Ernest Walton Johnston

Ernest Walton Johnston, son of John Baggs Johnston and his wife Mary Ketus Carter, was born 27 Feb 1884, Carterville, St Johns CO, FL, died 26 Aug 1966, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 26 Dec 1906, FL, Laura Louise Burnsed, dau of James Burnsed and Georgia Ann Davis, born 08 Sep 1886, Matanzas or Haw Creek, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 14 Dec 1909 Bunnell,. She is buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL.

The family is listed on page 11 of the 1920 census of Flagler County with his occupation given as "County Sheriff," and with her mother residing in the household.

He came to southern part of St. Johns County with his parents about 1895 as a boy. He worked with his father in the surveying business before being employed as a civil engineer by the Bunnell Development Co. He was appointed a deputy sheriff under Sheriff C J Perry of St. Johns Co and as Marshall and Town Tax Collector for Bunnell when it was incorporated in 1913.

An account in the Bunnell Home Builder Nov 1916, "Messrs. C A Smith, E W Johnston and J I Choate have organized the People's Mercantile Co, having purchased the general merchandise of S. Ross, and will conduct their business next door to the Bunnell State Bank. They will carry a general line of merchandise and will cater to both town and country trade."

In 1917 he was elected an alderman for the Town of Bunnell. When Flagler County was created in 1917, he was appointed by Gov Sidney Johnston Catts, the first Sheriff, re-elected in 1921 and held this office until 1924. He served another term as sheriff from 1936-1940. He was a state game warden and road superintendent for the County, and was Flagler County Judge from 1945-1956.

He was a Charter Member and a Past Master of Bunnell Lodge #200 F & A M and Ernest W Johnston and Mable Johnston were Charter Members of Bunnell Chapter No 93 0 E S. The family was members of the Bunnell Methodist Church. He was the father of five children. Issue by his 1st marriage;

1. Albert Bartholomew Johnston, born 12 Oct 1907, Espanola, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 05 Aug 1974, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 31 Jan 1945, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Ria McIntosh Allen, dau of George Elliott Allen and Ellen Louise (Nell) McIntosh, born 09 May 1913, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 20 Aug 2011, Flagler CO, FL. Both are buried at Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

He spent his entire life in the area of Bunnell, FL and was a graduate of Bunnell High School. In 1947, he, his wife and daughter moved into their home on Anderson Street in Bunnell.

He was one of the leaders in the farming of potatoes and cabbage in the Bimini area and his farm is still being operated by his sons (1995).

He was a director of the Hastings Potato Growers Association for a number of years and served on many farm related committees. He and his family were members of the Bunnell Methodist Church.

She was a graduate of Bunnell High School and attended the Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee. In 1940 she became a member of the ice skating chorus and traveled all over the United States with The Ice Capades (1940-1945). She was spending her vacation from the Ice Capades in Bunnell in Aug 1944

She was a member of the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter #2317, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL joining on 17 Oct 1969 with eligibility based on the service record of William Swinton McIntosh, Company G, 5th GA Cavalry Reg.

In Feb 1960, Gov Leroy Collins appointed her to fill the unexpired term of Herschel King on the Flagler County Board of Public Instruction. Issue;

(1) Ria Nell Johnston, born 15 Mar 1946, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 18 June 1965, Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, to James Donald Cartmill, son of James C. Cartmill, born 10 May 1944 (Div-Sep 1969).

He was a graduate of Greenville High School (FL), the North Florida Junior College and FSU. He joined the FL Highway Patrol in Jul 1965.

She was a graduate of Bunnell High School and Florida State University and was employed in the Flagler CO Public School System. Issue;

A. James Donald Cartmill Jr. Adopted by James Brown and his name changed to James Michael Brown.

Ria Nell Johnston married 2nd, 02 May 1970, Bunnell Hospital Chapel, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, James Michael Brown, son of Averley Brown and Christine P. LNU, born 19 Oct 1946.

(2) Albert Bartholomew Johnston Jr, born 24 Aug 1947, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 28 Mar 1970, Methodist Church, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL, Suzanne League Bourne, dau of Edward Lee Bourne and FNU League, born 27 Jul 1949, Halifax District Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL. Issue;

A. Albert Bartholomew Johnston III, born 21 Feb 1977, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

B. Suzanne Lee Johnston, born 05 May 1981, Halifax Medical Center, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

(3) John Bagwell Johnston, born 05 Feb 1949, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, died 21 May 2014, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 06 Nov 1970, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, to Gwendolyn Joyce King, dau of Joseph (Mack) King and Haroldine Bowden, born 25 Oct 1952, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL. John is buried at Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, Ga. Issue;

A. Gwendolyn King Johnston, born 04 Aug 1977, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married Ed Lafferty. Issue;

a. Rya Louise Lafferty

B. Joyce Louise Johnston, born 10 Apr 1983, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married Danny Hughes

2. Ernest Carlton Johnston, born 23 Aug 1909, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, died 11 Oct 1984, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL, married, 26 Mar 1933, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL by Judge H A Eisenbach, to Kathryn Clair Walker, dau of Arthur J Walker and Jeannie LNU, born 1904, FL, died 30 Oct 1950, Savannah, Chatham CO, GA, buried Eden Cemetery, Crescent City, Putnam CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Sylvia Jane Johnston, born 17 Apr 1939, Eustis, Lake CO, FL, died 25 Jul 1957, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL

Ernest Carlton Johnston married 2nd, 20 Dec 1952, Savannah, Chatham CO, GA, by Rev H.E. Gaddy to Mary Lucille Clark, dau of John Willie Clark and Alice Gertrude Clifton, born 16 Feb 1919, GA, died 22 Jun 1998, Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL.

During WW II he worked as a welder in the shipyards in Savannah, later returning to Flagler County and farmed. The family were members of Bunnell Methodist Church. Issue;

(2) Deborah Ann Johnston, born 14 Feb 1954, Savannah, Chatham CO, GA, married Ralph Larry Henderson Jr. Issue;

A. April Mechelle Henderson

(3) Ronald Carlton Johnston, born 19 June 1956, Flagler Clinic & Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

Mary Lucille Clark was previously married to Dorsey Davis Metts born about 1912, died 17 Jun 1946, Chatham CO, GA. Step-Children;

(4) Dorsey DeWayne Metts, born 22Aug 1937, Statesboro, Bulloch CO, GA, married 08 Nov 1957, Carlton Home, Flagler CO, FL Mary Jane Edwards, dau of Rubin Edwards and Mary J LNU, born Jun 1939.

In Apr 1968, he closed Metts Supermarket on Railroad Street in Bunnell, FL which he opened in Aug 1962 (formerly Shelton's Supermarket owned by Owen C Shelton who moved to Ocala) and opened Metts Thriftway on US 1 on Dec 1, 1968 which he purchased from Clegg & Associates, Inc. He leased the building from Clegg & Associates. He later sold his interest in the local corporation - he was the vice president and manager of three food stores. Issue;

A. Sandra Lynn (Sandy) Metts, born 28 Aug 1960, Flagler Clinic & Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 08 Nov 1980, Flagler CO, FL, Charles Eugene (Chuck) Herr, son of Orin Kermit (OK) Herr and Willa Mae (Debbie) Roman, born 01 Mar 1951, Halifax District Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL (Div-21 Feb 2001)

B. Scott Allen (Scottie) Metts, born 22 Nov 1962, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 23 Jul 1988, Volusia CO, FL, Donna L LNU

C. Gregory Dewayne (Greg) Metts, born 25 Jun 1968, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 14 May 1994, Denise R LNU

(5) Mary Helen Metts, born 07 Aug 1940, Statesboro, Bulloch CO, GA, married 23 Oct 1955, Kingsland, Camden CO, GA, William F. Baker (Div). Issue;

A. Karen Louise Baker, born 26 Apr 1957, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

B. Melinda Kay Baker, born 30 Oct 1963, Flagler Clinic and Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, married 26 Apr 1992, Flagler CO, FL (unknown)

C. William Ford Baker Jr, born 10 May 1970, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

(6) John Horace (Johnny) Metts, born 15 May 1945, Savannah, Chatham CO, GA, married 01 Jul 1966, First Baptist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, Mary Isabel Greene, dau of Lewis Wright Greene.

Johnny enlisted in the USAF in Sep 1964 and saw service in Vietnam as CH-3 helicopter aerial gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the manager of the Jiffy Food Store in Bunnell

A. Dorsey Davis Metts, born about Jun 1968, FL

B. John Stacy Metts, born 17 May 1968, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

Ernest Walton Johnston married 2nd, 22 Jan 1911, St. Johns Park, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL by Rev J W Hypes at the Songer home to Mabel Minna Fink born 10 June 1891 Micanopy, Alachua CO, FL, died 27 Feb 1961 Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL dau of Daniel C. Fink and his wife Margaret Louise Jones. Ernest and his 2nd wife are buried at Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL. Issue;

3. Margaret Mary Johnston, born 17 Dec 1911, Bunnell, St Johns, now Flagler CO, FL, died 26 Dec 1993, Flagler CO, FL, married 25 Nov 1934, Bunnell Methodist Parsonage, Herbert Telwyn (HT) Cook, son of George E Cook and Clara M Darkin, born 22 Dec 1905, Parrish, Manatee CO, FL, died 04 Apr 1993, Flagler CO, FL. Both buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

She graduated from Good Samaritan Hospital, West Palm Beach in 1933 as a registered nurse. After doing private duty nursing in Palm Beach CO, she returned to Flagler CO in 1934 and did public health nursing for the county.

She was charter member of the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter #2317, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL joining on 14 May 1962 with eligibility based on the service record of Joseph M Johnston, Company I, 25th GA Inf Reg. She served as Recording Secretary (1962-1964), 1st Vice President (1964-1966), President (1966-1970), Recorder of Crosses (1968-1986; 1986-1987) and Chaplain (1972-1974).

HT graduated from Stetson College, DeLand and moved to Bunnell in 1930 and opened his law office. He was attorney for the 7th Judicial District, Flagler County Judge, State Representative for Flagler County from 1937 to 1955, served on the advisory board of Daytona Community College, and General Counselor for Florida East Coast Railroad in St. Augustine. They were members of Bunnell Methodist Church and worked in its many activities. Issue;

(1) James Perkins Cook, born 24 Feb 1940, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 17 Mar 2009, Flagler CO, FL, married, 22 Aug 1964, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Miami, Dade CO, FL, to Nilda Gonzalez, dau of Oswaldo Gonzales. Both received degrees from Florida State University and taught in Volusia County schools. He received his MA degree from Stetson University in Aug 1964. Jim was a member of Phi Alpha Theta. They resided in Flagler Beach.

(2) David Johnston Cook, born 29 Oct 1944, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 15 Nov 2010 Duval CO, FL, married 27 Mar 1971, Washington Methodist Church, Alexandria, Fairfax CO, VA to Brenda Elaine Childers Myers, dau of Charles Myers (Div).

David received a B.S. Degree from Florida State University in Aug 1966. As a Captain in the U S Marine Corps he piloted helicopters in Vietnam and Okinawa for 13 months, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, 46 Air Medals for 923 combat missions, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, U.S. Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal and Vietnamese Campaign Medal.

Following active duty, he continued to serve in the USMC Reserve. He transferred from the USMC Reserve to the Florida Army National Guard where he attained the rank of colonel.

He worked for Stockton Whatley Davin Co in Jacksonville then as a helicopter pilot for a hospital. Issue;

A. David Johnston Cook, Jr

B. Daniel Joseph Cook

David married 2nd Ann LNU. He had two step-children, Jillian Lineberger and John Easton.

HT Cook was first married on 16 May 1931 in Madison, Madison CO, FL to Myrtle Agnes Horne, dau of Evie Allen Horne and West Virginia LNU, born about 1906, Jefferson CO, FL. Marriage license was obtained in Jefferson CO, FL.

4. Ernest Walton Johnston Jr, born 31 Aug 1921, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, died 30 May 1984, Gainesville, Alachua CO, FL, married 16 Feb 1946, St. Marys Catholic Church, Korona, Flagler CO, FL to Alice Ann Mikulka, dau of Michal Mikulka and Anna Marczyk, born 10 Nov 1923, Korona, Flagler CO, FL, died 22 Dec 1990, Volusia CO, FL. Both are buried in Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

He served in the U S Army during WW II in the European Theater and was a prisoner of war in Germany. Because of his service in the U S Armed forces during time of war and as a descendant of a Confederate Veteran, he was awarded the WW II Cross of Military Service by the United Daughters of the Confederacy through the General Joseph Eggleston Johnston Chapter of Bunnell. He was an U.S. Government Inspector. Issue;

(1) Gloria Ann Johnston, born 16 Sept 1947, St. Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 09 Apr 1971, Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL to Wilbur Kenneth Corbin III, son of Wilbur Waldo Corbin Jr and Julia Domen, born Aug 1945. Issue;

A. Wilbur Kenneth Corbin IV, born 02 Aug 1973

B. Michelle Rena Janette Corbin, born 14 Feb 1982

(2) Marcia Jean Johnston, born 19 Mar 1952, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 20 Feb 1971, Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic Church, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL to Robert Franklin Montgomery, son of George Floyd Montgomery and Dorothy Franklin. Issue;

A. Robert Franklin Montgomery Jr, born 17 Jun 1972

(3) Sheila Mabel Johnston, born 01 Feb 1955, Halifax Hospital Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 17 Mar 1973, United Methodist Church, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, to Kirk Kevin Robertson, son of Lloyd Oscar Robertson and Edyth Rebecca Williams, born 01 Jul 1953, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL.

In 1994 they were living in probably the oldest continually occupied dwelling in Flagler County. The house, which is located on County Road 2006 (old Deen Road) in St Johns Park was built by A T Squier who owned the saw mill down near the lake. The house was then moved to its present location and occupied a long time by the Mathew Davis family, followed by the Walton John Kinney family.

He attended Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC, St John's River Community College where he received a AS degree in drafting and construction design and the University of Florida. Issue;

A. Jacob Kirk Robertson born 06 Nov 1975, Bunnell General Hospital, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

B. Lloyd Walton Robertson, born 20 Mar 1979, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL

C. Jed Welby Robertson, born 27 Jul 1985, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

(4) Ernest Walton Johnson III, born 16 Oct 1958, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 26 Apr 1980, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Ponte Vedra Beach, Duval CO, FL by Father Kelly to Kimberly Ruth Ervin, dau of Raymond I. Ervin and Mildred Juanita Yarborough.

5. Daniel Claude (Danny) Johnston, born 07 Sep 1927, Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL, died 05 Sep 2011, Flagler Beach, Flagler CO, FL, married 11 Oct 1951 in the HT Cook home in Bunnell, Flagler CO, FL to Madeline (Madge) Moore, dau of R D Moore and Bessie LNU, born 10 Aug 1918, NY, died 23 Mar 1988, Volusia CO, FL, buried Espanola Cemetery, Espanola, Flagler CO, FL.

He served in the US Army during WW II.. He was a farmer and the family resided in Bimini.

(1) Daniel Claude (Chip) Johnston Jr, born 31 Jan 1953, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 27 Mar 1971, Flagler Beach Baptist Church, Flagler CO, FL to Rosanna Tidwell, dau of William H (Billy) Tidwell and Edith (Div 22 Jan 1979). Issue;

A. Daniel Claude (Trey) Johnston III, born 12 Sep 1972, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married 19 Jun 1993, Duval CO, FL, Dawn LNU (Div-29 Apr1996)

B. Tracy Aileen Johnston, born 15 Mar 1974, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL, married Jason Randall. Issue;

a. Macyie Sage Johnston Randall, born 10 Jan 1994

Daniel Claude (Chip) Johnston Jr married 2nd, 31 Jan 1981, Flagler CO, FL, Melinda Susan Sissy Hazellief Bratcher, dau of Cecil Hazellief (Div-14 Sep1995). Issue;

C. Cyle Jeffray Johnston

Step-children; Gwendolyn Michelle Bratcher and Elissa Bratcher.

(2) Jeffrey Scott Johnston, born 09 Jul 1955, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

(3) Raymond Wayne Johnston, born 25 Feb 1959, Halifax Hospital, Daytona Beach, Volusia CO, FL

Daniel Claude Johnston married 2nd about 1996, Dora Angelina (Dodie) Saia, dau of Salvatore Saia and Anna Feuerhardt, born 02 Aug 1928, Baltimore, Baltimore City, MD, died 19 Feb 2009, Palm Coast, Flagler CO, FL, buried Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens (Hope Cemetery).

Dodie was first married to Hugh James Flynt, born 03 Mar 1927, died 19 May 1989, buried Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens. They had two children, James Elton (Jimmy) Flynt and Angelina Marie (Angie) Flynt.

 

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cites as her sources, Census and Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1910 United States Federal Census, Aucilla, Jefferson CO, FL; 1920 United States Federal Census, Bunnell, Flagler, Florida; 1930 United States Federal Census, Crescent City, Putnam CO, FL; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record; Florida Marriage Collection, 1927-2001; Social Security Death Index Record; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998 Record;

The Flagler Tribune, Bunnell, FL, 01 Sep 1921, 28 May 1931, 29 Nov 1934, 01 Feb 1945, 21 Feb 1946, 28 Aug 1947, 28 Jul 1949, 01 Mar, 1951, 30 Oct 1952, 14 Jul 1955, 27 Oct 1955, 21 Jun 1956, 09 May 1957, 21 Nov 1957, 23 Oct 1958, 05 Mar 1959, 01 Sep, 1960, 29 Nov 1962, 07 Nov 1963, 25 Aug 1966, 27 Jun 1968, 02 Apr 1970, 24 Sep 1970, 08Apr 1971, 28 Sep 1972, 28 Mar 1974, 03 Mar 1977, 13 Nov 1980, 04 Jul 1981; Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, 24 Jun 1998 and the St. Augustine Record, 21 Jan 1994.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com