A while back, newspapers.com added one of my much-needed publications, The Hancock Democrat from Greenfield, Indiana. I didn’t take a second look for the obituary of my 3rd great grandfather, Thomas Johnson (1794-1874), and I was very pleasantly surprised when a 4th cousin who I met for the first time on Thursday presented me with this:
The Hancock Democrat (Greenfield, Indiana), Thursday, March 26, 1874, Newspapers.com
WARRINGTON, IND., March 22, ’74 [1874]
EDITOR HANCOCK DEMOCRAT: It is my sad duty to announce to your readers the death of one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens. Thomas Johnson departed this life yesterday (Saturday) morning at about 3 o’clock, at his residence in Brown township. He was 80 years old last January, and beyond old age, had no particular disease. – Mr. Johnson emigrated from North Carolina, and settled in this county in 1837, and has consequently been with us for 37 years. He was one of our best citizens, and none knew him save to love and respect him. He was a just man and never knew what it was to have an enemy. He lived and died a christain [sic] by precept and example. He leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. It would be well if all would imitate the noble example he has left us.
Yours, truly,
Wm. S. Garriott.
Another ancestor whose obituary makes me proud.
