Person:Laurence Johnstone (1)

Watchers
Laurence Cecil Johnstone
b.11 Sep 1835 Shetland Islands, Scotland
d.7 Aug 1912 New Zealand
Parents and Siblings
(edit)
m. 16 Feb 1832
  1. Laurence Cecil Johnstone1835 - 1912
  2. Margaret Johnston1837 -
  3. William Johnston1840 -
  4. John Johnston1842 -
Spouse and Children
(edit)
m. 17 May 1860
  1. Barbara Johnstone1861 - 1866
  2. William Laurence Johnstone1862 -
  3. James Johnstone1863 - 1868
  4. John Riddiford Johnstone1864 - 1948
  5. Gilbert Nesbit Johnstone1866 - 1930
  6. Elizabeth Johnstone1867 - 1942
  7. Margaret Johnstone1869 - 1931
  8. Laurence Johnstone1871 -
  9. George Charles Johnstone1872 - 1940
  10. Catherine Johnstone1874 - 1928
  11. James Johnstone1876 - 1876
  12. Robert Johnstone1876 - 1876
  13. Thomas Johnstone1878 - 1957
  14. Janet Johnstone1879 - 1905
  15. Robert Johnstone1881 - 1968
Add another spouse & children
Facts and Events
Name Laurence Cecil Johnstone
Gender Male
Birth? 11 Sep 1835 Shetland Islands, ScotlandLunnasting
Marriage 17 May 1860 Shetland Islands, ScotlandLunnasting
to Barbara Jamieson
Immigration? 18 Nov 1876 Wellington, New ZealandShip: Howrah
Death? 7 Aug 1912 New ZealandLevin

Laurence taught at Sanwick Parish School (15 mile south of Lerwick) from 1863-1876. He was given a grant by the board on 22 Aug 1876 to come to NZ.

Photo in the book Forest Homes. Also a picture in Mauriceville west 90th Jubilee Book & writeup. (Pop has copy.)

Laurence sailed from Lerwick, Shetland in paddle steamer, St Magnus to Kirkwall, Leith, London. Then arrived in Wellington, NZ on Ship Howrah on 18 Nov 1876. First settled in Mauriceville west where he was a teacher at Mauriceville school until 1901 (Retired 1903) Later moved to Levin.

Son Robert's funeral notice shows 'extra' children John, Thomas & Kathleen. It does not list Barbara & Elizabeth - these maybe second names, however.

The whole family emigrated to NZ. Arrived in Wellington NZ on the Howrah on 18 Nov 1876. National Archives has the log of the ship Howrah. The vessel took a week to get from Nelson to Wellington in a storm. Laurence Johnstone took eight children from Lerwick through Aberdeen to Wellington. One or two children died en route. He had a tough life as a schoolmaster to children who did not want to learn the new language. Laurence Johnstone settled in Mauriceville. The book 'Forest Homes" by Petersen mentions Laurence's role as the headmaster.

Two possible relations were known as Uncle James and Aunt Jessie by John's children.

  • James Johnson b. Shetlands c. 1853. Farm labourer
  • Jessie Johnson b. Shetlands, c. 1840. Servant.

Both of these people sailed from the Shetlands on 24 Sep 1874 and arrived in Napier NZ on the Clarence on 5 Jan 1875.

References
  1.   Jeff Law, GEDCOM file imported on 11 Nov 1998. Created from Wiley, Law-Cargill, Kells, and Foster databases.
  2.   .

    1861 Census Lunna School House, Lunnasting
    Name Age Occupation Born
    Laurence JOHNSTON Head 25yrs Society Schoolmaster Lunnasting
    Barbara JOHNSTON Wife 20yrs Unst
    Barbara JOHNSTON Daug 11/4mths Lunnasting

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