Many stories have been written about this legendary mailman and perhaps the stories themselves have made him into the giant he is known today. James Mitchell "Acrefoot" Johnson was born in Columbia County, Florida on February 28, 1851 . He was born to Elias E. & Elizabeth Keen Johnson. He moved to "Old Manatee" (present Desoto Co) in the early 1850's with his parents and siblings, settling in the Nocatee area. He is said to have stood 6' 7" to 7" tall, weighing over 250 lbs.
 Acrefoot worked for the US Postal Service during the 1860/80 era. He walked his route twice a week from Fort Ogden to Fort Meade via Fort Myers. An approximated 90 miles one way. It has been said and written that this man could walk faster than a horse drawn buggy and would often refuse rides because it would only slow him down. Legend also says that he could run along side a locomotive and keep up with it for many miles. There seems to be some controversy on the circumstances surrounding his leaving of the Postal Service. One story goes... His young son became very ill and Acrefoot had strapped a chair to his back in order to carry his son to see a doctor in Fort Myers. Rumors started that Acrefoot was giving rides to travelers on his back for a fee. He supposedly was fired from his job for this reason. However, according to others.... When the railroad was completed in the mid 1880's, the Postal Service decided to run the mail via the railroad.
After his retirement from the mail, Acrefoot owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Nocatee.
James Mitchell Johnson died in Nocatee, Desoto Co, Fl in 1922 and is buried at the Kabrich Cemetery.