| 2. | Donald McDonald was born on 25 Dec 1792 in Drummond, Inverness, Scotland; died on 24 Feb 1868 in Tyldern, Drummond farm, Whittlesea, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Notes:
Arrived in the cape on the Brilliant, 3rd June 1817.
DONALD McDONALD 1792-1868
Donald McDONALD was born at Drummin or Dryrnen in Glen Carry, Inverness-shire on 25 Dec 1792. His mother was a MACKINTOSH of Hoy. As far as is known, he only had one brother, Hugh, who, as well as his only son, lost their lives in battle. There were two sisters, Ellen (Mrs. FRASER) and Isabella (Mrs. WHITE), two of whose sons also settled in South Africa.
It was believed by some members of the family, that Sir John Alexander McDONALD, the first Prime Minister of the Confederation of Canada, was the son of his brother Hugh, but research has disproved this. It is more than likely that they were "kinsmen", and that Donald and Sir John's father had known one another in Scotland, as they apparently kept in touch with one another, resulting in this belief. Also, a strong likeness has been noted in a portrait of Sir John, to some members of Donald's family.
Records of Donald and his forbears in Scotland have not been traced, probably due to the fact that compulsory registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths only came into operation in Scotland in 1855. Records he may have had, were no doubt destroyed when they were burnt out by Kaffirs in the early days on the Frontier.
In Donald's youth in Scotland, he worked as a drover of cattle, and, to quote from the obituary to him at his death:-
"He crossed many a weary moorland with herds of cattle to be prepared for slaughter on the rich pastures of the South. Anyone knowing the North Country will admit, in those days, a no more adventurous task could be undertaken, than that, of bringing herds of cattle, avoiding the highways, through Perth and Argyle to the markets at Linlithgow or Falkirk."
A story is told, that at this period, Donald had an encounter with the Excisemen, and, having dealt one of them a blow, he decided to leave the country without delay. He embarked in the ship "Brilliant" about to sail, under Donald MOODIE, on the voyage prior to the one which brought out a party of the 1820 Settlers. The story goes on to say, that some years later, when Donald was living in the Grahamstown area, he came face to face with the very Excisemen, whom he had knocked out, and had feared he might even have killed, and because of whom he had left his homeland!
Donald McDONALD landed in Cage Town on 4 Jun, 1817, wearing the "Garb of Auld Gael", the "feile beg" (the kilt) and tartan hose; the dress he had always worn. It has been recorded that on the occasion of the marriage of his second son, Alexander, to Eleanor POWELL at Rocklands, on the Zwartkei, in 1858, Donald wore full Highland dress and danced a sword dance!
After a period in Cape Town, following his arrival there, Donald moved to the Frontier Settlements, going first to Somerset Farm, a property managed by Mr. Robert HART, to produce supplies to help feed the 1820 Settlers. The town of Somerset East Is now situated on that farmland. After a period at Somerset Farm, Donald moved to the Grahamstown area, where he traded and farmed.
It was in Grahamstown, on the 24 May 1824, that he married Elizabeth FYNN, who had been born in Worcestershire in September, 1805, and who had come to South Africa in 1808. She was the older daughter of Henry Francis FYNN, originally from Ireland, and Elizabeth COPSTICK, a Welsh woman.
Henry Francis FYNN had been supercargo in a vessel trading in tea between England and China. In 1806, during the war which led to the British Occupation at the Cape, this vessel put in at Table Bay on its way to England, and on which Francis was returning with his savings, some 30, 000 Rix Dollars, not knowing that a. law prohibited the export of Specie. The vessel was seized, and his savings confiscated, ruining him. He joined the East India Company, and returned to England. Later, in 1808, he returned to the Cape, with his family, to settle.
Francis FYNN and his three sons played prominent part in the early development of the interior and Native territories. The eldest son, Henry, became a fluent Zulu linguist and a friend and confident of Chief Shaka. He recorded a history of the nation and his diary and letters of that period have been published.
William McDowell FYNN, the second son, became the British Diplomatic Agent In the Transkei, and the British Resident Representative at the kraal of the Paramount Chief of the Xhosas, Kreli. Sons and grandsons of William played a prominent part In the history of Rhodesia. His grandson, Sir Percival Leslie FYNN, was a member of the Rhodesian Parliament, and on several occasions, acted as Prime Minister. A third son, Frank, was killed by the Zulus when still quite young man, while on a mission with Captain FAREWELL.
Eliza McDONALD's only sister, Matilda, married Donald 'WHITE, a nephew of Donald McDONALD; the son of his sister Isabella. He and his brother, Henry, came out to South Africa to settle. Donald WHITE was granted the farm Donnybrook in the Zwart Kei area of the Queenstown district, where he found the first "Procalyton" fossil which he sent to the British Museum..
Donald end Eliza McDONALD lived in the environs of Grahamstown for about twelve years after their marriage, and on more than one occasion, had their home burnt out by marauding Kaffirs; losing many of their possessions and family records.
During this period, five children were born to them; namely, Donald William, Jane, Alexander Campbell, Harriet Emily and Henry Hugh. Alexander was born at "Pidgeon House" in or near Grahamstown. When one of these children was but a couple of days old, the family were attacked by natives, and Eliza and her babe were carried to safety on a mattress.
The year following the arrival of the 1820 Settlers, the burgher, Piet RETIEF was among the first to purchase erven in the new township of Grahamstown.' A deed of grant was signed registering Erf No. 66 in his name on 16 Jul 1821, in exchange for 141 Rix Dollars, subject to the condition that a house of at least 30' x l6' be built within one year, and that the same be properly fenced in. RETIEF complied with these requirements, and a year later signed a contract to build the Drostdy House just opposite for Rl, 875 and another to build military barracks, This lead to his bankruptcy, and on 6 Oct 1830 he sold his house to Donald McDONALD for R135 (£67.10.0). Only four months later on 19 Feb 1831, Donald sold the house to Mr. William BEAR, as he was also insolvent. The fact that over the next 16 years the house changed hands frequently, is an indication of the great shortage of money at that period.
In 1846 it became a Boarding School for young ladies known as "The Retreat" conducted by Mrs. EEDES. This house, still known as "The Retreat" has been restored very nearly to its original appearance, though at some stage additional rooms were built on. The original house had two rooms and a small entrance hall with a staircase - with two rooms above and an attic.
In the extensive grounds is a building which at one time was used as a chapel - believed to be the first military chapel in the Eastern Cape. Later this was used as a coach house, but the arched windows and two Indented crosses are still visible.
In about 1836, Donald and his wife and family, trekked into the interior, and settled for a time on the South bank of the Orange River; on the site where Aliwal North now stands. Later, he is said to have famed at Knapdaar in the Burghersdorp District, before moving to Tarka Post on the Zwart Kei in 1848.
Tarka Post was one of the Military outposts in a chain of Forts along the frontier of that time, from Grahamstown to the North. That is Fort Brown, Fort Beaufort, Post Retief and Tarka Post. This latter was situated about one mile above the farm homestead of Thibet Park on a farm now known as Kei's Poort, in the Zwart Kei area, on the right side of the river, and below a kloof. All sign of buildings has vanished, though some mulberry and pear trees remained for many years to mark the spot.
By the time the McDONALD family came to live at Tarka Post, they had increased by five more children. John, William, Eliza, Janet and Flora who was known in the family as Lily. Their father and older brothers had by this time seen service in some of the Kaffir Wars.
In recognition of their services, and after the British occupation of that area, and the founding of Queenstown in 1854, Donald and his sons were granted farms in the district. Donald and his oldest son, Donald William, settled on the granted farm in the Whittlesea area, which they named Drummond, after Donald's birthplace in Scotland.
When Donald William married, his parents moved to Tyldendale, the farm of their youngest son, William, where they lived until the death of the old patriarch Donald, in February, 1868.
Donald McDONALD's physical strength as a younger man, became quite a legend, and it was said that he could climb the steps to the loft, carrying a muid bag of wheat under each arm. Also, that he could hold, and restrain a young bullock, by its horns, with his bare hands.
Five grandchildren of Donald and Eliza are still living at this time [1967]; namely : -
1. Katie Margaret DE LA HARPE, aged 91½ years, d.o. Alexander CAMPBELL and Eleanor Jane McDONALD.
2. Flora Ness HULL, d.o. John and Bessie McDONALD.
3. Janet Eliza LE SUEUR, d.o. John and Bessie McDONALD.
4. Flora McDONALD, d.o. William and Kate McDONALD.
5. Henry Hugh aka Harry WHITE, s.o. Lily and Henry WHITE.
SOURCE: The family of Donald and Eliza McDONALD
Compiled by Mercy Murray. 1967
see also http://196.3.113.64/docs/chelo/pages/distaff_workpad.html
Donald married Elizabeth Fynn on 24 May 1824 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Francis Fynn and Elizabeth Copestick) was born on 15 Sep 1805 in Worcestershire, England; died on 25 Feb 1886 in Penleni, near Queenstown, Eastern, South Africa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1841 - 1906 (64 years)
