Nancy M Johnson

Nancy’ descendents and Sherre Servi Chapin have DNA match through two of her sons, James Perry Johnson, and Wilson M Johnson. See sources Ancestry.

Mrs. Nancy Johnson died at her home in Cameron Friday Evening March 30, two weeks ago, while out in the yard, she fell breaking her hip. Monday last she was stricken with Pneumonia after a few days of intense suffering, death came to her relief. Nancy M. Bonnell was born in Erie County PA. Oct 4, 1815, in fall 1836 She was united in marriage with George W Johnson in Waterford PA. They came to Illinois after residing at LaSalle a short time, came to Warren County, where with exception of one or two years they resided till death. There were born to them eleven children, four of whom are yet living, two in Monmouth, one in Cameron and one in Kansas. Mr. Johnson died in Cameron in 1886. Mrs. Johnson was the eldest of a family of eleven children, Mrs.G.W.Morey of Phelps, being the only one now living. The funeral will be held at the Methodist church in Cameron tomorrow at 11 o’clock. Interment will be in the Silent Home Cemetery.

At least one of Nancy and George’s children, son Charles, is born in Pennsylvania about 1844. They move to LaSalle Illinois, finally settle in Cameron Illinois. More children are born in PA. See 1860 census. The 1860 census shows Emily lives next door to her sister Nancy. Also notice the Wisconsin connection, a child named James Bunnell, 2 yrs old born “Wis” is listed in the household with Emily’s family. Could this be Emily and Nancy’s nephew? If so why is he living here, hundreds of miles away from his parents in Wisconsin. (Research has not found a James Bunnell’s born 1858, listed with Nancy’s brothers in Wisconsin census’s.)

Nancy’s parents are William S Bonnell and Mary Elizabeth Hogan. Nancy leaves Pennsylvania, long her before parents and three of her brothers who move to Wisconsin in 1856. Her only sister, Emily also goes to Cameron Illinois, then marries in 1874 and lives nearby in Illinois. 1880 Census for Nancy Johnson documents both her parents are from Penn. We know William S Bonnell was born in PA, and her mother Mary Elizabeth Hogan was born in Ireland( came to the US as a child). Is it possible family/ people writing the obituary for Nancy and her sister Emily didn't know Mary Hogan was born in Ireland?

Photo courtesy of Lisa Davis on Find A Grave. Source:www.findagrave.com

1850 LaSalle Illinois Census Nancy(Bonnell) Johnson her husband George and 3 children, Charles born in PA, Perry and Wilson born in Illinois are listed. See sources. Sources:Copy of Letters from Loretta Brasche that Sherre Servi Chapin received from the Fond du Lac Historical society.In Loretta’s letters she is researching and asking for records on William Bonnell of Ripon Wisconsin. See resource tab. The letter does not reveal her tree line, or exactly if she is connected. 11 years later a search performed by (Sherre Servi Chapin) reveals a new married name “Loretta Brasche Holmes” (her last name changed with 2nd marriage) Secondly, research into the Steve Bonnell Group (group of Bonnell’s who sharing genealogical information) I learn Loretta Basche’s has given this group her tree line back to William S. Bonnell and John Bonnell. Loretta also gives her address and phone number that she shared with the group. See sources for the tree line identified by Loretta and her letter to Fond Du Lac Historical Society. Sherre writes to Loretta twice with o replies. 2nd letter was sent by Fed x with a tracker and it was documented as delivers. Sadly it was learned Loretta passed away about the same week that my letter was sent. Loretta's family didn't respond to my letter even after a 2nd attempt a year later.
As a source for Nancy's marriage, birthday, 11 children, five living, as listed in the " Voters and Taxpayers" for Warren County for her husband Johnson, Geo. W in a book on page 342 of "The PAST ANS PRESENT of WARREN COUNTY, ILLINOIS" Chicago: H.F.Kett&CO., Cor 5th Ave and Washington St. 1877. George and Nancy owned 120 acres valued at $8,200 in Sec 17; P.O. Cameron. They came to the county in 1844. Wilson rents 120 acres of G. W. Johnson in Sec 17 P.O. Cameron. Lloyd is a farmer and rents of Wiswell; P.O. Cameron. Amos and Perry, prop. Johnson House. born in Illinois. Everyone is a Democrate. George is retired. One of the oldest settlers in Co.

Fall of 2020, Sherre Servi Chapin contacts Warren County Illinois Historical Society and hires them for research into Nancy’s marriage and death certificates, there was no death certificate as this was not a requirement at the time. There was a platt record thar showed sisters Nancy and Emily lived on farms next door to each other. This aligns with the # in the later census records. There no parents were listed with the marriage record. The census records attached do identify Nancy born in Erie PA. The obituary above identifies her sister,