My Genealogy Hound

JAMES MISKIMANS JOHNSTON, retired farmer, post office White Ash, was born Aug. 29, 1806, on the farm where he now resides. His father, John Johnston, Esq., was born in Ireland, in 1745, of Scotch descent. He received a thorough education, and at the age of seventeen came to America, where he found employment in Harrisburg in the land-office. On the outbreak of the Revolution he joined the American army and was detailed as Washington’s private secretary, which position he filled for some years. On account of the poverty of the colonies he accepted 620 acres of land in Wilkins township in part payment for his services. Of this tract 300 acres were in what is now Penn township, and constituted the homestead on which he settled. For some time he was so harassed by Indians that he could not occupy it steadily, but during their absence farmed the Two-Mile bottom, where Pittsburgh now stands. He was a whig, was appointed justice of the peace of Pitt township, a position he held until his death, in July, 1810. He was an elder in Beulah Presbyterian Church, to which he called the first pastor. His wife was Martha, born at Carlisle, a daughter of William and Jane Miskimans, who came from Ireland. The subject of this sketch is the only son born to this marriage; his twin sister, Nancy (Park), died in 1887; Jane, a younger sister, is the wife of Francis S. Gilmore. James M. Johnston has passed his life on the home farm, and for forty-five years has been an elder in Beulah Presbyterian Church; politically he is a republican. When eighteen years old he was commissioned, by Gov. Wolf, captain of a militia rifle company called the Lafayette Blues, which position he held seven years. Jan. 6, 1831, he married Mary Holmes Hamilton, born in Hamilton county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Irwin) Hamilton, of Ireland. Mrs. Johnston passed from earth in January, 1886, leaving two daughters, Mrs. Martha Forney and Lizzie H., and two sons, Luther and Calvin, at home. The eldest son, James M., was first lieutenant in Co. A, 101st P. V., and served as provost marshal at Edisto Island some years; he was killed at the coalworks in Penn township, by a runaway car. George H., also a member of Co. A, died of disease contracted in the army. John and Robert died of scarlet fever in 1855, and Alexander died in 1840.