John Johnson (1864 - aft. 1937)

Born 1864 in Tennessee, United States

Died after 1937 after age 73 in Arkansas, United States

Biography

John Johnson is a part of US Black heritage.

John Johnson was interviewed in Clarendon, Arkansas about 1937 about his life and his time as an enslaved person.

"I was born sixteen miles on the other side of Jackson, Tennessee. The old mistress was Miss Sally, and old master was Mr. Steve Johnson, same name as mine. My papa's name was Louis Johnson but my mama belonged to the Conleys and befo' she married papa her name was Martha Conley. My folks fur as I knowed was field hands. They stayed on at Johnsons and worked a long time after freedom. I was born just befo' freedom."

"There was 4 girls and 6 boys in my family."

"I started to pay for my home when I worked at the mill. I used to work at a shoe and shettle mill. I got holt of a little cash. I still tryin' to pay for my home. I will make 'bout two bales cotton this year. Yes maam they is my own. I got a hog. I got a garden. I ain't got no cow."

Slave Owners

1. Steve Johnson

Interview: John Johnson was interviewed in Clarendon, Arkansas, by Miss Irene Robertson as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The results are made available by the Library of Congress. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ [1] Library of Congress - WPA - Slave Narrative - John Johnson - Vol. 2, Arkansas, part 4; pages 94-97, images 98-101 of 314.