Isaac Johnson (b. 1840 -
d. 1905)
MSA SC 3520-4897
USCT Soldier, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Isaac Johnson was born a slave around 1840 (23 years old at time of enlistment)1 at Royal Oak, Talbot County, Maryland.2 Johnson was owned by Bruff Leonard, a property owner in Talbot County.3 He was the older brother of Nathan Johnson, who also fought in the Civil War and served in the same company and regiment.4 Bruff Leonard was probably known as T.B. Leonard, which is the name given on the 1858 map of Talbot County.5 The Civil War had lasted two years before Abraham Lincoln enacted his Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.6 By September of 1863, the recruitment of free blacks and slaves was in full motion. Both, Isaac and his brother Nathan enlisted in Company D of the 7th U.S. Colored Troops regiment on September 26, 1863.7
The 7th regiment fought in key battles that included Fort Gilmer, Virginia, Petersburg, Virginia, and Appomattox Court House, Virginia, among others.8 The war had also caused various ailments to Isaac as he suffered from rheumatism while in the army and was nearly sent to the hospital9 while the regiment was in Texas acting as a garrison.10 However, before he could go to the hospital his regiment was relieved and they went to New Orleans where he was able to recuperate and continue to Baltimore with the regiment.11 On October 13, 1866, he was officially discharged from the army and also was reduced from the rank of corporal to private.12
After three years, one month, and two days,13(1890) Isaac Johnson was discharged with his brother and they would remain in Baltimore for the remainder of their lives.14 Nathan mentions in an affidavit that Isaac had lived with a woman named Mary for a short period of time, but they were never married.15 Soon after, Isaac married Charlotte L. Tillman on January 7, 1875.16 They were married by Reverend J. Calvin Allen, then the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.17 The First Baptist Church was located on "Caroline and McElderry Streets" in Baltimore, Maryland.18 Reverend R.C. Neal of Baltimore testified to this fact on July 15, 1905.19 According to an affidavit by John T. Brown, he was well-acquainted with Isaac Johnson since 1868.20 They were both members of "Guy Post No. 16 G.A.R.," meaning the Grand Army of the Republic organization.21
During his post-war life, he suffered from "rheumatism, disease of heart, rupture, and disease of bowels, and also almost total blindness caused by the dense smoke on the battle fields."22 This statement not only reflects the negative effects of the war, but also provides a glimpse into the war experience with the dense smoke on the battlefield. By 1895, Isaac was suffering from rheumatism to the point that it "confined him to his bed at different times and not able to do anything."23 Under his condition he could not work full time and needed an increased pension to compensate for the loss.24 He resided at several residences during his time in Baltimore, such as 610 Sterling Street25, 615 Ensor Street26, and 6531/2 Sterling Street27, which was his residence at death.28 Ten years later, on November 27, 1905, Isaac Johnson passed away at the age of 65 in Baltimore.29 He was buried at the National Cemetery several days later.30 After his death, Charlotte was entitled to receive a widow's pension, which commenced on December 2, 1905 at a rate of $8.00 per month.31
For a visual representation of Isaac Johnson's
journey from slavery
to freedom, please click
here. Users must have access to Google Earth in order to
utilize this
file, which includes landmarks(pins) in Johnson's life from 1840 to
1905.
You may take the tour and investigate individual sites under the
"Places"
tab on the left of the screen, or you may navigate using the slider and
cursor on the map itself.
9. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) Isaac Johnson, Page 41.
10. Callum, Colored Volunteers of Maryland, 34.
11. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) Isaac Johnson, Page 41.
14. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) Isaac Johnson, Page 21.
15. Ibid.
17. Ibid.
19. Ibid., 33.
20. Ibid., 43.
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid., 26.
23. Ibid., 41.
24. Ibid., 40.
25. Ibid., 32.
26. Ibid., 41.
27. Ibid., 40.
29. Ibid.
30. Ibid.
31. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) Isaac Johnson, Page 49.
Researched and Written by Tanner Sparks, 2013.
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