Joshua Johnson (American, c. 1763–after 1825)

OctJoshua Johnson's father, George Johnson, purchased Joshua, age 19, from William Wheeler, Sr. via a bill of sale dated October 6, 1764.¹

JulAccording to documents dated July 25, 1782, Joshua Johnson was the son of a white man and a black slave woman owned by a William Wheeler, Sr.¹

In 1785, Joshua Johnson married his first wife, Sarah, with whom he had four children – two sons and two daughters.¹

DecIn an advertisement in the Baltimore Intelligencer of December 19, 1798, Joshua Johnson described himself as a "self-taught genius."²

By 1803, Joshua Johnson was married to a woman named Clara.¹

Joshua Johnson was listed in the Baltimore city directory of 1817-1818 under "Free Householders of Colour."¹

Joshua Johnson's identity as a painter was first established by art historian J. Hall Pleasants in 1939.¹