May 2007
Charles R. Johnson –Scrapbook Collection
C. R. Johnson was considered to be a historian from the “old school” and he recorded many events which he frequently related through the columns of the local newspaper, The Norwich Sun. Many of his articles appear in these scrapbooks along with many other interesting newspaper articles from other journalists.
C. R. Johnson was prominent in business and as a young man was associated with his father’s hardware business. Later he entered the shoe business which he conducted for several years before entering into the feed business. After a few years in the feed business he then retired.
Charles R. Johnson was born in Norwich on January 20, 1840, the son of Ralph and Mary (Randall) Johnson. He was a long time resident here and enjoyed a long productive life. He died February 9, 1925 at the age of 85 years.
Due to these scrapbooks being old, dating back to the late 1870’s, they are brittle and we regret that they cannot be handled. However, it is our pleasure to share with you what historical gems are hidden within the pages and site the date, name of newspaper, and which reel of microfilm the full article can be found. There are however, some newspaper articles that are from issues of papers that we do not have on microfilm. Some articles also are not dated so locating the article on microfilm might be impossible. The page number in the scrapbook will be sited.
We would like to begin this revealing of historical tidbits with an article not written by C.R. Johnson. It appeared in the third book on pages 52 & 53 the article is only quoted partially here.
“The First Child in Norwich” – The Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph –
March 13, 1873 – (Reel #27 on microfilm)
Apparently in the local newspaper, The Chenango Union, February 27th issue a Mr. Skinner wrote in and stated that he was the second white male child to be born in Chenango County. Since we do not have any issues of the Chenango Union for that time period, we could not look to see what was written. The following clears up who the first child born was and where Mr. Skinner was ranked for male children born.
“To the Editors of the Telegraph, Sirs,- We would inform you that “the first white native of the Chenango valley” was Lucy Powers. She was the first white daughter born in Norwich. Abigail Ransford was the second, Polly Hammond the third, Ann Harris, the fourth.
The first white son born in Norwich, was Marcus Cole, the second was Horace Ransfard, not Hascall Ransford, late deceased. Horace was the first son, (and Hascall the fourth child) of Hascall and Fanny Ransford. And was born “on the 23rd of July, 1794” and died “on the 4th of September, 1795, aged 13 months and 12 days.” Mr. Issac Skinner, who is 78 years of age this month, is the third white son born in Norwich……”
It is stated at the beginning of this article that the person writing in the correction had compiled the information from authentic records.
In book 3 of the Charles Johnson Scrapbook Collection, page 53 includes another article (date not recorded) from a Mr. A.A. Tobey writing in who was from Smyrna stating that his father and one of his father’s brothers were born before Mr. Skinner.
Next update we will learn some historical tidbits on the first early settlers.
More Historical Tidbits coming soon...
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