Jacob Johnson (1778 – January 4, 1812) was the father of Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the United States. Jacob Johnson was born circa 1778. Some sources indicate that he was born in Newcastle, England and sailed to America around 1795, but other sources indicate that he was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and that it was his grandfather (and possible namesake) who sailed to North America from England.

Historian Rev. Nash A. Odom writes that "In the year 1760, Peter Johnson, migrated from Kintyre Scotland to North Carolina with his large family and settled in Cumberland County.

The preaching instinct broke out again and a number of the Johnsons became ministers. One was the father of Jacob Johnson, who moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and was the father of President Andrew Johnson." Author Billy Kennedy writes that Jacob's father, named Andrew, a Presbyterian, came to North Carolina about 1750 from Mounthill, which is now in Northern Ireland. Jacob married Mary (Polly) McDonough on September 9, 1801.

They had three children: William Patterson Johnson (1804–1865), Elizabeth Johnson (1806–unknown), and Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808–July 31, 1875). Andrew is said to have been named after his uncle or grandfather, Andrew McDonough. Known as "mud-sills", Jacob and Mary were both employed at Casso's Inn (see below), where Mary worked as a weaver and clothes washer, and Jacob worked as a hostler.

Jacob also served as a militia Captain of Muster Division 20, as a sexton for the Presbyterian Church, and as a porter for the State Bank of North Carolina (chartered in 1811). Jacob is also reported to have been the sole bell toller in Raleigh.

Similar to 0 things you like: