Sara Bertha Johnson was born in Matawan on December 1, 1865, to Henry William Johnson (1828-1904) and Catherine Ann Conover (1830-1882). Henry and Catherine’s marriage is documented in a Conover family Bible maintained by the Matawan Historical Society. Henry was a prominent local citizen, having been employed as cashier at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Matawan. Catherine was the daughter of Garret Conover (804-1873), an associate of William Little.
The letter and essay below were sent to MHS in 1977 by Sara’s daughter, Katherine Conover Coles (1893-1932).
Written by Sara Bertha Johnson, 11 years old.
Matawan, NJ
Jan. 9, 1877
Dear Jessie,
As you see, I do not answer your letters very promptly, but as you keep posted in most everything that is going on, I will tell you some thing you do not know.
I suppose you are very anxious to know how Miss Charlotte is getting along, as you have not seen her in so long a time. She has been quite sick with the mumps. The Doctor thinks it is caused by nervousness from being so home-sick to see her dear mother; but we hope she will soon be well. The reason that I do not send her home is because I am afraid that you might take them, then you would have to stay home from school; she sits behind the Christmas tree from morning until night.
I suppose you have had a great many sleighrides this winter. I have had eight. During the Holidays I spent a day with one of my school friends. We learned how to skate and had a jolly time. I suppose you enjoyed the Holidays very much, and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please write soon.
Your friend,
Sadie Johnson
MATAWAN
Matawan in the State of New Jersey is situated on the creek. Its name used to be Middletown Point about twelve years ago, but do not think I remember it at this time. There are about five thousand inhabitants, and some very pretty houses. In the upper part of the village there is one that has not been built more than a year, and two or three in the central part which are quite an ornament to the town.
We have four churches and five schools. The school that I attend is called Glenwood Institute, and it has back of it a beautiful glen which has a very pretty brook, and wild flowers growing in it in summer. Then we have a pottery and saw-mill. The pottery is in the upper part and the saw-mill in the lower part of the village. Back of the back street, we have a beautiful little pond which has a nice walk around it; it is very nice for skating in winter, in the summer we can have a rowing boat and that is very delightful.
The Central Rail Road was built a year or two ago. Before this we had to ride two miles on a cold winters morning to get to the boat, and this had to start at six o’clock, then we would not get to New York until half past nine. Now we have eight trains the longest time any of these is an hour and a half. In summer there are some beautiful lawns which add much to the pleasantness of our little village.
Feb. 15, 1877
The Matawan Historical Society additionally has in its archives a composition book written by Sara while she was attending Glenwood Institute.
NO COMMENTS