| 15 South Mulberry Street Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 301-733-3565 |
| MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren is to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ and glorify the Lord by striving to live as Christ lived, experiencing the power of God's healing in our lives. We seek to nurture our faith community through prayer, music and the proclaimed Word, while enthusiastically reaching out to others with compassion, respect and love for everyone so that we may grow in faith and commitment together. VISION STATEMENT Journeying with Christ - Serving Our Neighbors - Uniting at the Master’s Table |
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| Unsung Brethren |
| All rights reserved. Used by permission. Permission to copy must be obtained from the author. |
| Josiah E. Williams was born – August 29th 1830 – on Death Curve along the National Pike south of Funkstown, Maryland. In his younger years Williams joined the Beaver Creek Dunker or Church of the Brethren east of Funkstown. At the age of 20, Josiah was diagnosed by several local physicians as having tuberculosis and would never see his 21st birthday. This was not the type of man, however, that would yield to self-pity. By studying medical journals, taking long walks in fresh air and the grace of God, Williams not only defeated the fatal tuberculosis, but extended his life 75 years. In the summer of 1863, Funkstown experienced destruction of civil war during the retreat from the battle at Gettysburg. At this time Josiah Williams at age 33, had taken up residence in the small town. Here on the east bank of Antietam Creek, Confederate forces clashed with Union infantry and cavalry. On July 11th, the day after the bloody conflict, Josiah came upon a wounded Rebel whose tribulations on earth were almost over. As he knelt with compassion beside the mortally wounded soldier, Josiah was told the young man’s name was William Herndon attached to the 59th Georgia Infantry. Knowing his time was short, the Southern stranger requested a letter be sent to his wife in Culverton, Georgia. Like the “Good Samaritan,” Josiah offered to answer Corporal Herndon’s last request. Dated “July 11th 1863,” and mailed from “Funkstown, Washington County, Maryland,” Josiah Williams’ letter still remains in Herndon family records in Georgia. After a brief description of Herndon’s condition, the 144-year- old document continues: “I found in his knap sack a Testament – has appearance of having been used. He requests that his children’s hair be sent in this letter. You can be assured that he did his duty.” The correspondence ends with comforting words: “He will be decently interred in the cemetery by the citizens.” Sending this letter to Mrs. Herndon was probably just one of many good deeds performed by this caring Brethren during this time of great turmoil. In 1921, the aging Williams moved to Fahrney-Keedy Home along the Mapleville Road near Boonsboro, where he passed away, April 1st 1925. He was 95-years-old and one of the most respected citizens of Washington County. The body was placed in the Beaver Creek Church Cemetery. The final resting place of Corporal Herndon – 59th Georgia Infantry – is known only to the All- Mighty. |
| Josiah E. Williams |
