Moses Johnson papers

Collection

Identifier: urn:taro:utexas.cah.02251

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, legal documents, and an account book compose the Moses Johnson Papers, 1832-1890, documenting Johnson’s personal life, property, family and political career. Correspondence includes primarily personal letters with his wife and Illinois relatives as well as letters to Anson Jones concerning Jones’s political future. The account book contains a copy of the will of Olivia Kendriks and inventory of her property and accounts. The legal papers comprise deeds, accounts, and official certificates appointing Johnson to various offices. The collection also includes documents related to the activities of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Texas and literary efforts by Johnson, such as a love poem and political speeches. Additionally, legal papers and correspondence of relative Samuel M. Johnson document his accounts, property, and political appointments.

Dates

Creation: 1832 - 1890

Creator

Johnson, Moses, 1808-1853 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no use restrictions on this collection. Publisher is responsible for complying with copyright law.

Biographical Note

Born in Virginia, Moses Johnson (1808-1853) served in the military in New York and received his discharge in April 1833. For the next few years, he studied medicine in Woodstock, New York, and established a practice in Knoxville, Illinois. In the 1830s, he also married Olivia Huggins, with whom he had four children. The family immigrated to the Republic of Texas where Johnson practiced medicine and surgery in Harrisburg and Liberty counties. After moving to Austin, Johnson was elected mayor and appointed justice of the peace in December 1840. In 1844, President Anson Jones appointed him treasurer of the Republic of Texas. Additionally, Johnson served as a Grand Marshal of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Texas (1844); a member of the Democratic committee, which began the Democratic party in Texas (1846); and postmaster and revenue collector for the port of Lavaca (1848). One of Johnson’s relatives, Samuel M. Johnson, served as an Alderman and member of the Board of Appeals in Calhoun County and as a Collector of Customs in Corpus Christi.

Source:

Jasinski, Laurie E. “Johnson, Moses.” Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed January 26, 2011.

Extent

4 inches

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, legal documents, and an account book compose the Moses Johnson Papers, 1832-1890, documenting Johnson’s personal life, property, family and political career.

Accession Number(s)

1926

Processing Information

Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project, 2009-2011.