The Pioneer Deacon and Father of Deacons—Johnson Family
Lawrence Johnson was the founder of one of Charlotteville’s most numerous and best known families. Especially does this fact become apparent when the growth and development on the Baptist church in Long Point settlement is taken into consideration. He was one of Elder Finch’s converts, becoming one of the first deacons of the old Vittoria Baptist church when it was organized in 1804. As a deacon, and as a member of the church, he was always found at the post of duty, ever ready, at all times and on all occasions, to help on the good work. He was fearless and conscientious in his religious duties; and his deportment in the every-day activities of life, from the day of his settlement to the end of his long life, was marked by uprightness of character and a disposition to do good. The few old people who remain will remember the days when old Deacon Johnson and his wife came regularly to church, riding in a lumber wagon, and each seated in an old-fashioned, splint-bottom chair.
Lawrence Johnson was a U.E. Loyalist, but he came to Long Point just a little too late to receive a grant of land.[1] When the old home near Forestville was burned, the family records were destroyed; but his son Richard, who lives on the old homestead, and has reached his eighty-fifth year, has a pretty good memory. From him we learn that the Johnsons are of Dutch descent, and that his father came from Pennsylvania. Lawrence Johnson, it is said, was drafted by the Americans at the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, and his father furnished a substitute for him. Subsequently he was again drafted; and this time, being a Loyalist, he ran away and joined the British army, serving all through the war. When peace was restored he went to Nova Scotia, where he remained seventeen years. In the year 1799, he started for Upper Canada. He came by the way of New York, and while in that city he purchased a half-bushel measure. This measure is in possession of Richard Johnson, and bears the manufacturer’s stamp, dated 1791, showing that the old relic is 106 years old.
Mr. Johnson settled on Lot 3, concession A., Charlotteville, which lot he bought of Silas Montross. He married Margaret Montross, and had six sons—Lawrence, Peter, Levi, Samuel, Jeremiah and Richard; and three daughters—Eva, Leah and Maria. He died at the age of eighty-five.[2]
Lawrence Johnson, eldest son of Lawrence, married Nancy Butler, and settled in Charlotteville. He had one son, Ebenezer; and four daughters—Maria, Martha Ann, Julia and Nancy. Lawrence Johnson served in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Fort Erie, and took part in several other engagements.[3]
Peter Johnson, second son of the old pioneer, married Catherine Newkirk, and settled in Bayham. He had four sons—Lawrence, Peter, Jeremiah and William; and two daughters—Takie and Maria. His son William settled in Walsingham.[4]
Levi Johnson, third son of Lawrence, married Margaret Backhouse, and settled in Bayham, where he raised a family. There was a Jeremiah in this family.[5]
Samuel Johnson, fourth son of Lawrence, was a blacksmith. He married Martha Powers, and settled in Port Rowan. He had one son, who died single; and four daughters—Margaret, Eva, Marilla, and one who married in the Schram family. At present Samuel is living near the old homestead, having reached his 90th year.[6]
Jeremiah Johnson, fifth son of Lawrence, married Ann Edwards, and settled on Lot 1, concession A., Charlotteville. He had five sons—Jeremiah, Richard H., Izetus W., Salem L. and James L.; and three daughters—Sarah A., Mary E. and Violet M.
Deacon Jeremiah Johnson was a pillar in the old Forestville Baptist church. He was also a prominent man in municipal affairs. When the Municipal Act came into operation he was elected a member of the first Charlotteville Council and was repeatedly elected to the same position for ten or twelve years. A portion of the time he was Deputy-Reeve, and served in the County Council. His life, both in public and in private, was praiseworthy in all respects. He died at an advanced age, loved and respected by all who knew him.
Richard Johnson, youngest son of the old pioneer, married Eliza Ann Kern, and settled on the old homestead. He is the last survivor, except one, of the pioneer organizers of the old Baptist church at Forestville. He had eight sons—Lawrence, Christopher, Samuel, Richard, John A., Edward, Charles and Coville; and five daughters—Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Lucetta and Eliza.[7]
Eva Johnson, eldest daughter of the original Lawrence, married Richard Lanning, and settled in Yarmouth, County of Elgin. She had two sons—John and Coville.
Leah Johnson, the second daughter, married William Hatch, and settled in Bayham.
Maria Johnson, the youngest daughter, married Mark Ward, and settled near Normandale. Subsequently they settled in Illinois.
[1] Larrence Johnson signed documents using the unusual spelling of his first name. Born at Dutchess County, New York on April 24, 1759, he was a son of Larrence and Eva Johnson. In May 1778, Larrence Jr. enlisted in Colonel Beverley Robinson’s Loyal American Regiment. Following the war, in November 1783, he went in the Loyalist Exodus from New York to New Brunswick. He came to Upper Canada in the summer of 1798, making him too late for the Executive Council’s official United Empire Loyalist designation. Source: John and Eva Taylor, Montoss: A Family History, p.p. (Staunton, VA: 1958)
[2] There were additional children listed by John and Eva Taylor, but they apparently died young: Eva born August 23, 1786, Margaret born October 15, 1792 and Jeremiah born September 22, 1799.
[3] In the third generation, Lawrence Johnson spelled his first name as such, rather than his predecessor’s “Larrence”. If the 1852 Census of Charlotteville Township is correct, he had the following children: Ebenezer L. born c. 1829, Elizabeth A. born c. 1833, Margaret born c. 1836, Martha Ann born c. 1839, Julia M. born 1843, Nancy M. born c. 1847.
[4] Peter Johnson was issued a Crown Grant for 100 acres of land in the north half of Lot 11, Concession 5, Bayham Township, Elgin County on March 1, 1819, registered in the township Abstracts of Deeds Register.
[5] On October 14, 1834, Levi Johnson purchased 100 acres of land in the south half of Lot 11, Concession 5, Bayham Township located next to his brother Peter. The transaction was recorded in the township Abstracts of Deeds Register. Levi had the following children recorded in the 1861 Census of Bayham Township: Jeremiah, born c. 1833, Peter M., born on November 5, 1837, Edward M., born on September 12, 1842 and Hannah, born c. 1847.
[6] Samuel Johnson returned to Charlotteville Township and was recorded there in the 1901 Census. In the earlier 1852 Census of Charlotteville Township he had the following children; Margaret born c. 1829, Matilda born c. 1831, Eve, born c. 1833, Whitcombe born c. 1835, Martha J. c. 1837, Thirsa Marilla born c. 1846, Heve, born c. 1846, and Lianella born c. 1849. In the London District Marriage register are records of the marriage of Matilda to Emmanuel Schram on May 10, 1864 and Eve to Simeon Schram on 22 Nov 1856.
[7] In Richard Johnson’s family, was a son named Edward Charles, born on December 4, 1852 who died in 1921 and was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Forestville. Owen erred in placing a comma between Edward and Charles.