JOHNSON, SIR WILLIAM (1715-11 July 1774), superintendent of Indian Affairs in North America, landed with his party on a beach "near to Cayahoga" on 26 Sept. 1761, thus becoming one of Cleveland's earliest prominent visitors. After the conclusion of the French & Indian Wars, rumors and intelligence of an impending Indian attack on Ft. Detroit prompted its commander, Capt. Donald Campbell, to seek aid. Upon request of Sir Jeffery Amherst, Johnson proceeded westward along the north shore of Lake Erie to Ft. Detroit with 140 Royal Americans and Indian scouts aboard 13 bateaux and canoes. His objective was to make treaties with the Indians and establish regulations for the fur trade. His return journey began on 19 Sept. by way of the south shore. It was on this part of the trip that he arrived, a week later, at Cleveland and encamped until departure the next morning.
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