Page "Andrew Johnson" Paragraph 7

Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Jacob Johnson ( 1778 – 1812 ) and Mary (" Polly ") McDonough ( 1783 – 1856 ), a seamstress and the daughter of Andrew McDonough.

He had a brother William four years his elder and an older sister Elizabeth, who died in childhood.

Johnson's grandfather William was poverty stricken, and was unable to educate his son Jacob or pass on any land to him.

In Raleigh, Jacob Johnson became town constable, married and started a family.

He died suddenly after rescuing three drowning men, leaving his family in poverty when Andrew was three.

Johnson's mother Mary took in work spinning and weaving to support her family.

She later married to Turner Doughtry.

She bound Andrew as a boy as an apprentice tailor ; Johnson had no formal education but taught himself how to read and write, with some help from his masters, as was their obligation under his apprenticeship.