Friends I knew as a student at UT (the other Knox Co. university) called me tonight to tell me about this article because they were sure it would interest me. They were right, of course, because the first years of my life were spent there. My father was Alva Ross Brown, who was president of Johnson Bible College-as it was known at that time. I very much enjoyed reading Jack Neely's well researched article and congratulate your editors for publishing the facinating Johnson University story. On a personal note, my love of fine liturgical and classical music is attributed to hearing it being sung and played at Johnson from infancy onwards. Also, the campus is one of the most beautiful in the world, situated on a high hill overlooking the French Broad River. It's truly a spiritual place.
You and I have something in common. Ashley Johnson was my cousin, and Jacob Kimberlin was my great, great, great, great grandfather. I never knew that Ash and Emma had adopted Alva. I am a descendent of the Jacob Kimberlin Johnson's branch of the family which settled around Vonore. Jacob was one of the many children of Jeremiah Johnson who married Jacob Kimberlin's daughter. Jacob Kimberlin and his wife are both buried at that small church cemetery near the College, now, University. I can't recall its name off the top of my head but I believe it has a 7 in it. There are many Johnson's, all of whom, are related to Ashley, buried in the two cemeteries Vonore. This is truly a fine article about our relations, and I enjoyed reading it very much. My best wishes to you for sharing your wonderful childhood experience at the College. It has been many years since I have been able to visit the College or Tennessee so this is a wonderful gift to me.
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Diosprometheus writes:
You and I have something in common. Ashley Johnson was my cousin, and Jacob Kimberlin was my great, great, great, great grandfather. I never knew that Ash and Emma had adopted Alva. I am a descendent of the Jacob Kimberlin Johnson's branch of the family which settled around Vonore. Jacob was one of the many children of Jeremiah Johnson who married Jacob Kimberlin's daughter. Jacob Kimberlin and his wife are both buried at that small church cemetery near the College, now, University. I can't recall its name off the top of my head but I believe it has a 7 in it. There are many Johnson's, all of whom, are related to Ashley, buried in the two cemeteries Vonore. This is truly a fine article about our relations, and I enjoyed reading it very much. My best wishes to you for sharing your wonderful childhood experience at the College. It has been many years since I have been able to visit the College or Tennessee so this is a wonderful gift to me.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.