Joseph Johns (1794-1906) - Revision history

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	A certain amount of mystery surrounds the life of Joseph Johns. His inclusion in the 1850 and 1870 United States Federal Censuses seem to provide more questions than answers. In the 1850 census records of Union Township, Lebanon County, PA, Joseph Johns was listed as being a twenty-seven-years old living in the house of Isaac Bender. It was not unusual for families to rent out rooms in their homes during this time period. In the next two houses enumerated after the Bender family lived the Fehler families, including the father of Joseph Johns' friend John Fahler*. That particular census identified people as "White," "Black," or "Mulatto" only. Joseph Johns was listed as being Black and the final tabulation stated that there were "9 Total Coloreds" in Union Township, which had a population of 2,184<ref>United States Census 1850</ref>. Assuming this is Joseph Johns the collier, per this census, he would have been some thirty-five years younger than his later alleged age. Even given Joseph Johns' understandable lack of knowledge of his birth year, this is a large difference. In the 1870 census, a fifty-three year old laborer named Joseph Jones (quite possibly a misspelling), listed as being "Black" and unable to read or write, was residing in East Hanover, Lebanon County, PA<ref>United States Census 1870</ref>. His birthplace was reported as being Pennsylvania; even though the slaves had been freed, Joseph Johns might not have wanted to advertise the fact he had been born in Virginia, though it was apparently known to others in the community, at least at a later date. In the following census of 1880, John Fahler is in Union Township, indicating that his farm is also there, perhaps being the property on which the Fehlers and Joseph Johns were living in 1870<ref>United States Census 1880</ref>. There is no entry for Joseph Johns - or a similar name - in the 1880 Federal Census for Union Township. The majority of the 1890 census was destroyed<ref>Blake 1996</ref>, including that covering Lebanon County. There is no listing for Joseph Johns in the 1900 Union Township census, either. This does not mean he was not living there, only that he was not counted in the census.		A certain amount of mystery surrounds the life of Joseph Johns. His inclusion in the 1850 and 1870 United States Federal Censuses seem to provide more questions than answers. In the 1850 census records of Union Township, Lebanon County, PA, Joseph Johns was listed as being a twenty-seven-years old living in the house of Isaac Bender. It was not unusual for families to rent out rooms in their homes during this time period. In the next two houses enumerated after the Bender family lived the Fehler families, including the father of Joseph Johns' friend John Fahler*. That particular census identified people as "White," "Black," or "Mulatto" only. Joseph Johns was listed as being Black and the final tabulation stated that there were "9 Total Coloreds" in Union Township, which had a population of 2,184<ref>United States Census 1850</ref>. Assuming this is Joseph Johns the collier, per this census, he would have been some thirty-five years younger than his later alleged age. Even given Joseph Johns' understandable lack of knowledge of his birth year, this is a large difference. In the 1870 census, a fifty-three year old laborer named Joseph Jones (quite possibly a misspelling), listed as being "Black" and unable to read or write, was residing in East Hanover, Lebanon County, PA<ref>United States Census 1870</ref>. His birthplace was reported as being Pennsylvania; even though the slaves had been freed, Joseph Johns might not have wanted to advertise the fact he had been born in Virginia, though it was apparently known to others in the community, at least at a later date. In the following census of 1880, John Fahler is in Union Township, indicating that his farm is also there, perhaps being the property on which the Fehlers and Joseph Johns were living in 1870<ref>United States Census 1880</ref>. There is no entry for Joseph Johns - or a similar name - in the 1880 Federal Census for Union Township. The majority of the 1890 census was destroyed<ref>Blake 1996</ref>, including that covering Lebanon County. There is no listing for Joseph Johns in the 1900 Union Township census, either. This does not mean he was not living there, only that he was not counted in the census.

	*Johan Henrich Fehler, the son of Johannes and Catherina Fehler, was christened 6/8/1828 at Sattazahns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Union Township, Lebanon County, PA<ref>Pennsylvania Births and Christenings 1709-1950</ref>. Per his gravestone at Sattazahns Lutheran Cemetery, John Henry Fahler was born 1/28/1828<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, given the christening date and the similarity in name, it is likely that Johan Fehler anglicized his name to John Fahler. In addition, according to Sattazahns Evangelical Lutheran Church's baptismal records of Vallentien Fehler, he was also the son of Johannes and Catharina Fehler<ref>Ancestry.com 2011</ref>. In a note following the article about the death of Valentine Fahler, John Fahler is said to have been his brother<ref>The Daily News January 7, 1905</ref>.		<blockquote>*Johan Henrich Fehler, the son of Johannes and Catherina Fehler, was christened 6/8/1828 at Sattazahns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Union Township, Lebanon County, PA<ref>Pennsylvania Births and Christenings 1709-1950</ref>. Per his gravestone at Sattazahns Lutheran Cemetery, John Henry Fahler was born 1/28/1828<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, given the christening date and the similarity in name, it is likely that Johan Fehler anglicized his name to John Fahler. In addition, according to Sattazahns Evangelical Lutheran Church's baptismal records of Vallentien Fehler, he was also the son of Johannes and Catharina Fehler<ref>Ancestry.com 2011</ref>. In a note following the article about the death of Valentine Fahler, John Fahler is said to have been his brother<ref>The Daily News January 7, 1905</ref>.</blockquote>

	===Guns===		===Guns===

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Later Life: undid previous edit

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	Reportedly, Joseph Johns was in fine health and capable of caring for himself until the week before he died. During his last days, Jacob Howard cared for him, making his meals ensuring he had firewood<ref>Miners' Journal February 13, 1906, 2</ref>. Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at approximately 112 years of age. He was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery<ref>Hower 1992</ref>, which church he had attended for many years, bringing candy with him for the children<ref>Welch 2002, 12</ref>. Reverend Christian Wengert officiated at the funeral service<ref>Lebanon Daily News February 26, 1906, 3</ref>. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler<ref>Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906</ref>. Inscribed on the stone was:<br>		Reportedly, Joseph Johns was in fine health and capable of caring for himself until the week before he died. During his last days, Jacob Howard cared for him, making his meals ensuring he had firewood<ref>Miners' Journal February 13, 1906, 2</ref>. Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at approximately 112 years of age. He was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery<ref>Hower 1992</ref>, which church he had attended for many years, bringing candy with him for the children<ref>Welch 2002, 12</ref>. Reverend Christian Wengert officiated at the funeral service<ref>Lebanon Daily News February 26, 1906, 3</ref>. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler<ref>Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906</ref>. Inscribed on the stone was:<br>
	~~<blockquote>~~"Joseph Johns<br>		"Joseph Johns<br>
	Born in Fauquier County, Va.<br>		Born in Fauquier County, Va.<br>
	Died, Feb. 7, 1906.<br>		Died, Feb. 7, 1906.<br>
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	North side of Mountain, west of<br>		North side of Mountain, west of<br>
	Swatara Gap Union Township,		Swatara Gap Union Township,
	Lebanon Co., PA."<ref>Welch 2002, 19</ref~~></blockquote~~><br>		Lebanon Co., PA."<ref>Welch 2002, 19</ref><br>

	According to his death certificate<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, the undertaker thought Joseph Johns, who reportedly had no physician, died of dropsy (now known as edema) and was about 110 years old. In a local newspaper, it was reported that Joseph Johns said he was 117 and remembered the death of George Washington, who died in 1799<ref>The Union Leader February 9, 1906</ref>. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.		According to his death certificate<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, the undertaker thought Joseph Johns, who reportedly had no physician, died of dropsy (now known as edema) and was about 110 years old. In a local newspaper, it was reported that Joseph Johns said he was 117 and remembered the death of George Washington, who died in 1799<ref>The Union Leader February 9, 1906</ref>. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.

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Later Life

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	Reportedly, Joseph Johns was in fine health and capable of caring for himself until the week before he died. During his last days, Jacob Howard cared for him, making his meals ensuring he had firewood<ref>Miners' Journal February 13, 1906, 2</ref>. Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at approximately 112 years of age. He was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery<ref>Hower 1992</ref>, which church he had attended for many years, bringing candy with him for the children<ref>Welch 2002, 12</ref>. Reverend Christian Wengert officiated at the funeral service<ref>Lebanon Daily News February 26, 1906, 3</ref>. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler<ref>Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906</ref>. Inscribed on the stone was:<br>		Reportedly, Joseph Johns was in fine health and capable of caring for himself until the week before he died. During his last days, Jacob Howard cared for him, making his meals ensuring he had firewood<ref>Miners' Journal February 13, 1906, 2</ref>. Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at approximately 112 years of age. He was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery<ref>Hower 1992</ref>, which church he had attended for many years, bringing candy with him for the children<ref>Welch 2002, 12</ref>. Reverend Christian Wengert officiated at the funeral service<ref>Lebanon Daily News February 26, 1906, 3</ref>. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler<ref>Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906</ref>. Inscribed on the stone was:<br>
	"Joseph Johns<br>		<blockquote>"Joseph Johns<br>
	Born in Fauquier County, Va.<br>		Born in Fauquier County, Va.<br>
	Died, Feb. 7, 1906.<br>		Died, Feb. 7, 1906.<br>
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	North side of Mountain, west of<br>		North side of Mountain, west of<br>
	Swatara Gap Union Township,		Swatara Gap Union Township,
	Lebanon Co., PA."<ref>Welch 2002, 19</ref><br>		Lebanon Co., PA."<ref>Welch 2002, 19</ref></blockquote><br>

	According to his death certificate<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, the undertaker thought Joseph Johns, who reportedly had no physician, died of dropsy (now known as edema) and was about 110 years old. In a local newspaper, it was reported that Joseph Johns said he was 117 and remembered the death of George Washington, who died in 1799<ref>The Union Leader February 9, 1906</ref>. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.		According to his death certificate<ref>Find a Grave</ref>, the undertaker thought Joseph Johns, who reportedly had no physician, died of dropsy (now known as edema) and was about 110 years old. In a local newspaper, it was reported that Joseph Johns said he was 117 and remembered the death of George Washington, who died in 1799<ref>The Union Leader February 9, 1906</ref>. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.

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Research

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	It must be stressed that the above is reasoned speculation.		It must be stressed that the above is reasoned speculation.

	~~https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/family-tree/person/tree/29149068/person/13722280416/facts~~

	==Notes==		==Notes==

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Research: John family

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	An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.		An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.

	There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses and other records of Fauquier County with the last name of John ~~or Johns~~ who may have been freed slaves. In the 1810-1816 Fauquier County Property Tax Lists, including "Free Negroes and Mulattoes subject to pole tax," Jenny (Jane in one section) ~~and~~ sometimes with Moses and Aron/Aaron ~~John,~~ Samuel, and Sally John were frequently listed<ref>freeafricanamericans.com</ref>. Janney John ["F. Negroe (sic)"], probably the aforementioned "Jenny," was listed in the 1810 Census as the head of household. Eight other free people were said to live ~~there~~<ref>United States Census, 1810</ref>.		There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses and other records of Fauquier County with the last name of John who may have been freed slaves. In the 1810-1816 Fauquier County Property Tax Lists, including "Free Negroes and Mulattoes subject to pole tax," Jenny (Jane in one section), sometimes together with Moses and Aron/Aaron; Samuel; and Sally John were frequently listed<ref>freeafricanamericans.com</ref>. Janney John ["F. Negroe (sic)"], probably the aforementioned "Jenny," was listed in the 1810 Census as the head of household. Eight other free people were said to live with her; names and ages were not given<ref>United States Census, 1810</ref>.

	Additional people categorized as Black, or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.		Additional people categorized as Black, or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.
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	It must be stressed that the above is reasoned speculation.		It must be stressed that the above is reasoned speculation.

			https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/family-tree/person/tree/29149068/person/13722280416/facts

	==Notes==		==Notes==

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References

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 24 November 2020
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	*Forney, Rahn. 1994. ''Mark of a Legend: Stone Monument Honors Well-Known Runaway Slave,'' Lebanon Daily News, May 22, 1994.		*Forney, Rahn. 1994. ''Mark of a Legend: Stone Monument Honors Well-Known Runaway Slave,'' Lebanon Daily News, May 22, 1994.
	*Forney, Rahn. 1994. ''Stone Honors Former Slave: Runaway Settled in Northern Lebanon County in 1800s.''		*Forney, Rahn. 1994. ''Stone Honors Former Slave: Runaway Settled in Northern Lebanon County in 1800s.''
	*Genealogy Trails History Group. Culpeper County, Virginia Genealogy and History. ''Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature''. Accessed 10/28/2020.		*freeafricanamericans. ''Fauquier County Personal Property Tax List: 1786-1819.'' Accessed 11/24/2020.[http://freeafricanamericans.com/fauquier.htm]
			*Genealogy Trails History Group. Culpeper County, Virginia Genealogy and History. ''Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature.'' Accessed 10/28/2020.
	*Gilara, Minerva. 1964. ''112-Year-Old Slave's Burial Spot is Still Legendary Attraction.'' Press and Journal, November 12, 1964.		*Gilara, Minerva. 1964. ''112-Year-Old Slave's Burial Spot is Still Legendary Attraction.'' Press and Journal, November 12, 1964.
	*Hanford, Stuart. 2019. ''Local Legend: A Look at the Life of Joseph Johns, a Black Collier.'' Anthropology Senior Thesis, Muhlenberg College.[http://sal.muhlenberg.edu:8080/librarydspace/bitstream/10718/3394/1/HanfordS%20Honors%20Thesis%20Complete%20Draft.pdf]		*Hanford, Stuart. 2019. ''Local Legend: A Look at the Life of Joseph Johns, a Black Collier.'' Anthropology Senior Thesis, Muhlenberg College.[http://sal.muhlenberg.edu:8080/librarydspace/bitstream/10718/3394/1/HanfordS%20Honors%20Thesis%20Complete%20Draft.pdf]

Aberg: /* Research */ John in Fauquier

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Research: John in Fauquier

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	An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.		An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.

	There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses and other records of Fauquier County with the last name of John or Johns who may have been freed slaves. In the 1810-1816 Fauquier County Property Tax Lists, including "Free Negroes and Mulattoes subject to pole tax," ~~Samuel,~~ Moses, Aaron, ~~Jenny~~, and Sally John were frequently listed<ref></ref>. Janney John ["F. Negroe (sic)"], ~~perhaps~~ the aforementioned "Jenny," was listed in the 1810 Census as the head of ~~the~~ household. Eight other free people were said to live there<ref>United States Census, 1810</ref>.		There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses and other records of Fauquier County with the last name of John or Johns who may have been freed slaves. In the 1810-1816 Fauquier County Property Tax Lists, including "Free Negroes and Mulattoes subject to pole tax," Jenny (Jane in one section) and sometimes with Moses and Aron/Aaron John, Samuel, and Sally John were frequently listed<ref>freeafricanamericans.com</ref>. Janney John ["F. Negroe (sic)"], probably the aforementioned "Jenny," was listed in the 1810 Census as the head of household. Eight other free people were said to live there<ref>United States Census, 1810</ref>.

	Additional people categorized as Black, or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.		Additional people categorized as Black, or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.

Aberg: /* Learning the Collier Trade */ linked to six penny creek

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Learning the Collier Trade: linked to six penny creek

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	===Learning the Collier Trade===		===Learning the Collier Trade===
	It is unknown how Joseph Johns learned the collier trade. At the time he would have been living in Fauquier County, VA, there were no furnaces in the area. It was, therefore, unlikely that he knew anything about being a collier until after he arrived in Pennsylvania. He probably was taught by a collier on the mountain or learned the skills in the few years he resided in other areas of Pennsylvania before moving to the Blue Mountain area. Joseph Johns' northern route likely would have taken him past several operational furnaces in Pennsylvania. It would be difficult to discern if Joseph Johns worked at any of these furnaces, as most of them are in ruins with no known records. Two furnaces that have been preserved as historic sites/landmarks lie between Fauquier County, Virginia and Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. These are Hopewell and Cornwall Furnaces. ~~Records~~ from Hopewell Furnace list at least 107 Black workers at the furnace during its period of operation<ref>Walker 1966, 304</ref>. None of these, however, went by the name of Joseph Johns<ref>McDermott 2020</ref>. In 1780, as Pennsylvania began the process of gradually abolishing slavery, Cornwall Furnace had approximately twenty-four slaves in various positions, including house servants, furnace workers, woodcutters, and colliers<ref>Walker 1966, 305</ref>. Joanna Furnace, which was positioned close to Hopewell Furnace, reportedly provided shelter and work to escaped slaves. Colliers and woodcutters resided away from the general population in hard-to-access, wooded areas, making these positions ideal for escaped slaves wishing to avoid slave catchers. Of the 107 names in the Hopewell Furnace records, several of them were identified as long-term residents of the area; and some were reflective of multiple generations of workers. There were, however, many names that only appear briefly in the records, which may be indicative of escaped or freed slaves moving further north<ref>Walker 1966, 307</ref>. Two other furnaces, Caledonia in Franklin County, PA and Pine Grove in Cumberland County, PA, may have been on the route Joseph Johns took from Virginia. These furnaces were located within the Appalachian Mountains and relatively close to the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Both furnaces appeared to have employed runaway slaves, and many escaped slaves took advantage of this because working in the mountains provided distance and concealment from those who were searching for them<ref>Harman 2008, 37</ref>.		It is unknown how Joseph Johns learned the collier trade. At the time he would have been living in Fauquier County, VA, there were no furnaces in the area. It was, therefore, unlikely that he knew anything about being a collier until after he arrived in Pennsylvania. He probably was taught by a collier on the mountain or learned the skills in the few years he resided in other areas of Pennsylvania before moving to the Blue Mountain area. Joseph Johns' northern route likely would have taken him past several operational furnaces in Pennsylvania. It would be difficult to discern if Joseph Johns worked at any of these furnaces, as most of them are in ruins with no known records. Two furnaces that have been preserved as historic sites/landmarks lie between Fauquier County, Virginia and Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. These are Hopewell and Cornwall Furnaces. [[Six Penny Creek Community]] was nearby and records from Hopewell Furnace list at least 107 Black workers at the furnace during its period of operation<ref>Walker 1966, 304</ref>. None of these, however, went by the name of Joseph Johns<ref>McDermott 2020</ref>. In 1780, as Pennsylvania began the process of gradually abolishing slavery, Cornwall Furnace had approximately twenty-four slaves in various positions, including house servants, furnace workers, woodcutters, and colliers<ref>Walker 1966, 305</ref>. Joanna Furnace, which was positioned close to Hopewell Furnace, reportedly provided shelter and work to escaped slaves. Colliers and woodcutters resided away from the general population in hard-to-access, wooded areas, making these positions ideal for escaped slaves wishing to avoid slave catchers. Of the 107 names in the Hopewell Furnace records, several of them were identified as long-term residents of the area; and some were reflective of multiple generations of workers. There were, however, many names that only appear briefly in the records, which may be indicative of escaped or freed slaves moving further north<ref>Walker 1966, 307</ref>. Two other furnaces, Caledonia in Franklin County, PA and Pine Grove in Cumberland County, PA, may have been on the route Joseph Johns took from Virginia. These furnaces were located within the Appalachian Mountains and relatively close to the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Both furnaces appeared to have employed runaway slaves, and many escaped slaves took advantage of this because working in the mountains provided distance and concealment from those who were searching for them<ref>Harman 2008, 37</ref>.

	==Later Life==		==Later Life==

Aberg: /* References */

2020-11-17T18:08:18Z

References

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	*The Union Leader. 1906. ''He Claims Old Age,'' February 9, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/390893696/?terms=joseph%2Bjohns%2Blebanon]		*The Union Leader. 1906. ''He Claims Old Age,'' February 9, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/390893696/?terms=joseph%2Bjohns%2Blebanon]
	*''United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860,'' database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS8-SKX?cc=3161105&wc=8B1F-929%3A1610312301%2C1610503101%2C1610502801 : 16 October 2019), Virginia > Louisa > Southern District > image 68 of 69; citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS8-SKX?i=67&cc=3161105&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AW2XG-PFZM]		*''United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860,'' database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS8-SKX?cc=3161105&wc=8B1F-929%3A1610312301%2C1610503101%2C1610502801 : 16 October 2019), Virginia > Louisa > Southern District > image 68 of 69; citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS8-SKX?i=67&cc=3161105&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AW2XG-PFZM]
	''United States Census, 1870,'' database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P3C-6QC?cc=1438024&wc=KL6P-HZ9%3A518656301%2C519228001%2C519239401 : 11 June 2019), Virginia > Fauquier > Revenue District 1 > image 164 of 260; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P3C-6QC?i=163&cc=1438024&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMFLY-K6H]		*''United States Census, 1870,'' database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P3C-6QC?cc=1438024&wc=KL6P-HZ9%3A518656301%2C519228001%2C519239401 : 11 June 2019), Virginia > Fauquier > Revenue District 1 > image 164 of 260; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).[https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P3C-6QC?i=163&cc=1438024&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMFLY-K6H]
	*Valley Spirit. 1906. ''Oldest Man Live Here,'' February 14, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/346650690/?terms=%22joseph%2Bjohns%22]		*Valley Spirit. 1906. ''Oldest Man Live Here,'' February 14, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/346650690/?terms=%22joseph%2Bjohns%22]
	*Wagner, Merv. 1980. ''The Legend of "Old Black Joe".''		*Wagner, Merv. 1980. ''The Legend of "Old Black Joe".''

Aberg: /* Research */ Janney John

2020-11-13T21:52:00Z

Research: Janney John

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	An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.		An interesting clue as to Joseph Johns’ origins comes from records of slaves who were freed by their owners’ wills. At least two slaves were freed by the will of a man named Eppa Timberlake. In 1839 a group of citizens in Culpeper County, which is adjacent to Fauquier County, petitioned for permission for Armistead Johns, who had been emancipated by Eppa Timberlake’s will, to remain in Virginia<ref>Slavery-related Petitions to the Legislature</ref>. At the time, Virginia law held that freed individuals had to leave the state. In 1855 Jackson Johns was emancipated in Faquier County by the will of Eppa Timberlake. The discrepancy in dates may be due to there being two Eppa Timberlakes, probably father and son, or time passing between the death of Eppa Timberlake and the freeing of Jackson Johns. It was not uncommon for a slave to be granted freedom through a will after an extended period of service to a relative or other heir of the deceased person. Since the will or wills of Eppa Timeberlake freed two people with the last name of Johns, it is possible that Joseph Johns came from the Timberlake plantation. Eppa Timberlake was listed in the county tax records as having three slaves over the age of twelve in 1790 and three or five (the writing is not completely legible) in 1799. In the first surviving census of Fauquier County, 1810, Eppa Timberlake was reported to have eight slaves. He was forty-five or older, as was a female in his household who was most likely his wife and who might have been the Sarah Timberlake below. Interestingly, there were seven “All Other Free Persons” counted in his household. As his family members would have been listed by age range in an earlier section of his census line, the seven might have been freed slaves. No census records were found for Eppa Timberlake in Fauquier County after 1810, though there was a John Timberlake counted in both 1810 and 1840 and a Sarah Timberlake in 1820. Sarah reported thirteen slaves: seven children under age fourteen, one female fourteen to under twenty-six, a male and female twenty-six to under forty-five, and one man forty-five and upwards. In 1830, Sarah Timberlake had nine slaves and four “Free Colored Persons.” She was said to be fifty to fifty-nine and have a white male aged eighty through eighty-nine in her household<ref>United States Census 1830</ref>. While this would suggest she was older than the woman listed with Eppa Timberlake in the 1810 census, much less attention was paid to birth year and age for the average person back then than now. It is not unusual for ages to vary some on census forms across several decades.

	There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses in Fauquier County with the last name of Johns who may have been freed slaves.		There were several people listed on early 1800s United States Censuses and other records of Fauquier County with the last name of John or Johns who may have been freed slaves. In the 1810-1816 Fauquier County Property Tax Lists, including "Free Negroes and Mulattoes subject to pole tax," Samuel, Moses, Aaron, Jenny, and Sally John were frequently listed<ref></ref>. Janney John ["F. Negroe (sic)"], perhaps the aforementioned "Jenny," was listed in the 1810 Census as the head of the household. Eight other free people were said to live there<ref>United States Census, 1810</ref>.

	Additional people categorized as Black or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.		Additional people categorized as Black, or Mulatto on a census form with the last name of Johns in Fauquier County who were born during or not too long after the end of slavery included Dolly Johns, born about 1854 in Virginia, who resided in the home of Jonas Cornwell, serving as a "domestic servant"<ref>United States Federal Census, 1870</ref> and Lucy Johns, born about 1871, who was the adopted daughter of William and Julia Smith, per the 1880 Census<ref>United States Federal Census, 1880</ref>.

	Following up on Jackson Johns who was freed by Eppa Timberlake's will, a man of the same name was listed in the 1850 census as living in Louisa, Virginia. His race was listed as Mulatto, and he was said to be a thirty-four year old laborer. In his household were Huldah Trainham and five children with her last name who all appear to have been White - a designation that was omitted by this census taker who only seemed to label people who were Black or Mulatto<ref>United States Census 1850, p 441b</ref>. Jackson Johns was listed in the regular census rather than in the Slave Schedules of the same year. As this date was before Jackson Johns' freeing via will and was in a different county, it is quite possible it is not the same man. Interestingly, paupers living in the local poorhouse included Lucy Trainham (age sixty, assumed White) and Sallie (age twenty-five, listed as Mulatto) and Thomas Johns (age four, listed as Mulatto)<ref>United States Census 1850, p 394b</ref>. Something that does indicate this Jackson Johns may be the same as the man set free by Eppa Timberlake's will is his proximity to a Jonathan M. Timberlake, who is listed on the same page as Jackson Johns. In the Slave Schedules for that year, Jno. M. Timberlake reports having thirteen slaves ranging in age from four to thirty<ref>United States Federal Census - Slave Schedules 1850, p 117</ref>. In the Southern District of Louisa County in 1860, the estate of "E. Timberlake," which may or may not be Eppa Timberlake, was listed in the Slave Schedules with twenty-two slaves ages one to seventy counted<ref>United States Census - Slave Schedules 1850, p 68</ref>. Jonathan M. Timberlake's relationship to Eppa Timberlake, if any, is unclear.		Following up on Jackson Johns who was freed by Eppa Timberlake's will, a man of the same name was listed in the 1850 census as living in Louisa, Virginia. His race was listed as Mulatto, and he was said to be a thirty-four year old laborer. In his household were Huldah Trainham and five children with her last name who all appear to have been White - a designation that was omitted by this census taker who only seemed to label people who were Black or Mulatto<ref>United States Census 1850, p 441b</ref>. Jackson Johns was listed in the regular census rather than in the Slave Schedules of the same year. As this date was before Jackson Johns' freeing via will and was in a different county, it is quite possible it is not the same man. Interestingly, paupers living in the local poorhouse included Lucy Trainham (age sixty, assumed White) and Sallie (age twenty-five, listed as Mulatto) and Thomas Johns (age four, listed as Mulatto)<ref>United States Census 1850, p 394b</ref>. Something that does indicate this Jackson Johns may be the same as the man set free by Eppa Timberlake's will is his proximity to a Jonathan M. Timberlake, who is listed on the same page as Jackson Johns. In the Slave Schedules for that year, Jno. M. Timberlake reports having thirteen slaves ranging in age from four to thirty<ref>United States Federal Census - Slave Schedules 1850, p 117</ref>. In the Southern District of Louisa County in 1860, the estate of "E. Timberlake," which may or may not be Eppa Timberlake, was listed in the Slave Schedules with twenty-two slaves ages one to seventy counted<ref>United States Census - Slave Schedules 1850, p 68</ref>. Jonathan M. Timberlake's relationship to Eppa Timberlake, if any, is unclear.