William T. Johnson, free African American barber, Diarist and Slaveowner.
He was born into slavery in 1809, but was emancipated at the age of eleven. His mother Amy was freed in 1814 and is buried next to him in Natchez City Cemetery. James Miller, a free black barber trained William as a barber. He purchased his first barber shop in 1830 and eventually owned three barber shops and a bath house.
He began writing a diary in 1835 and continued for sixteen years until his death in 1851 over a land dispute. These diaries remained in the family home until they were rediscovered in 1938. The Louisiana State University published the diaries in 1951 giving a glimpse into the life of a free person of color through his own words.
He was murdered and his accused murderer was never convicted.
The William Johnson house became a part of the Natchez National Historical Park in 1990 when it was aquired by the National Park Service.
He was born into slavery in 1809, but was emancipated at the age of eleven. His mother Amy was freed in 1814 and is buried next to him in Natchez City Cemetery. James Miller, a free black barber trained William as a barber. He purchased his first barber shop in 1830 and eventually owned three barber shops and a bath house.
He began writing a diary in 1835 and continued for sixteen years until his death in 1851 over a land dispute. These diaries remained in the family home until they were rediscovered in 1938. The Louisiana State University published the diaries in 1951 giving a glimpse into the life of a free person of color through his own words.
He was murdered and his accused murderer was never convicted.
The William Johnson house became a part of the Natchez National Historical Park in 1990 when it was aquired by the National Park Service.
William T. Johnson, free African American barber, Diarist and Slaveowner.
He was born into slavery in 1809, but was emancipated at the age of eleven. His mother Amy was freed in 1814 and is buried next to him in Natchez City Cemetery. James Miller, a free black barber trained William as a barber. He purchased his first barber shop in 1830 and eventually owned three barber shops and a bath house.
He began writing a diary in 1835 and continued for sixteen years until his death in 1851 over a land dispute. These diaries remained in the family home until they were rediscovered in 1938. The Louisiana State University published the diaries in 1951 giving a glimpse into the life of a free person of color through his own words.
He was murdered and his accused murderer was never convicted.
The William Johnson house became a part of the Natchez National Historical Park in 1990 when it was aquired by the National Park Service.
He was born into slavery in 1809, but was emancipated at the age of eleven. His mother Amy was freed in 1814 and is buried next to him in Natchez City Cemetery. James Miller, a free black barber trained William as a barber. He purchased his first barber shop in 1830 and eventually owned three barber shops and a bath house.
He began writing a diary in 1835 and continued for sixteen years until his death in 1851 over a land dispute. These diaries remained in the family home until they were rediscovered in 1938. The Louisiana State University published the diaries in 1951 giving a glimpse into the life of a free person of color through his own words.
He was murdered and his accused murderer was never convicted.
The William Johnson house became a part of the Natchez National Historical Park in 1990 when it was aquired by the National Park Service.
Family Members
Parents
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