Joseph Johns (1794-1906)
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 logsCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content.
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 Fahler, who allowed the hut to remain standing following Joseph Johns' death[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]. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave[11]. According to his death certificate[12], the undertaker thought Joseph Johns, who reportedly had no physician, died of dropsy (now known as edema) and was about 110 years old. There are no known 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]
- 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]