Chapman Johnson

Background

Johnson was born on March 12, 1779, in Louisa County, Virginia, the son of Thomas Johnson and his wife Jane Chapman.

Education

Despite the poverty of his youth, Johnson was able to go to the College of William and Mary to study law, and in 1802 he was licensed to practice law in Richmond. On advice he removed to Staunton.

Career

Johnson's first years in Staunton were discouraging, but in 1805 he was admitted to the court of appeals and began that career of forensic distinction which in a few years elevated him to the highest rank in his profession. In 1810 he was elected state senator from the Augusta district and, though frequently opposing the wishes of his constituents, he held this position for sixteen years. He was also active in the war of 1812 as captain of a company of horse and as aide to General James Breckinridge.

In 1824 his work forced him to return to Richmond. Thereafter he devoted his energies first to his appeals practice. Among his many cases was the "long wrangle" over the wills of John Randolph of Roanoke. Johnson was called by his old constituency across the Blue Ridge to serve in the memorable constitutional convention of 1829-1830. Here he was one of the outstanding men in attendance. Representing the more democratic West he was a target for the vicious sarcasm of the aristocratic John Randolph, but from the convention he emerged unhurt, and his main principle - population as a basis for representation as against population and property - was adopted. He was devoted to the public welfare and was consulted continually on public measures. But with this devotion there was about him an independence that made him delight in joining minorities, and even at times a reluctance to be in the public eye at all. He held several minor political positions, however, and was recodifying the criminal laws of the state when his health broke.

Achievements

• Johnson was best known for his legal practice, being one of the great legal triumvirate, who swayed the Appellate Court of Virginia by their power and eloquence for a quarter of a century.

Personality

Johnson was admired for his professional zeal and high sense of duty and for his urbanity of manner.

Connections

In 1806 Johnson married Mary Ann Nicholson of Richmond.

Father:

Thomas Johnson

Mother:

Jane Chapman

Spouse:

Mary Ann Nicholson

Friend:

Benjamin Watkins Leigh

Friend:

Robert Stanard

References

• John Marshall: Life, Character and Judicial Services as Portrayed in the Centenary and Memorial Addresses and Proceedings Throughout the United States ... Story, Phelps, Waite and Rawle V.3 1903
• Virginia Land Records from The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly
• History of Augusta County, Virginia
• History of the University of Virginia, 1819-1919: The lengthened shadow of one man (Volume 3)
• Proceedings and Debates of the Virginia State Convention of 1829-1830: To Which Are Subjoined, the New Constitution of Virginia, and the Votes of the People, Parts 94-830