Sir John Johnstone, Marquis of Annandale

Sir John Johnstone was zealous in public affairs, and for a time an ardent supporter of Queen Mary. He was, however, obliged to submit to the king's government. He was twice warden of the West Marches, the second time under the government of James Stewart, Earl of Arran. In 1584 he was made a knight. In 1585 his house of Lochwood was burned by the Maxwells, along with his charter-chest, and all his family muniments.

.....the documents lost in the fire that destroyed the Tower of Lochwood destroyed the proof of the existence of the earliest known Johnstones, who can only be traced in the contemporary charters granted by the Bruces of Annandales to which the Johnstones were frequent witnesses.

"Introductions and Illustrations of the Annandale Family Book" by Sir William Fraser

Tradition tells of a dreadful feud between the Johnstones and the Maxwells, a more numerous and powerful clan also on the border. The crest of the family refers to the old legend, that on one occasion a Laird of Johnstone was imprisoned by a Maxell, and that the wife of the latter implored her husband to grant the request that she might send him one more meal, on the night before his execution. The Maxwell consented, and after making all necessary arrangements for the Johnstone's escpae, by furnishing horses and getting hold of the keys, she sent him, at midnight, a spur set with feathers, in a covered dish, to signify that he was to fly with his life. The prisoner changed clotehs with the messenger and escaped.

    Sir James Johnston had his house burned down in one of the Maxwell raids, when the latter sent him word he "had lighted a fire for the Lady Johnstone to put on her hood by."

Some Prominent Virginia Families by Louise Pecquet du Bellet