Henry Johnson (b. 1827 -
d. 1875)
MSA SC 5496-002502
USCT Soldier, Dorchester County, Maryland
Biography:
Henry Johnson was born a slave in Vienna, Dorchester County, Maryland in 1827.1 Johnson was owned by "Algy Pierce,"2 or Algernon S. Percy and served as a gardner.3 Johnson grew up on a farm and was enslaved for much of his childhood. An affidavit from Mrs. E.E. Percy states that Henry Johnson was owned by her husband, Algernon Percy,4 which is confirmed by the bounty rolls. According to the 1860 slave schedules, Algernon "Piercy" had 26 slaves.5 The 1870 census shows that Algernon Percy was the head of the household and had eight others in his household.6 Percy was a wealthy farmer with a total real estate value of $20,000 and a personal estate value of $2,400.7 Percy's land was near the Chicacomico River, which is near the town of Vienna.8
According to the Dorchester County slave statistics, Percy received $100 in compensation for Johnson enlisting in the U.S. Colored Troops.9 Percy, like many slaveowners, may have viewed this as their final opportunity to receive compensation for the loss of their slaves as the institution of slavery was rapidly deteriorating. Not only were slaveowners entitled to compensation, but free blacks and slaves also counted towards the state quota,10 which meant many slaveowners could have protected their family members from having to join the war. Percy received his compensation of $100 on May 18, 1865.11
Johnson's early life was documented through various affidavits from his friends and acquaintances. Peter Banks confirmed that both he and Johnson grew up on the same farm together as slaves.12 Peter Banks also stated the once he was set free at the age of 21 that he and Johnson were separated for some time.13 When Johnson was discharged from the army, he went to Banks' home on No. 10 Edward Street, Baltimore and resided there for approximately six weeks.14 Banks noticed that Johnson had a severe cough and cold that never subsided during his stay with him.15
William Banks, another slave, grew up on a farm nearby and knew Johnson.16 William noted that Johnson was eventually “set free,” which enabled him to become a laborer before the Civil War.17 He was married to Amelia Pinkett at Vienna, Dorchester County on April 1, 1854 with witnesses to the marriage being Peter Banks, Emily Camper, and others.18 Peter Banks notes that they were married by Rev. Ewell and "the wedding took place at his fathers house on the road leading to Drawbridge."19 Banks's affidavit gives a relatively detailed account of where the wedding took place, which was not far from Cambridge. Amelia stated she was married by a "radical preacher (white)" by the name of Daniel Ewell.20 According to an affidavit given by Mrs. E.E. Percy, Henry and Amelia were able to assume "the relations of husband and wife with the consent of Mr. Percy and myself."21 Her affidavit confirms the two were married and were given consent by his owner.
When the colored troops were formed, Johnson enrolled at Benedict in Charles County, Maryland.22 He was mustered into the service on January 13, 1864 as a private in Company H of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops regiment (he was listed as "Harry Johnson").23 Johnson's time in the army for short lived as he dealt with several ailments. Shadrack Bouldin, of Company C of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops regiment outlines how Johnson's health began to decline while in the service. Bouldin stated that he "well knew Henry Johnson" and Johnson's ailments began while at Camp Benedict, Maryland in about February or March 1864.24 According to Bouldin, "he, Johnson among others was detailed to carry logs and heavy timber for officers quarters...was injured in the spine of the back by a log falling on him and thereafter his health seemed to be in general decline."25 In the summer of 1864, Johnson had spent time at McKim's Mansion Hospital at Baltimore for various ailments where he was "pronounced physically broken down and unfit for field duty."26 According to the Surgeon General's Office, Johnson suffered from "chronic rheumatism" while at McKim's Hospital in Baltimore on March 3, 1864.27 He spent the next six months in the hospital before being discharged from the army on September 30, 1864.28 Johnson was credited with serving for eight months and twenty four days.29
After the war, Johnson moved from Dorchester County to Baltimore, Maryland with his wife Amelia. It was a common occurrence for many slaves to move from Maryland's Eastern Shore to Baltimore after the war because Baltimore offered more opportunity in terms of freedom and economic growth. According to the 1870 census, Johnson was 43 years old living in the fifth ward of Baltimore.30 His occupation while in Baltimore was as an "Oyster Shucker."31 His occupation is confirmed in an affidavit given by Thomas Jennings.32 The census also shows that both he and his wife could read, but they could not write.33 Amelia's occupation was listed as "keeping house."34 Henry and Amelia had seven children: Nancy S., Ann M., Mary F., Sarah, Job, Thomas, and Amelia.35 Nancy, Ann, Mary, and Sarah were all listed as attendning school during that census year.36 The other three children were ranged from seven years old to two years old, which meant they were most likely too young to attend school. A family friend, Lucinda Woolford, was in attendance at the birth of Henry and Amelia's child "Amelia" when she born on March 29, 1868.37 Their child, Amelia, was two years old according to the 1870 census38, which matches the description given by Woolford in an affidavit.
On April 7, 1875, Johnson's health began declining as witnessed by Dr. Edwin C. Baldwin. Baldwin testifies that Johnson dealt with "some emaciaton, cough, and hurried respiration, night sweats, curved and elongulated nails, irritation fevers and bloody expectoration."39 Baldwin continued giving Johnson professional attendance up until Johnson's death on November 7, 1875.40 The pension records also indicate that he died in 1875 due to consumption and disease of the lungs.41 Johnson spent 13 years in the city of Baltimore with his address at death being 211 North Durham Street.42 He was buried at Laurel Cemetery.43 Johnson was survived by his wife, Amelia and their five children. After his death, the pension bureau granted $8.00 per month to Amelia and an additional $2.00 a month for each child under the age of sixteen.44 The five children that were under the age of sixteen were Sarah M., Job C., Thomas H., Amelia, and John W. who died in 1876.45 The Civil War had taken its toll on Henry Johnson as he only lived a short time afterwards, but he, along with many other slaves decided to fight for their freedom by joining the war effort.
For a visual representation of Henry 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 1827 to 1875. 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.
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