Johnston, George Patriot - Fairy Lamp · George Jr., Dennis, Wilford, Archibald, Elizabeth, Ann, Hannah and Sinah) ... Shouts were heard in the chambers, “Treason,” said the speaker.”

� Born 1700

� One of 5 sons of James Johnston

� Married twice

� Miss Thomson with 2 daughters (Mary & Peggy)

� Sarah McCarty with 9 children (William, George Jr., Dennis, Wilford, Archibald, Elizabeth, Ann, Hannah and Sinah)

� All of his sons fought in the American Revolution

� William Johnston was captain of a Virginia regiment

� George Johnston Jr., was on George Washington’s staff as his aide-de-camp and died of fever in the fall of 1777, in Morristown, New Jersey

� Archibald later settled in Annandale and is thought by some to have helped name it.

� Studied law in England and practiced in Maryland & Virginia

� 1743 applied for Licence in Frederick County, Virginia and practiced there until 1745

� His office was in the same building as his personal friend George Washington

� During the time Johnston sold Washington a farm in Jefferson County and became his legal advisor, a position retained until his death

� He eventually became an eminent lawyer and was regarded as one of the three leading lawyers in the Northern Neck

� With his fame he also became a very wealthy man and opened the door to political office

� From 1749-1762 Johnston appeared in court no less than 1,289 times

� Vestryman of Truro and Fairfax Parish

� 1752 Johnston was made a trustee of Alexandria

� 1754-1762 he was a captain of the local militia

� 1756 he became Overseer of the Town, becoming the highest ranking citizen of Alexandria until 1760

� From 1758 to 1765 he was a member of the House of Burgesses from Fairfax County while serving with either John West or-------------------

� In 1759 he was appointed to serve on the committees of Courts of Justice; Positions & Grievances and Privileges & Elections

� In 1760 he was appointed to the Committee of Public Claims

� He was well thought of in the House of Burgesses

� March 22, 1765, British Parliament and King George III enacted the Stamp Act

� On May 29, 1765 Johnston moved that the House of Burgesses consider resolutions opposing the Stamp Act

� Patrick Henry seconded the motion

� 7 Resolutions were debated in defiance of the King

� Patrick Henry is reported to have said,

“Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First had his Cromwell, and George the III…..”

Shouts were heard in the chambers, “Treason,” said the speaker.”…may profit by their example.

Henry then concluded, “If this be treason, make the most of it!”

� Thomas Jefferson stood at the door listening to the debate

� 4 Anti Stamp Act resolutions were adopted

� However, all 7 of the Virginia resolutions were printed in the Northern Colonial newspapers

� People in other colonies were inspired by Virginia’s bold actions in opposition to the Stamp Act

� As a result, in March 1766, Parliament repealed the Act.

� Most Historians believe this was the beginning of America’s quest

� for

� true independence!

� He lived in a townhouse in Alexandria, lot 71, which he purchased from William Fitzhugh in 1757

� The house still stands today at 224 South Lee Street

� 1760 he acquired 2 waterfront lots from Willoughby Newton and also purchased gardens & stables with horses on Fairfax Street

� He also owned an extensive farm on Telegraph Road called “Belvale,” which remained in the family until 1925

� Dr. William M. McCarty stated in his book, The McCartys of the Northern Neck, page 169, that General Washington’s diary documented that he visited Belvale on 1 February 1760

� Unfortunately, George Washington’s diary stated that George Johnston from Belvale visited Mount Vernon

� With Belvale adjoining Mount Vernon in 1760

� We believe George Washington would have visited his friend and lawyer on countless occasions going back and forth from Alexandria