J. Wilmer Johnson's Memories of Richsquare

Richsquare Memories

The Richsquare Friends Church and community have always been very special to me. I have fond memories of Sunday School classes with Raymond Johnson as teacher, and how he was able to explain some of the miracles written in the Bible so that a ten-year-old boy could understand.

Also high on my list of memories were the church parties and social affairs whether held at the church or in someone's home - how much fun we had, especially some of the pranks that were carried off, naturally with the help of some of the older people. My memories especially center on Everett White, a very talented and capable young man, whether on the farm or in the church. He developed a magician bit where I was his "straight." My part was to inadvertently betray to the audience how that trick was done. The ideas of the tricks were his, of course, as he was eleven years my senior.

My favorite church song has always been "The Church in the Wildwood" and I always think of Richsquare whenever I hear it. 

Our family history at Richsquare dates back to the early 1830s when widow Sarah Johnson and her five children settled in Franklin Township in Henry County and built a home near the Richsquare Friends Church location. We now call it the "Joel Johnson homestead." Joel became head of the church and was on the governing board at White's Institute at Wabash for a number of years. He and many other members of our family on both sides lie buried in the cemetery as well as many members of the families who came from Virginia with them, as well as from North Carolina, i.e. the Butler, Whites, Stewarts, Parkers, etc.