By Samuel Collins III, Levi Jordan Plantation Advisory Committee Co-Chair
In 2026, the living legacy of formerly enslaved Americans remains deeply present in communities across the United States, and few examples are as meaningful as the Johnson family of the Mims Community in Brazoria, Texas.
Their story reflects a powerful truth: the era of slavery is not ancient history. Its grandchildren are still with us, carrying forward the strength, resilience, and pride of the ancestors who endured it.
The Johnson family has lived in the Mims Community since the 1830s, rooted in land first purchased by their grandfathers. Solomon Johnson was the first to buy land after emancipation and eventually sold land to his brothers Pendleton and Jerry.
Some of that land—hard‑won, carefully protected, and lovingly passed down—stands as a testament to the determination of people who refused to let their futures be defined by the hardships they survived. For the Johnson descendants, the soil beneath their feet is more than property. It is a living archive of sacrifice, perseverance, and hope.
Only Two Generations Away
As grandchildren and great-grandchildren of formerly enslaved Texans, the Johnsons’ descendants embody a legacy built on courage. The oldest living great-grandchild of Solomon Johnson is Carrie Thomas, now 105 years old. Two of her cousins, John Henry Johnson and Ruby Johnson, are the grandson and great-granddaughter of Jerry Johnson, respectively.
Their grandparents and great‑grandparents faced extraordinary challenges, yet they carved out space for their families to thrive. Carrie Thomas worked as a certified nursing assistant and later went to beauty school to become a beautician. John Henry worked at Dow Chemical Co. and is a Vietnam veteran whoearned a Purple Heart medal. Both are still very active in the Brazoria community by participating in their local churches and annual Juneteenth celebrations.
Families like the Johnsons built homes, cultivated communities, and insisted on dignity in a world that often denied it. Today, these descendants honor that legacy not only by remembering it, but by continuing to live with the same sense of purpose and pride.
Beyond Juneteenth
The Johnson family is proud to be American and proud to be Texan. Their identity is shaped by a history of endurance and achievement, and by a commitment to preserving the values handed down through generations. In the Mims Community, their presence is a reminder of how far their ancestors came and how deeply their contributions are woven into the fabric of Texas history.
Acknowledging families like the Johnsons is important during Juneteenth and throughout the year. It reminds us that the past is not distant—it lives in the people who continue to uphold the traditions, stories, and land of those who came before them. Their ongoing stewardship of their ancestral property symbolizes a victory their grandparents once only dreamed of—ownership, stability, and the freedom to define their own future.
With over 190 years of history in Texas, the Johnson family stands as a powerful example of resilience carried forward. Their story enriches the American narrative and honors the generations whose strength made today possible. Real places telling real stories, this is our Texas history.