Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the B. H. Johnson Journal must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: B. H. Johnson Journal, Ms2008-093- Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The B. H. Johnson Journal was donated to Special Collections in 2004.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the B. H. Johnson Journal occurred in December 2008.

Biographical Information

B. H. Johnson was born on March 20, 1811. He was first married to a woman named Maria Evelyn who died in 1846. Johnson later remarried a woman from the Kennerly family who lived near Waynesboro, Virginia. During the Civil War, his wife and children lived with Johnson's in-laws. As a Methodist minister for various circuits in eastern Virginia, Johnson preformed many marriage ceremonies, funerals, baptisms, and attended the Virginia Conference of Methodist Ministers. Much of his time was spent traveling to different congregations and dining with parishioners. Often ailing, Johnson sometimes took opium "to check the disordered state of his bowels." Johnson's family and friends also frequently fell ill--especially with virulent bouts of typhoid. An ardent Confederate, Johnson took particular interest in the movement of "Yankee" forces while traveling his circuit.

Scope and Content

The B. H. Johnson Journal is a handwritten account of one year from September 1863 to September 1864 recorded by a Methodist circuit riding minister of eastern Virginia. Some mentioned locations within Virginia are Shiloh, Charlottesville, Salem, Port Royal, Spotsylvania, Hanover County, Augusta County, Caroline County, and Madison County, among others. Subjects include the American Civil War and its concomitant destruction, the duties and practices of a Methodist minister, typhoid fever, "Yankee" crime, and slavery. A particularly engaging segment within Johnson's journal discusses the theft of his horse by rogues and the eventual heroic repossession of his steed.