Mary Johnson (first lady)


Mary Johnson was First Lady of California, wife of J. Neely Johnson, Governor from 1856 to 1858.

Life

Born Mary Zabriskie to James C. Zabriskie and Elizabeth W. Mann around 1830 in New Jersey. The family moved to California in 1849. They settled in Sacramento where James practiced law.
Mary married Colonel J. Neely Johnson on 26 June 1851. They had two children William and Bessie.
J. Neely Johnson and Mary had the first gubernatorial inaugural ball in California, in 1856. Mary was prominent in Sacramento society.
In 1859, they moved to Carson City, Nevada Territory, where J. Neely ran the Bowers Mine.
After her husband's death Mary married Colonel Sylvester H. Day. She lived in Carson City until her death on 23 November 1887.