Mary A. Ray was John Johnson's first wife, who waited and prayed for him to return from war.
Mary A. Ray
Birth: c. 1837 Trumbull County, Ohio
Death: 10 March 1874 Dodge County, Wisconsin
Marriage to John Johnson: 10 Oct 1858
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| 1850 Census, Eastern District 25, Grant County, Wisconsin |
From the 1850 census:
Mary A. Ray was 13 years old, living in the Eastern District of Grant County, Wisconsin.
Others in her home included:
Father George Ray 57 years Occupation: laborer Birthplace: New York
Mother: Lucinda Ray 43 years Birthplace: Ohio
Children:
George 20 Ohio
Jerusha 17 Ohio
Roxy 15 Ohio
Mary 13 Ohio
William 12 Ohio
Washington 8 Ohio
From Ancestry.com, we learn more about her family:
Father: George Washington Ray
Birth: Birth 18 Nov 1800 Vermont, USA
Death: 18 Feb 1870 Prairie du Chien or Bridgeport, Crawford, Wisconsin
Burial: Prairie du Chien, Crawford County, Wisconsin
Mother: Lucinda Lamb
Birth: Jun 1803 Vermont, USA
Death: 12 Aug 1865 Randalia, Fayette Co, Iowa
Lucinda's Father & Mary's Grandfather: Caleb Lamb
Birth: 29 Mar 1767 Vermont, USA
Death: 1 May 1873 Randalia, Fayette County, Iowa Age 106 years 1 month 2 days
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| Caleb Lamb, Mary Ray's Grandfather |
He was a happy moderate-sized old man 47 when he stood in the ranks and fought the British at Plattsburg, New York in 1814.
It seems like fiction that I should, when ten, heard him tell of that battle; and stranger still to hear him tell of 1777 when the English army under General Burgoyne invaded our country via, Lake Shamplain where his father, also Caleb Lamb, then lived; but who was wise enough to take an ox-team covered-wagon trip into Canada, and stay there till after the war of the Revolution ended, when he came back with his wife and children and again took up his residence in Vermont on the East shore of Champlain, as Grand-Dad related in my presence.
The gift of long life was his. But he was a man above all pretenses and I have many times laughed at his narrative of trying to run away from the "Press Gangs" which were out impressing men into the American army in expectation of fighting the British at Plattsburg on the morrow. Accidentally he and his road-working crew ran right into the Press Gang trying to escape it. "Halt!" Commanded the Officer. "Which way you going?" "To the Front Sir," I answered saluting. "Fall in" commanded the officer. And fall-in they all did, and stood in the ranks sharing in the skirmish now dignified with the name of a battle, the last battle of the war of 1812. For New Oreleans was fought in January 1815 after peace had been signed on Christmas Day between the British and Americans. It is no credit to myself that Grand-Dad did his small part.
The striking thing to my mind is that his life-time and mine, piece together exceeds all the time since 1767. From findagrave.com
Children of George and Lucinda Ray:
Robert Ray 1818-1888
Elizabeth Ray 1823-1883
Lurancy Ray (Female) 1828-1903
George Ray Jr. 1830-1897
Jerusha Ray 1833-1866
Roxanna "Roxy" Ray 1836-1905
Mary A. Ray 1837-1874
William Gibson Ray 1841-1920
John Washington Ray 1843-1907
George and Lucinda Ray Residence from census records:
1830 Census: the family is living in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus, New York
1840 Census: Kinsman Township, Trumbull County, Ohio
1850 Census: Eastern District, Grant, Wisconsin
1860 Census: Ellenboro, Grant, Wisconsin
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| 10 Oct 1850 Marriage of John Johnson and Mary Ray |
10 Oct. 1858
John Johnson and Mary Ray marrried in Ellenboro, Grant Co., Wisconsin
This is the document that gives us the names of John Johnson's parents, Ingle and Helen, key in helping us know he is the John Johnson listed with Inglebregt and Helene Johnson on earlier and later records.
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| 1860 Census, Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin |
The 1860 Census for Town of Dunn, Dane County, Wisconsin records:
John Johnson age 25 occupation: farmer value of personal property: $300 Birthplace: Norway
Mary Johnson age 20 Birthplace: Ohio
John Johnson age 10 months Value of Real Estate: $800 Value of personal property: $200 Birthplace: Wisconsin
Is this an error written on the wrong line, or did John Johnson deed his property to his son, knowing that he might soon go away to war, and might not come back?
Jan 1861
Birth of John and Mary's 2nd child, Francis Maria Johnson, whom they called "Frankie." Records indicate she was born in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin rather than in Town of Dunn.
19 Aug 1861
John enlisted in the Union Union Army, 7th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, Company F. He mustered that same day.
Mary must surely have prayed constantly and watched the papers daily for news of John's Regiment.
1 Sept. 1864
John's term expired and he mustered out of the Union Army. Undoubtedly he returned a different man than he was three years previously.
When he mustered out of the Union Army, John Johnson returned to Wisconsin to his wife, Mary, and daughter, Frankie. Their son, John (born 1859) may or may not have still been alive. We only know that he died before the 1870 census.
After the war, John and Mary Johnson had three additional children while living in Dunn, Wisconsin.
Eugene, Isaac, and Clarence had hearing impairments and were considered deaf. Eugene and Isaac also had significant intellectual impairments. Clarence acquired his hearing loss due to illness at about age 2 years (from obituary). A probate record indicates that Eugene and Isaac had their disabilities at infancy.
I have not been able to locate photos of Eugene and Isaac.
After the war, John and Mary Johnson had three additional children while living in Dunn, Wisconsin.
Eugene (abt 1867 - 1 May 1911)
Isaac A. (abt 1869 – 13 June 1935)
Clarence R. (30 Jan 1872 – 13 July 1954)
Two additional children were lost in infancy or as young children, either before or after the war. (from John's obituary)
Eugene, Isaac, and Clarence had hearing impairments and were considered deaf. Eugene and Isaac also had significant intellectual impairments. Clarence acquired his hearing loss due to illness at about age 2 years (from obituary). A probate record indicates that Eugene and Isaac had their disabilities at infancy.
I have not been able to locate photos of Eugene and Isaac.
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| 1870 Census, Town of Dunn, Dane Co., Wisconsin |
1870 Census
John and Mary were still living in Dunn Township, Dane County, Wisconsin. 1870 Census indicates they have a young servant, Rosa Everson (16 years old, from Norway), in their home. Perhaps she was there to help with the children.
10 March 1874
Mary died of unknown causes. This was about the same time Clarence became ill, resulting in his hearing loss. Could Mary have had the same illness? We don't know.
I have not been able to locate Mary's grave.