Letter to Achsa Johnson of Worthington, Ohio from E.A. Leonard

This letter was written to Achsa Johnson of Worthington, Ohio from E. A. Leonard. It is not clear from the letter how Leonard and Johnson know each other. It appears as though their families may be acquainted because Leonard references her mother and other family members as though Johnson knows them personally. Leonard writes to update Johnson on a long-term illness that she is finally recovering from (possibly consumption) and the result of some medical advice that Johnson had given her earlier. Leonard goes into great detail describing her symptoms as well as her diagnosis. She writes about how she was told to prepare for her death and the measures she has taken to get well again.

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. They had three children, but only one, Mary, survived into adulthood. The family moved to Columbus in 1847, when their daughter married Francis Sessions.