sole and exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws
for this colony."

This early action of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina is the
first public declaration, by proper legislative State authority, on
record, preceding the Virginia resolutions of the same character by
more than a month, and of those of the National Congress at
Philadelphia by nearly three months, now exulting in its _centennial
celebration_. Near the close of the Revolution Col. Johnston acted for
a considerable length of time as disbursing agent for the Western
Division of the army. After the division of Tryon county in 1779 into
Lincoln and Rutherford counties, he was elected to the Senate from the
former county in 1780, '81 and '82. He also acted, for many years, as
one of the magistrates of the county, and, by virtue of his office,
was frequently called upon "_to make of twain one flesh_ in the holy
bonds of matrimony."

Major John Davidson, who knew Col. Johnston long and well, always
summed up his estimate of his character by saying, "he was a most
excellent man, and never shrunk from the performance of any duty when
the welfare of his country demanded such service."

Several years previous to the Revolution Colonel Johnston married Jane
Ewart, eldest daughter of Robert Ewart, a most worthy lady of
Scotch-Irish descent. In 1775 Robert Ewart was appointed with Griffith
Rutherford, John Brevard, Hezekiah Alexander, Benjamin Patton, and
others, one of the Committee of Safety for the "Salisbury District,"
which included Rowan, Mecklenburg and other western counties. The
marriage connections of other members of the Ewart family were as
follows: Margaret married Joseph Jack; Mary married Robert Knox;
Rachel married Thomas Bell; Betsy married Jonathan Price; Sallie
married Thomas Hill; Robert married Margaret Adams. At the battle of
King's Mountain Robert Ewart, James Ewart, Robert Knox, Joseph Jack,
Thomas Bell, Jonathan Price, Abram Forney, Peter Forney, and other
brave spirits, were in the company commanded by Colonel James
Johnston, and performed a conspicuous part in achieving the glorious
victory on that occasion.

Previous to the war Colonel Johnston purchased valuable land on the
Catawba river, one mile southwest of Toole's Ford, which became known
in subsequent years as "Oak Grove" farm, deriving this name from
several, native denizens of the forest which stood near the family
mansion and cast around their benefice