Thank you! I have had wonderful help from a lot of people. Dan Fleming of the Newark Library found out that there are only two 13 year-old girls buried in the Concord Cemetery in the right time period. One Sarah Lavina Emerson, DOD: Aug.4, 1846, age 13 years, 11 months, daughter of Jasper and Eliza; and Mary Stockwell, DOD Dec. 20, 1835, age 13 years, 8 days, daughter of Eli and Mary.

I had the thought, too: What if she were odd? What if she had epilepsy and had one too many fits in church? What if she burned in a fire. Over the years, people would say: "Well, her Mama always did say she was odd." Etc., etc. Then the story got more skewed with each telling.

So far, your version rings the most true to me. Interestingly, I had a dream that her name was Sarah. Now if we can find out that little Sarah Emerson died in a fire, we have our story, thanks to you. Or, at least the basis for a good novel with a few twists of the imagination.

Do you remember any more of your uncle's tales about witches in Johnstown? My favorite writer is Sharyn McCrumb. She writes historical fiction of Appalachia. I grew up in Johnstown. This whole tale reminds me of Sharyn McCrumb's work. Thank you again for your wonderful response!