John Johnston (1762-1850)

He was brought up between New York City and Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He became Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Dutchess County. In 1793, he married Susannah Bard and three years later built Bellefield just south of her family's estate. The Johnstons lived extravagantly and after a couple of significant financial set backs, he was ruined by 1817. That year, he was obliged to resign his judicial seat and in 1820 he was forced to sell Bellefield. He and his wife continued to live at Hyde Park, most likely at the grace and favor of the Bards. He had twelve children.