Angus McDonald (abt. 1847 - abt. 1914)

Born about 1847 in Lochaber, Mainland, Shetland, Scotland

Descendants

Died about 10 Oct 1914 at about age 67 in Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

The McDonald's started in Australia, as assisted immigrants, with the arrival of Benjamin McDonald on the "General Hewitt". With Benjamin were his wife Catherine and their one year old son Angus. They had sailed on the 12th August 1848 direct from Plymouth, England to Sydney.

Benjamin's parents were Hugh McDonald and Jane? When Benjamin sailed from England, his father was dead and his mother was living in Glasgow, Scotland.

Benjamin was a shepherd and then later a boundary rider. He died of a fracture of the pelvis which complications, possibly he fell from a horse. He could read and write. The family were members of the Free Church of Scotland.

During his life Benjamin is noted as being on the Rawdon property near Rylstone and on the Brymair property in the Capertee Valley. He was at Brymair for the birth of his children, Ann (1856) and John (1863)

Many people worked and lived on "Rawdon". The minister came from Bowenfels (near Lithgow) to hold church services at Rawdon. They say that a shed, which used to be the church, still stands at Rawdon.

There is some confusion as to where Angus was born. The Rylstone court death records show Angus as having been born at Rum/Rhum Island, Scotland. Whereas, the marriage records of Angus in the Rylstone Church shows his home-town as Lochaber, Scotland. ^[1]

HEADSTONE RYLSTONE CEMETERY. Angus McDonald Died Oct 10 1914 Age 67 years. Beloved...... Also Betsy Died Dec 12 1917 Age 63 years. Beloved Wife of the Above. Peace Perfect Peace.

Ship's Records. "General Hewitt" sailed from Plymouth 12/8/1848 Date of arrival 13/11/1848 Sailed direct to Sydney. Benjamin McDonald aged 32 years, Shepherd, can read and write. Catherine McDonald aged 25 years Dairymaid can read Angus McDonald aged 1 year. Religion, Free Church of Scotland Health Good Complaints None Family Number 31 on ship's list Relations in Colony. Allan McMaster (cousin) in Gosford.

Benjamin and Catherine were married on 22 Feb 1846 at Kilmalie, Argylshire, Scotland and had 7 children.

Their 1st child Angus, was born in Scotland.

1. Angus born c 1847 in Lochaber or Rum Island.Scotland married Elizabeth (Betsy) Turner in 1873 in Rylstone NSW reg 3826/1873. They had 5 children. Angus died 10 Oct 1914 in Rylstone. NSW reg 18689/1914. Angus McDonald arrived in Australia on 13 November 1848 from Plymouth on the ship General Hewitt. He was a shepherd and boundary rider. He is buried in the same grave as his wife Betsy at Rylstone Cemetery Presbyterian section.

2. Jane birth registered in 1848 registered in 06 Dec 1848 in Capertee. NSW reg V1849419. Jane married Samuel Fenton in 1881 Rylstone NSW reg 4921/1881. They had 3 children. Jane died 1933 in Sutherland. NSW reg 15545/1933.

3. Ewen birth registered in 29 jan 1850 in Glen Alice. NSW reg V1851183 51/1851. He died 06 Aug 1927 in Mudgee. NSW?

4. Charles birth registered in 09 Dec 1852 Glen Alice. NSW reg V1852399 52/1852.

5. Donald birth registered in 16 Oct 1854 in Glen Alice, NSW reg V18541454 52/1854. He married Sarah Ann Evans on 28 Oct 1889 Rylstone. NSW reg 5800/1889. They had 6 children. Donald died on 02 Sep 1935 in Mudgee Hospital NSW reg 13156/1931. Donald McDonald was the 5th child of Benjamine McDonald and Catherine McMaster. He was a farmer, overseer and grazier.

6. Ann birth registered in 17 Dec 1856 in Rylstone. NSW reg 11011/1857. She married John Cameron 07 Jul 1880 in Rylstone. NSW reg 4848/1880. They had 7 children. Ann died 04 Sep 1932 Portland. NSW reg 15899/1932.

7. John birth registered in 08 Mar 1863 Rylstone NSW reg 13321/1863 and died 09 Sep 1946 Rylstone NSW reg 21960/1946.

Sources

1. ↑ McDonald, Benjamin (1817-1885)