Abraham Robinson Johnston - Soldier, Scholar and Favorite Son

Abraham Robinson Johnston was born to John Johnston and Rachel Hoping Robinson Johnston May 23rd of 1815. Robinson - as the family called him - was the second son of 5 boys, and as such was close to his elder brother, Stephen, in spite of the fact that 12 years separated them. When Robinson was only 5 years old, Stephen left to join the Navy. In a way this made him another 'first' son.

Robinson, more than any of the other boys, reflected his father's personality and interests, and seems from existing letters to have been the closest to him. Signed most often 'your affectionate' son, his letters are almost always addressed to 'my dear father'.

If one takes the letters of John Johnston's family and tries to piece their lives together - there is precious little info about the children in what is available from 1800 to 1840 - one comes away with an impression of a very well-educated, intelligent and humorous family, not immensely wealthy, but comfortable. A shift in political fortunes changed this to some extent, costing John Johnston his federal job and altering Robinson's life forever. John Johnston lost his job as Indian Agent due to the election of Andrew Jackson, and at that point Robinson was pulled from Miami Oxford University in Ohio where he was studying, and sent to West Point. The education at the military academy was free and from what his father said, that was a matter of some importance.

Apparently Robinson's first months at West Point were not spectacular. In February of 1831 his father received a letter telling him that "Cadet A. R. Johnston of the 4th class consisting of 87 members is 74 in Mathematics, 82 (in) French, ..He has committed 40 offences during these months 98 in demerit." In response to this John wrote to Robinson saying: "I do not of course well understand the above but you will, and whatever may have been amiss on your part for the late 6 months, you will have it in your power in future to rectify your experience there and your own good sense will point out your future course. In the present situation and resources of the family, the main dependence for money matters being cut off, makes it a measure of no little advantage to get one of the Boys supported and educated at the publick (sic) expense..... May you, my son, prove to be everything that I wish you, and in your maturer years be ranked among the Publick men, the Patriots and Sages of your Country." Robinson must have heeded his father's advice. By the end of his time at the Academy he had risen in rank to 23rd in a class of 61 and the Engineering Dept. informed his father that Robinson's conduct was 'exceptional'. He graduated July 1st, 1835 and was promoted in the army to the rank of Bvt. Second Lieut., Ist Dragoons.

Robinson had a distinguished military career spanning a little over 10 years, cut short by his tragic death at San Pasqual, CA in 1846. During the course of that 10 years he served at most of the forts in the West including Forts Gibson, Washita, Wayne and Leavenworth. Trained as were all the young men at West Point, he was a skilled engineer and his talents were put to use mapping and exploring - as well as policing - the wide open ranges of the American West. At one time he served with Captain Nathan Boone, Daniel Boone's son.

In 1846 Robinson was promoted to captain and made aide de camp to General Stephen Watts Kearney, who was placed in charge of the Army of the West during the Mexican War. The soldiers under Kearney traveled over 2000 miles, many of them on foot, from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to just outside of San Diego. CA. At the bottom of a ridge, at an Indian village called San Pasqual, they encountered a band of Californios, and by the time the fighting was over 18 officers and men lay dead - including Robinson Johnston. General Kearney had put him in charge of the first assault of 12 dragoons and he was felled within seconds with a bullet to the head.

Stephen Johnston to John Johnston, May 31st, 1847 Norfolk, VA, Naval hospital

The melancholy intelligence of my poor brother’s death has only been conferred to me since my arrival at this place. My brother, to whom I was so much attached, how deeply do I feel his loss. I have tried in looking over the various accounts of that unfortunate expedition, to find some balm to my feelings, and I am gratified to say I found it in the official report of General Kearney. (sic) He says that Brother, with twelve dragoons, made a furious charge upon the line of the Enemy and in that met his untimely death. There was no dodging danger, everything was high-toned, chivalrous and becoming a Soldier. All this was like himself and precisely what he told me he would do were he to ever engage in battle with men in ranks. That he went off like a gallant soldier should certain be a source of melancholy satisfaction to his relatives who mourn his fate.

Robinson was 31 years old. He had become engaged to a young woman from New York by the name of Kate Cotheal shortly before he left for California. From what records remain, Kate never married. Letters seem to indicate that Robinson suspected he would die in California. He told a half-dozen people at least that he did not expect to return.

John Johnston to Mary McLean July 26, 1852

The information which you related about poor Robinson has reached me from other sources that he had a presentiment strongly impressed upon his mind that he never was to return from that campaign. He told the same to Major Cummings, his wife and daughters, at Fort Leavenworth.

As a last note, the image above may well be Robinson Johnston. When a comparison is made to his sister, Elizabeth's, portrait, there is a striking resemblance. At the least, it is a drawing done by Robinson and, as such, representative of him. The image is courtesy of Kenneth Woodward of the Woodward Museum in Ramona, CA.

Mary Johnston McLean, An Enduring Spirit 1813-1877

Mary Johnston was born on November 28, 1813 at Upper Piqua, OH. She was the second of John Johnston's daughters to be born in their new home. At the time, the Johnstons were still living in their log house and the War of 1812 was in full swing, making the frontier a dangerous place for a new mother and child. In spite of this, Rachel Johnston refused to leave her husband's side and remained in the log house that rested within a stockade wall of 10 foot logs. In a letter to the merchant, Henry Brown, in Dayton, written October 1813, John Johnston says 'there is reason to believe we shall not again be interrupted by Indian Hostilities in this quarter'. So it seems Mary arrived just as fear and terror were ebbing in the west, though the eastern portion of the US had another year or more of warfare to endure.

Mary seems to have been the dutiful child. She spent her young years making her brothers’ and sisters’ clothes, aiding her mother in readying the house for winter, and teaching her siblings in a home school setting after their father lost his government job. She married Milton McLean June 10, 1834 at the Upper Piqua farm. In a letter dated January of 1834, John Johnston tells his daughter Julia Patterson, 'I have an indistinct recollection of Mr. Milton McLean. Know nothing of him except by hearsay. I suppose he is what may be called a promising young man without any property. I once heard Elizabeth speak well of him. I do not intend interposing any obstacles if the matter is agreeable to the others, knowing as I do from my own experience and extensive observation on the case of others that in our country everything depends on a good character and good habits united to an unwavering determination and fixed purpose to get ahead in the world, and that without these qualities all the wealth we may posses will soon leave us, all our rich men in Ohio are self-made men.'

The title of this post is 'an enduring spirit'. It seems Milton McLean never quite 'made it' as a self-made man. Johnston family letters seem to indicate Mary was often in ill health, and her financial state is a concern. Often, later in his life, John Johnston sent her money, and her children fabric and clothing. In one letter to her sister, Mary refers to her own family as ‘poor folks’. Apparently, she and Milton struggled with finances for most of their married life.

** I would like to thank one of Mary's descendants, George Hibben, for sending me the following. It adds something to the story and gives a 'picture' of Milton McLean.

The information comes from "The McLeans of East St. Louis," by Josephine Boylan, published in The Illinois Journal of Commerce, May 1936, pages 15-32. The article echoes John Johnston's thoughts about what he hoped Mary's husband would be. "The members of the St. Louis bar paid the highest honors to his [Milton] memory, saying that 'he ranked with the first young men of the West in view of talent, integrity and all the virtues.'" Milton died July 2, 1855.

Mary Johnston McLean died February 2, 1877, Cincinnati, OH, at the age of 63.

John Johnston to his children, Columbus January 22, 1833
I am glad to find that you are all so attentive to the school. It is a very great advantage that you have a sister capable of teaching you. Be obedient to her and learn all that you can…. I am glad school-keeping has proved so agreeable to Mary’s feelings and hope it may not prove too irksome an employment.

Rachel Johnston to Julia Patterson, Upper Piqua October 1, 1833
It is not in my power to send Mary at present. I may send after a while. I am in great want of Mary. I do not think I can do without her any longer and would rather let her go down and stay with you a while after we have got the house cleaned and the children’s clothes made for the winter.

Mary Johnston McLean to Rachel Johnston, March 14th, pre1841
When I wrote you again I did expect to be able to tell you the babe’s name, but I am sorry to say she is not named yet…. You know what constant attention a young infant requires…the babe grows and seems very healthy now so I suppose my time has not been altogether lost, as far as sewing I have done nothing at all which does not suit – poor folks you know.

John Johnston to Mary McLean, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, July 26, 1852
I am glad my dear child that your health is so (much) improved by your trip into that high healthy country. You must always remember that it is your duty for the sake of your children to bear up against the trials and inconveniences of this life, to take care of your health and do the best you can under all circumstances. You have had many and severe trials and hard as your lot has been, there are thousands in the world, and many of them born to brighter prospects, worse off than you are. Therefore cheer up and do not suffer any of these adverse circumstances to overcome you. Trust God and He will strengthen you and cause all these things in the end to work for your good. He often permits us to be tried for our present and eternal welfare

Julia Johnston Patterson, Matriarch 1811-1897

Julia Johnston was born August 16, 1811 at Upper Piqua, OH. She was the first of the Johnston children to be born in the new brick house. Julia, the fourth girl in the family, tended toward a melancholy disposition and had, as her father put it, ‘no taste for a farmer’s life’. She escaped the farm by marrying Jefferson Patterson of Dayton, Ohio on February 26, 1833 in a lavish ceremony that brought chefs to the Piqua farmhouse. The newlyweds lived at the Rubicon Farm in Dayton, part of which is now the Patterson Homestead. Two of Julia’s sons, John Henry and Frank Patterson, were the founders of National Cash Register or NCR in Dayton.

Julia was asked, as an older woman, to write her memories of the Upper Piqua farm. Thanks to her doing so, we have wonderful anecdotes about her grandmother taking care of the children's pet deer (after it had broken its ankle while stealing a sip of milk in the springhouse), and about the Johnston children baking poundcake, feeding the chickens and - once in a while - turning their mother's hair prematurely gray by finding Indian scalps hidden in a blockhouse.

Julia johnston Patterson died May 29, 1897 at age 85 about a month after suffering a broken hip. She was one of Ohio's last remaining pioneers.

Julia Johnston to Jefferson Patterson – Piqua July 1, 1833

I arose this morning in rather low spirits from some cause or other, I scarcely know what, but thought it would go off as it usually does in the course of an hour and then I would write to you, but I have waited until this evening and still my spirits are below par.

John Johnston to Jefferson Patterson, Upper Piqua, Sept. 6, 1833

There is nothing more unprofitable in this country than carrying a farm entirely by hired labour , and in point of vexation and want of comfort there is nothing to be compared to it, it is a continual scene of uneasiness. If you value your own comfort and happiness and that of your wife, have nothing to do with such things. She has no taste for a farmer’s life, and although raised on a farm, she knows nothing of the duties belonging to the station.

Rosanna Johnston, 1809 - 1844, A simple gift

John and Rachel Johnston's fourth child, Rosanna, was born at Fort Wayne in the Indian Territory on July 2nd, 1809. Named after her maternal grandmother, Rosanna Robinson, the Johnston's third daughter was disabled. Her 1844 obituary states ‘the deceased had been as child of affliction from infancy’. There is no record of what ‘affliction’ Rosanna suffered, but one could assume her disibility came as a result of a common childhood illnesss such as measles. Rosanna was not so severely disabled as to be prevented from traveling and entering into other activities with her sisters, but there seemed to be no thought that she would ever marry or live anywhere other than with her family. Toward the end of her life Rosanna suffered epileptic fits. She died suddenly at home on August 11, 1844. She was 35.

John Johnston to AR Johnston, Columbus, Ohio Feb’y 3, 1831

Rosanna and John has not been well lately. The former has been disturbed with a kind of fits.

John Johnston to Jefferson Patterson Tuesday August 13, 1844

She done almost all the milking, churning, scrubbing, etc. My poor good tender-hearted child.

Ibid.

After leaving you on Monday and proceeding about 5 miles this side of Dayton, I met a messenger going in pursuit of me, with the melancholy intelligence that my poor afflicted child, Rosanna, was dead. She went to bed as usual on Sunday night and was found lifeless in her bed in the morning. I suppose she must have perished in one of those spasmodic fits to which she has been of late years subject. God for wise and holy purposes has doubtless taken her from the trouble to come. Ever since the death of her dear and most excellent mother, she has led a life of misery. No one to look to her wants and watch over her imperfections.

Hello!

Hello Bloggers! My name is Diana and I work in the museum at the Piqua Historical Area, home of the Johnston Farm. I have been here for about 4 years and have learned a lot from many different resources. I will endeavor to keep you up to date about the various events, people, and random things that happen here, and hopefully entertain you as well. (Also, if you would like to add anything, say write about how fabulous your visit to the museum or house was, or how cool the mules are, feel free to add a comment.)

First, and this is a little late in coming, we had a totally awesome spring school season! We had almost 2500 students from all over western Ohio (and even Indiana!) visit our site. We enjoyed having them visit and hope they had fun and (hopefully) learned something new!

What do they learn about while here? Well, they learn about 1800s pioneer life by visiting and touring the home of John Johnston, Indian Agent, Canal Commissioner, and gentleman Farmer. They come down to the museum and learn about Ohio’s Native Americans and their first contact with European Traders, including a little bit about the first shopping mall in Ohio, Pickawillany. And last but not least, the students learn about the building and impact of the Miami and Erie Canal on the development of Ohio, and even get to RIDE ON A REPLICA CANAL BOAT!!! Is that beyond cool or what?

Teachers, if this sounds like something you would be interested in experiencing, or if you would like more information, please call 773-2522 or 800-752-2619. We still have some open spots for fall 2009 and spring 2010!

Life on an Indian Agency July event report

This season we introduced a new July event, Life on an Indian Agency. Everyone who attended had a great time learning just what it took to operate a United States Indian Agency in the early to mid-1800s. John Johnston's tenure as an agent ran from 1802 until 1828. Johnston's job made him put on many hats - Native Americans were contacted, worked and treated with, traded with, as well as simply cared for on an agency. Treaties were worked on and completed, negotiations undertaken, but there were simpler everyday tasks to perform as well - Native men and their families were cared for, fed, and given a safe haven in times of need. At one time, during the War of 1812, the members of the Delaware Nation - counting in the hundreds - were brought to Johnston's agency to be cared for on their trek to their new home in the west. As might be expected, the local inhabitants of the nearby city of Piqua were not too happy. They even went so far as to petition the governor of Ohio to have the natives removed.

The event this weekend touched on many of these things. Jim Johnson of Troy, a member of the Shamanic Institute, represented the native aspect. Set up in the Indian Agency office, Jim spoke of native beliefs and customs while helping anyone who wanted to, to make a medicine bag. Sycamore Springs Clothiers, owner and operated by Beverly Smith and Kitty Thompson, represented the trade end of the business. Johnston carried many items on his land for trade. John Heater and Sheri Barhorst were on hand to demonstrate European and Native weaving. Nancy Weatherhead worked on the lucette, creating a knotted cord as Mrs. Johnston and her daughters would have done.

The day's special feature was a talk given by Robert Bowman on the Johnston's son, Abraham Robinson Johnston. Known to the family as Robinson, he was killed during the pivotal battle of the western campaign of the Mexican War, dying in 1846 at the Battle of San Pasqual. Bob used a powerpoint presentation to showcase the all too brief life and death of John Johnston's second son. Also in attendance that day were Richard Rozevink and David Bennett representing the agency during the War of 1812, when General William Henry Harrison was encamped at Upper Piqua before going to free Fort Wayne (IN) from the seige laid to it by the British and opposing Indians.

This event will repeat in the 2010 season with a special first person presentation of John Johnston's mother, Elizabeth Bernard Johnston. Elizabeth will speak of what it was like for the family to live in an agency house and to deal with the danger brought to it by the war.

Mark your calendars!

Elizabeth Johnston Jones 1807 -1878, Queen of the Queen City

On September 22, 1807 Elizabeth Johnston was born in blockhouse #1, Fort Wayne, IN. At the time Fort Wayne was still, literally, a fort. She would have come into the world when her father John was US Factor to the Indians. Her earliest years would have been spent in the company of her brother Stephen, for her sister, Rebecca, died approximately 6 months before she was born. This made Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the family. As such, as a young girl and teen, she seems to have been the little 'mommy' to her younger siblings. Elizabeth's existing letters reveal a woman who cares deeply for her extended family and is concerned about the proper order of things. These traits epitomized her adult life as the wife of John D. Jones of Cincinnati, one of the Queen City's premiere merchants.

Elizabeth was married on her sixteenth birthday to John Davies Jones, ten years her senior, in the Upper Piqua farmhouse September 22, 1823. While marriage near this age was not unusual in the early 1800s, she was still a very young bride. The household she kept in Cincinnati would have taken all of her young attention and energy to manage. Elizabeth and her husband supported the city’s many charitable organizations, including founding an institution for orphans, and their children were involved in the bank and railroad industries, several serving as presidents of major companies. Three of her sons served the Union side in the War Between the States. Col. William Graham Jones was killed in action at the Battle of Chickamagua, TN

Living in Cincinnati, the family was subject to the frequent outbreaks of cholera common to the time. The losses - which included three daughters lost in a period of less than two years -seem to have left Elizabeth's physical strength fragile. Her brother Stephen expresses concern for her in several of his extant letters, wishing she could avail herself of the 'sulfurous waters' in order to heal. As eldest surviving child of John Johnston, she served as her father’s executor. Elizabeth died November 19, 1878, at the age of 71 and is buried in Cincinnati.

Catharine Johnston Holtzbecher to A. R. Johnston, Cincinnati Sept. 23rd, 1840

My dear Brother,
I wrote you some time since if you had no objection I would take the money after paying your debts and purchase some articles for sister Margaret. I waited until yesterday for answer and decided not to wait any longer as I was going to Piqua. Supposing you would be glad to do anything for her in your power I purchased a handsome shawl and breast pin enclosing our dear mother’s hair for her and some other small articles she had need of. Write to me soon and tell me if I have done what is proper. Good bye and believe me your affectionate sister.
Elizabeth Jones
AR Johnston

John Johnston to AR Johnston, Columbus Ohio Dec. 20, 1834

Elizabeth had the great misfortune to loose her only daughter and namesake by the cholera somewhere about the beginning of the last month. Being the third child she has buried her health since has been bad, but the last account she was recovering from the effects of her trouble.

Stephen Johnston to John Johnston July 19th, 1847

I was desirous that Sister Elizabeth should have joined us. I believe that these baths, with the use of the Sulfurous waters afterwards, would have done her great service.