Chris: I am currently doing some research on the early sheiffs of San Francisco and have started to gather info on Thomas P. Johnson, who was a deputy sheriff under SF's first sheriff, Jack Hays. Hays was in his second term when he resigned to become Surveyor General of California. The county legislature, called the Board of Supervisors, appointed Johnson to the post of Sheriff mid-1853. A few months later, Johnson stood for election, but was defeated by William Gorham. (I don't have my research file in front of me as I write this, but I have dates and vote counts, etc.) Johnson ran again for Sheriff, but didn't win that time either. There is a photo of him in a biography of Jack Hays (2nd edition, not 1st). I don't have any information at this point about his death. I am not familiar with the Civil War research cites that you mention, but I am interested. I was unaware that T.P. Johnson was a major in the Lexington Battalion. Can I assume that this is a Confederate unit? If so, that may explain some of Johnson's political problems in SF, where the emerging Democratic Party was trying to make sure that California remained an anti-slave state and required all endorsed candidates to support the party platform. Johnson refused the Democratic endorsement (although he was endorsed by the main local newspaper). The endorsement went to Gorham, who won the election. I could provide you with more specifics along this line if you are interested. I would welcome any biographical information about TP Johnson that you might have. Thanks.