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Johnson family papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS933

Scope and Content

The Johnson Family papers document several generations of the Johnson family, with each generation having a distinct subject matter. The Herschel V. Johnson papers include his 1856 commencement address entitled "Obligations of Civilization to the Arts and Sciences," given at Oglethorpe University. The Tomlinson F. Johnson papers include correspondence with Alexander Hamilton Stephens, petitions protesting the tax on un-manufactured cotton, and a receipt for the payment of same tax. These papers document his professional capacity as surveyor at the Custom House in Savannah. The bulk of the materials document the flying careers of Tomlinson F. Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Madaline Dickerson Johnson, and early aviation in Atlanta. These papers include flight log books, licenses, newsletters, and newspaper clippings. The newsletter, Air Woman, was a publication of the 99 Club, National Organization of Women Pilots, of which Madaline Johnson was a member. The clippings primarily concern the fatal crash of Atlanta aviator Doug Davis and death of Beeler Blevins. These materials document early aviation in Atlanta, particularly women in aviation, in the late 1920s and early 1930s and provide no insight into the personal lives of the Johnsons.

Dates

  • 1865-1941

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Herschel V. Johnson attended Oglethorpe University and operated Herschel V. Johnson and Company in Savannah, Georgia. His descendent, Tomlinson F. Johnson, served as surveyor of custom in Savannah in the early 1880s. Tomlinson F. Johnson, Jr., also a Savannah native, was president of Johnson Manufacturing Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Johnson Manufacturing Company manufactured machine parts for airplanes and other motors. T.F. Johnson, Jr. was an early Atlanta aviator and flight instructor who flew out of Candler Field. He married the former Madaline Dickerson, an employee of Johnson Manufacturing Company and early woman aviator. The Johnsons had at least two children: Madaline Johnson Huie and Tomlinson F. Johnson. Additional biographical information about the Johnson family has not been determined.

Extent

0.25 linear ft. (one half document case)

Language

English

System of Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically according to titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1995

Description Control

This collection was processed in 1998.

Title
Johnson family papers
Author
Laura Starratt
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040