James Johnston

James Johnston ( – 3 May 1737) was a Scottish diplomat and Tory politician who served as envoy extraordinary to Prussia from 1690 to 1692. He also served Secretary of State, Scotland from 1692 to 1696 and Lord Clerk Register from 1704 to 1705. Johnston sat in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1713.

Early life Johnston was baptised on 9 September 1655, the fourth and second surviving son of Lord Warriston, Archibald Johnston of Warriston, north of Edinburgh, and his second wife Helen Hay, daughter of Alexander Hay, Lord Fosterseat. Johnston's father was executed by Charles II on 26 July 1663 for having served under Cromwell. Johnston, with other members of his family, fled to the Dutch Republic after his father's death. He studied law in Utrecht. After travelling on the Continent, he was appointed in 1687 as secretary to Hon. Henry Sidney. In the autumn of 1687 he travelled to England and took a major part helping Sidney in the Glorious Revolution. He left England in August 1688, and returned in November with William of Orange’s expedition He was rewarded with appointment as envoy to Prussia from 1690 to 1692, taking to the Elector of Brandenburg a gift of the Order of the Garter.

Secretary of State, Scotland When Johnston came back from Germany in 1692, he was appointed, with John Dalrymple, as Joint Secretary of State, Scotland. He was also a Commissioner of the Scottish Exchequer and made a member of the Scottish Privy Council. He was also a burgess of Edinburgh. He had made a marriage before 1693, but the details are unknown. A baroque octagonal room, designed by architect James Gibbs, was added in 1720 for entertaining Caroline who regarded Johnston with great favour.

Johnston settled at Twickenham at the end of his political career. In 1716 he married as his third wife Lucy Claxton, daughter of Thomas Claxton of Dublin, sister of Frances Countess of Rosse and Viscountess Jocelyn, sister of Mary Carter, cousin of Edward Lovett Pearce, cousin of Sir John Vanbrugh and great-granddaughter of Sir Dudley Carleton of Imber Court Surrey, nephew and heir of Viscount Dorchester.

It was said George I "often conversed with him very familiarly" and that Johnston was "a great favourite of Queen Caroline, who was much entertained with his humour and pleasantry". It was also said "he keeps out a very great rank, and frequently has Mr. Walpool and the greatest courtiers with him at his country house near London; and the King sometimes does him the honour to dine with him". The King (George I) is also recorded to have been a regular casual visitor to the house.

Death and legacy Johnston died at Bath in May 1737 at the age of 83 and was buried at Twickenham on 11 May. He and his third wife had one surviving son and one surviving daughter.

His eldest daughter, Lucy, who was baptised at Twickenham on 7 July 1717, married General George Preston, Colonel of the Scots Greys.

His one surviving son, General James Johnston (21 May 1721 – 26 November 1795), an army officer, was Colonel of the Royal Horse Guards then Colonel of the Scots Greys following the death of his brother-in-law, General George Preston in 1785.

James Johnston the younger married Charlotte, daughter of George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax. After Charlotte's death he married his own first-cousin, Frances Carter, widow of Philip Twysden and mother of Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey.