Roderick (MacDonald) McDonald (abt. 1824 - 1886)

Born about 31 Mar 1824 in Dingwall, Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Margaret (McKenzie) McDonald — married 1857 in Nelson, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 11 Feb 1886 at about age 61 in Kaikoura, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Biography

Immigration Roderick immigrated to New Zealand in 1853 sailing on the Maori. Departed London arriving Nelson 8th June 1853 after a 93 day voyage. ^[1] MCDONALD Roderick single 30 Shepherd^[2]

Married Nelson 1857

Died Kaikoura, Marlborough 11 Feb 1886 according to probate documents ^[3]

Buried Kaikoura Cemetery^[4]

m. 1857 in New Zealand to Margaret McKenzie (born Strath Conan, Ross-shire, Scotland). NZBDM registration 1857/10. In 1867 moved to Kaikoura to farm. Three daughters - Mrs Angus Kennedy (Kaikoura), Miss McDonald (Kaikoura), Mrs Jameson (North Island); two sons Alexander McDonald (Kaikoura) and Duncan McDonald (North Island)

Sources

1. ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18530611.2.4 Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 588, 11 June 1853, Page 62
2. ↑ http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/maori1855.htm
3. ↑ https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE69044493
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150804524/roderick-macdonald : accessed 02 November 2021), memorial page for Roderick Macdonald (unknown–11 Feb 1886), Find a Grave Memorial ID 150804524, citing Kaikoura Public Cemetery, Kaikōura, Kaikoura District, Canterbury, New Zealand ; Maintained by MystikNZ (contributor 48009964) .

• Marriage 1857/10 NZBDM
• Death 1886/1549 NZBDM
• Obituary in The Kaikoura Star, July 1, 1918

Roderick McDonald is also referred to as Roderick MacDonald

From “The Awatere: A District and its People” by AL Kennington 1978, reprint 2007, Cadsonbury Publications © Marlborough District Council. ISBN 1-877346-47-9. Roderick MacDonald is referenced to pages 67, 84, 119. P69 “Runs between the Medway and Hodder Rivers William Sutherland McRae, eldest son of George McRae, of Blairich, was born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland in 1825… In 1850, he selected 17,000 acres between the Jordan River and Isis Streams, as his own runs. This he named Braes of Scotland and employed a Highland shepherd named Roderick MacDonald to work it for him. MacDonald’s cob dwelling became a regular overnight stopover place for travellers. In time it became know as the Jordan Accommodation House, a title which later was transferred to the licensed establishment a mile lower down the valley. MacDonald’s house occupied a picturesque position on a small sheltered terrace on the south side of the Jordan stream, where it meets the Awatere, with a spring of clear water at his back door. Today its moulded down remains are marked by a patch of periwinkle.” P84 “Upcot occupies a central position in the Upper Awatere Valley, and its homesteads, both old Upcot and the later homestead on the present site, have always been favourite stopping places for travellers. One early traveller, was (Sir) David Monro, who with W.H.Dansey (as in Dansey’s Pass) while travelling overland from Nelson to Christchurch in 1855, stayed at Upcot. We take up his diary as they left Roderick MacDonald’s at the Jordan River.(NB: book mentions that the diary is still preserved but doesn’t say where). P119 contains a note saying MacDonald operated first semi-public house in Awatere but that very little information was recorded about it.

https://www.nzbotanicalsociety.org.nz/newsletter/NZBotSoc-2005-80.pdf pages 17-19 contain a detailed biography of Roderick MacDonald and his contributions to 1850s New Zealand botanical collections. The references for this article include biographical details of Roderick McDonald's life.