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Who Was James W. Johnson? Died at Age 106.
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on January 15, 2015
An obituary of James W. Johnson which appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot on 18 June 1910 gave the following information:
Dead At Ripe Old Age of 106
Scranton, Pennsylvania, 17 June 1910 — James W. Johnson, colored, who was reputed to be 106 years old, died last night at his home in Winton. He was born in slavery and fought in the Civil War on the Union side. Seven children survive two of whom, William Johnson and George Johnson, are residents of Philadelphia.
More information is sought on James W. Johnson. No Pennsylvania death certificate has been located for him and identifying him in a Union regiment is difficult because of the great number of persons with the same name. In the United States Colored Troop regiments there are dozens of persons with this name.
Some clues for those willing to research this: (1) Winton, or Jessup, is a small community that was originally part of Luzerne County, but after 1878 became part of Lackawanna County; (2) It developed in the late 1900s as a coal mining community and attracted many immigrants; (3) Today, the population of that community is less than 1% African American.
In browsing the 69 pages of census returns for 1900 for Winton, the immigrant population stands out as a significant component of the community, while the occupations in mining are dominant. Also, in 1900, less than 1% of the population identified by color or race as “B” (for Black). The closest person who could be the Civil War veteran is James W. Johnson is a stone mason who was born in Virginia.
Click on document to enlarge.
However, that James Johnson was born (according to the census) in May 1822 and was 78 years old in 1900. The correct birth year for someone who was 106 years old in 1910 (at death) would be 1804. Was it possible that a 78 year old (who was still working as a stone mason) was actually 96 years old?
It is possible that James W. Johnson was enumerated in the 1910 census for Winton and may have died only days after the enumeration. In that case, that census collected information on Union and Confederate Civil War veterans, and he could have been identified as such. It is also possible that James W. Johnson appears in the 1890 Veterans’ listings for Winton or Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The 1890 census identifies regiment and company, dates of service, and reported disabilities incurred in the war. However, at this time, neither of those censuses have been consulted.
No Findagrave Memorial has been located for a James W. Johnson who died in 1910.
Anyone who can give more specific information about this Civil War veteran can add a comment to this post or send the information by e-mail. There could be some very interesting stories found as a result of researching further into a African American who was born in slavery, fought in the Civil War on the Union side, and lived to be 106 years old!
PA Death certificate #60927 for James W Johnston lists birth as 1804 North Carolina
died June 16, 1910 Winton, Lackawana, PA buried at Prospect Cemetery, Peckville, Lackawana, PA
On Find a Grave there is a Sgt James W Johnston buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Lakawana, PA lists vital as birth May 1822 Virginia death June 16, 1910 Winton, Lackawana, Pennsylvania
James w Johnson/Johnston served in the 43rd United States Colored Infantry Company G March 26, 1864-October 20, 1865
James “Jim” Johnson was a member of the Peckville Post GAR according to his other obits in the Scranton Truth, Pittston Gaxette, Altoona Tribune from June 17-20, 1910.
The 1880 Blakely Boro, Lackawanna cty. census shows George W (b 1854) and James T (b 1859) Johnson, living with their wives in same household and working in the coalmines. They are listed as mulatto with their father born in Virginia, their mother in PA.
Have sent you in email his vet card and the obits.
This would be my great, great, great grandfather, can email you a picture of the tombstone in Prospect Hill Cemetery where my grandmother and great grandmother are also buried. Tombstone shows name as Johnston. I recall as a young child my grandmother writing letters to the Johnson’s of Philadelphia, wish I had those letters today. My great grandmother was Missouri (Johnson) Harr born to John J. Johnson. Need to write all the dates down, because you are right, the names repeat themselves and are very common.
Is this the James W. Johnson, formerly Captain Company A 13th West Virginia Infantry Regiment who was transferred for promotion to serve with “3rd Colored Troops”?