This book began as an attempt to record the oral history of Pearson Madison Johnson as told to his children. At his request, we put it into a book. Unfortunately, this has come together after his death. As it expanded through research, correspondence with family members and with other genealogists of this and allied families, it has grown to include many branches of this family. Where material supplied by other people is used, an attempt has been made to give each person credit for his or her contribution and a list of those who contributed is at the end of the index. Usually, if Donald Johnson or Carolyn Johnson Smith uncovered the information, no citation is given. There are bound to be errors in this work, but the editors have diligently worked to produce an accurate account within the bounds of their abilities. Thanks to Stephanie Smith, PhD, for her help in cross-checking dates and names against Ancestry records.