| Name |
James Bligh I JOHNSTON |
| Born |
21 Jul 1809 |
Portland Head, New South Wales, Australia  [1] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Residence |
1849 |
Portland Head, New South Wales, Australia |
| Residence |
1865 |
Windsor, New South Wales, Australia |
- At first James lived in the old hotel in Bridge Street, then he purchased the cottage next to the Royal Hotel.
|
| Died |
16 Sep 1891 |
McGraths Hill, New South Wales, Australia [1, 2, 3] |
- The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 21 September 1891, page 4
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13839536
JOHNSTON. - September 16 at his residence, McGrath's Hill, Windsor, J. B. Johnston sen., J. P., aged 82 years.
|
| Buried |
18 Sep 1891 |
Ebenezer, New South Wales, Australia [1, 4] |
- Ebenezer Church Cemetery
Coromandel Road, Ebenezer, New South Wales
1891 'Windsor. ', The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), 26 September, p. 721. , viewed 02 Apr 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162171487
Windsor.
September 18.
The funeral of the late Mr. J. B. Johnston, J.P., took place to-day and was largely attended. The remains were interred at Lower Portland, close by where the deceased gentleman was born 82 years ago.
|
| Obituary |
19 Sep 1891 |
Windsor, New South Wales, Australia [5] |
- Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Saturday 19 September 1891, page 4
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72540944
Death of J. B. Johnston, Sen., J.F.
On Wednesday morning last, after a long illness, Mr. J. B. Johnston, senr, J.P., died at his late residence, the Crow's Nest, McGrath's Hill. The deceased gentlemen was prominently known in the district considerably over half-a-century, during which period he took an active part in all matters of a political and social character. During the whole of this period he was a subscriber to the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society, and took an active part in its management. For a long term of years he was its president, and only relinquished office last year owing to failing health. He was Coroner for the district for a long number of years and was Returning-officer for the Hawkesbury electorate, and both these posts he resigned during the present year. He was a Justice of the Peace, and in his more active days a regular occupant on the Bench. He was also for many years the president of the local branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and only a month or so ago was re-elected to that position. For some considerable time Mr. Johnston had been in failing health, for the weight of years was telling upon him, and though up to a few short months ago he was able to get about without much difficulty, physical weakness overcome him very suddenly, and he was a week or two ago compelled to take to his bed. He died on Wednesday morning at the age of 82 years, and his remains were laid in the Ebenezer Cemetery on Friday, most of the principal residents of Windsor, Richmond and surrounding district attending the funeral. Mr. R. W. Dunstan was the undertaker. In Mr. Johnston the district loses an old identity and an old native, he having been born at Lower Portland, Hawkesbury River.
|
| In Memoriam |
01 Dec 1922 |
Windsor, New South Wales, Australia [6] |
- Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), Friday 1 December 1922, page 1
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85872954
FATHERS AND FOUNDERS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
(Published in 'The Presbyterian," Sydney, September 19, 1901.)
JAMES BLIGH JOHNSTON (I.).
The late, Mr. James Bligh Johnston, J.P., of the "Crow's Nest," Windsor, was the youngest son of Mr. Andrew Johnston, who belonged to the old Border family of that name; and who was connected by intermarriage with the Hopes and Waughs, of the same locality. Being of an enterprising spirit, he, with Mrs. Johnston and four sons, came to New South Wales in 1802. Six other families accompanied Mr. Johnston. After a passage of six months, they arrived safely in Port Jackson. Shortly after landing, they proceeded to Seven Hills with the intention of settling there, but not finding that place an eligible field of exertion, they decided to go to the banks of the Hawkesbury. On arriving there they landed at the foot of a great rock which jutted into the Hawkesbury; and which, on account of its supposed resemblance to the head of the Duke of Portland, was called Portland Head. The country was in a state of nature - a vast howling wilderness, tenanted by aboriginals, numerous and often very dangerous. Although this little band of Britons were anxious to improve their wordly interests, it is evident that that desire was not uppermost, in their minds. Their spiritual interests had the chief place in their hearts, for their first care in their new home was to build a place of worship, which, in accordance with their difficult circumstances and pious sentiments, they named "Ebenezer." This was the first Presbyterian Church in the colony. Substantially and faithfully built, it has defied the weather for nearly a century. It was in this church that the Rev. Dr. Lang preached on his first arrival in New South Wales. He was always the guest of Mr. Johnston, of Portland Head, who by him was ordained to the honorable office of ruling elder in connection with the congregation which worshipped within its walls.
Mr. James Bligh Johnston (I.) was born at Portland Head, N.S.W., in 1809, where he grew up to manhood,, passing through much privation, hardship and self-denial. He attended Ebenezer school, which was some considerable distance off, walking there and back each day. The colony being in its infancy at the time, schools were but few. Inheriting his father's estate at Portland Head, he settled there and followed agricultural pursuits. Having pastoral interests also, he was obliged to take frequent, long, and trying journeys inland on horseback to his cattle station. He married an only daughter of Mr. B. South, of Richmond, spending the happiest days of his life at Portland Head, until the hand of death deprived him of an affectionate and faithful wife, leaving a young family of four daughters and one son.
In 1856, Mr. Johnston was appointed to the Commission of the Peace, and for many years he was a trustee and Elder of Ebenezer Church ; also, later trustee and Elder of Pitt Town Presbyterian Church. In the discharge of his duties in both capacities he was most diligent, faithful, and zealous. The interests of the congregation of which he was an office-bearer were very dear to his heart. As a representative Elder he attended regularly the Courts of the Church and his counsel in matters of business was much valued. He was President of the Windsor Benevolent Asylum, in which he took a very great interest. During the year 1865, Mr. Johnston removed from his residence at Portland Head and resided in the town of Windsor. He was shortly after wards appointed Coroner for the district, also returning officer for Hawkesbury electorate, discharging the duties of both offices with his usual diligence and faithfulness until a short time before his death. He had always taken a lively, sympathetic, and intelligent interest in the welfare of the district. Throughout his whole career he showed himself a public-spirited and liberal minded man. While adhering firmly to his own convictions of truth and duty, he exhibited a due regard for the views and feeings of others whose sentiments were different from his own. In all the relationships of life he was m'ost exemplary, and his whole influence, alike in private and public, was an influence for good.
Mr Johnston, after a short illness breathed his last at his residence, The Crow's Nest, Windsor, on' the 16th September, 1891, at the patriarchal age of 82, in the bosom of his family, every member of which was present and had the last sad consolation of easing the dying posture and soothing the dying pang of their venerable and venerated parent. To the last moment of life he retained his mental power. He was buried in his family vault at Ebenezer Church on the Hawkesbury, whither his remains were followed by many friends.
Mr. Johnston was twice married, his second wife being the daughter of Captain Waldron, R.N., who survives him. Five daughters, and one son, and several grand children are living.
|
| Notes |
- James Bligh Johnston I was actively associated with the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society for 37 years and for many years occupied the position of Chief Magistrate.
James Bligh inherited 'Portland Head' (New Berwick Farm) from his father.
James was not interested in going north to look for more land.
Men like James Bligh Johnston, educated and interested in assuming the responsibility of public duties in a closely settled area, with a lively social life, the life on a distant station had no appeal.
James, in 1874 purchased a block of Andrew Thompson's estate at McGrath's Hill from James Miller and built `Crows Nest Cottage`, which for some reason he called 'Sommers Town'. He left this home to his second wife and his three daughters by his first wife. 'Portland Head' he bequeathed to his son James Bligh II, on condition that he paid 1000 pounds to be divided between his five sisters and step-sisters.
James was also a Justice of the Peace, Coroner for the Hawkesbury district, and returning officer for the State seat of Hawkesbury.
He attended the meetings of the Presbtery of the Hawkesbury, and General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of NSW as the representative elder of the parish of Pitt Town-Ebenezer, of which he was also a trustee and Session Clerk, and secretary of the Committee of Management.
|
| Person ID |
I10900 |
Rossow-Beitzel |
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2018 |
| Family 1 |
Caroline Mathilda SOUTH, b. 1814, New South Wales, Australia , d. 02 Dec 1859, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia (Age 45 years) |
| Married |
18 Aug 1835 |
Richmond, New South Wales, Australia [7, 8] |
- The Colonist, Thursday 27 August 1835, page 7
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31716889
MARRIAGE.
On the 18th instant, at Portland Head, by the Rev. John Cleland, A. M., Mr. James Bligh Johnston, to Miss Caroline Matilda South, of Richmond.
|
| Children |
| | 1. Caroline Jane JOHNSTON, b. 03 Jul 1838, New South Wales, Australia , d. 19 May 1913, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia (Age 74 years) |
| | 2. Mary Ann JOHNSTON, b. 20 Oct 1840, Pitt Town, New South Wales, Australia , d. 19 Jul 1930, Pitt Town, New South Wales, Australia (Age 89 years) |
| | 3. Thomas Andrew JOHNSTON, b. 08 Oct 1842, New South Wales, Australia , d. New South Wales, Australia |
| | 4. Margaret Matilda JOHNSTON, b. 21 Nov 1844, Portland Head, New South Wales, Australia , d. 24 Feb 1854, Portland Head, New South Wales, Australia (Age 9 years) |
| | 5. Hannah Frances JOHNSTON, b. 10 Aug 1847, Portland Head, New South Wales, Australia , d. 02 May 1932, Burwood, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Age 84 years) |
| + | 6. James Bligh II JOHNSTON, b. Dec 1849, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia , d. 07 Nov 1925, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia (Age ~ 75 years) |
| | 7. Sarah Alice JOHNSTON, b. 1853, New South Wales, Australia , d. 24 Mar 1890, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Age 37 years) |
|
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2018 |
| Family ID |
F27848 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 2 |
Anne WALDRON, b. 1814, Blackrock, Ireland , d. 03 May 1903, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Age 89 years) |
| Married |
19 Sep 1860 |
Ebenezer, New South Wales, Australia [9, 10] |
- The Sydney Morning Herald , Thursday 27 September 1860, page 1
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13046538
MARRIAGES.
On the 19th instant, at Portland House, by special license, by the Rev. George Macfie, James Bligh Johnston, Esq., J.P., to Anne, relict of the late R. Wyldman, Esq., and second daughter of the late Captain Waldron, H. M. 39th Regiment.
|
| Children |
| | 1. Julia Bligh JOHNSTON, b. 02 Aug 1861, McGraths Hill, New South Wales, Australia , d. 23 Jun 1940, Rydalmere, New South Wales, Australia (Age 78 years) |
| + | 2. Jemima Margaret JOHNSTON, b. 29 Apr 1864, Windsor, New South Wales, Australia , d. 16 Sep 1950, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Age 86 years) |
|
| Last Modified |
31 Dec 2018 |
| Family ID |
F27851 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
1809 - 1891 (82 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
