Henry Johnson was born about 1810-1812 in Cumberland County, North Carolina and came to Itawamba County around 1840. It has been said that Henry's father and brother also came to Mississippi with him but went back to North Carolina after a short time here. Henry stayed, as did his sister, Mary Jane, who married Gray Partin.

Henry Johnson came to Itawamba County, Mississippi, in the 1840s, near Iuka, from the vicinity of Dunn, NC after a stop in Autauga County, AL. Henry had a brother, George Johnson.

Bought 80 acres & log home on Mud Creek on the old Fulton-Iuka road. from Thos. H. Winkler, Oct 29, 1851 (Record Book 8, p 423-424, Itawamba Co MS)