Sir George Johnston of that Ilk, and of Caskieben

JOHNSTON, or JOHNSTONE, the surname of a once powerful border family, who possessed the title of marquis of Annandale, dormant since 1792. They derived their name from the lands and barony of Johnstone, in the upper district of Annandale, Dumfries-shire. In ancient times the chief of the Johnstones held the office of steward of Annandale, and was often appointed warden of the west marches. In suppressing the predatory inroads of the mosstroopers who infested the borders, the Johnstones rendered themselves conspicuous, for which they assumed the device of the winged spur, with the motto of “Aye Ready,” and in the 15th and 16th centuries, they waged constant warfare with the Douglases and the Maxwells.

William, the eldest son and apparent heir, joined the royal standard, and was slain at the battle of Pinkie, in 1547, his father being then alive. He had married Margaret, daughter of Hay of Dalgetty, of the noble family of Errol, by whom he had one son, George, and three daughters.

George Johnston of that ilk, the son, succeeded his grandfather the following year. He married Christian, daughter of the seventh Lord Forbes, by whom he had six sons and seven daughters. He died in 1590. The fifth son was the celebrated Arthur Johnston, of whom a memoir is given below.

In George's lifetime, the already extensive possessions of the family received considerable additions. He was served heir-portioner to Alexander Hay of Dalgaty, his grandfather, and also heir portioner to William Hay of Dalgaty, his uncle. He had further, a charter from James VI of the lands of Boyndis, in the shire of Aberdeen. He married the Honourable Christian Forbes, fourth daughter of William, seventh Lord Forbes, "who buir to him ane fair bearn tyme, whereof thirteen came to mature age, six thereof sons, and seven daughters," viz: John, his successor, Gilbert, George, Thomas, Arthur, and William. A daughter of William became actively interested in the new "Quaker movement." "Among those who labored in the Lord's work, Elizabeth Johnston, daughter of a Physician, Dr. William Johnston, became a succourer of many' in promoting their spiritual progress." (Janney - History of Friends, Vol 11, pg. 143). It was she, no doubt, who converted her nephew, father of William and John, to whom this account progresses. ...

Links

• http://www.electricscotland.com/history/nation/johnson.htm
• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/t/o/Michael-Brian-Stoc...
• http://oursoutherncousins.com/THE%20SCOTTISH%20JOHNSTON'S.pdf