Story
Between 1775 and 1821
Valentine Johnston, son of Catherine (Caty) See and James Johnston was born on the Johnston's 333 acre plantation on Wests Run in Monongalia County, Virginia in 1775. The Johnston family moved to Ohio territory about 1796 and settled at the mouth of Wakatomika Creek(now Dresden,Ohio). There James Johnston his sons, George and Valentine and friend Joseph Scott constructed a trading post called Johnston's Station; still recognized on old Ohio maps.
Upon the death of Valentine's father in 1798, the oldest son, George was appointed and performed the duties of administrator of James Johnston's estate. With George's unfortunate death in February 1800, Valentine accepted the responsibility of administrator of his father's estate and head of the Johnston household.
Valentine Johnston is listed on the 1800 census in Newton Township, Washington County, Ohio along with his long-time friends, Joseph Scott and Seth Carhart. When Jefferson Township, in Muskingum County was organized in 1805, Valentine Johnston was recorded as one of the Township Trustees. July 6, 1806 Valentine married his cousin, Rebecca Robinson. Rebecca was a daughter of William Robinson Sr. and Margaret See Robinson.
July 15, 1806 Valentine Johnston bought a 500 acre parcel of land from his wife's father, William Robinson, for $900.00 located on the West side of the Muskingum River in Franklin Township in Coshocton County, where he developed a productive farm and home for his wife Rebecca and daughters Ruah Ann born September 20, 1808 and Amanda, deaf-mute, born about 1810.
During the years that Valentine Johnston lived in Franklin Township it has been recorded that he was active in community affairs. Valentine Johnston was listed on the 1811 poll list in Coshocton County as well as he and his mother Caty See Johnston were recorded on the 1812 Coshocton Co, tax list and as resident landholders in 1814. In the first election in Franklin Township, September 17, 1814, Valentine was placed in office and also held the title of Justice of the Peace. In 1818 He was appointed guardian of James Seth Carhart, son of his deceased friend, Seth Carhart. And was administrator of the estate of his brother, James Johnston, Jr. in April 1819.
Valentine Johnston passed away September 1, 1821, leaving his widow Rebecca Robinson Johnston and daughters Ruah Ann and Amanda his heirs. His widow, Rebecca requested her brother James Robinson be administrator of his estate.
Valentine rests beside his wife Rebecca and daughter Ruah Ann in the William Robinson Cemetery. His grave stone has fallen and is now buried with debris. In Ruah Ann's will she requested that money from her estate be used for gravestones for her father, her mother and herself. Rebecca Johnston and Ruah Ann Johnston's gravestones still stand on the knoll overlooking the old Robinson home place and the Muskingum River.