(Not techincally an obituary this tribute to Levi Johnson appeared in the Lancaster New Era, Monday, September 10, 1883 on page one was submitted by Marianna Gibbons)

    The life of a true and faithful man, however humble his station may be, must always be of interest to those who study human nature with hope and faith in the continual progress of the race.
    On March 14, 1848, there came to the house of the late Daniel and Hannah Gibbons, near Bird-in-Hand, a little colored man - a dark mulatto - named Nelson Hilliard. His history was as follows:
    He was born in Hanover county, Virginia, not very far from Hanover Court House, being a "born thrall" on the property of Judge Brokenborough, a Judge of the Court of Richmond, Va. His mother died when he was very young. On the division of Judge Brokenborough's property he fell to the share of a daughter, who married Col. Edward Colston. Therefore, at the age of eleven years, he was brought to Berkeley county, now in West Virginia, to the Colston farm, just one mile south of the Potomac river and ten miles from Martinsburg. On. this farm, at "Dam No. 10", on the Potomac, was the Honeywood (or Hollywood) Mill, well known through all that section.
    The Colston family being people of wealth and position, this boy was made assistant to the butler. or chief dining room servant, thus receiving a training which, it was expected, would fit him to take the butler's place when that official became too old for service. But our friend always longed to be free, and difficulties occurring that led him to fear that he might be sold, he ran away in the autumn of 1847, when, according to the advertisement which his master put forth for him, he was nineteen years old. Coming to Shippensburg, he got on a train, but seeing people who, he knew, were pursuing him, entering the same train, he left one end of it just as they were getting upon the other. After this narrow escape he fled to Donegal township, in this county, near Maytown, where he worked for John Whitehill, farmer. In October Mr. Whitehill's son was in Maytown one day and saw Colonel Colston's advertisement, which described his escaped "property" accurately. On going home young Whitehill told his father, and the aforesaid "property" was called in and questioned. Being convinced that the Whitehill family would not betray him, he acknowledged his identity. Desiring to secrete him better, young Whitehill took him into Manor township. Here he was among Pennsylvania Germans, who could speak little English. His loneliness overcame his fear of being caught, and in a few days he returned to Mr. Whitehill's house. To the last of his life he was fond of telling how he took his place in the field to cut off corn that autumn and never having done anything of the kind before, gave himself a severe wound with the corn cutter.
    He remained with John Whitehill till March, 1848, when another colored man on the farm directed him to Daniel Gibbons' house. After hearing his story the first thing to be done, following the usual custom, was to give him a new name - one of the ways taken to protect fugitive slaves from detection and capture. Daniel Gibbons named him Levi Johnson, by which name he was known to the end of this life.
    At first, fearing to get a place in a hotel or on a steamboat, which he desired and for which he was fitted, He helped Hannah Gibbons in her kitchen. He soon learned farm work, however, and worked for Daniel and Joseph Gibbons, and men in the neighborhood and near Christiana until soon after the outbreak of the war, when he entered the service as a teamster.
    Just when he went in this capacity is not known, but he was serving with the Army of the Potomac at the time of the seven days' battles before Richmond, in June, 1862. Soon after the Government decided to enlist colored men, he came home and enlisted March 14, 1864, in Company B, Forty-third Regiment, U.S.C.I. He was soon made a corporal, and his regiment became a part of the famous colored division of the Army of the James. On that awful day, July 30, 1864, a day that will never be forgotten by any colored man in that army, on which occurred the explosion of the mine before Petersburg, Our soldier was dreadfully wounded in the back by a piece of shell which broke three of his ribs and narrowly missed his backbone. After lying a short time in the field hospital, he was taken to Alexandria, Va., where the head surgeon brought several of his fellows in to see Levi's wound, considering his recovery a wonderful one.
    When able to go back into active service Levi rejoined his regiment and served in Virginia till the close of the war. Soon after the regiment was ordered, among other places, to Brownsville, Texas, where it was mustered out of service in October, 1865.
    Soon after his return from the army, he met with an accident while out hunting by which he lost the thumb and part of the index finger of one hand. Notwithstanding ill health and disability, he was a most industrious workman. Although mainly engaged in farm work, he waited upon the table for summers in the house of the late Dr. Joseph Gibbons, displaying all the neatness and dexterity that he had learned in Virginia, thirty years before.
    Being much interested in church affairs, he settled a number of years ago near Zion African Methodist Episcopal church, near Atglen, Chester county.
    Some months ago his health began to fail. He grew gradually worse, and it was soon discovered that his disease was cancer of the liver. Of course, nothing could be done but to make his last days as painless and comfortable as possible. His physician, Dr. Robert C. Sharp, of Atglen, was most faithful, and all was done that human skill could accomplish. At times his sufferings were great, yet, in the midst of them, he earnestly requested the doctor not to give him anything that would affect his brain and thus deprive him of his mind at the last. Less than two hours before his departure, he recognized and spoke to "Miss Caro," that being his name for Mrs. William G. Gibbons, the daughter and granddaughter of his early protectors, whom he loved so well. Surrounded by loving friends, he passed peacefully away on the afternoon of the 8th inst.
    It is difficult to do justice to such a character. Levi read only his Bible and hymn-book, and never learned to write, yet he possessed a large share of that wisdom that is not found in books, joined to great delicacy of feeling, deep affection displayed especially toward children - unvarying self respect, and honest and honorable pride in his own good name and in the achievements of the distinguished men of his race. Religion enabled him to conquer his greatest fault - a high temper - and he was, for many years, a most sincere and humble Christian. Until his health failed, he had an exquisite tenor voice and his singing of the familiar Methodist hymns will never be forgotten by those who heard him. He possessed, in a wonderful degree, the power of entering into the feelings of others. His devotion to the family of his early protectors was most fervent; made their confidant, he never presumed upon or betrayed that confidence, but rejoiced in their joys and grieved at their sorrows. No man in his neighborhood, colored or white, was more thoroughly respected. His noble qualities could not fail to impress themselves on those around him.

M. G. BIRD-IN-HAND, Pa., September 9, 1892