Hello Sheila, Thank you for the information on Grace et al. Will keep digging and perhaps find something. I am descended from Jane Johnston - she was a paternal g grand mother. A few more questions for you. I thought at Alexander Johnston who started Laphroaig with his brother Donald, had died in 1836. But is seems he came to Australia around 1837. Is this correct or am I misreading things? Were Isabella and Alice in any way related to the MacDougall family that ran Ardbeg Distillery from 1798? Thanks also to everyone who took time and interest to reply to my query. John Gillies (Sydney) ----- Original Message ----- From: SKronen266@aol.com To: john.gillies@bigpond.com ; SCT-ISLAY-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 2:22 AM Subject: Re: Johnstons of Laphroaig Hello John, Before I got your last email I found the cemetery listing in OCFA (Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid). Many, many thanks to you, Basil (with whom I have exchanged many emails) and the donors of the ISPY info. I had not heard of the book you mention, but will see if I can find a copy. Yes, I am a descendant of Isabella Campbell Graham (parents: Alexander Campbell / Mary Johnston). She was my grandmother. I know of 9 children of Alexander Johnston / Una McMcIndeor (McAlister): Duncan Mary Duncan? Donald Jane Angus John Catherine (Kate) Christina I only know of children from Catherine (Kate). Is this your line? Grace Johnston, Dugald's illegitimate daughter, was living with Isabella Johnston and her nephew John Brandon in 1881 Census at Laphroaig. Grace was a witness at marriage of Robert James Graham (1850-1928) and Isabella Campbell 12 June 1888 at Laphroaig (my grandparents). In 1891 Census she is on Jameson St., Bowmore with Charles McAffer, hotelkeeper, I guess as a hotel resident. According to a letter to me from my uncle Robert James Graham (1893-1969) dated 1 Nov 1963, "Grace married someone who was an executive with Bethlehem Steel Works in USA". I have not been able to find her. Donald Johnston had an illegitimate son James before Donald married Isabella McDougal in 1829. James is listed (as son-in-law, instead of step-son) with Alice Johnston and the children in 1851 Census at Laphroaig. He is with Dugald and his siter Mary in 1861 at Laphroaig, and also in 1871. He died 19 June 1871. According to the Census records he was deaf /dumb. Apparently illegitimate children were fully included in families then. I wonder if the other McDougalls in the Bethel Cemetery are related to Alice??? Does anybody else on the list know about these other McDougalls?? Sheila in Belleville, Ilinois, USA In a message dated 02/06/2006 10:22:35 PM, john.gillies@bigpond.com writes: Hello Sheila, I cannot claim the distinction of finding Alice. I have recently been in touch with Basil Johnston from South Africa who sent me a copy of the ISPY information found in the Raw Data section of the Islay site. The information is there. The Bethel Pioneer Cemetery is apparently at Concession 12, Arthur Township, Wellington County, Ontario. I am in Sydney, and have never been there. Alas, I don't know what happened to the daughter. Alice seems to be buried with a number of other McDougalls. My gg grandfather, Alexander Johnston, (he was a Distiller) was born at Corrary in 1798. He was the son of Duncan Johnston and his second wife Catherine McIntyre. Alexander's older brother, John (c.1795-1874) married Donald's sister Mary (1798-1883). Alexander J married Una McMcIndeor (McAlister) in 1835. The family came to Australia in 1855. I knew there was a connection with the Laphroaig Johnstons, but my interest was rekindled after reading Andrew Jefford's book Peat Smoke and Spirit. Since then have been getting together bits and pieces of information. They are an interesting family. You must be descended from either Ann (Nancy) Brandon or Isabella Graham?. They seem to be the descendants of Donald that produced children. Do you know what happened to Grace Johnston, Dugalds illegitimate daughter ? Looking forward to hearing from you. Best regards, John

Hi John: I have a booklet from Laphroaig , "Laphroaig no half measures" which states that Alexander died in 1836. On the other hand, a three page write-up from Laphroaig says that Donald bought out his brother Alexander in 1836. Donald died in 1847, two days after falling into a scalding vat of "Burnt Ale" at the distillery. His son, Dugald took over in 1857, running the distillery 'til 1877. He left no heir, so his sister's husband, an Alexander Johnston ran it til his death in 1907. A court case turned it over to his two sisters, Mrs. William Hunter and Miss Katherine Johnston and his nephew Mr. Johnston Hunter. In 1908, Mrs. William Hunter's son, Ian Hunter was assigned to run the distillery, He inherited it in 1928 and ran it as a sole partner til 1950, when he made it into a private limited company. He died in 1954, leaving ownership to Bessie Williamson, a trusted employee, since the early thirties. They claim, Ian Hunter's ghost still walks Laphroaig, sometimes seen and sometimes heard, turning the barley with a wooden shovel in an empty malt house. I am not related (unfortunately) to Ian Hunter, but my maternal ancestors were Williamsons, although I have never been able to connect them with Bessie. The Laphroaig booklet also includes the following: A Mullman, an Islayman and a devil, The three worst in creation, The Mullman is worse than than the Islayman, The Islayman worse than the devil. I hope this is of interest. Art Hunter longing for Spring in wintery easterm Ontario John Gillies wrote: >Hello Sheila, > >Thank you for the information on Grace et al. Will keep digging and perhaps find something. I am descended from Jane Johnston - she was a paternal g grand mother. > >A few more questions for you. I thought at Alexander Johnston who started Laphroaig with his brother Donald, had died in 1836. But is seems he came to Australia around 1837. Is this correct or am I misreading things? > >Were Isabella and Alice in any way related to the MacDougall family that ran Ardbeg Distillery from 1798? > >Thanks also to everyone who took time and interest to reply to my query. > >John Gillies (Sydney) > > > > >