Letter to Achsa Johnson of Worthington, Ohio from Mary Johnson in Washington City

This letter was written to Achsa Johnson of Worthington, Ohio from her daughter, Mary Johnson, in Washington City (Washington D.C.). In the letter, Mary Johnson recounts the details of the trip she and her father, Orange Johnson, are taking by stagecoach to Washington City. She adds that she experienced different emotions during the several days on the coach from fear to giddiness. She talks of mountains and snow. She also lists the different people that she and her father encountered on the way, several of who become regular correspondents with the Johnson family.

Achsa Johnson was born Achsa Maynard on April 7, 1791. She was the daughter of Moses Maynard. In 1815, she married Orange Johnson (b. February 7, 1790 - d. November 28, 1876), a comb maker by trade from Connecticut. The comb business was very successful, and Achsa and Orange moved into their home at 956 High Street in 1816.

Mary was the daughter of Orange and Achsa Johnson. She married Francis Sessions on August 18, 1847. The Sessions were interested in promoting art and art instruction in Columbus. The Sessions art collection formed a basis for the Columbus Museum of Art collection.