WASHINGTON JOHNSON OF KENTUCKY AND COLORADO
Washington Johnson was born on 24 Dec 1836 in Kenton County, Ky. His family was enslaved. I believe his parents were Diana DeGodis Washington Hines and her first husband E. Johnson.
Washington Johnson's birth date and place and a determination about his parents were gleaned from his 1908 death certificate and his brother John Hines' 1912 death certificate. (Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011). Mr. Johnson's death certificate says his parents were E. Johnson and Diana Johnson. The certificate is hard to read. But an Ancestry.com transcription says his mother's maiden name was "De Gots." John Hines' death certificate says his parents were Edward Hines and D. Washington. See more information about Diana Hines at the end of this article.
Regarding Washington Johnson's escape from slavery, there is this account:
"The bondage became so oppressive, Mr. Johnson determine to flee. February 14, 1854, he left Grant, Kentucky. The same day he crossed the Ohio river where he met friends. Thru the instrumentality of the underground railroad he succeeded in reaching Canada. In 1864 he settled in Colorado.
"Rising from a man of poverty, ignorance and their companions induced by a childhood spent beneath the bitter lash, Mr. Johnson scaled the heights of prosperity, acquired an education and became one of the most influential of the colored race in Colorado. Mr. Johnson was a mining promoter and at death owned eight large Colorado mines."
On Christmas Day 1907, Mr. Johnson arrived in Shelbyville, Ind., for a visit with his brother John Hines. (Find a Grave Memorial 144884658). They had only been able to visit twice in 44 years. On 25 Jan 1908, Mr. Washington died in his brother's home, "his head resting on the bosom of his brother."
Mr. Johnson had never married. He was survived by his brother and by a sister who "was separated from the brothers early in life." Her whereabouts were unknown.
Funeral services were held at the Second Street Baptist Church with the Rev. H.W. Jones officiating. Burial was in "the city cemetery" in Shelbyville.
(Washington Johnson, The Democrat, Shelbyville, Ind., Monday, Jan. 27, 1908, Page 2.)
According to his death certificate, death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Mr. Johnson's obituary in a Colorado paper said he was a resident of the "Moon gulch section" and also of Idaho Springs, Colo. It was reported that his nephew, "Mr. Hines, a student in Washington, D.C., was out here during the past week, looking after interest as administrator of the estate of the deceased Mr. Johnson."
Washington Johnson's obituary says, "It is further reported that his grandmother [his mother?] was a servant of our first president, George Washington, and that she lived to be nearly 106 years old."
(Washington Johnson Dead, The Idaho Springs Siftings News, Idaho Springs, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 15, 1908, Page 1.)
****
Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt – National Museum of National History
Diana DeGodis Washington Hines crafted this pieced quilt in the second half of the 19th century, probably while living in Kentucky. Triangular 11-inch blocks pieced in the "Sugar Loaf" or "Arrowhead" pattern alternate with 11-inch plain white triangles. These are framed by 1 ½-inch printed and plain borders. At a later date, possibly to save frayed edges, about an inch of each edge is folded to the front and loosely stitched.
The donor, Diana's grandson, included a hand-written family history when the quilt was donated to the Collection in 1966. Diana DeGodis Washington Hines was born in February 1797 at Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. "She was reared by the Washington family, lived with them in the Mt. Vernon home, until she was pass [past] the age of twenty five. At that time there was a breaking up in the family and she was sold as a Slave to a Mr. Jackson, of Jackson Hotel at Arlington."
Diana married twice. Her second husband was Edward Hines. He too had been a slave in Kentucky with the McClure family, freed at age 21. "But he remained with the McClure family.... [they] were prominent and wealthy, owning several thousands [of] acres of land and stock, of which Edward Hines was manager. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hines left Kentucky in 1877 with their son John Hines for Greensburg, Ind., and remained there with him until their death." In addition to their son, John, they had four daughters. Diana died October 30, 1891.
(National Museum of National History, Smithsonian. 1850 - 1880 Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556452)
Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories
Washington Johnson was born on 24 Dec 1836 in Kenton County, Ky. His family was enslaved. I believe his parents were Diana DeGodis Washington Hines and her first husband E. Johnson.
Washington Johnson's birth date and place and a determination about his parents were gleaned from his 1908 death certificate and his brother John Hines' 1912 death certificate. (Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011). Mr. Johnson's death certificate says his parents were E. Johnson and Diana Johnson. The certificate is hard to read. But an Ancestry.com transcription says his mother's maiden name was "De Gots." John Hines' death certificate says his parents were Edward Hines and D. Washington. See more information about Diana Hines at the end of this article.
Regarding Washington Johnson's escape from slavery, there is this account:
"The bondage became so oppressive, Mr. Johnson determine to flee. February 14, 1854, he left Grant, Kentucky. The same day he crossed the Ohio river where he met friends. Thru the instrumentality of the underground railroad he succeeded in reaching Canada. In 1864 he settled in Colorado.
"Rising from a man of poverty, ignorance and their companions induced by a childhood spent beneath the bitter lash, Mr. Johnson scaled the heights of prosperity, acquired an education and became one of the most influential of the colored race in Colorado. Mr. Johnson was a mining promoter and at death owned eight large Colorado mines."
On Christmas Day 1907, Mr. Johnson arrived in Shelbyville, Ind., for a visit with his brother John Hines. (Find a Grave Memorial 144884658). They had only been able to visit twice in 44 years. On 25 Jan 1908, Mr. Washington died in his brother's home, "his head resting on the bosom of his brother."
Mr. Johnson had never married. He was survived by his brother and by a sister who "was separated from the brothers early in life." Her whereabouts were unknown.
Funeral services were held at the Second Street Baptist Church with the Rev. H.W. Jones officiating. Burial was in "the city cemetery" in Shelbyville.
(Washington Johnson, The Democrat, Shelbyville, Ind., Monday, Jan. 27, 1908, Page 2.)
According to his death certificate, death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Mr. Johnson's obituary in a Colorado paper said he was a resident of the "Moon gulch section" and also of Idaho Springs, Colo. It was reported that his nephew, "Mr. Hines, a student in Washington, D.C., was out here during the past week, looking after interest as administrator of the estate of the deceased Mr. Johnson."
Washington Johnson's obituary says, "It is further reported that his grandmother [his mother?] was a servant of our first president, George Washington, and that she lived to be nearly 106 years old."
(Washington Johnson Dead, The Idaho Springs Siftings News, Idaho Springs, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 15, 1908, Page 1.)
****
Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt – National Museum of National History
Diana DeGodis Washington Hines crafted this pieced quilt in the second half of the 19th century, probably while living in Kentucky. Triangular 11-inch blocks pieced in the "Sugar Loaf" or "Arrowhead" pattern alternate with 11-inch plain white triangles. These are framed by 1 ½-inch printed and plain borders. At a later date, possibly to save frayed edges, about an inch of each edge is folded to the front and loosely stitched.
The donor, Diana's grandson, included a hand-written family history when the quilt was donated to the Collection in 1966. Diana DeGodis Washington Hines was born in February 1797 at Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. "She was reared by the Washington family, lived with them in the Mt. Vernon home, until she was pass [past] the age of twenty five. At that time there was a breaking up in the family and she was sold as a Slave to a Mr. Jackson, of Jackson Hotel at Arlington."
Diana married twice. Her second husband was Edward Hines. He too had been a slave in Kentucky with the McClure family, freed at age 21. "But he remained with the McClure family.... [they] were prominent and wealthy, owning several thousands [of] acres of land and stock, of which Edward Hines was manager. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hines left Kentucky in 1877 with their son John Hines for Greensburg, Ind., and remained there with him until their death." In addition to their son, John, they had four daughters. Diana died October 30, 1891.
(National Museum of National History, Smithsonian. 1850 - 1880 Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556452)
Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories
WASHINGTON JOHNSON OF KENTUCKY AND COLORADO
Washington Johnson was born on 24 Dec 1836 in Kenton County, Ky. His family was enslaved. I believe his parents were Diana DeGodis Washington Hines and her first husband E. Johnson.
Washington Johnson's birth date and place and a determination about his parents were gleaned from his 1908 death certificate and his brother John Hines' 1912 death certificate. (Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011). Mr. Johnson's death certificate says his parents were E. Johnson and Diana Johnson. The certificate is hard to read. But an Ancestry.com transcription says his mother's maiden name was "De Gots." John Hines' death certificate says his parents were Edward Hines and D. Washington. See more information about Diana Hines at the end of this article.
Regarding Washington Johnson's escape from slavery, there is this account:
"The bondage became so oppressive, Mr. Johnson determine to flee. February 14, 1854, he left Grant, Kentucky. The same day he crossed the Ohio river where he met friends. Thru the instrumentality of the underground railroad he succeeded in reaching Canada. In 1864 he settled in Colorado.
"Rising from a man of poverty, ignorance and their companions induced by a childhood spent beneath the bitter lash, Mr. Johnson scaled the heights of prosperity, acquired an education and became one of the most influential of the colored race in Colorado. Mr. Johnson was a mining promoter and at death owned eight large Colorado mines."
On Christmas Day 1907, Mr. Johnson arrived in Shelbyville, Ind., for a visit with his brother John Hines. (Find a Grave Memorial 144884658). They had only been able to visit twice in 44 years. On 25 Jan 1908, Mr. Washington died in his brother's home, "his head resting on the bosom of his brother."
Mr. Johnson had never married. He was survived by his brother and by a sister who "was separated from the brothers early in life." Her whereabouts were unknown.
Funeral services were held at the Second Street Baptist Church with the Rev. H.W. Jones officiating. Burial was in "the city cemetery" in Shelbyville.
(Washington Johnson, The Democrat, Shelbyville, Ind., Monday, Jan. 27, 1908, Page 2.)
According to his death certificate, death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Mr. Johnson's obituary in a Colorado paper said he was a resident of the "Moon gulch section" and also of Idaho Springs, Colo. It was reported that his nephew, "Mr. Hines, a student in Washington, D.C., was out here during the past week, looking after interest as administrator of the estate of the deceased Mr. Johnson."
Washington Johnson's obituary says, "It is further reported that his grandmother [his mother?] was a servant of our first president, George Washington, and that she lived to be nearly 106 years old."
(Washington Johnson Dead, The Idaho Springs Siftings News, Idaho Springs, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 15, 1908, Page 1.)
****
Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt – National Museum of National History
Diana DeGodis Washington Hines crafted this pieced quilt in the second half of the 19th century, probably while living in Kentucky. Triangular 11-inch blocks pieced in the "Sugar Loaf" or "Arrowhead" pattern alternate with 11-inch plain white triangles. These are framed by 1 ½-inch printed and plain borders. At a later date, possibly to save frayed edges, about an inch of each edge is folded to the front and loosely stitched.
The donor, Diana's grandson, included a hand-written family history when the quilt was donated to the Collection in 1966. Diana DeGodis Washington Hines was born in February 1797 at Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. "She was reared by the Washington family, lived with them in the Mt. Vernon home, until she was pass [past] the age of twenty five. At that time there was a breaking up in the family and she was sold as a Slave to a Mr. Jackson, of Jackson Hotel at Arlington."
Diana married twice. Her second husband was Edward Hines. He too had been a slave in Kentucky with the McClure family, freed at age 21. "But he remained with the McClure family.... [they] were prominent and wealthy, owning several thousands [of] acres of land and stock, of which Edward Hines was manager. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hines left Kentucky in 1877 with their son John Hines for Greensburg, Ind., and remained there with him until their death." In addition to their son, John, they had four daughters. Diana died October 30, 1891.
(National Museum of National History, Smithsonian. 1850 - 1880 Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556452)
Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories
Washington Johnson was born on 24 Dec 1836 in Kenton County, Ky. His family was enslaved. I believe his parents were Diana DeGodis Washington Hines and her first husband E. Johnson.
Washington Johnson's birth date and place and a determination about his parents were gleaned from his 1908 death certificate and his brother John Hines' 1912 death certificate. (Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011). Mr. Johnson's death certificate says his parents were E. Johnson and Diana Johnson. The certificate is hard to read. But an Ancestry.com transcription says his mother's maiden name was "De Gots." John Hines' death certificate says his parents were Edward Hines and D. Washington. See more information about Diana Hines at the end of this article.
Regarding Washington Johnson's escape from slavery, there is this account:
"The bondage became so oppressive, Mr. Johnson determine to flee. February 14, 1854, he left Grant, Kentucky. The same day he crossed the Ohio river where he met friends. Thru the instrumentality of the underground railroad he succeeded in reaching Canada. In 1864 he settled in Colorado.
"Rising from a man of poverty, ignorance and their companions induced by a childhood spent beneath the bitter lash, Mr. Johnson scaled the heights of prosperity, acquired an education and became one of the most influential of the colored race in Colorado. Mr. Johnson was a mining promoter and at death owned eight large Colorado mines."
On Christmas Day 1907, Mr. Johnson arrived in Shelbyville, Ind., for a visit with his brother John Hines. (Find a Grave Memorial 144884658). They had only been able to visit twice in 44 years. On 25 Jan 1908, Mr. Washington died in his brother's home, "his head resting on the bosom of his brother."
Mr. Johnson had never married. He was survived by his brother and by a sister who "was separated from the brothers early in life." Her whereabouts were unknown.
Funeral services were held at the Second Street Baptist Church with the Rev. H.W. Jones officiating. Burial was in "the city cemetery" in Shelbyville.
(Washington Johnson, The Democrat, Shelbyville, Ind., Monday, Jan. 27, 1908, Page 2.)
According to his death certificate, death was due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Mr. Johnson's obituary in a Colorado paper said he was a resident of the "Moon gulch section" and also of Idaho Springs, Colo. It was reported that his nephew, "Mr. Hines, a student in Washington, D.C., was out here during the past week, looking after interest as administrator of the estate of the deceased Mr. Johnson."
Washington Johnson's obituary says, "It is further reported that his grandmother [his mother?] was a servant of our first president, George Washington, and that she lived to be nearly 106 years old."
(Washington Johnson Dead, The Idaho Springs Siftings News, Idaho Springs, Colo., Saturday, Feb. 15, 1908, Page 1.)
****
Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt – National Museum of National History
Diana DeGodis Washington Hines crafted this pieced quilt in the second half of the 19th century, probably while living in Kentucky. Triangular 11-inch blocks pieced in the "Sugar Loaf" or "Arrowhead" pattern alternate with 11-inch plain white triangles. These are framed by 1 ½-inch printed and plain borders. At a later date, possibly to save frayed edges, about an inch of each edge is folded to the front and loosely stitched.
The donor, Diana's grandson, included a hand-written family history when the quilt was donated to the Collection in 1966. Diana DeGodis Washington Hines was born in February 1797 at Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. "She was reared by the Washington family, lived with them in the Mt. Vernon home, until she was pass [past] the age of twenty five. At that time there was a breaking up in the family and she was sold as a Slave to a Mr. Jackson, of Jackson Hotel at Arlington."
Diana married twice. Her second husband was Edward Hines. He too had been a slave in Kentucky with the McClure family, freed at age 21. "But he remained with the McClure family.... [they] were prominent and wealthy, owning several thousands [of] acres of land and stock, of which Edward Hines was manager. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hines left Kentucky in 1877 with their son John Hines for Greensburg, Ind., and remained there with him until their death." In addition to their son, John, they had four daughters. Diana died October 30, 1891.
(National Museum of National History, Smithsonian. 1850 - 1880 Diana Hines' Pieced Quilt. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556452)
Eva Smith-Carroll, West Virginia Memories
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