BIO: Dr. Robert JOHNSTON, Greencastle, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/
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Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 209-210
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DR. ROBERT JOHNSTON
1749-1808

  Dr. Johnston was a native of Antrim Township and a surgeon through the 
Revolutionary War.  He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Brown Findlay) 
Johnston.  The mother was a daughter of Adjutant Brown, one of the defenders of 
Londonderry and the widow of Samuel Findlay, an early settler on the West 
Conococheague.

  Dr. Johnston was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were soldiers of 
distinction.  James, the eldest, was a Colonel.  Thomas, the second, was a 
Colonel also, and was the adjutant of a detachment under Wayne which was 
surprised and slaughtered at Paoli, September, 1777.  Robert was the youngest 
and entered the medical profession. He was tutored by the Rev. Francis Allison, 
D. D., who came from Ireland probably with the Johnstons, and afterward became 
Vice Provost of the University of Pennsylvania.

  Dr. Johnston completed his medical education in England.  On January 16, 1776, 
the Committee of Safety at a meeting held in Philadelphia resolved:  "That 
Robert Johnston is hereby appointed a surgeon to the Sixth or Col. William 
Irvine's Battalion."  Dr. Johnston continued in service until 1781, when he was 
ordered by General Greene to leave the regimental service and assist the wounded 
officers and soldiers of the American Army, prisoners in the British Hospital at 
Charleston, S. C.

  After the war Dr. Johnston made a trip to the Orient and was the first 
Minister to China from the new United States Government.  Returning, he 
purchased a large estate south of Greencastle and here spent his last years.  He 
died November 25, 1808, at his home and is buried in the Johnston graveyard on a 
farm several miles east of Greencastle.

  Childless himself, he adopted the youngest son of his sister, afterward Dr. 
John Boggs, Greencastle, Pa.

  In 1807 Dr. Johnston was appointed Major General of the 7th Division of 
Pennsylvania Militia.  Dr. Johnston entertained more distinguished personages 
than perhaps any other member of the medical profession, even to the present 
time.  George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and General Scott in his youthful 
days, were among the many visitors in the Johnston home.

  Dr. Binney, the father of Horace Binney, died at the Johnston home, while 
there on a visit, and Dr. Johnston using his knowledge, probably acquired in 
China, embalmed the body of his friend and sent it home to his family.  This, no 
doubt, is the first instance of embalming done in Franklin County.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Submitted by Nancy Hall Mayfield Ronnanmay@aol.com :

The information concerning the death of Thomas Johnston in the above biography 
is incorrect.  According to the following sources, Thomas died at his daughter's 
house in Carlisle, PA, on the 3rd of December, 1819:

Bio Thomas & Martha Beatty Johnston, 1770s, Antrim Twp., then Cumberland Co., 
PA, US GenWeb Archives by Cheryl Hemmingway
 
The Johnston's of Antrim Township, Egles Notes & Queries, Series 1 & 2 V. 1, pg. 
450
 
Martha Beatty Johnston, Egles Notes & Queries, Series 4, V 1 pg 327