Caption
The Johnson Graveyard. This forgotten place is set aside the exit ramp from Rt. 30 at Lititz Springs Park and a sound barrier wall to keep noise from a development just over the hill. Unless you look to your right as you are heading down the exit ramp you'll miss it. There are only 8 graves here and a sheet on the front gate explains their names and dates. They range from 1800 to 1879 with some two living to 79 and one dying after only a day and a half. The property is accessed by walking up the water retention area through a thicket of thorns. The grass is very long at the grave sites, which indicates to me that it's a forgotten place.
This what was on the sheet on the gate:
The Johnson graveyard, 25 ft by 25 ft, is on the farm of John B. Hess, tenanted by L.H. Lefever, in Manheim Township. The graveyard, which is situated in a meadow, is enclosed by an iron fence and is approximately, one mile north of Lancaster city and one hundred feet east of the Lancaster Lititz hwy. At the time of our visit on June 1, 1935, we counted 8 headstones and the same number footstones.
Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Johnson
Born Feb. 8, 1800 - Died Jun. 19, 1879 - Age 79 yrs, 4 months and 11 days.
Fanny, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Johnson
Born Feb. 8, 1830 – Died Aug. 8, 1830 - Age 6 mo.
Henry, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Johnson
Born Dec.13, 1821 – Died Oct. 14, 1826 - Age 4 yrs, 10 mo. 1 day
David Lipp
Born Jun. 12, 1846 – Died Jan. 9, 1848
1 yr. 6 mo. And 28 days
Benjamin son of Martin and Elizabeth Rudy
Born Nov. 8, 1848 – Died Nov. 9 1848
Age 1 day and ½
Elizabeth, wife of Martin Rudy
Born Sep. 5, 1824 – Died Dec. 4, 1848
Age 24 yr, 2 mos. And 29 days
Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Ruth
Born ??? – Died Jun. 17, 1852
Age 79 yrs., 8 mo, and 14 days.
Catherine, wife of Christian Witmyer
Born Feb. 1, 1820 – Died Feb, 22, 1851
Age 31 yrs. and 21 days
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