I am Michael Johnson living now in Sumter, S.C.
I have many Johnson's who have lived in Henry Co. since 1820. Tweleve memebrs fought
in the Civil war. I am looking for information about the following.
The no. 7 school house?
Mary E. Hawk wife of Silas Johnson I have no idea who her parents are, I do know she had a
brother George Hawk who married Jennie Walburn who was a teacher at no. 7 school. No clue
when Mary was born, or where...but she died in 1879. Silas is my Gr. Gr. Grandfather, and
Marry was his first wife.
Also looking for directions to the Old Johnson Farm in Prarie Township near Luray.
For hearing me beg for information, I share with you a letter George R. Johnson sent to
his sister Minnie before his death in 1955.
And I have soemthing to offer.
This is a letter from Samuel R. Johnson to his sister Minnie, this was written just before
his death in 1955. I wanted to offer it to you, to be used in anyway you see fit.
thank you
The Macedonia School
Editor's Note: The following letter from Samuel R. Johnson, to his sister, tells of
the old Macedonia School, whose former pupils will hold their annual reunion Sunday.
To the Editor:
Dear Sister and Old Friends:
Well Minnie, I will try and write you today. Hope it will reach you in time for the Old
School Reunion. I would love to be there with you but just don't feel able. I
started my ABCs in old No. 7 in the year 1874 at age 6. Had many ups and downs. I had a
good friend in Anna Lennox, who at the time was Anna Evans, my cousin, about 8 years old.
If I got out of the way, she took over and soon had things in hand, she sure was my pal..
There was a blacksmith shop just across the road from the schoolhouse, run by John Warner.
And of course some of us would venture over. One day he cut off a piece of red hot rod
iron. It fell close to me and in my hurry to help him I picked it up. And, oh yes, I
dropped it just as quick. Old John said "You didn't have to be told twice to lay
it down that time." And so it went. But I was there to learn, wasn't I? I just
had to learn. There was quite a bunch of us kids at that time. Old No. 7 had an
enrollment as high as 60 to 65. My first teacher was Jennie Walburn, who afterward became
my aunt and wife of George Hawk. Both have passed on, as most who were living beings at
that time, the highest quality time (1879). My mother died. We were quite a family so I
went to live with Uncle Lewis Johnson. And went to school at No. 1 for two years. Then
went back home and started school at Luray. My teachers there for three terms were Eli
Hoover and J.W. Dragoo and Da!
vid Frazier. I then went back to Old No 7 at Macedonia and to David Evans, teacher and at
No. 7 I quit school. My last teacher was Nannie Dragoo, 1884-1885. If I remember right,
I had two terms in the new brick schoolhouse west of the cemetery with Addie Driscol as
teacher. Well, there are some of the pupils living yet who went to Macedonia School
besides me, at that time. There is Dave West, Union Springer, two or three of Philip
Turner's famuly, Frank Hiatt and likely some of Johnathan Turner's. It has been
more than 50 years since I met any of them. Wish I could meet and greet all of you with
all the love and fond memories I have, but the trip is too much for my 87 years.
So now, you can look over what I have written and if you can make anything out of the
scramble, just bunch it up and say it is from me. With fondest memories and truest
regards in my heart, I'll say goodbye to all. With love and cheers for the living and
tears and love for the dead.
Samuel R. Johnson
Letter to the Editor found in the Quentin Johnson - Mary Gardner Bible
Assumed to be published in a local Indiana newspaper between March 29 and June 6, 1955
Regards
Michael Johnson
Sumter, SC
Great Great Nephew of Private Lewis Johnson
9th Indiana Cavalry Cahaba P.O.W. & Sultana survivor
List Moderator of the Sultana-L
Michael Johnson
Sumter, SC
Great Great Nephew of Private Lewis Johnson
9th Indiana Cavalry Cahaba P.O.W. & Sultana survivor
List Moderator of the Sultana-L