Johnson Family Papers

Johnson Family Papers

The Johnson family, originally from Missouri, came to Texas in 1844, moving several times before finally settling in Hays County. Thomas Johnson and his wife, Catherine Johnson, had six children. Thomas Johnson, a schoolmaster, established the Johnson Institute in 1852, thirty miles north of San Marcos. The Johnson Institute was a private secondary school with a coeducational student body. Three of the Johnson children would later teach there. A family member of particular interest is the daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ellen Johnson, born on May 9, 1840 in Cole County, Missouri. <br /><br />The Johnson Family Collection, dating from the years 1859-1887, was donated to Southwestern University by John E. Shelton, grandson of Emma Johnson, sister of Lizzie Johnson. It consists of letters, personal notes, announcements, newspaper clippings, magazines, books, and personal objects from the entire Johnson family. Highlighted here is Lizzie Johnson’s incoming correspondence, which includes invitations to parties, letters from close friends, and marriage proposals. This selection of items gives us an insightful look into how relationships functioned among the white middle class youth in Texas during the latter half of the 19th century. Browse our exhibit “<a title="Social Graces on the Texas Frontier: The Lizzie Johnson Papers" href="http://texasheritage.omeka.net/exhibits/show/social-graces-on-the-texas-fro">Social Graces on the Texas Frontier: The Lizzie Johnson Papers</a>” for an in-depth exploration of this topic. <br /><br />You can also find these items on the University of North Texas's <a title="Portal to Texas History" href="http://texashistory.unt.edu" target="_blank">Portal to Texas History</a>.

Correspondents of Lizzie Johnson, Emma Johnson, and other members of the Johnson family.

Johnson Family Papers, Special Collections, Smith Library Center, Southwestern University. You can view the finding aid <a href="http://southwestern.edu/infoservices/departments/specialcollections/finding-aids/Johnson.html" target="_blank">here</a>.