“Among those who labored in the Lord’s work, Elizabeth Johnston, daughter of Dr. William Johnston became a ‘succourer’ of many in promoting their spiritual progress” (Janney Hist. Friends)“it was she, no doubt, who converted her nephew, father of William and John, to who this account progresses.”
“Of Cristoud”
Liv 1540
Executed
2nd Baronet of Nova Scotia
Executed for helping a friend elope with a favorite of the King of England
. . .Sir John Johnston, third baronet, entered early into the army, and served in King William’s wars in Flanders. He was afterwards a captain under that monarch at the battle of the Boyne. Whilst in London for a short time, he was unfortunately induced to assist his friend, the Hon. Captain John Campbell, in carrying off and marrying Miss Mary Wharton, a young and rich heiress, related to Lord Wharton, the great favourite of King William, and that nobleman immediately obtained a proclamation offering a reward for their apprehension. Campbell escaped into Scotland, but Sir John was not so fortunate. Having been betrayed by his landlord for fifty pounds, he was tried at the Old Bailey, condemned, and executed, on 31st Dec., 1690. He fell a sacrifice to the bitter animosity which was then entertained by the English against the Scotch, for it appeared, upon his trial, by the evidence of the clergyman who performed the marriage ceremony, and that of the people of the house in which they lodged, and where they remained two days, as well as by Miss Wharton’s own letter to her aunt, acquainting her of her marriage, that there was no force used, but that she was freely consenting to it. Sir John’s whole participation in the matter consisted in being present at the marriage, and lending his apartments to accommodate his friend, and he never had any idea that this, by the laws of England, constituted an offence worthy of death. His defence and whole deportment at the time are said to have been affecting in the extreme. He was a brave man, and bitterly lamented the ignominy of his death. The whole account of the trial and execution, and the ballads made on the occasion, are preserved among the family papers. The marriage was dissolved by act of parliament, and Captain Campbell, afterwards designed of Mamore, married a daughter of the eighth Lord Elphinston, and was father of the fourth duke of Argyle. Dying unmarried, Sir John was succeeded by his cousin, John, son of John Johnston of Newplace, second son of the first baronet.
Sir John JOHNSTON 4TH BARONET OF NOVA SCOTIA
1734?
“an officer in the army, married in Holland, but died without issue.”