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Johnson family papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 305

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of correspondence, papers, volumes, deeds, and other material documenting several generations of the Johnson family of Connecticut and New York. Samuel Johnson (1696-1772), William Samuel Johnson (1727-1819), William Samuel Johnson (1795-1883), and Samuel William Johnson (1828-1895) are prominent figures in the papers. The correspondence of William Livingston (1723-1790) and Noah Welles (1718-1776) is also arranged in the papers. In addition to extensive correspondence between Johnson family members, the papers contain material relating to Connecticut and New York politics in the colonial and Revolutionary War periods, and religion, land development, and Indian affairs in the nineteenth century. Additions to the papers include family correspondence, sketchbooks of Katharine Livingston Bayard Johnson, a diary and account books of Sarah Dwight Woolsey Johnson, photographs of New Haven, Yale University, Connecticut towns, and cemeteries in Connecticut and Massachusetts by Robert Bayard Severy; Livington family genealogy, by Margaret S. Rutgers; multi-generational account book; and letters to Anna Muirson Johnson Bellamy after the death of her sister, Katharine Livingston Bayard Johnson. Also includes photographs of eighteenth-century documents related to William Samuel Johnson. The originals of these documents, all of which are in the public domain, were donated to Columbia University.

Dates

  • 1631-2017
  • Majority of material found within 1631 - 1918

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Existence and Location of Copies

The correspondence of William Livingston to Noah Welles is also available on microfilm (340 frames on 1 reel, 35mm.) from Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library, at cost. Order no. HM14.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright status for collection materials is unknown, though much of the material in this collection is likely in the public domain. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Geraldine, Ethel, and Lawrence J. Carmalt, 1984. Gift of Robert Bayard Severy, 2003-2006. Gift of Donald Severy, Robert Bayard Severy, and Arabella Olander, 2008, 2009 and 2012. Gift of Robert Bayard Severy, 2019.

Arrangement

Arranged in three series and nine additions: Series I. Correspondence and Business Papers, 1664-1886. Series II. Volumes, 1759-1900. Series III. Folios, 1644-1843.

Extent

31.42 Linear Feet (48 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.0305

Additional Description

Abstract

The papers consist of correspondence, papers, volumes, deeds, and other material documenting several generations of the Johnson family of Connecticut and New York. Samuel Johnson (1696-1772), William Samuel Johnson (1727-1819), William Samuel Johnson (1795-1883), and Samuel William Johnson (1828-1895) are prominent figures in the papers. The correspondence of William Livingston (1723-1790) and Noah Welles (1718-1776) is also arranged in the papers. In addition to extensive correspondence between Johnson family members, the papers contain material relating to Connecticut and New York politics in the colonial and Revolutionary War periods, and religion, land development, and Indian affairs in the nineteenth century. Additions to the papers include family correspondence, sketchbooks of Katharine Livingston Bayard Johnson, a diary and account books of Sarah Dwight Woolsey Johnson, photographs of New Haven, Yale University, Connecticut towns, and cemeteries in Connecticut and Massachusetts by Robert Bayard Severy; Livington family genealogy, by Margaret S. Rutgers; multi-generational account book; and letters to Anna Muirson Johnson Bellamy after the death of her sister, Katharine Livingston Bayard Johnson. Also includes photographs of eighteenth-century documents related to William Samuel Johnson. The originals of these documents, all of which are in the public domain, were donated to Columbia University.

Biographical / Historical

Johnson, Samuel (1696-1772): Connecticut clergyman, and educator, first and founding president of the King's (later Columbia) College. Born in Guilford, Connecticut, entered Yale College in 1710. Graduated in 1714. Ordained a minister in 1720 in the Congregational church, beginning his parish work in West Haven, Connecticut. Resigned from that position in 1723, and was ordained a minister of the Episcopal Church during the sojourn in Great Britain, where he was awarded the degree of MA from both Oxford and Cambridge. Following his return, became the rector of the church in Stratford, Connecticut. During the residence at Stratford, Johnson wrote several treatises, published by Benjamin Franklin and used as textbooks at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1743 he was awarded the degree of D. D. from Oxford. In 1754 moved to New York City at the solicitation of the trustees of the new King's College to become the president of the school. Resigned in 1763, returning to his old parish as rector in 1764. Died at Stratford, Connecticut.

Johnson, William Samuel (1727-1819): Connecticut statesman, attorney, judge and educator. First president of the Columbia College (now University) in New York, New York. Born in Stratford, Connecticut, of Samuel Johnson and his mother, daughter of Col. Richard Floyd. Graduated from Yale with the A.B. in 1744 at the age of seventeen. Following his graduation, pursued theological studies as a "scholar of the house" under Dean Berkeley, after which decided to become a lawyer, enrolling in the course of studies for MA degree at Harvard College on May 30, 1747. He attained a high standing in his profession as he was always secured as counsel in both religious controversies and juridical disputes of the Connecticut colony, for which he was called "the father of the bar in Connecticut."

Representative to Connecticut's general assembly from Stratford (elected in 1761, 1765, and 1772), and from the state of Connecticut to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. Selected as a special envoy to Great Britain in 1766 representing the colony's land title claims. In 1772, one of the judges of the superior court of Connecticut. A delegate at the Continental congress, and leader of the Connecticut delegation to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. First president of Columbia (former King's) College (1792-1800).

Johnson, William Samuel (1795-1883) and Samuel William Johnson (1828-1895), father and son, were land office proprietors in Cattaraugus, New York.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Johnson Family Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
compiled by staff of Manuscripts and Archives
Date
October1984
Description rules
Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

http://www.library.yale.edu/mssa/
Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

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