Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department 

JOHN JOHNSTON
RECORDS, 1802-1811

Collection #:
BV 2611

Table of Contents

Collection Information
Historical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Cataloging Information

Processed by:
Paul Brockmam
26 November 1991

COLLECTION INFORMATION

HISTORICAL SKETCH

John Johnston (1775-1861) was born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland of Scot and French Huguenot parents. He came to America in 1786 where he worked as a government clerk in Philadelphia. Johnston later became associated with the mercantile establishment of Judge John Creigh at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as his representative in the west. His duties included driving wagons to Pittsburgh in 1792, and he was later attached to Anthony Wayne's army on their journey down the Ohio to Fort Washington (Cincinnati). He spent the winter of 1795 in Kentucky and then returned east where he married Rachel Robinson in 1802. Also in 1802 he was appointed Indian factor at Fort Wayne. His duties included the receiving of supplies for the Fort Wayne garrison as well as gifts and annuities for the Indians. He also acquired pelts and furs from the Indians and sent them east. His reputation as a government employee attached to the War Department was one of being trustworthy, careful, and conscientious. He apparently also assumed the duties of Indian agent at Fort Wayne after the dismissal of William Wells in 1809. At his own request, Johnston was transferred to Piqua, Ohio, in 1811 where he served as the Indian agent for the next twenty years, although he had the additional duties of part time supervisor of the Fort Wayne Indian agency as well. During the War of 1812 Johnston served as a paymaster and a quartermaster. Politically, he was a supporter of William Henry Harrison and the Whig Party.

 From the 1800s-1810s the Fort Wayne factory was one of the most important Indian trading posts operated by the government. It was responsible for dispensing large annuities to the Indians for land cessions and for financing an extensive purchase of land in Fort Wayne in 1809. The factory also purchased large quantities of furs and pelts that were shipped to Philadelphia and New York for auction. It also dealt in supplies that supplemented those furnished the garrison by the War Department.

Source: Griswold. Fort Wayne, Gateway to the West, pp. 20-22.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The volume is Johnston's official book of invoices, inventories, and memoranda as Indian factor at Fort Wayne, 1802-1811. Detailed and precisely written, it contains the variety and quantity of merchandise handled by the Indian factory and the prevailing prices at the time. Early monetary entries are in terms of pounds, shillings, and pence. Later entries are in dollars and cents.

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog
2. Click on the "Local Catalog" icon.
3. Search for the collection by its call number, using the letter or letters designation and four digits (e.g., M 0715, SC 2234).
4. When you find the collection, go to the "Holdings" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.

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