History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

CHAPTER XXVIII.
Johnstons of Carnsalloch— Johnstones of Saughtrees— of Beatok— Roundstonefute,
etc.— in fife— straiton—wales— prominent members of the
Clan—of Ayr— Ireland—America—New Zealand—Orkney.
ABOUT
PART I.
1752 James Maxwell, a Jacobite, sold Carnsalloch to Alexander
Johnston, from London. It stands a few miles above Dumfries, on the
left bank of the Nith. His son and heir, Peter, was at the English
Bar, and, as Peter 1 is an uncommon name in the Johnston family, Peter
Johnston, of York, called Esq., who had a sasine of Stank in Dornock in
175 1, was perhaps a relative. This family use the Westerhall shield, so apparently
claim to be cadets of that illustrious house.
In 1688 there is a sasine to Robert Johnstoun in the lands of Carnsalloch
probably the copyhold; and in 1720 Robert Johnston, late Dean of Dumfries,
and Jean Cannon, his wife, resign these lands to Robert M'Clellan of Bombie.
In 1753 there is an action by Alexander Johnston of Carnsalloch v. William
Maxwell, Esq., of Dalswinton, and another in 1761 by the same plaintiff.
Family tradition adds that from one of the nine children of an ancestor
Robert Johnstoun—descended Patrick, born 1634, married, 1660, Jane, daughter
of Francis Scott of Thirlstane. Their fourth son, Patrick, born 1667, married,
1698, Jane, daughter of Samuel Brown. The eldest son (or grandson), Alexander,
married, 1748, Janet, daughter of James Gordon of Campbelton, Kirkcudbright,
was M.P. for Kirkcudbright, and had : (1) Peter, his heir. (2) Alexander,
born 1750, married, 1774, the Hon. Hester Maria, his cousin, only daughter of
Lord Napier, and had — 1, the Right Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, Chief
Justice of Ceylon, heir to his uncle in Carnsalloch ; 2, Major-General Francis
Johnston, C.B., born 1776, died 1844; 3, Samuel, died 1798, Paymaster to
the Forces in the West Indies.
Peter Johnston of Carnsalloch, born 1749, was one of the subscribers to
an early edition of Burns. He was M.P. for Kirkcudbright and a Commissioner
1 In the Glasgow Register, Archibald, son of Peter Johnstoun and Mary Elphinston, was
baptised Dec. 1635. Peter is dead in 165 1, having had six daughters and four sons. This
Peter seems to be one of the Clauchrie family.