82 / [Assembly 



where almost each succeeding surge of the sea exposed them to 

 the naked view. 



General Johnson was clerk of the consistory of the Dutch Re- 

 formed church for a period of forty years. In 1796 he became a 

 trustee of the town of Brooklyn ; in 1800 he was chosen a super- 

 visor of the town, which station he held until about 1840, having 

 been chairman of the board a large portion of the time. In those 

 days men took office with a full knowledge of the duty and re- 

 \ sponsibilities assumed by ihem, and deliberated on the best in- 

 terest of the public with great care, and the strictest integrity; 

 the citizen felt that he was safe in such hands. 



The tenacity with which the early settlers of " New Nederlandt," 

 and many of their descendants, adhered to their simple and inno- 

 cent habits, is very remarkable. It is within the recollection of 

 several, who were in the habit of attending the meetings of the 

 board of supervisors, to have seen Gen. Johnson presiding with a 

 long pipe in his mouth, surrounded by other members addicted to 

 the use of the weed, enjoying also the luxury of the tube in the 

 midst of their deliberations. The General was elected a member 

 of the Assembly in 1808, and again in 1809, in which station he 

 discharged his duty to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. 



General Johnson was fond of military life, and at the commence- 

 ment of the war of 1812, took an active part in raising troops, kc. 

 He was a brigadier general when the militia of the State of New- 

 York were called into active service, took his post with alacrity, 

 and was in command of Fort Green during the greater part of our 

 military operations in that quarter. In 1837, he was elected 

 mayor of Brooklyn, and again in 1838. He was one of the most 

 faithful, prompt and indefatigable of public officers ; his punctu- 

 ality was proverbial. The hour of meeting for the common coun- 

 cil was 3 o'clock, and promptly to the time the General was al- 

 ways in the chair, and ordered the roll to be called ; if there was 

 a quorum present the business w^ent on, if not, the board stood 

 adjourned to the next time of meeting. A portrait of the General, 

 illustrative of his punctuality, is now hanging in the City Hall, 

 Brooklyn ; he is represented holding his watch, and pointing to 

 the hands which had reached the hour of meeting. 



