Sir Nathaniel Johnson of South Carolina

Sir Nathaniel Johnson, born 1644, Governor of South Carolina, died in 1713. He had been in the British army, served as a member of parliament, and between 1686 and 1689 was Governor of the Leeward Islands, Treves, St. Christopher, Montserrat, and Antigua. In 1703-1709 he was Governor of South Carolina, and during the French attack on that colony in 1706 defeated the enemy, with the loss of their commander and 300 men. Sir Nathaniel introduced silk-culture into the province in 1703, and is said to have pioneered that industry. His first act as Governor was to pass a law which ecluded all dissenters from the assembly, which dissenters composed two thirds of the population. The people discovered the trick, and the next assembly voted by a large majority to repeal the law. Johnson refused to sign their act and when the assembly appealed to the proprietors, they sustained the Governor. The people then appealed to the House of Lords and won their case.

The Johnson coat-of-arms was included in the portrait of himself and his wife which hangs in the Gibbes Art Gallery in Charleston.

Johnson coat of arms was granted in 1569


Silkhope Plantation was first owned by Sir Nathaniel Johnson. The deed records reflect that it was in old Berkeley County near Charleston.


Silk Hope Plantation was near Huger, South Carolina (Berkeley County).

Sources: Bond given by Sir Nathaniel Johnson to William Rhett, on the payment of 105 pounds on 9th May 1701 and 275 pounds for twelve negro men named Jonon, Harry, Sambo, Jack, Cupiter, Braeff, Dick, Thomas, Feague, Simon, Colly and Lamorsett. Date: 8 May 1700.