South Carolina Governors – David Johnson, 1846-1848

Biographical Overview

• Born: October 3, 1782 in Louisa County, Virginia
  
• Died: January 7, 1855 in Limestone Springs, South Carolina
  
• Buried: Presbyterian Cemetery in Union, South Carolina
  
• Religion: Baptist
  
• Political Party: Democrat
  

Education

• Received early education under Reverend Joseph Alexander at Bullock's Creek in York County, South Carolina
  
• Studied law under Abraham Nott and admitted to the bar in 1803
  

Occupation

• Lawyer

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1846–1848

• 1846 – The Palmetto Volunteer Regiment was formed to serve in the Mexican War
  
• 1846 – The Wilmot Proviso, opposing slavery in lands acquired during the Mexican War, was introduced in Congress. Although it never passed the Senate, it became the basis of the Free Soil party and a tenet of Lincoln and the soon-to-be-formed formed Republican Party.
  
• September 13, 1847 – The Palmetto Regiment raised a flag bearing an image of a palmetto over Mexico City
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina House of Representatives, 1812
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

Election Results

• On December 8, 1846, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Johnson for governor by secret ballot.
  

Web Resources

• Listing of records available at SC Archives and History Center