Four years have passed since the last letter. It is unknown if there were more letters that have been lost, or there were no letters exchanged. As mentioned in the last article, Juliette, the author of the first letter, married in 1834, gave birth to a child in 1835, and died one month after giving birth.
The author of this letter is Sylvia (Johnson) Buell (1810-1857), a sister of Emily. Sylvia married and moved to Richland, Michigan, originally called Gull Prairie. In May of 1830, the families of Col. Isaac Barnes and David Dillie arrived on the eastern edge of Gull Prairie from Medina, Ohio, and hold claim to being the first settlers. There was a land rush on June 18, 1831, for lots in Gull Prairie. All the lots were sold in one day. The settlers were New Englanders by birth but came from Ohio, including Sylvia and her new husband. The new township was named Richland, reflecting the fertile soil of Gull Prairie.
In the letter, Sylvia says, “I think too I should like to find my way to the orchard in autumn do you not have some of the apples ” In the book, The History of Buckland, Massachusetts 1779-1935, it states that Lemuel Taylor was born in Deerfield MA but when he moved to Buckland, he brought with him “the grafts of a very fine quality of fall apples which to this day are popular.” They were known as ‘Lem’s Graft’ or ‘Taylor Apples’.
Mentioned in the letter:
Sylvia (Johnson) Buell (1810-1857) – Emily’s sister
Josiah Buell (1802-1885) – Sylvia’s husband
Mr. & Mrs. Fisk – neighbors from Massachusetts
Aunt A – could be Anna Elmer (1783-1867), sister of Betsey Elmer Johnson, or Abigail Johnson, sister of Josiah Johnson
Wellington – Wellington Johnson (1815-1888), brother
Father Bolton – unknown
Arabell – unknown
Addressed to: Rhoderick Dwight, Shelburn Falls, Franklin Co., Massachusetts
Marked 25 (cts.) postmarked Michigan
Richland April 8, 1837
Ever dear Brother and Sister
Perhaps you have already concluded I have relinquished all claims of love and friendship which nature has ever taught us to cherish towards each other but I will assure you that neither distance or time has been able to erase from my bosom the affections which there glow for a distant sister. It may somewhat surprise you to learn that I have changed my name & moved to the western part of this territory I was married on the 22 of January to a gentleman by the name of Josiah Buell & I find him to be a kind and pleasant husband & is I trust a follower of Christ is a member of the presbyterian church We reside in Richland Kalamazoo Co. near Gull Prairie this prairie is 3 miles in length & nearly the same in width it looks like and old cultivated farm not scarcely a tree to be seen upon it. I am told tis covered with flowers of every description in summer; but tis rather bleak in the winter. There are quite a number of inhabitants upon it, whom are principally from Mass & Vermont. There is a pretty good society as far as I am acquainted; but we are as yet destitute of a meeting-house & one of the sons of Levi to minister at the altar. There are preparations making however for the erection of a new church immediately; & we hope we shall soon have a faithful minister of Christ to break into this people the bread of life. How important it is that we strive, daily to live above the world, & that our affections become weaned from all its allurements & the depravity of the heart, truly may it be said that tis fully set in us to do evil, when I look into my heart & discover the iniquity which reigns there I am led to ask what claims have I to the mercy of God? can one that has so darkly deeply sinned in departing from the holy commandments delivered to man ever be pardoned & made a recipient of grace? with God all things are possible, in Christ is my only hope. May we love to pursue this path of rectitude & obedience walking in all the commandments & ordinances of the Lord blameless then shall not our peace be as a river & our own righteousness as the waves of the sea You see my dear sister we are separated far distant from each other also from our parents but may we not hope to that by the permission of Providence we shall see each other again & be permitted to enjoy each others society in participating the joys & sorrows of life. I want to hear from you much I hope you will forgive my past neglect & still extend to me the hand of friendship & love. do write me immediately tell me everything which you know would interest me. How is aunt A. & all the rest of the folks tell me all about your little brown faced Yankee & where you live etc. Give me a description of my native hills I should delight to see them yea it would be a pleasure to me to visit that old habitation methinks I should hasten to the well & take a draught of that pure water & I think too I should like to find my way to the orchard in autumn do you not have some of the apples occasionally I should like to call & chat awhile & eat a few with you I suppose I cannot tell you anything new respecting home you probably have heard from there since I have. You have undoubtedly heard of Wellingtons conversion what cause of joy & gratitude on his behalf. Do you know anything about Mr. Fisk’s family & how they like old Mass. since they returned? Is Mrs. F. contented? Give them much love from me tell Arabell I have not forgotten her or the pleasant hours we spent in school at Strongsville I beg her pardon for not answering her kind letter which was thankfully received. I want to see you very much do call & make a visit. Do both of you write immediately. Husband sends much love give much love to all my friends & also to father Bolton’s family. May you even choose the path which conducts to felicity inviting Christ in your daily walk til you are made partakers of those joys which God has prepared his children
Yours affectionately Sylvia Buell
Direct your letter to Richland Kalamazoo Co.
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The next letter…..1840. Three authors for this correspondence, Betsy, Clarissa, and Ellen Johnson. We will start to see how the Taylor family becomes an important part of the Johnsons.
