Mary E. (Ray) Johnson (abt. 1820 - 1887)

Born about 1820 in New Jersey, United States

Died 24 Dec 1887 at about age 67 in Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States

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Biography

Mary (Ray) Johnson is a part of US Black heritage.

Mary was the daughter of Isaac Ray and Phebe Andruss. Mary born in about 1820, after the census was taken on August 7th of that year.^[1] Though her parents are listed in teh census records as living in Seneca, NY, in 1820, five of Mary's six census records say she was born in NJ. Perhaps her mother went back to NJ for the birth.

Mary married Elza M. Johnson (1817-1848), and they had three children (one named Mary, the other two died young). She also had a daughter (Emma Johnson, father unknown) born in 1851. The family lived in Rochester, New York.

Residences

In 1837, the Ray family lived in Candaigua, Ontario County, New York. Her mother placed an advertisement in the Ontario Repository and Freeman, May 10, 1837.

1846 March 1st - Phebe Ray has a letter waiting for her at Canandaigua post office.^[2]

1847 - Phebe Ray (cook) boarded at 6 Mechanic Street in Rochester, New York. Her son, David, and her son-in-law, Elza Johnson, lived at the same address. Presumably Betsy Ray and Mary Johnson and their children were also in the house. ^[3]

1849 - Mary Johnson (widow) lives at 6 Division Street in Rochester NY. Her mother and brother live at the same address.^[4]

1861-1880: Rochester City Directories show Phebe and Mary and Mary's children living at 29 Gibbs Street for these 19 years.

Death

Mary died on December 24, 1887, in Rochester, New York, at the age of 67, and was buried there in Mount Hope Cemetery.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Fayette, Seneca, New York; Page: 372; NARA Roll: M33_75; Image: 98
2. ↑ Canandaigua NY Ontario Respository and Messanger 1846 March
3. ↑ Daily American Directory of the City of Rochester, for 1847–48 (Rochester, 1847), 230
4. ↑ Daily American Directory of the City of Rochester, for 1849–50 (Rochester, 1849), 256.
5. ↑ Find A Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40518736/mary-johnson

• The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Rochester Ward 5, Monroe, New York; Roll: 530; Page: 184a