Research Forum

According to the information on our CD of Weston Cemetery Robert Hardcastle JOHNSTON died 12th Sept 1901 (not 1902) but as you know the date it might be worth your while contacting Weston Library and asking for them to look in the local newspapers nearest that date to see if there was an obit.

The Somerset Heritage Centre might also have documents deposited with them which mention him.  Try their online catalogue.

I see he was at 3 Royal Terrace in 1901. The Gloucester Citizen of 5th May 1887 has an entry about the marriage of his daughter, Maria, and Robert is described as "of the Royal George Hotel, Birdlip".  In May 1888 the same newspaper reports the transfer the licence for the George at Birdlip from Robert to Edwin Shipway. On the 1891 census Robert is at the Falcon Hotel in Painswick so do you know when he came to Weston?   Was it the Dauncey family or the building which has links with your family?  Might it be his son who had the connection with the property in Claremont Crescent?

Thank you for the information, Maria is not a relativer, as he had 3 sons no daughters.   Roberts eldest son Alfred died in Gloucester, but his wife Kate lived in Weston-super-Mare as she loved it so much having originally been in service in the Johnston household, I understand that she eventually went to live with a family  named Stark...I would like to know where she is buried, there is a family tomb containing Robert,Annie, and their son Henry. in the main cemetry in Weston.

Thank you

J

That's interesting - as the newspaper entry in the Gloucester Citizen - Thursday 5th May 1887   is as follows:

MARRIAGES. Gibson—Johnston—April 26, at the Baptist Chapel, Fairford, by the Rev. R. W. Ayres, Frederick Gibbs, late of the Bull Hotel, Fairford, to Maria Johnston, only daughter of Robert Hardcastle Johnston, of the Royal George Hotel, Birdlip.

There is an error in this entry in that the groom was actually Frederick GIBBS not GIBSON but according to the 1891 census - by which time Maria was a widow, Frederick GIBBS having died in 1890, she was born in Westmeath, Ireland in about 1841.   This suggests to me that she was a daughter of Robert Hardcastle JOHNSTON probably by a first wife.  I realise that on the earlier censuses he says he's unmarried, but........   When did he marry Annie?

Although Robert is in Gloucestershire in 1851 - Maria first appears in this country in 1861.  This is a puzzle which may be difficult to solve.

I expect you know that Annie Elizabeth JOHNSTON, Henry's widow was also buried in Weston Cemetery in 1943.  No sign of a Kate JOHNSTON though.

Kate Johnston born in Bleadon, Somerset is living in Gloucester in 1911 along with Alfred Edward Johnston and Harry Hardcastle Johnston.  They are boarders in the household of Maria Gibbs a widow aged 72 born in Rockford Bridge, Westmeath. 

Sorry this doesn't help with your original query but seems to add to Pat's thoughts of an earlier marriage.  Annie would have only been about 69 in 1911 whereas Robert would have been in his early 20s when Maria was born.

Thank you so much for this information...this is a big breakthrough for me...after all these years of searching..I have found another relative...and what a breakthrough for me...I am going to Canada for a months tour, during which time I am going to meet up with the present day family of Benjamin Hardcastle Johnstons from Westmeath this family emigrated in 1860.  On B. H. Johnstons headstone it say of Rockford Bridge, Westmeath !  so this proves a definate relationship,  I guess my Robert Hardcastle Johnston was indeed a Brother to Benjamin.

Hello Pat,  You have helped me with this family over the years, I cannot remember how long ago was our first contact.  Well this is wonder news....and clears up a lot of questions.  Robert fathered 3 sons with Annie, 1867 Alfred, 70 Robert, 72 Henry...but they didn't get married until 1880 in Paddington...I now think maybe he still had a wife living in Ireland and the appearance of Maria makes it even more probable. The fact Alfred and Kate and Harry lived with their neice Maria is also of great interest, I have an address for them as Henry Road, Gloucester ?  The biggest break through for me is Maria's birthplace, Rockford Bridge, Westmeath....I am due to go to Canada on Monday and meeting up with the relatives of Ben Hardcastle Johnston and on his tombstone says of Rockford Bridge, Westmeath...I have been on Westmeath sight and they say no such place ever existed, seems strange as we have two records...I now have some more delving to do...wish it was just as straight forward as getting a birth cert for Maria but before 1864 in Ireland, no records were kept.  thank you so very much for all this...any other suggestions would be most welcome.  Jill

Hello Jill

I've had a look on google maps and there is no Rockford Bridge.  However, there is a Rochfortbridge and it is in Westmeath!

Debbie

According to the WsM Register of Burials entry no 8281 Robert Hardcastle Johnston, gentleman, aged 83, died at 3 Royal Terrace WsM. Buried 18th September 1901. Grave No 1134.