Elijah Johnson (agent) facts for kids
Elijah Johnson (born around 1789 – died April 3, 1849) was an important African American leader. He helped establish the country of Liberia in West Africa. He was one of the first "colonial agents" for the American Colonization Society. This group helped free African Americans move from the United States to Africa. Johnson was likely born in New Jersey and received some schooling there and in New York. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and later studied to become a Methodist minister.
In 1835, Johnson led a group of 120 armed volunteers from Monrovia. They went on an expedition to respond to a conflict with a local leader named King Joe. This happened after an event known as the Port Cresson massacre.
His son, Hilary R. W. Johnson, later became the President of Liberia in 1884. He was the first president born in Liberia itself.
Elijah Johnson's Early Life and Family
Elijah Johnson was of mixed heritage. He was born around 1790, probably in New York. Before he was married, he had two children: Lewis Johnson (1810 – 1838) and Charles Johnson (born 1812). He later married Mary Johnson and they had a daughter named Elizabeth (born 1818).
After moving to the new colony of Liberia in 1820, his wife Mary sadly died from a fever, possibly malaria. He married again in Liberia. His second wife was Rachel Wright. They had several children together. Two of his children, Sarah (born around 1811) and Elijah Johnson, Junior (born around 1812), were left in an orphanage in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1816. Their mother was not named, but their father was recorded as Elijah Johnson. We know he moved to Pennsylvania from New York before the War of 1812. After the war, he studied at a Methodist school. He became a minister in the Methodist church in northern New York.
Moving to Liberia and Becoming a Leader
Elijah Johnson was a member of the American Colonization Society. His friend Jehudi Ashmun was also a member. They traveled to Liberia on a ship called the Elizabeth in 1820. Their wives and children traveled with them. On March 9, 1820, they landed on Sherbro Island. This island is now part of Sierra Leone.
The first settlers faced many challenges in their new home. Many people died from diseases like malaria and yellow fever. This included Johnson's first wife, Mary. In 1821, the settlers who survived moved to Providence Island. This island is near what is now Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
There, Johnson married Rachel Wright (born around 1798). She was another American immigrant. They had several children together. One of their children was Hilary R. W. Johnson, who later became the eleventh President of Liberia.
Johnson became a temporary leader for the American Colonization Society. He took on this role after the first white agent, Eli Ayers, and his black successor, Frederick James, passed away. Johnson served as the temporary leader from June 4, 1822, to August 8, 1822. He served again from April 2, 1823, to August 14, 1823. Jehudi Ashmun then took over the leadership role.
Johnson was also put in charge of supplies for the colony. He became very involved in politics. In 1847, he was one of the people who signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. This document declared Liberia's independence as a country. In 1848, he was elected as the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of Liberia. This means he was a temporary leader of the Liberian Senate. He died in 1849 in White Plains. This was a settlement for missionaries in the inner part of Liberia.
