Zechariah Johnston, Jr., was the son of the locally famous, Zachariah Johnston, Sr. and Ann Robertson Johnston. His first name is spelled with an "E" or an "A" interchangeably in old records, like his father's. His gravestone uses the E. Zechariah married twice.

I found a hand written note from long ago, probably copied from the original note of permission for Jenny to marry Zechariah. It says: "I do hereby certify that Zechariah Johnstone hath obtained my consent to a match with my daughter Jenny, as given under my hand this the 16th day of March 1799 - Susanah McMath (Widow). This was the wife of William McMath." Collection of papers at Duke University.

I then found the 16 Mar 1799 written marriage bond in Rockbridge Co., VA. It lists Jinny McMath's father, as the late James McMath instead, and was about 21 years of age (born abt 1778).

Widowed, he married second to Mary "Polly" Brawford on 3 Dec 1822. They lived not far from the New Providence church on the same road and same side of the street, in Brownsburg. The old home was later sold to Dr. D E Strain, and his son married a gal who was related to the Zachariah Johnston family.

The names of all of his Johnston children are unknown, but include:

Johnston children with wife Jenny McMath:
Ann R., 1800 (Alexander Culton), below
Susan, Jan 1802, below
Zachariah, III, b abt. 1807, below

Johnston children with wife Mary "Polly" Brawford:
Charlotte Caroline, 25 Nov 1826 (Geo Dabney Gray), below
Mary Gamble, b 10 May 1830 (unmarried), below
(see brother in law Geo. D. Gray's obit, FaG #15686721)
Margaret, b ~1834 (Jonathan Richmond & John H Hooper), below

Unknown daughter married Mr. Blakey per below

His father wrote an undated Codicil to the 25 Decr 1799 written Will of Zech. Johnston (Sr.), of Rockbridge Co., VA, for SON Zech., to pay to my son George... Also mentions his Kentucky military lands... (see photo).

19 Mar 1818, Rockbridge Co., VA county clerk, Andrew Reid, commanded the sheriff to summon Zachariah Johnston (that's Jr.) to appear before the chancery court, the 1st Tuesday of June next, to answer in a suit against his widowed sister Ann Johnston White, as guardian of her children (Hannah, John, Zachariah, Elizabeth and William), all under 21. Ann's husband, merchant, Joseph White had uncompleted business dealings, when he died out of state. Chancery Cause 1819-004. Jos Rapp vs Jos White's widow Ann, Trustee.

19 Nov 1878 "Zachariah J. Culton, Executor of Zachariah Johnson (sic), sold Johnston's home/farm to Dr. D.E. Strain. Deed Book "RR" page 9." David Beard is believed to be the original 1780 home builder, purchased it 6 Nov 1739 from Benjamin Borden. He sold it to Zachariah Johns(t)on 6 Mar 1799, DB B, p 345.

Daughter Ann and her family: David P. Curry, his wife Rebecca Ann Culton Curry, mother in law ANN Johnston CULTON and brother in law Zachariah Johnston Culton were members of New Providence Presbyterian Church in Raphine, Rockbridge Co., VA in 1871. Per Dr. E.D. Junkin's A History of the Church and Congregation of New Providence, Lexington, VA, 1871.

Sources lists footnote about the children of Zachariah Johnston, Sr. and says: "5. Zachariah, born in 1770, and lived near Brownsburg. His descendants are Blakeys, Grays and Cultons." The Annals of Augusta County, Virginia: With Reminiscences Illustrative of the Vicissitudes of Its Pioneer Settlers; Biographical Sketches of Citizens Locally Prominent, and of Those who Have Founded Families in the Southern and Western States; a Diary of the War, 1861-'5, and a Chapter on Reconstruction, with a Supplement, Joseph Addison Waddell, 1888, Augusta Co., VA, p 200.

The gravestone next to his is another Zachariah Johnston "Jr." who I suspect is the really the III, or son of this man above. If it is his son, born in about 1807, then his mother was Jenny McMath Johnston.

Born 18 Jan 1770, Died 12 (sic) Jan 1845, Aged 75 years. Source of burial: Rockbridge County, Virginia Cemeteries, South River and Walker Creek Districts, by the Rockbridge Area Genealogical Society, 1999, page 138. The photographer (2-11) says the gravestone is instead in row 14, not in 19, per this book.

Note: Lieut Daniel Fagan 1827 - 1893 was the Virginia marble cutter and engraver for his gravestone. His name is carved on several in the area

Bio researched and written by LSP, all right reserved