John Newton Johnson (1832 - 1904)

Born 11 Nov 1832 in Claysville, Marshall, Alabama, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Clotilda Matilda (Loveless) Johnson — married 13 Nov 1850 in Marshall, Alabama, USA

Husband of Sarah Evergreen (Parker) Johnson — married 6 Feb 1862 in Guntersville, Marshall, Alabama, USA

Descendants

Died 30 Nov 1904 at age 72 in Five Points, Chambers, Alabama, United States [uncertain]

Biography

Name

Name: John Newton Johnson^[1][2][3][4]

Birth

Date: 11 NOV 1832

Place: Claysville, Marshall, Alabama, USA^[5][6][7]

Military Service

Date: 1863

Place: 42nd Alabama Infantry CSA

Date: BET 1863 AND 1865

Place: C.S.A.

Date: 1864

Place: Co. C, Lewis Battalion, Alabama Calvary

Residence

Date: 1900

Place: Kirbytown/Marshall, Alabama, USA^[8]

Date: 1880

Place: Kirbytown/Marshall, Alabama, USA^[9]

Date: 1870

Place: Marshall, Alabama, USA^[10]

Date: 1862

Place: Alabama, USA^[11]

Date: 1860

Place: Marshall, Alabama, USA^[12]

Date: 01 JUN 1840

Place: Marshall, Alabama, USA^[13]

Marriage

Husband: John Newton Johnson

Wife: Sarah Evergreen Parker

Date: 06 FEB 1862

Place: Guntersville, Marshall, Alabama, USA^[14][15]

Marriage License:

Date: 17 JAN 1862

Place: Marshall, Alabama, USA

Death

Date: 30 NOV 1904

Place: Mid/Meltonsville (Mid)/Five Points, Chambers, Alabama, USA^{[16][17][18][19]}

Burial

Date: 1986

Place: Woosley Cemetery 34°28'22.00/Woosley Cemetery/Langston, Jackson, Alabama, USA^{[20][21][22][23]}

Notes

Note N63John Newton Johnson was born 11 November 1832 at Claysville, Marshall County, Alabama. He grew up there, was a graduate of Huntsville College, and after his marriage settled in Meltonsville, Marshall County, Alabama, where he acquired extensive farming interests, was a planter and slave owner, and also became a publisher operating a newspaper called the "Half Loaf". He owned a hand printing press and printed poems and articles on it. His pen name was "Will Well" on his writings that were printed in the old Guntersville paper. He had a valuable library, many of the books being destroyed by fire when the old house at Mid, Alabama burned in I913. He was always a staunch Democrat and as a confederate soldier served throughout the war in the 42nd Alabama Regiment of Infantry. John Newton participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Lookout Mountain, and the Atlanta Campaign, amongst others. He was captured in Vicksburg and signed a statement that he would never take up arms against the U.S. government. Two years later, he was captured at Peach Tree Creek (7-20-1864), carried north to Chicago and kept in prison until the end of the war. He was discharged (6-17-1865) from Chicago prison and walked home to Mid-Alabama. While he was a prisoner in Chicago, Illinois he was believed dead by his family. After the war he walked home from Illinois to Alabama arriving there to his family's surprise and joy two years after he was believed dead. He arrived starved, ragged, with a long beard and barefoot. The family was frightened and did not recognize him. He was a friend and correspondent of the poet Walt Whitman, and also of John Burroughs. He named one of his sons Walt Whitman Johnson. In the summer of 1887, he traveled over seven hundred miles to visit Walt Whitman. Walt Whitman said of John Newton, "He was dressed in true southern planter style, with a broad-brimmed hat, short jacket, knickerbockers and. boots, a diamond in the rough. I was surprised that he had memorized nearly all my poems. He knows more about my poetry than any living man and makes it his practice to go to schools, concerts, churches and other gatherings and recite my writings and poems." Walt Whitman presented John Newton with a suit of clothing and a copy of the book of poetry Leaves of Grass, first edition. The book was in the possession of Joe Johnson of Albertville, son of John Newton, in 1938. John Newton Johnson was married twice and was the father of seventeen children prior to his death at Meltonsville, Marshall County, Alabama on 30 November I904 at the age of 72. He and both wives are now buried in the Woolsey Cemetery. It is through his wife, Mary Carter, to Giles Carter that we trace our line to two of the twenty-five Barons (Roger Bigod and Hugh Bigod), who on the field of Runnemede (6-15-1215) forced King John to place his seal on the Magna Charta which is close in principles to our country's constitution. Through the Barons Bigod, Giles Carter's lineage has been traced back twenty-nine generations to Alfred the Great, King of England year 900. The Carter lineage not only includes royal lines and Magna Charta surety claims, but also lineage through the royal houses of France, England and Scotland and the noble house of Tracy, Lucy, DeGrey, Hastings, Bigod and others. This lineage makes us eligible for the following societies: D.A.R. and S.A.R., Knights of Royal Garter, Colonial Order of the Crown lineal from the Emperor Charlemagne, the National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons, Sovereign Colonial Society Americans of Royal Descent and others. Descendents of John Newton Johnson who belonged to these societies include: Jessie Ima Johnson Latham born 15 Feb 1920 in Sylvania, Alabama died 2 Jul 1997 in Dallas, Texas Inez Runyan Smith born22 Jun 1909 Alabama died Dec 1970 Mobile, Alabama Edward H. Johnson born 6 May 1884 in Dallas, Texas died 14 Feb 1938 in Washington, D.C. Jewel Daphene Gerrow Woodardborn28 Sep 1902Ennis, Texas died28 Sep 1987 Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas 1860 United States Census of Marshall County, AL, Eastern Division,Meltonsville Post Office, July 24, 1860 Page 117, Line 23, dwelling 792, family 792

John N. Johnson, 27 M Farmer Alabama Clotilda " 27 F Georgia Allen " 8 M Alabama Kate " 5 F Alabama Philip " 3 M Alabama not named 11/12 F Alabama 1870 United States Census of Marshall County, AL, Sub Precinct # 45, Hilliam Store, September 22, 1870 Page 118/124, Line 2, dwelling 900, family 901

Johnson,John N. 37 M W Farmer Alabama " Sarah E. 24 F W Keeping house Alabama " Allen 18 M W Alabama " Downing 7 M W Alabama " Vanmons 4 M W Alabama " Rachel 2 F W Alabama " Noname 1 F W Alabama 1880 United States Census of Marshall County, AL, Kirby, June 17, 1880 District 249, Line 33, dwelling 232, family 232

Johnson, John W M 47 Farmer Alabama Maryland Virginia " Evergreen W F 34 wife keeping house Alabama Tennessee South Carolina " Downing W M 17 son Farm laborer Alabama Alabama Alabama " Vamon W M 14 son Farm laborer Alabama Alabama Alabama " Rachel W F 12 daughter Alabama Alabama Alabama " Nona W F 10 daughter Alabama Alabama Alabama " James W M 9 son Alabama Alabama Alabama " Joseph W M 8 son Alabama Alabama Alabama " Walter W M 6 son Alabama Alabama Alabama 1900 United States Census of Marshall County, AL, Precinct # 17, Kirby, June 12, 1900 District 93, Sheet 5, Line 40, 119, dwelling 86, family90

Johnson,John N. Head W M Nov 1832 67 M/38 AL MD VA Farmer "Evergreen Wife W F Oct 1845 54 M/38 AL TN TN "Joshuay Son W M Nov 1881 18 AL AL AL "Curtis Son W M May 1884 16 AL AL AL "Jessie Daughter W F Dec 1886 13 AL AL AL 89/92 Evans, Milton H. Head W M Nov 1878 32 M/2 AL AL AL " Dollie Wife W F Aug 1880 20 M/2 AL AL AL " William H. Son W M Jan 1899 1 AL AL AL 90/93 Johnson, Jos Head W M Mar 1872 28 M/7 AL AL AL " Julie Wife W F May 1873 27 M7 AL AL AL " Effie Daughter W F Oct 1896 4 AL AL AL A SOUTHERN ADMIRER VISIT WALT WHITMAN {Summer of l887} John Newton Johnson Travels from his Cotton Plantation to Call on Nature's Bard Walt Whitman Talks of Visit Walt Whitman was surprised this morning by a visit from a well-to-do farmer from Alabama who has been reading the genial old gentleman's poems in the public prints and in "Leaves of Grass," and who had traveled over seven hundred miles to see him. He gave his name as John Newton Johnson and his post-office address as Mid, Alabama, though he stated that he lived some considerable distance from that station. His business is confined principally to cotton planting; however, he raises other staples for home consumption. He was dressed in true southern planter style; with a broad-brimmed hat, short jacket, knickerbockers, and boots. Walt enjoyed half-an-hours conversation with his tropical admirer and secured from him a promise to dine with him tomorrow afternoon. A Rough Diamond "He was a veritable diamond," said Mr. Whitman to a "Courier" representative a short time after the visit, "a diamond in the rough." "He can be accurately described by that phrase. He is also a natural philosopher, and I feel highly complimented at Mr. Johnson's exhibition of devotion in traveling such a long distance see me. I was surprised to find that he had memorized nearly all of my poems. He undoubtedly knows more about my poetry, and more of it, than any man living. It surprised me very much. He wanted to talk in extense regarding them and to offer criticisms upon them, but I am always loath to speak much on that subject. Mr. Johnson is a thorough Southerner and was a Rebel in the Civil War. I think he must have made a brave soldier. He has a family of eleven children, one of whom, m, aged about thirteen years of age, he has named Walt Whitman Johnson. From what Mr. Johnson tells me, he makes it his practice to go to Sunday schools, Concerts, Churches and other gatherings and repeats my writings and poems. They are really his Bible, so to speak, and is a sort of missionary - a Walt Whitman missionary, Ha! Ha! For their circulation. I feel very highly complimented by the visit and shall do all I can to make Mr. Johnson's stay in the North agreeable. He will probably remain until the end of the week. His friends and neighbors objected to him coming here and endeavored to dissuade him, saying that the people of the North were cold -hearted and inhospitable. I will try to give him a different opinion of this section." John Newton Johnson (Rambling thoughts and memories) Lelia Johnson Poole There is amusement within me as I think of the expression on Murray's face, as I spoke of my grandfather as eccentric. I believe that John Newton was a bit of a prankster. He enjoyed doing little things to surprise or startle people. He actually entertained the simple country people with some of his antics.(Ask Temple Matheny or Gladys Wiles. They probably heard more tales about him than I did.) John Newton Johnson was never in too much of a hurry about anything else to take time to read. He would start from his news-office and let the horse find his way home, nibbling grass here and there. Sidney Johnson may have some copies of grandfather poems; if he doesn't posses any of them, he can tell us where to find them. Bonnie Hodge can probably be of some help in getting or giving information about Grandfather. T.S. Wiles has the only picture I've seen of Grandfather except the little copy pictured with his family and held by his second wife. He was seemingly allergic to having his picture take

Uncle Josh seemed to be more like his father than any of the other children. He was also an avid reader and a prankster. He actually left his poor mule hitched up to the plow while he went home (forgetting the mule for a while) and read! He was a great joy to us youngsters! He even entertained my children and my neighbors with his love of people and his antics when he was quite an old man. He always had large sticks of peppermint to share with children. {friends or strangers); 0nce, when he was in a swank restaurant Tuscaloosa with some of his children, he drank out of his finger bowl (pretending to be a country bumpkin, I doubt that it embarrassed his family very much as they were accustomed to his mischief --- When I spent the night with his children while I was quite a little girl. he awakened us , regularly, by tickling us under the chin with his whiskers (he just needed a shave). The picture now possessed by T.S. Wiles once belonged to my father as did the copy of the ('Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman. Most of Grandfather's library was burned when the old home, occupied by Uncle Josh, was completely burned.) /. I remember the clipping about Grandfather and Walt Whitman being pasted on the inside front cover of the book "Leaves of Grass." My father had very few of his parents possessions, and I think he deserved those few.

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S3 Ancestry Family Trees
2. ↑ Source: #S74 Ancestry.com. One World Tree (sm) . Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc.
3. ↑ Source: #S237 Edmund West, comp. Family Data Collection - Individual Records. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000.
4. ↑ Source: #S250
5. ↑ Source: #S49
6. ↑ Source: #S178 Source number: 787.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: RBA. Birth date: 1832 Birth place: AL
7. ↑ Source: #S178 Source number: 786.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: RBA. Birth date: 1832 Birth place: AL
8. ↑ Source: #S106 Year: 1900; Census Place: Kirby, Marshall, Alabama; Birth date: Nov 1832 Birth place: Alabama Marriage date: 1862 Residence date: 1900 Residence place: Precinct 17 Kirby, Marshall, Alabama
9. ↑ Source: #S132 Year: 1880; Census Place: Kirbys, Marshall, Alabama; Roll: T9_23; Family History Film: 1254023; Page: 145.2000; Enumeration District: 249; Image: 0714. Birth date: abt 1833 Birth place: Alabama Residence date: 1880 Residence place: Kirbys, Marshall, Alabama, United States
10. ↑ Source: #S112 Year: 1870; Roll: M593 Birth date: abt 1833 Birth place: Alabama Residence date: 1870 Residence place: Subdivision 45, Marshall, Alabama
11. ↑ Source: #S255 Residence place: Alabama, United States
12. ↑ Source: #S108 Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Marshall, Alabama; Roll: M653_16; Page: 905; Image: 433. Birth date: abt 1833 Birth place: Alabama Residence date: 1860 Residence place: Eastern Division, Marshall, Alabama
13. ↑ Source: #S249 Year: 1840; Census Place: Marshall, Alabama; Roll: 13; Page: 100. Residence date: 1 June 1840 Residence place: Marshall, Alabama, USA
14. ↑ Source: #S258
15. ↑ Source: #S252
16. ↑ Source: #S258
17. ↑ Source: #S251
18. ↑ Source: #S253
19. ↑ Source: #S104
20. ↑ Source: #S259 CO. H 42nd Alabama Infantry CSA
21. ↑ Source: #S251
22. ↑ Source: #S253
23. ↑ Source: #S104

• Source: S104 U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1700s-Current Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012
• Source: S251 U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.;
• Source: S253 U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 Publication: Ancestry.com. U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
• Source: S259 Tombstone - John N. Johnson John N. Johnson CO. H 42nd Alabama Infantry CSA Moved from Johnson Cemetery on April 13, 1982 Woosley Cemetery, Marshall County, AL Tombstone 34°28'22.00"N 86° 8'41.00"W
• Source: S249 1840 United States Federal Census Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data - Sixth Census of the United States, 1840; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M704, 580 rolls)
• Source: S108 1860 United States Federal Census Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1
• Source: S112 1870 United States Federal Census Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2003.Original data - 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls.
• Source: S132 1880 United States Federal Census Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Source: S106 1900 United States Federal Census Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623
• Source: S178 U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases; Yates Publishing
• Source: S252 Alabama, Select Marriages, 1816-1957 Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc;
• Source: S237 Family Data Collection - Individual Records Publication: Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000; Edmund West, comp.
• Source: S250 Will of Johnson, Joshua Publication: Estate Box 80;Land to Mary Birdwell. ... to my two sons Bartley C. + John N. Johnson ... signed 10th day of April 1840. probated March 13, 1841. Marshall County, Alabama Official Document; Author: Marshall County, Alabama
• Source: S254 Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.Original data - Selected Records of the War Department Commissary General of Prisoners Relating to Federal Prisoners of War Confined at Andersonville, GA, 1864-65
• Source: S255 Alabama Civil War Muster Rolls, 1861-1865 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.Original data - Muster rolls of Alabama Civil War Units. Montgomery, Alabama: Alabama Department of Archives & History.
• Source: S256 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 provided by Fold3
• Source: S257 U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.Original data - National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/>, acquired 2007. National Park Service
• Source: S258 Probate of Johnson, John Newton Publication: Final Record 19, Page 700;Official Document; Marshall County, Alabama
• Source: S3 Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.
• Source: S49 Ancestral File (R) Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998; Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 USA Electronic
• Source: S74 OneWorldTree Ancestry.com

Johnson-38012 was created by Joseph Leslie Poole through the import of Poole - WikiTree_2015-07-21_01.ged on Jul 21, 2015.

Johnson-38480 was created by Joseph Leslie Poole through the import of Johnson-WikiTree_2015-08-13.ged on Aug 13, 2015