Anna Johnson, Centenarian
Chenango Union, April 9, 1885
The subject of this sketch was born in Hamden, Connecticut, April 1st, 1785, and consequently will be 100 years of age on the first day of April of the present year, now close at hand. At the age of 21 years she was married to Herman Johnson, and shortly after removed to South Plymouth, in this county [Chenango Co., NY], where she has since resided. Her husband died some twenty years ago. Her six children, with the exception of one which died in infancy, are all living. At the age of 60 years she united with the M.E. Chruch, and has lived a exemplary life. Possessed with a remarkable peaceful disposition, and evenness of manner, in all her walks, she has proved a blessing to herself and to all around her. Mrs. Johnson is kindly attended by two of her daughters with untiring devotion. Though her eyesight and mental faculties are impaired somewhat, yet she retains to a good degree the freshness and vigor of youth. This may be accounted for by her natural, robust constitution, and even, quiet life. A century even has failed to furrow her brow with the sad traces of sin and sorrow too often seen and felt by many in the prime of life. Her life is a practical embodiment of purity and goodness, a type of what life, physical and spiritual might be, emanating unsullied from the hands of the Creator. She is a lover of the bible; and can repeat many of its sacred passages, together with the hymns and catechism taught her in childhood by her parents. Like patient Job her last days are the best days, and as a shock of corn fully ripe, she is nearing the heavenly garner ready for her Master's use. To her the pale messenger is disrobed of its terrors, and the grave of its victory, and she might well exclaim:
"I know I am nearing the holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear,
For I brush the dew on Jordan's banks;
the crossing must be near.
O come, angel band, come and around me stand,
O bear me away on your snowy wings,
To my immortal home."
Oxford Times
Utica NY Weekly Herald, April 7, 1885
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]: "Aunt Anna" Johnson, as she is familiarly called, of Plymouth, was born in Hamden, New Haven county, Conn., April 1, 1785 and consequently passed her hundredth birthday yesterday. The event was celebrated by relatives and friends, who spent the day with the centenarian, probably the only one in the county. Her maiden name was Anna Johnson, but she was in no way related to her husband, Herman Johnson, whom she married at the age of 21. Soon after her marriage she moved with her husband to the farm near where she now lives, now occupied by her son, Loren. She is the mother of seven children, six of whom, three sons and three daughters, are now living. One died in infancy. Her ancestors are rather remarkable for longevity. Her mother lived to be over 90. Mrs. Johnson had a fever many years ago, which was the only disease she ever had till lately, when she has suffered from influenza which has rather impaired her hearing. She has well remembered past events till recently. Her memory at present being somewhat impaired. She lives with two maiden daughters who are devotedly attached to their venerable mother. She is a member of the Methodist church, and was regarded more than an ordinary Bible student. She had a fair common school education. Her husband died some 20 years ago. Now, in her second childhood, she grieves over the loss of her infant child, and calls for her mother, who has been dead for many years. She has a florid, fresh looking skin, with blue eyes, and is as erect as a girl. Her once dark hair is now white as snow. The old lady retires promptly at 10. She never has wasted her strength at balls, circuses, or places of foolish amusements, and probably never attended a skating rink in her life. She has not been given to spinning street yarns or reeling scandal in the community, but has ever been a good Christian wife, mother, friend, and neighbor.
[Compiler Note: as per findagrave.com, memorial #73685690, Mrs. Anna Johnson died April 16, 1885 at the age of 100 years and 16 days.]
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