Frank W. Johnson
| Francis White Johnson | |
|---|---|
Frank W. Johnson
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Frank |
| Born | October 3, 1799 Leesburg, Virginia, United States |
| Died | April 8, 1884 (aged 84) Aguascalientes, Mexico |
| Buried at | Texas State Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 Republic of Texas
|
| Service/branch |
Texian Army
|
| Years of service | 1835-36 |
| Rank | Co-commander |
| Battles/wars |
Battle of Anahuac Siege of Bexar Battle of Goliad Battle of San Patricio |
| Other work | Constable Delegate Surveyor Author |
Francis White "Frank" Johnson (October 3, 1799 – April 8, 1884) was a co-commander of the Texian Army from December 1835 through February 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Johnson arrived in Texas in 1826 and worked as a surveyor for several empresarios, including Stephen F. Austin. One of his first activities was to plot the new town of Harrisburg. Johnson unsuccessfully tried to prevent the Fredonian Rebellion and served as a delegate to the Convention of 1832.
During the early part of the Texas Revolution, Johnson served as the adjutant and inspector general of the Texian Army. During the final assault of the siege of Bexar, Johnson led one of the two divisions which fought Mexican troops and was a member of the committee that negotiated the Mexican surrender. Following the battle, Johnson became commander of the volunteers. In late December 1835, the Texas provisional government named him co-commander of an expedition to invade Mexico. By late January, the provisional government had named several others as heads of the Texian Army, and there was confusion in the army and the general public over who was in charge.
Johnson and his men were surprised at the Battle of San Patricio on February 27, 1836. Most of his men were killed, but Johnson escaped. During the next three decades, Johnson alternately lived in Texas or traveled the United States. He settled permanently near Austin, Texas in 1871 and spent the rest of his life researching Texas history. In 1914, thirty years after Johnson's death, historian Eugene C. Barker edited Johnson's manuscripts into a book, A History of Texas and Texans.
Francis White Johnson was born October 3, 1799 near Leesburg, Virginia. In 1812, he moved with his parents Henson and Jane Johnson to Tennessee. Although Johnson was trained as a surveyor, he returned down a job that would have sent him to what is now Alabama. Instead, he lived in various places in Illinois and Missouri, supporting himself by teaching, serving as constable, or working in a lead mine. He also briefly ran a grocery store and then a lumber mill.
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