Brought to you by the Historical Society of Old Northfield
This letter is a ‘Letter to Emily’ in reverse. Emily and her husband, Roderick, have travelled to Northfield for a visit and this letter is from Roderick’s brother-in-law, John Maxam (1796-1869). John Maxam was a Deacon of his church. Evidently, this letter is a response to one written from Roderick where Roderick complains about the ‘pleasant’ roads in Ohio and the amount of mud. The letter is fragile, torn at edges.
Roderick – Roderick Dwight (1802-1863), Emily Johnson’s husband
Mother – unknown, probably John Maxam’s mother
George – not a name, just an exclamation
John – John Maxam (1796-1869)
Codelia – Cordelia Butter Maxam (1815-1863), John Maxam’s daughter
Mary – Maryetta Dwight Maxam (1801-1873), John Maxam’s wife and Roderick Dwight’s sister
Ette – Maryette Maxam (1826-1899), John Maxam’s daughter
Prudence – Prudence Houghton Maxam (1830-1892), John Maxam’s daughter
Juliette – Juliette Johnson Maxam (1835-1896), John Maxam’s daughter
Elizabeth – Elizabeth Elmer Dwight (1838-1906), Emily and Roderick’s daughter
Daniel – Daniel Proctor (1810-1869), a friend of the family
From: Adamsville Massachusetts
July 24
to: Mr. Roderick Dwight
Northfield Ohio
Colrain January 25, 1842, Sabbath Eve
Brother Rodrick how are ye:
Good George if here and I John. well I told you I should be feeling my way along through the mud soon after you had gone. & now ive only called to see you and let you know that ive only now got my wood to market & have not got up my own, therefore cannot stay but you should know we never talk without something to say & I must talk fast for Mother & Cordelia Maryette & Prudence are waiting for father to stop talking that they may converse a little with your family & even Juliette if she could would speak with little bright eyed Elizabeth — I have only to say that we are in usual helth & your relations are about the same as far as we know—- [missing] were at Mothers last week the first time since you left Mother is quite well for her, laughed something about the ohio mud story & seemed to enjoy our visit well we have had the most unusual winter I ever remember of seeing. have now some ten or twelve inches of snow & the best of sleighing which we have enjoyed for six weeks past. it has been so pleasant since Oct that it reminds me of the pleasant ohio roads hard & good getting out anywhere, hay plenty at ten dollars corn rye one dollar price of stock advancing. Temperance cause victorious. dancing scools thick as pedlers, singing schools Enough. & what shall I say of the best of all pursuits. the cultivation of piety & right principal. The pursuit of wisdom righteousness holiness & peace. the pursuit of the object for which man was made even the glory of God & the perfect hapiness of man truly what can I say. I wish I could gladen your hearts my dear brother & sister with some of the ripe fruits from the promised land. with some good news from Zion. our mortal condition is much the same as when you left. I would not bring any Evil report from your native land. we have a good Minister who is faithful & much beloved by us. Our churches in town are in union with themselves & all have the gospel preched to them faithfuly. The 25th December I received your date of the 10th thankfully should have wrote before but Daniel had wrote. You will want to ask many questions which I no not of. Therefore do not delay writing.
Yours Truly John Maxam
The next letter is two letters written from relatives in Massachusetts to Emily and her husband Roderick. It is interesting to note the school that one of them is attending.
