Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 30 January 1872

THE DEATH OF MISS JOHNSON.

The announcement of the death of Miss Johnson, of Fairfax House, will be received with sincere regret by all our readers.

She was the second daughter of the Reverend Walter Maurice Johnson, Vicar of Weston St. Mary, where her remains are to be interred on Friday next, at 12 o’clock. She was born in Spalding, where her life has been passed in acts of quiet and unostentatious benevolence. She wearied not in well-doing, and we have every confidence that she will reap a reward, for she fainted not. She, with her sister, who we are thankful to say survives her, have been most liberal supporters of the charities in the town and district; they gave the excellent Church clock in addition to their noble subscription towards the Church Restoration and New Church fund.

One by one the members of this family are rapidly passing away, but their good and kind actions will ever remain engraven on the hearts of their fellow townsmen, and their names be handed down to future generations for examples.

May the lives of those who remain amongst us be spared, and may their acts of kindness be appreciated by those who are recipients of their bounty.

A Christian gentlewoman has passed away from us: as we mourn our loss, let us not forget to follow her example. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 4 June 1872

THE WILL OF THE LATE MISS JOHNSON.

The Will of the late Miss Johnson, of Fairfax House, Spalding, was proved in the Principal Court of Probate on 28th February last. By it, this estimable lady who throughout her life had exercised extensively, and unostentiously, the most kindly acts of benevolence and charity towards all classes, after various legacies to relatives, friends, and dependents, has made, as a last token of her love for her poorer brothren, the following munificent gifts and provisions, for the benefit of Spalding and the neighbourhood, to take effect upon the decease of the present Miss Johnson : —

To the Town Husbands, of Spalding, £1,800 for Investment, free of duty, the Interest to be applied as follows : of £500 to the Spalding Dispensary ; of £200, to the Blue-coat School; of £500, to the Church National Schools ; of £300, to the Doreas Charity; and of £300 to the Church District Society.

To the Vicar and Churchwardens of Weston, free of duty, £900 for Investment :—the Interest of £500 to be applied to the Church National School, and the Interest of £400 to be given away in coals by the Vicar and Churchwardens to the deserving poor at Christmas yearly.

To the Bishop and Archdeacon of Lincoln, and the Trustees of the Vicarage of Spalding, duty free, £1,500 for Investment, the interest to be for the further benefit of the Incumbent of a New District Church in Spalding, to be built during the life, or within two years after the death of the present Miss Johnson. And the entire residue of her personal estate (amounting to many thousand pounds) is bequeathed, upon Trusts, for a Hospital and lnfirmary to be erected in Spalding, for the benefit of that town and the surrounding villages.

Thus, while many must and will regret the loss of s0 good and charitable a lady, multitudes of the present and future generations will bless her memory, and the goodness of heart which prompted these great and lasting benefits.

As there has been some misapprehension upon the subject of the splendid gifts by this lady, we have pleasure in giving to the public the purport of her will, made in the year 1864.

Stamford Mercury – Friday 7 June 1872

The will of the late Miss Johnson, of Fairfax House, Spalding, was proved on the 28th February last. She bequeathed the following munificent gifts and provisions, to take effect upon the decease of the present Miss Johnson:— To the Town Husbands of Spalding £1,800 for investment, free of duty, the interest to be thus applied; of £500 to the Spalding Dispensary; of £200. to the Blue-Coat school; of £500 to the Church National schools; of £300 to the Dorcas Charity; and of £300 to the Church District Society. To the Vicar and churchwardens of Weston, free of duty, £900 for investment; the interest of £500, to be applied to the Church National school, and the interest of £400 to be given away in coals by the Vicar and churchwardens to the deserving poor at Christmas yearly. To the Bishop and Archdeacon of Lincoln, and the trustees of the Vicarage of Spalding, duty free, £1,500 for investment, the interest to be for the further benefit of the incumbent of a new district church in Spalding, to be built during the life, or within two years after the death of the present Miss Johnson ; and the entire residue of her personal estate (amounting to many thousand pounds) is bequeathed, upon trusts, for a hospital and infirmary to be erected in Spalding.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 19 March 1878

THE LATE MISS JOHNSON.

We regret to have to record the death, on Saturday last, of Miss Mary Ann Johnson, of Fairfax House, Spalding. The deceased lady, it appears, went on a visit to her sister at Bourn, on the previous Tuesday, somewhat against the advice of her medical attendant. Before and during the journey the deceased lady fainted, and on Saturday morning peacefully breathed her last. The news did not occasion much surprise in the town, Miss Johnson’s advanced age being such that that event might at any time be expected.

Very few persons, having Miss Johnson’s command of wealth, would have lived so simply and unostentatiously. She was a great believer in exercise, and might be seen, on almost every fine day, accompanied by a little pet dog, taking long walks into the country. During the last year, however, she has become too feeble for walking, but she still might be seen in her Bathchair enjoying the freshness and beauty of the summer or winter morning. At home, her establishment was quietly and simply conducted, there being no show, or trappings, or grand paraphernalia in connection with her house. Yet, with all this, there was no with-holding of the hand in & case of distress, or help in any trouble or affliction among the poor. Her attendants could tell of many secret works of charity, which the world never thought of or will know about. She was thoroughly kind and generous ; a consistent Christian, seeking to live a high and noble life, in deeds, not in words.

Her remains will be conveyed to Weston for Internment on Thursday next, at half-past two o’clock. In our next issue we shall give an accouut of her funeral, and we hope, at the same time, to have also a record of her munificent acts tor the good of the townspeople of Spalding. May we suggest to the tradesmen, as a fitting tribute to her worth, that they close their places of business for an hour or two, on the occasion of her funeral.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 6 May 1879

THE JOHNSON HOSPITAL —A meeting of the trustees was held on Saturday last, when several tenders for the erection of the new hospital were considered and one accepted. There is every probability, therefore, of a speedy commencement of the work.

Stamford Mercury – Friday 19 September 1879

The Johnson Hospital.— The foundations of the new Hospital have been excavated and concreted large quantity of materials have been carted on to the ground, the temporary workshops erected, and other preparations made for proceeding with the building, but at present very few hands are employed upon the works, and the progress appears to slow.

Lincolnshire Free Press – Tuesday 11 October 1881

Apropos the opening of the Johnson Hospital to-morrow, our readers will be interested to learn that the following gentlemen constitute  the “Hospital Trust” – The Vicars of Spalding, Cowbit, Weston, Pinchbeck, Moulton and Deeping St. Nicholas, C. F. Bonner, Esq., T. M. S. Johnson, Rev. M. Sisson, Ashley Maples, Esq. ,J.G. Calthrop, Esq., Rev. A. W. G. Moore, F. Howard, Esq., J.P., and B. Ashling, Esq. , Canon Moore is president of the Trust, C. F. Bonner. Esq., vice-president, and Joe G. Calthrop, Esq., hon. sec. The medical staff will be – physician, Marten Perry, Esq., M.D, L.B.C.P.Edin., M.R.C.S.Eng., L Mid., L.S.A.; surgeons, Edwin Morris, Esq.M.D. F.R.C.S.Eng., L.S.A., and Clarke Kelly Morris, Esq., M.R.C.S.Eng., L.S.A. The medical staff of the Dispensary will remain as before Drs. Morris, Perry, and Stiles, and Mr. C. K. Morris.

Stamford Mercury – Friday 14 October 1881

Opening of a New Hospital Spalding. Admiration and gratitude must felt by all the thoughtful people of Spalding and the district when they look upon the “Johnson Hospital.” It is a noble building for a noble purpose—the gift of the late Misses Johnson, of Fairfax House. The formal opening took. place on Wednesday. The proceedings fitly commenced by a short service at 3 p.m. in the neighbouring church of St. Peter—a comely and commodious edifice reared also through the munificence of the Misses Johnson. There was a large congregation, more than could be seated. The prayers were intoned by the Rev. B. Mathews, the 1st lesson was read by the Rev. J. T. Dove, and the 2nd by the Rev. J. R. Jackson. The psalms were chanted by a powerful and surpliced choir, and the harmonium (played by .Mr. Price) was supplemented by several instruments. After the third collect the beautiful hymn “Saviour, blessed Saviour was sung. The Bishop of Lincoln then ascended the pulpit and delivered appropriate address, taking for his text, Go, do thou likewise.” The passage occurred in lesson in the ordinary course of the Church weekly calendar, which his Lordship said was especially suitable to that special occasion. Alluding to the parable the Good Samaritan he said the compassionate man came to where the wounded traveller lay, poured oil and wine in his wounds, took him to an inn, and left him in charge of the host. The inn represents the Church of Christ—that which the venerable prelate hoped our Church is—that which he hoped the church in that town is—a spiritual community for healing, not by its own power, but by the oil and wine of the blessed sacraments which Christ has committed to the host. The host was the priesthood—Christ’s ministers; and they were to receive all travellers with kindness. And the good Samaritan will come again. They did not look for their reward in this world. The clergy this county, the Bishop observed, are now suffering more than any other class. They do not look for a return in this world, but are looking for the Samaritan, and they know that what they spend more beyond what Christ has entrusted with them He will repay them. The two pence in the parable means something left in charge with the host for the use of the injured traveller. This was what regards the soul. The same good Samaritan Jesus Christ has provided for the body. Christ is the flesh of the body and the soul and the spirit of all. I dare say, his Lordship remarked, you know perfectly well there were no such things as hospitals before Christianity. I would to God, if there are any Secularists in this church hope there are none—or in this town—l hope they will consider that Secularism never built a hospital. Never! It never could. It labours in this world for the things of time. The medical men of Spalding look upon themselves as having a commission from Christ, doing Christ’s work in the hospital there. It was in the necessity of things that Christianity should build hospitals, The Secularists and the Cremationists get rid of the body; but we hold our bodies in honour, because God has taken the flesh through the womb of the Virgin Mary and dignified the body, and because we know that by holy baptism our bodies are members of Christ and we are children of Christ; they are incorporated in Christ; and we are made temples of God the Holy Ghost. Of all the things which actuated and animated our dear sisters in Christ who have departed—Elizabeth Ann Johnson and Mary Ann Johnson—surely that which animated them was this: that they knew He had redeemed them; they knew they had been washed in the blood of Christ; they knew that Christ loved and cared for them in sickness ; and they knew that, with the eye of faith and the warm heart of faith, they had laboured for Christ and death could have no sting. At the conclusion of the address the choir moved down the nave, singing the hymn “The sons of God their conflict past,” followed by the Bishop and the clergy in surplices, &c, among whom were the Revs. Canon Moore, Canon Wayet, E. M. Sanderson, J. R. Jackson, J. T. Dove, A. W. G. Moore, J. Sissons, P. W. T. Beechey. F. Nelham, and A. Harre. The procession, joined by several of the lay Trustees, approached the Hospital, at the principal door of which the Bishop was presented with the key and formal entry was made; and the staircase, the corridors, and the wards were soon crowded with visitors. The Bishop offered up prayer in the two wards and the hymns “Thou to whom the sick and dying and “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old” were sung, the band showing remarkable readiness to accompany. The proceedings ended with the national anthem. The building, while it presents a pleasing feature to the passer-by, is admirably adapted to the necessities and comforts of the poor creatures whom bodily afflictions may cause to seek its hospitality. The architect was Mr. G. G. Hoskins, of Darlington; and the builders were Messrs. Bulling, of Ollerton, at a contract price of nearly £5,000.