James “Jimmy” C. Johnson, 1816-1902

James C. Johnson was an escaped slave who found his way to Princeton in 1890. He started his own business as a merchant, selling apples and candy on the Princeton campus, where he was well known by students and staff as "Jimmy." Jimmy’s master caught up with him and he would have been returned home but for the efforts of Theodosia Prevost. a lineal descendent of President Witherspoon, who paid to set Mr. Johnson free. Mr. Johnson then proudly sent a portion of his earnings for the next several years to Miss Prevost, until he had completely paid her back.

He is remembered for his contribution for the building of a new gym, which was built by popular subscription rather than wealthy donors. His generous donation of $1.00 was noted because it must have been a large sum for him. The orignal gym burned down in a spectacular fire in 1944 and was replaced by Dillon gym.

He was well loved by the student population. When he died in 1902 he was buried in an unmarked grave in the colored section of the Princeton Cemetery. In later years, the Princeton Univeristy students raised money to get a tombstone for his grave.