This letter was written by Emma Proctor (1846-1903.) She was the daughter of Ellen Maria Johnson (1826-1889) and Daniel Proctor (1810-1869.) Unlike Betsey’s letters, young Emma writes about quite a few of the family members. She wrote this letter to her aunt, Emily Johnson Dwight, her mother’s sister.
Aunt – Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1886)
Cass – Cass Proctor (1855-1921), the author’s brother.
Uncle Hookers – Hooker Taylor (1811-1884), her mother’s brother-in-law married to Clarissa Johnson.
Uncle Wood – Theodosius Wood (1801-1884), married to her mother’s sister, Betsey.
Aunt Wood – Betsey Elmer Johnson Wood (1812-1889)
Melvin – Melvin Johnson (1831-1871), the author’s cousin and son of Carlos Johnson, her mother’s brother.
Eunice – Minnie Eunice Johnson (1848-1898), the author’s cousin and sister of Melvin.
Ms Wilson – Unknown
Lucy – Lucy Ann Johnson Allen (1837-1924), the author’s cousin and daughter of Carlos Johnson.
Sylvia – Sylvia Johnson Buell (1810-1857), the author’s aunt and Emily’s sister.
Uncle Buell – Josiah Buell (1802-1885), the author’s uncle and Slyvia’s husband.
Flora Ware – Flora Ware (1826-1858), the author’s cousin and daughter of Festa Johnson Ware (1803-1828), Emily’s sister.
Uncle Brainard – Unknown
Martha – Unknown
Uncle Elmers – Gad Elmer Johnson (1819-1901), the author’s uncle and Emily’s brother.
Josiah – Josiah Buell (1802-1885), Sylvia’s husband.
Adaline – Adaline Manchester (1823-1899), Josiah Buell’s wife whom he married after Sylvia died.
Uncle Wellington – Wellington Johnson (1815-1888), the author’s uncle and Emily’s brother.
Alpheus – Alpheus Elmer (1795-1867), the author’s grand uncle and her grandmother’s (Betsey Elmer Johnson), brother.
Juliar – Unknown
Mother – Ellen Maria Johnson Proctor (1826-1889).
Grandmother – Betsey Elmer Johnson (1785-1876).
Father – Daniel Proctor (1810-1869).
Flora – Flora Proctor (1849-1892), the author’s sister.
Elizabeth – Elizabeth Elmer Dwight (1838-1906), Emily’s daughter.
Northfield Feb. 1859
Dear Aunt
It is a long time since I have heard from you and now for the first time I am seated to write to you We are all well grandmother has been sick with a cold but is well now Cass has not been sick once this winter he is as full of fun as you pleas I have been tending the select school two terms it is out now and I am going to the district school I study geography arithmatick reading and spelling I was at uncle Hookers thanksgiving day but spent my christmas and new years sitting over the stove uncle wood has taken aunt Wood to the asylum again she got so bad that he could not stand it any longer Melvin has been very sick but he has got well again Eunice kept school in this town this summer past she had two dollars and a half a week she went to the select school one term she is at work to Ms. Wilsons now she makes it her home here Lucy and her husband have rented Uncle Woods farm they keep fourteen or fifteen cows they mean to have more next season they rented it for three years I suppose you have herd of aunt Sylvia’s death uncle Buell is married again she that was Flora Ware is dead she died in July she had a cancer uncle Brainard went to Iowa Martha was married and we have herd that she was dead uncle Elmers folks are well Josiah and Adaline were here yesterday We had a good time Josiah lives with them they keep twenty three cows they got the premium on their cheese in two places this year Uncle Wellingtons folks are all well he is building a new barn this winter uncle Alpheus Elmer lives with them Juliar is married and got one of the prettiest little boys that ever lived I forgot to say that we all had the whooping cough this summer but mother and grandmother Father has not been very well since they have all gone to church today but Flora and I. We have not had any sleighing here this winter till now we have good sleighing grandmother says she has not forgot you she sends her love to you and all the rest of the friends Father and Mother send their best respects to you all give my love to Elizabeth tell her I would like to see her and tell her to write to me I should like to see you all good by excuse all mistakes write soon
Emma
The next letter is from Josiah Johnson, Emily’s brother. This letter was written in 1861 after the Civil War had begun. Josiah has some strong words for some members of the family and others who are not for the Union.
