JOHNSON FAMILY of Sullivan County, NH

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JOHNSON FAMILY of Sullivan County, NH
Transcribed and contributed to Genealogy Trails by Janice Farnsworth - Farns10th@aol.com
Source: History of Charlestown, NH - Fort 4 by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson pub 1876,
Claremont, NH

Children of Capt. James Johnson and his wife, Susannah (Willard) Johnson:
1. Sylvanus b. l/25/l748 m. Susanna Hastings daug of Capt. Slyvanus and Jemima (Willard) Hastings.

Their children were:
1. Betsy Johnson b. l/l2/l77l d. 6/26/l849
2. James Johnson b. l2/30/l772 d. 2/l9/l795
3. John Johnson b. l778 d. 4/22/l854
4. Phineas Johnson b. l78l d. ll/l8/l823
5. William Johnson b. l782 drowned 4/6/l804
6. Susannah Johnson b.l784 d. l2/29/l862

Sylvanus Johnson was 6 yrs old at time of capture and was kept by the Indians in Canada. He died in Walpole, MA in l832 age: 84 yrs., an honest upright man.

2. Esther Johnson b. l2/23/l749 d. l750

3. Susanna Johnson b. l2/l9/l750 m. Capt. Samuel Wetherbee

4. Mary (Polly) Johnson b. l2/8/l752 m. Col. Timothy Bedell of Haverhill, NH. orig. from Salem, NH and became a prominent citizen of Haverhill, NH He served in the Revolution and then was Maj. Gen of the 2nd Div. of NH Militia. He was the ancest-or of Gen. John Bedell of the Union Army

5. Elizabeth Captive Johnson (born in captivity and so named)

6. James Johnson was born at Quebec in Dec l756 and d. same day.

7. James b. at Leominster MA 3/l2/l758 died following year (see John Hastings Jr.)

Thomas and Mary Johnson Ch. Michael, b. 7/5/l785

Joseph and Mary Johnson Ch.

I Seth Johnson b. 4/23/l786
II Bulkley Johnson b. 2/l7/l788
III Josiah Johnson b. l0/6/l789
IV Joseph Hunt Johnson b.l79l
V Emma Johnson b.l793
VI Mary Jane Johnson b. l795

Joseph and Anna Johnson. Ch. Polly Johnson b. l797

Jeremiah and Thomazzen (Gibson) Johnson. Ch.

I. Mary Deusbury Johnson b. l789
II. Ichabod Johnson and wife, Ruth(Grout) Johnson:

Ch. Silas Johnson , Keene NH 8/l4/l800

Henry C. Johnson (son of Ira and Diana (Downer) Johnson b. in Thetford, Vt. ll/4/l827 m. l855 Lucinda C. Dearborn, daug. of David and Abigail (Eaton) Dearborn b. in Corinth, Vt. l/29/l830. Ch:

l. Rollin Johnson b. l858 at Corinth Vt.
2. Fred Johnson b. Eden Vt. l86l;
3. Betsy Johnson b. Albany Vt. l865 (Mr. Johnson settled in Charles town MA l869.)

p.445 Capt. James Johnson m. Susannah, dau of Lieutenant Moses and Susanna (Hastings) Willard. She was born at Turkey Hills - later known as Lunenburg, MA Feb 20, 1729/30.

Susannah Johnson and family were taken prisoners together with her sister Miriam Willard, Peter Labaree and Ebenezer Farnsworth, on the 30th of August 1754 and were carried to Canada. The story of their journey and captivity is one of deep interest and is now familiar to thousands who have read her graphic and exciting narrative. The manner of her capture and the subsequent circumstances of her captivity and sufferings will be best appreciated by her own description of them. But as this cannot be inserted (here) on account of its great length, a brief abridgment of the facts and circumstances as narrated by herself, must be accepted in place of it.

About the 20th of August, 1754, the capture of the Maloon family on the Merrimac River by the Indians became known in Charlestown (NH) and very great excitement prevailed in consequence. Mr. Johnson was absent at the time and Mrs. Johnson and the family were living in their house on the farm, which stood at what is now the north end of the street in the village and which, being at about the distance of a hundred rods from the fort, was in a very exposed situation. It is scarcely a matter that should surprise us, therefore, that her mind should be filled, as she describes it to have been, with the most fearful apprehensions. But her husband soon returned and putting confidence in his courage and ability to protect her, all fears were theron dismissed.

But although special danger had ceased to be feared, it was still no less imminent for, on the morning of the 30th of August, they were suddenly surprised by a party of eleven Indians and all the family were taken prisoners.

The circumstances were these: There had been a social gatheringof neighbors at the house the previous evening who being very agreeably entertained with fine ripe melons and exciting beverages prolonged their stay to an unusually late hour. The consequence was that the family on retiring soon fell asleep and would doubtless have continued to sleep until late in the morning had they not been aroused about half way between dawn and sunrise by the loud knocking of Peter Labaree at the door, who had been engaged by James Johnson for a day's work and had thus early come to commence it. On being awakened, Mr. Johnson slipped on his jacket and trousers to go let him in, but by opening the door he opened a scene terrible to describe: Indians! Indians! Indians! He sprang to his guns, but Labaree, heedless of danger instead of closing the door to keep them out, began to rally our hired man upstairs. But in an instant a crown of savages fixed horribly for war, rushed furiously in. I screamed and begged my friends to ask for quarter. By this time they were all over the house; some up the stairs; some hauling my siter Miriam Willard out of bed another had hold of me and one was approaching Mr. Johnson, who stood in the middle of the floor to deliver himself up. But the Indian supposing that he would make resistance and be more than his match went to the door and brought three of his comrades and the four bound him.

I was led to the door fainting and trembling. There stood our friend Labaree bound. Ebenezer Farnsworth whom they foundup chamber (a hired hand), they were putting in the same situation; and to make complete the shocking scene, my three little children were driven naked to the place where I stood. After what little plunder their hurry would allow, we were ordered to march. After going about 20 rods we fell behind a rising ground where we halted to pack things in a better manner. While there a savage went back, as we supposed, to fire the buildings. Ebenezer Farnsworth proposed to my husband to go back with him to get a quantity of pork from the cellar to help us on the journey, but Mr. Johnson prudently replied that by that means the Indians might find the rum and in a fit of intoxication - kill us all. The Indian returned with marks of fear on his contenance and we were hurried on with violence. Two savages laid hold of each of my arms and hurried me through thorny thickets in a most unmerciful manner. I lost a shoe and suffered exceedingly.

We heard alarm guns from the fort. This added new speed to the flight of the savages. They were apprehensive that soldiers might be sent for our relief. When we had got a mile and a half, my faintness obliged me to sit. This being observed by an Indian, he drew his knife, to put an end to my existence, but he only cut some band by which my gown was tied and pushed me on. My little children were crying; my husband and the other two men were bound, and my sister and myself were obliged to make the best of our way with all our might. At the distance of three miles there was a general halt. The savages supposing that we as well as themselves might have an appetite, gave us a loaf of bread, some raisins and apples which they had taken from the house. While we were forcing down our scanty breakfasta horse came in sight known to all by the name Scoggin, belonging to Capt. Phineas Stevens, Esq. One of the Indians attempted to shoot him but was prevented by Mr. Johnson. They then expressed a wish to catch him saying (pointing to me) for the squaw to ride. Mr. Johnson and two Indians caught the horse on the bank of the river. By this time my legs and feet were covered with blood which being noticed by Mr. Labaree, he with that humanity that never forsook him, took his own stockings and presented them to me, and the Indians gave me a pair of moccasins. Bags and blankets were thrown over Scoggin and I mounted on top of them and on we jogged about seven miles to the upper end of Wilcott's Island. We there halted and prepared to cross the river. Rafts were made of dry timber Two Indians and Farnsworth crossed first. Labaree, by signs, got permission to swim the horse and Mr. Johnson was allowed to swim by the raft that I was on, to push it along. We all arrived safe on the other side of the river about four o'clock in the afternoon. A fire was kindled and some of their stolen kettles were hung over it and filled with porridge. The savages took delight in viewing their spoil, which amounted to forty or fifty pounds in (monetary) value. They, then with a savage yell gave the war whoop and bade defiance to danger. Our tarry in this place lasted an hour. I had time to reflect on our miserable condition. Captives in the power of un-merciful savages, without provision and almost without clothes, in a wilderness where we must sojourn as long as the children of Israel did, for aught we knew, and, what added to our distress, not one of our savage masters could understand a word of English.

Here, after being hurried from home with such rapidity, I have leisure to inform the reader respecting our Indian masters. (Susannah, as she writes her memoirs of her captivity, here, speaks to the readers of her account) They were eleven in number; all men of middle age, except one, a youth of sixteen, who, on our journey discovered a very troublesome disposition. According to their practice he who first laid hands on a prisoner considered (the prisoner) his property. My master, who was the one who first took my hand was as clever an Indian as I ever saw. He even evinced, at numberous times a dispo-sition that showed he was by no means void of compassion. The four who took my husband claimed him as their prop-erty. My sister, three children, Labaree and Farnsworth had each a master. When the time came for us to prepare to march I almost expired at the thought of leaving my aged parents, brothers, sisters and friends and travel with savages through a dismal forest to unknown regions in the alarming situation in which I then was with three small children. The eldest (child) Sylvanus (Johnson) was but six years old. My sister Miriam (Willard) was fourteen. My husband was barefoot and otherwise thinly clad. His masters had taken his jacket. My two daughters had nothing on but their shifts and I had only the gown handed to me by the savages. In addition to the sufferings which arose from my own deplorable condition I could not but feel for my friend, Labaree. He had left a wife and four small children behind - his situation was extremely unhappy. The Indians pronounced the dreadful word, "munch", (march) and on we must go.

I was put on the the horse; Mr. Johnson took one daughter and Mr. Labaree took the other. We sent six or eight miles and stopped for the night. The men were made secure by having their legs put in split sticks somewhat like stocks and tied with cords which were tied to limbs of trees too high to be reached. My sister much to her mortification must lie between two Indians with a cord thrown over her and passing under each of them. The little children had blankets and I had one for my own use. The fatigues of day obliged me to sleep for several hours in spite of the horrors which surrounded me. The Indians observed great silence and never spoke but when necessary. My children were much more peaceable than could be imagined. Gloomy fear imposed a deadly silence.

p.449
In the morning the prisoners were aroused before sunrise and given water gruel for breakfast when they were again compelled to start on their journey. But they had not travelled over an hour before Mrs. Johnson who before her capture was in daily expectation of being confined, was taken with the pains of childbirth. This becoming known to the Indians, they signified that the party must pass on to a brook. The spot at which this was reached lies within the present limits of Cavendish. Here on a flat rock elevated a little above the bed of the stream, at about ten o'clock in the morning a daughter was born who was subsequently named Elizabeth Captive Johnson, and during that day the sad and weary mother was permitted to rest. But early the next morning after a scanty break-fast of meal and water the prisoners were summoned to proceed. Mrs. Johnson was laid on a litter which the Indians had prepared, which was borne by Mr. Johnson, Labaree and Farnsworth; while Miriam Willard and little Sylvanus Johnson were put upon Scoggin, and the two little girls were carried on their masters' backs. In this way they proceeded about two miles when the men who carried the litter grew so faint that they found it impossible to proceed any further. This the Indians perceiving, a general halt was called, while they should take counsel what it would be best to do. After a brief consultation the Indian who claimed Mrs. Johnson made signs to her husband that if she could ride on the horse she could proceed, otherwise she must be left behind.

Of course she preferred an attempt to ride to the uncertainty of perishing miserably and alone. But so weak was she and faint that every step of the horse almost deprived her of life. She rode an hour in this way when she had to be taken off and laid on the ground for the purpose of resting and recruiting her strength - and this had to be done every hour or, every little while. In this way her life was preserved for another day which brought them to the head of Black River Pond where they encamped for the night.

The next morning was foggy and cold, but after partaking of a little meal and water they were compelled again to pursue their journey. All the prisoners by this time were so exhausted with fatigue and bowed down with grief that they felt little disposition to talk and so moved on in silence. Their course lay througha difficult region lying sometimes in miry levels, at others over steep and broken hills. Their fifth day's journey there fore became an unvaried scene of toil and fatigue. In addition to this, their provisions had failed and the two or three hunting parties which the Indians sent out returned without any game. All became seriously alarmed. They halted a little before night, having reached the height of land where the waters run into Lake Champlain and the Indians by the aid of punk which they carried in their horns, kindled a fire, after which a plan was soon adopted for relieving their hunger. Old Scoggin, the horse that had served them so well was shot and the best parts of him broiled and given to the prisoners. "An epicure, (says Mrs Johnson in her narrative), could not have catered nicer slices, nor in that situatiion have served them up with more neatness. Appetite is said to be the best sauce; yet our abundance of it did not render savory this novel steak."

The children however ate so much that it afterwards made them sick. Broth from it flavored with roots was made for Mrs. Johnson and little "Captive" (her newborn infant) All ate enough to be refreshed and their spirits were greatly revived. But Mrs. Johnson as her mind anticipated the future, passed a most unhappy night. By the aid of poor old Scoggin, she had hitherto been enabled to travel; but what was she to do now that he was gone? Her weakness was such that to walk was impossible. In the midst of a wilderness, therefore, of a hundred miles on every side in extent, what could there be for her but inevitable death.

In the morning which commenced the 6th day from their starting out, the Indians pounded up old Scoggin's marrow bones and made a soup. Every root that could be gathered from the woods both sweet and bitter were thrown in to give it flavor. Each partook of as much as his feel-ings would allow when the war whoop summoned them again to march. "My fate, says Mrs. Johnson, was unknown until my master brought some bark and tied my petticoats as high as he supposed would be convenient for walking and ordered me to "munch" (march) With scarce strength to to stand alone, I went on half a mile with my little son and three Indians. The rest were advanced. My power to move then failed; the world grew dark and I dropped down. I had sight enough to see an Indian lift his hatchet over my head while my little son screamed, "Ma'am do, for they will kill you." As I fainted my last thought was that I should presently be in the world of the spirits. When I awoke my master was talking angrily with the savage who had threatened my life. By his gesturesI could learn that he charged him with not having acted the honorable part of a warrior by an attempt to destroy the prize of a brother. A whoop was given for a halt. My master helped me to the rest of the company where a council was held, the result of which was that my hus-band should walk by my side and help me along. This he did for some hours. But faintness then overpowered me and Mr. Johnson's tenderness and solicitude were unequal to the task of aiding me further. Another council was held. While in debate as I lay on the ground gasping for breath, my master sprung towards me with a hatchet. My husband and fellow prisoners grew pale at the sight suspecting that he by a single blow would rid themselves of so great a burden as myself. But his object was to get bark from a tree to make a pack saddle for my con-veyance on the back of my husband. We moved on faint and wearily till night. The Indians then yelled their war whoop, built a fire and hung over their horse broth. After supper my booth was build as usual and I reposed much better than I had the preceding night.

In the morning she found herself greatly refreshed. Nature had begun to provide a remedy for the weakness. And after a breakfast of horse steak of which she par-took with no little relish, the weary daily march was again commenced and they soon arrived at a beaver pond formed in a branch of the Otter Creek which they were under the necessity of wading. In attempting this, Mrs. Johnson's strength failed and without ability to move she stood motionless and stiffened in the middle of the pond, which her husband perceivingfrom the opposite shore, immediately went to her assistance and taking her in his arms bore her safely to the other side, when the whold company and the Indians with great humanity built a fire for the purpose of warming her and restoring her exhausted strength. In two hours they were enabled again to move on which they did uninterruptedly till about the middle of the afternoon when they came to one of the great branchesof Otter Creek. This was very rapid and in the view of Mrs. Johnson "passing dangerous." But after a little refreshment its passage was attempted and accomplished without any fatal accident, though Mr. Labaree when about half way over was tripped up by the rapidity of the stream and lost little "Captive" whom he was carrying, into the water; but was fortunately able to gain his footing in season to reach a corner of the blanket in which she was wrapped so that she was saved. After they were all over the Creek, the Indians built a fire at which Miriam Willard warmed the infant and very carefully dried its clothing.

p.452
The savages being now beyond danger gave tokens of their joy by the most boistrous hallooing and yelling. They also, but whether as a diversion or a religious ceremon ial, Mrs. Johnson never knew, taught their prisoners to dance. Each of themalso was taught a song. Mrs. John son's song was, "Danna witchee nachepung." That of little Sylvanus Johnson was: "Narwiseumpton". Of the titles of the others we are not informed. But if these things were a diversion to the Indians they do not appear to have been so to the prisoners, as Mrs. Johnson informs us that they were "very painful and offensive." "Here, says Mrs. Johnson, we were visited by seven Indians who were received with great joy by our masters, who took great pleasure in introducing their prisoners. The war dance was held again. We were obliged to join and sing our songs while the Indians rent the air with infernal yelling. We then embarked and arrived at Crown Point about noon. Each prisoner was then lead by his master to the residence of the French commander. We were order ed to his apartment and used with that hospitality which characterizes the best part of that nation. We had brandy in profusion, a good dinner, and a change of linen. This was luxury indeed after what we had suffered for want of these things. None but ourselves could prize their value. We, after dinner, were paraded before the commander and underwent examination; after which we were shown a convenient apartment, where we resided four days not subject to the jurisdiction of our savage masters. Here we received great civilities and many presents. I had a nursewho in a great measure restored my exhausted strength. My children were all decently clothed, and my infant in particular. The remainder of this history must be briefly told. And only that which particularly relates to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will be referred to here as the incidents relating to Mr. Labaree, Mr. Farnsworth and Miriam Willard will be given under their own names.

On the 4th day after their arrival at Crown Point the prisoners were delivered to their Indian masters, when the whole company embarked in one vessel for St.Johns. They had not sailed far before on account of the shift ing of the wind, it became necessary to cast anchor. While lying thus, a canoe containing a white woman who was bound for Albany, came alongside by whom Mr. Johnson forwarded a letter to Colonel Lydius of that place. This contained some particulars of their situation and which afterwards being published in the Boston papers gave to their New England friends, the first information of their safety.

After a disagreeable voyage of three days, they arrived at St. Johns, on the 16th of September where they ex perienced once more the politeness of the French command er. From this place they passed on to Chamblee where in the garrison they found all the hospitality their necess ities required. "Here, says Mrs. Johnson, for the lst time after our captivity, I lodged on a bed." Brandy was handed about in large bowls and we lived in fine style." But the next morning they were carried in the canoes of the Indians to Sorelle, from thence they were taken to St. Francis which was the home of their masters. And, the headquarters of the tribe of that name.

Mr. Johnson was allowed to remain only a few days at St. Francis, before he was taken to Montreal to be sold. Soon after his arrival at this place, a parole of two months was granted him that he might return home and obtain the means of redemption. By applying to the Assembly of New Hampshire, he obtained, after some time, one hundred and fifty pounds sterling. But the season was so far advanced and the winter so severe, that he did not reach Canada until Spring. He was then accused of breaking his parole, and a great partof his money was taken from him by violence. He was then shut up with a part of his family in prison, where he took the smallpox He was retained in prison three years, when he and his son, Sylvanus were permitted to return to New England.

On arriving at Boston he had no sooner landed than he was put under guard on suspicion of not having performed his duty in the redemption of the Canada prisoners, which suspicion was occasioned by his remissness in producing his vouchers. But the following certificate procured his liberty:

"This is to certify whom it may concern that the bearer Lieutenant James Johnson inhabitant of the town of Charlestown in the Province of NewHampshire in New England, who, together with his family, was taken by the Indians on the 30th of August, 1754, has ever since continued a steady and faithful subject to his Majesty King George, and has used his utmost endeavors to re deem his family and all others belonging to the Province aforesaid that were in the hands of the French and Indians which he cannot yet accomplish, and that both himself and family have undergone innumerable hardships and afflictions since they have been prisoners in Canada.

In testimony of which, we, the subscribers officers in his Britannic Majesty's service and now prisoners of war at Quebec, have thought it necessary to grant him this certificate and do recommend him as an object worthy of aid and compassion of every honest Englishman. Signed: Peter Shuyler Andrew Waztkins William Martin William Padgett Quebec, Sept. 16, 1757

Mrs. Johnson with her two youngest daughters and her sister Miriam Willard after remaining in captivity eighteen months were conveyed in a cartel ship to England and arrived in New York on the 10th of December, 1757

Mrs. Johnson in her narrative says: "After his (Mr. Johnson's) dismission from the guards in Boston, he proceeded directly to Charlestown (Fort 4). When within fifteen miles of Springfield he was met by a gentleman who had just before seen me and who gave him the best news he could have heard. Although it was then late at night, he lost not a moment. At two o'clock in the morning of the lst of January, 1758, I again embraced my dearest friend. Happy New Year."

(Sad ending) Mr. Johnson a few days after this meeting, set out for New York to adjust his accounts in Canada. On his journey he was pursuaded by Governor Pownal, to take a Captain's commission and join the forces bound for Ticonderoga where he fell at the breast work on the 8th of July following, in the battle that proved also fatal to Lord Howe.

His commission was dated at Boston, March 30, 1758 in the 3lst year of the reign of His Majesty George the 2nd. He was commissioned to be Captain of a company in the battalion of light infantry, to be formed out of the forces then raised by the governor, for a general invasion of Canada, commanded by Colonel Oliver Patridge.