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Colonel Guy Johnson (1740-1788)
Colonel Guy Johnson (1740-1788)
Artist (American)
Related Person (1740 - 1788)

Colonel Guy Johnson (1740-1788)

Date1775
DimensionsSight: 9 5/8 × 7 1/2 in. (24.4 × 19.1 cm)
Object numberN0369.1955
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextGuy Johnson, nephew of Sir William Johnson, was born in Warrenstown, Ireland, and came to New York by way of Boston in April 1756 as a youth of sixteen. Colonel Guy Johnson was Sir William Johnson's secretary and later was to become Indian Superintendent. Native American tribes showed their approval of the appointment by conferring on Guy the name "Uraghquadurha," meaning "Rays of the Sun enlightening the Earth."

In 1762 Polly, Sir William Johnson's daughter, married Guy Johnson at Johnson Hall. Where they lived is not entirely clear, but in 1766 Guy Park, now a State Historic Site, was built for them by Sir William. A stately stone house, larger than Fort Johnson, it still stands close to the banks of the Mohawk River. The Guy Johnsons had two daughters, Mary, called Polly like her mother, and Julia. For eleven years the Guy Johnsons lived in the valley before tragedy struck them. On July 11th, Sir William suffered a stroke and died. Exactly a year later on a strenuous trek to Canajoharie, Guy Johnson's wife, Polly, died.
On View
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5798 STATE HIGHWAY 80
COOPERSTOWN NY, 13326
607-547-1400

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