Lar on Family Tree Circles

My family name was spelt Johnston when my great, great grandfather emigrated from England to Victoria, Australia. Charles Johnston married Ellen Jones in 1858 in Castlemaine. Their second child and first son was named John Lawson; he is my great grandfather. Sometime in his life he added an "e" to his surname and died John Lawson Johnstone.

In his thirties John Lawson Johnstone played a part in the exciting race to invent a mechanised starting barrier to start horse and pony races. This came about in the early 1890's as a result of the financial bust following the boom times of the 1880's and the era of 'Marvellous Melbourne'. J L johnstone was one of a few successful inventors and his starting machines were in use into the 1950's.

I still wonder why he added an "e" to Johnston.