The marks entered at Goldsmiths Hall in 1796 and 1799 from 8 New Castle Street, Strand may either have been those of father or son, both sword cutlers and manufacturers.
Joshua, the son of Joshua Johnston of the Clothworkers Company and cutler of Blackmore Street, St Clement Dane’s, Strand, was apprenticed to John Norris of the Haberdashers Company in 1784 and free in 1792-3.
Joshua Johnston is recorded variously as a Haberdasher or Sword Cutler at Blackmoor (or Blackmore) Street and New Castle Street from 1780-1837.