Overview of the Collection

Repository: McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi.

Creator: Johnson, Isaac and Brookes, Samuel

Collection Number: M431

Title: Johnson (Isaac) Affidavit of Slave Ownership

Dates: 1801 July 17

Quantity: 1 item

Abstract: A legal document regarding ownership of a female slave in Adams County, Mississippi Territory.

Historical Sketch

Isaac Johnson was born in Liverpool, England, the son of an Episcopalian minister. As a young adult, he arrived in Florida to work as a merchant, and in 1777 he received 1000 acres from a British land grant in West Florida. After establishing himself in Adams County, Mississippi Territory, Johnson married Mary Routh, and they had twelve children. Through the years, he significantly increased his property holdings. He was an early alcalde (mayor) in his region, when the Spanish assumed rule, following the withdrawal of the British. After holding office, Johnson relocated to Troy Plantation near St. Francisville, Louisiana. The Spanish census of 1792 lists his address as “Second and Sandy Creek.” He died in 1805. Interestingly, his grandson, also named Isaac Johnson, served as governor of Louisiana.

Samuel Brookes (or Brooks) was a magistrate in the Mississippi Territory.

Thomas Patterson, along with his brother Edward, owned large tracts of property in Adams County, Mississippi Territory, near Fairchild Creek, which formed the county’s northeastern border with Jefferson County. According to the Spanish census of 1792, their grandfather was Robert Abrams who resided at “Sandy and Second Creek.”

Sources:

Gillis, Norman E. Early Inhabitants of the Natchez District. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1963.

McBee, May Wilson. Natchez Court Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1979.

Scope and Content Note:

This document is the sworn affidavit of Isaac Johnson, as recorded by Samuel Brookes. The central issue is ownership of a female slave named Jin, or Jane. Isaac Johnson gave a deposition stating that his neighbor, Robert Abrams, had claimed that the woman was the property of his grandson, Thomas Patterson. The affidavit is signed by Isaac Johnson, in the presence of Adams County magistrate, Samuel Brookes.

Topics Covered:

Abrams, Robert
Adams County, Mississippi
Brookes, Samuel
Johnson, Isaac
Mississippi Territory
Patterson, Thomas
Slavery

Administrative Information

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Transferred from the Mississippiana Collection, McCain Library and Archives, by Dr. Toby Graham, April 6, 2000.

Restrictions Governing Access:

No Restrictions. Open for research.

Restrictions Governing Use:

This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Preferred Citation Method:

Item, Title of Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi.

Language of Materials:

English.

Processing information:

Processed by Catherine Bowers.

Created by: Yvonne Arnold

Prepared and maintained by
The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries Special Collections
http://www.lib.usm.edu/~spcol/index.php
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Revised: January 22, 2007