Biographies: Adair County KY          James L. JOHNSTON,  born 17-Dec-1820
 
Submitted By: Sandi Gorin
         http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000404
Submission Date: 11-Nov-2005
Source: “Kentucky Genealogy and Biography”, by, Battle, Perrin & Kniffin,
         Volume V, 4th Ed.

James L. JOHNSTON, a leading farmer and prominent citizen of Adair County
and a son of Thomas B. JOHNSTON, was born in the county 17-Dec-1820. Thomas B.
JOHNSTON, born 1774 in Nelson County VA, immigrated to Adair County in 1812,
where he bought a tract of 412 acres on Green River, which at that time was
an unbroken wilderness. He cleared the forest and tilled the soil, was a
slave owner and remained here eighteen years. He then purchased another place
of 412 acres, the one at present owned by James L. JOHNSTON, on which was a
brick residence erected by the former owner. Here he lived and farmed
successfully, and became quite wealthy, until 1854, when his death occurred.
He was a member of the Christian Church, and took great interest in politics,
although he never would accept any political office. His wife's maiden name
was Sally DAWSON, a daughter of Captain Ben and Mehala (LYON) DAWSON, one of
the wealthy and prominent families in Virginia at this time. Captain Ben DAWSON
was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and
served during the entire war. The University of Charlottesville was founded
by William DAWSON, a brother of Captain DAWSON, and a man of great wealth.
The death of Mrs. JOHNSTON, who was in life a member of the Baptist Church,
occurred 27-Oct-1838, in the forty-fourth year of her age. Thomas B. JOHNSTON
began life with no inheritance but his native industry, and left an estate of
$80,000. His father, Stephen JOHNSTON was also a Virginian, a man of classic
culture, prominence, and considerable wealth. He lived in Nelson County,
owned a large plantation and cultivated it with slave labor. He was the son
of Stephen JOHNSTON, Sr., who with his brother, Henry JOHNSTON, emigrated from
Scotland to America and settled in Virginia. Stephen JOHNSTON was married to
Agnes WALLER, a sister of three celebrated Baptist ministers - John, Edmund,
and George WALLER - who were compelled to leave England on account of
persecution consequent to their religious belief, and settled in the Old
Dominion. The names of Stephen and Agnes JOHNSTON's children were Thomas B.,
Henry Goodlow, Peter and Stephen. The names of Thomas B. JOHNSTON's children
were John Waller, William H., Thomas B., S. D. and James L., all of whom
except John are living. James L. JOHNSTON in youth was under the tuition
of a classical scholar, Caleb H. RICKETTS, for a number of years, and received
a classical education, although he never graduated at any institution. He has
been an extensive farmer, and before the war was worth $70,000 in slaves and
real estate. He has also been an extensive and successful trader, and although
he has always been a man whose ability and integrity were recognized by the
community, he would never accept any public office, although frequently
importuned to do so. He was united in marriage 31-May-1843, with Miss Diana
LOGAN, the youngest of a family of seven children, three of whom were
daughters, born to Matthew and Sally (FLEECE) LOGAN, both native Kentuckians.
Matthew LOGAN was a son of the celebrated Benjamin LOGAN, one of the earliest
pioneers of the "dark and bloody ground." This marriage has been blessed by
the addition of five children, by name: Mary Agnes, wife of Benjamin F. HUNTER;
Cornelia Minor, wife of Robert CONOVER; Mattie Sally, wife of H. K. ROBERTSON;
Dollie Elizabeth and Annie Maria, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSTON
and all of their children are members of the Hebron congregation of the
Christian Church, of which Mr. JOHNSTON is one of the elders. He owns in the
home place 512 acres of fine land, well improved and in a high state of
cultivation, on which is the old brick residence originally built by a
Mr. CAYCE, and twice remodeled since, and the 200-acre tract on Green River.
His farm is one of the most valuable in Adair County, and his estate is worth
$12,000. Mr. JOHNSTON has been a life-long Democrat.

SURNAMES: CAYCE, CONOVER, DAWSON, FLEECE, HUNTER, JOHNSTON, LOGAN, LYON,
RICKETTS, ROBERTSON, WALLER

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