Johnston family at Ellenthorpe L-R: Maude, Margaret, David, Ella, Alfred and William
Great-grandfather – Maternal father’s line of Johnston Family
David Johnston was born on 9 October 1845, in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He married Margaret Jane Black in 1875 and they had 9 children together. He died on 27 December 1936, in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 91.
David Johnston was born on 9 October 1845, in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Fan Chart showing the parents of David Johnston
- Arrival in Australia: David Johnston together with his parents and siblings travelled from Drumkeeran, Ederny, Fermanagh, Ireland to Liverpool, England where they boarded the ship “Alfred” on 8 October 1859 and migrated to New South Wales, Australia. They arrived in Sydney on 6 January 1860.
Newpaper report about the arrival of the Government immigrant ship Alfred to Port Jackson in 1860
- Residence: From 1861 to 1872 David Johnston lived in Robertson, New South Wales.
- Residence: In 1872 David Johnston lived in Gerringong, New South Wales, where he remained until 1885.
David Johnston married Margaret Jane Black on 4 May 1875, in the Wesleyan Parsonage, Kiama, New South Wales, Australia, when he was 30 years old. David Johnston (1845–1936) and Margaret Jane Black (1854–1932)
David and Margaret Johnston at “Ellenthorpe”, Tenterfield with daughter Maude and grandson Victor Johnston. c.1928-29
- Occupation: David Johnston at the time of his marriage on 4 May 1875, was a Farmer living at Gerringong, New South Wales, Australia
- Birth of Daughter: His daughter Alice Maude Mary was born on 11 June 1876, in Gerringong, New South Wales. She lived in Tenterfield, New South Wales, for more than 28 years from 1930 to 1958. She died on 28 October 1959, in Lismore, New South Wales, at the age of 83, and was buried in Bangalow, New South Wales. Alice Maude Mary Johnston (1876–1959)
- Birth of Daughter: His daughter Gertrude Florence was born on 26 April 1878, in Gerringong, New South Wales. She lived in Clifton, Queensland, in 1919 and moved to Kingaroy, Queensland, sometime between 1919 and 1925. She died on 11 April 1962, in Memerambi, Queensland, at the age of 83, and was buried there. Gertrude Florence Johnston (1878–1962)
- Birth of Son: His son John Crawford was born on 25 April 1880, in Gerringong, New South Wales. He died in March 1935 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 54, and was buried in Lismore, New South Wales. John Crawford Johnston (1880–1935)
Life in New South Wales in the mid to late 1800s
David Johnston was living in New South Wales, in 1883 when it transformed into a booming British settlement. The painting below shows George Street, Sydney c.1883.
A painting by Alfred Tischbauer (1853–1922) of George Street, Sydney in 1883. The original oil on canvas is held at the State Library of New South Wales, it is now in the public domain because its term of copyright has expired.
- Birth of Son: His son Thomas was born on 22 February 1883, in Wildes Meadow, New South Wales. He lived in Knockrow, New South Wales on 31 December 1936. He died in 1953 in Byron Bay, New South Wales, at the age of 70. Thomas Johnston (1883–1953)
- Birth of Son: His son David Cyril was born on 6 September 1884, in Gerringong, New South Wales. He lived in Monto, Queensland on 27 December 1936. David Cyril Johnston (1884–1960)
Extract from Johnston birthday book
- Residence: David Johnston lived in Newrybar, New South Wales, in 1885–1900. During this period he was a Director of Brooklet Butter Factory.
- Birth of Son: His son Robert William Norman was born on 12 November 1886, in Lismore, New South Wales. He died on 14 November 1915, in Greece, at the age of 29, and was buried there. Robert William Norman Johnston (1886–1915)
Extract from Johnston birthday book
- Birth of Son: His son George was born on 12 February 1888, in Lismore, New South Wales. He lived in Tabulam, New South Wales on 27 December 1936. He died in 1966 in Casino, New South Wales, at the age of 78. George Johnston (1888–1966)
Extract from Johnston birthday book
- Census 1891: The Census of Lismore, New South Wales showed that David Johnston and his family were living in the County of Rous at 55 Tintenbar Road, Tevan in 1891. Total numbers of people in house were 6 males and 4 females. Counting all members of David’s family the total numbers of people in house should have been 6 males (David, John, Thomas, “Dick”, “Norman” & George) and 3 females (Margaret, Alice & Gertrude). Who was the fourth female present in the Tevan House in 1891?
- Birth of Son: His son Ralph Richmond was born on 26 February 1893, in Teven, New South Wales. He moved many times during his lifetime including Guyra, New South Wales, in 1920 and moved to Westmead, New South Wales, in 1954. He died on 31 December 1962, in Westmead, New South Wales, at the age of 69. Ralph Richmond Johnston (1893–1962)
- Occupation: David Johnston was a farmer on 26 February 1893.
- Birth of Son: His son James Victor was born on 25 June 1894, in Ballina, New South Wales. He lived in Tenterfield, New South Wales, for more than 33 years from 1930 to 1963. He died on 5 June 1966, in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 72. James Victor Johnston (1894–1966)
Extract from Johnston birthday book
- Residence: David Johnston lived in Tenterfield, New South Wales, in 1900–1936.
- Census 1901: The Census of Tenterfield, New South Wales showed that David Johnston and his family were living in the County of Clive at Ellenthorpe, North Ward, Tenterfield in 1901. Total numbers of people in Ellenthorpe were 8 males and 3 females.
- Death of Son: His son Robert William Norman Johnston died on 14 November 1915, in Greece, at the age of 29, and was buried there.
Family Tree of David Johnston, Margaret Jane Black and their children
50th Golden Wedding Anniversary
David and Margaret celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 4 May 1925. The Tenterfield Star reported on 11 May 1925 that a very happy gathering of relatives and friends had met at “Ellenthorpe” to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. D. Johnston, two of the most widely known and highly respected residents of the Tenterfield district. The spacious dining room of the fine old home was tastefully decorated for the day with streamers and flowers, and the assembled guests enjoyed a sumptuous repast.
- Residence: David Johnston, farmer, lived in Ellenthorpe, Tenterfield, New South Wales, in 1930 and 1936.
- Death of Wife: His wife Margaret passed away on 6 May 1932, in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 78. They had been married 57 years. Margaret Jane Black (1854–1932)
- Death of Son: His son John Crawford Johnston died in March 1935 in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 54, and was buried in Lismore, New South Wales.
David Johnston died on 27 December 1936, in Tenterfield, New South Wales, when he was 91 years old.
Vale David Johnston
Published in the Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 – 1954), Thursday 7 January 1937, Page 10 of 12
Mr. David Johnston, of “Ellenthorpe,” Tenterfield, died recently after a lengthy illness. The late Mr. Johnston, who was 91 years of age, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He sailed to Australia when 11 years of age, with his parents who settled at Jamberoo, South Coast. Later they went to Robertson and thence to Gerringong in 1872 and followed dairying pursuits. In 1875 he married Miss Margaret Jane Black of Gerringong, who predeceased him in May 1932. Ten years after his marriage, accompanied by his wife and family he went to Richmond River. A landing was made at Harwood Island and the journey was continued by coach to Newrybar which at that time was surrounded by dense scrub. A home was made in that centre where they resided for 15 years. He was one of the first Directors of the Brooklet Butter Factory. In 1900 on account of ill health, Mr. Johnston was compelled to seek fresh fields and moved to Tenterfield where he had resided up to the time of his death.
There were nine children, seven of whom survive. They are Miss Maude Johnston (Tenterfield), Mrs. G. F. Staines (Kingaroy, Q.), Thomas Johnston (Knockrow), George Johnston (Tabulam), Ralph Johnston (Kempsey), D. C. Johnston (Monto,Q.), and James Victor Johnston (Tenterfield). One son, Norman, was killed in the Great War and a second son, Jack, died recently at Beechgrove, Federal. There are 34 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.