Francis Johnston

[punch]

I am looking for any information on Francis Johnston. He was born about 1815 in the southern United States. He was a refugee slave and in the 1840s travelled by underground rail to Ontario, Canada. Francis died in 1860 in York leaving his wife, Sarah, and 4 young children, Alexander (, Sarah (7), May or Mary (5), and Mabel (3). Sarah died in 1862 in York.

[*Sandra*]

Headstone Inscription - FRANCIS JOHNSTON.

IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS JOHNSTON WHO DIED JUNE 7 A.D. 1861 AGED 36 YRS ALSO HIS WIFE SARAH WHO DIED JUNE 27 A.D. 1862 AGED 41 YRS REQUIESCAT IN PACE

St. Michael's+, Toronto Cemetery

http://www.canadianheadstones.com/on/view.php?id=268801

Sandra

[RunKitty]

Is this Sarah in 1861?  Children Alex 9, Sarah E 8, May 6, Mable 4, and John 2

http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1861/jpg/4391955_00540.jpg

RK

[RunKitty]

Alexander aged 20 in 1871, with Sarah Ellen 18, Mary 16 and Matilda 14 (I guess she is Mable in 1861??)

http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/1871/jpg/4396618_00146.jpg

RK

[RunKitty]

Don't know if you will be able to view this or not.. is an excerpt from a book about the Don Mills area of Toronto.  This section talks about Francis and his family.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jkj/

There is a photo from the 1950s showing the IBM building on the corner of Don Mills and Eglinton - where Francis's farm used to be.  That site has been the home of Celestica for some time, and now that a light rail system is being built across Eglinton Avenue, that land is going to be redeveloped in a big way!!  I found this proposal online.  News to me - and I don't live too far away from here!! 

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2014/08/redevelopment-proposed-60-acre-celestica-site-don-mills

The first article also says that Francis owned 20 acres on the south side of Eglinton, where the Ontario Science Centre now stands.   Great place to take the kids 

http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

RK

[punch]

Thank you for all the great information. It is very much appreciated.

[punch]

Is there a Francis Johnston listed in the 1851 census? He would have been approximately 36 years. He married an English girl by the name of Sarah and they lived on a farm in York, Ontario.

[chrissie272]

this is actually my gggg grandfather would love to chat with anyone who has more information.

[polarbear]

Hello chrissie272 and a very warm welcome to RootsChat 

The original poster, punch, is still around and will hopefully pop in soon.

PB