JOHNSTON, Alexander (Grimwade p.562-3)

[MCB]

As Grimwade has indicated there were two freemen of the Goldsmiths Company by this name.

Alexander I

He was born around 1710, the son of Alexander Johnston, a draper of St Giles in the Fields, and made free in 1734.
Indentures were signed in 1734 by Edward Hunt (Grimwade p.554) to be his apprentice.
His history to 1753, when he moved to Spur Street, Leicester Fields, is documented in Grimwade’s book.
Indentures were signed in 1759 by William Lancester (Grimwade p.574-5) of Surrey to be an apprentice to Alexander Johnston. He was turned over to John Hyatt in 1761. For his freedom in the Goldsmiths Company it required a certificate in 1767 from Hyatt and also John Verlander (Grimwade p.688-9) stating that Lancester had satisfied the usual terms of his indentures. The circumstances of these events suggest that his master Alexander Johnston had ceased business around 1761.

Alexander II

He was the son of James Johnson of Dundee and made free by redemption in 1757.
In the same year a person of this name was first assessed to Land Tax on property in Old Jewry precinct. This address is not close to Leicester Fields (see above).
Robert Cruickshank (Grimwade p.481, 743) from Scotland signed indentures to be an apprentice to Alexander Johnston in 1759, was made free in 1766 and from 1766-1772 was assessed to Land Tax on the property previously occupied by his master. There is reference in the Parliamentary Report of 1773 to both Alexander Johnston and Robert Cruickshank as plateworkers in Old Jewry suggesting they had traded together.
No other information has been found for this Goldsmith.

[dognose]

An example of Alexander Johnston's mark (Grimwade No.45) and London hallmarks for 1749: