Joseph Johns (1794-1906)

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Early Life

Joseph Johns was said to have been born in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1794. Before he became a collier, Joseph Johns related that he was a slave on a plantation in Virginia. After escaping slavery, Joseph Johns resided for several years in the mountains near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania before coming to Lebanon County, Pennsylvania[1] and eventually settling on the Blue Mountain. It was reported that Joseph Johns was believed to have escaped from Virginia with one or two other slaves; however, he was the only one who made it to freedom[2]. Joseph Johns had to cross the Susquehanna River during his escape, and these words have since be attributed to him: "I would rather have drowned in the waters of the river than be captured and returned to the corn and cotton fields of Virginia"[3]. Some newspapers reported that Joseph Johns may have worked for the S. & S. (Schuylkill & Susquhanna) Railroad before settling on the Blue Mountain[4].

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[5]. 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 and leaves to fill the chinks between the logs[6]. His collier hut was larger than typical huts, being about ten to twelve feet in diameter and twelve feet in height[7]. Joseph Johns had a woodstove in his hut[8]. The charcoal the Joseph Johns produced was likely for smaller, local iron forges[9]. Joseph Johns also worked partially as a wood chopper and sold his cord wood[10].

Joseph Johns also sold berries he collected on the mountain. In approximately 1881, thieves (possibly the notorious Blue-Eyed Six Bandits[11]) came upon his residence and reportedly stole either fifty[12] or five-hundred dollars from him[13] and then proceeded to burn his collier hut to the ground. Joseph Johns rebuilt his hut following this event[14] on the property of John Fahler, who allowed the hut to remain standing following Joseph Johns' death[15].

Later Life

John Fahler and Joseph Johns had a good relationship. It was told that men from the South who sought out runaway slaves came looking for Joseph Johns, as they had heard there was a runaway slave residing in the mountains. John Fahler told the men that there was no runaway slave living in the mountains, and the men left. They returned later, however; and this time John Fahler allegedly took out his shotgun and told the men to leave his property, protecting his friend's freedom[16].

Although reported to still be a good shot, later in his life, Joseph Johns received an influx of charitable food donations from local residents and surplus game from other hunters in the area[17]. 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 [18], which church he had attended for many years, bringing candy with him for the children[19]. Reverend Christian Wengert officiated at the funeral service[20]. A white marble tombstone was placed to mark his grave at the behest of John Fahler[21]. Inscribed on the stone was:
"Joseph Johns
Born in Fauquier County, Va.
Died, Feb. 7, 1906.
Aged 112 years.
He resided near John Fahler,
North side of Mountain, west of
Swatara Gap Union Township, Lebanon Co., PA."[22]

According to his death certificate[23], 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[24]. There are no known records of his actual year of birth.

Additional Information

Joseph Johns was allegedly known among the residents in the area as a "healer" and mothers were said to have brought their children to him[25]. He was also reported to have been "a splendid shot"[26], which served him well as he hunted game on the mountain. He owned at least three guns, including a shotgun, a pistol, and a Kentucky rifle. Francis Ditzler mounted the shotgun and donated it to the Lebanon County Historical Society[27]. It is the Kentucky rifle that Joseph Johns is shown holding in front of his colliers hut in the only known photograph of him[28]. Joseph Johns also smoked a pipe[29].

In 1969 Joseph John's collier hut was reconstructed as an Eagle Scout project by Michael Shay of Lebanon County, PA[30]. Old bottles, nails, a home-made mule shoe, and other items were found in the foundation of the hut during the reconstruction process[31]. Michael Shay's reconstruction collapsed after a few years and was later rebuilt by other scouts[32]. A stone marker in the memory of Joseph Johns was erected at Bashore Scout Reservation, Lebanon County, PA in 1994[33].

Joseph Johns is listed in the 1850 and 1870 Census of Union East Hanover Township.

Notes

  1. ↑ Hower 1992
  2. ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
  3. ↑ Ditzler 2007, 12
  4. ↑ Gilara 1964
  5. ↑ Hower 1992
  6. ↑ Lebanon Daily News March 31, 1971
  7. ↑ Welch 2002, 14
  8. ↑ Welch 2002, 15
  9. ↑ Welch 2002, 18
  10. ↑ Ludwig 1980, 9
  11. ↑ Valley Spirit February 14 1906, 3
  12. ↑ The Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
  13. ↑ Miner's Journal 1906, 2
  14. ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
  15. ↑ Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906, 5
  16. ↑ Ludwig, 1980, 5
  17. ↑ Welch 2002, 13
  18. ↑ Hower 1992
  19. ↑ Welch 2002, 12
  20. ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 26, 1906, 3
  21. ↑ Lebanon Daily News June 28, 1906
  22. ↑ Welch 2002, 19
  23. ↑ Find a Grave
  24. ↑ The Union Leader February 9, 1906
  25. ↑ Hower 1992
  26. ↑ Lebanon Daily News February 7, 1906
  27. ↑ Ditzler 2007, 19
  28. ↑ Welch 2002, 1
  29. ↑ Welch 2002, 14
  30. ↑ Hower 1992
  31. ↑ Lebannon Daily News Mrach 31, 1971, 10
  32. ↑ Wagner 1980, 2
  33. ↑ Ditzler 2007, 33

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).
  • Gilara, Minerva, 1964. 112-Year-Old Slave's Burial Spot is Still Legendary Attraction. Press and Journal, November 12, 1964.
  • 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. 1906 Untitled, February 26, 1906, p 3.[4]
  • Lebanon Daily News. 1971. Old Black Joe Legend Revived, March 31, 1971.[5]
  • Ludwig, Gary. 1980. The First of a Two-Part Story of the Slave who Found Refuge in Lebanon County. Community Advertiser, August 6, 1980.
  • Ludwig, Gary. 1980. Old Black Joe Part Two. Community Advertiser, August 13, 1980.
  • The Union Leader. 1906. He Claims Old Age, February 9, 1906.[6]
  • Valley Spirit. 1906. Oldest Man Live Here, February 14, 1906.[7]
  • Wagner, Merv. 1980. The Legend of "Old Black Joe".
  • Welch, Katharine R. 2002. The History of Joseph Johns and an Examination of the Potential For Archaeological Excavations on the Site of his Former Residence. Anthropology Senior Theses. Paper 24.[8]
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