In April 1977, Mr. Everett G. Johnesee, a funeral director and owner of the Johnesee Nutley Home for Funerals on Washington Avenue, donated two Civil War swords to the Trust.

Mr. Johnesee was very involved in the Bicentennial celebrations in Nutley at that time. An article in the Nutley Sun from April 24th, 1975, covered a town celebration for Paul Revere Bicentennial Day, in which Mr. Johnesee took part in a reenactment of Paul Revere’s ride. Nutleyites taking part in the celebration included Ted Steinmeyer playing Dr. Samuel Prescott, George Millar playing Sam Adams, Wallace Cox playing Paul Revere, and Everett Johnesee as John Hancock. Trust member Doug Eisenfelder recreated the “warning by the vigilant William Dawes” from the belfry of the Franklin Reformed Church.

The description that was given when the swords were received by the Trust was that they are “2 swords from the Civil War.” Stamped on the hilt of one of the swords is the number 1876. We are not sure if this is the date of manufacture, which would make that sword post-Civil War, or if the sword company was numbering the swords as they were manufactured. The swords are displayed in our Museum.