Nicholas Johnson
(1785-1840)
Nicholas Johnson (1785–1840): A Southern Pioneer
Nicholas Johnson was born on August 11, 1785, in Augusta County, Virginia, into a family of colonial leaders and patriots. The son of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Johnson and Elizabeth "Betsey" Barbour, Nicholas grew up in a nation still finding its footing after the Revolutionary War.
In 1806, Nicholas married Nancy Tyler in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, marking the beginning of his journey as a husband and father. Together, they raised a large family, including sons William Henry ("Buck") Johnson, David Johnson, Benjamin J. Johnson, and daughters Mary Ann, Martha Adeline, and Nancy Catherine, among others. His children reflected his legacy, spreading their influence across the burgeoning Southern states.
By 1830, Nicholas had settled in Jasper, Georgia, where he contributed to the agricultural and economic development of the region. His life was marked by the expansion of the American frontier and the shifting dynamics of the South in the early 19th century.
Nicholas Johnson passed away in 1840 in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, at the age of 55. His life represents the resilience and ambition of those who helped shape the American South. Through his family and contributions to the communities he called home, Nicholas left an enduring imprint on the history of the Johnson lineage.