They lived in an area called “Salt Point” which is very close to Clinton, Dutchess County, New York. William was a prosperous fellow and for twenty years was an elder of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley Dutchess County. His children were all raised devout Presbyterian. He had three sons: John (eldest b.1787), Robert (middle) and William Clark Johnston (youngest b. 1805), as well as five daughters: Mary (Cheesman- oldest), Ann (Crapser/Earle), Rebecca (Macomber) and Hannah (Pettit) and Elizabeth (Marshall).

William Johnston was an elder of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church from 1801 to 1828
William Johnston died OCT 1 1832 at 76 years 4 months 14 days....therefore born approx 16 MAY 1756. He is buried in Pleasant Valley. 

"I William Johnston of the town of Clinton, Dutchess County and state of New York considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being blessed with a sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows that is to say 

firstly I give and bequeth to my beloved daughters Mary Cheesman, Rebecca Macomber, Ann Earle, Elizabeth Marshall and Hannah Pettit all my household and kitchen furniture of every description....

I give to my daughter Mary Cheesman the sum of eleven hundred thirty dollars on the following conditions. The executor hereinafter named are authoried to put the said sum of eleven hundred thirty dollars at interest annually to her. Whenever she may wish to have the whole or a part of the principal my executors are hereby directed to pay over to her on her order the whole or a part of said legacy this to be considered wholly at her disposal.... 

My meaning is that each of my daughters should have including what I have heretofore given them fourteen hundred dollars my executors hereinafter named are directed to sell all my real estate as soon after the expiration of the lease which I have given to my son-in-law Jacob Pettit for the occupancy of the farm as they may judge best for the interests of said heirs and to execute good and sufficient titles to the same and after paying all said debts and the necessary charges for the settlement of the estate and above specified legacies to my daughters the residue of the avails of the sales of my real estate to be divided in the following manner between my three sons, as my intention is to make them equal, what I have heretofore given them is to be considered in making an equal division of the residue of my estate. 

To my son John Johnston I have heretofore given the sum of two thousand dollars. 

To my son Robert Johnston I have heretofore give the sum of eight hundred sixty six dollars and to my son William C. Johnston I have heretofore given the sum of four hundred twenty dollars. 

In order that there shall be no misunderstanding my executors are directed to pay .... to make them equal to what I have heretofore given to my son John Johnston the residue then to be equally divided between the above named sons John Johnston, Robert Johnston, and William Johnston all the above legacies and given to the legates and their heirs forever. 

Lastly to constitue and appoint upon John Johnston, Robert Johnston, and my friend Asa Upton executor to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one. 

Witnesses Mary E. Wing town of Clinton, Caroline Cheesman town of Clinton, Tilkin Cheesman town of Clinton dated 12th September 1831"

Note: Where you see .... some tedious financial numbers to even out the division of finances have been omitted.