This line has turned out to be a rather thick brick wall--from NY to OHIO to ILL. to CA. My ggg-grandfather, William JOHNSON is first found (by me) in New York City, NY, an employee in the woolen mills. He is married to Mary LEGG at the time their son, Henry JOHNSON is born (Nov. 16, 1821 Brooklyn, NY). In 1835, I know the three of them moved to Meigs Co., Ohio where William farmed for 9 years, before returning to his eastern home for the rest of his life. Gg-grandfather, William JOHNSON learned the trades of cooper and carpenter, and "started for himself soon after attaining majority". Prior to 1852, we know from family records that he spent two years in Iowa and three years in Quincy, Illinois. In 1852, he came West to Jamieson Creek, Sierra County, California, crossing the plains with ox teams. He mined a few months, stayed the winter in Sacramento, and then purchased goods that he sold to the miners in Gibsonville. He merchandised and ran a hotel for about 2-3 years there, then settled (1855) nine miles south of Yuba City in Sutter County, California, where he became a land owner and rancher of 240 acres. In 1854, he had married Eliza JOHNSTON (d. May 30, 1862), a native of Illinois. She left behind two children John William JOHNSON (1856-1922) and Mary E. JOHNSON (1859-1895). Does this tie in with anyone? Thanks in advance. Barb Orme Northern California