JIS Photo
Hemsley Johnston takes a break on his farm in Bullards, Clarendon, in this photo from the 1970s just as it becomes time to prepare the land for sugar cane production.
Karen Reid, JIS Writer
A wistful smile forms on his face as luminous eyes glance retrospectively into a colourful past when horse-drawn coaches were the transportation of the day, reminiscing on the early days of the Panama Canal.
He's 100 years old now but Hemsley Johnston still has vivid recollections of his early life in Panama.
Johnston was born on Valentine's Day in 1908.
Speaking with a richness of tone befitting a much younger man, Johnston took me on a kaleidoscopic journey through the cobbled streets of Panama City where he lived until the age of nine.
"It wasn't very different from life in Jamaica," he said. "I went to an English-speaking school which was run by a Baptist minister. Back then, just like my parents, many Caribbean nationals had journeyed to Panama and other Central American countries in search of work. So, it really was not such a strange experience, there were enough of us around," Johnston reminisced.
In 1917, things changed somewhat and he, along with his mother and sister, travelled to Jamaica by boat, where they settled in Pleasant Valley, Clarendon, the childhood home of his mother, Frances Johnston.
Exciting rural life
But as time passed, Mother Johnston grew restless; she had stayed away from her 'love' too long and so she returned to him in Panama, leaving the two children behind. Hemsley boarded with a family in rural Clarendon, while his sister Myrtle was left in the care of other relatives. Rural life was exciting. Life in Panama City had never offered such freedom, such wild abandon! Hemsley was quickly learning to appreciate the beauty of the Clarendon countryside.
A more youthful Hemsley had aspired to become a lawyer, but lacked the necessary financial resources to pursue this ambition, so at the age of 18, he found employment with the Jamaica Sugar Estate at Golden Grove, St Thomas. He started off as a sales clerk, but as a result of his beautiful calligraphy, was soon promoted to the main office.
Hemsley was a workaholic and one you could describe as being 'one with the land'. He spent some years as an overseer on different estates in St Thomas, later returning to Clarendon where he worked with the Grinan Estates at Sevens and Parnassus as bookkeeper, soon earning the name 'Bookie'.
Move to farming
Sometime in 1944, this astute businessman tried his hand at tobacco farming. Discovering how profitable an undertaking it was, he resigned from his job and started his own farm.
He later became the biggest tobacco farmer in the island, supplying Machado Tobacco Company in Kingston.
In addition to tobacco, he dedicated several acres of land to the cultivation of red peas, peanuts, cow peas, corn, rice and other things. The acreage of rice was such that he supplied large quantities on a regular basis to the rice mill in Spanish Town.
While working at Parnassus, he met and fell in love with the beautiful Ada Scott, with whom he was to spend a lifetime. Together, they built a massive enterprise, providing employment for those in the community.
Selfless gentleman
Carol Miller, his only daughter, remembers her father as the selfless gentleman who constantly gave of himself, serving the community in various capacities over the years.
Twice Johnston ran for the position of parish councillor and for several years served as chairman of the Woodleigh Tobacco Farmers Association, and the Mid-Clarendon Irrigation Authority. He also served on several community and school boards in the parish.
Carol thinks her father might be the oldest justice of the peace alive, having served the Lay Magistrates' Association for some 52 years. Even today, he turns no one away who is in need of his service.
"Much of his life was dedicated to serving the Government and his fellowmen," said Carol.
"For 10 years, he presided over the petty sessions court in May Pen," she added
He was also instrumental in bringing electricity to the area and in changing the name of the district from York Pen to the more pleasant sounding York Town.
Hemsley Johnston dubbed Carol his little farmer, equipping her with water boots and hats as she followed him faithfully around the farm. She was always to be seen in his company when he attended functions. His two sons, while not living with their father full time, were treated equally well.
Lifestyle
But to what does Johnston owe the longevity and good health with which he has been blessed?
"Lifestyle, lifestyle and lifestyle," he stresses. "My family and my farm were always the things of greatest importance to me. I also got a lot of physical exercise working on the farm and I was never one to drink a lot of alcohol.
"My philosophy over the years has always been to live from day to day. I think I am still strong and healthy because I tried to do only those things which were beneficial to self and the environment," he said.
Today, a rather youthful-looking Hemsley continues to work at the one thing that has always excited him the most. He resides on a 387-acre farm in Clarendon, which is still heavily cultivated.
In another location, he has a heavily fruited 400-acre property. Much of his time is also spent managing his sand- and gravel-mining operation, which he says is now his chief source of income.
Baptised four years ago at the age of 96, Johnston now never misses church, but is present every Sabbath.
This is a collaborative feature between The Gleaner Company and the Jamaica Information Service. Send feedback to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.
