Background
Johnson was born on June 13, 1782, in Johns Island, South Carolina, the son of Joseph and Mary (Bullein) Johnson.
Johnson was born on June 13, 1782, in Johns Island, South Carolina, the son of Joseph and Mary (Bullein) Johnson.
Johnson's early education was defective, but by persistent personal effort he acquired considerable learning. Brown University recognized his attainments by conferring upon him in 1814 the honorary degree of A. M. He studied law, but never practiced.
In 1804, Johnson was converted at Beaufort, was licensed to preach by the Beaufort church in January 1805, and ordained pastor of the Euhaw Baptist church in January 1806. For the most part, as a pastor he devoted himself to country and village churches, doing much itinerant evangelizing, both on his own initiative and as an appointee of organized bodies. In 1809 he moved to Columbia to study in the South Carolina College but was soon absorbed in preaching. He founded the First Baptist Church and erected its first house of worship, which was dedicated in 1811. From 1811 to 1815 he was pastor of the First Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia. He returned to Columbia but in 1822 removed to Greenville to become principal of the Greenville Female Academy, a position which he held until 1830. He led in founding the First Baptist Church and in the erection of its first house of worship, and acted as its first pastor till 1830. In the meantime he was actively interested in the larger movements of the denomination.
When Furman Academy and Theological Institution, now Furman University, was projected, he was leader in the movement. He secured its charter, introduced it to the public, selected its first principal, and during the first uncertain twenty-five years of its history was its chief guide. He was long a trustee of the institution and most of its public documents of a non-legal character were written by him. In 1830 he became pastor of the Edgefield Village Church, a position which, with the exception of the year 1845, he held until 1852. For at least a part of this time he was also principal of the Edgefield Female Academy. During the thirty years from 1822 to 1852 he was often moderator of the Saluda and Edgefield Associations, frequently preparing their public communications, and stimulating their benevolent and missionary undertakings. Johnson was in hearty sympathy with the movement to organize the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845 and was president from 1845 to 1852. His name appears first among its incorporators and his voice was influential in the formulation of its constitution and by-laws. In 1848 at Anderson, South Carolina, he was instrumental in the founding of Johnson Female Seminary, the title of which was changed in 1852 to Johnson Female University, when a remarkable effort was made to establish a real university for the education of women. He now moved to Anderson to become chancellor of the University and president of its board.
Failing health compelled him to resign in the late fifties, and Johnson returned to Greenville to spend the remainder of his life. In 1860 he effected the organization of the Greenville Association on the basis of support for missions and education.
Johnson participated in the organization of the American Baptist Missionary Society in 1814, and was chosen its president in 1841. He was a leader in the formation of the South Carolina Baptist State Convention in 1821, assisted in drafting its constitution and by-laws, wrote the very able "Address" to the denomination, and traveled over the state explaining and defending this innovation. He was vice-president from 1821 to 1825 and president from 1825 till 1852, when he declined re-election on account of ill health.
In 1803 Johnson married Henrietta Kelsall Hornby.
