Photo information: This photo of the Johnson family was taken on July 24, 1969, when the youngest, Elizbeth (Lizzie), celebrated her 80th birthday. In the photo are, from left, Samuel Clemens Johnson, Nov. 29, 1882; Margaret Susan Jackson, May 10, 1887; Robert William (Dan) Johnson, March 26, 1885; Elizabeth Jane Thibeau, July 24, 1889; and John B Johnson, Sept 22, 1877. Sitting is Janet Brown, October 8 1880.
Here’s tae the heath, the hill and the heather,
The bonnet, the plaid, the kilt and the feather.
This summer will mark the first time in a few decades since the Johnson clan have had a reunion. The descendants of John and Janet Johnson who arrived in Canada from Scotland in 1848 will celebrate the 169th anniversary of their arrival this summer!!
John and Janet’s first-born son Alexander married Elizabeth Brown in 1876. Their off-spring were John B (Susan Brown), Janet (Robert Thomas Brown), Samuel (Mary Brown), Dan (Martha Sutherland), Margaret (Howard Jackson), Elizabeth (Silas Thibeau).
These siblings all settled in Westmeath Township except for Janet and Robert Thomas Brown who settled in Campbell’s Bay, QC. Subsequent generations have travelled far and abroad.
Lola (Edsel) Johnson started a family tree book that included all the history of Alexander and Elizabeth Brown’s family that she kept current to the mid 1980’s. It includes milestones such as weddings, births and deaths of the growing families. It is the hope of the committee that this history can be brought up to date, through the contacts made for the reunion.
Last year a couple of the cousins made the decision to pursue the idea of the reunion and see if there would be interest. With a few more of the clan, a committee formed to start the process. It has been an interesting process to track down all the descendants of the six siblings, and it is the sincere hope of the committee that no one has been missed.
The event will take place on August 19, 2017 at the Shady Nook Recreation Centre. Festivities will commence at 12:30 p.m. with registration followed by an afternoon of visiting, children’s activities and entertainment. A catered dinner will follow at 5pm.
Further information may be obtained from Eleanor Johnson Boire 613 732-7146, or Bonny Johnson 613 587 4252
A few Scottish phrases to ponder:
Lang may yer lum reek!
(May you live long and stay well)
A nod’s as guid as a wink tae a blind horse .
(A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse – not really translatable!)
