The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-07
Abraham johnson,

just beyond the Moosio Mountains, a
few miles northeast of Scranton, Pa,
in the primitive village Of Salem, there
lives oentenarian whose history reads
liAe page plucked from one Of
the misunderstanding romances. Abra-
ham johnson Is now 108 years old
hale, hearty, unlmpaired in intellect,
and gifted with a remarkable memory.
His family record shows that he was
born in the State Of Vermont, early in
the year l772, near Lake Cilamplain.
His father was Revolutionary soldier
and was killed at tho battle Of Still
water, short time before Burgoyne's
surrender, Oct. 13, 1777. Abraham
johnson was Captain Of a Company OF
Oneida Indians in 1914, under General
Macomb, who commanded at Plattsbarg
He refers with great prize to the battle
Of Plattsburg, and shows two wounds
which he received on that occasion.
One Of them Is a bayonet thrust below
the knee, the other Is a sword cut on
the neck. 11e says that after he was
struck down by gigantic cred Coat"
another thrust a bayonet through his
leg to ascertain 1T ho was dead. He
says he bore the punishment rather
than suffer the indignity of being taken
prisoner, and was accordingly left for
dead. The Indians carried their bleed
Ing and battle-scarred commander to
their village, where he was nurscd and
hy nla hno r.,
daughter Of an Indian chief, whose
gentle care restored him to health and
strength. But while she healed his
bloody wounds, she inflicted one still
deeper on the warriors heart and he
fell desperately In love with her. She
eventually returned his affection and
they were married after peace had been
restored between tho United Sta es and
Great Britain. They made their home
IN Sussex county, New Jersey, where
tho dark eyed daughter Of the forest
taught her soldler-husbanu how to
earn a livelihood by basket making. a
daughter was born to them, and they
named her Martha. She is at present
known as Mrs. Ellsworth, and lives In
Madison township, Lacka wanna counss
ty, Pa. AS years went by, Abraham
Johnson's Indian wifc began to pine
for her old home and the rude associa-
tions of her childhood. She gradually
failed In health, and, finally, in re-
spnnse to her repeated longings for her
people, her husband carried her back
to the Oneidas, where she died, and
was buried as became the daughter Of
All IT'ian chief. Little Martha found
home and shelter for n time with an
uncle III Sussex county, but when sho
grew up she joined the Oneida Indians.
and lived among her mothers Kindred,
where she married Il man by the unro-
mantle name of Brown. After his
death she married Ellsworth, her pres
ent husban :, and returned to civiliza-
tiOn. She Is as proud Of her nrnccly
ancestors as II they bore the proud
name of Plantagenet, or owned the
high and naughty spirit Of tho Tuhors.
Since the loss Of his Indian wife, Abra-
ham johnson has remained single.
He still talks of General jackson with
great JUNCTION, and declares that he will
vote for General jackson to the ,Iav of
his death. Although enLillcd to pen
sion for his soidicrly services in de-
fense Of the ilng, he Goes not receive Il
a penny, and IS permitted 10 remain a
charge on Salem township. He is
probably ono OF tho oldest men in
Pennsylvania.