Josiah Johnson, Jr., (April 1832 – August 21, 1919) was a 19th-century American New York Sandy Hookmaritime pilot. He was best known for being in the Sandy Hook service for over 47 years. Johnson was captain and owner of the pilot boats, Edmund Blunt

 

Early life

 

Josiah Johnson was born in Eastville, Virginia on May 4, 1832. He was the son of Obadiah Johnson and Leah Abdell. He married Virginia Johnson on June 17, 1854 in New York City. They had five children. His son, Captain Henry C. Johnson was also a Sandy Hook pilot. His father lost a leg by a cannon shot when serving on the frigate Constitution during the War of 1812.[1]

 

Career

 

In 1843, Johnson came to Brooklyn with his uncle, Josiah Johnson (1795-1871) who was a Sandy Hook pilot. His uncle built and owned shares in pilot boats Charles H. Marshall, No. 3, and the Christian Bergh, No. 16. He then built and named for himself the pilot boat Josiah Johnson, No. 23. He also owned the Mary and Catherine,No. 6, named after his wives, Mary his first wife and Catherine his second.[2][3] Johnson followed his uncle in the pilot life and went out to sea on a pilot boat in 1844 when he was 12 years old. In 1846 he began his apprenticeship and after five years he received his license as a pilot in 1851 at 19 years old. He became a branch pilot in 1853.[4] He was in the pilot service for forty-six years.

In February 1846, the William J. Romer had a pilot keeper and appetence James E. Johnson, cousin of Josiah Johnson. The boat went on a trans-Atlantic trip.[1].


Pilot boats Williams, Bateman, and Blunt

Johnson was ship master on several pilot boats. He was pilot and an owner of the pilot boat Edmund Blunt, that was built in 1858 by Edward F. Williams. He was registered as master "Josiah Johnson, Jr.," of the Edmund Bluntfrom 1876 to 1900.[5][6]page 55.

During the American Civil War Johnson was a pilot on the steamship Marion. He carried troops, including the 13th Regiment Armory, to Annapolis, Maryland.[1]

On May 20, 1888, he was reported as a trustee of the New York and Sandy Hook Pilots' Mutual Benefit Society.[7]

Johnson celebrated his 74th birthday on May 4, 1903. He was six feet in height and weighed over 200 pounds.[8] He retired from the pilot service in 1904.[1]

 

Death

 

Johnson died on August 21, 1919, at age 87, in Stamford, Connecticut. His funeral took place at chapel of Chester Gardner on Green Avenue in Brooklyn. His internment was at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.[1]

 

See also

 

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References

 

 

 

  1.  "Capt. Josiah Johnson Dies"The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. 24 Aug 1919. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021.
  2.  Russell, Charles Edward (1929). From Sandy Hook to 62°. New York: Century Co. p. 148. OCLC 3804485.
  3.  "Marine Affairs"New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 25 Sep 1848. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  4.  "Crusing For Ships. The Joys and Sorrows of a Pilot's Life"The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. 30 Dec 1883. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021.
  5.  "Record of American and Foreign Shipping 1876"Mystic Seaport Museum. New York. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
  6.  Banks, Louis Albert (1898). Heroic Personalities: The Pilot's Conversion. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7.  "New-York City"New-York Tribune. New York, New York. 20 May 1888. p. 3. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021.
  8.  "Venerable Pilot to Celebrate Birthday"The Standard Union. Brooklyn, New York. 26 Apr 190. p. 13. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021.