James Johnston J.P. (abt. 1841 - 1906)

Born about 1841 in Dunarnon, Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Davison) Johnston — married 22 Jun 1864 (to before 1892) in Second Presbyterian, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland

Descendants

Died 28 Sep 1906 at about age 65 in Malone Road, Belfast, Ireland

Biography

James was born in 1841. ^[1] He was the son of John Johnston and Margaret of Dunarnon, Magherafelt, County Londonderry.

The family were old "Covenanter" stock; however James decided to join the Presbyterian church early in his career. ^[1]

On 22 June 1864 at 2nd Cookstown Presbyterian, he married Sarah Davison of Luney, Desertmartin, daughter of John Davison, farmer. ^[2]

As well as his role in the church and his side jobs as a tea merchant and a J.P., John was deeply involved in politics; including founding the Protestant Home Rule Association. ^[1]

Note: would encourage everyone to read the full obituary, it is an entire newspaper column.

In 1889 they moved to Belfast constructing at a house on Malone Road which they styled "Dunarnon" in honour of their home townland of Dunarnon, which is just to the west of Magherafelt. ^[3]

On 7 July 1892 at Belmont Presbyterian Church, Holywood (Belfast), as a widower, he marryed Mary Jane Ferris of Belfast, daughter of John Ferris, merchant. ^{[4] [5]}

Also that year, his son William John (MA. LLB.) passed the bar. ^[6] William would go on to have a prominent career as a judge.

He passed away 28 September 1906 age 65 due to heart disease, at "Dunarnon", Malone Rd. Informed by S. Johnston, daughter, same address. ^{[7] [1]}

Research Notes

There were a lot of James Johnstons!

• Matched 2nd marriage as the newspaper notice identifies him as son of John of Dunarnon, Magherafelt.
• Matched 1st marriage by matching birth registrations of children:
  • 18 Jan 1868: William John Johnston.
  • 28 Dec 1869: James Johnston.
  • 4 Oct 1871: unnamed female
  • 15 Dec 1879: Mary Elizabeth Johnston.
  • 23 Nov 1885: Leslie Charles Johnston.

Many newspaper articles talk about James Johnston J.P. of Dunarnon (Magherafelt, and also the house on Malone Rd.) Identified as this James because Rev. Samuel Knox Johnston is said to be his son; and the latter's best man was Leslie E.(sic) Johnston, brother.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} "The Late Mr. James Johnston, J.P.", Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 10 October 1906, Page 7
2. ↑ James Johnston, Sarah Davison, 1864, Cookstown at Irish Civil Registration - Marriages.
   • Witnessed by Robert Johnston and Janey Jane(?) Latimer.
3. ↑ Johnston, William John, Dictionary of Irish Biography
4. ↑ James Johnston, Mary Ferris, 1892, Magherafelt at Irish Civil Registration - Marriages:
   • Witnessed by Charles Forsythe and Kate Caldwell.
5. ↑ "Marriages", Londonderry Sentinel - Saturday 09 July 1892, Page 2
6. ↑ "Barristers", Belfast News-Letter - Tuesday 25 October 1892
7. ↑ James Johnston, 1906, Belfast, 65 at Irish Civil Registration - Deaths

• 1901 Ireland census - Residents of a house 5 in Malone Road (Windsor Ward, Antrim). James Johnston(60, wholesale tea merchant), Mary Jane(60, wife), William John J.(33, son, practicing barrister), Sara J.(23, daughter), Leslie Charles J.(15, son), Agnes Allen(28, servant), Elizabeth Rankin(20, visitor) all Presbyterian.