Johnston
The name first appears in Scottish history in 1174 when "John" applied his name to his lands at Annondale, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. This old time land baron was known "John, son of John" and naturally his hame became Johnson. Through the centuries other variations of the name cropped up. The coat of Arms most generally in use by the Johnston's consisted of an Ermine tail on grey background and three broken arrows, the family motto "Pereva Fidem," translated as: I will keep faith.
Johnston's served during the Orange-Green war in the late 1600's in Ireland. One Lieutenant Johnston served under King William of Orange from 1688 to 1690, and took part in the Battle of the Boyne, July 12, 1690. The Orange forces prevailed int hat battle, forcing King James II of England to flee to France for refuge. Lieutenant Johnston and two comrades, Lieitenants Barton and Graham, were the first to cross the river to engage the enemy.
After the war, Lieutenant Johnston settled in Ireland, and 150 years later, the Johnston name came to this community <Leeds and Grenville, Ont.>
John Johnston, a farmer, sailed across the Atlantic with his wife, Martha, and a large family, in 1841. Johnston must have done fairly well in old Ireland, for he plunked down 150 English pounds (about $600) for a farm near here.
He bought the farm, 140 acres, from the Henry McNeill family. It was loacated on what was known as the "Emigrant Road", linking this hamlet with Roebuck. It is now called the Prescott-Roebuck Road. The Prescott Land Registry Office shows the transaction involved Lot No. 4 of the Fifth Concession of Augusta, <Ont.> and part of Lot No. 5.
