Joseph Johns (1794-1906): Difference between revisions
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Unlike most colliers, who lived in [[collier huts]] only during the [[charcoal production]] process, Joseph Johns lived year-round in his dwelling on the mountain<ref>Hower 1992</ref>. | Unlike most colliers, who lived in [[collier huts]] only during the [[charcoal production]] process, Joseph Johns lived year-round in his dwelling on the mountain<ref>Hower 1992</ref>. | ||
Joseph Johns also sold berries he collected on the mountain. In approximately 1881, thieves came upon his residence and stole five-hundred dollars from him<ref>Miner's Journal 1906, 2</ref> and then proceeded to burn his collier hut to the ground. Joseph Johns rebuilt his hut following this event<ref>Lebanon Daily News 1906</ref>. | Joseph Johns also sold berries he collected on the mountain. In approximately 1881, thieves came upon his residence and stole five-hundred dollars from him<ref>Miner's Journal 1906, 2</ref> and then proceeded to burn his collier hut to the ground. Joseph Johns rebuilt his hut following this event<ref>Lebanon Daily News 1906</ref> on the property of John Failer<ref>Lebanon Daily News 1906, 5</ref>. | ||
==Additional Information== | ==Additional Information== | ||
Revision as of 18:59, 3 September 2020
Early Life
Joseph Johns was born in Fauquier County Virginia in 1794. Before he became a collier, Joseph Johns was a slave in Virginia. After escaping slavery, Joseph Johns resided for several years in the mountains near Chambersburg, PA before coming to Lebanon County, PA[1] and eventually settling in the Blue Mountains[2].
Life as a Collier
Unlike most colliers, who lived in collier huts only during the charcoal production process, Joseph Johns lived year-round in his dwelling on the mountain[3].
Joseph Johns also sold berries he collected on the mountain. In approximately 1881, thieves came upon his residence and stole five-hundred dollars from him[4] and then proceeded to burn his collier hut to the ground. Joseph Johns rebuilt his hut following this event[5] on the property of John Failer[6].
Additional Information
Joseph Johns was allegedly known among the residents in the area as a "healer" and mother's were said to have brought their children to him[7].
In 1969 Joseph John's collier hut was reconstructed as an Eagle Scout project by Michael Shay of Lebanon County, PA[8]. A stone marker in the memory of Joseph Johns was erected at Bashore Scout Reservation, Lebanon County, PA in 1994[9].
Later Life
Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at 112 years of age and was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery [10]. According to his death certificate [11], he died of dropsy and was about 110 years old. There are no know records of his actual year of birth.
Notes
References
- Ditzler, Francis W. 2007. From Slavery to Freedom: Joseph Johns 1794-1906. U.S.A.: KeyComp.
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 September 2020), memorial page for Joseph H “Black Joe” Johns (1794–7 Feb 1906), Find a Grave Memorial no. 6611393, citing Moonshine Cemetery, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Linda Himpsl (contributor 46993321).
- Hower, John. 1992. Black Joe: Former Slave Provides Fuel for Campfire Tales. Lebanon Daily News, February 3, 1992.
- Lebanon Daily News. 1906. County's Oldest Resident, February 7, 1906. [1]