What a difference 100 years make! The photo on the top was taken around the 1880s while the one on the bottom is from around 1980. Both are the site of Northfield Plaza!
This long letter is from Emily’s sister Betsey whom we met several letters ago. She appears to be looking into moving to Wisconsin. Written wherever they can find room on the letter are three notes rather than letters. John Maxam tries to convince Roderick and Emily to return to Massachusetts and possibly move from Williamsburg to Colerain, Massachusetts. Cousin Prudence sends a little note on how things are going.
Daniel – Daniel Dwight Jr. (1804-1883), Roderick Dwight’s brother
Erasmus Smith – Unknown
Theodosius – Theodosius Wood (1801-1884), Betsey Johnson Wood’s husband
Father/Josiah – Josiah Clemmons Johnson (1781-1857), patriarch or Johnson family
Elizabeth – Betsey Elmer Johnson (1785-1870), matriarch and Josiah Johnson’s wife
Brother Kellog – Unknown
Julius – Julius Brittan (1835-1912). This is Juliette Johnson Brittan’s son who was born 1 month before she died. He is now living with Juliette’s sister Betsey Johnson Wood, the sender of the long letter.
Betsey E. Wood – Betsey Elizabeth Johnson Wood (1812-1889), wife of Theodosius and the sender of the letter.
My dear cousins – Roderick Dwight (1802-1863), Emily Johnson’s husband, and Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1856)
Grandmother/Mother – Prudence Hillman Dwight (1782-1864), Roderick Dwight’s mother
Elizabeth – Elizabeth Elmer Dwight (1838-1906), Roderick and Emily’s daughter
Josiah – Josiah J. Dwight (1833-1902), Roderick and Emily’s son
Prudence H Maxam – Prudence Houghton Maxam (1830-1892), cousin of Roderick and Emily
Sister – Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1856)
John Maxam – Deacon John Maxam (1796-1869), Roderick’s brother-in-law
Brother – Roderick Dwight (1802-1863), Emily Johnson’s husband.
Addressed to: Mr. Rhoderick Dwight no stamp, no return address, sealed.
Northfield Sept. 17, 1843
Ever Dear Brother & Sister Dwight
With pleasure I seat myself to write you a few lines. We are all pretty well I think my health has been better through the summer than usual. Erasmus Smith is here now. We have had a very pleasant visit with him. I expect he will start for Mass, Tues. morning. I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that we have not forgotten you. No! the memory of one whose whole character is interwoven with almost every thought of my heart is not so easily forgotten Through distance and time separate us you still live in our memory and affections; and the prayer often ascends to Heaven for light peace and comfort to attend you and cheer you in your earthly pilgrimage How cheering how consoling the thought is, that this world is not the place of our final destination but that it is only introductory to a more glorious and permanent state of existence. There we may suffer pain and sickness toil & weariness trials afflictions and death exposed to sin and temptations surrounded with the allurements of the world yet midst it all the soul may be happy; the soul that puts unwavering confidence in God may be happy under afflictions, and in every situation in life. Faith points upwards, to a brighter and a better chime; it points to God to Jesus as our Savior and to the holy scriptures as our guide; here we ae cheered by the promises and gather fresh strength to wait with patience for we know says the apostle that when this earthly house of our tabernacle is dissolved we have a house not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens whose Maker and builder is God Oh who would live always who would ask thus to stay where storm after storm rises darken the way Oh who would live always away from his God away from you Heaven that blissful abode Although life is pleasant and desirable to a true Christian yet his treasure and his affections are not here he often aspires for higher joys and sublime pleasures. he longs for the society of angels and spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven. when there are pleasures and joys for evermore. where there will be no more sorrow and crying no more sickness and death no more social ties to be severed no more broken affections, no more meetings and partings but Jesus the Lord of God shall lead his children to the fount of living waters and all tears shall be wiped from every eye. Theodosius and Erasmus have gone to Twinsburgh to attend quarterly meetings today. We have three preachers on this circuit this year. have preaching every Sabbath afternoon prayer meeting in the forenoon. We have most excellent sermons and good men for preachers Brother Kellog visited us last week his whole subject of conversation was religion how different from what it used to be when our minister visited us; the subject of religion was rarely adverted to. I have enjoyed my mind very well most of the time for a number of months past I feel as though the methodist church was the first home of my choice and think it will be the last. I have lost much of the life and power of godliness by living in neglect of constantly watching and praying and letting my affections grasp after earthly objects to satisfy my desires I trust I have in a measure been led to see the folly and vanity clinging so strongly to earthly objects and worldly preferments. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him and hereby we (not- xed out) know we love him if we keep his commandments. I know not where our home will be next probably somewhere in the far west – The fertile soil and salubrious climate of the Territory of Wisconsin seem to be an inviting place to the emigrant. – I feel that we have no continuing place here no abiding home. The wheat crop has come in finely this year They have raised on the company lot five hundred and eighteen bushels of wheat this year and a number of bushels of poorer wheat the last of the cleaning up. I will send you a calico apron and Elizabeth one. you a workpocket – Elizabeth a thimble a sugar Candy some pieces of my dresses. she must be a good girl and learn to sew. I will send her a book if Theodosius can get one when he carries Erasmus to Cleveland. We have plenty of apples. Fathers rare peaches are just ripe. I wish you and the children were here to take a meal with us Vain wish! I wish you would come and go to Wisconsin with us Father has offered his farm for sale probably we shall go if none of the rest go if our lives are spared us how much better it would be for you and your children to come and settle in the west we have good society good schools and good meetings Nothing is wanting here to make folks happy but a co[ missing] ted minds .and thankful hearts – Oh how I miss you would come I cannot be denied I cannot think of you spending you days in Colerain with no brighter prospects before you of having a good farm. with the conveniences of live around you and leaving no inheritance to your children too be sure the inheritance for well training and a good education left for your children is far better than riches for them to go through life with. a hundred dollars in Wisconsin will buy you a good farm and make you a good home do come and go with us we are all anxious for you. Julius goes to school sends his love to Josiah and Elizabeth I let the folks all write for themselves. my pen is poor. I am afraid you cannot read. write often we want to hear from you Theodosius sends his love
Yours with love Betsey E. Wood.
My dear cousins,
I want to see you very much though a great distance from you I often think of my dear friends for to the ohio o how I wish you were here your grandmother is pretty smart grandmother and she wants you to wright all about Elizabeth how she enjoys herself Josiah suppose enjoys himself better than if he were here to share in injoyed well but better than if it had been cold and blustering weather Give my love to aunt and uncle tell them to come back and be wise and not live in the mud it is great danger of getting in to the mud so bad that you cannot get out I must draw to a close so I must bid you goodbye from your friend Prudence H Maxam
(written on outside, top)
Dear Sister
Hesitate not to return to this place if you think it best for you or your family, your better judgement will dictate together with Brother Rodericks, therefore act your own & please us if you can by gratifying our wishes ——–¬Excuse me for this violation I am not in the habit of writing to the ladys I therefore subscribe myself your most unworthy brother John Maxam
(written on outside, bottom)
Dear Brother
You wrote you thought of returning at the opening of the spring which made Mothers heart leap for joy & I must say I was glad to have you write your mind freely I think you can judge what is best from experience & where to locate to your advantage You may be assured you have as many friends here now as ever you had, & as few enemies————All your friends & neighbors say Come & I say—-Daniel says he hopes you will come back this spring, he has bought a horse, & built a wood house & is now driving hay from Cattatown hill to the falls for $12.00 a tun J. Maxam
Next time we will continue with more add-ons to the letter from Betsy…..
