."
      Father Johnson was one of the few revolutionary soldiers that remain, the most of them having long since been called away; he was an active soldier for some three years in that eventful struggle for liberty, for which service his grateful country paid him a pension to the time of his death, which in connection with industry and economy, secured to him an ample support during life.
      But he was not only a patriot but a Christian, and distinguished himself in building up the Redeemer's kingdom. For early in life he espoused the cause of Methodism, and became an active local preacher in Virginia, his native State. He preached to listening hundreds there and also in Tennessee, his adopted State, in whose bosom he now quietly sleeps, resting in hope, for God will bring him with him at the last day.
     His parchments, that were never dishonored but remain as sacred relics of the past, show that he was ordained deacon of the Methodist E. Church by Bishop Asbury, in September, 1799, and in November, 1812, he was ordained elder of said church by Bishop McKendree, at Fountain Head, showing that he has been a minister more than fifty years. His zeal for the cause of God and the salvation of the human race did not abate as age crept on, but he preached the last Sabbath he was able to ride on horse back, and when age and disease laid him on his bed to die he had outstanding appointments.
      Father Johnson was well and favorably known in the Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky Conferences, but like a soldier, which he was in every sense of the word, he laid down to rest, but his works will follow him, to speak in his praise before an assembled world. He raised a large family of children, the most of whom are members of the church.
     His aged companion died some ten years ago, full of faith; their union was long and happy in this world, but will be more happy and durable in the world where they have already met.
L.M. Woodson
     By request I make a few remarks about the above deceased, for I have known him ever since I was a small boy. His house was a place long for circuit preaching. He was uniform in his deportment, (and a word to local preachers.) I never knew a complaint against him for immoral conduct, or for being unfaithful in his ministerial work. I was to see him in his affliction, he longed for the hour to come to be with Christ. Rest on old soldier. Amen
E. Carr

The following is a list of their children and what is known of their lives. They are arranged in the order given in Richard Johnson's Last Will and Testament

Children of Richard JOHNSON and Lucy HUNTER are:

1. George H. Johnson born abt. 1784/1790 in Louisa Co. VA. Married 1st in Louisa Co., Va on 9 Dec. 1805 to Elizabeth Hunter. Known children Mary b. 1810 (Unmarried and living with her father in 1850), daughter, born in Sumner County between 1810 and 1815, daughter, born in Sumner County between 1815 and 1820, son, born in Sumner County between 1820 and 1825, son, born in Sumner County between 1825 and 1830. Married 2nd on 23 Dec 1844 to Mildred Turner b. abt. 1820. Know children Parilee b. 1847 and Ricard b. 1849.

2. Mary Johnson born abt. 1786 in Louisa County, Virginia, and was living in 1848 when her father wrote his will. Whether or not she married, and the name of her husband has not been determined with certainty. It is also not determined if she lived in Sumner County, or moved elsewhere.

3. Richard C. Johnson born abt. 1788 in Louisa County, Virginia. He married Frances Turner, daughter of John Turner of Sumner County, Tennessee. He was listed in the 1820 Census of Sumner County, but not in the 1830 Census. The following is recorded in the Sumner County Court Clerk's Office, Record Book 1833-1838, p. 207: "Deed of Gift from R. C. and Frances Johnson to their children John Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, David Johnson, Turner Johnson, Almira Johnson, Albert Johnson, Sarah Ann Johnson, Ivie (or Iric?) Johnson and Richard Johnson for the following Negroes Harriet & her _____, Wilson and Jim was duly proved by the oath of John. M. Henley a subscribing witness thereunto this 9th day of October 1837."

4. Benjamin J. Johnson born 1791 in Louisa Co. VA, died May 20, 1868 in Sumner Co. TN. Married 1st to Rebecca Turner, 2nd to Mary "Polly" C. Payne on September 10, 1850 in Sumner Co. TN, 3rd to Phebe Jane Northam on October 7, 1855 in Sumner Co. TN.

5. Nancy Johnson, born in Louisa County, Virginia circa 1798 based on the presumed order of her birth among her siblings. It is not known with certainty if she married or had children, but she was living at the time her father wrote his will in 1848.

6. Austin Johnson, born in Louisa County, Virginia circa 1799, d. abt 1846. He was first married in Wilson County, Tennessee on 6 September 1820 to Ann Elizabeth Corley. Married 2nd in Wilson Co. TN, 2nd to Boradole B. White on September 30, 1829 in Sumner Co. TN, married 3rd to Mary W. Holt on September 21, 1840 in Sumner Co. TN.

7. David L. Johnson, born in Louisa County, Virginia 18 November 1800, or circa 1803 based on census records. He married first in Sumner County on 7 September 1830 to Thankful Anderson. He married second in Sumner County on 5 June 1850 to Elizabeth Collier.

8. Nathan Johnson, born probably around 1803-1805 based on his order listed in his father's will in 1848, when he was still living. Nothing is known of his place of residence. He was not listed in Sumner County, Tennessee in 1850.

9. Andrew W. Johnson, born probably before about 1807 when his mother would have been 45 years of age. He was living at the time his father wrote his will in 1848, but his place of residence has not been determined in 1850.

10. Sarah Johnson, born probably before about 1807 when her mother would have been 45 years of age. Sally was apparently the youngest child, based on the order given in her father's will in 1848. She married in Sumner County on 17 January 1831 to William A. Saunders. They did not live in Sumner County in 1850.

Children of Reverend Richard Johnson-2 & Lucy Hunter Johnson

1. George H. Johnson-3, born between 1784 and 1790 in Louisa County, Virginia, married Elizabeth Hunter as his first wife on December 9, 1805 in Louisa County, Virginia. [Williams, Marriages of Louisa County Virginia, 1766-1816.] Children known to be by his first wife included a daughter, Mary Johnson-4, born about 1810. Mary was unmarried and lived with her father in 1850 in Tennessee. [Sumner County, Tennessee US Census, 1850.] He also may have had other children by his first wife. Mildred Turner was his second wife, whom he married on December 23, 1844, in Tennessee. Children by his second wife are Parilee Johnson-4, born in 1847, and Richard Johnson-4, born in 1849. In 1850, George Johnson’s family on the Sumner County, Tennessee census, consisted of himself, his wife, Mildred, age 30, Mary Johnson-4, his 40-year-old daughter by his first wife; Parilla Johnson-4, age three; and Richard Johnson-4, age one. He lived next door to William West in Sumner County. He was probably the oldest son of RICHARD-2 and LUCY. George-3 was apparently named in honor of his maternal grandfather, GEORGE HUNTER. Did the middle initial “H” stand for Hunter? George Johnson-3 was listed as a poll-only on the 1822 tax list in Sumner County.

George H. Johnson should not be confused with the George W. Johnson who was a Kentucky attorney connected with the Collier-Johnson lawsuit. [See David L. Johnson.]

2. Mary Johnson-3, born about 1791 [1786?]in Virginia. She was living in 1848 when her father wrote his will. Nothing else is known about Mary.

3. Benjamin J. Johnson-3, born about 1795 [1791?] in Virginia, married Rebecca Turner as his first wife. He married Mary C. Payne in Sumner County, Tennessee, in 1850. His third wife was Phebe Jane Northam, whom he married October 7, 1855 in Sumner County, Tennessee. He died May 20, 1868 near Fountain Head in Sumner County. Benjamin Johnson’s will, in Sumner County, Tennessee, records, dated in March and “proved” in July, 1868, named his wife, “Pheby Jane.” It left his spinning factory to “eight of my children,” and named A. V. Johnson-4, William Johnson-4, J. M. Johnson-4, Mary [Johnson-4] Bradley, Franklin Johnson-4, Susan [Johnson-4] Garrison, John Johnson-4, and J. Johnson-4. He owned land near John Groves.[Sumner County WO 770.] In 1837, RICHARD-2 sold land to Benjamin-3 for $1,750 on Bledsoe’s Creek near John Mabry and Reuben D. Brown. The 1822 tax list for Sumner County also showed Benjamin-3 having 98 acres on Bledsoe Creek, and stated that RICHARD-2 had 167 acres on Bledsoe. Benjamin Johnson died May 20, 1868 .

4. Samuel Johnson-3, was born about 1796 in Virginia. We don’t find him in 1830 Sumner County. In 1822, the tax list showed Samuel Johnson-3 as a poll, [head tax] but did not mention any lands.

5. Nancy M. Johnson-3, was born about 1796. She may be the woman by that name who possibly married Thomas A. Johnson, maybe a cousin, January 8, 1822, in Sumner County. They aren’t found again after that, though we know she was living in 1848 when her father wrote his will.

6. AUSTIN JOHNSON-3, the author’s ancestor, was born in 1799 in Virginia, before the family moved to Tennessee. He married ANN ELIZABETH CORLEY, from Wilson County, Tennessee, the daughter of a Hanover County Revolutionary veteran, AUSTIN CORLEY. AUSTIN JOHNSON’s given name apparently goes back to his grandmother, MILDRED AUSTIN’s family name. AUSTIN-3 was born the year his father, RICHARD JOHNSON-2, was ordained a deacon of the Methodist Church in Virginia. AUSTIN was first listed as a poll on the Sumner County tax lists in 1820. His second wife was Barodill White, married in Wilson County, TN 30 Sept 1829, and third wife, Mary W. Holt married 21 Sept 1840 in Sumner. He died about 1846.

7. David L. Johnson-3, born November 18, 1800, married Thankful Anderson on September 7, 1830. She was born October 9, 1809, and died in March 1849. On June 5, 1850, after his first wife died, he married Elizabeth Collier. He was also the administrator of the estate and guardian of the children of his brother, AUSTIN-3. David is buried in Parker Cemetery. About 1850, David was also the administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Collier Johnson’s father, Thomas Collier. There was a lawsuit about the estate, in which David and Elizabeth were sued by Sarah Parker Collier, Elizabeth’s mother, and her siblings.

Elizabeth’s father, Thomas Collier, Sr., owned a slave woman named Charlotte prior to 1846. Thomas Collier was living in Kentucky and became very debt ridden. He sold the slave [who was also mortgaged at the time] to his rich brother-in-law, Mr. Williamson, without telling Williamson about the mortgage. Williamson, who was childless, was in the habit of giving handsome gifts to his wife’s siblings and their children. Williamson, then, in turn, sold the slave for about one-third of her value to Nathaniel Parker, Jr., the father of Thomas Collier’s wife, Sarah. In the meantime, Thomas Collier had given the slave to George W. Johnson [no known relationship] and another man to settle a debt he owed them, and had given them a worthless deed to the slave. They testified in the depositions that they never took possession of the slave, but let Thomas Collier continue to use the slave. They didn’t know that in Kentucky at that time, it was possession of the slave plus the deed that counted, and their failure to take possession of the slave when they bought her voided the sale. Thomas Collier sold the slave and then took her out of state to his father-in-law’s, where Mr. Parker assigned the slave to do the “drudgery” for his daughter, Sarah, Mrs. Collier. He also made a deed of gift to Sarah and her children for the slave and her offspring.

When Thomas Collier died, his new son-in-law, David Johnson, who was the administrator of the estate, seized the slave and was going to sell her. David Johnson’s mother-in-law, Sarah Parker Collier, and his wife’s siblings sued him to prevent him from selling the slave and her child. I don’t know how the lawsuit was settled, but it was obvious from the many depositions that Thomas Collier did not take kindly to the charity offered to him by his father-in-law, which included the use of this and other slaves, including one that he whipped. The whipped slave boy ran home to Mr. Parker’s and Parker did not send him back, nor apparently another to replace him. One of the depositions says that Thomas Collier was in a “fit” over that. Just before Collier died, Parker requested that Collier pay the tax on the slave, Charlotte, since he had the use of her and the deponent stated that Collier didn’t like Parker at all. There were other mentions of quarrels between Thomas Collier and other relatives. For anyone descended from this line, these lawsuits are quite interesting. Apparently the widow and children were attached, or at least said that they were, to the slave and her child, and one deposition indicated that the slave had grown up in the household. The depositions I have seen however, do not make clear what David Johnson’s interest in selling the slave were, except that the money was needed to pay the debts of the estate which was insolvent.

The 1850 census of Sumner County showed Nathaniel Parker, age 75, and his wife, Luorela, age 76, living in District 13, house number 725. Parker had been born in Virginia and his wife in North Carolina. They owned $7500 in real estate. Thomas Collier, age 20, was also living with the couple. He had been born in Kentucky.

8. Nathan Johnson-3, was born about 1803 in Virginia. He was still alive in 1848 when his father’s will was written, but apparently did not live in Sumner County in 1850.

9. Andrew W. Johnson-3, was born about 1805 and was the bondsman for his brother, AUSTIN-3 JOHNSON’s marriage to Barrodill White in 1829. [Sumner County Marriage Records.] This son was probably named after his great-grandfather, ANDREW HUNTER. He was not found on the 1850 Sumner County, Tennessee census.

10. Sally Johnson-3 was born about 1807 and may have been born in Virginia, or perhaps was born in Tennessee after the family arrived. If so, she would most likely have been the only child born in Tennessee. She married William Saunders, January 17, 1831, in Sumner County, Tennessee. She lived with RICHARD-2 during his last years, or he lived with her, according to oral history via Erick Montgomery. She was not found in Sumner County in 1850.

11. Richard C. Johnson-3, “Jr.,” There were several men in Sumner County named Richard Johnson. Just which one is the son of our RICHARD-2 is somewhat in question. In the 1820 census, there are three men named Richard Johnson. Richard C. Johnson, and Richard Johnson, and our RICHARD-2. Whether the Richard C., or the man named Richard, is the son of our RICHARD-2 is not entirely clear, but there are several pieces of evidence which give weight to a preponderance of evidence that Richard C. Johnson was the son of our RICHARD-2. First, the man named Richard C. Johnson was a trustee in 1819 of the church to which our RICHARD-2 donated the land for a meeting house. [Sumner County Deeds.]

Secondly, found in Record Book 1833-38, page 207, in the Sumner County archives [supplied by Theda Womack] is a deed of gift:

R. C. Johnson and Frances Johnson to their children, John Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, David Johnson, Turner Johnson, Almira Johnson, Albert Johnson, Sarah Ann Johnson, Ivie Johnson, and Richard Johnson for the following negroes, Harriet and her ____, Wilson, and Jim, was duly proved by the oath of John M. Henley a subscribing witness thereto, this 9^th day of October 1837.

The estate of Frances Johnson’s father, John Turner, in Sumner County, Tennessee, clarifies the relationship between R. C. Johnson and Frances Turner. The use of the name, Turner, as a given name, also underscores the relationship. The continuation of the name Richard in this man’s family also underscores relationships. [See Sources for all Turner citations.]

Richard C. Johnson was a private in Troop #3, of Capt. John Baskerville in Colonel Coffee’s Cavalry on the Natchez Expedition in 1813 in “The War of 1812.” [Durham, Old Sumner.] There was also another man named Richard Johnson [without a middle initial] in Capt. Abraham Bledsoe’s troop in February of 1813. The connections between the Johnson, Turner and Simpson families will be discussed in greater detail in subsequent chapters.

Richard Johnson-2 in Sumner County

By the early 1800s, Virginia was becoming a land in which the yeoman farmer or planter was having a difficult time making a living. By the mid-1700s yeomen farmers had started to leave the area for the Carolinas. By the turn of the century, even the middle aged grandsons of the great land barons were finding life in Virginia difficult and were leaving for new lands further west in an effort to secure viable plantations and farms for themselves and their sons. It was not unusual for a middle-aged man such as our RICHARD JOHNSON and his children to pack up en masse and move to Tennessee or the Carolinas in search of new farms. It was also not unusual for this move to coincide with the death of the previous generations’ patriarchs. With the death of GEORGE HUNTER shortly preceding the move to Tennessee, our JOHNSON family seems to have followed the pattern. Tennessee might have been chosen because RICHARD had a revolutionary grant of land in that area. With his oldest sons reaching marriageable ages it was imperative that lands be secured for their livelihoods. RICHARD and LUCY were nearing fifty years old.

Colonel Lewis described the labor on a frontier farm in Kentucky about the year RICHARD and LUCY moved, comparing it to Virginia. “I think the richness combined with the immense quantaty of fertile lands in the western country will be a means of establishing a great deal of indolance......Were I in the same situation as a numnber of the pore are in Virginia & to labour on their pore land as hard as they do. The situation of the slave here [in Kentucky] is far parferable....every man [in Kentucky] has more corn thin they know what to do with as well as meat.” [Merrill, Jefferson’s Nephews, pg. 126.]

The earliest deed of purchase found in Sumner County, Tennessee, for RICHARD JOHNSON-2 was dated March 11, 1807, when he bought 292 acres of land on Bledsoe’s Creek from George Gillespie and Henry Bledsoe, near James Byres. He paid $972 for the land. [Murry, Sumner County, Tennessee Deed Abstracts 1806-1817, pg. 15.] By 1816, RICHARD JOHNSON’s tax list shows that he owned 167 acres on the East Fork of Bledsoe Creek.

In 1818, RICHARD JOHNSON-2 sold 50 acres of land in Sumner County, Tennessee, to John Mabry for $300 on Bledsoe’s Creek on John Gillespie’s east line. [Sumner Deeds] Benjamin Johnson’s son would marry into the Mabry family.

In 1819, RICHARD JOHNSON-2 gave land for the construction of a house of worship to the trustees of Providence M. E. Church. [Methodist Episcopal] The trustees were: Richard Baskerville, John Crenshaw, RICHARD JOHNSON-2, Samuel Johnson-3, Richard C. Johnson-3, AUSTIN JOHNSON-3 and Chism Daves. AUSTIN JOHNSON-3 was a trustee of the church at the young age of 18 or 19 years. [Sumner Deeds.]]

The reference here to Richard C. Johnson-3 as trustee of the church leads Erick Montgomery to conclude that “Richard Johnson, Jr.,” who was the son of Reverend RICHARD JOHNSON-2, was the same man as Richard C. Johnson. Since the name “Richard C. Johnson” harks back to the several men in Hanover County, Virginia, this again makes one wonder about the connection, if any, between the Louisa County family of our RICHARD-2 and the Hanover County Johnsons.

In 1820, RICHARD JOHNSON-2, Sr., was in Sumner County, but there are also two other men by the same name on the Sumner County Census. The “Richard” on page 162 of the census records is a young man with his family. This young man might be our RICHARD’s son.

The listing on page 161, for a male over 45 and a female 26-46 is probably our RICHARD-2 and his wife, LUCY. There are only two grown males and a nearly-grown female left at home. This female was probably Nancy Johnson-3. [Sumner County, TN, U S Census 1820.]

The listing in the census for “Richard C. Johnson,” on page 160, couldn’t be our RICHARD-2, because he would have been much too young to have fought in the Revolution. The Richard C. Johnson-3 who is found in Sumner County in 1820 on the census is apparently our RICHARD’s son. [Sumner County, TN, U S Census 1820.]

According to his obituary, RICHARD JOHNSON-2 had been ordained a deacon in the Methodist Church in Virginia in September 1799 by Bishop Francis Asbury before he moved to Tennessee.. His obituary mentioned that he was well known in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky churches, so it is probable that at least part of the time he rode his horse to various congregations and preached. In 1849, at the time of his death, it stated he had been a minister for over 50 years. He was 90 years of age at the time that statement was made. In addition to being a minister, he apparently also farmed as well. [Nashville Christian Advocate, Issue #44, Fri. Aug. 31, 1849, p. 4, Col. 3.]

Strange Times

1811 was a year of strange and unnatural portents. The great comet of 1811 first appeared in April and was visible in the northern sky most of the year, reaching its greatest intensity in October of that year. That same year, a great flock of passenger pigeons settled in the Ohio Valley and consumed countless tons of mast. They swept the forest clean, and when the food was gone, left the area. Their incredible numbers in the area caused amazement. On September 17th, there was a total eclipse of the sun. [Merritt, Jefferson’s Nephews, pg. 250.]

The years between 1811 and 1813 were strange years for the people living in Tennessee and the few people in Arkansas. The border between the two states is called the New Madrid [pronounced “New Mad’-rid”] fault area and contains a major earthquake zone. Between December, 1811, and March, 1812, there were over 2,000 separate earthquakes in the area, some of a huge magnitude. While Middle Tennessee is not in the worst of the zone, the area did suffer an intensity of 7 or 8, which meant tree branches broke off and fell in the quakes, chimneys fell, the ground became wet, and springs and wells were effected, and people would find it difficult to stand during the worst quakes.

A little after 2:00 a.m. on December 16, 1811, the people were shaken awake by the quakes. Their log houses swayed, but generally did not fall. In fear, they groped their way outside in the dark, away from falling debris and remained shivering in the winter air until morning. After-shocks through the night kept them from returning to their homes. The ground rose and fell as waves passed and the soil opened in deep cracks. Reelfoot Lake was formed in western Tennessee and is eighteen-miles long and up to five-miles wide and five to twenty-feet deep.

When the first quake hit, the earth moved in waves, and great fissures opened and spewed out sand, water, and gas. A heavy fog engulfed the region for a few days. At least three of the over 2,000 quakes were believed to have been over eight on the Richter scale.

On January 12, 1812, another huge quake hit with the same intensity and destructiveness of the first one. One, maybe even larger, hit on February 7, 1812.

No one knows how many were killed or injured, but the sparseness of the population and the flexible construction of their log homes helped decrease the injury and death. The log cabins were quite elastic in nature, but many frame homes did not withstand the quakes.

The same year, a volcano named Tambora exploded and spewed ash into the atmosphere over the northern hemisphere. The dust circled the globe and blocked out the sun for years. The summer of 1812 did not come to the United States or to Tennessee. It was known as “the year without a summer,” and crops failed due to the cold. Georgia had snow in July! Some of the people must have thought the world was coming to an end, with the shaking of the ground and the absence of the summer that year. It must have been a time of intense worry and fear, as well as a time of hardship for the people.

As if that wasn’t enough, on August 30, 1813, the Creek Indians massacred 553 whites at Fort Mims, Mississippi Territory, just north of where Mobile, Alabama, is today. Tennessee Governor Blount authorized 2,500 men to put down the hostile Creeks. By October of that year, Andrew Jackson had recalled members of his forces in the field. Colonel Edward Bradley commanded the Sumner County forces. Among staff officers for this regiment were Richard Johnson, Ensign and Adjutant. [Old Sumner, pg. 61.] We are not sure if this would have been RICHARD or his son, Richard, or another Richard Johnson. Richard, Jr., would have been about the right age. RICHARD JOHNSON, Sr., would have been a little old for this trek, at age 52, but since we know he was still riding the Methodist circuit at 90, he might have been in good enough shape to participate, so it may actually have been RICHARD, Sr. In any case, there was a man named Richard Johnson on the campaign.

The whole “Indian Campaign” was not one of the prouder moments in Tennessee’s history. It was in reality a fiasco and a shame for the men involved in this campaign. Andrew Jackson’s military experience at this point wasn’t all that great with Indians, and the men were not responsive to discipline. The majority of the “heroic” deeds and fighting consisted of murdering hapless Indian women and children, and scalping them for trophies.

RICHARD and LUCY’s son, AUSTIN JOHNSON-3, married ANN ELIZABETH CORLEY-3 in Wilson County, Tennessee, September 4, 1820, when he was about 21 years old. She was the daughter of AUSTIN CORLEY-2, from Hanover County, St. Martin’s Parish, Virginia, and had moved to Tennessee only four years after the JOHNSONs did. One would guess that the two families may have known each other in Virginia, though apparently their Revolutionary services did not overlap. William Corley-2, ELIZABETH’s uncle, lived in Louisa County, Virginia, after 1800. [Marriage Bonds of Wilson County, TN & Revolutionary pensions of William & Austin Corley.]

Benjamin J. JOHNSON (son of Richard JOHNSON and Lucy HUNTER) was born in 1791. He died May 20 1868 in Sumner Co. TN. Benjamin is buried in the Maple Hill Cemetery. The headstone reports his death date as 1867 which is incorrect. Benjamin wrote his will March 10, 1868 and it was proved in July 1868. Benjamin was married three times. His 1st wife Rebecca TURNER, (daughter of John TURNER and sister of Frances TURNER who married Richard C. JOHNSON) was born December 27, 1795 and died August 5, 1847, buried at Maple Hill Cemetery. He married 2nd on September 10, 1850 Sumner Co. TN to Mary "Polly" C. PAYNE (daughter of Robert PAYNE and Sarah BEARD) born March 13, 1821 Sumner Co. TN, died bef. 1855 Sumner Co. TN. He married 3rd on October 7, 1855 Sumner Co.TN to Phebe Jane NORTHAM (daughter of Eli NORTHAM and Mary MCDOWELL) born April 23, 1833 in KY, died January 16, 1907 Sumner Co. TN.

Children of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca TURNER are:

1. Austin Nelson Johnson b. 1815/1818 TN. Married 1st on November 29, 1837 Sumner Co. TN to Mildred "Minnie" Mabry. Married 2nd on 24 Sept 1862 to Matilda Crowder.

2. William Johnson b. May 2 1820 Sumner Co. TN, died October 30, 1881 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married 1st to Abigail C. Bradley born abt. 1825, died about 1855. Married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane b. 27 Oct 1869, d. 26 July 1907.

3. James M. Johnson b. 1825/1826, married on Sept 15, 1846 in Sumner Co. TN to Margaret Beason b. 15 June 1827 (d/o Jacob BEASON and Martha MCKENDREE).

4. Mary Jane Johnson b. September 20, 1827, died April 18, 1898 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married 23 Dec 1846 Sumner Co. TN, to Richard W. Bradley b. Dec. 16, 1825.

5. B. Franklin Johnson b. April 4, 1829, died October 12, 1899 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married Elizabeth b. 22 Sept 1821, d. 20 Mar 1902.

6. Susan A. Johnson b. 1831. Married Hampton Garrison. Children are: Stephen Pleasant b. 1865, d. 1930 and Alonzo Carlos b. 1873, d. 1940.

7. John R. Johnson b. abt. 1837, died June, 1869 Sumner Co. TN. Married 18 Mar 1866 Sumner Co. TN to Emily A. E. Hodges. Known children are: Nancy, Dora, and Nettie/ Nellie.

8. Stephen J. Johnson b. 1838/1839 Sumner Co. TN. Married 13 Oct 1860 Sumner Co. TN to Sarah M. Shaw. In the Shaw family cemetery, there are 2 children buried there: Almeda Johnson b 8 Nov 1867 d 7 Aug 1869, dau of S.J. & S.M. Johnson and Stephen M. Johnson b 28 Feb 1862 d 1 July 1864. Possible children of Stephen and Sarah.

Children of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and 2nd wife Mary "Polly" C. PAYNE are:

1. Unknown Johnson

2. Unknown Johnson

Children of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and 3rd wife Phebe Jane NORTHAM are:

1. Mary E./L. "Minnie" Johnson b. August 2, 1856 Sumner Co. TN, died January 12, 1878 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem.

2. M. Elizabeth Johnson b. 26 June 1859, d. 10 May 1895. Buried at Old Brush Cem. Married 23 Dec 1880 to James "Jim" Brooks. James S. Brooks remarried as evidenced by the 1900 census. James S. Brooks Hus Feb 1849 age 51, Sara J Wife May 1871 age 29, Bertha B. dau Mar 1882 age 18 and Daisy V. dau June 1884 age 15. An Annie M. was also listed as a stepduaghter b. Oct 1895 age 4.

3. Davis B. Johnson b. August 29, 1861 Sumner Co. TN, died October 8, 1944 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married Merica D. Short. Davis and Merica had a son named Martin Luther Johnson b 13 Oct 1884, d 1 Apr 1979. He married Lela Smart, b 15 Mar 1892, d 15 Apr 1989, on 10 Nov 1910.

4. Cornelius S. Johnson b. March 3, 1865 Sumner Co. TN, died July 17, 1897 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married Emeline Frances Short.

5. Lucy "Lou" Johnson b. February 19, 1868 Sumner Co. TN, died May 16, 1903 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married 16 Jan 1888 to H. H. Smith. They had one child, Annie, Sept. 1888.

Austin Nelson JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca) was born between 1815 and 1818 in TN. His death date is unknown. He is mentioned in a Mabry lawsuit in 1866, and again in his fathers will in 1868. A. Nelson was married twice. Married 1st on November 29, 1837 in Sumner Co. TN to Mildred "Minnie" MABRY (daughter of John MABRY), died between 1858 - 1860. Married 2nd on 24 Sept 1862 in Sumner Co. TN to Matilda CROWDER, was killed (see information for daughter Nancy Johnson below) in May 1894 (daughter of Harbert CROWDER and Nancy CONNOR).

Children of Austin Nelson JOHNSON and Mildred "Minnie" MABRY are:

1. Benjamin Johnson b. abt 1838. Moved to West TN.

2. Mary A. Johnson

3. James N. Johnson b. abt. 1842

4. Susan J. Johnson b. abt. 1845

5. Margaret M. Johnson b. abt. 1849

6. Sarah P. Johnson b. abt. 1851 Sumner Co. TN

7. Elijah B. Johnson b. abt. 1852 Sumner Co. TN

8. John R. Johnson b. abt. 1855 Sumner Co. TN

9. Elizabeth A. Johnson b. abt. 1858 Sumner Co. TN

Children of Austin Nelson JOHNSON and 2nd wife Matilda CROWDER are:

1. Nancy Johnson b. abt 1863 Sumner Co. TN, died May 1894. Nancy had children out of wedlock with James Polk Martin. James Polk Martin killed Nancy and her mother Matilda in 1894. Oral history reports that after killing Nancy and her mother, James then killed himself. Nancy's children by James Martin were admitted to the Poor House on May 17, 1894. The following is from the Poor House book, Sumner Co. TN:
   Brody Johnson (age 13) b abt 1881, W.N. Johnson (age 10) b abt 1884, Virgel (Virgil) Johnson (age 6) b abt 1888, Febe (Phebe) Johnson (age 4) b abt 1890, Casie Johnson (age 2) b abt 1892 Myrdal Johnson (no age given). Remarks: Michel Johnson died the August 24 Day 1896 (don't know if this was another child or if it was Myrdal.)

2. L. William Johnson b. abt. 1866 Sumner Co. TN

3. Roena "Enoa or Eva" Johnson b. abt. 1867 Sumner Co. TN

4. Ella Elvira Johnson b. May 1869 Sumner Co. TN, d. Feb. 17, 1944. Married Wylie Thomas Hodges.

5. Martha Johnson b. abt. 1872 Sumner Co. TN

6. Zora Johnson b. abt. 1879 Sumner Co. TN

William JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca TURNER) was b. May 2, 1820 Sumner Co. TN, died October 30, 1881 Sumner Co. TN.Buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married 1st on 17 April 1845 (bondsman Joseph D. Turner) to Abigail C. BRADLEY (daughter of Abram BRADLEY and Zelpha DORRIS) born abt. 1825, died 1855. William married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane.

Known children of William JOHNSON and Abigail C. BRADLEY are:

1. Jane Johnson b. 1845 Sumner Co. TN

2. Joseph D. Johnson b. 1846 Sumner Co. TN. Married Martha born Feb 9, 1855, died Sept 21, 1906 Sumner Co. TN.

3. Sepharine b. 1849 Sumner Co. TN

James M. JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca TURNER was born 1825/1826, married on Sept 15, 1846 in Sumner Co. TN to Margaret BEASON born 15 June 1827 (d/o Jacob BEASON and Martha MCKENDREE).

Children of James M. Johnson and Margaret BEASON are:

1. W.H. Johnson

2. Missour Ann Johnson

3. Samuel B. Johnson married Cornelia Fisher in Warren County, Ky on 28 Feb 1878. Samuel died in 1913 Cornelia died in 1907.

4. Edward "Ned" Johnson married America Savannah White on 20 September 1880, Warren County, Ky

5. Mattie Johnson

6. Lafayette Johnson b 15 Feb 1864, d 11 March 1929 Buried at Friendship Methodist Church near Alvaton, Ky married on 16 July 1884 in Warren County, Ky Rosa A. Thomas b 6 August 1865 d 8 November 1948 Buried at Friendship Methodist Church. Children of Layfette/Rosa Thomas Johnson: Lige (Elijah) b 3 Dec 1884 d 14 Dec 1960, Mallie b 11 Nov 1892 d 5 Mar 1972, Gertha Ann b 11 Apr 1893 d 27 June 1959, Buried Bethany Baptist Church, Alvaton, Ky, Herschel Bryant b 14 June 1896 d 14 June 1971 Buried Friendship Methodist Church, Samuel Homer b 25 Sept 1899 d 17 Mar 1982 Buried Bethany Baptist Church, Joe b 22 May 1905 d 24 August 1954, Mabel Margarett b 16 Sept 1910, d 5 Jan 1948, John, no birth or death information.

Mary Jane JOHNSON (daughter of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca TURNER) was born September 20, 1827 Sumner Co. TN, died April 18, 1898 Sumner Co. TN. She is buried at Maple Hill Cem. Mary married on Dec 23, 1846 in Sumner Co. TN to Richard W. BRADLEY born December 16, 1825, died 1897 buried Maple Hill Cem. (son of Abram BRADLEY and Zelpha DORRIS).

Know children of Mary JOHNSON and Richard W. BRADLEY are:

1. Rebecca Bradley b. 1847 Sumner Co. TN

2. Delia Ann Bradley b. 1848 Sumner Co. TN

3. Susan C.

4. William b. abt 1853 Sumner Co. TN

5. Lucy b. abt 1858 Sumner Co. TN

6. John E. b. abt 1860 Sumner Co. TN

7. J. Abram b. abt. 1861 Sumner Co. TN

8. Eliza Jane b. abt. 1864 Sumner Co. TN

B. Franklin JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and Rebecca TURNER) was born April 4, 1829 Sumner Co. TN, died October 12, 1899 Sumner Co. TN. He is buried at Maple Hill Cemetery. B. Franklin married Elizabeth b. Sept 22, 1821, died March 20, 1902.

Children of B. Franklin JOHNSON and Elizabeth are:

1. John D. Johnson b. abt. 1854 Sumner Co. TN

2. Georganne Johnson b. 1856 Sumner Co. TN

Davis B. JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and 3rd wife Phebe Jane NORTHAM) was born November 29, 1861 Sumner Co. TN, died October 8, 1944 Sumner Co. TN. He is buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married on September 20, 1883 Sumner Co. TN to Merica D. SHORT (daughter of Isaac Martin SHORT and Jenetty "Nettie" WHITE) born October 6, 1865, died February 10, 1960 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem.

Obit
Davis B. Johnson, 83, a farmer living on the same farm where he was born just south of Portland, died Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock (October 8, 1944) following a short illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the First Methodist Church, of which he was a member, with the pastor, the Rev. J. F. Swiney, officiating assisted by the Rev. J. Burch Cooper, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery. Mr. Johnson had been in failing health for several years, but it was about two weeks ago that he became seriously ill. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. America Short Johnson; one son M.L. Johnson, who lives on an adjoining farm and four grandchildren.

Obit
Funeral services for Mrs. America Drucella Johnson, 94, will be held Friday at 10:30 at Wilkinson and Wiseman Funeral Home, with Rev. Eugene Fleming, Rev. James Rowlett and Br. Maurice O'Neal officiating. Mrs. Johnson died about one o'clock Wednesday (Feb 10, 1960) at Highland Hospital after a short illness. She was the daughter of the late Isaiah Martin and Jeanette White Short. Her late husband was Davis Johnson. She was a member of the Methodist church and one of the oldest citizens of Portland. She is survived by one son, Luther Johnson, Portland; four grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Child of Davis B. JOHNSON and Merica D. SHORT:

1. Martin Luther Johnson b. October 13, 1884 Sumner Co. TN, died April 1 1979. He married on 2 Nov 1910 to Lela Smart b. 15 Mar 1892, d 15 Apr 1989.

Cornelius S. JOHNSON (son of Benjamin J. JOHNSON and 3rd wife Phebe Jane NORTHAM) was born March 3, 1865 Sumner Co. TN, died July 17, 1897 Sumner Co. TN. He is buried at Maple Hill Cem. Married Emeline Frances SHORT (daughter of Isaac Martin SHORT and Jenetty "Nettie" WHITE) born October 29, 1863, died July 4, 1928 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem.

Children of Cornelius S. JOHNSON and Emeline Frances SHORT are:

1. Belle Johnson b. 1887, d. 1938. Married Bob Hudson b. 1881, d. 1959. Belle, Bob and son Paul Moor are buried at Old Brush Cemetery.

2. Bennie I. Johnson b. November 30 1888 Sumner Co. TN, died February 19, 1906 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Maple Hill Cem.

3. Richard Johnson

4. Louvie Johnson married Joe Whitaker. Children are: Harry Whitaker and Martin Whitaker.

5. Cornelius Johnson b. July 16, 1897, d. 22 Jun 1981 in Sumner Co. TN. Married 4 July 1914 Sumner Co. TN to to Della Ray b. 10 Feb 1898, d. 13 Jul 1934.

The Johnsons

James Johnson-1; Richard-2; Austin-3; Richard E.-4; Robert F.-5; Felix H-6; Virgie-7

Information taken from the Reverend RICHARD JOHNSON’s obituary, a copy supplied by Erick Montgomery, indicates that RICHARD JOHNSON was a devout Christian man and had been ordained a deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Francis Asbury in September, 1799, in LouisiaCounty, Virginia.. L. M. Woodson wrote the obituary. E. Carr also added a few remarks about what a good man RICHARD was.

Died June 22d, 1849 of dropsy….in the 90^th year of his age.

He was ordained a deacon of the Methodist E. Church by Bishop Asbury in September 1799, and in November 1812, he was ordained an elder of said church by Bishop McKendree at Fountain Head, showing that he has been a minister for more than fifty years.

His zeal….did not abate as age crept on, but he preached the last Sabbath he was able to ride on horse back, and when age and disease laid him on his bed to die he had outstanding appointments.

His aged companion died some ten years ago, full of faith…

[Nashville Christian Advocate, Issue #44, Friday, August, 31, 1849, pg. 4, col. 3.]

It is difficult for us, today, to understand the religious views held by our ancestors two hundred years ago. In the Cumberland settlements, starting in 1797, there had been a tremendous spiritual revival. This event had begun in Logan County, Kentucky, the place where there was probably the greatest concentration of sinners on the frontier, it was called “Rogues’ Harbor.” [Merrill, Jefferson’s Nephews, 189.]

Bishop Asbury, the bishop who had ordained RICHARD JOHNSON-2, “preferred his itinerant preachers to be unlettered, and said that a simple man was adequate to speak for the simple, plain people. Asbury preferred preachers who had received the “true call” over those ministers who were “man made.” Although the Methodists did have a religious book publishing concern, and the schools founded by Asbury became successful at a later time, nevertheless, prior to 1816, American Methodists failed ...in founding schools for children of their people.” [Merrill, Jefferson’s Nephews, 198.]

More than any other denomination, Methodists were instrumental in Christianizing the slaves, but the motive, according to Merrill, might have been selfish, because the slaves then stopped stealing and lying and became better servants.

Two famous black preachers, John Jasper and Black Harry, who accompanied Bishop Asbury on his rounds, were well known in Methodist circles. The Methodist Church at this time embraced the black worshipers into the congregation. Most church services were integrated throughout the antebellum period and blacks were welcomed into the “white” churches. [Boles, Black Southerners 1619-1869, pgs 155-159.]

Methodists were consistently hostile to education and learning, to certain forms of recreation, and to fine arts as well. The Methodists angrily denounced the use of organs, instruments, or choirs and the church was opposed to dancing, drama, and fiction.

Apparently, RICHARD didn’t obtain his entire living from preaching, but was also engaged in farming at some points in his life. The obituary indicated RICHARD was well known over the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, and he had “appointments” already made to preach when he died at age 90. The article was filled with praise for the Reverend RICHARD JOHNSON-2 and his dedication to his religion.

“Dropsy” is an archaic term for what is called heart failure today. The heart is enlarged and does not pump blood well, which causes the lower extremities to collect fluid or swell with edema. This edema, in turn, causes a loss of circulation to the legs which would swell to huge proportions, without today’s medications. The skin on the lower legs becomes very thin and dark and easily torn. Sores can form from lack of circulation and any tiny tear in the skin would fail to heal. End stage heart failure causes fluid to accumulate in the lung space and, effectively, smother the patient. In a person as old as RICHARD JOHNSON this would not be unusual. It is not usually a sudden onset disease, however, and he probably had suffered some problems for many years before his death. Nevertheless, to have lived to age 90, in a day prior to antibiotics, testifies to his general good health and good luck.

The 1830 United States Census in Sumner County, Tennessee, lists RICHARD JOHNSON-2 as between 60 and 70 years old, and his wife, LUCY, in the same age range. RICHARD’s obituary indicated LUCY died about 10 years prior to his death, about 1839. Living in the house with them on the 1830 United States Census was a male child between 10 and 15 years old, and two males and a female between 20 and 30 years old. The census does not list these people by name, but by age-category and by race. There were apparently no slaves in the household.

RICHARD JOHNSON-2 was the guardian for AUSTIN’s three children, Martha J., RICHARD EDMUND, and Mary Frances Johnson-4, for the inheritance they received from their uncle Edmund B. Corley’s estate even though their father was still alive. ELIZABETH CORLEY JOHNSON was deceased by the time her brother died and left the legacy to the children in 1830. AUSTIN JOHNSON-3 remarried in 1829. This also accounts for the age range on the 1830 census for AUSTIN’s wife which does not match the age range for ELIZABETH.

In 1832, AUSTIN JOHNSON borrowed money from his children’s legacy and gave a mortgage for his land to RICHARD, as guardian of the children’s legacy from E. B. Corley. The land mortgaged was 100 acres “situated on the waters of Rocky Creek. The same where the said AUSTIN JOHNSON now lives.”

One accounting by RICHARD JOHNSON, Sr.-2, to the court for the children’s estate was “princible and intest” of about $400, and the money RICHARD spent on the children’s “scooling.” RICHARD was at least literate, but his spelling was not the best. He also signed his pension with a reasonably good signature. RICHARD’s family, though not very wealthy, had enough financial substance to provide a basic education for their children.

Interest for one year on the children’s $400 legacy was $48. Expense for the children’s education and books was $21 for a year. In 1836, RICHARD gave oversight of the children’s estate to his son, David L. Johnson. Interestingly enough, it was not given to their father, who was living at that time. AUSTIN does not appear to have been financially successful in his lifetime, though, as a trustee of the church for which RICHARD donated the land, he was probably not a “black sheep.”

Their estate of $400 was a reasonable amount to give the children a start in life. Common labor was paid 50 cents per day during this period of time, so they had the equivalent of more than a years’ wages from a working man. The oral history collected by Erick Montgomery says the children lived with their grandparents, RICHARD and LUCY, after their mother died, and that possibly they lived first with one relative and then another during their growing years. By the time they were “barely grown” they had lost their mother, their father, and a step-mother as well. The children also inherited $100 each from their grandfather, AUSTIN CORLEY.

We are not sure of the death date of AUSTIN JOHNSON, but it must have been around 1846. Guardian records are found in the months preceding that date, so we know he was alive then. Also, we aren’t sure just where AUSTIN lived in the county and he seems to have moved around quite a bit. One entry mentions Rocky Creek. In 1838, RICHARD JOHNSON sold to Nancy Dickerson for $200 land lying on Rocky Creek “same land where AUSTIN JOHNSON is now living.” This makes one wonder if AUSTIN was unable to pay the mortgage he had given to RICHARD for the funds he borrowed from the children’s legacy from E. B. Corley.

David Johnson signed the property sale of AUSTIN’s personal property estate January 14, 1848. It consisted of mostly a few hand tools [carpenter’s] and a horse and saddle, worth a total of $84.25. William Simpson was one of the buyers at the sale. David Johnson-3, AUSTIN’s brother, was also the successor-guardian for the legacy from E. B. Corley-3 for the three oldest children. These records are included in the “packet” of “estate” records for AUSTIN, and “muddy the water” on dates. By including the deeds, and other records, however, we know now that these records are not truly part of AUSTIN’s estate.

Martha Johnson-4 married James H. Turner by 1838, at least eight years before the death of her father, and her portion of the legacy from Edmund Corley-3 was turned over to her husband February 1, 1838, by David Johnson-3, guardian. The receipt [Estate #680, Sumner County, TN] was signed by James H. Turner and Martha J. Turner. She received $135.62 as her remaining portion of the legacy from Edmund B. Corley. This was 150% of the amount her father’s personal property sold for at the time of his death six years later. She also received a bequest of $100 from AUSTIN CORLEY’s estate in 1841.

A newspaper announced that AUSTIN JOHNSON-3 had a letter at the post office that should be claimed in April of 1838.

In March of 1840, AUSTIN JOHNSON-3 and his second wife, Barrodill White Johnson, deeded land :

for love etc. to children Malvena C., Margaret A., and Barrodill Johnson. This is an 8th part of the estate of Robert White dec’d In dist. 2, begin tree. N91 poles to stake in Matthew Kincannon’s line, w with line 90 poles, s 91 1/2 poles to stake in Murry’s line, e with line 90 poles to the beginning. 50 acres. Also another tract. Begin on trees, n 121 poles to stake, e 66 poles to stake in Yancy’s w line, s with line 120 poles to stake, w 66 poles to begin. 50 acres. Also nominate Thomas M. White Guardian for children. Wit. Thomas M. Patterson [Sumner County Deed Book 17, pg. 149.] Thanks to Erick Montgomery for this reference.

This was apparently land Barrodill inherited from her father. She would shortly die and AUSTIN remarried within the year. Possibly she was already sick and anticipating her own death. A husband had a courtesy right in his wife’s inherited property if there were children, and essentially a life-estate. At his death the property would pass to the deceased wife’s children. For some reason, however, the property was deeded directly to the minor children with a guardian appointed for them. This might have been an attempt to secure the land from debt collectors, or make sure that the land went directly to the children, rather than having to wait until their father died.

The 1840 United States Census for Sumner County, Tennessee, lists AUSTIN’s brother, David Johnson-3, as between 30 and 40 years old [he was born November 18, 1800] and there is another male about the same age living in the household. One female between 30 and 40, and one female between 40 and 50, and a female child, between 5 and 10 years old, were also in the household. David owned six slave children under 10 years old, and one adult male slave between 24 and 36 years old. This would indicate David was buying the cheaper slaves and “growing his own” labor force.

RICHARD JOHNSON-2 died January 22, 1849, at nearly 90 years of age. LUCY HUNTER JOHNSON had been deceased about 10 years when RICHARD died. According to Erick Montgomery, LUCY is buried in the Johnson Cemetery in Sumner County, Tennessee, which is “located on a pig path.” LUCY has a tombstone there. Erick Montgomery says that RICHARD lived with one of his daughters in the last years of his life. He was apparently still preaching well up into his eighties, though, so must not have been too infirm if he could ride a horse far enough to go to preach at distant churches.

Benjamin Johnson-3, Son of Richard and Lucy Hunter Johnson

Benjamin J. Johnson-3, the son of LUCY HUNTER JOHNSON and the Reverend RICHARD JOHNSON, using US census records as guides, was born between 1791 and 1795. He came to Tennessee with the family when he was a young child. In Tennessee, he first married Rebecca Turner, the daughter of John Turner. She was a sister to Frances Turner, who was married to Benjamin’s brother, Richard Johnson-3. The younger brother of these two women, James H. Turner, married Benjamin and Richard Johnson’s niece, Martha J. Johnson-4, AUSTIN JOHNSON’s daughter.

Rebecca Turner Johnson was born December 27, 1795, and died August 5, 1847. She is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sumner County. She and Benjamin had the following children:

1. Austin Nelson Johnson-4, born about 1815, was married November 29, 1837, to Mildred Mabry and later to Matilda Crowder. He had children by both the women. More will be told about his life in detail later. He died after 1880 in Sumner.

2. William Johnson-4, born May 2, 1820, died October 30, 1881. Married Abigail C. Bradley, daughter of Abram Bradley and Zelpha Dorris. Elizabeth Jane, whose surname is unknown, was his second wife. He is probably the William Johnson who testified for the lawsuit between ENOCH SIMPSON and his uncle, Nelson Turner, in 1846.

3. James M. Johnson-4, born about 1825-6, married Margaret Beason on September 15, 1846.

4. Mary Jane Johnson-4, born September 20, 1827, died April 18, 1898. She was married to Richard W. Bradley December 21, 1846. Her husband was a brother to William Johnson’s wife, Abigail. Her husband would testify in the SIMPSON-Turner lawsuit as well.

5. B. Franklin Johnson-4, was born April 4, 1829, and died October 12, 1899. His wife’s name was Elizabeth. He also testified at the depositions for the lawsuit.

6. Susan A. Johnson-4, born in 1831, married Hampton Garrison. She testified for the Turner side of the lawsuit.

7. John R. Johnson-4, was born about 1837 and died June 1869. His wife was Emily A. E. Hodges.

8. Stephen J. Johnson-4, was born about 1838 or 1839. He married Sarah M. Shaw on October 13, 1860, in Sumner County.

Benjamin Johnson’s wife, Rebecca Turner Johnson, died and he married Mary “Polly” C. Payne. They had two children, but the names of the children are not known.

After Polly’s death, Benjamin married his third wife, Phebe Jane Northam, and had five more children, making a total of at least 15 children from this man.

1. Mary E./L. “Minnie” Johnson-4, born August 2, 1856, died January 12, 1878, and is buried at Maple Hill.

2. M. Elizabeth Johnson-4, born 26 June 1859, married Jim Brooks on December 23, 1880, She died May 10, 1895, and her husband remarried..

3. Davis B. Johnson-4, born August 29, 1861, died October 8, 1944, in Sumner County and is buried at Maple Hill. Married Merica D. Short, daughter of Isaac Martin and Jenetty White Short.

4. Cornelius S. Johnson-4, was born March 3, 1865 and died July 17, 1897. His wife was Emeline Frances Short and he is buried at Maple Hill. His wife was a sister to Davis Johnson’s wife, Merica D. Short.

5. Lucy “Lou” Johnson-4, was born February 19, 1868 and died May 16, 1903, in Sumner County and is buried at Maple Hill. Her husband was H. H. Smith.

Benjamin Johnson-3 may have had an additional “extramarital” child. In Sumner County, Tennessee, lawsuit #9250, from the Loose Records of Sumner County, we find in 1829, “The State Vs. Benjamin Johnson.” The grand jury charged to inquire for the body of the county presented February 5th, 1829, that Benjamin Johnson had to answer a charge of bastardy upon the oath of a woman named Polly Little, “a single woman,” that she was delivered of a female bastard child and that Benjamin Johnson was the father. It is also possible that this child might be a grandchild of Benjamin-3.

Samuel Brown, who was supposed to execute the warrant from the grand jury did not do so and he was called to court because he had failed to do his duty. No more is known at this time about the conclusion of the case or the charge.

Will of Benjamin Johnson-3

Signed March 10, 1868

Proved July 1868

In the name of God Amen.

I, Benjamin Johnson in the county of Sumner and the state of Tennessee, being in sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.

This is to say: First I have bequeath to my beloved wife and dispose of as follows: to wit, to my beloved wife Pheby Jane and her bodily heirs by me and apperti--- situated thereon known and described as the homestead which I now live lying in the State of Tennessee county of Sumner beginning at the crossing on the L & N RR thence running west with said road to the double post oak known as my own and John Grovers corner. All south of this road to I set apart for her and her bodily heirs by me. I also set apart all household and kitchen apparrets. I also bequeath to belove wife Pheby Jane all the perichable stock that I have. I also add my two horse wagon. I also add my spinning facotry. I bequeath unto 8 of my children namely A. N. Johnson, William Johnson, J. M. Johnson, Mary Bradley, Franklin Johnson, Susan Garrison, John Johnson, S. J. Johnson jointly the farm known as the Meadows farm and that portion of the homestead lying north of the tract beginning the crossing L&NRR. I therefore charge Steven Johnson one hundred and twenty five dollars per horse. I also charge A. N. Johnson with extra provision one hundred and seventy five dollars. I also charge John Johnson to be paid unto William Johnson, Jas Johnson, Franklin Johnson an Susan Garrison and Mary Bradley equally. I also have one cart and buggy I wish to be sold to be applied to my debts. Lastly I appoint J. C. Buntin my exec. Sign and seal in our presence this 10th day of March 1868, Ben Johnson Seal, W. Pond. E. H. C. Sarver..

photo of Benjamin and Phoebe Jane. xxx

A Tragedy in the Family, Over Three Generations

Austin “Nelson” Johnson-4, apparently the oldest son of Benjamin Johnson-3, was born between 1815 and 1818 in Sumner County. We aren’t sure exactly when he died. He is mentioned in a Mabry lawsuit in 1866 and again in his father’s will in 1868. He was married twice. His first wife was Mildred “Minnie” Mabry, the daughter of John Mabry, a neighbor of the JOHNSON family. [RICHARD-2 had sold him land.] Minnie apparently died between 1858 and 1860, and “Nelson” Johnson married Matilda Crowder, a daughter of Harbert and Nancy Conner Crowder.

The nine children of Austin Nelson Johnson-4 and Minnie Mabry were, Benjamin Johnson-5, born about 1838; Mandy M [Mary A.?] Johnson-5; James N. Johnson-5, born about 1842; Susan J. Johnson-5, born about 1845; Margaret R. [M?] Johnson-5, born about 1849; Sarah P. Johnson-5, born about 1851; Elijah B. Johnson-5, born about 1852; John R. Johnson-5, born about 1855; and Elizabeth A. Johnson-5, born about 1858. [The Johnson Family album entry on the GenWeb for Sumner County lists children named Mary A. Johnson and Margaret M. Johnson.]

“Nelson” Johnson, and his second wife, Matilda “Tilly” Crowder, had six children, including L. William Johnson-5, born about 1866; Evor [Roena? Enoa or Eva?] Johnson-5, born about 1867; Elvira Johnson-5, born about 1869; Martha Johnson-5, born about 1872; Zora Johnson-5, born about 1879; and a daughter, Nancy F. Johnson-5, born about 1863. This second group of children brought the total for Nelson Johnson to 15 children.

Nancy Johnson-5 was apparently having a long-term affair with a married man who lived next door to the family. The man was James W. Martin, but he went by the nickname of “Polk.” Nancy and Polk apparently had several children, one of whom was Brodie Johnson, born in 1881. The other children of Nancy Johnson-5 were William Nelson Johnson-6; James Virgil Johnson-6, born in 1888; Harvey Michael Johnson-6; Phoebe Johnson-6; Cassie Johnson-6; and Myrtle Johnson-6. [Sumner County Poor House Records.] Nancy Johnson’s children were admitted to the Sumner County “Poor House” on May 17, 1894. The poor house records also indicate that a child named Michael Johnson died that August, so it might be possible she was the mother of that child as well. The reason given for the children being admitted to the poor house was “poverty.”

The United States Census for Sumner County, Tennessee, for 1880 lists the two families next door to each other, with the Martins at house #133, and the Johnsons at house #134. Polk’s wife was named Margaret. Polk and his wife had several children. He was listed as age 30 on the 1880 census, and Margaret Martin was listed as age 40. The children were Henry Martin, age 10; Jane Martin, age 8; Thomas Martin, age 6; Julia Martin, age 4; Mary Martin, age 2; and Robert Martin, age 1.

Nelson Johnson was listed on the 1880 census as age 65, Matilda was listed as age 30. Nancy was listed as age 17, William as age 15; Evor as age 12; Elvira, age 10, Martha, age 8, and Zora as age 1. Nelson may have died right after the census was made, but probably before his wife and Nancy were killed.

In the spring according to oral history, Polk apparently decided to come get Nancy to live with him. [The exact year is not known, but the Poor house records indicate that a coffin was paid for Tilly Johnson in January 1897.] Her mother, “Tilly,” objected. Heated words were exchanged and Polk got a gun and shot and killed the old lady, then shot and killed Nancy, after which he went out into the yard and shot himself to death. Elvira, Nancy’s younger sister, who had been born in 1869, was hiding behind the door and saw Nancy and Tilly shot to death. Elvira’s son, Gil Hodges, as a very old man, related the story about the double-murder and suicide as told to him by his mother, the eye witness. Theda Womack and several other Sumner County residents were aware of this piece of oral history. The poor house records record coffins purchased for paupers in January 1897 for “Mrs. Matilda Johnson and Rowena Johnson” for which the county paid $3 each.

Nancy’s children were sent to the county “Poor Farm,” in May of 1894, from whence they were “farmed out” to other people. Not only were these children subjected to the social stigma of being “bastards” in the Victorian times, compounded with poverty, they now had the added stigma of being sent to the county “poor farm.” We won’t ever know why Nancy’s older half-siblings didn’t take the children in. Were they too poor to feed their own children, or was there some other reason? Life must have been terribly difficult for these children. Not only did they lose their mother and grandmother, but they lost their home as well, just at a time when we know they needed it the most.

The “Poor Farm” was located on County House Hollow road in Cottontown, close to the Strother farm. It was a self-supporting 200+ acre farm with a white frame house. Behind the buildings was a paupers cemetery, located in a wooded area behind the original house. Payments were made for pauper’s coffins.

Each year a committee of citizens were appointed to oversee the administration of the poor farm. A resident “manager” of sorts lived there and supervised the inmates. He was paid between $200 and $300 per year. The minutes of the meetings would sometimes indicate that he was expected to “make a hand on the farm.” Sometimes a regular hired hand would be employed for about $15 per month. A list of the names and ages and conditions of the inmates would also be appended to the meeting minutes, along with any expenses for poor people who were supported by the committee, but did not actually live on the poor farm. There were a few able bodied people who lived there, but most were very elderly, “idiotic,” or “feeble.” Apparently, though, the poor farm raised enough produce and meat to supply the people living there and to sell enough meat and produce to help support the farm’s cash expenses.

Orphan children who had no estate or support from their families, would be sent to the poor farm or to work for area businesses and farmers, in a system of foster care where the children “earned their keep.” This was similar to an indenture or apprenticeship, though not quite as binding. Brodie Edward Johnson was released to a farmer named Charles Haile [Hale] living at Castillian Springs. Mr. Haile was apparently brutal to him. The oral history relates that the farmer’s wife felt sorry for Brodie and gave him $2 cash and told him to leave. He left the farm and traveled over several states. He eventually came back to Tennessee and married.

Nancy’s other son, William “Nelson” Johnson-6, was apparently adopted by Mrs. Martha Dennis, the widow of Tyree Dennis, who had been the overseer of the poor house until his death in 1895. Nelson Johnson was found living with her family on the 1900 Sumner County census. She died in 1901, however. He was listed as age 15 on the 1900 census. This information was obtained from Suzie Branham, a decendant of Martha Dennis. James Virgil Johnson-6 lived at Shakle Island. Phoebe Johnson-6, supposedly, moved to California, Cassie Johnson-6 went to Memphis, and Myrtle [Myrdal] Johnson-6 went to Cooksville, Tennessee, where she “worked for a couple.”

Brodie Johnson-6 eventually married Clara H. Brown. Their children were Norman Edward Johnson-7, Margaret Irene Johnson-7, Ophelia Johnson-7, Grace Eller Johnson-7, Ezra Leon Johnson-7, and Brodie Lasco Johnson-7.

Norman Johnson-7 didn’t get along well with his dad, Brodie Johnson-6, and felt mistreated by his father. When Norman-7 was a young man still living at home, he had contracted with someone to buy a mule for $100. He worked out the price of the animal with the owner rather than paying cash, which he didn’t have, and trained it, but when he went to leave home, his father, Brodie, would not let him take the animal, because, his father said, he had “earned” it while still living at home, and thus, his father was entitled to the “wages, ” and possession of the animal.

Not withstanding the feud between the father and son, they purchased lands together near Rock Bridge and both names were on the deed. Brodie ran the place though, and treated Norman like a hired-hand, to Norman’s way of thinking, anyway. Rumor had it that Norman carried whiskey with him, instead of water, when he went to the fields to work, but was a hard-working man. Norman-7 felt that Brodie-6 favored his sister, Ophelia-7, over the others. Many years after the fact, Ophelia would not tell the details of the family feuds and went to her grave holding them tight.

The two families of father and son lived in two houses on the same piece of property. In April of 1939, apparently without warning, Norman Johnson-7 shot and killed himself in an obvious suicide. His father, Brodie, who was by all reports a non-demonstrative man, became even more sullen and introverted after the death of Norman. In July of the same year, Brodie and several of his sons and grandsons were working in the fields with teams of mules spreading straw. He sent the young men to town to get something while he stayed at home. He also told them to buy him a white shirt. They thought that he might be feeling poorly, as he had asthma, and sometimes used some form of medicine, that he burned and breathed the vapors, to open his lungs. While they were gone, he shot himself to death with a .22 rifle. Some of the family heard the shot, but thought it was a neighbor hunting. Ophelia, the favorite daughter, who had been absent from the house attending a church revival, was the one to return to the home and find Brodie dead.

Norman’s son, James Howard Johnson-8, born in 1937, was a toddler at the time his father and grandfather killed themselves. James Johnson’s daughter, Sheila-9, has had many difficulties in trying to piece together the story of the tragedy of three generations of this family. From 1889, until the 1940s, the family lived under the specter of bastardy, murder, suicide, and poverty.

Information on the family of Nelson Johnson and Benjamin Johnson was contributed by Jan Johnson Barnes, Sheila Johnson, Erick Montgomery, and Marie Johnson.