The Johnson family is one of the oldest families in New England. The progenitor of this branch of the Johnson family was James Johnson, who was one of eighty men who came to this country with Sir Fernando Gorges in 1621. This group settled on the Isle of Shoals, later to be known as the town of Rye, New Hampshire. His daughter, Mary Johnson, married John Ordiorne, who settled on what is now known as Ordiorne's Point in the town of Newcastle, New Hampshire. A few generations later, Daniel Johnson married Jane Ordiorne furthering the tie between the Johnson and Ordiorne families. Jotham Ordiorne, son of John and Mary Ordiorne, was the first judge of the Superior Court in the Province of New Hampshire. The Johnson family had a part in every war on the continent, with the exception of the war with Mexico, a war that was waged to obtain more slave territory, and which was not popular in New England. Philip Johnson was with Sir William Pepperel at the capture of Louisburg, C.B. in 1690. Lewis Johnson was with DeWolf at the capture of Quebec from the French. Daniel Johnson was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Another Johnson was a member of General Ulmer's Regiment in the war of 1812. The brothers, John and Ralph Johnson served in the Civil War. Ralph was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. John served as an officer in the Navy, and was promoted twice for his gallant conduct in action.

Note written by Janice Halecki