William Johnson was one of ten children born in Monmouth County, New Jersey on September 18, 1793 and either the youngest or next to the youngest child of William and Ann (Prine or Perrin) Johnson. His father had a small farm on the main road between Cranberry and Englishtown, New Jersey and he carried on a tannery and currying business with boot and shoe making. He was a strong Whig in political principals and aided the army liberally during the Revolutionary War but did not serve as a soldier. After the War ended he made a trip to locate land farther west. When he reached Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or in that vicinity he was taken sick with a fever and died and was buried there.
After his father died the family moved to Middlesex County, New Jersey. As the boys grew old enough the mother being a widow apprenticed them out to learn trades, William and his brother both married daughters of Ralph [Roelof] Cortelyou, with William marrying Lydia Cortelyou. In the spring of 1825 William and Nathaniel both decided to move to New York State so they packed all the goods they could in a large covered wagon and after traveling 17 days they reached Gorham, New York where they settled.
William Johnson and his wife Lydia Cortelyou had two children, Ralph Cortelyou and Gitty (Gertrude) Ann who married John Coult Ransom who were born in New Jersey. Four more children were born in Gorham, New York, namely: Eliza Jane, Alfred Stults, Catharine C., and William Cortelyou. Here in Gorham the mother Lydia died on April 3, 1834 and is buried in the Fobes Corners or Baldwin's Corners Cemetery near Rushville, New York. According to Bible Records she was born April 22, 1800 in New Jersey." William and his wife Lydia were both members of Bethel Baptist Church in Rushville, New York and on an old membership list of the church it states that Lydia was a member from 1832-34 while William was member from 1832-35.
William Johnson married second Melinda Blodgett m Gorham and they had children Lewis, born in Gorham, and Philena, Oliver and Lydia born in Hartland Township, Huron County, Ohio. After Malinda or Melinda died he married third, Mrs. Hepsabah (Blodgett) Eaton an aunt of Melinda’s.
William Johnson started for Ohio in a covered wagon with his wife and seven children with the youngest son Lewis born September 13, 1835 who was only two or three weeks old. The baby was carried on a pillow all the way from Gorham, New York to Hartland Township, Huron County, Ohio. Here William Johnson purchased land in Section 1, Lots 17 and 18 and part of 20 in Hartland Township. He also acquired forty acres of Land in Fitchville Township that joined his land in Hartland. Here he lived the rest of his life and raised his family. The house no longer is standing as it burned a number of years ago.
When William Johnson first came to Hartland Township the township "warned him out." This was often done in the early days. The township officers would "warn" people out. Then if they became unable to take care of themselves the township did not have to take care of them. However, if they did not "warn" them out they were obligated to take care of a man and his family if they were unable to provide for themselves. However this did not bother William Johnson as when he came to Hartland he wore a belt around his waist in which he carried $3000. This he used to buy land and build his home.
