Pattenburg in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

“Liver Eating” Johnson

Photographed by Alan Edelson, May 23, 2010

1. "Liver Eating" Johnson Marker

Inscription. John Garrison, later known as John Johnston, born here c. 1830. Killed many of the Crow Tribe, slayers of his Indian wife. Robert Redford movie “Jeremiah Johnson” popularized his life.

Erected 2010 by Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 40° 37.541′ N, 75° 2.384′ W. Marker is in Pattenburg, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. It is at the intersection of Bloomsbury Road (County Route 579 at milepost 33.5) and Pattenburg Road (County Route 614), on the right when traveling west on Bloomsbury Road. Sign is only visible (on the right) while traveling Route 579 Northbound. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milford NJ 08848, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

specifically in Central Jersey,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hickory Corners (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Hooper Road (approx. 1½ miles away); Bellewood Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Pattenburg United Methodist Church (approx.

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1.6 miles away); Little York (approx. 1.7 miles away); West Portal Methodist Church (approx. 2 miles away); Hannah's Rock (approx. 2.2 miles away); Jugtown Mountain (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pattenburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Musconetcong (was approx. 2.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Liver Eating Johnson. Excerpt: “Rumors, legends, and campfire tales abound about Johnson. Perhaps chief among them is this one: In 1847, his Native American wife was killed by the Crow people, which prompted Johnson to embark on an almost 12-year vendetta against the tribe. The legend says that he would cut out and eat the liver of each man killed. This was an insult to Crow being that the Crow Indians used to eat the raw livers from their game because they believed it gave them the vitality of the animal that they ate. In any case, he eventually became known as ‘Liver-Eating Johnson.’ The story of how he got his name was written down by a diarist

Photographed by Alan Edelson, May 23, 2010

2. "Liver Eating" Johnson Marker

at the time. There were three Johnsons, nicknames were commonplace, and with Johnson’s show of eating the liver, he received his name.” (Submitted on May 28, 2010, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey.)

2. Comprehensive Biography -. (Submitted on January 12, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
3. Liver Eating Johnston - "Damn Interesting" Website. (Submitted on November 27, 2015, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

"Liver Eating" Johnson Gravesite in Cody, Wyoming image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Billy Hathorn, used under Wikipedia Creative Commons license 3.0, August 6, 2006

3. "Liver Eating" Johnson Gravesite in Cody, Wyoming

"Liver Eating" Johnson c. 1876 image. Click for full size.

J.H. Fouch - Public Domain

4. "Liver Eating" Johnson c. 1876

This image is the first known photograph of Johnston. He was on scout duty during the 1876-1877 Sioux campaign in the Montana Territory.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. This page has been viewed 10,134 times since then and 218 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2015, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Alan Edelson of Union Twsp., New Jersey. 4. submitted on January 12, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.