Monday 4 April 2011

Napier witnesses: Donald Macdonald

Donald Macdonald, a crofter from Grosebay, had me searching from his death backwards in time. He died on 7 September 1886 at the age of 75. He was the widower of Effy, nee Macaulay, and the son of Kenneth Macdonald and Christy (or Chirsty), nee Macleod. He died after suffering from bronchitis for 5 months, and from senile decay for 6 months. His son Donald reported his death to the registrar.

In 1871, we find Don[al]d and his wife Effy in a tenants' house in Harris, enumeration district 12. Also present are his son Neil (26, fisherman), Donald (20, fisherman), Roderick (17, ag labourer), Ann (14, gen servant)  and Murdo (12). Moving forward a decade, we find Donald (aged 70) and his daughter Ann (24), living in a crofter's house in enumeration district 2.

In 1851, there is a Donald Macdonald, tenant at Grosebay (farmer of 4 acres, employing no servants) , with children Keneth (11), Niel (9), Isabella (7), Alexander (5) and Donald (3). We can link the Niel and the Donald to the children he had in 1871.

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