My Family Tree

David Johnstone was a mill owner mentioned in PEI local histories, and a monument on P. E. I. is dedicated to him. In A History of Long River, the book From Forest to Farm by J. A. Ready is quoted:
"In passing it may be remembered that few old settlers are held in such loving remembrance as is David Johnstone. In 1837 when flour was so scarce and commanding so high a price he had a quantity an hand. Many flocked to him and offered the highest price in ready money, but he refused them all saying that those who had the money could procure flour elsewhere, while he would sell only to those who could not then pay for it. And the price charged these creditors was less than the cash price elsewhere. How many such men have we today?"

"Of this union there were ten children, four sons became millers and three daughters married millers, Archibald went to Seattle, Mary married John MacKay and Barbara the youngest married Dr. William Keir of Malpeque."

David Johnston and Janet McMurdy of Lot 19 were married in the Presbyterian Church, Richmond Parish, in 1821. In his booklet about growing up in Long River, Arthur P. Johnstone said their children were:
William, a captan, who married Catherine McKay
Catherine, married her cousin James Johnstone, a miller
James married Elizabeth Lord
Archibald married twice
John, killed in a sawmill accident

In 1835 David Johnston offered his Long River mills for sale.

Johnstone David (g.s. Geddie Memorial cemetery, New London, Lot 21) d. 21 Oct. 1870, aged 83 years, a native of Dumfries shire, Scotland, emigrated to P.E.I. in 1820.

The Islander – Nov 11, 1870 (also the Patriot, 10 Nov 1870)
At Long River, New London, on the 21st ult., David Johnston, Esq., in the 83rd year of his age. Deceased was a native of Scotland, but for many years one of the most respectable inhabitants of the locality in which he died.

Name David Johnston
Age 83
Residence Long River
Date of Death 1870
Source pre-1906 Death Index. Unidentified newspaper
Notes Came from Scotland.