Guthrie Family Group 3A – Branch B
Ann Guthrie 1794SCT – 1835SCT and George Johnston
of Dudonald and Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland

ANN GUTHRIE
Parents: William Guthrie c1771SCT-1844SCT and Ann Hunter c1763SCT – 1801SCT
Birth: Abt. 24 February 1794 in Harperland, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
Baptism: 24 Feb 1794 in Harperland, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
Marital Status: Married to George Johnston 17 January 1820 in Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
Johnston Children: Ann, George, Jabina Elisabeth, William, Robert, John, Andrew Wyllie
Death: 28 January 1835, aged 40
Death Location: Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland
Burial: Unknown, presumably in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland

GEORGE JOHNSTON, ESQ.
Parents: Robert Johnston (Clerk to the Earl of Findlater) and Ann Anderson
Birth: 24 Oct 1790 in Cullen, Banffshire, Scotland
Baptism: 27 Oct 1790 in Cullen, Bannfshire, Scotland
Occupation: Factor to the Earl of Eglinton & Winton
Married 2nd: Jane Smith on 14 Jun 1836 at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland
Death: 15 Mar 1864
Death Location: Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland
Burial: Unknown, presumably in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland

JANE SMITH
Parents: Unidentified
Birth: Unknown, probably 1790-1820, possibly in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland
Baptism: Unknown
Marital Status: 2nd wife of George Johnston married on 12 June 1836
Johnston Children: Mary, Charles Smith
Death: Unknown, probably before 1841
Death Location: unknown, probably in Ayrshire, Scotland
Burial: Unknown, probably in Ayrshire, Scotland

NOTES:

Ann Guthrie was the eldest daughter of William Guthrie and his wife Ann Hunter. She was born and baptized at the family home at Harperland in Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland. Her marriage to George Johnston occurred when she was 25 years old. The marriage proclamation is recorded in Kilwinning on 15 January 1820, and performed in Dundonald on 17 Jan 1820.

George Johnston was about 29 at the time of their marriage. He was the estate factor for Lord Montgomerie, the 13th Earl of Eglinton and 1st of Winton, a position he reportedly held for forty years. They resided at Redburn House.

After Ann’s death, George remarried to Jane Smith, by whom he had a daughter and son.

JOHNSTON CHILDREN: 9 (7 by Ann + 2 by Jane)
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: None

CHILD 1: ANN JOHNSTON
1820 SCT – 1861
Spouse: James Moffat

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. Dr Steven Minister: Ann, daughter to Mr George Johnston, Factor for the Trustees upon the Estate of Eglinton, and Ann Guthrie his spouse, born at Redburn upon Sabbath 12 Nov 1820 and Baptized upon the 22nd of the same month by the Revd. Dr Jas. (cut off by binding) Minister of Kilwinning, Witnesses Mr & Mrs Wm Guthrie, the grandparents of the child also Mr & Mrs Wm Guthrie, the aunt and uncle, Jean Andrerson, the grand aunt, also Miss Mary Johnston the aunt. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.7 of 294 – Scotlands People)

Ann Johnston married James Moffat, a civil engineer, on 6 July 1839 in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland. They were living on Princes Street in Androssan, Ayrshire during the 1841 census, along with daughter Ann, born in 1840. They added several more children to the family between 1841 and 1849, but James Moffatt died that year on 17 June 1849 at only 32 years of age.

Returning to her birthplace, where her widowed father was still living, Ann was back at Redburn Cottage during the 1851 census. She was still there in 1861 along with at least two of her children. The other children were sent to school or scatted to her relatives. At the age of only 41 years, Ann (Johnston) Moffatt died at Redburn Cottage of pulmonary tuberculosis. She was buried at Saltcoats Churchyard in Ayrshire.

The Greenock Advertiser on Tuesday, 24 December 1861:
At Redburn, Irvine, on the 14th inst., Ann Johnston, relict of James Moffat, Esq., C.E. Ardrossan.
(Digital Repository: The British Newspaper Archive)

An inscription reads:
In Memory of James Moffat D. 17.6.1849 Aged 32 and His Wife Anne Johnston His Wife D. 14.12.1851 Aged 41.
(Scottish Burial Monument Inscriptions, 1507-2019, Ancestry.com)

MOFFAT CHILDREN: 6
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: None

1.) Ann Moffat 1840 SCT – 1922 SCT – unmarried – aged 75, COD: apoplexy
2.) John Moffat 1841 SCT – aft. 1861 – no further info
3.) Georgina Moffat 1843 SCT – 1921 SCT – unmarried – aged 76, COD: Bronchitis, Myocarditis
4.) James Moffat 1845 SCT – aft. 1861 – no further info
5.) Patrick David Moffat 1846 SCT – 1868 SCT – unmarried – aged 22, COD: paraplegia
6.) Janet Moffat 1849 SCT – 18/19?? – no further info

CHILD 2: GEORGE JOHNSTON
1822 SCT – ????
Marital Status: Unknown

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. Dr Steven Minister: George, son of George Johnston, Factor of Eglinton, and Ann Guthrie his wife, born upon Sunday 5th day of May and baptized on the 20th of the same month by the Revd. James Steven, DD, Minister of Kilwinning (OPR Birth 599/ Kilwinning, p.16 of 294 – Scotlands People)

Not found in the 1841 census or a limited OPR marriage/death search. No statutory death records found.

CHILD 3: JABINA ELISABETH JOHNSTON
1825 SCT – 1861 SCT
Spouse: William Wylie Allan

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. George Colville Minister: Jacobina Elisabeth Johnston, daughter to Mr George Johnston, Redburn House by his wife Ann Guthrie was born 10th of May 1825 and Baptized by the Revd. George Colville Minister of Kilwinning on teh 9th of June following. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.28 of 294 – Scotlands People)

Instead of “Jacobina” she used the shortened name “Jabina”, which is also found elsewhere in the family. The 1848 Kilwinning Register of Proclamation of Marriages – Revd. A.B. Campbell, DD, Minister: William Wylie Allan, in the parish of West Kilpatrick and Jabina Elizabeth Johnston in this parish gave in their names for proclamation of marriage July 29th, 1 day. (OPR Marriages 599/ Kilwinning, p.249 of 294 – Scotlands People)
and
1848 Registration of Marriages (New or East Kilpatrick): 28 July – William Wylie Allan of this parish and Jabina Elisabeth Johnston of the parish of Kilwinning married on 1 August 1848 (OPR Marriages 500/ New or East Kilpatrick, p.298 of 342 – Scotlands People)

Perthshire Advertiser – Thursday, 17 August 1848 (The British Newspaper Archive)
At Redburn, near Irvine, on the 1st instant, William W. Allan, Esq., M.D., Milngavie, to Jabina Elizabeth, second daughter of George Johnston, Esq.

William died in 1852 in East Kilpatrick, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Jabina Elizabeth Allen, widow of William Wlie Allan, surgeon, died 6 June 1861 at 3:30AM at Redburn, Kilwinning, female, 36 years, Parents: George Johnston formerly Factor to Lord Eglinton, Ann Johnston m.s. Guthrie (Deceased); COD: Acute Tuberculosis, 10 weeks), informant: Patrick D. Moffat, nephew, present, Recorded 11 June 1861 at Kilwinning.

ALLAN CHILDREN: 2
Y-DNA Project Participants: N/A – Female Guthrie
Autosomal DNA Participants: None

1.) Jabina Elizabeth Allen 1849SCT – 1917ENG – unmarried, aged 67
2.) Amelia Stanley Allen 1851SCT – 1928SCT m. Hugh George Watt (clergyman) + children

CHILD 4: WILLIAM JOHNSTON
1826 SCT – 1850 SCT
Marital Status: Unknown

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. George Colville Minister: William Johnston
William son of George Johnston, Factor to the Trustees of the Earl of Eglinton by his wife Ann Guthrie was born at Redburn on Friday the 11th day of August 1826 and Baptized on the 31 of the same month & year by the Revd George Colville Minister. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.33 of 294 – Scotlands People)

North British Daily Mail – Friday 11 January 1850 (The British Newspaper Archive)
DEATHS: At Redburn, on the 6th inst., William, second son of George Johnston, Esq.

CHILD 5: ROBERT JOHNSTON
1828 SCT – Aft. 1851
Marital Status: Unknown

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. George Colville Minister: Robt. Johnston
Robt. son of George Johnston Factor to the Trustees of the Earl of Eglinton, residing at Redburn Cottage by his wife Ann Guthrie, born August 4th 1828 and Baptized by the Revd. George Colville, Minister of Kilwinning, on the 26th day of said month & year. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p. 40 of 294 – Scotlands People)

There are several men by this name in the 1851 census, but none that can be positively identified as the son of George and Ann (Guthrie) Johnston. None found in the statutory death records.

CHILD 6: JOHN JOHNSTON
1830 SCT – Aft. 1841
Marital Status: Unknown

Kilwinning Register of Baptisms – The Revd. George Colville Minister: John Johnston – Son to George Johnston Factor to the Trustees of the Earl of Eglinton residing at Redburn Cottage by his wife Ann Guthrie was born June 4th 1830 and baptized 12 July following by the Revd George Colville Minister of Kilwinning. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.50 of 294 – Scotlands People)

There are several men by this name in the 1851 census, but none that can be positively identified as the son of George and Ann (Guthrie) Johnston. None found in the statutory death records.

CHILD 7: ANDREW WYLLIE JOHNSTON
1831 SCT – 1854 SCT
Marital Status: Single

Kilwinning Register of Births and Baptisms 1832: Andrew Wyllie Johnston son of George Johnston Factor to the Earl of Eglinton and Ann Guthrie was born 19th Nov & Baptd. 2 Jan 1832. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.57 of 294 – Scotlands People)

Glasgow Courier – Saturday, 16 September 1854 (The British Newspaper Archive)
DIED: At Redburn, near Irvine, on the 10th inst., Andrew Wyllie, aged 21 years, youngest surviving son of George Johnston, Esq.

CHILD 8: MARY JOHNSTON
1836 SCT – 1865 SCT
Spouse: Thomas Braithwaite (Civil Engineer / Cowley Manager)

Kilwinning Register of Births and Baptisms 1836 – Revd. Archd. B. Campbell, Minister: Mary Johnston daughter of Mr George Johnston and Jane Smith, Redburn, was born 26 December and Baptized. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.70 of 294 – Scotlands People)

1864. Parish of Kilwinning in the County of Ayr.
On the 11th day of February at Redburn, Kilwinning, after (1) banns according to the Forms of the Church of Scotland.
Thomas Braithwaite, civil engineer (bachelor) 28, Usual Residence: Eglinton Ironworks, Kilwinning, Parents: Thomas Braithwaite, retired civil engineer, and Eleanor Braithwaite m.s. Fox.
Mary Johnston, daughter of a retired Factor (spinster) 27, Usual Residence: Redburn, Kilwinning, Parents: George Johnston, retired Factor, and Jane Johnston m.s. Smith (latter deceased)
Witnesses: John Sime, Assistant Minister of Kilwinning, witnesses: Mary Johnston and James Burr.
Recorded 12 Feb 1864 at Kilwinning. John Service, Registrar.
(Statutory Registers Marriages 599/ 5 – Scotlands people)

Greenock Advertiser – Tuesday, 16 February 1864 (The British Newspaper Archie)
Glasgow Courier – Thursday, 18 February 1864 (The British Newspaper Archive)
MARRIAGES: At Redburn, on the 11th instant, by the Rev. John Sime, Kilwinning, Thomas Braithwaitc, Esq., Eglinton Iron Works, to Mary, youngest daughter of George Johnstone, Esq., late factor to the Earl of Eglinton.

Mary Braithwaite (married to Thomas Braithwaite, Cowley Manager) died 29 Apr 1865 at 5:30AM at Deanfield House, Kilwinning, female, 28, Parents: George Johnston, Factor, and Jane Johnston, m.s. Smith , both deceased, COD: Mesenteric Disease, 2 months, Informant: Thomas Braithwaite, father-in-law, present.
(Statutory Registers Deaths 599/ 48 – Scotlands People)

CHILD 9: CHARLES SMITH JOHNSTON
1838 SCT – 1851 SCT
Marital Status: Single

Kilwinning Register of Births and Baptisms 1838 – – Revd. Archd. B. Campbell, Minister: Cha: Smith Johnston son of Geo. Johnston & Jane Smith, Redburn, born 5th Mar and baptized 30th same month by the Revd. A.B. Campbell. (OPR Births 599/ Kilwinning, p.79 of 294 – Scotlands People)

Glasgow Chronicle – Wednesday, 8 October 1851 (The British newspaper Archive)
Glasgow Courier – Saturday, 4 October 1851 (The British Newspaper Archive
At Girvan, on the 29th ultimo, Charles Smith, youngest son of George Johnston, Esq., Redburn, Irvine

READING and RESOURCES

BAPTISMAL RECORD of GEORGE JOHNSTON: 27 Oct 1790 – Cullen, Banffshire, Scotland
JOHNSTON – Mr Robert Johnston Clerk to the Right Honorable the Earl of Findlater, had a child by his wife Mrs Ann Anderson, born October the 24th and Baptizes the 27th current named George, designed after Mr George Nicholson in Cullen, and Mr George Anderson, uncle to the child, witnesses John Wilson Esqr in Cullen and Miss Margaret Anderson, aunt to the Child.

BAPTISMAL RECORD of ANN GUTHRIE: 24 Feb 1784 – Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
Dundonald Baptismal Register Anno 1794
GUTHRIE – Ann daughter to William Guthrie and Ann Hunter spouses in Harperland was baptized there the twenty fourth day of February Seventeen hundred and ninety four years.
OPR Births 590/ Dundonald, p.204 of 306.(Digital Repository: Scotlands People)

MARRIAGE of ANN GUTHRIE and GEORGE JOHNSTON (Recorded in both home parishes) January 1820
Dundonald Matrimonial Registrar – 1820
JOHNSTON / GUTHRIE
George Johnston in the Parish of Kilwinning and Ann Guthrie in this parish were married 17 January 1820.
OPR Marriages 590/ Dundonald, p.105 of 182 (Digital Repository: Scotlands People)
and
Kilwinning – Dr James Stroon Minister – 1820
George Johnston / Ann Gottria
George Johnston in this parish and Ann Gottria in the parish of Dundonald give in their names on Saturday and on 15th in order to be proclaimed for marriage on days and was married.
OPR Marriages 599/ Kilwinning, page 174 of 294 (Digital Repository: Scotlands People)

MARRIAGE of GEORGE JOHNSTON and JANE SMITH: 12 June 1836 – Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland
1836 Register of Proclamations
George Johnston in this parish and Jane Smith Kilmarnock 12 June – 1 day
OPR Marriages 599/ Kilwinning, page 211 of 294
and
Marriages June 1836
Kilmarnock 14 June 1836
George Johnston in the parish of Kilwinning and Jane Smith in the Low Church parish after being proclaimed were this day married by Dr Mackinlay

DEATH RECORD of GEORGE JOHNSTON (1864/ KILWINNING, AYRSHIRE)
George Johnston, factor, (widower of Jane Smith), died 15 March 1864 at 630AM at Redburn, Kilwinning, male, 73 years old; Parents: Robert Johnson, land surveyor, and Ann m.s. Anderson, both deceased; COD: Disease of Brain – some years, Informant: George Johnston, son.
Statutory Registers Deaths 599/ 42 (Digital Repository: Scotlands People)
ALSO: Legal Records – Ayr Sheriff Court Wills – SC6/46/2 (Digital Repository: Scotlands People)
George Johnston – 2 May 1864 – Residing at Redburn, Parish of Kilwinning, Probative Deed of Settlement; Trust Disposition, and Settlement; Codicil, etc.
ALSO: Legal Records – Ayr Sheriff cour – SC6/44/31 (Digital Repository: Scotlands People)
George Johnston – 2 May 1864 – Esq., Resided in Redburn, Parish of Irvine

WEBSITE: Eglinton County Park Facts for Kids
REDBURN HOUSE:
This property was a dower house of the estate, used to be situated opposite the Redburn gates. It had fine gardens with a summer house and a sundial; most likely the characteristic Scottish sundial type, although its present whereabouts are unknown. Redburn was also the base of the Estate Factor at one time. Archibald, the 17th Earl was born here. It was used as a hotel for a number of years before being demolished and the site developed as a housing estate.

WIKIPEDIA: Factor (Scotland) – A proprietor’s estate manager or agent.
In Scotland a factor (or property manager) is a person or firm charged with superintending or managing properties and estates—sometimes where the owner or landlord is unable to or uninterested in attending to such details personally, or in tenements in which several owners of individual flats contribute to the factoring of communal areas. Factors can be found in solicitors’ firms, or employed by chartered surveyors, property companies or building firms. Property factoring has a wide range of responsibilities and roles. Typically, a person would encounter a factor when renting property or subcontracting for a building firm. (Continues on Wikipedia Page)

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY: Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton and 1st Earl of Winton by George Sanders, National Portrait Gallery, London.
BIOGRAPHAPHICAL SKETCH: Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton, 1st Earl of Winton, KT, PC (29 September 1812 – 4 October 1861), styled Lord Montgomerie from 1814 to 1819, was a British Conservative politician. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1852 and again from 1858 to 1859. (See Wikipedia for the full sketch.)

BOOK: Fullarton, John (1864). Historical Memoir of the Family of Eglinton and Winton together with Relative Notes and Illustrations.

WIKIPEDIA: Eglinton Castle
Kilmaurs House, Auchans Castle, and Redburn house were some of the dower houses used by the estate. The tradition was that a dowager countess would move out of the Earl’s ancestral seat into a lesser dwelling. The Lady Susanna, wife of the 9th Earl, moved to Kilmaurs House and then to Auchans Castle for instance.
(Note: That Redburn House was the home of the 13th Earl’s factor, George Johnston and family.)

WIKIPEDIA: Eglinton Castle in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
The section on the Fergushill Tileworks, a short-lived industrial project on the Eglinton Estate, mentions memoranda from George Johnston, the Earl of Eglington’s factor, sent to the Earl’s Commissioner regarding tile production and decreased demand for clay tile products.

LETTER by ROBERT POLLOCK (A Scottish Poet):
George Johnston, Esq, factor the Earl of Eglinton, was in possession of a letter by Robert Pollok to his father dated 27 May 1827 during his stay in Slateford, which the author of ‘The Life of Robert Pollok’ included in the biography on p.337.

THE BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE: “George Johnston” and “Redburn” Search
There are many pages of search results. Most involve George Johnston, Esq. conducting his business on behalf of the Earl of Eglinton. Most important are the obituaries and mortuary notices.

• Caladonian Mercury – Monday, 15 May 1837
  On Monday week the foundation stone of Fullarton Church, at half-way of Irvine, was laid with masonic honours, by George Johnston, Esq. of Redburn, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Ancient Mother Lodge of Kilwinning, and as such Provincial Grand master of Ayrshire, in presence of the Brethren of Mother-Kilwinning and of several other Lodges of the county, the Magistrates and Council of Irvine, and a number of other gentlemen of the town and neighborhood.
• Ayr Observer – Tuesday, 17 September 1844, page 3
  Dinner at Eaglesham to George Johnston, Esq.. Redburn
  On Friday week, the tenantry in the barony of Eaglesham, and friends of Mrs Johnston, to the number of upwards of one hundred, etertained him at dinner, as a tribute of regard and respect for him while factor on the estate of Eaglesham. From the number who expressed their desire to be present on the occation, no room in the place was large enough to contain the party; and the parish school was therefore procured and tastefully fitted up, where an excellent and substantial dinner was laid out by Mr Arniel of the Cross Keys Inn–such a dinner as is rarely to be met with in the country. (article continues)
  Also published in the Glasgow Herald, Friday, 13 Sep 1844, page 4.
• Ardossan and Saltcoats Herald, Saturday, 27 Dec 1862, page 2.
  Masonic Cabinet. The Festival of St Thomas.
  This is a long article published by the Masons about attendance of their members and Masters at the festival. The list of Provincial Grand Masters of Ayrshire includes: George Johnston, Redburn, Past Master
• Kilmarnock Weekly Post and County of Ayr Reporter – Saturday, 19 March 1864, page 4
  The Late George Johnstone, Esq., Redburn —
  Our obituary to-day contains the announcement of the death of a gentleman well known and much respected in the county– George Johnstone, Esq., Redburn, who died on the morning of the 15th instant. His death was not unexpected, for he had attained the age of 73, and had been for many years an invalid; but the fact of his passing away will awaken recollections in the minds of many old friends, who long enjoyed pleasant intercourse with him, of his intelligence, his great aptitude for business, his kindness of disposition, and sanvity of manners. He commenced his factorship on the Eglinton Estates nearly fifty years ago, in the time of the present respected Earl’s great-grandfather. In the responsible and arduous duties of factor on these estates, he so conducted himself as to hold the esteem alike of his late noble constituent, and the tenantry generally, for the long period of nearly forty years; and on his retirement, had his full salary, along with his residence at Redburn continued to him during life by the late Earl– while the present Earl, much to his honour, carried out the benevolent intentions of his father. as an evidence of the general respect entertained for him, he was presented in December 1856, with a handsome silver Epergne and £800. The Epergne bore the follow£ing inscription:– “Presented to George Johnstone, Esq., Redburn, along with a donation of 800, by a large circle of friends, as a tribute of personal regard, and as a memorial of the talent and integrity with which he discharged his important office of Factor on the Eglinton Estates, during nearly 40 years. Oct., 1856.”– Ayr Advertiser
• Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald – SAturday, 19 March 1864, page 4
  THE LATE GEORGE JOHNSTON, ESQ., OF REDBURN.
  It is with the deepest regret that we this day record in our obituary column the announcement of the death of GEORGE JOHNSTON, ESQ., OF REDI3ISRN, who expired on the morning of Wednesday last. His long connection with the Eglinton Estates the deep interest he took in everything affecting the progress of Ardrossan and the developement of the trade of the Harbour ; his valuable services as an office-bearer in several of our local institutions ; and more than these, his possession of all the qualities which endear men to friends, make them useful members of society, and favourites with all classes, will make his loss, if not unlooked for, deeply regretted in this district of Ayrshire, where for upwards of forty. years he held a highly responsible situation. The late Mr Johnston was born at Cullen in Bariffthire. His early years were spent in a writer’s office, and probabiy here he acquired that thorough knowledge of business details which qualified him in an eminent degree for the duties he undertook in Ayrshire. He was also employed under Mr Nimmo, the celebrated engineer, in laying out most of the roads in County Kerry, and Connemara, Ireland, being the first public roads in these districts, and are still known over the whole country as Nimmo’s roads. He became factor on the Eglinton Estates about the year 1817, under HUGH, twelfth Earl of Eglinton, from which office he retired on his full salary about 10 years ago. In 1856, shortly after retiring from • the factorship, he was presented with a magnificent Silver Epergne and £BOO. The Epergne bore the following inscription :—” Presented to George ” Johnston, Esq., Redburu, along with a ” donation of £BOO, by a large circle of ” friends, as a tribute of personal regard, ” and as a memorial of the talent and in” temerity with which he discharged his ” important office of Factor on the Eg” linton Estates, during nearly 40 years. ” Oct., 1856.” We have said that he took a deep interest in Ardrossan. He was an active member of the Farmers’ Society, for man` years Presdent of the Bowling Club, and his last public appcalan;.: was in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the New Town House where he performed the ceremony as P. G.M. of Mother Kilwinning. On that occasion he said that he had long been connected with the town, had for years felt a deep interest in its welfare, and, in spite of bad health, could not resist being present at an event so auspicious, and which he trusted would be for the good of the population. In Kilwinning he was greatly esteemed. He was an ardent supporter of the Papingo, and for one year held the Captaincy of the Society. Mr Johnston was also a Freemason, and at various periods during the past thirty years held the highest masonic position in the County of Ayr. He hailed from the Lodge of Maybole, No. 11.; but was admitted into Mother Kilwinning as an honorary member, Dec. 21, 1821—the day that Sir Alexander Boswell, Bart., was raised to the chair of that ancient Lodge. Mr Johnston was in 1829 elected Depute-Master, and the following year was elevated to the Mastership of the Mother Lodge, which appointment carried along with it the Provincial Grand Mastership of Ayrshire and an ex-officio scat in the Grand Lodge. To this post he was several times reelected, so highly was he esteemed by the brethren ; and at the time of his death was Past-Master of Mother Kilwinning. Although for many years laid aside from active participation in the working of the Lodge, he continued to the last to evince considerable interest in everything relating to the prosperity of the Order. Our Masonic Correspondent writes—” That he fully appreciated the benefits to Freemasonry accruing from the judicious use of the Press in the dissemination of its principles ; and on being consulted by us as to the propriety of publishing the series of papers illustrative of the history of Mother Kilwinning, at present appearinc , in these columns, Mr Johnston not only n approved of the proposal, but to encourage us in our undertaking expressed his readiness to afford us all the information he himself possessed that might be deemed to be of usa in the elucidation of the subject; and this was no empty promise, for on more than one occasion have we been indebted to him for hints in regard to certain masonic events of which the Kilwinning records are silent, but which are nevertheless of considerable interest to the Craft. Little more than twelve months ago we received a long communication from the Past Provincial Grand Master, designed to aid in the developement of a scheme having for its object the establishment of uniformity in conferring the several degrees of St John’s Masonry, extracts from which we may at some future period have an opportunity of laying before the brethren of this province.” He was an intelligent observer, and often brought to the discussions at the annual meetings of the Ardrossan Farmers’ Society much that was practically valuable and suggestive in agricultural matters; and our own columns have not unfrequently been enriched with contributions from his pen. His great aptitude for business was universally admitted ; and of the manner in which he conducted his intercourse with all whilst discharging the arduous duties of a factor, no higher testimony can be paid than that on the occasion of the presentation by Mr Gairdner, Commissioner on the Egliuton Estates—than whom no one was more able to judge—” It must be grati” fying to Mr Johnston to find after forty ” years’ discharge of his important and difficult duties, that he retired with the ” (rood wishes of his noble employer, of ” his neighbours, and of the tenantry.’
  
  

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