Ellen Mary Jane (Brown) Donald (abt. 1848 - 1882)

Born about 1848 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of Colin Dunlop Donald — married 16 Jan 1877 in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Died 20 Aug 1882 at about age 34 in Rhu, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

Helen was born about 1848 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire. She was the daughter of Helen Buchanan and Charles Wilson Brown. Ellen's mother most likely passed away shortly after she was born as her father remarried in 1849. ^[1]

In 1851 Helen is living in the household of her paternal grandparents William Brown and Jane Wilson. at 179 Bath Street in Barony. She is three years old. ^[2] Her grandfather was a successful Merchant in oil and colours (paints).

By 1861 she is living in Rhu, Dumbartonshire. This time in the household of her maternal grandfather Walter Buchanan at Shandon House. ^[3] This grandfather was also a Merchant and an MP for Glasgow. Shandon House, where she was residing, was built in the the Scots Baronial style by eminent architect Charles Wilson.

In 1871 Ellen age 23 is living again with William Brown who is now residing at 358 Sauchiehall Street.

In 1877 Ellen married writer, Colin Dunlop Donald in Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire. The couple had four known children

1. Thomas Walter Donald
2. Colin Dunlop Donald
3. William Francis Maxwell Donald
4. Helen Frances Donald

In the 1881 Census Ellen and Colin and their two young children were again residing at Shandon with her grandfather Walter. Her occupation is listed as writer and wife.^[4]

Ellen died suddenly of a chill on 20 August 1882 shortly after the birth of her daughter. A memorial window to her was placed in St. Michaels`s Church in Helensburgh in 1889. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage: "Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910"
   Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013
   Ancestry uk Record 60144 #1621938 (accessed 18 February 2023)
   Charles Wilson Brown marriage to Annie Rowand on 31 Mar 1849 in Govan, Lanark, Scotland.
2. ↑ 1851 Census: "1851 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Barony; ED: 22B; Page: 14; Line: 6; Roll: CSSCT1851_143; Year: 1851; Household Schedule Number: 46; Roll: CSSCT1851_143
   Ancestry uk Record 1076 #1805630 (accessed 18 February 2023)
   Ellen M I Brown (3) grandaughter (granddaughter) in household of William Brown (58) at 179 Bath St, Barony, Lanarkshire. Born in Glasgow.
3. ↑ 1861 Census: "1861 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Row; ED: 2; Page: 8; Line: 3; Roll: CSSCT1861_68; Registration Number: 503; Household schedule number: 48; Roll: CSSCT1861_68
   Ancestry uk Record 1080 #2546003 (accessed 18 February 2023)
   Ellen M I Brown (13) grandaughter (granddaughter) in household of Walter Buchanan (64) at Shandon House in Row registration district. Born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
4. ↑ 1881 Census: "1881 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Row; ED: 13; Page: 3; Line: 6; Roll: cssct1881_148; Registration Number: 503; Household schedule number: 11
   Ancestry uk Record 1119 #653099 (accessed 18 February 2023)
   Ellen Mary Jane Donald (33) grandaughter (granddaughter), Writer & Wife, in household of Walter Buchanan (81) at 72 East Clyde St Bath Weisy, Helensburgh in Row registration district. Born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire.
5. ↑ https://glasgowmuseumsartdonors.co.uk/2022/08/15/thomas-walter-donald-1878-1970/