| Sources |
- [S2] Ralph Clymer Hawkins, 1897- ., A Hawkins genealogy, 1635-1939 : record of the descendants of Robert Hawkins of Charlestown, Massachusetts (Baltimore : Published for the Hawkins Association by Gateway Press, 1987), p. 93, 152.
- [S49] Long Island Advance (Long Island Advance, 20 Medford Ave, Patchogue, NY), 5 Jul 1951, p. 7.
IRENE JOHNSON, LIFE RESIDENT OF B'KHAVEN, DIES
Widow of Former School Principal Was Active in Church, Fireplace Club
Mrs. Irene H. Johnson, 85, of Beaver Dam road, Brookhaven, died Saturday in the Pine Rest Convalescent home, Patchogue, to which she had been taken two weeks previously.
Mrs. Johnson was born, and lived her entire life, in the same house, which was on a portion of the land purchased by her great-grandfather, Jesse Rose, in 1780. She was the daughter of Herman Hawkins and Harriet Hulse Hawkins, and was also descended from Zachariah Hawkins, one of the original settlers of Brookhaven town.
While the young Miss Hawkins was teaching in the Brookhaven village school, Jesse E. Johnson came from upstate to be principal, and in 1894 the two were married. There were no children and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson both gave unsparingly of their time and effort to the community.
They were active in the Methodist church for many years, and also in the local branch of the American Red Cross. They also served as clerk and treasurer of the School board for a considerable period. Mrs. Johnson was treasurer of the Fireplace Literary club for 26 years and was made an honorary member of that organization a few years ago. Mr. Johnson passed away in 1945. Mrs. Johnson celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday last September and was guest-of-honor at a party which was attended by many friends and neighbors.
Mrs. Johnson's niece, Mrs. Norman Russell of Hempstead, has been caring for Mrs. Johnson during her ill health of the last year or so.
Other survivors include eight nephews, Jesse Hawkins of Brookhaven, Clarence Hawkins of Brookhaven, Ernest Hawkins of Annapolis, Md., Clifford Hawkins of Whitesboro, James Hawkins of Brookhaven, Morris Hawkins of Brookhaven, Arthur Blydenburgh of California and Frank Blydenburgh of North Dakota.
The body reposed at the C.W. Ruland Sons chapel in Patchogue until funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Brookhaven Presbyterian (formerly the Methodist) church in Brookhaven, with the Rev. Frederick I. Smith of the Bellport Methodist church officiating, assisted by the Rev. Ralph B. Gamewell, pastor of the Brookhaven church. Interment was in the family plot in the Middle Island cemetery at Middle Island.
- [S2] Ralph Clymer Hawkins, 1897- ., A Hawkins genealogy, 1635-1939 : record of the descendants of Robert Hawkins of Charlestown, Massachusetts (Baltimore : Published for the Hawkins Association by Gateway Press, 1987), p. 93.
- [S49] Long Island Advance (Long Island Advance, 20 Medford Ave, Patchogue, NY), 6 Jul 1934, p. 13.
The ringing of the church bell on Monday evening was in celebration of a wedding which took place 40 years ago, and also signified the beginning of a surprise party to the erstwhile bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse E. Johnson. The Rev. Karl A. Nelson, minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, arranged a reception which was attended by more than 100 persons, but which was a complete surprise to the guests-of-honor. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had been invited to spend the evening with Mr. and Mrs. John H. Morton, and complied with the suggestion that they go motoring. As the car approached the church, the bell began ringing and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were met by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heinbeck, a recent bride and groom, and were escorted by them down the aisle to strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding march. Mrs. Johnson had been presented with a beautiful bouquet of roses and baby's breath, and she and Mr. Johnson were given seats which had been prepared for them beneath a bower of roses.
The program opened with an invocation, by the Rev. Harold G. Sabin of East Moriches, followed by an address by John H. Morton, chairman. Excellent music was contributed by Marie Louise Landers, coloratura soprano, and concert singer of Montclair, N. J., and Mrs. Anna Strussnor, pianist, of New York. Mrs. Landers selections were "The Jewel Song," from Gounod's "Faust," "The Little Shepherd Song," by Winter-Watts, "Little Bateese," by Geoffrey O'Hara and "I Love You Truly," by Carrie Jacobs-Bond. Mrs. Strassnor played Chopin with unusual skill.
Following an informal address by the Rev. Kenneth B. Grady, who was pastor here some years ago, the Rev. Karl A. Nelson presented Mr. and Mrs. Johnson with a loving cup, in appreciation of their services to the church, from members of of the church. "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" was sung by everyone, with a benediction pronounced by the Rev. E. Hoyt Palmer of the Presbyterian church.
While the wedding march from Wagner's "Lohengrin" was being played, the guests congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and filed into the Sunday-school rooms were refreshments were served and a social time enjoyed.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson thanked everyone for the spirit of fellowship and love in which the reception was given.
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1865 - 1951 (85 years)
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