Macon Magazine

THE TRADITION OF CELEBRATING Saint Valentine on Feb. 14 is one that dates to the Middle Ages. What originally began as a day to find a lifelong partner morphed into the romantic celebration it is today. Not only was this holiday observed, but the romanticism it represented was celebrated in times of happiness and mourning. e most notable of these traditions is the practice of sending and receiving fanciful cards, a practice that is evident in the embellished letters of Anne Tracy Johnston, the first lady of the Johnston-Felton Hay House. e act of writing romantic notes began in the 1700s. At that time, romantics were equipped with ordinary, plain paper to write poetic missives. Due to increasing demand and improved postage, in the 1820s companies began to design, print and market Valentine's greetings to the masses. ese valentines gained popularity in America in the 1830s and were often printed with embossed borders, paper lace and colored illustrations. Sometimes these letters would include gifts or treasures including jewelry tucked into folds of paper. ose wealthy enough to afford these valentines went to great lengths to profess their affection and those who received them cherished the thoughts of their admirer. Anne Tracy Johnston was no exception to this admiration or tradition. Born in 1829 to Macon's second mayor, Judge Edward Dorr Tracy, Anne Tracy Johnston grew up in Macon and studied at the Montpelier Collegiate Institute, a female college formerly located in Monroe County. Educated and born to a family of good repute, it is easy to surmise that Anne garnered the interest of many, as is evident in her personal letters in the Hay House Museum collection. On Feb. 14, 1837, a young man named Gustavus from Montgomery wrote a valentine to Anne on illustrated stationary depicting a multicolored series of flowers, fruits, birds and vines enclosed in a matching envelope. Gustavus wrote: "Sweet Lady, if thou'll deign to be My faithful Valentine, My fame, my fortune, and my heart, I'll lay upon thy shrine. I'll swear to cherish, love, adore Each word, each look of thine, en Annie dear, lists' to my prayer And be my Valentine." After the death of her father in 1849, Anne received another earnest letter from an unknown admirer. Even in times of sadness, these poetic messages were intended to warm the heart of those in mourning. Enclosed in a white lace envelope the man sincerely wrote: "In memory of the noble traits on the character of your deceased father, and in admiration of that particular lovely resemblance, which beauty has with hastened 20 years traced upon your features, I tender to you, this day, in the annexed times, the best wishes of your father's friend." Unfortunately for Gustavus, Anne met William Butler Johnston, a successful jeweler and businessman, in 1850. During a year of courtship, William routinely sent Anne letters and surprised her with many gifts of affection. ese gifts included books, fruit and theater tickets as evident in her reply cards neatly stuffed into small lace-paper envelopes. Anne replied: " anks to Mr. Johnston for the ' e House of Seven Gables' with many thanks. I have found it quite entertaining." – June 1851 "Miss Tracy's compliments to Mr. Johnston and many thanks for his excellent peaches." – July 16, 1851 "I will be pleased to see Mr. Johnston this evening." – August 1851 William's romantic gestures charmed Anne. In September 1851, the couple married and embarked on a three-year honeymoon in Europe, which inspired the construction of their grand Italianate house on Georgia Avenue. e act of sending a poetic message or gift is a tradition that can be practiced year-round. Much like Anne's admirers who, during times of celebration, happiness and sadness, brought comfort by sharing their admiration. — WILLIAM AULTMAN, DIRECTOR OF COLLECTIONS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE HAY HOUSE MUSEUM HAY LORE Anne Johnston's romantic missives An ongoing series about Hay House lore, traditions and history 28 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

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