|
a.
|
Note: N198 The wedding dress worn by Frances Russell Johnson when she married John McPherson in 1823 was donated to the Museum of the Historical Society of Frederick County, Maryland by Alice Dibble in the Summer of 2002.
Entered into rest yesterday afternoon at 6 o'clock, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A.G. Ross, Record Street, Mrs. FANNY JOHNSON McPHERSON, in the 91st year of her age. Her death removes the last member of a distinguished family. After a long and eventful career, when death comes to one of God's chosen people who has passed four score years and ten, it is not an unwelcome guest, and leaves behind the record of a life well spent. Few persons have been held in more affectionate esteem than the subject of this sketch. Lovely in character, cultured and refined as all ladies of the old school, a brilliant conversationalist and a sincere Christian, death found the aged mother in Israel ready to obey his summons.
Save for blindness during the past year all her faculties were unimpaired until her final illness. Sorrowing hearts are comforted with the though that the dear one fell asleep in Jesus, all her live revealing her intrinsic worth and true Christian character, and though she is dead yet the speaketh in leaving an example worthy of emulation.
Fanny Russell Johnson was born December 14, 1799, on the night when George Washington died. She was the daughter of Thomas Jennings Johnson, of this county, and her grandfather was the illustrious Thomas Johnson, first governor of Maryland.
In her youthful days she was a beauty and a belle at the White House, during the presidency of John Quincy Adams, whose wife, Miss Louisa Johnson, of this county, was a cousin.
Fanny Johnson was married Dec. 28, 1823 to Col. John McPherson, Jr., a prominent citizen of Frederick. He died in 1874.
Living for nearly a century, she was familiar with the early history of her native land and oft times recalled her girlhood, entertaining her friends for hours with pleasant reminiscences. She had in her possession a valuable collection of rate antiques belonging to her grandfather and family.
A devoted member of All Saints P.E. Church, she was interested in its welfare, and her place in the sanctuary was never vacant, unless by sickness.
She was the last surviving charter member of All Saints orphanage.
She leaves two daughters, Mrs. A.G. Ross, of this city; and Mrs. George R. Dennis, of Urbana.
Her funeral will take place Monday at 2 p.m. from All Saints P.E. Church. Interment will be made in Mt. Olivet cemetery.
Source: The News (Frederick, MD) Saturday, May 31, 1890
|
