In 1760 Francis Johnston was born to William Johnston at Armagh.
In 1789 Francis Johnston [aged 29] was commissioned by Archbishop Richard Robinson 1st Baron Rokeby [aged 81], and Archbishop of Armagh to design the Armagh Observatory.
1790 Francis Johnston [aged 30] designed a new club house for Daly's Club on College Green Dublin.
In 1794 Francis Johnston [aged 34] designed Townley Hall Drogheda built between 1794 and 1798.
In 1806 Francis Johnston [aged 46] designed Armagh Court House built between 1806 and 1809.
Before 1823 Francis Johnston [aged 62] and Anne Barnes [aged 53] were married.
1823. Henry Hoppner Meyer [aged 42]. Drawing of Francis Johnston [aged 63] after Thomas Clement Thompson [aged 43].
Around 1823. Thomas Clement Thompson [aged 43]. Portrait of Francis Johnston [aged 63].
In 1824 Francis Johnston [aged 64] was made president of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts which had been founded the previous year, and he provided headquarters for the academy in Lower Abbey Street Dublin at his own expense.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 14th March 1829 Francis Johnston [aged 69] died. He was buried at St George's Church, Dublin.
On 18th August 1841 or 18th August 1842 [his former wife] Anne Barnes [aged 72] died.