This letter is from Clarissa Johnson-Taylor (1818-1885) of Northfield, Summit Co Ohio to her sister, Emily Johnson-Dwight (1808-1886) of Colerain, MA. In speaking about herself, Clarissa states, “I have a seated disease of the lungs”. This perhaps refers to tuberculosis. She writes a recipe for a strong [cough] plaster that has rosin in it. Rosin is a wax made from pine trees. Mutton tallow is made from the fat from a mature sheep. It was also used in soap and candle production. It penetrates the skin deep as opposed to petroleum jelly which sits on the surface. Mutton is very hard to find today since has a strong taste and it costs the farmer more money to raise a sheep for 2-3 years than to sell a lamb that is 12-14 months old.
Author of letter – Clarissa Johnson Taylor (1818-1855), Emily’s sister
Br – Roderick Dwight (1802-1863), Emily’s husband
Sister – Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1886)
Doct. – unknown
Ester – Ester Ellen Taylor (1845-1911), Clarissa’s newborn daughter
fathers folks – Levi Taylor (1780-1860), Betsey Butler Taylor (1781-1850), Clarrisa’s in-laws
Mother – Betsey Elmer Johnson (1785-1870), Clarissa and Emily’s mother
Elmer – Gad Elmer Johnson (1819-1901), Clarissa and Emily’s brother
J/James – unknown
C – Carlos Hawley Johnson (1802-1855), Emily and Clarissa’s brother
Theodosius & Protor – Theodosius Wood (1801-1884), Daniel Proctor (1810-1869), Clarissa’s brother-in-laws
Addressed to Mr. Rhoderick Dwight Colerain Mass
sealed
Northfield Sept 16, 1845
Dear Br & sister
I take my pen in very great haste this morning to write a few lines to let you know of our healths I have but a minute to write so I cannot be very particular my health is still poor I have not been as well since you heard from me I was taken worse the 5 of July my symptoms of a fever but the Doct , threw it of so I did not a regular fever being in the situation that I was I got very much reduced as to strength so I have been able to do anything since but sew or knit a little I have not sit up all day for three months. for a few weeks back the Doct gives me some more encouragement that I shall get better though he says I am not out of danger my cough is better he thinks I have a seated disease of the lungs and a good many other difficulties. Esther has been very sick is better now the rest of us are well as usual father’s folks are well Mother was intending to work also Elmer but J. starts very sudden C got your letter we have heard from Theodosius & Proctor they are well they live in Greenfield WS near Cos.W. you must excuse me for James is waiting if you will go and see him he will tell you all about us write when you can
Clarissa
Recipe for Strong Night Plaster
Take one lb. rosin, a very small piece of mutton tallow
melt it and stir in 1/2 ounce of bole (possibly pine tree bark)
Almony together with piece of ? ssufitiche (sufficient) long as a pin then make it into wax
Clarissa
While doing additional research on Clarissa, a document was found that implied that she and Hooker were married in Ohio. In the marriage information for Clarissa Johnson & Hooker Taylor, the date 4 May 1837, Buckland MA is given. However, a marriage LICENSE was applied for by Hooker Taylor’s brother, Cyrus Taylor, in Portage Co, OH 10 May 1837 but as far as can be discerned the marriage never took place. (Sources: Massachusetts Marriages 1695-1910).
The next letter is from the ‘old bachelor’ Elmer. His dry humor is back as is his interpretation of spelling. However, he does give us a wider look at activities and references to business in Cleveland, Ohio.
