Johnston Family

1841

The Johnstons were the first family in the author’s family tree to arrive in the British colony of Victoria in 1841. The Protestant family of 11 from Belfast, Ireland included William Johnston 39, his wife Sarah, 38, Thomas (spelt ‘Johnson’ in some records) 18 single male Labourer, Alexander (also spelt ‘Johnson’ in some records) 18 single male labourer, Rosanna (spelt ‘Johnson’ in some records) 15½ Domestic Servant, Eliza 13, Daniel 11, James 9, Isabella 6 (7 on some records), Catherine 4, and Alexander 4 months.

The Johnston family departed Greenock, Scotland on 14 August 1841 on the 600-ton barque Allan Kerr (sometimes spelt ‘Ker’), arriving at Port Phillip, in the British colony of Victoria on 30 [27] November 1841. The Johnstons were among 250 bounty immigrants, 11 cabin passengers and crew on board the Allan Kerr. Six children and a lady died during the voyage. 

Melbourne (Port Phillip) 1841, J. Carmichael, engraver. Image from collection of the State Library of Victoria, Australia. Key to picture below this image lists the following landmarks: J. Batman Esqr., Mount Macedon., Surveyor’s Office, A. Kemmis & Co Stores, Barracks & Gaol, Carrington Esqr., Marshall’s Emigration Office, Straghan & Cos Stores, Melbourne Auction Rooms, Police Office, Lamb Inn, The Basin of the Yarra Yarra, Melbourne Club House, Flinder[s] Street, W. Le Souef Esqr. J. P., Elizabeth Street, Custom House, Swanston Street, Russell Street, East Hill.

After arrival older members of the family would have been assigned to employers, probably in Melbourne, where some of the family remained. After gold was discovered in Victoria in 1851, some of the Johnstons travelled to goldfields like Dunolly out of Melbourne and to Bendigo (then Sandhurst) where William, Sarah and some of their children sought their fortunes and where William may have set up a store.

Henry McIllree, who had arrived in the colony of South Australia in 1849, may have met the Johnstons in Bendigo. On 21 January 1855 he and Isabella Johnston were married by a Presbyterian minister at Belvoir, an early name for the small customs post at Wodonga, Victoria. Their story is told in the author’s book Proud to be Irish.

The Johnstons’ family history is still being researched for a book.

Isabella McIllree née Johnston (c. 1835–1898)