Amy Johnson Crow, on her blog No Story Too Small, has challenged her fellow bloggers to post 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. This is week twenty-eight.
For the longest time I believed my great-great-great grandfather’s name, like his eldest son, was John Johnson. I am increasingly convinced, however, that his name was in fact Baptist(e). As far as I can tell at this point, Baptist was born around 1821, likely in Ireland.
He married Ann(e) Kelly in 1846:
Baptist Johnson, bachelor, & Ann Kelly, spinster, both of Montreal were married by license on the seventh (sp) day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred forty-six.
By me Chas BancroftThis marriage was solemnized between us in the presence of: Baptist Johnson; Anne Kelly, George Johnson; Sarah Johnston
I am not entirely certain who George and Sarah are, but I did find a marriage record in the same church two years previously that showed George Johnson marrying Sarah Jane Shannon. I assume that George may be Baptist’s brother – particularly since Baptist’s eldest son was named John George.
On the 1851 census, Baptist (30) and Ann (30) are shown living in St. Laurent, Quebec with their children John (5), William (3), Jane (2) and Ann (1). Also with the family is an Isabelle Johnston (20). I expect she is also related to Baptist, perhaps his sister. Baptist, Ann and Isabelle were all born in Ireland, the children were all born in Quebec.
I have yet to find the family on the 1861 census but in 1871, Baptiste (50) and Ann (50) are home with their children John (24), William (22), Jane (21), Anny (19), Sara (17), Elizabeth (15) and Joseph (12) in St. Laurent.
In 1881, Baptist (64) and Ann (60) are in St. Laurent, along with eldest son John (33) and his wife Alice (31). Also at home is youngest son Joseph (22).
Baptist died in 1883:
Baptist Johnson of St Laurent, in the district of Montreal, died on the 30th day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty three and was buried on the first day of August of the same year in the presence of  the undersigned witnesses
Thomas Cumming (sp)
Officiating Minister
J Johnson
D Millar
J Johnson is likely his eldest son John.
