'What is singular in Mr. Johnson’s praise is that he was the founder of the Literary Society in Spalding, which memorable transaction happened on 3 Nov., 1712. This society, through his unwearyed endeavors, interest, and applications in every kind, by his infinite labors in writing, collecting, methodizing, indexes, and the like, has now subsisted in great reputation for these 40 years, and excited such a spirit of learning and curiosity in that level part of Lincolnshire called South Holland as probably will never be extinguished. By this means they have got an excellent library, and all conveniences for their weekly meeting, have established a most extensive correspondence even to both Indies; are very exact in answering all communications; have made vast collections of MSS. letters, written historys, coins, medals, antiquities of every denomination, fossils, all kind of natural and artificial curiositys, drawings, surveys, prints, and the like.' (Lukis 1882-1887, vol. 2, p. 311-12; Burnett 2020b, pp. 462-3)
