Some genealogy material states that Joseph was born in Dublin, Ireland 2/28/1745. He emigrated to America about 1767 and settled with his brothers in VA in 1770. Other material states that he was born in Lancaster County, PA in 1745. He served in the Revolution as a sergeant in Capt. joseph Spencer's company. He supposedly served as a courier in the continental forces. For many years the family possessed a notebook kept by him with remarks upon the campaign from Newport, RI to Charleston, SC. In july 1778, he and his brother, Francis, went to Charleston, SC, and he was so delighted with the area that he moved there. After the war, he married Margaret Graham of Wytheville, VA.
Joseph Johnston and Margaret Graham Johnston moved to SC where Joseph became a wealthy planter, accumulating a fortune. Around 1800 he moved his family to the Cades Cove area near Maryville, TN. Between that time and his death, he gave each of his 10 children a plantation, fully equipped with machinery, livestock and slaves. (These were probably located in the Sweetwater Valley area from Loudon southward.) Joseph named his Tennessee plantation "Annandale", which leads the family to believe that our Johnston group came from Annandale, Scotland.
He set most of his own slaves free and sent them back to Liberia. Some of the slaves wanted to stay in America. Joseph stated in his will that those slaves given to his children should be taught to read and set free at the age of 30. He willed that his books of divinity should be divided between his sons and daughters, but his other books should go only to his sons. He probably thought that his daughters did not need to know anything except religion.
He, his ancestors, and most of his descendents have been Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the strictest faith and have been noted for their integrity of character and solid qualities. Although a trifle austere, they acknowledge but one right and wrong and recognize no circuitous routes between the two.
Joseph Johnston and Margaret Graham Johnston moved to SC where Joseph became a wealthy planter, accumulating a fortune. Around 1800 he moved his family to the Cades Cove area near Maryville, TN. Between that time and his death, he gave each of his 10 children a plantation, fully equipped with machinery, livestock and slaves. (These were probably located in the Sweetwater Valley area from Loudon southward.) Joseph named his Tennessee plantation "Annandale", which leads the family to believe that our Johnston group came from Annandale, Scotland.
He set most of his own slaves free and sent them back to Liberia. Some of the slaves wanted to stay in America. Joseph stated in his will that those slaves given to his children should be taught to read and set free at the age of 30. He willed that his books of divinity should be divided between his sons and daughters, but his other books should go only to his sons. He probably thought that his daughters did not need to know anything except religion.
He, his ancestors, and most of his descendents have been Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the strictest faith and have been noted for their integrity of character and solid qualities. Although a trifle austere, they acknowledge but one right and wrong and recognize no circuitous routes between the two.
Some genealogy material states that Joseph was born in Dublin, Ireland 2/28/1745. He emigrated to America about 1767 and settled with his brothers in VA in 1770. Other material states that he was born in Lancaster County, PA in 1745. He served in the Revolution as a sergeant in Capt. joseph Spencer's company. He supposedly served as a courier in the continental forces. For many years the family possessed a notebook kept by him with remarks upon the campaign from Newport, RI to Charleston, SC. In july 1778, he and his brother, Francis, went to Charleston, SC, and he was so delighted with the area that he moved there. After the war, he married Margaret Graham of Wytheville, VA.
Joseph Johnston and Margaret Graham Johnston moved to SC where Joseph became a wealthy planter, accumulating a fortune. Around 1800 he moved his family to the Cades Cove area near Maryville, TN. Between that time and his death, he gave each of his 10 children a plantation, fully equipped with machinery, livestock and slaves. (These were probably located in the Sweetwater Valley area from Loudon southward.) Joseph named his Tennessee plantation "Annandale", which leads the family to believe that our Johnston group came from Annandale, Scotland.
He set most of his own slaves free and sent them back to Liberia. Some of the slaves wanted to stay in America. Joseph stated in his will that those slaves given to his children should be taught to read and set free at the age of 30. He willed that his books of divinity should be divided between his sons and daughters, but his other books should go only to his sons. He probably thought that his daughters did not need to know anything except religion.
He, his ancestors, and most of his descendents have been Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the strictest faith and have been noted for their integrity of character and solid qualities. Although a trifle austere, they acknowledge but one right and wrong and recognize no circuitous routes between the two.
Joseph Johnston and Margaret Graham Johnston moved to SC where Joseph became a wealthy planter, accumulating a fortune. Around 1800 he moved his family to the Cades Cove area near Maryville, TN. Between that time and his death, he gave each of his 10 children a plantation, fully equipped with machinery, livestock and slaves. (These were probably located in the Sweetwater Valley area from Loudon southward.) Joseph named his Tennessee plantation "Annandale", which leads the family to believe that our Johnston group came from Annandale, Scotland.
He set most of his own slaves free and sent them back to Liberia. Some of the slaves wanted to stay in America. Joseph stated in his will that those slaves given to his children should be taught to read and set free at the age of 30. He willed that his books of divinity should be divided between his sons and daughters, but his other books should go only to his sons. He probably thought that his daughters did not need to know anything except religion.
He, his ancestors, and most of his descendents have been Scotch-Irish Presbyterians of the strictest faith and have been noted for their integrity of character and solid qualities. Although a trifle austere, they acknowledge but one right and wrong and recognize no circuitous routes between the two.
Gravesite Details
SGT. 7th VA. Regt. Revolution War
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