Copyright 26 January 2001, Esther Doyle Read
Updated 25 September 2005
READ FAMILY CONNECTIONS
JOHNSONBURG CHRISTIAN CEMETERY or
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF JOHNSONBURG CEMETERY
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Johnsonburg Christian Church Cemetery or Burial Ground is located in the village of Johnsonburg at the intersection of New Jersey Routes 519 and 612. It was originally used by the Christian Church of Johnsonburg, which is no longer in existence. One of the more famous individuals buried in the cemetery is the Joseph Thomas, who was known as the "White Pilgram." Thomas was an early Christain Church minister and missionary who died in 1835 of small pox while attending a church conference in Johnsonburg. He was originally buried in Dark Moon Cemetery, which has long since been abandoned and then moved to Johnsonburg after 1850. According to Elder John S. Maxwell, one of the nineteenth-century pastors of the church, the grave yard was neither used nor enclosed until after 1850—which is the year he arrived in Johnsonburg. Maxwell had Thomas's body exhumed from Dark Moon then reburied in Johnsonburg in the dead of night. The populace of the town was so afraid that they would be infected with small pox that they had refused to have him moved into the church's cemetery. Maxwell took matters into his own hands and Thomas remained in the Johnsonburg grave after the deed was done.
The original pastor of the church was Elder Jonathan S. Thompson, whose first and second wives are buried in Union Brick Cemetrey in Blairstown Township. His third wife—Jane Read Drake Thompson—is buried in Swayze Cemetery in Hope Township. Elder Thompson and Abigail Roberts evangelized the original church members. It was organized on 15 July 1826. The congregation met for 24 years in homes and later in the stone building used by the Episcopal Church. They finally built their own meeting house in 1846; it was dedicated on 11 November. The original church building is still in Johnsonburg on the hill above the cemetery. The church is currently owned by a private individual. The photograph of the cemetery entrance on route 612 (above) and the facade of the church (left) were taken on 15 April 2005 by Esther Doyle Read. Click on either of the photographs and the icons on th enext page to enlarge the image. The gate to the cemetery is labeled "Johnsonburg Christian Cemetery."
The following transcription does not include photographs of the graves. This is not a complete transcription of the cemetery. It is instead a selection of the stones within the cemetery, which were collected June 1997 and 15 April 1005, by Esther Doyle Read.
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Cook, Abby M., see Isaac J. Durling. Maiden name is not given on the stone.
Durling, Abby M. Cook, wife of Isaac J. Durling, Born Jan 10, 1831, Died Mar. 19 1861 (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Durling, Charity M., 1840-1911; Lydia A. During, 1841 - 1927 (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Durling, Lydia A., see Charity M. Durling.
Durling, Sarah A., see William A. Durling.
Durling, William A., Died Sept. &, 1852, Aged 49 Years, 1 month & 28 (29) days, Text Acts X _____ For he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, "Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep, from which none ever wake to weep, a calm and undistrubed repose, unbroken by the best of foes;" Sarah A. Durling Died Nov. 13, 1888, Aged 80 Years & 16 days, Text Proverbs XXXI, 26, Strength and honor are her clothes and she shall rejoice in time to come. "A precious one from us has gone, a voice we loved is stilled, a place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled." (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Freeman, Emeline, see Isaac R. Luse. Maiden name is not given on the stone.
Gibbs, Catherine, see Jacob L. Luse. Maiden name is not given on the stone.
Hart, John D., see Joseph W. Hart.
Hart, Joseph W., 1855-1918; Eleanor J. Wilson, his wife, 1857-1922; John D. Hart, 1881-1936 (single stone, June 1997).
Kerr, Mary Ann, see Aaron Luse.
Konkle, Achsah Luse, see Achsah Luse.
Konkle, John B., Died Feb 4, 1863, Aged 69 yrs, 1 mo & 21ds. John B. Konkle was born was born 14 December 1793, the son of the son of Matthias and Christeen Konkle. He married on 23 May 1816, Mary Read, the daughter of John Read and Elizabeth Ogden (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Konkle, John R., May 1, 1836 - Feb. 13, 1903; Emily M. Luse, his wife, June 13, 1837 - Jan. 7, 1916. John and Emily were second cousins once removed. John was the son of John B. Konkle and Mary Read, Emily Marie Luce was the daughter of Aaron Luse and Mary Ann Kerr (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Konkle, Mary, wife of John Konkle Died Aug 25, 1884, Aged 88 yrs, 8 mo & 21dys. Mary Konkle was born was born 4 December 1795, the daughter of John Read and Elizabeth Ogden. She married on 23 May 1816, John B. Konkle the son of Matthias and Christeen Konkle (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Luce, George C., see Joseph B. Luce.
Luce, Joseph B., Born March 12, 1826; Died Dec. 5, 1902; Christeen Wintermute, wife of Joseph B. Luce, Born April 18, 1823, Died May 5, 1902; base of stone is labeled Luce. On reverse: George C. Luce, Born April 14, 1854, Died May 5, 1875; Lydia J. Luce, Born Nov. 2, 1850 Died Oct. 5, 1892. Joseph B. Luce was born Joseph Benjamin Luse, the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Read) Luse. He is the only one of their children to adopt the Luce spelling of the surname. He married Christeen Wintermute on 1 February 1849. She was the daughter of William Wintermute and Julia Ann (or Julianne) Savercool. George Clinton and Lydia Jane Luce were their children. Lydia married Silas Van Horn on 18 February 1871. Silas was the son of David Green Van Horn and Harriet Young. They were divorced by 1880. (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luce, Lydia Jane., see Joseph B. Luce.
Luse, Aaron—In Memory of Aaron Luse, Died Dec. 9, 1847, Aged 60 yrs 8 m &; 3 days. David Luse was the son of William and Martha (Norcross) Luse. Aaron married Elizabeth "Betsey" Read, the daughter of Isaac Read and Mary Shackleton on 22 December 1808 (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luse, Aaron, Born Mar. 20, 1811, Died 7 July 1873; Mary A. Kerr, his wife, Born Mar. 19, 1818, Died April 28, 1896; base of stone is labeled Luse. Mary Ann Kerr was the daughter of Ira Kerr and Phebe Read. Aaron was the son of David and Achsah (Smith) Luse. They were married on married on 7 November 1835 (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luse, Achsah A., wife of Andrew H. Konkle, Born May 13 1841, Died March 31, 1901. Achsah Ann Luse Konkle was the daughter of Aaron and Mary Ann (Kerr) Luse. She was the first wife of Andrew Hankinson Konkle, the son of Isaac R. Konkle and Sarah Ann Hankinson. Andrew was Achsah's third cousin (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luse, Catherine, see Jacob L. Luse.
Luse, David, Died Ap. 19 1866 Aged 82 yr. & 8 m. &; 3 d. David Luse was the son of William and Martha (Norcross) Luse. He was married to Achsah Smith (single stone, June 1997).
Luse, Elizabeth—In Memory of Elizabeth Luse, wife of Aaron Luse, Died April 18, 1879, Aged 86 yrs 10 mo &; 2ds. Elizabeth Luse was the daughter of Isaac Read, Sr. and Mary Shackleton. She was also known as "Betsy" and was born in Knowlton Township on 16 June 1792. She married Aaron Luse on 22 December 1808 (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luse, Elizabeth E., see Joseph Westbrook.
Luse, Emeline F., see Isaac R. Luse.
Luse, Emily M., see John R. Konkle.
Luse, Isaac R, Born June 15, 1814, Died March 5, 1878; Emeline F. Luse, his wife, Born Feb. 18, 1817, Died April 24, 1896; Lydia Luse, Born August 8 1842, Died May 2, 1927. Isaac Read Luse was the son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Read) Luse. He married Emeline Freeman, the daughter of Henry Freeman, on 24 December 1835. Lydia Ann Luse was their eldest daughter, she never married (single stone, June 1997).
Luse, Jacob L., Died Aug. 18, 1896, Aged 74 yrs & 4 months; Catherine, wife of Jacob L. Luse, Died March 17, 1889 Aged 77 yrs, 8 mos, & 27 d'ys. Poem is illegible; Father and Mother Jacob Lanterman Luse was the son of David and Achsah (Smith) Luse. He married Catherine Gibbs. (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Luse, Lydia., see Isaac R. Luse.
Luse, M—Here Lies the Body of M Luse, Who Departed this Life February the 8th 1796 in the [age never cut] year of her Age. M. Luse was Martha Norcross. She was the wife of William Luse, son of David and Charity Luse. Martha and William were originally buried in Dark Moon Cemetery. Their stones were moved to Johnson, but it is not known if their bodied were exhumed and moved to the family plot in Johnsonburg (single stone, June 1997).
Luse, Martha Maria, see Martha M. Sharp. Maiden Name is not given on the stone.
Luse, Phebe M., see John Westbrook.
Luse William,—Here Lies the Body of William LuseWho Departed this Life on the 8th day of March A.D. 1797, Aged 38 years. My race is run, My time is spent, No Mortal soul, Can Death prevent. William Luse was the son of David and Charity Luse. He married Martha Norcross. He and Martha were originally buried in Dark Moon Cemetery. Their stones were moved to Johnson, but it is not known if their bodied were exhumed and moved to the family plot in Johnsonburg (single stone, June 1997).
Read, Elizabeth, see Elizabeth Luse. Maiden name is not given on the stone.
Read, Mary, see Mary Konkle. Maiden name is not given on the stone.
Sharp, Elizabeth Ann, Daughter of Isaac & Martha Maria Sharp, Died April 30, 1852, aged 18 years...stone broken at this point. Martha Maria Sharp was a Luse before marriage (single stone, 4-15-05).
Sharp, Hetty, Daughter of Isaac & Martha M. Sharp, Born Nov. 7, 1848, Died Aug. 13, 1874. Martha Maria Sharp was a Luse before marriage (single stone, 4-15-05).
Sharp, Isaac Jr., Died Jan. 26, 1864, Aged 56 yrs, 8 mos & 11ds. Isaac Sharp was the son of William and Ann Sharp. He married Martha Maria Luse, the daughter of Aaron and ELizabeth (Read) Luse (single stone, GAR NJ flag with grave, 4-15-05).
Sharp, Isaac M., Son of Isaac & Martha M. Sharp, Born Sep. 1, 1846, Died July 8, 1878. Martha Maria Sharp was a Luse before marriage (single stone, 4-15-05).
Sharp, Martha M., Wife of Isaac Sharp, Died Oct. 29, 1864, Aged 51 yrs, 7 mos & 2ds. Martha M. Sharp was born Martha Maria Luse, the daugther of Aaron and Elizabeth (Read) Luse. She was born 27 March 1810 and married Isaac Sharp on February 1832 (single stone, 4-15-05).
Thomas, Joseph, Minister of the Gospel in the Christian Church. Known as the White Pilgram by reason of wearing white raiment. Died April 9, 1835, aged 44 yrs, 1 mo & 2ds. Joseph Thomas was born 7 March 1791 in Orange County, North Carolina. He became an exhorter of the Christian Church at the age of 18. He married Christianna Rittenour on April 5, 1812 in Viriginia. They settle in Ohio by 1817. Thomas spent the rest of his life traveling through the Mid-West, the Upper South, New England and the Middle Atlantic region preaching the Gospel, returning at the end of each tour to his family's home in Ohio. He was attending the annual conference of Christian Ministers in Johnsonburg when he died of small pox—which he had contracted earlier that spring in New York City (single stone, 15 April 2005).
Van Horn, Lydia J. Luce, see Joseph B. Luce.
Westbrook, John, Born Aug. 3, 1836, Died Apr 10, 1889; Phebe M. Luse, his wife, Born Oct 13, 1838, Died Jan. 27 1916; stone labeled Westbrook at base. Phebe Marie Luse was one of the three daughters of Aaron and Mary Ann (Kerr) Luse. She married John Westbrook, the son of Kelly and Emily J. Westbrook and brother of Joseph H. Westbrook, who was married to her cousin Elizabeth Luse (single stone, June 1997, 15 April 2005).
Westbrook, Joseph H., 1846-1924; Elizabeth Luse, his wife, 1846-1937. Large stone with family name and two smaller stones with individual names. Elizabeth E. Westbrook was the second daughter of Isaac and Emeline (Freeman) Luse. She married in about 1877, Joseph H. Westbrook, the son of Kelly and Emily J. Westbrook (July 1997, 15 April 2005).
Wilson, Austin Clark, son of Ira K. and Mary Wilson, died Sept. 10, 1854. Austin's parents were Ira King Wilson and Mary Hankinson (single stone, July 1997).
Wilson, Eleanor J., see Joseph W. Hart.
Wilson, George, Nov. 15, 1818 - Feb. 8, 1901; Samantha, his wife, Sept 10, 1826 - May 21 1907 (single stone, July 1997).
Wilson, Ira K., 1822-1853; Mary N. his wife 1824-1909 Ira King Wilson was the son of Eli Wilson and Elizabeth Lundy. His wife was Mary Hankinson. After Ira's death, she married Isaac S. Read, the son of David Read and Anna Middlesworth (single stone, June 1997).
Wilson, Samantha, see George Wilson.
Wilson, Theodore, son of Ira K. and Mary Wilson died March 23 1851, aged 8 months & 11 days. Theodore's parents were Ira King Wilson and Mary Hankinson (single stone, July 1997).
Wintermute, Christeen, see Joseph B. Luce.
Wintersteen, William died Aug. 20, 1857, Aged 83 yrs & 4 mo. William was the second husband of Elizabeth Ogden, the widow of John Read. Elizabeth was the daughter of Gabriel Ogden and Mary Shotwell. She was William's second wife (single stone, July 1997).
Wintersteen, Wm Co. K 2d NY CAV. G.A.R. Flag 1861-1865
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