Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston (or Lightenstone) was born on a small farm beside the Little Ogeechee River on May 28, 1764, to Johann Lichtenstein, a scout-boat pilot, and Catherine Delegal, whose father, Philip Delegal, was a wealthy merchant. Johnston spent her youngest years on the family's Skidaway Island plantation. John Lightenstone met the right people, partly because of his father-in-law Philip Delegal, and partly because of his relation to Gov.