LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT.

1931
Indianapolis Ind 10-10-1931 page 1 page 2

Some time during the latter part of the Eaighteent Century. Three young men Abraham. Isaac. and Jacob Johnston Brothers Born in Scotland. started out to seek Their fortune in a clime. They settled in Virginia Prosperd. Maried. and in time became large land ownrs. To Abraham and his wife Susanne. were Barn five sons and one daughter. James W Clifton O William R Richard Fountain and Lucy

About the same time a young Doctor Nathaniel Moon. Born in Ireland also started out for the same purpose. he also prospered married and becam the owner of a large Plantation in West Virginia,, to him and his wife Roxanna were born four sons and five daughters Nathaniel Schuyler Richard and Clifton Mary Eliza Mildred Sarah and Winifred (my hand took a jumping spell at Winifred)

page 3 page 4 In the Johnston Family. Three Brothers married Three Sisters Clifton Johnston married Mary C Moon Jeremiah Johnston Eliza Moon Fountain Johnston Winnifred Moon To Fountain and Winnifred were born six sons and too daughters James Winston who died in infancy Charles Fountain William Richard Clifton Leslie Jeremiah Melvill Edward Owen--who was born in Indiana In 1853 the Johnston boys Clifton and Fountain became dissafied on account of slavery and decided to move to Iowa, We started from Scottsvill a little town near Richmond on the James river crossing a range of mountains 24 in all-Starting with the Blueridge then came the thrilling time of my life. being only five years old. I still remember some of the events of that trip travling in the old covered wagon. drawn by four horses. driven by a man named Hundred. Whose buisness was moveing people back and farth across the mountains. some times we were on the highest peeks and then in the valley. travling through

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

Susanna Rebecke and Mary Emma Clifton and Mary. both born in 1812. (Note: This must be Mary C. Moon, not those wonderful tunnels miles long where robberris were often committed. Mary Emma [RDH})

page 5 the men were armed and went before to warn if danger appeared. but we came through safely. The roads were covered with snow and Ice The wagon slipping from side to side. Then the old driver would get mad. Mother would call gee or haw which ever way she thought they ought to go. Some times we would come to a little house perched on the mountain side where we would stay all night. The hom of some hunter or trapper generly only too rooms. But were always welcome. we carried our own bedding the men would sleep in the wagon. The women and children on the floor. one little incident I remember quite well. Uncle Cliff and Aunt Polly. who had no children

page 6 of their own traviled in the old style Barauch. a large carriage drawn by too horses, some of our children generly with them. I happened to go with them on this day. we came to a very dangerous place on the road and uncle said we had better get out and walk. I jumpt out saying. The horse and buggy may go to the debl and I will walk. Father & Mother often spoke of it. After a long and weary trip we arrived at Grandfather Moons home Buckanon just west of the Allegany mountains we stayed there for two years and another sister Sarah Wilson her Husband and family joined us and we resumed our trip still travling in the old covered wagon. Leaveing Grand Fathers home on Christmas Day 1855 took the boat at Parkesburg for

page 7 Cincinata Ohio. when we arrived there Father met a man who he had known Va he was returning from Iowa he advised him not to go there at that time of the year as it was so very cold and houses scarse We then went to Madison Ind expecting to go on in

page 8 The lady next door to our home sewed. so one day she asked me in to go with her. I did so and when we got there he asked me to take some home and Make buttonholes I said I could but was afraid I could not make them. so he said I might try so I did.

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

the spring. Mother too sick Father got work. so that was as far west as we got arriveing at Madison in 1857. Fathers prediction was not long in coming true We came came to Indiana in 1855 and war was declared in 1861. I was only 13 years of age but I had a buisy time. There were so many mothers who could neither read or write. I would have to do then things for them. When fourteen years old I sewed for the soldiers makeing Soldier coats. And that was how I learned to make buttonholes. When we took our work he did not like my button holes so I did not take any more when she took her work back he asked her where that little girl was she said I would not come because he did not like my buttonholes he told her to tell me to com far he wanted to teach me to make them so I went. (It seems to me I can see him sitting cross leged (sitting) on his table teaching me

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

page 9 When I was sixteen years old Father leased a farm near Lancaster Ind. For too years. I had five brothers at home Charley. Will Leslie Jerry and Ed. They were to run the farm. and Father worked in Madison. came hom for the weeksend. They were too years of great pleasure for me. As we enjoyed our selves as only Country folks can. Harseback rideing (Picknicks) Picknicks and dancing, did not think any thing of walking too miles to church. (and now just shut your eyes and listen only three proposals of marriage, one from Indianapolis one from Ky and one from a young man in our neighborhood. but nothing doing the hand of fate was guideing me back to one in our own town. to one I had never seen or heard of.) page 10 At the end of too years we moved back to Madison The most of my time then was given to Church work. teaching sunday school giving entertainments, as I jained the Church when only Eleven years old. I was solist in our church for some time. for not wishing to brag at all I had a wonderful voice and could sing with any of them. how well I remember when my father would take me by the hand and lead me to the classroom and I would listen to the old Gray haired Ones teel of the wonderful blessings that had come to them, and Their faith in The Heavenly Father. I have kept my membership in some Church ever since at the present time I am a member of Grace M E Church. Grant and

page 11 East new york St. We had a regular Orchestra at home as too of my Brothers were musicians Sister Sue and I sang. also my [u]mother who had a lovely tener voice. so we enjoyed ourselves at home. Father and mother loved young company and our home was a regular place for the young people to meet. But alas those are only beautiful memories now. As all have passed away but myself my last Brother Ed was taken June first 1931.

page 12 In 1867 just after the War. Uncle Cliff and Aunt Polly. went back to Va to see how things looked and bring Grand Father Moon home with them. everything destrawed. desolation on every hand. What had once been a beautiful home a totle wreck, no one there but Grand Father and too of his oldest slaves who would not leave him when freed. Takeing care of him. Grand Mother had died during the war. and those of her sons who were not killed. had left there. In looking arround Aunt came to one room with a big fireplace with a stone chimney, and tucked away in a little crevice she found her knitting sheath just where Grand

(The remaining half of this page Has been torn off and discarded. Something had been written on it, for you can see the tops of the letters

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

on the next line.)
Mother had left it. I have it now and prize it alone all other heirlooms

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

page 14 (Pages misnumbered by the author) that I possess. Part two 10--20--1931 George Tilford. a native of Kantucky. came to Kent Ind when quite young where he grew to Manhood. Was married to Minerva Anderson. Daughter William and Nancy Anderson of Welch decent. To them were born 4 children three girls and one boy. John Chambers. The only son. was born Feb 18, 1838 his Father taught school. for a number of years. his health failed. The doctor said he would have get outdoor work where he could be in the open air. so he went into the Huckster buisness travling Kent to Madison. his team ran awy one day on the Hanover road on one of those high hills. he was badly injured and died from the accident leaveing his Mother with those small children

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to raise. John being only nine years old when his Father was taken away was mostly raised by his Grand Father William Monroe a good Cristain man. When only ten years of age he worked around, helping the farmers When only fourtee year of age his mother moved to Madison, as she of had a better chance for her and the girls to find work. When John got work at the shipyard, but being so young the work was to heavy, so he then went into the Bakery buisness, at which he worked for some time. his Mother married again a man by the name of Cammel and then John started out to make his own way.

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Part 3

page 17 to prove this story If Mr Tilford if he had work he was not able to do it. We then owed our Landlady sixty dollars board, so I became discouraged, and said I was either going to housekeeping or home, he said we had nothing to go on. I said I had ten dollars I had saved washing for the boarders. (I did all of their washing and ironing, all of her sewing and helped her with the work) There was a man boarding there I said I knew he would lend him the rest. so

John C Tilford and Mary Emma Johnston were married [November] 3, 1870 at Louisville Ky (at the home of a friend) John D Orrill. They gave us a beautiful wedding. Boarded in Louisville too months. then went to Jeffersonville Ind where we boarded nine months. The first year was very hard for us. as Mr Tilford was sick the most of the time. We had been married only a short time when we were robbed of all of our money. some one entered our room one morning while we were at breakfast.

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

so that was a bad beginning. but the old saying, a bad beginning makes a good ending (and am happy to say that was true in our case.) (Remainder of page cut off.) he asked him to loan him ten dollars he said yes all he wanted, there was a man building a little house on the next corner to us. he said we could rent it the Grocery man said come and get any thing we wanted. The house was finished Friday evening.

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

page 18 Went to housekeeping Saturday Aug 19, 1871 our oldest daughter May Vinetta was born Aug 21--1871. I had plenty of nice bedding brought from home. so that was a great help John took the case we brought our things in and made a safe so I would have a place to put my (pots and pans) so we fixed up too rooms. As soon as I was able to get around Mr Humes the man we borrowed the ten dolalrs from came and wanted to board with us I told him I had nothing to board him on. he said he wanted to help us get something so I took him. his wife was in the Insane hospital at Indianapolis he had too boys one 9 and 5 years of age they roomed just across the street from us, and I looked after them page 20 so he would be near his work. he was then working at night. he built us two rooms. would work all night come home eat breakfast. Work on the house untill noon. come home lie down a short time and then back to work. day in and out. Untill we could move in. Moved in before we had windows or doors. nailed up boards for doors, and tacked up carpet for windows. so we could save house rent. George Tilford our oldest son was born April 14th 1884.
(Note: This date is wrong: she must mean 1874. RDH)

page 19 he went to work one morning and said he wanted the boss to give John a job. he said he must give him work. he then explained how we were situated so he said bring him down next morning, so he gave him a place as car inspector, lighter work, his health improved, so he did not know what it was to be without out a days work for fourty eaight years. That was in 1871. he was transfered to Indianapolis in 1873. came here on Nov 3. The third year of marriage which proved to be a fortunate move for us. We had not been here very long, when we bought a lot way out on the south side. Near Fairfield park. Then the Fair grounds.

page 21 We dug our basement at night. I would pick, and he would shovel. There was a vacant lot near where he worked, so one summer he planted potatoes there, one evening we ware in the basement sorting them out. (We would sell the largest ones and use the small ones for selves.) One of the children, came down and said we had company. We went up and there was about twenty five of our lodge members there. We were members of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. I had a large rug in the dining room. They put me in that and

Opal Tilford our second daughter March 12. 1876. one year after we

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

moved in our new home. Which was then a lovely six room cottage now standing at south east and Lincon St. carried me all over the house. We did not think any thing of having a crowd like that comein

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

page 22 in for a surprise party. Those were happy, happy days plenty of hard work, but a pleasure to do far those we loved. for I then had six children to do for. But now most of those dear Friend are gone. and I am only left with the sweet memories to cheer me in my lonely hours, but I must not complain for I have been wonderfuly blessed. Mr Tilford and I took a trip to Niagra falls in August 1888 had a lovely time Met a man and his wife when we got on the train. Mr ???? Sargent. We were togthe all the time which made it very pleasant for us. as he was a travling man and kned more about getting arround than we did. became good friends,

page 23 May was married Dec 4th 1889. Fountain Johnston, my father died at Madison in 1891. Mother came to stay with me, died in Sept of the same year only lived seven months after Father passed away. Moved to West Indianapolis March 12. 1881. after living in our first home 16 years.
(Note: Again, she must mean 1891. RDH)

Mr Tilford was a member of the Knights of Pythias, joined that order at Jeffersonvill Ind in 1871, The Pythian Sisters a side degree of that order. Met in a hall just across the street from us. I joined them, as I was lonely when he was away of evenings. I was there one evening. They sent word, I had company, so when I got there the house was full, of members of the Knights and Ladies of Honor page 25 In 1885 we celebrated our Silver Anniversary. entertaining eaighty five guests. received many beautiful and useful gifts. During the intervening time Pearl Elman, Howard and George were married. Then in 1901 death entered our home once more and Opal was called. Died in February. Was to have been married in May to a young Minaster, Percy Leech of Iowa. She was a lovely and sincere Christain Girl Mr Tilford and I were

page 24 another order of which we members. They brought me a Beautiful set of dishes in honor of my 42 birthday. So that was the beginning of our home in West Indianapolis, and then came many happy and joyful days with my Husband and six children and also the saddest up to that time. as death entered our home, in September my Mother was called away. We took her to our old home at Madison and laid her beside Father. just one year later May was taken leaving a

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

little girl, Lula just two years old which I raised as my own. Who was married Dec 4th 1914 to Noble F Marsee, son of Doctor Joseph Marree (?) well known Surgeon of Indianapolis. then left alone. When I was thirty five years old he gave me a horse and buggy for my Birthday. We enjoyed that so much. but in the end it was the cause of him being a Cripple.

(I have always heard her son referred to as Elmore, not Elman.) (Note: Married in 1870, the Silver Anniversary would have been in 1895, not 1885.) page 26 The rest of his life. In 1911 Pearl and her family were at their Cottag on white river just north of Broad Ripple where they spent their vacation months. We would out on Saturday afternoon and stay over Sunday. This afternoon he had to work later, so were later starting and got dark before we got there. at 56 st and Central ave an automobile struck our buggy throwing us both out. When found he still had hold of the lines and unconsious When he came to he asked where I was. found me about a half block away lying in the road. They said he was badly hurt, and theme were going to take us to the hospital. (Remainder page 27 I said no I wished to go home They wished to know if were prepared to take car of him I said yes my son and his wife were there. They called and told Elmare to have a Doctor there so he was. They put us both to bed, a nurse was called. he's hip was dislocad he laid flat of his back for three weeks. he was crippled for the rest ofhis life. suffered all the time. we could not understand that untill he was examined for pension. on his retiriment. The Doctor said his hip was broken and never set said he did not see how he ever worked with his leg in that conditian. I was not so badly hurt. went over the front of the buggy. struck on my head and shoulders. My ear drum

of page cut off.)

page 28 was injured which left me partly deaf. The buggy was a total wreck. a farmer living near where the accident happened said he would take care of the horse untill Mr Tilford was able to do so. Then came the flood March 25th 1918 (sic) Lost almost every thing we had. household things

page 29 The piano drifted clear across the room. rugs Books and all in the water Book case lying face down. Had a large too story barn. was on Kentuck1y ave The other half leaning against a house. half a block away. The Surry was sitting on the Belt R.R. nothing left on the lot but the house. A large oil tank came

one half

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

and Clothing. Only saved on dress beside the one I had on. Mr Tilford only the suit he wore to work. The water was five feet three inches deep all over the house. The mud and dead chickens was shoveled out, or the windows were broken and the water had full sweep. I had a (synare?) piano very heavy. piled the rugs and books on top of it. we had a lovely book case filled with choice books. down between our house and the one next door. (happened to come end ways, took the shutters off clean we were in the worst of it as the Levy broke just back of our house. But that was the time we found out what friends ment to us. Not only among our own friends but strangers A real estate firm came to our Minister saying they had one hundred dollars to give to some

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

page 30 one. and wanted to know if he knew of some worthy family he said yes. so he brought them to us. I got furniture as ours all fell to pieces. The wife of one of the firm came to see me. brought Books and Magazines saying she knew I lost all of mine. A few days after there was a lovely libary table brought and left on our poarch. The next time she came, she asked if I got my table. I said one was left there but I did not know who by. she said they had a friend who made them so her husband had him to make us one. Then things settled down for a while. (Remainder of page page 31 Lula was married to Noble Marsee(?) Dec 9 1904. Papa and I were then left alone. as she was the last one at home. We lived in peace joy and happiness, only for his great suffering with his leg, as it never healed after the accident. Never a murmur of complaint always a smile and plesant word for every one. was taken away Sept 19 1918 (or 1919?). Then came to me the realization of what it was to part with such a Husband and Father always kind and loveing. especialy to me and the children. and I now at the age of eaighty three years. am only waiting to meet them. as May and Opal are also there. Lula and Noble stayed with that winter. I sold my house March 20, 1920 came to Pearls

cut off.)

page 32 They have a nice large lot, and as I did not want to break up housekeeping George said I could build me a house on the rear of their home. so George and I built a for room house mine as long as I live. and then Pearls I lived there eleven years all alone excepting 14 months. I was with Howard and Edna, and then came back home. but the children did not like for me to stay a lone. so April 30, 1930, I broke up housekeeping came to Pearls, turned the rent over to her for my care. have a nice room everything convenient and pleasant where I escpect to end my days and to meet those loved loved ones

page 33 So this ends a rambling sketch of my life. to the present time. Oct 26, 1931. I am afraid it will be a hard job for any one to read this as my fingers are so numb I can hardly hold my pen. caused by Rheumatism. To Bob and Thelma In remembrance of Grand Mother Tilford God be with you
Note: Thelma Mae Hummel nee Tilford was Mary Emmas granddaughter, married to Robert Q. Hummel and pregnant at the time of the writing with Robert David Hummel. My mother told me often that the letter was actually written to me, yet unborn.

John

C. Tilfords death date was 9/19/1919.

LETTER FROM MARY EMMA JOHNSTON/TILFORD, OCT. 1931

who have gone before. (Remainder of

page cut off.)