Evening journal., 1899-12-16
NINETY, AND STURDY


COCK.
On Wednesday Of last week Captain
Thomas Johnson of Onancock, the pa
l'triarch of the Eastern Shore OF Vir-
ginia, was 30 years old.
The venerable captain was born in
Accomac county on the 7th day OF De-
cember, 1909, and has lived in his ma
tive county all his life. At the time
of his birth James Madison had just
become president of the United States
and Napoleon Bonaparte was at the
summit OF his power, fighting battles
and dreaming dreams OF universal en-
pire. Thomas Jefferson had just gone
into honorable and well-earned retire
ment at Monticello, and three years
were to elapse before our second war
with England began. There were only
seventeen states in the Union, with a
population of about seven and a half
millions, and bold adventures were be-
ginning to cross the Mississippi and set
tie in the vast Louisiana territory that
jefferson had added to our domain in
1903.
Captain Johnson was born OF good
and substantial parnts, who left him
an inheritance Of honesty and industry
that enabled him to make a comfort
able competency and win the esteem Of
all his neighbors He early took to the
sea and became q skillful navigator
having, like the sailor in Chaucer, had
his beard shaken by many q tempest
During the civil war he, with the late
Revell Evans and others from the East
en Shore, used to run the blockade
between that regiou and Richmond,
bringing cargoes OF goods and medi-
cines that could be secured within the
Confederate lines. They used to make
the old Spotswood Hotel their head
quarters while they were in this city,
and many Of the older citizens OF Rich
mond will doubtless recall the visits
Of these daring blockade runners.
Captain Johnson has been twice mar
ried, and by his first marriage had six
children, FIVE OF whom are still alive.
He has numerous progeny OF grand
and great-grandchildren Of whom he
is justly proud
Besides owning several valuable
farms, he possesses more houses and
more land in the town Of Onancock
than any other man. His home stands
on the banks of Onancock creek. and
nearby are anchored his boats, in which
in good weather he makes excursions
TO Tangier Island and sometimes to
the western shore OF the Chesapeake
bay where two OF his children live
An event occurred last Summer that
illustrates the wonderful longevity of
the Eastern Shore people General Mil
ton Wellington West, who resided near
the ancient village Of Pungoteague
died in the S5th year OF his age, and
was buried in the churchyard of Old ST.
Georges Church, which was built at
the village in the time of Charles H.
According to a request made before
his death. the following men-all the
friends Of his yOuth-acted as pall-bear-
ers. Captain Thomas Johnson, aged SO;
John w. Tankard aged 81. Henry #.
Nelson. aged So John J. Blackstone,
aged 81; DR.. Arthur Watson, DR.. Os-
wald b. Finney and Hon. John w. H..
Parker, each so years of age. AS these
venerable men stood around the grave
Of their dead friend and listened to the
impressive burial service of the Episco-
pal Church. one who was present re-
marked that probably nowhere else in
this country could such an assemblageI
Of old men be brought together from sol
small a district-al having lived close
together and having been friends from
childhood
Captain Johnson, the Oldest of them
ALL is still wonderfully vigorous for a
man OF his years, and from present in
dications the kindly fates may prolongl
the thread Of his life till he celebrates
the centennial anniversary OF his birth.
He still manages his extensive business
p,offprc faLoc a lfvaIv fnforoet a, ,,,,l,
lie affairs, and is an ardent admirer Of
the women. He has hosts Of friends.
who will unite in wishing him many
more years of happiness and prosperity
Richmond (Va) Dispatch
The Baltimore Sun says: Since the
South African war began many rumors
have been in circulation to the effect
that General Joubert was an American
by birth or had lived in this country.
IL is now generally accepted, however
that this is incorrect. Cornelius w.
Van der Hoogt, secretary of the Mary
land immigration Bureau, says:
General Joubert was a guest at my
home in Amsterdam, Holland in 1896.
and while there he was presented
a sword of honor by subscriptions. He
told me the whole history Of his life
He is about 6S years old, is a typical
Boer and comes from an old French
Huguenot family. long settled in South
Africa, but has a strong fusion oil
Dutch blood. Like President Kruger
General Joubert was born in Cane
Colony He was bred on a farm and
began life as n farmer. but afterward
entered public life