Name: JOHNSON, Prudence aka FISHER, Prudy

Date of Notice: 13 May 1890

Prudence Johnson, who was found dead in her bed at her home on N. Sixth street, last Saturday was the oldest native born colored person in Zanesville. She was born in a little log cabin on what is now known as River street in

March, 1806.

Her parents were the servants of John McIntire, the founder of this city. The only surviving member of her family is her brother, Samuel. She and her brother Silas were reared in John McIntire's family and remained with Mrs. McIntire after the death of her husband and for several years after her marriage to Rev. David Young. In her youth Prudy was a great favorite with the young people of the city. As she grew older she became an indispensable adjunct on all sociable occasions. No wedding dinner could take place unless she had charge of the arrangements. In the sick chamber, she was indispensable. For many years she was the nurse of the town.
 

Later on she accepted a position with General and Mrs. Robert S. Granger of this city. The General at that time was a Captain in the Regular Army stationed at Fort Snelling, near the present site of St. Paul, Minnesota. She lived with the General's family for a number of years accompanying them to St. Peters and also to Newport barracks and to Texas, remaining in this family some fourteen years. For a number of years she was engaged on several of the Zanesville and Pittsburg, and Zanesville and Marietta and Parkersburg line of passenger steamers as chamber-maid.
 

For seventeen years she was with Captain Lou Myrick of the steamer "Lizzie Cassell." She was of an economical turn and saved from her earnings a comfortable competency.
The funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock at the African M. E. church, South street. Every seat in this large church was occupied. After the usual church services Rev. Mr. Gee, a former pastor of Zion Baptist church of this city, but now pastor of the A. M. E. church at Cambridge, a warm friend of the deceased, paid a most beautiful and touching tribute to the life and character of the deceased. From the church the remains were followed by a large number of friends to Greenwood Cemetery where interment was made.
Zanesville Daily Signal, published: Zanesville, Ohio
Tuesday May 13, 1890

Note: Also known as Prudy Fisher as she was married and divorced from William Fisher.