Marty and Karla Grant
[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]
Johnson / Johnston Genealogy - Horry Co., SC and Marion Co., SC
Welcome to my Johnson / Johnston genealogy pages. I am interested in all the Johnson families of Horry Co., SC and Marion Co., SC as I have distinct lines in both those counties which happen to border each other. Since it’s a very common surname, my interest is limited to those counties, with some exceptions.
I have another Johnson / Johnston line in VA and TN, not related to my SC families as far as is known.
Johnson and Johnston are variations of each other. Johnstone is a less common variation.
“Johnson” was the 2nd most common surname in the United States in 2000 and in 2010. “Johnston” was 207th most common in 2000. It dropped to 225th by 2010. “Johnstone” didn’t make the top 1000 list either year.
Line 1, Horry Co., SC
My most recent ancestor in this branch of my family is my Great Great Grandmother Celia Caroline Johnson (1855-1910). She married Gabriel E. Edwards (1849-1938) ca 1872 in Horry Co., SC. They lived in Galivants Ferry Township. She’s a proven child of Allen and Celia (Floyd) Johnson.
Allen Warin Johnson (1826-1865) was born in South Carolina, presumably Horry District, but that isn’t known for certain. He married a widow, Celia (Floyd) Floyd (1823-aft 1880) ca 1851 in Horry Dist., SC. They had five children. Allen’s parents are unidentified.
DNA evidence suggests that a considerable number of the Horry County Johnsons are part of the same extended family. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet found any strong clues as to which branch of the family Allen W. Johnson fits into.
Line 2, Horry Co., SC
My most recent ancestor in this branch is my 6 times great grandmother Mary Johnston who probably died before 1790. She married John Graham in the mid 1700s, likely in South Carolina, or possibly North Carolina. Other researchers state she is a child of Gilbert Johnston (Sr), but I’ve not yet seen any proof of that.
I think there’s a reasonable chance that Mary is related to my other set of Johnson ancestors in Horry Co., SC, in fact it seems almost certain, but I couldn’t explain how.
Line 3, Marion Co., SC
My most recent ancestor on this branch of my family is my Great Great Grandmother Celia Ann Johnson (1857-1937). She was born and raised in the Temperance Hill section of Marion Co., SC. She married Spencer Alva Campbell (1852-1928) ca 1875 in Marion Co., SC. They had six children together. Celia Ann is a proven daughter of Carey and Ara (Campbell) Johnson.
Carey Johnson (1820-1900) married Ara Campbell (1819-1896) ca 1844 in Marion Dist., SC. They moved around somewhat, and spent some of their life in the section of Marion County that later became Dillon County (in 1910). They had six children. Carey and Ara are buried at Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Marion Co., SC. Carey is a proven son of Benjamin and Mary (—) Johnson.
Benjamin Johnson was born ca 1775/84, presumably in that part of old Georgetown Dist., SC that later became Marion Dist., SC. He married Mary (—) between 1800 and 1810. Her maiden name isn’t yet known, though some list her as a Bryant, but I’ve seen no evidence for that yet, circumstantial or otherwise. Benjamin died in the late 1820s in Marion Dist., SC. Mary died in the 1860s. Benjamin and Mary had eight children. Benjamin is a son of Samuel and Mary (—) Johnson.
Samuel Johnson was born before 1755, whereabouts unknown, perhaps in the same area that later became Marion Dist., SC, though way back then would have been Craven Co., SC. Alternately, he could have migrated into the area from elsewhere. Samuel married Mary (—) before ca 1774, location unknown. Her maiden name is also unknown. Samuel and Mary had ten children. Samuel Johnson died between ca 1811 and 1813. Mary died sometime after 1813.
I have not identified Samuel Johnson’s parents, nor do I have any strong clues.
Revised: July 20, 2026
Copyright © 1996-2026 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]