Samuel Johnston (1733-1816)

American lawyer and statesman

Samuel Johnston's family emigrated to North Carolina in 1735 where he later studied law. He was made a commissioner for codifying the law of the state in 1776, elected as governor of North Carolina in 1787 and then as its first United States senator. He was president of the conventions on the federal constitution held in 1788 and 1789. His final appointment was as superior court judge from 1800 to 1813. He died at his family estate on 17 August 1816.

Birth in 1733

Samuel Johnston was baptised on 22 December 1733, the son of Samuel Johnston, merchant and Hellen Scrymsoure. The entry in the Old Parish Register (OPR) for Dundee is divided into columns, the last recording the names of witnesses.

Baptism entry for Samuel Johnston (14 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, OPR 282/4, page 68