The following letter was written by Ester Ellen Taylor (1845-1911). She was the daughter of Clarissa Johnson and Hooker Taylor. It was not determined to whom she wrote the letter, but since it is addressed to a ‘cousin’, it may have been to one of Emily’s children.
Cousin – Unknown
Aunt Wood – Betsey Elmer Johnson Wood (1812-1889)
Uncle Wood – Theodosius Wood (1801-1884), Betsey E. Johnson Wood’s husband
James – James W Allen (1827-1915), husband of Lucy.
Lucy – Lucy Ann Johnson (1837-1924), Carlos Johnson’s daughter
Mother – Clarissa Johnson Taylor (1818-1885), Ester’s mother and wife of Hooker Taylor
Uncle Buell – Josiah Buell (1802-1885)
Uncle Proctor – Daniel Proctor (1810-1869)
Grandmother – Betsey Elmer Johnson (1785-1870)
Uncle W – Wellington Johnson (1815-1888)
Father – Hooker Taylor (1811-1884), Clarissa Johnson Taylor’s husband
Mel – Melvin Johnson (1831-1871), son of Carlos Johnson, brother of Eunice
Eunice – Eunice Johnson (1841-18989), daughter of Carlos Johnson and sister of Mel
Northfield March 10th/1858
Dear Cousin
I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you. I am well I have been attending school this winter We have had an excellent school. It is quite unpleasant weather now. It has rained nearly all day and is raining now. I am sure you will be quite sorry to hear that Aunt Wood is at the Asylum again She has been there about eleven weeks Uncle Wood has been down to see her twice She was not any better when he was down She has written several letters since he has been there but the Superindendant did not think it best to send them. She had got so bad before she went away that it was not safe to leave her alone at all. She burnt up several books and every paper in the house and she cut her name out of all her books. Uncle Wood keeps house for himself and he is quite lonesome Mother does his baking for him I presume that you have heard of Uncle Buells marriage before this time He was married the forepart of the winter James and Lucy are coming to live in Uncle Wood’s place this winter (xed out) summer they are going to keep a dairy of 15 cows . They are not going to live in the house with Uncle Wood there is another house out(xed out) on the farm that they are going to live in. Uncle Proctor’s people are all well Grandmother is out to Warrensville visiting She was well when she went away Uncle Wood took her out there and I went with them they were all well then Uncle W is spending the evening
here he sends his respects to you and he says that he would like to see you very much. There has not much sugar made round here this spring. Mel and Eunice live in Willoughby yet they are not either of them married. It is getting late and I must close Father and mother send their respects to you my love to you write soon
from Esther
The next letter was written by Emily’s niece, Emma Proctor. Emma does a fairly good job of reporting on the activities and well-being of many of the family members coping with disease and life in general.
