This is Part of Mine and my Daddy's History

Daddy And I Both Loved Elvis

Since this is a family history blog, I would like to share a song and a video by Tom Jones about Elvis, The King of Rock and Roll.  Tom and Elvis were very good friends. 

Here is another one, where Elvis is introducing Tom in Las Vegas, then Tom talks and sings a new song for Elvis " I was thinking about Elvis......watch till the end......

I was fortunate enough to be able to see both of them perform in person.

Hope you enjoy.

                                                
            

Hartwell Johnson and Son Jasper

Closing in on Hartwell Johnson Jr.
 
As you know, I did a timeline on my 4th Great Grandpa, Hartwell Johnson Jr.  I have since updated it with a small bit of information that I discovered recently.  However, this small bit of information is huge in the world of genealogy.  Please see latest timeline for Hartwell.  The update I made is in red.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LwjJboStsKTg-OWGAYM_5Q46CAQOOhhrJwGqrRkdAE0/edit#gid=293211040

Jasper Johnson's Civil War Prison Records 

 

When I found my 3rd Great Grand Uncle Jasper Johnson's Civil War prison records, I became very excited.  I knew that I had hit pay dirt.  What I found out....

Transcription of attached records in link below:
 
Gratiot Extract: From roll of prisoners of war sent forward from Little Rock, Ark, Dec 2, 1863. By order Sg? Col J.S. Chandler P-- War Genl.  Jasper Johnson, private teamster, captured near Benton in Ark, Nov 17, 1863.

Examination: Jasper Johnson of Polk County, Missouri. Taken the 6th day of January, 1864. Confined at Gratiot St. Prison, St. Louis, MO.  Taken by George H Richerson.

Statement of Jasper Johnson, a prisoner at the Gratiot St. prison, St. Louis, made the 6th day of January, 1864.
My age is thirty six years.
I live in Polk County, Missouri
I was born in Halifax County, VA
I was captured in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on or about the 28th day of October 1863.
The cause of my capture was I was a Rebel Soldier and was driving a C.S.A team and was taken prisoner by some Iowa troops, I think.
I was in arms against the United States, and was a Private in Captain Mitchell's company "G", Burn's Inftry Reg, C.S.A., I was sworn into the Rebel service about the 15th day of October 1862, by Col Burns, in Arkansas for three years during the war.
When captured. I was first taken to Little Rock, Ark and remained there about three months and was not examined there and was sent to Gratiot St Prison about the nineteenth day of December 1863.

Question, Answer session....
Q. How many times have you been in arms during the rebellion?
A. Once

Q. What commanders have you served under?
A.  Burns
Q. What battle or skirmishes have you been in?
A.  None, was driving team all other times
Q. Have you ever furnish arms, or ammunition, horse, provisions, or any kind of supplies to any rebels? State when, where, and how often.
A.  Never furnished anything
Q.  Have you ever been with any one taking horses, arms or other property?
A.  Never have
Q.  Are you enrolled in the E. H. H.- loyal or disloyal?
A.  I am not
Q.  Are you a Southern sympathizer?
A.  I am
Q.  Do you sincerely desire to have the Southern people put down in this war, and the authority of the H. J. government over them restored?
A.  I do not
Q.  How many slaves have you?
A.  None
Q.  Have you a wife--how many children?
A.  Wife and 1 child
Q.  What is your occupation?
A.  Farmer
Q.  What relatives have you in the rebellion?
A.  Don't know of any
Q.  Have you ever been in any Rebel camp? If so, whose--when--where--and how long? What did you do? Did you leave it or were you captured in it?
A.  Something about Arkansas....handwriting difficult to read, and Done teamster duty in ?

On the examination intake form, it asked....

What impression does the prisoner make--
The answer was, truthful, candid, mild, vigorous, healthy.  Recommend that prisoner be exchanged.


Jasper was forwarded to Rock Island prison, Illinois, on January 18, 1864. 

In the link below, you will find Jasper Johnson's statement swearing that he will defend the Constitution of the United States, etc., that he signed at the Headquarters, Rock Island barracks, Illinois on March 20, 1865.  In the statement a physical description of him is provided.  He is described as having a fair complexion, light hair, and grey eyes and is 6 feet inches high, and is 36 years of age. 
https://app.luminpdf.com/viewer/kJEdHF9yYq6XHGJEp/share?sk=bb15e8c2-851e-4b50-8f60-b99e1e3699df




                                                                         

Jasper Johnson, son of Hartwell Johnson and Lydia Shaw Johnson

I have highlighted the answers that Jasper gave in his prison examination, in turquoise that I either know to be false or suspect.
His answer about only being in arms once during the rebellion, I believe  to be false.  He was only "caught" with arms once during the rebellion.

His answer that he didn't have any slaves was false.  He did have slaves.

His answer that he never furnished any guns, any provisions or any kind of supplies to any rebels is suspect.  That is what teamsters did.  They provided supplies, and food for the troops.

His answer about not having any relatives in the rebellion was false.  His father Hartwell was involved in the rebellion as well as three of his brothers, Leonard, John, and Gideon.  As a matter of fact, Hartwell, Jasper, Leonard, and John are all on the list of "The Rebels of Polk County".  The list was drawn up in 1861. I will write about that another time.

The fact that Jasper Johnson made a good impression on the Yankees, all I have to say, is "Boy did he have them snowed"!  I'm sure he was quite charming, but the fact that many of his answers were false says a lot.  Of course, he was doing what he needed to do to survive.

The items I have shaded in yellow are important.  Hartwell started showing up in tax records in Halifax County, VA for the period of 1805-1820.  Some of his children were born during this time period but I never had documentation showing that they were actually born in Halifax County.  Since Jasper provided documentation that he was born in Halifax County, and the census records put his birth at about 1826-1827, we can assume that the Hartwell Johnson family lived there until they moved to Tennessee in around 1830. 
this is important because I know where to look for records for the family and especially Hartwell in order to trace our Johnson line.

The other item I highlighted in yellow is of the physical description of Jasper.  Luckily we also have a photograph of Jasper but that isn't always the case.  The physical description provides details that the photo doesn't and that is his height and age at the time.

Well, I covered a lot of information today.  On my Geni Bucket list is to find out who Hartwell's Daddy is.  With each little piece of information uncovered, I am getting closer.

Until the next time, the Johnson Saga continues....

Genealogy Vacation to Polk County Missouri and Nearby Areas

Searching for Ancestors and Their Secrets

A few months ago, we made a fact finding trip from California to Missouri to conduct genealogy research.  We also met up with some cousins, and friends that I have made through the years over the phone and online.


I met with my cousin Linda Ivy, face to face for the first time.  She and I both descend from Hartwell Johnson and his oldest son, Williamson Johnson.  We have been communicating for years through Facebook, Ancestry, and email.  We first met on Ancestry through our DNA.  We had a wonderful time together!

I also met with Mike and Mona Duby who are possible cousins from the Griffin side.  We had a ton of fun together too!

We all met at the Polk County Genealogical Society in Bolivar, MO, for the first time.  I also met Susan Sparks, the president of the society, face to face for the first time as well that same day. 


We  spent the day at the Society research center researching our ancestors.  During my visit to Missouri, I came away with some additional bits and pieces of family history to add to the files.  The folks at the Society are very helpful.  They have been assisting me with my research efforts from afar for several years.  Susan, has been especially helpful.


During this trip, I came away with the court records for the trial of my Great Grandfather, Virgil Eagleton Johnson and his cousin Loman Johnson.  I will not say at this time, what the trial what about.  Suffice it to say, that it wasn't for something that was frivolous. 


My Johnson line is one of the main reasons I named my blog, "Hell Raisers and Holy Rollers" although, I can't place all of the blame on them.  The Johnson Family were Baptist.  Back in the day, when they weren't being good Baptist, you can rest assured, they were raising some kind of hell.

I also came away with an obituary for the last one of Hartwell and Lydia's children to pass away.  In it, the person who preached at her funeral and wrote the obituary mentioned how close he was to the Johnson family.  He also mentioned the Johnson sons that he had fought with in the Civil war on the Confederate side.  Apparently, Leonard Johnson saved his life.  I will write about that and include the obituary at another time.

The Old Johnson Cemetery

We all met up in Morrisville, Cousin Linda, her husband Charles, Cousins Mike and Mona Duby, Lisa Ann (lives in area), and Frank and me. We proceeded to drive out to what used to be part of the old Johnson farm but now has a new owner.  It is my understanding that Hartwell's former farmland was split up and two different people own it now.  The owner that has the land with the cemetery on it, allows the Johnson descendants to visit it whenever they want to.  It is in the middle of a pasture.  The pasture was really overgrown, and we were a tad concerned that we might start a fire driving through it with our cars. Please see attached films of the caravan of cars.  Please note, we were the number two car in a caravan of four cars going there.  There are two other cars behind us.

Here are a couple of films showing us leaving the Cemetery with HJJR narrating.  That's me :-) 

Below are photos of gravestones taken in the Johnson Cemetery.  I would have taken more, but there were a lot of critters out there.  Charles and Frank cut down quite a bit of brush.  The cemetery is located in the middle of a pasture. 

 Hartwell's stone is flat on the ground and had been buried under over 100 years of dirt and debris.  That is probably why it is so well preserved.   The above photo was taken before it was cleaned.

 This photo was taken after Hartwell's stone was cleaned with water.

 Lydia's stone had been broken off of the base when a big storm came through.  We found it propped up against a log.

 These were the children of someone, but I wasn't able to make out the parent's names.

We finally found Hartwell Johnson's gravestone with the help of Lisa Ann.  I met Lisa on ancestry a few years ago on a message board and we have been in contact ever since.  She is writing a book about the area and is quite knowledgeable about the family history of various families in the area.

Above are some of the photos we took while at the Old Johnson Cemetery.  Some of the gravestones were difficult to read until they were cleaned.  I took jugs of water, gloves, and rags to clean some of them off with.

Below are several photos of historic and old buildings located in the town of Walnut Grove, MO.  My Great Grandfather, Virgil Eagleton Johnson was born in Walnut Grove.
                                                   

Hay!

Below are photos of the Brighton Post Office.  This is the very same Post Office that Hartwell Johnson used.  He sent and received many letters regarding his fight to obtain his pension from the War of 1812.  He conducted much of his business in Brighton as well, buying dry goods, etc.                                                    

We also visited many antique shops and a few historical sites while we were there.  Of course, we didn't have nearly enough time to do everything we wanted to do.  I, at least will be back.  It reminds me of my hometown of Poplar, CA.  I love the people in Missouri.                                                                                                


                                                                    

Evelyn Duvall Meek's Genealogy and Historical Books

Evelyn Duvall Meek

Evelyn is married to Walter Meek who is my Father's first cousin.  She has written several books about the places she has lived.  I would classify these books as Genealogy/Family History books.  As you read, you will find yourself caught up in the story.  Evelyn is a wonderful writer!

Evelyn's Woodville Story

Evelyn's Woodville story tells about how her family was struggling financially, often times not having enough to eat when they were living in Comanche, Oklahoma. She tells about their decision to move to California.  She also describes the trip from OK to CA and some of the experiences she had.  She tells the reader how her family moved into "Dewey Meek's Camp".  The Meek Camp was in the town of Woodville, CA.  It was a cotton laborer's settlement where people came and went depending on the work available in the fields.  Woodville is also where one of the Farm Labor Camps is located.

There are several other families mentioned in the book as well as the Duvall family.  This is a wonderful book that gives one a good idea of how the "Okies" had to live when they first came to California.

Evelyn's Poplar Story

From 1947 When we came to Poplar from Woodville to 1950

Evelyn's Poplar story describes the family's move from Woodville to Poplar.  She tells of living in a tent because they had to save money to buy the materials to build a house.  She talks about how life was in Poplar where many families were living in tents.  The reader learns about the bars and the churches in Poplar as well as the various families living there.  She mentions the Bunches, the Poseys, the Fred Smith family (my Grandma, Grandpa, Mother, Aunts and Uncles), the Kaisers, etc.  She describes the town and the culture of Poplar, CA to a tee.  This book is wonderful for anyone who has roots that go back to the central valley of California.                                              

                                              

Evelyn's Poplar and Boron Story

A True Story about the Duvall and Meek Families from 1950 to 1967

In the Poplar and Boron story, Evelyn tells the reader about how her Father finally got their house built and how excited she was about it. She tells about her rigid Christian upbringing, more about the people in Poplar, and having to work in the cotton fields.  She and Walter Meek got married and started having babies.  She talks about Ola Findley Meek and Wesley Meek (my Uncle).  Evelyn provides the reader with a lot of Poplar history and information about the families living there at that time as well as her own family.  She tells about the move to Boron, CA and what her life was like there while raising her children.  In this book she tells how my Mother and Father met and mentions my sister and me.  She describes my sister and me as...."They were beautiful, sweet little girls".
This is a great genealogy/history book!

                                                 

 

At this point and time, Evelyn and I are working with the LDS Family History Library-Donations, to donate her books so they will be available to everyone online for research.

I found these books to be invaluable.  While reading them, it took me right back to my childhood in Poplar, CA, how we lived and the people we knew.  Thank you cousin Evelyn!

Charles Paul Johnson

His Final Farewell-Entertaining as Usual

Uncle Charlie was the third child born to Lawrence Earl Johnson and Cora Lee Meek out of a family of five children.

Throughout his lifetime, he had several hobbies and interests.   He was a photographer, gold miner/panner (had his own claim), pot grower (always the entrepreneur), politician (ran for Mayor), genealogist, and these are just a few.  He was a fun loving guy who really enjoyed life and people.

He taught himself how to use a computer when he was in his late sixties.  He was very active on ancestry dot com, and responded to emails, etc. 

When he was dying from lung cancer, he had his sons, nieces and nephews drink a shot of whiskey to celebrate his life.  He also had one of his sons roll a joint for him.  He said he was going to smoke it but he wasn't in any shape to smoke anything.  He really wasn't a pot smoker but, I think he was wanting to use it for pain.

When he passed away, the family didn't have the funds to give him a funeral and burial.  My cousin Trish and I were trying to figure out how we could bury him.  We went shopping for caskets online, and did a lot of research.

He had already bought his burial plot in the cemetery up the street  next to Aunt Francis, his wife. 

I was thinking about using my van to transport him to the cemetery and my daughter was freaking out.  So then, I decided that I would rent a truck to transport him instead. 

Fortunately, his boys were able to come up with the funds to give their Father a funeral and burial.  So, in the end Trish and I didn't need to use any of our ideas.

While we were waiting for the people from the funeral home to come and get Uncle Charlie, we each took turns going into his bedroom to say goodbye.  His son Ed was running around looking for a crucifix for his dad.  Someone else put his favorite shot glass with him.
 
The attendees from the funeral home arrived after a while.  When they picked Uncle Charlie up to put him on the stretcher, the joint  that he never smoked fell out.  We all had a good laugh over that.  Uncle Charlie would have had a good laugh too if he were there.

Uncle Charlie was buried with the joint in one pocket and his favorite shot glass in the other pocket. The Crucifix is there somewhere too.  He would have gotten such a kick out of this!

We lost Uncle Charlie on January 11, 2013.  He had just turned 82 years old a couple of days before on January 9.

Good 'ole Uncle Charlie, always entertaining and good for a laugh.

Uncle Charlie as a young man

Uncle Charlie as a Biker

Uncle Charlie-right and Ed-left at the Claim

We miss you Uncle Charlie!

Family Skeletons

We have plenty of skeletons that are not too well hidden, so....

My family skeleton's will be making too much noise if they start dancing, there are so many! Especially the Johnsons!😈😉 Oh, and the Smiths! 😉 Oh, and the .... 😉