lucy johnson
1856-1912
Life Story
Lucy Johnson was born around 1856, likely in Newton County, Mississippi, during a period of immense social and cultural change in the post–Civil War South. By 1870, she was recorded in the census as keeping house and married to Moses Johnson (1837–?), with whom she began raising a family. Their union was blessed with at least two children:
- Mary A. Johnson (1864–?)
- Martha E. Johnson (1869–?)
By the 1880 census, Lucy appeared again, this time residing with Jack Johnson (1845–?), suggesting either a remarriage or a new partnership following Moses’s absence from the records. From this relationship, additional children were born:
- Ella Johnson (1875–?)
- Jack Johnson (1877–?)
In the 1900 census, Lucy appears for the final time in public records. She was listed as a widow and working as a farmer, a reflection of her perseverance and independence in an era when life for women—especially in rural Mississippi—demanded both resilience and resourcefulness. The census also revealed that Lucy had given birth to twelve children, with seven still living at that time. Residing with her in 1900 were four of her younger children:
- Francis Johnson (1880–1917)
- Maggie Johnson (1882–?)
- Carrie Johnson (1888–?)
- Walter Johnson (1890–?)
Lucy passed away on September 26, 1912, at approximately 57 years of age, and was laid to rest in the Altare M.B. Church graveyard. The inscription on her headstone stands as a quiet tribute to a life marked by endurance, family devotion, and faith. Through her descendants, Lucy Johnson’s legacy continues to resonate within the Johnson family and the broader Altare community.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1870 Federal Census
- 1880 Federal Census
- 1900 Federal Census
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