General Washington Johnston
Encyclopedia
General Washington Johnston (10 November 1776 – 26 October 1833) was born in Culpepper County, Virginia
. General was his given name. Johnston migrated to Vincennes, Indiana
(then part of the Northwest Territory
in 1793. In February of 1799, he became the first man in the territory admitted to the bar
.
Johnston achieved many firsts in Vincennes and the Indiana Territory
. He is also generally considered the founder of Vincennes Masonic Lodge #1, F.&A.M. in 1809 (originally Vincennes Lodge #15 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky
). Johnston would serve several terms as Worshipful Master of Vincennes Lodge and many terms in different Grand Lodge offices, yet never was elected Grand Master
.
Johnston served in the Territorial Legislature during the 1807 and 1808 sessions. He would also go on to serve in the Indiana General Assembly
in the years 1821, 1822, 1826, and 1829. During the 1822 session, he served as Speaker of the House. His most notable contribution might have occurred in 1808 when the Indiana Territory was considering allowing slaves to be brought into the state. The Legislature was evenly divided on the subject. Johnston, seeming to be pro-slavery, delivered a "forceful indictment against human slavery" that swayed the body and won the day.
Johnston fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe
in 1811.
He died at his home in 1833.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. General was his given name. Johnston migrated to Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
(then part of the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
in 1793. In February of 1799, he became the first man in the territory admitted to the bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
.
Johnston achieved many firsts in Vincennes and the Indiana Territory
Indiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
. He is also generally considered the founder of Vincennes Masonic Lodge #1, F.&A.M. in 1809 (originally Vincennes Lodge #15 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
Grand Lodge
A Grand Lodge, or "Grand Orient", is the usual governing body of "Craft", or "Blue Lodge", Freemasonry in a particular jurisdiction. The first Masonic Grand Lodge was established in England in 1717 as the Premier Grand Lodge of England....
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
). Johnston would serve several terms as Worshipful Master of Vincennes Lodge and many terms in different Grand Lodge offices, yet never was elected Grand Master
Grand Master (Masonic)
In Freemasonry a Grand Master is the leader of the lodges within his Masonic jurisdiction. He presides over a Grand Lodge, and has certain rights in the constituent lodges that form his jurisdiction....
.
Johnston served in the Territorial Legislature during the 1807 and 1808 sessions. He would also go on to serve in the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
in the years 1821, 1822, 1826, and 1829. During the 1822 session, he served as Speaker of the House. His most notable contribution might have occurred in 1808 when the Indiana Territory was considering allowing slaves to be brought into the state. The Legislature was evenly divided on the subject. Johnston, seeming to be pro-slavery, delivered a "forceful indictment against human slavery" that swayed the body and won the day.
Johnston fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
in 1811.
He died at his home in 1833.