It is hard to believe, but this is the last letter in the series. We have followed the Johnson family from their first arrival, through their marriages, the birth of children and grandchildren, and even tragedies. It has been our pleasure at the Historical Society to have provided you, our readers, with this rare insight into life as it really was at the beginning of our community. We were given a unique look into Josiah and Betsey Johnson’s family in their own words – including Elmer’s bad spelling! We hope you enjoyed the series and learned that when you strip away what we consider modern conveniences, the fibers that make up a family haven’t really changed that much from today or to the Johnson family over one hundred and ninety years ago.
This last letter was written to Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dwight Ames (1838-1906), and her mother Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1886) from Carrie Lizette Taylor (1861-1924), with a note from her mother Clarissa Johnson Taylor (1818-1885). It was amusing to read her sarcasm on “perhaps I shall be old sometime, myself’ after admonishing her mother for not writing. Also, with smallpox ‘around considerably’ it was a surprise to read who administered the vaccine. At the time of this writing, only Emily, Betsey, Wellington, Elmer, Maria, and Clarissa of the 16 Johnson siblings are still living.
Mother – Clarissa Johnson Taylor (1818-1885), the author’s mother and Emily’s sister
R/Roddie Ames – Roderick D. Ames (1863-1922), the author’s cousin and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dwight Ames’s son.
Uncle Elmer – Gad Elmer Johnson (1819-1901), the author’s uncle and Emily’s brother.
Georgie – George Ames (1861-1866), Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dwight Ames’s son who died in 1866.
Rose – Rose G. Ames (1868-1945), Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dwight Ames’s daughter.
Lizzie – Elizabeth J. Ames (1874-1947), Elizabeth (Lizzie) Dwight Ames’s daughter.
Father – Hooker Taylor (1811-1884), The author’s father.
Daniel – Unknown
Carrie Taylor and her family lived in Bedford, Ohio. There is a street called Logan Street in Bedford, but we could not find 876. Carrie’s father Hooker Taylor will die in 1884 and her mother will pass away one year later. Carrie married Dr. Arthur Burleson and moved to Michigan sometime in the 1890s.
876 Logan St.
Jan. 7, 1882
Dear Aunt & Cousin,
Your letter ought to have been answered before this, but I have been busy, and then I wanted mother to write, too. I think it is dreadful the way she neglects her sisters and brothers, but then it is hard for her to write, now. Perhaps I shall be old sometime, myself. If it is not too late, let me wish you a “Happy New Year”. We have had a very open winter, so far. There has been a little snow on the ground for a week but that has disappeared today, and tonight it is raining. Monday evening. I must try and finish this tonight. Two weeks ago today I wrote six letters and one or two during the last week, so you see I am trying to pay up my debts. You wrote about Roddie – you do not know how much I would like to see my cousins I always think of Roddie Ames whenever I see a little tumbler, or wine glass– I use it to hold matches — I believe it was he who sent it to me by Uncle Elmer’s folks. I have a picture of Georgie, yes and one of R, too, but none of the girls! By his picture I should judge that R. had blue eyes and light brown hair. Now, I wish you would describe Rose and Lizzie. President Garfield’s influence is greater than ever today. If ever a man died a martyr, he did. What a noble man he was. I wish all the boys and young men in the country would try and follow his example. Last Friday afternoon, while calling on a sick classmate, I noticed a very pretty picture hanging on the wall. one of her brothers gave the picture to their mother Christmas. In the front was a narrow river – on one side stood Garfield in a black robe; on the other side, stood Lincoln dressed in white with outstretched hands to help G – over. In the background and above were angels and in the distance could be seen the gates of Heaven. It was really beautiful. Father has just come – he went away to get some vaccine matter, and I must hurry up and get my arm ready for him to vaccinate. There is quite a scare in the city — the smallpox is around considerably. If I have a chance I will add a few words in the morning. Goodnight
Your niece & cousin
Carrie S. Taylor
I was very glad you told us about Daniel. I feel great sympathy for you all respecting him. I think it doubtful whether we ever go to Mass my present health would not admit of the journey Lizzie you must write if your mother won’t. Carrie will answer Clarissa.
Palmer House Museum
Founded in 1957, The Historical Society of Olde Northfield is located at 9390 Olde Eight Road in Northfield Center, Ohio. Housed in a frame building known as the Palmer House Museum, the Society operates the house as a museum in one of the few remaining vertical-beam construction homes in Ohio.
The Palmer house has undergone several transformations during its existence. When originally built in 1844, it consisted of the main house plus a North wing that was the kitchen and dining area. When the house was moved in 1915, the kitchen wing was removed. You can still see the doorway leading to this wing in what is now called the dining room. After the house was moved in 1915, the school system used it as living quarters for school personnel. A dormer was added to the South side second floor. After the State of Ohio passed laws in 1954 prohibiting school systems from providing housing for school personnel, the Palmer House became a library sponsored by the PTA. It remained a library until the Northfield Library was built in 1964.
The Palmer House and Museum consists of two floors and five rooms. The basement is currently under restoration and is not available. Depending on where you start your tour, you will find that each room has unique and interesting historical artifacts from as early as the 1730s up to the early to mid-1900s.
Northfield Center, Northfield Village, Sagamore Hills and Macedonia were all once part of the original Northfield Township. The Palmer House and Museum represents the history of all the Nordonia Hill’s communities. Collections of historical items and photographs from the area from the past 150 years can be found here. Our website is www.hson.info and our email is Palmer-House@hson.info.
