For several years Clan Donald USA has been running a y chromosome genetic project of which I am the director. We currently have approximately 150 participants which include not only MacDonalds but also MacEachrens, Buies MacAllisters, MacKeans, MacReynolds and other historic Clan Donald names. We have not only identified the genetic markers of Somerled (who was Norse in descent) and have the markers for ClanRanald, Glengarry and Sleat but we have also identified the gaelic line which I believe is descended from the kindred of Colla Uais whose descendants founded Dal Riada. The more participants who believe the know their descent or who know the location of their emigrant ancestor who participate, the greater the usefulness to current participants.
The cost for a 25 marker test is $171. Sign up at Family Tree DNA on the internet with Donald USA as your group project. This test only works for the pure paternal line so that persons who wish to search their mother's line must arrange for a sample from a male line cousin. Let me know if you have any questions or need help. Mark MacDonald May 10, 2004
MCDONALD
From from the family file of McDonald/McDaniel (at the Georgia Archives) this material may help someone or at least prove interesting. It is a twelve page (legal size) hand-typed document, signed and witnessed as to content. There is a correction at the very end concerning the existence of a sister of Randal McDonald. This is very long, but there were just too many familiar names to pass it up. Submitted by Dee Thompson and posted January 27, 2001 by Myrtle Bridges
Additional data about this McDonald family has been prepared by Kristen McKay Willard —3757 S East Camano Dr., Camano Island, WA 98282, 360-387-0307. (See bottom of page.) —July 13, 2001
A partial reminiscence of our branch of the Clan Donald. By Angus Robertson MacDonald, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.A. 1902.
John MacDonald, son of Angus, who was son of Samuel, son of James, was born in the year
1749 in the Village of Dalavilla, four miles S.E. of Armadale Castle, the residence of the lords MacDonald on
the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Of the lineal ancestors named, - Angus, Samuel and James, the writer knows but
little. Tradition says that they were rental agents of the lords. It is also said that they rented farming
and grazing lands themselves, and sub-rented the same at large profits to themselves. This office our line
holds to this day. Tradition also says that James, the last named above was a man of extraordinary size. He
was so strong that it is said he could twist the leg bone of an ox into fragments by the strength of his hands.
As to the truth of this tradition, "this deponeth saith not".The said John MacDonald had three sons - Archibald, Angus, and Donald, my father. Archibald remained in Scotland, and his sons went to New South Wales in Australia when the gold mines in that country induced imigration from all civilized countries. We have, for many years, been in correspondence with their children and grand-children, who have uniformly been intelligent and leading citizens of that country, both in Church and State. They and other enterprising Scots were the founders of Presbyterianism in that country. One daughter with her husband went to Nova Scotia. Of them I know nothing more. Two daughters, Mary and Flora, married in Scotland, but their descendants are now in New South Wales and New Zealand. The father, my grand-father, John MacDonald, his two sons, Angus and Donald (my father), and his daughter, Mrs. Sarah McGillivray, came to America in 1799. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing ship, and were three months on the water before reaching Wilmington, N. C.
They came up the Cape Fear River to Cross-Creek, now Fayetteville, in a pole boat, that being the kind of craft that plied the rivers. from Cross Creek they went north to Moore County, and bought land near Deep River. He died there in the 54th year of his age. Mrs. Sarah McGillivray died in Moore County, leaving three sons and three daughters. John, Alexander and Donald; Jeanette, Margaret and Nancy. John was a merchant at Newnan, Coweta County, Ga. He then went to Sylvan Hill in Hancock County; there he married, and finally went to Texas, where he and his wife died, leaving a refined daughter, his only heir.
Jeanette married Alexander Johnston. They came to Sylvan Hill, Ga. but went from there to Milledgeville to
educate their only child, John, who died there during his collegiate course. The parents then went back to
Moore County, N.C., where they died.
Alexander married a Miss Morris, and died leaving a large family.
Margaret died un-married.
Nancy married a Mr. Morris, and died leaving a small family.
Donald married Miss Nancy McIver, a lady of great social and moral worth. They have been defrauded out of
their portion of the parental estates went to Texas, where they both died.
Angus McDonald.The second son, Angus, first married in Scotland. His first wife died in N.C., leaving one
daughter, Janet who married a Mr. Donald Kelley, a man of property and moral worth. The Rev. James Kelly, a Presbyterian
preacher, and an eminent educator, of Bladen County, N.C. is a son of his. The highly educated and refined
Mary Kelly, who became the wife of my brother-in-law, Robert McCadden, late of New Salem, N.C. was her only
daughter. The mother and daughter are both dead. The sons died, all but James, in the civil war.
The second wife of said Angus was Isabella MacDonald, who died leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest
son, John B. married Miss Katherine Worthy, and came to Sumter County, Ga., where by an honest, industrial
and economical life, he accumilated a good property. Two of his sons, Angus and Worthy, died in the civil
war. He died leaving four sons and four daughters Hugh MacDonald, a prosperous merchant of Atlanta, Ga.
John A. MacDonald, a very wealthy farmer and merchant, of Plains, Ga.; Dr. Collons M. MacDonald, late of
Leesburg, Ga., and Kenneth M. MacDonald, a large and prosperous planter of Sumter, Ga.; were all sons of
the highly esteemed and much missed John B. MacDonald. These four sons inherited largely the lovable
characteristics of their lamented father. his living daughters are Mary, the wife of Frank Market, a
prosperous farmer of Sumter, Ga., who has raised a large and highly esteemed family; and Misses Lizzie
and Maggie, who are yet unmarried. Their social and christian merits are highly appreciated by their
large circle of acquaintances. Flora, the
youngest daughter died in early life. Having a kind and social nature, and being a devout christian, her
kindred and large circle of warm friends mourned her early departure, but she was too ripe a christian to
be left here in a world of sin and sorrow, hence she was taken up to her eternal home in Heaven.
Isabella, the eldest daughter, married Duncan T. McLain, who is a prosperous planter near Herod, Ga. He
accumilated a property that amply enabled him to give all of his children a liberal business educaation.
He is still living on the farm upon which he made his little fortune by scientific farming. His amiable
wife, Isabella, was always of a delicate constitution, and finally succombed to the grim messenger, greatly
lamented by all who knew her. She left an indellible impress of her lovely character on the minds of all her
children, four of whom are in the spirit world. James, the oldest, was a prosperous farmer, who died leaving
a loving young wife and lovely children to mourn their irreparable loss. The bereaved mother is on the rich
and well-ordered farm near Herod, making a competency and giving her children a collegiate education.
Kenneth, the next oldest, was given a collegiate education preparatory to his becoming a foreign missionary.
He married, went to Siam, and preached to the heathen until the ill health of his wife compelled him to return
to America. He preached a few years in the Georgia conference, and died, leaving a widow and son to mourn
the death that was to him the gate-way that admitted him into the Celestial City, to be eternally with the
Christ whom he ardently loved and served.
George was a young man of great promise, but he died in the beginning of a mercantile life in Dawson, Ga.
Annabel, the only daughter, a most charming young lady, received a collegiate education. Her health failed.
All that medical skill and travel could do was tried, but after a few years of invalid life her sweet spirit
quitted its earthly tenement and was undoubtedly wafted by a convoy of angels to join her sainted mother
in Heaven.
William A. the next oldest son was happily married to an Alabama lady of highly cultivated intellect, -
a lady well fitted to be a leader in the social and religious world.
Mr. McLain is a merchant in Dawson, Ga., and has been almost wonderfully successful in his business. The
other sons, Duncan and Robert, are also in a prosperous mercantile business, but are unmarried. The
children were all noted for their moral and religious character.
Murdock, the second son of the second wife of my Uncle Angus, came to Talladega, Ala. in early life.
There by industry and strict economy he accumulated a competency, married the daughter of
Colonel _________. He finally moved to Texas, where as an architect and contractor he made
and saved a good property. He died there, leaving a family of whom I know only that two of his sons
are now successful merchants at Houston.
Nancy, the eldest daughter of the second wife of Angus, married Angus B. Kelly, of whom I know only
that he died in Moore County, N.C., leaving a family, one of whom was a charming daughter named Margaret,
who married a man of Statesville, N.C., and that the mother and the rest of the family went to Houston, Texas.
Isabella, the second daughter of the second wife of Angus, was a twin sister of Murdoch, and married a
Mr. Daniel Campbell, near the place of her birth. They both died recently, being nearly one hundred years
old. They were both of extraordinary notoriety for their moral and religious character. They raised a family
that represented them truly. John, the eldest son, married a Miss McRae when very young. He is living at
Carthage, the Capital of Moore County, N.C. A son of his, Kenneth a Campbell, is the pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Attala, Ala. He married a sister's daughter of Governor Candler, of Georgia.
Mary Jane Campbell, the only daughter of said Daniel Campbell, married a Mr. Duncan Sinclair. Of them I
know only that they lived a happy and pious life, and are now dead. Of Daniel and Isabella Campbell's
other children I know nothing.
Angus MacDonald, of whose descendants I am now writing, married a third time, the name of his wife being
Katherine Mathis. His team became frightened and ran over him, he receiving internal injuries, died in a
few days. He was a man of great integrity and a successful farmer. He left four sons and three daughters,
children of his third wife. Her oldest son, Alexander M. was a successful physician, who accumulated a
handsome property by his profession, and died at an old age, unmarried. He lived a pious and consistent life.
Archibald, the second son, was respected and loved by all who knew him. He died at the age of eighteen years.
The third son, John M. was first a teacher, and afterwards a lawyer in Texas. He married and died in Texas.
I know nothing of his family. Ronald, the fourth son, is now an old bachellor of highly appreciated moral
and religious character, a successful farmer on the old farmstead.The three daughters by the last marriage were, Mary, Christian and Flora. They died unmarried. Flora died a natural death at middle age. Christian was shot through the head by a negro robber who knew that their brother Ranald, with whom they lived, kept a large sum of money in the house; Christian fell dead on the floor. He shot Mary through the lower jaw and the roof of her mouth and left her for dead, but she lived several years afterwards. This closes what I know of my Uncle Angus and his descendents.
I will now treat of my father, the youngest of those who imigrated to America.
From the fact that from early manhood my father was a prominent Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church,
he was designated as "Donald MacDonald the Elder". He was born at Dallavilla, near Armadale Castle, in the
Isle of Skye, Scotland, about the year 1781. his father sent him away to school at an early age.
His education being completed about the age of 21, he obtained a commission as First Lieutenant in
Lord MacDonald's first regiment, raised for the protection of the commerce and the royal revenues
of Scotland. The head-quarters of the regiment being in the City of Iverness, he there became acquainted
with a highly educated and refined lady, Janet Monroe. He secured his discharge from the army, and they
married and came to America, as previously stated, and settled in Monroe County and became a farmer, though
his mind was so deeply absorbed with the study of the Scriptures, books of theology, church and profane
history, that he never accumulated more than a competency. He lived honored and admired by a large circle of devoted friends. He died of inflamation of the
stomach and bowells in the year 1844, in the 63rd year of his age. He raised four sons and eight daughters.
His first wife died leaving three daughters, Janet, Elizabeth and Flora. Janet, when quite advanced in years,
married Daniel Ferguson. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and was noted for his high
standard of moral character and christian walk and conversation. His ruling passion was to lay
up treasures in Heaven, to enjoy when he departed from his tenement of clay several years ago. his
wife Janet was to an extraordinary degree self-sacreficing to promote the interest and comfort of her
family and friends. She had only two children, John and Betsie Jane. John died bravely fighting for his
country in the Civil War. Betsie Jane married a Mr. Monroe, and they are living at Cameron, N.C.
Elizabeth married Kenneth McIver, for whom she had two children, John and Katherine. She died much
lamented, when they were quite small. Their father was a school teacher, and died many years ago. John
died in the Confederate Army. Katherine married Mr. Joel E. Griffith, of Randolph Co., N.C., who came to
Union Springs, Ala.., where he now lives on what he accumulated by industry and economy during his
more youthful years and vigor. His wife, Katherine, died many years ago at Union Springs, leaving five
small daughters, Emma, Jennie, Addie, Lizzie and Katherine. The thoughtful father had these motherless
daughters finely educated. Emma, the oldest, is now living in her own plentiful home at Union Springs,
the widow of Dr. Thomas Harris. She has three children, two daughters and one son. The other four daughters
are unmarried and living with their father.
My father's third daughter, Flora, died at an old age unmarried, at Union Springs. During the Civil was
she was robbed of the costly jewelry left her by her mother, and the gold upon which she depended for her
support in her old age. This was done by North Carolina mountaineers who sympathized with the North.
Three or four years after the death of my father's first wife he married my mother, Nancy Robertson, the
daughter of Daniel Robertson of famously noted ancestors of Skye, Scotland. She died in Asheboro, N.C. in
the 99th year of her age. Of her merits, delicacy forbids me to speak. She died singing a hymn beginning
with the lines: -
"The hour has come, I'm going home, I hear a voice that bids me come."
She was the mother of ten children; four sons and six daughters. They are: Mary, John R, Archibald, Angus,
Robertson, Nancy, Sarah, Katherine, Isabella, and Donald. Mary, the oldest, died when three years old. John
R. the second child, was a mechanic and farmer. He married at the age of forty-five, a widow Goff, who had
one daughter. They had three children: Asa, John and Mary Ann. He went to Arkansas, where he died at an old
age, an humble and devoted Christian. His son John was a consecrated Christian boy, who craved to get into
the Presbyterian ministry, but his hearing was so defective that he could never acquire the necessary
education. I know nothing of the whereabouts of the family now.
Archibald, my twin brother, married in South Carolina. Charlotte, the eldest daughter of the late John
McKay, Esq., and came to Alabama. He was at an early age made an Elder in the Presbyterian Church which
he loved. He was a Free Mason of high degree, and a civil magistrate in Montgomery County, Ala. for more
than twenty years. The people honored him with many responsible positions, and their confidence was never
abused. He died in the full enjoyment of a triumphant faith, based solely on the imputed righteousness
of the Lord Jesus Christ. His living children: Donald Christopher, Mrs. Ann McKay, and Alexis McDonald,
are all living near San Marcos, Texas, and are prominent, prosperous, and useful members of the San
Marcos Presbyterian Church.
Donald, my youngest brother, was twice robbed of all he had, while away in the Confederate army. He
married Miss Fannie Spencer, of Randolph County, N.C. Three of his children are yet living: - Donald S.
McDonald, and Mrs.. Nannie Hancock, both of Castleberry, Ala., and Mrs. Belle Hancock, of Georgianna, Ala.
Nancy, my mother's oldest daughter, married Mr. Samuel McCadden, a Virginian. He was a manufacturer, and
a man of great moral worth. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church - "Israelites
in whom there was no guile". They died leaving no children.
Mary married Mr. Robert McCadden, a brother of Nancy's husband. He was an Elder in the he Presbyterian
Church at Greensboro, N.C. He was a manufacturer, and a scientific and successful farmer. Their happy
wedded life was of short duration, she having died within twelve or fifteen months after their marriage.
He afterwards married our loved Cousin, Mary Kelly who also died about a year after her marriage.
Isabella, the youngest of my mother's daughters, a girl of admirable personal attractions, married Dr.
William Swain of Randolph County, N.C. She was taken to her eternal home soon after her marriage.
Sarah married Mr. James Swain of Randolph County, N.C. He was a man of exemplary character and untiring
energy. He went to Arkansas, and there raised a large family of children. One son is a noted politician,
and another is a Presbyterian Minister. James Swain died many years ago, but his widow is yet living at
Lonelm, Arkansas.
Katherine married Rev. Pinkey Baldwin of Montgomery County, N.C. He raised a family in Randolph County,
N.C., but was called up higher many years ago. Of his children, John is a farmer; Marion is a Baptist
Minister, and James M. is a successful saw-mill operator. His three daughters are all married, but I do
not know their names, nor the names of their husbands.
I was born December 1, 1815, came to Alabama in 1844, and married January 1, 1846, Mary McKay, the youngest
daughter of John McKay, Esq., of South Carolina. In her were concentrated more of those mental qualities that
constitute the Christian lady, daughter, wife, mother, and unswerving and true friend, than can often be found
in mankind. She was immorally fixed in her convictions of right, always willing to hazard all other
considerations in the maintenance of truth and elevated humanity. But more of Heaven could not live upon
earth, therefore the Lord took her to her blissful and eternal home. She was the mother of ten children,
seven of whom survived her. Donald Warnock, the first son, died at Louisville, Ala., aged three years.
Lexie, a child of sweet character, died in Montgomery County, Ala., aged ten years. Knox, a boy of fixed
manliness of character, died near Inverness, Ala., aged twelve years. Rethune, who survived his mother,
died at the age of twenty-four years, while living in Montgomery, Ala. in March 1888. He was a son of whom any father could be justly
proud. He possessed a mind of unusual force and brilliency and a gentleness, yet manliness of character
which endeared him to all good people who came to know him. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian
Church, and before his death had acquired a position in the business world which gave promise of a most
successful and useful career.Of my children still living there are two daughters and four sons: - Mary Ann; Florella; John K; Donald; Malcom; and Frank. The character of the living members of my family, including myself, I leave for some other pen to portray.
Donald MacDonald - "Dahl Mach' Ahhuir" - (Donald, Son of the Sheriff), a cousin of my grandfather, (
John MacDonald) came to America with my grandfather and his three children. He had an only child,
Ranald, about fourteen years old, whom he brought with him. He remained in Moore County, N.C. a few
years, and came to Georgia and settled among the Indians, at what is now Waresboro, in Ware County.
There he was bitten by a rattlesnake, and died suddenly. His widow, then past middle age, married
Thomas Brown, a Scotch adventurer from North Carolina. He and his wife died, leaving the young Ranald
to endure the meandering vicissitudes of a life among the redmen of the woods. Ranald, being a sprightly,
kind, social, just, industrious, and economical boy, soon became a favorite "Pale-face". This important
advantage enabled him to turn his time and opportunity to great advantage, and he soon acquired ample
means to educate himself, and he became a practical scholar. He
studied medicine, and became a successful physician, and the only doctor in the whole country [sic]. With
these advantages he soon became wealthy and influential. He was the Nestor of civilization, education, and
religion in an extensive region of country. He was a popular and sucessful political leader, and represented
his country in the legislature whenever he would consent to do so. He married Miss Catherine Miller and
reared several children, all of whom became prominent and useful citizens. He died in 1867. His son
William Angus was born in 1817. He served four years in the Indian Wars. He represented his county six
terms in the legislature and five terms in the State Senate. He attained great success as a business man,
politician, and a Minister of the Gospel. He was the founder of the villiage of McDonald in Coffee County,
it being named for him. His father largely aided in building the Rail-road from Brunswick as far as
Waycross on which the town is located. He raised a company for service in the civil war, and was elected its Captain. He was soon
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and
reluctantly resigned, but though incapacitated for field service, his time and large means
were freely spent for the relief of the poor, the sick, and the wounded at home. Colonel
McDonald now resides at Waycross, Ga., and was the father of twenty-two children, eleven of them
having departed this life, fifty-eight grand children, and ten great grand children. He was a
successful preacher for thirty-five years, and raised and educated many poor orphans, thereby
fitting them for useful lives. He is now gone to receive a crown of many stars in a world of eternal
felicity. He died a few months before reaching 80 years of age.
John Claugh McDonald, a prominent citizen of Waycross, Ga. is the youngest child of Colonel McDonald's
first wife. This scion of the honored old stock is destined to maintain the high grade of citizenship
attained by his illustrious ancestors.
I, Martha Crawley, grand-daughter of Randal McDonald, wish to make a correction in the above statement.
My grand-father, Randal McDonald, had a sister Nancy, two years younger than himself. She married Washington
Knowles and had five sons; Daniel, James, Martin, John and Eleck.
Daniel Knowles married Charlotte Sweat, sister of my mother (Tobitha Sweat) wife of William McDonald. They
had two sons and six daughters.[signed] Martha Crawley
Witness: T. B. Crawley
John MCDONALD was born in 1749 in Dalavila, Sleat, Inverness, Scotland. He died in 1803 in Deep River, Moore, North Carolina.
I. Archibald MCDONALD was born in 1771 in Sleat, Skye, Inverness, Scotland. He died in 1841 in Skye, Inverness, Scotland. He was buried in 1841 in Kilmore, Skye, Inverness, Scotland.
Archibald MCDONALD was married to Sarah MCLEOD in 1802 in, Skye, Inverness, Scotland.
II. Angus MCDONALD.
III. Sarah MCDONALD was born in 1768 in , Skye, Inverness, Scotland. She died in 1830 in , Moore, North Carolina.
Sarah MCDONALD was married to Archibald MCGILLIVRAY in 1798 in , Skye, Inverness, Scotland.
IV. Mary MCDONALD.
V. Donald MCDONALD was born in 1781 in Dalvile, Sleat, Skye, Inverness, Scotland. He died in 1844 in , Monroe,.
Donald MCDONALD and Nancy ROBERTSON had the following children:
A. Archibald C. MCDONALD was born on December 1, 1815 in , Moore, North Carolina. Twin of Angus McDonald. Information from Eugene Watson of San Marcos, Texas
Archibald C. MCDONALD was married to Charlotte MCKAY (daughter of John MCKAY Sr and Mary MCLEOD) in , , South Carolina. Charlotte MCKAY was born about 1827 in , Sumter, South Carolina. Archibald C. MCDONALD and Charlotte MCKAY had the following children:
1. John MCDONALD was born in 1842. Appears in 1850 Federal Census.
2. Donald MCDONALD was born in 1844.
3. Angus MCDONALD was born in 1845.
4. Mary Jane MCDONALD was born in 1846.
5. Neill MCDONALD was born in 1847.
6. Anne MCDONALD was born in 1850.
7. Ephraim MCDONALD was born.
B. Angus MCDONALD was born on January 12, 1815 in , Moore, North Carolina. Twin with Archibald. Information from Eugene Watson, San Marcos, Texas
Donald MCDONALD was married to Janet MONROE on June 23, 1802 in Ardersier, Skye, Inverness, Scotland.
Prepared by: Kristen McKay Willard
Read about Hugh A. McDonald, a Grandson of Angus
Go to History of Presbyterian Church, Union Springs, AL 1853 - 1978
Back to Myrtle's Genealogy Page