Adopted son of composer, actor, singer, J. Rosamond Johnson. He appears in the 1940 census as "Donald Mansfield" living with the Johnsons, but listed as a lodger.
To music by his adoptive father, he wrote the lyrics to at least one song, titled My Lonesome Heart (Is Crying for You). His suicide occured 5 months after his father's death.
NY Times Obituary, April 19, 1955
"Shot Kills Student
Composer's Son Found Dead in Room at Bard College
Annandale-on-Hudson, April 18 (AP)--A 20-year-old Bard College student was found shot to death in his dormitory room today. The authorities termed it an apparent suicide. Donald M. Johnson died in a hospital the police said, a short time after. (sic) He had fired an ancient .32-caliber revolver at his head. Johnson, a junior and drama major, was termed "a well liked and widely respected student and a gifted actor" by the Bard College president, Dr. James H. Case Jr. Mr. Johnson was a New York City resident. He was an adopted son of the late C. (sic) Rosamond Johnson, a musician and composer. Mr. Johnson resided at 437 West 162nd Street with his mother. Mrs. Nora Johnson and a sister, Mildred. The youth was a graduate of the Fieldston School, the high school division of the Ethical Culture School. He was studying dramatics. He was to have graduated from college in June, 1956."
Buried here are:
John Rosamond Johnson 1873-1954; his wife Nora Floyd Johnson, 1893-1969; and his adopted son Donald McQuivey Johnson (1934-1955). His daughter, Mildred Louise Johnson Edwards (1913-2007) rests elsewhere.
To music by his adoptive father, he wrote the lyrics to at least one song, titled My Lonesome Heart (Is Crying for You). His suicide occured 5 months after his father's death.
NY Times Obituary, April 19, 1955
"Shot Kills Student
Composer's Son Found Dead in Room at Bard College
Annandale-on-Hudson, April 18 (AP)--A 20-year-old Bard College student was found shot to death in his dormitory room today. The authorities termed it an apparent suicide. Donald M. Johnson died in a hospital the police said, a short time after. (sic) He had fired an ancient .32-caliber revolver at his head. Johnson, a junior and drama major, was termed "a well liked and widely respected student and a gifted actor" by the Bard College president, Dr. James H. Case Jr. Mr. Johnson was a New York City resident. He was an adopted son of the late C. (sic) Rosamond Johnson, a musician and composer. Mr. Johnson resided at 437 West 162nd Street with his mother. Mrs. Nora Johnson and a sister, Mildred. The youth was a graduate of the Fieldston School, the high school division of the Ethical Culture School. He was studying dramatics. He was to have graduated from college in June, 1956."
Buried here are:
John Rosamond Johnson 1873-1954; his wife Nora Floyd Johnson, 1893-1969; and his adopted son Donald McQuivey Johnson (1934-1955). His daughter, Mildred Louise Johnson Edwards (1913-2007) rests elsewhere.
Adopted son of composer, actor, singer, J. Rosamond Johnson. He appears in the 1940 census as "Donald Mansfield" living with the Johnsons, but listed as a lodger.
To music by his adoptive father, he wrote the lyrics to at least one song, titled My Lonesome Heart (Is Crying for You). His suicide occured 5 months after his father's death.
NY Times Obituary, April 19, 1955
"Shot Kills Student
Composer's Son Found Dead in Room at Bard College
Annandale-on-Hudson, April 18 (AP)--A 20-year-old Bard College student was found shot to death in his dormitory room today. The authorities termed it an apparent suicide. Donald M. Johnson died in a hospital the police said, a short time after. (sic) He had fired an ancient .32-caliber revolver at his head. Johnson, a junior and drama major, was termed "a well liked and widely respected student and a gifted actor" by the Bard College president, Dr. James H. Case Jr. Mr. Johnson was a New York City resident. He was an adopted son of the late C. (sic) Rosamond Johnson, a musician and composer. Mr. Johnson resided at 437 West 162nd Street with his mother. Mrs. Nora Johnson and a sister, Mildred. The youth was a graduate of the Fieldston School, the high school division of the Ethical Culture School. He was studying dramatics. He was to have graduated from college in June, 1956."
Buried here are:
John Rosamond Johnson 1873-1954; his wife Nora Floyd Johnson, 1893-1969; and his adopted son Donald McQuivey Johnson (1934-1955). His daughter, Mildred Louise Johnson Edwards (1913-2007) rests elsewhere.
To music by his adoptive father, he wrote the lyrics to at least one song, titled My Lonesome Heart (Is Crying for You). His suicide occured 5 months after his father's death.
NY Times Obituary, April 19, 1955
"Shot Kills Student
Composer's Son Found Dead in Room at Bard College
Annandale-on-Hudson, April 18 (AP)--A 20-year-old Bard College student was found shot to death in his dormitory room today. The authorities termed it an apparent suicide. Donald M. Johnson died in a hospital the police said, a short time after. (sic) He had fired an ancient .32-caliber revolver at his head. Johnson, a junior and drama major, was termed "a well liked and widely respected student and a gifted actor" by the Bard College president, Dr. James H. Case Jr. Mr. Johnson was a New York City resident. He was an adopted son of the late C. (sic) Rosamond Johnson, a musician and composer. Mr. Johnson resided at 437 West 162nd Street with his mother. Mrs. Nora Johnson and a sister, Mildred. The youth was a graduate of the Fieldston School, the high school division of the Ethical Culture School. He was studying dramatics. He was to have graduated from college in June, 1956."
Buried here are:
John Rosamond Johnson 1873-1954; his wife Nora Floyd Johnson, 1893-1969; and his adopted son Donald McQuivey Johnson (1934-1955). His daughter, Mildred Louise Johnson Edwards (1913-2007) rests elsewhere.
Inscription
JOHNSON
Forever in Our Hearts
Father
J. Rosamond
Aug. 11, 1873
Nov. 11, 1954
Donald McQuivey
Oct. 3, 1934
Apr. 18, 1955
Family Members
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