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North Carolina's Governors
Samuel Johnston (1733-1816), prominent voice for the Patriot cause, lived at "Hayes," the family estate at Edenton. Born on December 15, 1733 in Dundee, Scotland, he emigrated with his family to Onslow County at the invitation of their kinsman, Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston. Johnston attended Yale College, but left prior to graduation. Returning to North Carolina, he established his residence in Edenton in 1753 and pursued the study of law. In 1759 he was elected to the colonial assembly, where he would serve as a representative until the eve of the American Revolution. As a leader of the Patriot cause, Johnston served in elective office throughout the period. In addition, he held major responsibilities for funding and supplying the war effort. In 1780 he entered national politics as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In July 1781 he was nominated for the presidency of that body, but declined in order to return to North Carolina. Johnston won wide respect for his character, wisdom, and dedication to principle, even from his political opponents. When North Carolina's first constitutional convention met in Hillsborough in 1788, Johnston was elected president. He again served as president the next year at Fayetteville, when the delegates voted in favor of ratification. On December 12, 1787, Johnston was elected to his first term as governor. Although twice reelected, he served just over two full terms. His third term ended after less than two weeks, when he resigned to accept election to the U.S. Senate. As governor, Johnston campaigned successfully for ratification of the Federal Constitution, promoted national interests, and exercised restraint with regard to fiscal affairs. Returning to North Carolina, Johnston retired for a while from public life. He returned to the state legislature and, from 1800-1803, sat as a superior court judge. At the age of seventy, he retired permanently from public life. He died thirteen years later, on August 17, 1816, and was buried in the cemetery at "Hayes."
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