Daniel Johnson III (1747 - 1777)

Born 24 May 1747 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Betsey (Lee) Johnson — married 1 May 1770 in Manchester, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Descendants

Died 23 Sep 1777 at age 30 in Harvard, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Johnson Name Study.

Daniel Johnson III is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A063088.

Staff Officer Daniel Johnson III served with Worcester County Militia, Massachusetts Militia during the American Revolution.

Daniel JOHNSON, Rev., b. 27 May 1746 W. Bridgewater MA, d. 23 Sep 1777 Harvard MA, m. 1 May 1770 Manchester MA, graduated Harvard University 1767; led famous "Butter Rebellion" at Harvard University in 1766 protesting rancid butter served at breakfast; 3rd Minister of First Congregational Church of Harvard MA, Rev. War Chaplain Rev. Daniel Johnson was born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1746, the son of Judge Daniel Johnson and Mayflower descendant Betty Latham. Rev. Daniel Johnson, was graduated from Harvard College in 1767 at the age of 21. Two years later he became pastor of the Christian Church in Harvard, Massachusetts. He was in the ministry six years when he died at the age of 30 shortly after accepting the office of Chaplain in the American Army during the Revolutionary War. It was on September 23, 1777, and his daughter Nabby Lee was 6 ½ years old. On his death, the town of Harvard spent £200 on a monument in the Harvard Center Cemetery which reads: of the Rev. Daniel Johnson Late Pastor of ye Church of Christ in Harvard; Early in Life he entered ye Ministerial office and during his continuance therein Shone with a brilliancy and Lustre Surpassing the most of his order. For the God of Nature had endowed him with Powers of mind uncommonly sprightly and active. A copius invention & ready utterance made him in extemporaneous Performances greatly to excell. In his sermons he was orthodox and elegant; In his delivery zealous popular & engaging; So that when he ascended the desk a peculiar attention marked the countenances of his auditory. To his Friends he shewed himself Friendly who had frequent Pleasing experience of his generous hospitality. He was formed for action & Possessed of a martial Genius which led him to accept ye office of a Chaplain in the American Army, just on his entrance into which He was seized with a malignant Dysentery, which Put a period to his valuable Life. (Disappointing the expectations of his family friends and flock.) on the 23rd of Sept. 1777. In the 30th year of his age and 8th of his ministry. All flesh is Grass & all ye glory of man as the flower of Grassitory."

Revolutionary War Service: MASSACHUSETTS A063088 Rank(s): STAFF OFFICER Birth: 5-24-1747 BRIDGEWATER PLYMOUTH CO MASSACHUSETTS Death: 9-23-1777 HARVARD WORCESTER CO MASSACHUSETTS Service Source: MA SOLS & SAILS, VOL 8, P 819; NOURSE, HIST OF THE TOWN OF HARVARD MA, PP 327, 343. Service Description: 1) CHAPLAIN FOR COLS NICHOLAS DIKE Dike-409, JOHN CRANES

Sources

• Mayflower Families Vol. 15 p. 90
• DAR Patriot A063088