John James "Jack" Johnson (c1825) and Iris Skipper of Marion and Horry Co, SC

John James Johnson (also known as "Jack") was born ca 1824/25 in Marion District, SC (per 1850 census) though possibly in Horry.

I don't know who John's parents were. There are numerous suspects. Since he lived in both Marion and Horry that makes the list of suspects quite large. His wife was related to the Horry County Johnson's, so perhaps he was one himself.

In 1830, John would have been about 5 years old, so if listed, he would be in the 5-9 age category (born ca 1820/25). ** Unfortunately, I don't yet have the 1830 enumerations for Horry, but I do have them for Marion, and there were quite a few households with an apparent son this age.

In 1840, John James Johnson would have been about 15 years old. So if he was enumerated on the census he would be in the age 15-19 category (born ca 1820/25). There were three Johnson households in Horry with an apparent son this age in 1840: Phillip Johnson (c1795) (who's son this age is already accounted for); Meshack Johnson (c1795); and William Johnson Sr (1770/75) (his two sons this age are accounted for). That only leaves Meshack as a prime suspect, though this doesn't guarantee that he is the father. That makes it look more likely he was in Marion County then. In 1840 Marion there were a couple of suspects, including Joseph Johnson (c1787), who was the grandfather of John's wife, so it seems unlikely it was his father, as that would make his wife Iris his own niece. However, he could have been residing with him though.

John James Johnson married Iris Skipper sometime ca 1848 in Marion Dist, SC. She was born ca 1831/32 in Marion Dist, SC, a daughter of Ebenezer D. Skipper and Annis Johnson (daughter of Joseph Johnson). Her maiden name, and her parents names, and her grandfather Joseph Johnson are all proven by Marion County Equity Roll # 149. ("Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls" by Lucille Utley, page 50 and errata page 3)

John and Iris and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion Dist, SC. For some reason they were residing with Robert Godbold (c1817), and Mary Godbold (c1834), and Martha Godbold (c1836). I don't know how they were all related to each other. Mary was Robert's wife, and Martha could be a younger sister or a niece of his. I don't know how they connect to the Johnson or Skipper family. They were not listed anywhere near any other Johnson families.

John and Iris and family moved to Horry District in the 1850's. They settled in the Dog Bluff Township area, near many of the Horry Johnson families. I know that Iris was related to them, but perhaps John was also.

John and Iris were listed on the 1860 census in Horry Dist, SC. William Johnson (c1800) was just 2 houses away. He was Iris' Great Uncle. "Joseph E. Skipper" age 13 was residing with John and Iris. This is probably Iris' brother Ebenezer Skipper as the age matches; assuming his full name was "Joseph Ebenezer Skipper".

John and family were listed on the 1870 census, in Dog Bluff Township. They were 2 houses from William J. Johnson (c1822), whom I strongly believe could be John's brother. I have no direct proof of that relation yet, but it seems likely to me. For some reason, Iris was listed as "Jane A." on this record. There was a 40 year old Samuel Johnson (race=Black) residing with them, and also a 6 year old Mary Stanley, relationship unknown. There are several "problems" with this families 1870 census entry, including several children who's names differ greatly from previous (and later) census records. I suspect that the info was gathered from a neighbor, and not from a family member.

They were still in Dog Bluff for the 1880 census. They were next door to William Johnson (c1821) this time (John's suspected brother). In fact, John and Iris' son Joseph seemed to be head of the household where William and family were residing. This strongly suggests a close family relationship.

Children

John and Iris Skipper Johnson had at least 12 children per the 1850 through 1880 census records. There are some duplications of names (two apparent sons named "James" and 2 named "John"). This may be due to bad census data.

James Johnson was born ca 1848/49 in Marion Dist, SC. He was home with his parents for the 1850 census ("James", age 1), and with them in 1860 ("James", age 13), but not with them in 1870, however, in 1870, they had a "James E.", age 14 with them, who couldn't be the same person. The 1870 census has some other problems, so it is highly suspect.

I did not find this James Johnson in Horry in 1870 (or 1880). He may have died during the 1860's (perhaps due to the Civil War) or else just moved out of the county.

It is curious that the 1870 census shows a "James E." with his parents, his age was 14, which puts his birth at ca 1855/56, which is an exact match for brother John, who was not listed in 1870. This makes me think that "James E." and "John" are the same person, and that the 1870 census data is just in error, and that this James (c1849) was dead or moved away by then, and that "James E." was just a census mistake, meant to be John.

Susan L. Johnson was born ca 1850 in Marion Dist, SC. She was not home with her parents in 1850, so probably born later in the year. She was with them in 1860 ("Susan", age 10), and with them in 1870 ("Susan L.", age 18). She was not home in 1880, so probably had married or died by then.

Sarah Catherine Johnson was born ca 1852/53 in Horry Dist, SC. She was with her parents in 1860 ("Catherine", age 7), and with them in 1870 ("Sarah C.", age 15). She was still with them in 1880 ("Sarah C.", age 25).

John Johnson or James E. Johnson was born ca 1855/56 in Horry Dist, SC. He was with his parents in 1860 ("John", age 4), and with them in 1870 ("James E.", age 14). I don't know why he was listed as "James E." in 1870, except that there were several errors with their entry, so perhaps the census taker didn't find them at home, and got information from an ill informed neighbor.

He was not with his parents in 1880 (neither as "John" or "James"). I did not find him in Horry in 1880.

Joseph Johnson was born ca 1857/58 in Horry Dist, SC. He was with his parents in 1860 ("Joseph", age 2), but not with them in 1870, though he would only have been 12. There are many problems with the 1870 census entry for this family, so perhaps he was home and just not recorded.

In 1880, there was a Joseph W. Johnson listed next to this Joseph's parents, and his age was 22, which is a perfect match. I believe it is the same person. Interestingly, he was married to Margaret --- and they were head of household, but the William J. Johnson (c1821) family was residing with them. No relationship was stated, though I'm fairly sure that William was Joseph's Uncle. I don't know what Margaret's maiden name is. She was born 1861/62 in SC, presumably in Horry.

Daniel G. Johnson was born ca 1860/61 in Horry Dist, SC. He was with his parents in 1870 ("Daniel G.", age 9), but not with them in 1880.

Robert A. Johnson was born ca 1863/64 in Horry Dist, SC. He was with his parents in 1870 ("Robert A.", age 6), and with them in 1880 ("Ralf A.", age 16). I don't know if his name was "Robert" or "Ralf".

Calvin V. Johnson was born ca 1865/66 in Horry Dist, SC. He was with his parents in 1870 ("Calvin V.", age 4), and with them in 1880 ("Charles V.", age 14). I don't know if his name was "Calvin" or "Charles".

John E. Johnson was born ca 1868/69 in Horry Co, SC. He was with his parents in 1870 ("John E.", age 1), but not with them in 1880. They already had an older son named "John", so I'm not sure if this John was a son, or just part of the long list of errors I've found on the 1870 census entry for this family.

Doctor P. Johnson was born ca 1871/72 in Horry Co, SC. He was with his parents in 1880 ("Doctor P.", age 8).

Mary H. Johnson was born ca 1874/75 in Horry Co, SC. She was with her parents in 1880 ("Mary H.", age 5).

Joseph Johnson was born ca 1877/78 in Horry Co, SC. He was with the family in 1880 ("Joseph.", age 2), and listed as a "Grandson". I don't know who his parents are.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. John James "Jack"¹ Johnson , born 1824/25 in Marion Dist, SC; died 18 Jun 1902 in Horry Co, SC. He married bef 1849 in Marion Dist, SC Iris A Skipper , born 1831/32 in Marion Dist, SC, daughter of Ebenezer D Skipper and Annis Johnson .

Children of John James "Jack" Johnson and Iris A Skipper were as follows:

2 i James² Johnson , born 1848/49 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1860.

3 ii Susan L² Johnson , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC.

4 iii Sarah Catherine² Johnson , born 1852/53 in Horry Dist, SC.

5 iv John James E² Johnson , born 1855/56 in Horry Dist, SC.

6 v Joseph W² Johnson , born 25 Jul 1858 in Horry Dist, SC; died 6 Dec 1928 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Pisgah Methodist Cem, Horry Co, SC. He married in 1870/80 in Horry Co, SC Emma Margaret (---) , born 1 Sep 1861 in Horry Dist, SC; died 8 Apr 1947 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Pisgah Methodist Cem, Horry Co, SC.

7 vi Daniel G² Johnson , born 28 Dec 1860 in Horry Dist, SC; died 8 Aug 1911 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Rehobeth Baptist Cem,Horry Co, SC.

8 vii Robert A² Johnson , born 1863/64 in Horry Dist, SC.

9 viii Charles Vander² Johnson , born 20 Feb 1867 in Horry Dist, SC; died 20 Feb 1954 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Rehobeth Baptist Cem,Horry Co, SC. He married in Horry Co, SC Suzannia Collins , born 9 Jan 1862 in Horry Dist, SC; died 29 Jun 1930 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Rehobeth Baptist Cem,Horry Co, SC.

10 ix John E² Johnson , born 1868/69 in Horry Co, SC.

11 x Doctor P² Johnson , born 1871/72 in Horry Co, SC.

12 xi Mary H² Johnson , born 1874/75 in Horry Co, SC.