Papers, 1697-1985.

ArchivalResource

Johnson family. Papers, 1697-1985.

Papers, 1697-1985.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/207147319

This collection documents eight generations of the Johnson family and includes correspondence, poetry, prose, legal documents, diaries, genealogical charts and supporting information, commonplace books, scrapbooks, and photographs. The bulk of the collection lies in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, with material relating to the donor's father, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Winifred Channing Johnson Chrisman's personal papers reflect her interest in writing poetry and prose, in her earlier years, and in maintaining a correspondence with family and a broad circle of friends. A large part of her correspondence is from friends, although there is substantial correspondence from her son, Channing Burke Chrisman (1928- ), and her daughter, Wende Chrisman Harper (1931- ). Winifred Chrisman's correspondence from friends is newsy, while the bulk of Channing's and Wende's letters are childhood letters or, later, concern the Korean War and a European trip, respectively. Chrisman's diaries contain a record of some of her daily activities. The earlier material in the collection consists largely of correspondence between family members, in which family news, travels, and activities are discussed. Peter Roosevelt Johnson (1827-1905), for example, toured Europe in 1846, and in 1849 he voyaged to California via South America. His letters home recount his activities abroad. Susan Bard Johnson (1868-1957?) also wrote letters home during her trip to Europe in 1908. In addition, there are financial and legal records including miscellaneous accounts, wills, and land records. Genealogical and historical material, and writings of various family members, including public discourses on medicine, sermons, addresses, commissioned brochures on California, as well as personal work based on travel, gardening, family, inspiration, and whimsy, are also large parts of the collection. Katharine Symes Johnson Ashe (1876-?) assumed a role as family historian and her genealogical work is reflected in numerous typed transcriptions of early family letters, and in letters and notes on her ancestors the Bards, the Johnsons, and specifically on John Barent Johnson (1769-1803). The scrapbooks in the collection reflect intellectual interests, family events, and individual recognition. The photographs include many portraits of family members and of some family homes.

22 boxes.5 v. ; octavo.5 v. ; folio.3 folders ; oversize.

American Antiquarian Society