Margaret Louisa Foulds Johnston

Margaret Louisa Foulds Johnston who was born on this day in 1860.  This photograph is from the Holland Paisley Collection at the Lambton County Archives and shows Margaret with her sister, Miss Martha Grace, on Maria Street at Brock Street in Sarnia ca. 1897. 

Margaret Louisa Foulds was born in Sarnia to Grace (Cameron) and James Foulds in 1860.  James operated a bakery, which was destroyed in the fire of 1867, but which he then rebuilt “by putting up a fine brick store, stone facings and continuing in the bread, cake and confectionery business till his death.” [Source: Sarnia Home Week]

In July of 1885, Margaret married Sutherland Johnston – a druggist, and son of Sarnia’s first Mayor - Thomas Johnston.

Margaret and Sutherland had four children – Dorothy, Grace, Gilbert and (Eliza) Lilas.  They resided at 304 Christina St. in the city of Sarnia

When interviewed for the Holland Paisley Collection, Margaret’s daughter Grace recalled some of her mother’s early recollections of life in Sarnia.  These included attending a Grammar School on the site of what would become Sarnia General Hospital.  She also recalled children crossing Durand’s ditch and going along a board walk.  When they encountered patched boards, the children made a jumping game of it.  Martha also told of a special highlight of her youth – attending assemblies put on by Professor Humphries – who visited from the United States and taught “dancing and deportment” at a local store. Margaret also enjoyed lessons in china painting from Mrs. Pousette whom she described as a clever woman.

By 1921, Sutherland Johnston was working as a Custom’s Officer.  He passed in 1931 and is buried at the Sutherland Cemetery in Mooretown.  A 1938 Directory for Los Angeles, USA, suggests that, once windowed, Margaret lived for a time at 847 Exposition Boulevard.

Of note, Margaret authored a poem, which probed the cost of the Great War titled “Who Paid the Price?” Her son, Gunner Gilbert, served with the 63rd Battery Canadian Field Artillery and survived the war.

Margaret passed in January of 1964 at the age of 103.

For more on the Foulds and Johnston families, visit the Lambton County Archives!