Joseph Johns (1794-1906): Difference between revisions
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*Lebanon Daily News. 1906. ''Tombstone Marks Grave of Late Joseph Johns, at Moonshine Church,'' June 28, 1906. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/13438501/?terms=%22joseph%2Bjohns%22%2B%22lebanon%22] | *Lebanon Daily News. 1906. ''Tombstone Marks Grave of Late Joseph Johns, at Moonshine Church,'' June 28, 1906. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/13438501/?terms=%22joseph%2Bjohns%22%2B%22lebanon%22] | ||
*Lebanon Daily News. 1971. ''Old Black Joe Legend Revived,'' March 31, 1971.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/14881634//] | *Lebanon Daily News. 1971. ''Old Black Joe Legend Revived,'' March 31, 1971.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/14881634//] | ||
*The Union Leader. 1906. ''He Claims Old Age,'' February 9, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/390893696/?terms=joseph%2Bjohns%2Blebanon] | |||
Revision as of 20:26, 4 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]. Choosing a location near two springs on the Blue Mountain, Joseph Johns constructed his small, round home out of birch and oak logs, using mud to fill the chinks between the logs[4].
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[5] and then proceeded to burn his collier hut to the ground. Joseph Johns rebuilt his hut following this event[6] on the property of John Fahler, who allowed the hut to remain standing following Joseph Johns' death[7].
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[8].
In 1969 Joseph John's collier hut was reconstructed as an Eagle Scout project by Michael Shay of Lebanon County, PA[9]. A stone marker in the memory of Joseph Johns was erected at Bashore Scout Reservation, Lebanon County, PA in 1994[10].
Later Life
Joseph Johns died in Union Township, Lebanon County on February 7, 1906 at approximately 112 years of age and was buried in Moonshine Church Cemetery [11]. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler. Inscribed on the stone was:
"Joseph Johns
Born in Fauquier County, Va.
Died, Feb. 7, 1906; Aged 112 years.
Resided on the land of John Fahler,
North side of Mountain, west
of Swatara Gap."[12]
According to his death certificate[13], 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[14]. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.
Notes
- ↑ Hower 1992
- ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
- ↑ Hower 1992
- ↑ Lebanon Daily News March 31, 1971
- ↑ Miner's Journal 1906, 2
- ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
- ↑ Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906, 5
- ↑ Hower 1992
- ↑ Hower 1992
- ↑ Ditzler 2007, 33
- ↑ Hower 1992
- ↑ Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906
- ↑ Find a Grave
- ↑ The Union Leader February 9, 1906
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]
- Lebanon Daily News. 1906. Hermit Johns Passed Away, February 7, 1906.[2]
- Lebanon Daily News. 1906. Tombstone Marks Grave of Late Joseph Johns, at Moonshine Church, June 28, 1906. [3]
- Lebanon Daily News. 1971. Old Black Joe Legend Revived, March 31, 1971.[4]
- The Union Leader. 1906. He Claims Old Age, February 9, 1906.[5]