Johnson was born in North Carolina. He was a farmer,
the son of a Johnson and the uncle and great uncle of
other Johnsons, all of whom were is the same general
vicinity at the same time. Johnson was in Carroll
County for the 1860 and 1870 censuses. His mother,
two sisters and a nephew were in his household in 1860.
In 1870 his household consisted of himself, his sister
Nancy and Nancy's son, then 13 years of age. His 1880
household consisted of only Johnson and Nancy.
Nancy was born in Guilford County, NC. She was a
widow with at least one child, James Bowen, when
she married Johnson. Nothing further is known
about her at this time. It is unknown whether she
had other children by her first marriage or by Johnson.