Johnston family at Ellenthorpe L-R: Maude, Margaret, David, Ella, Alfred and William
Great-grandmother – Maternal father’s line of Johnston Family
Margaret Jane Black was born on 5 February 1854, in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales, Australia. She married David Johnston in 1875 and they had 9 children together. She died on 13 May 1932, in Tenterfield, New South Wales, at the age of 78.
David and Margaret Johnston at “Ellenthorpe”, Tenterfield with daughter Maude and grandson Victor Johnston. c.1928-29
Margaret Jane Black was born on 5 February 1854, in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales. She was the first child of Thomas Black and Charlotte Hindmarsh.
Childhood Background
Margaret Jane Black had five sisters and three brothers. Her father was an Ulsterman with Huguenot strain in his ancestry. He was a great churchman and is acknowledged to have been one of the pillars of Methodism on the New South Wales south coast. Her mother was the daughter of a nephew of South Australian Governor Hindmarsh and was also active in the church. Margaret followed in the footsteps of her parents and was an ardent church worker from the age of 10 years.
Margaret Jane Black married David Johnston on 4 May 1875, in the Wesleyan Parsonage, Kiama, New South Wales, Australia, when she was 21 years old. David Johnston (1845–1936) and Margaret Jane Black (1854–1932)
Occupation: Margaret Jane Black at the time of her marriage on 4 May 1875, described her occupation as “Private Life” living at Kiama, New South Wales, Australia
Children of David Johnston and Margaret Jane Black
Residence: David and Margaret lived in Gerringong on their property “Omega Retreat” until they moved to Richmond River in 1885.
Birth of Daughter: Her 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: Her 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: Her 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)
Birth of Son: Her 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: Her 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: Margaret Jane Black lived with David Johnston in Newrybar, New South Wales, during the period between 1885 and 1900.
Birth of Son: Her 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: Her 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: Her 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, by 1954. He died on 31 December 1962, in Westmead, New South Wales, at the age of 69. Ralph Richmond Johnston (1893–1962)
Birth of Son: Her 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: Margaret Jane Black lived in Tenterfield, New South Wales, between 1900 and 1932. For many years Margaret was vice-president of the Ladies Church Aid Society of the Tenterfield Methodist Church.
Australia Becomes a Commonwealth
In 1901, Margaret Jane Black was living in Tenterfield when Australia became a commonwealth.
Australia became a nation on 1 January 1901 when six British colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania—united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This process was known
as federation.
Australia’s federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate, unlike many other nations that unified as a result of war or conflict.
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: Her son Robert William Norman Johnston died on 14 November 1915, in Greece, at the age of 29, and was buried there.
50th Wedding Anniversary of David and Margaret
Margaret and David 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: Margaret Jane Black was performing home duties when she lived in Ellenthorpe, Tenterfield, New South Wales, in 1930.
Margaret Jane Black died in her sleep on the morning of 13 May 1932, in Tenterfield, New South Wales. At the age of 78, Margaret was buried on Sunday, 15 May 1932. She had been married to David Johnston for 57 years. Margaret Jane Black (1854–1932)