Middle – Row 15 – 4 – Johnston/Purves

Transcription

This Headsone is very dificult to read as a Yew tree is growing over it.

Erected by GEORGE JOHNSTON gardener Coldstream in memory of Peter his son who died 9 March 1836 aged 2 months. Also GEORGE his son who died 21 July 1852 aged 6 years. And ALICE daughter who died 29 July 1852 aged 12 years. Also ROBERT his son who died 1 August 1852 aged 19 months. And JAMES his son who died 7 April 1852 aged 4 years. Also PETER his son who died 19 August 1852 aged 8 years. Also AGNES PURVES who died 13 September 1883 aged 73 years. Also the above GEORGE JOHNSTON who died 2 May 1885 aged 73 years.

Commentary

George Johnston was born at Fogo in 1812. In November 1833, he married Agnes Purves in Coldstream. His father was Thomas. George’s occupation in 1861 was a Market Gardener, living in 18 High Street.

This information was given by Douglas Johnston
Thomas Johnstone (b. 1791) - no siblings have been identified

Rodger Johnstone (b. 1812) had a brother George (abt. 1812 - 1885) who married Agnes Purves (abt. 1810 - 1883). This is the relative I mentioned as having found his gravestone.

Thomas Johnstone (b. 1838) had a brother George (1842 - ?). The only firm reference to him I have found is the 1851 census.

George Johnstone (b. 1863) was an only child to the best of my knowledge. George served in the army with the Seaforth Highlanders from about 1881 through 1900. After the outbreak of WWI, at the age of 51, he re-enlisted in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. He was killed in action at Gallipoli.

Charles S. Johnston (b. 1896) had a sister Mary (1899-1976).  She married Thomas Kean Thompson of Glasgow in 1918 and they lived in Dumfries.

Charles M. Johnston (1920-1985) was my father. He had a brother George (1915-1995) and a sister Nora (b. 1923), still living. As a family, they emigrated to the United States during the late 1920's

I hope this is what you were looking for.  If you have any questions please contact me.  I hope to visit Scotland this coming autumn or, at the latest, the autumn of 2019. I don't know how much more I'll be able to discover about my Scottish ancestors, but I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to visit where they lived.

Regards,

Doug Johnston