Thomas Johnson was born on May 28, 1775 in the colony of Virginia. His parents were William Johnson and Hannah Sanderson from Lancashire, England.

Thomas was one of the earliest settlers in southern Knox County, along with Frederick Mehl, George Catt, Anthony Cary and many others. He arrived in the area around 1800 and married George Catt’s daughter Catherine. They cleared the land and took to farming as they grew their family as well as their farm. The children born to this marriage were Eleanor, Susan, Harriet, Payton, Fielding, Docia, Jane and Thomas Jr.

As did many of the early settlers of the area, Thomas fought under Captains Perry, Modrell, and Beckes during the War of 1812. Thomas was active in local politics, aligning himself with the Democratic Party of the time. As one of the most prominent residents and farmers of the area, the township, which is situated in the south central part of the county, was named after him. His family, especially the younger Thomas, went on to amass extensive land holdings throughout the 1800s.

Thomas and Catherine lived out their years on the family farm. Catherine passed away on August 15, 1862 and Thomas followed her a few months later on January 19, 1863. They were laid to rest in the Johnson Cemetery which still exists today, not far from the White River on Johnson Bend Road.

Thomas Johnson was my 5th great grandfather on my mom’s side.

REFERENCES

• United States Census, 1840, 1850, 1860
• US and International Marriage Records
• Find a Grave website
• The Catt Family in America, Dr. W Cary Anderson, 1989.
• History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana, page 545, Goodspeed Publishing, 1886.
• History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, pages 306 and 379, George E Greene, 1911.