Johnson Family Letters
This collection houses nine letters written to and from members of the Johnson family of Blount County, Tennessee between 1884 and 1888. Among the topics discussed are farm work, prices of livestock and crops, illnesses, travel, the children's education, and other aspects of family life.
It has been inferred that the "Dear son" to whom Elkanah addresses a number of his letters is William Henry on the grounds that both Robert and Isaac are mentioned in the letters and that James, Charles, Oliver, and John were unmarried and living at home as of 1880.
Dates
- 1884-1888
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet
Abstract
This collection houses nine letters written to and from members of the Johnson family of Blount County, Tennessee between 1884 and 1888. Among the topics discussed are farm work, prices of livestock and crops, illnesses, travel, the children's education, and other aspects of family life.
Biographical/Historical Note
The vast majority of the individuals mentioned in these letters are either related to or descended from Elkanah Johnson (1823-1889), who married Mary Catherine Keith (1825-1907) on July 9, 1846 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The couple had ten known children: William Henry (1847-1932), Robert Calvin (1850-1910), Mary Evelyn (1853-1913), Isaac Ferdinand (1855-1889), Martha Ellen (1859-1909), Eliza Jane (1860-1927), James Alexander (1863-1924), Charles Edward (1866-1949), Oliver Pleasant Bob (1869-1951), and John Milton (1872-1956).
Mary Evelyn Johnson married Nathan Coker on December 16, 1869 in Blount County. They had ten known children: Horace Lee, Laura, Oscar, Sue Axley, Blanche, Lena, Bessie, Edward J., William Erby, and Raymond Johnson. Isaac Ferdinand Ferd Johnson married Jennie McNeal on August 7, 1877 in Blount County. The couple had one known daughter, Della. Eliza Jane Jennie Johnson married William P. Barnhill on December 23, 1883 in Blount County. The couple had no children.
Arrangement
Collection consists of a single folder.
Acquisition Note
The University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections purchased this collection in 2008.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository