David Johnstone (1840 - 1884)

Born 6 Dec 1840 in New London, Queens, Prince Edward Island

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 8 Mar 1884 at age 43 in California, USA

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Biography

David was born December 6th 1840 in Long River, Prince Edward Island. He became a miller and farmer in Long River. In 1861, he had 110 acres leased from Wm. Cundall at rate of 1 (110 sterling or £6 currency), for 999 years, of which 19 years had expired. The property was in Lot 20, Queens, Prince Edward Island. ^[1] David Johnstone and Elizabeth Montgomery married on 20 Nov 1861. ^[2]

Council Office, Feb. 11, 1867- HIS Excellency the Lieut. Governor in Council, has been pleased to make the following appointments, viz: To be Justices of the Peace for Queen’s County, Mr. John Scott McLeod, of Dunstatfnage, Mr. Elias Roberts. of New Glasgow, Mr. David Johnston, jun., of Long River, New London. ^[3]

His father had built a grist mill, and David added a saw and shingle mill until the water supply dwindled and steam proved too costly. ^{[4] [5]} In 1881, David (40) and Elizabeth (43) were a married couple, living with Lettie (Nettie), age 16; Daniel, age 14; Jannett, age 12; Barbara A., age 10; and Mary Ella, age 5. Also in the household was Jannett Johnstone, age 76, born in Scotland and a widow, and the Presbyterian minister, W. A. Mason. ^[6] David died 8 Mar 1884 from tuberculosis in California, USA. ^[7] He was buried in Hollister, San Benito, California. ^{[8] [9]} Elizabeth's obituary in the Charlottetown Guardian, April 24, 1926 on page 8 said she was buried next to her husband in Geddie Memorial, but his name and dates are not on her gravestone. David's remains may or may not have been moved.

Notes

David and Elizabeth also had 4 daughters, 3 of whom died of tuberculosis.

"David and his helper Bell McLeod made things lively for many in the carding mill. One day Bell saw Willena MacKay coming with a bag of wool. She and David made plans. A pulley on the cards had slipped so David put in a piece of zinc and a sharp end was turned up. David pulled it down and told Bell to explain the carding process to Willena and get her close enough to the revolving spindle to get her into trouble. Now Willena was a very vain spinster of 50 who had yards of lace on her dress. The "accident" happened and Willena was spun off her feet. David, a maiden's knight-in-shining-armor, stopped the mill and came rushing to tell her that if he hadn't been so quick she might have been killed. Then he said, "Do you see that man over there, he told me that you had the prettiest pair of legs he ever saw". That was too much for Willena. She went after him and with her fist shaking in front of his face said, "Did you say that I had the prettiest legs you ever saw?". "You are the biggest liar in New London." The man was David's uncle, an old bachelor who never looked at girls. David took her up to the house and told her his wife Elizabeth was great with a needle and would have her fixed up in a minute. Aunt Lizzie told me she saw David coming with Willena and the lace hanging down. "Oh! Oh! David has gone too far this time with his pranks - Willena of all people." ^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ 1861 census of Prince Edward Island, Queens, Lot 20, schedule A personal, volume 1, p. 7, line [9]; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http//www.ancestry.ca : accessed 13 February 2011) citing Library and Archives Canada RG31, microfilm M-897.
2. ↑ Will Johnstone, "Annandale Johnstones -- Scotland," family group sheet for David Johnstone, distributed with the invitation to a family reunion about 1969. This sheet has no documentation for any data.
3. ↑ Royal Gazette Wednesday February 27, 1867
4. ↑ 1861 census of Prince Edward Island, Queens, Lot 20, schedule A personal, volume 1, p. 7, line [9].
5. ↑ "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVNW-DHX : 30 June 2017), David Johnston, Lot 20, Queens, Prince Edward Island, Canada, p. 27; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13163; FHL microfilm 1,375,799.
6. ↑ "Canada Census, 1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVNW-DHX : 30 June 2017), David Johnston, Lot 20, Queens, Prince Edward Island, Canada, p. 27.
7. ↑ A History of Long River Long River Womens' Institute Publication: n.p.: 1967 pp. 22-23
8. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 135349814
9. ↑ Odd Fellows Cemetery, From the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Hollister, CA: David Johnston, born December 6, 1840, died March 8, 1884, a native of New London, PEI - P.E.I. strays project reported by Bonnie House, West Linn, OR.
10. ↑ Ann Calders Children, chapter 3, p. 7, quoting Will Johnstone in a letter dated 12 Jun 1974.