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Below is a family biography included in The History of Giles County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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SAMUEL C. JOHNSTON, a native of Charlotte County, Va., was born in 1818, and came to Tennessee with his parents in 1833. They settled in Giles County six miles northwest of the county seat. His father, John Johnston, was born in Charlotte County, Va., in 1790, and followed the carpenter trade until after marriage, when he began farming. His wife, and the mother of our subject, Judith Cobb, was born in Virginia in 1785 and died July 19, 1847. The father is still living but is very feeble. Our subject was reared on the farm, and in 1840 wedded Dianna Smith, a native of Tennessee, born in 1824, and the daughter of Archibald and Frances (Wright) Smith. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was born one child, named Charles F.; he was born in 1841 and died January 28, 1866. Mrs. Johnston died in 1846, and in 1850 our subject immigrated to California, and spent fourteen months prospecting in the rich gold fields of the border State. He was a private in Thomas’ Tennessee Regiment, Haynes’ company, in the Mexican war. Mr. Johnston has always lived on the farm with his father; this tract contains 340 acres of good land. In 1854 he wedded Harriet E. Rolland, a native of Tennessee, born in 1834, and the daughter of John and Harriet (Carter) Rolland. To our subject and wife were born four children: Mary E., Mattie H., John R. and Margaret S. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Johnston was also a member of the same church, and remained firm in the faith until her death, which occurred in 1885. The Johnston family are of Irish descent and have always made honorable and prosperous citizens.

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This family biography is one of 95 biographies included in The History of Giles County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Giles County was included within The History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin & Moore Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Giles, Lincoln, Franklin , Moore Counties of Tennessee

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