John Johnston and Martha Meskimans

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Husband John Johnston ¹

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           Born: 1745 - Ireland 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 1810 1
         Buried: 

       Marriage: 

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Wife Martha Meskimans ¹

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           Born:  - Carlisle, Cumberland Co, PA
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: William Meskimans (      -      ) 1
         Mother: Jane [Unk] (      -      ) 1

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Children

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1 M George R. Johnston ¹

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           Born: 7 Aug 1798 - Allegheny Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 1886 2
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Sarah Ann Little (      -      ) 2

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2 M Robert Johnston ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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3 F Martha Johnston ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: William Park (      -      ) 1

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4 M James Johnston ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Mary Hamilton (      -      ) 1

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5 F Jane Johnston ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Frank Gilmer (      -      ) 1

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General Notes: Husband - John Johnston

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He was educated in his native land, and in 1762 emigrated to the American colonies. He settled first in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the land office. Upon the outbreak of the Revolutionary war he joined the American army and was detailed as Washington's private secretary, a position which he filled for many years. In payment for his services he received a grant of six hundred acres of land in Wilkins township, Allegheny County, and took up his abode thereon, being one of the pioneers of the county, inasmuch as soon after his arrival in this country he had taken up a tract of land there, on two quarter sections. On the tract of land which he received from the government in payment for his services John Johnston erected a dwelling. For some time he was so harrassed by Indians that he could not occupy it steadily, but during their absence he farmed the two-mile bottom where Pittsburgh now stands. At the time of his death he held the office of justice of the peace. His political principles were those of the Whig party. He was an elder in the old Beulah Presbyterian church, to which he was called as the first pastor.

1 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 405.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 406.