He was born in 1828/29, in Donegal, Ireland.
[sources:
date: 11 (32 in 1861), 12 (35 in 1863), 16 (41 at death in 1871), 17 (40 in 1870).
place: 11 (Donegaul), 12, 16]
In 1850, he may be the Joseph Johnston living in Kingsessing Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
If so, he was living with William M Jones and others, and he was a laborer.
[source: 20]
When he enlisted, he was a painter.
[sources: 11, 12]
Description
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 5-1/2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair.
[sources: 11, 12]
During the war
He enlisted and was mustered into service on 11 September 1861.
He was enrolled for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Sinex.
He was mustered in service by Captain Starr.
He was a private in company D.
[sources: 1, 11, 21 (corp), 22 (corp)]
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company.
He was a private, in company D.
[sources: 1, 21, 22]
After the war
He married Margaret [unknown family name].
She was born in 1829/30.
They apparently had at least these children:
Thomas Johnston (born 1849/50)
Joseph M Johnston (born 1853/54)
Fannie E Johnston (born 1857/58)
[sources: 17, 18]
In 1870, he was living at 1420 Fitzwater, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was living with Margaret (perhaps his wife), and with Thomas, Joseph, and Fannie (perhaps their children).
[source: 17]
On 19 June 1871, he died, of natural causes.
He was married.
He was a painter.
He died at, or was buried from, 1420 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On 22 June 1871, he was buried, at Lafayette Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[sources: 10, 16, 19]
In 1880, his widow, Margaret Johnston, was living at 1619 Sanderson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
She was living with her son Joseph M Johnston and his family, and her daughter Fannie.
[source: 18]
Researcher
Judy Bretzger is researching Johnston; contact her at [email protected].
Sources
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233.
(In the roster)
(Joseph M Johnston)
16death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19 June 1871
(Joseph M Johnson)
171870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, page 271 = 53 handwritten (image 1509 of 1868 on the LDS pilot site)
(Jos M Johnston)
181880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 557, microfilm series T9, film 1185, page 616 = 23 C handwritten, FamilySearch
(Margaret Johnston)
19death notice, [Philadelphia] Public Ledger, Thursday, 22 June 1871, page 2
(Joseph M Johnston)
201850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kingsessing Township, microfilm series M432, film 808, page 4 verso = 8 handwritten (FamilySearch)
(Joseph Johnston)
21index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania
(Joseph M Johnston)
22index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania
(Joseph M Johnson)
Sources checked unsuccessfully
1860 US census
FamilySearch and Ancestry indices (checked 15 February 2014)
the following entries, which I found using Fold3's OCR-based index to the 1861 Philadelphia directories, did not help me locate him in the census:
Sherman's 1861 Philadelphia directory, page 492: 'Johnston Joseph, painter, 1626 Lombard' [only Joseph Johnston painter]
re Robert Lamberton 55 b. Ireland grocer (household 1329 family 1618, ward 3, page 429 = 205 handwritten) see household 1338/family 1628 Felix Sharkey gold melter = Sherman's p.887: 'Sharkey Felix, melter, 727 S 4th'
re Robert Lamberton 35 b. Ireland (household 1729, family 2054, ward 7, page 280 = 280 handwritten)
I did not find Johnston within several pages of either of them
1890 US census, veterans schedules
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
1900 US census
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
Margeret Johnson, born April 1829, Ireland, widowed, 12 children, 5 living, with her son-in-law William Clark and his wife Mary (born January 1863, Pennsylvania) at 625 Wyncotte [??] St., ward 33, Philadelphia, PA, enumeration district 859, microfilm series T623, film 1475, page 51 = 2 B handwritten (FamilySearch)
Margaret Johnston, born March 1832, Ireland, at 1454 South Chadwick Street, in ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, widowed, 2 children, 1 living, boarder with John W Scott et al., microfilm series T623, film 1468, page 275 = 7 A handwritten
1910 US census
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
Margaret Johnston, housekeeper, single, born Ireland, unknown age, with head Horace Williams, at 1717 Pine [?] St, in ward 7, Philadelphia, PA, microfilm series M1283, film 1389, page 187 = 2 B handwritten (FamilySearch)
1920 US census
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
1930 US census
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
1940 US census
Ancestry and FamilySearch indices (accessed 18 February 2014)
records of headstones of deceased Union veterans, 1879-1903
FamilySearch index (accessed 16 February 2014)
headstone applications for US military veterans, 1925-1949
FamilySearch index (accessed 16 February 2014) (searched for Joseph Johnston died in 1871 or in Philadelphia)
(1) Margrett died 2 Apr 1882 52 yrs 16411 Bodine St, born Ireland bur 4 Apr New Cathedral FamilySearch
no death notice in Philadelphia inquirer on 3, 4 April 1882 (accessed on GenealogyBank 16 Feb 2014; no Philadelphia newspaper for 2 April 1882 was available)
(2) Margaret d. 27 Jan 1897 65 single b. Ireland 1707 Afton St FamilySearch
death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer Saturday 30 January 1897, page 9: 'JOHNSTON.--On January 17, 1897. Margaret Johnston. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday, 30th instant, at 2 o'clock, from her late residence, 1707 Afton street. Interment at Mount Moriah.'
(3) Margaret Johnson d. 21 Aug 1891 61 b. Ireland, 3047 Frankford Ave, bur. Franklin Cem on 25 Aug 1891 FamilySearch
no death notice in Philadelphia inquirer on 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Aug 1891 (accessed on GenealogyBank, 16 Feb 2014)
(4) Margaret Johnson, d. 30 Apr 1895, 68, b. Ireland widowed, 1828 Federal, 36th ward, buried Mount Moriah 4 May 1895 FamilySearch
see death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 4 May 1895, page 11: 'JOHNSTON.--On the 30th ultimo, Margaret Gilmore, widow of the late Joseph Johnston. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service, on Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at her late residence, 1828 Federal street. Interment private, at Mount Moriah Cemetery.'
see 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 561, microfilm series T9, film 1185, page 676 B, with Jos Johnston 53 b. Ireland ticket receiver, at 1828 Federal, and wife Margaret 53 b. Ireland
so this is not my Margaret Johnston
(5) Margaret Johnston, died 17 April 1895: death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 21 April 1895, page 11: 'JOHNSTON.--On April 17, 1895.--Margaret A., widow of the late Adam Johnston, in her 83d year. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday morning, at 10 o'clock, from her late residence, Walnut street, Morton, Delaware county. Interment at Mount Moriah Cemetery.'
(6) Margaret Johnston, died 4 June 1882: death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 7 June 1882, page 4: 'JOHNSTON.--On the 4th instant, MARGARET WORK, widow of the late William G Johnston, in the eightieth year of her age. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon at 2 1/2 o'clock, from her late residence, No 725 S Third street. Services at Old Pine Street Church, at 4 o clock.'
(7) Margaret Johnston, died 13 April 1896: 'JOHNSTON.--On April 13, 1896, Margaret, eldest daughter of the late William and Mary Ann McNeal, aged 75 years. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services, this Wednesday evening, at 1 o'clock, at her late residence, 650 North Thirty-sixth street. Services this Thursday morning, at 11.30 o'clock, at Wilmington and Brandywine, Cemetery Chapel. Wilmington papers please copy.'
(8) [this looks promissing, given his middle initial] Margaret Johnston, died 2 July 1885: JOHNSTON.--On the 2d inst., MARGARET JOHNSTON, wife of the late Joseph M. Johnston, in her sixty-fourth year. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services, on Sunday, July 5, at 2 P.M., from the residence of D. B. Holtzman, No. 721 S. Twenty second street.' [death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer Saturday 4 July 1885, page 5]
death certificate, Philadelphia PA, on FamilySearch: 64, Ireland, married 721 S 22nd st, 30th ward, buried Mount Moriah 5 July 1885
(9) Margaret Johnston, died 26 May 1893: death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 29 May 1883, p.4: 'JOHNSTON.--On the 26th instant, MARGARET CARSON, wife of William S. Johnston, aged fifty five years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon, at 3 o'clock from the residence of her husband, No. 211 N. Seventeenth street. To proceed to South Laurel Hill Cemetery. Please omit flowers.'
(10) Margaret Johnston, died 27 Jan 1897: death notice, Philadelphia inquirer 30 Jan 1897 p.9: 'JOHNSTON.--On January 27, 1897, Margaret Johnston. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Saturday, 30th instant, at 2 o'clock, from her late residence, 1707 Afton street. Interment at Mount Moriah.'
(11) Margaret Johnston, died 8 September 1888: death notice, Philadelphia inquirer 11 September 1888, page 5: 'JOHNSTON.--On the 8th instant, MARGARET JOHNSTON, widow of William Johnston, aged 51 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from the residence of her son, John W Johnston, No 2210 Moyamensing avenue. To proceed to Mount Moriah Cemetery.'
[1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Kingsessing Township, microfilm series M432, film 808, page 4 verso = 8 handwritten (FamilySearch)]
[identification is speculative]
[1870 US census, 2nd enumeration, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Fitzwater below 15, ward 26, district 6, page 271 recto = 53 handwritten (FamilySearch)]
[identification is likely, since (1) the address links him to the Joseph Johnson who died in 1871, whose occupation was painter, as in the company descriptive books (entries 11 and 12 above)]
line
1
2
3
4
5
Dwelling-house number
1420
"
"
"
"
Family number
Name
Johnston Jos M
" Thos
" Joseph
" Margaret
" Fannie E
Age
40
20
16
40
12
Sex
m
m
m
f
f
Color
Occupation
Real estate value
Personal estate value
Birthplace
Father foreign born
Mother foreign born
Birth month if born within year
Marriage month if married within year
Attended school past year
Can't read
Can't write
Deaf, dumb, blind, etc.
Male US citizen at least 21 years old
Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ...
[1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 557, microfilm series T9, film 1185, page 616 = 23 C handwritten, FamilySearch]
[identification is likely, since (1) Joseph and Fannie match the Joseph and Fannie in the 1870 census entry transcribed above]
[index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania]
[transcribed 27 June 2014, from Fold3]
Johnston, Joseph M.
Co. D, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Corpl. | Pvt
See also [blank]
GENERAL INDEX CARD.
[card 2, transcribed 1 July 2014]
Johnson, Joseph M.
Co. D, 91 Pennsylvania Inf.
Corpl. | Pvt.
REFERENCE CARD.
Original filed under
Johnston, Joseph M.
[death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19 June 1871, Joseph M Johnson]
[thanks to Ed McLaughlin for finding this!]
RETURN OF A DEATH,
IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
Coroners CERTIFICATE.
1. Name of Deceased, Joseph M Johnson
2. Colour, White
3. Sex, Male
4. Age, 41 Years
5. Married
6. Date of Death, June 19" 1871
7. Cause of Death, Natural Causes
J. G. L. Brown
Coroner
UNDERTAKER'S CERTIFICATE IN RELATION TO DECEASED.
8. Occupation, Painter
9. Place of Birth, Ireland
10. When a Minor, [blank]
11. Ward, 26th
12. Street and Number, 1420 Fitzwater St
13. Date of Burial, June 22nd 1871
14. Place of Burial, Lafayette Cemetery
A C Green Undertaker.
Residence, 336 South St
[death notice, [Philadelphia] Public Ledger, Thursday, 22 June 1871, page 2]
[transcribed 16 February 2014, from GenealogyBank]
JOHNSTON--On the 19th instant, JOSEPH M JOHNSTON, late private Co. D, 91st Regt, P V, aged 41 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this day (Thursday), at 10 o'clock, from his late residence, No 1420 Fitzwater street.
To proceed to Lafayette Cemetery