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Hugh McDonald

McDonald Origin.The MacDonalds of Sleat descend from Hugh, son of Alexander, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles, hence, patronymic of Clann Uisdein or children of Hugh. The earliest residence connected with the Barony of Sleat repetition of Clan Nisdein was the fortalice of Dunskaich, lying south of Sleat.

Hugh MacDonald I was married three times. He died in 1498 and was succeeded by his son, John, who died in 1502.

Before he was succeeded by his brother, Donald Gallach, whose mother was Elizabeth Gunn, daughter of Crouner of Caithness, hence the appellation "Gallach", a native of Caithness. Donald was murdered by his half brother in 1506.

Donald Gallach had Donald Gruamach and other three sons. Donald Ballach succeeded his father and died in 1534. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Donald Gorm, who was killed in 1539.

Donald Gorm was succeeded by his son, Donald, who was known in history as "Domhnull Gorm Sasumach" on account of his having spent his minority in England. He died in 1585 and was succeeded by Donald Gorm Mor, his son.

Donald Gorm Mor died without issue and was succeeded by Sir Donald MacDonald, first Baronet of Sleat.

Since the extinction of the direct line of the family of the Isles in the middle of the 16th century, MacDonald of Sleat has always been stylized in Gaelic "Mac - Dhomhnuill-nan-Eilean", or MacDonald of the Isles.

HUGH MacDONALD was born in 1762 in Scotland and emigrated to North Carolina along with his parents. I searched to see if he also took flight back to Scotland with his parents, but it appears not. His interesting tale of how he served in the American Army is no doubt the key to why he was not banished.

Hugh MacDonald was listed in The Colonial Records of North Carolina : Hugh McDonald, Private, Dohertys Co., 2 1/2 years, omitted November 1778."

Also, Roster of N. C. Revolutionary War Records: "Hugh McDonald, Roll of Captain Joshua Bowman's Lt. Infantry, N. C. Batt. September 8, 1778."

From the Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. II, page 828-837, a partial journal is recorded, written by young Hugh MacDonald, but the context and grammar is corrected, since Hugh did not have much education. He tells how, when he was fourteen years old his father took him along to the Battle of Moore's Creek, where he was taken prisoner along with the others. But, like most privates who were made prisoners on that occasion, he and his father were set at liberty and sent home. His families political position he clarified : they were tories.

"Notwithstanding this scouring at Moore's Creek and the just condition of our fellow citizens, we remained unhurt, as still, Tories as ever. The expedition took place in the month of February 1778, from which we returned and began to repair our fences for a crop the ensuing summer.

About the first of June, a report was circulated that a company of riders were coming into the settlement; and, as a guilty conscience needs no accuser, everyone thought they were after him. The report was that Colonel Alston had sent out four or five men to cite us on to muster at Henry Eagles on Bear Creek, upon which our poor deluded people took refuge in the swamps.

On a certain day when we were ploughing in the field, news came to my father that the Light Horse were in the settlement and requested that he would conceal himself. He sent to the house of his brother-in-law to give him notice and ordered me to take the horse out of the plough, turn him loose and follow him as best I could. I went to the horse, but never having ploughed any in my life, I was trying how I could plough, when give men on horse appeared at the fence, one of whom, Daniel Buie, knew me and asked me what I was doing here. I answered that my father lived here; and he said, he wasn't aware of that."

"Come, he says, Come go with us to pilot us through the settlement; for we have a boy here with us who has come far enough. He is six miles from home and is tired enough"

" I told Mr. Buie that I dare not go, for if I did, my father would kill me. He then alighted from his horse and walked into the field, ungeared the horse and took him outside the fence. He then put up the fence again; and leading me by the hand, put me on behind one of the company.

We then went to Daniel Shaw's, thence to John Morrisons (the shoe maker); thence to old Hugh McSwan...here I was ordered to go home, but I refused and went with them to the muster at Eagles.

Next day, Colonel Philip Alston appeared at the muster, whose men told him that they had taken a boy to pilot them a little way through the settlement and that they could not get clear of him.

Then, the Colonel personally insisted on my going back to my father; but I told them I would not; for he had told the consequence of my going with them before they took me....

One evening the brigade, being on parade, I felt a great desire for home and thought I saw everything in my father's house before my eyes. I got out of my tent and went away some distance to a fresh-running branch. The water, from falling over a large poplar root, had made a deep hole blow, and getting into the hold I laid my head on the root, which I believe was the sweetest bed I ever laid. The water was so cool to my parched body that I lay there until 10 o'clock next day before they found me, George Dudley, Sgt. Of our company, having crossed within two feet of my head without seeing me.

William Carrol, who was in company with Dudley, discovered me and exclaimed: By G-d, here he is, burned to be an otter. He is under the water!

Dudley, having passed me, turned back, took me out of the water, and carried me to camp. When the doctor came to see me, he said that the water had cooled my fever and that I had recovered, though he had given me out before."

Hugh probably married after the Revolutionary War, in North Carolina. Apparently he was alienated from his family, cooperating with the authorities by providing housing from them (as prisoners), then later being paid for it.

After the war, Hugh made several petitions for land grants, but was rejected in North Carolina. But not in Georgia.

There existed very strong feelings against the Scottish clans in North Carolina in Georgia. The Provincial Congress refused to grant the request for land grants of Edmund MacQueen in N. C., one of the emigrants with the MacDonalds, who came in 1771.

Thus, on March 22, 1785, Hugh McDonald received a bounty grant for his service during the war, being listed by Knight's Roster of the Revolution. He served on the Georgia Line, for which he received land grants in Franklin (1786), Wilkes (1785), two in Wilkes (1786), Effingham Co. (1787), two in Franklin (1787), five in Wilkes (1788), six in Franklin (1788), Franklin (1788, Franklin (1794) and (179&), Elbert (1811) and three in Elbert (1801).

I wondered why he obtained so much acreage in land grants, and being unable to learn anything more, simply conclude that since 40,000 acres were confiscated from the MacDonald tories in Cumberland Co., N. C., of which Hugh was a member, which included his farm, as they refused to reward him in North Carolina and he was virtually penniless after the war, this was some sort of government appeasement.

A Certificate of Elijah Clarke, Lt. Colonel of the American Revolution, issued Warranted No. 639 to Hugh McDonald on 25 January 1785, certifying him to be a soldier of the Georgia Line.

Hugh McDonald was listed in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery, Elbert Co., where he was Justice of the Peace from 1791 to 1801.

6 July 1807, Hugh McDonald was listed in the Elbert County Bounty Warrants, with "five in the family". Also listed was "John McDonald, self and seven in family". From 1829 to 1830 Hugh McDonald was a doorkeeper, Senator, from Elbert Co. He was listed on 1840 Elbert Co. Census.

It appears that Hugh McDonald had brothers, James and John, who also owned land in Elbert Co. John McDonald died in Elbert Co., Ga., in November 1823, naming his wife, Margaret, and their children: Daniel, Angus, John, Laughlin, Roderick, Flora, Margaret, Nancy, and Hugh.

Hugh and Helen McDonald had issue: (five children listed in 1807)

1. Polly McDonald b. ca 1787 m. Allen Chandler 12/19/1807 Franklin Co., Ga.
2. Mary McDonald b. ca 1788 m. Fleming F. Adrine 8/25/1808 Franklin Co., Ga.
3. Alexa McDonald b. ca 1799 Elbert Co., Ga. M. 3/22/1821 Martha P. Hudson, Elbert Co., Ga.
4. Donald McDonald m. 12/8/1831 Elbert Co., Ga. Mary M. Johnston.
5. HUGH McDONALD was born 1800 in Elbert Co., Georgia who m. Mary Ann Loggins, born 1809 S. C., on 8/21/1817 in Franklin Co., where he was Lieutenant in the Georgia Militia from that County. Mary Ann Loggins was a daughter of John Loggins, born in Virginia in 1781, and Mary, born in North Carolina, in 1781. John and Mary Loggins appear on the 1850 Murray Co., Ga. Census as part of this family of Hugh and Mary McDonald.
   
   He was listed on the 1820 Habersham Co., Ga. Census.
   
   In 1827 there is a deed purchase of Hugh McDonald from James Loggins, Sr., involving some land located on the waters of Richland Creek in Hall County, dated 12/20/1830. Hall Co. Deed Book B, page 346.
   
   Also, on 9/20/1830 Hugh McDonald purchases from Elijah Hulsey, 125 acres of land in Hall Co, Deed Book C, page 639.
   
   In 1832, Hugh McDonald, soldier, drew in the land lottery, from Hall Co. On 10/25/1838 Hugh McDonald sold his property in Hall Co. To James Hulsey, and left the district. Hall Co. Deed Book E, page 175.
   
   From there, he moved to Chattaoga Co., Georgia where he is found on the 1840-1850 Census.
   
   Hugh McDonald sold 160 acres of land to William F. Powell, both of Chattooga Co., 12/5/1845. (Chattooga Co. Deed Book B, page 41).

Issue of Hugh and Mary:

  
1. James L. McDonald, b. 1818, d. 1863 m. Lucinda Martin, b. 10/1824, d. 8/7/1851 Georgia m. 1st, 7/9/1843. He m. 2d, 8/21/1852 Maranda Fleming, in Ga. Issue:

   
1. Albert P. McDonald b. 7/31/1844, d. 1863 Ga.    
2. Joanna McDonald b. 6/17/1847.    
3. John H. McDonald b. 6/22/1850 d. 8/29/1862.    
4. Oliver Lafayette McDonald b. 7/30/1853 m. E. C. Wilson, 1/19/1877.

Issue of Oliver Lafayette McDonald:     
1. Willie A. McDonald b. 12/27/1877     
2. Robert L. McDonald b. 3/25/1880     
3. George W. McDonald b. 11/6/1881.

   

William Andrew McDonald 2/24/1855-1/5/1863.    

Mary Jane McDonald 11/10/1856-10/9/1859.    

George Milton McDonald 12/14/1858-9/6/1862.    

Sarah Ann McDonald 8/23/1860-9/30/1862.    

James W. McDonald 4/8/1863-9/2/1929 m. 1/24/1886. Had Franklin Elmer McDonald 10/27/1886-4/20/1930 and Nora McDonald b. 11/26/1888 m. Davis.    

Ohio Griffin McDonald b. 1867-d. 11/26/1888.

  

HUGH OLIVER McDONALD, born 2/7/1830 in Hall Co., Ga., died 1911, served in the Georgia Infantry, Third Battalion, Co. B, Confederate Army, from Murray Co. He appears on the 1850 Murray Co. Census with his parents and brothers and sisters.

He married 1st, Nancy Eldridge 11/11/1851 by Rev. Clayton Quillin. Nancy died 12/13/1876. Hugh married 2d, Permelia Jane Ward 9/15/1877 by P. H. Sullivan. (Bible of Oliver Hugh McDonald). The family settled in Arkansas between 1865 and 1876. Issue of Hugh and Mary McDonald (1st wife):

  
1. James Alexander McDonald b. 9/5/1852 Murray Co., Ga., d. 10/11/1916.   
2. William Harvey McDonald b. 3/7/1855 Murray Co., Ga., d. 12/5/1918.   
3. Margaret I. McDonald b. 1/1860 Murray Co., Ga. Issue of Hugh and Permelia Jane Ward (2d wife):

     
   1. Alice Catherine McDonald b. 10/30/1879 d. 7/14/1940.   
   2. George Wesley McDonald b. 11/8/1882, d. 1/17/1967.   
   3. Cassa E. McDonald b. 1833 Ga.   
   4. Thomas H. McDonald b. 1837 Ga.   
   5. Virgil A. McDonald, b. 1838 Ga.   
   6. Nancy I. McDonald, b. 1843 Ga.   
   7. Martha McDonald, b. 1845 Ga.   
   8. Edwin D. McDonald, b. 1848 Ga.   
   9. Angus McDonald b. 1850 Ga.

   
   
   

   Charles James McDonald

   
   CHARLES JAMES McDONALD was listed on 1820 Jones Co., (later Bibb) Ga. Census. He was a Senator from Georgia 1834 to 1837, and finally, Governor of Georgia 1839 to 1843. in 1830, he was a Member of the General Assembly of Georgia.
   
   He is believed to be descended from a Creek Indian princess and General Lachlin McIntosh. General Lachlin McIntosh was the grand-nephew of John Mohr McIntosh who was authorized by General Oqlethorpe to bring a dan of Highlanders from Inverness,
   
   Scotland, after his estates had been forfeited because of his apparent support of the Stuart Precender to the throne in 1715. 177 Highlanders came to Georgia in 1735, settling around Darien,
   
   McIntosh Co, They named the area "New Inverness", however (it later became known as Darien).
   
   Charles McDonald was one of the first commissioners appointed to the Bibb Countv Academy, chartered 11/24/1827.
   
   

Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland




Sources:

Flora McDonald in History, Article by Dorothy Mackay Qwynn, published in Vol. 18 of the North Carolina Historical Review; The Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. 16; Roster of North Carolina Revolutionary War Soldiers; Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. 8, page 620-622; Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. II, page 828-837; Knights Roster of the Revolution; Wilkes Co., Ga. Deeds; Elbert Co., Ga. Deeds; 1805 Georgia Land Lottery; 1830-1840 Elbert Co., Ga. Census; 1820 Habersham Co., Ga. Census; Hall Co., Ga. Deeds; Chattooga Co. Deeds; Bible of Oliver Hugh McDonald Davis in possession of Zella Worthington, Lewisburg, Kansas.

Wilkes Co., Ga. Deeds :

Book DD, page 92, 5/10/1787 Hugh McDonald deeded to John Webster 950 acres of land on Falling Creek in Wilkes Co.

Book DD, page 159, 10/1/1787 Hugh McDonald and his wife, Helen, deed to Moses Hunt 200 acres of land on Rocky Branch of Coldwater Creek, Wilkes Co.

Book HH, page 114, 7/18/1789 Hugh McDonald and his wife, Helen, deed to John McKenzie of S. C., 340 acres of land on Coldwater Creek and Cedar Creek.

Elbert Co., Ga. Deeds -

Book A, page 95, 12/14/1789, Hugh McDonald and his wife, Helen, of Wilkes Co. Deed to William Little, gunsmith, of Wilkes Co., 250 acres on Falling Creek, bounded on all sides by McDonald's land.

Book A, page 61, 3/23/1790 Hugh McDonald and his wife, Helen, deed to James High Smith, all of Wilkes Co., 100 acres of land on Cedar Creek.

Book A, page 10, 3/2/1791, Hugh McDonald of Elbert Co. Deeded to David Criswell, Esquire of Wilkes Co., for 20 shilings, 350 acres of land on Scull Shoals of a branch on the Broad River in Elbert Co.

Deed Book B, page 31, 8/1/1791, Hugh McDonald and wife, Helen, deed to James Brady of Wilkes Co. 200 acres of land on Falling Creek in Elbert Co., the original grant "being in the name of Allan McDonald".

Deed Book A, p. 102, 12/29/1791, Hugh McDonald and wife, Helen, deed to James Hunt, 300 acres on Coldwater Creek in Elbert Co.

Book A, page 96, 4/5/1792, John Howell of Augusta, granted to James McDonald of Elbert Co. A negro boy, York. Testator: Hugh McDonald.

Book A, page 96, Hugh McDonald deeded to William Ellis a slave, Muncraft.

Book C, page 82, 12/5/1792, Hugh McDonald deeded to Mark Thornton 800 acres of land on the south fork of Coldwater Creek (from land which was originally granted to McDonald in 1788).

Book B, page 35, 2/11/1793, Hugh McDonald and wife, Helen, deeded to John Morris, land on Lightwood Log Creek.

Book B, page 86, 9/30/1793, Hugh McDonald and wife, Helen, deed to Isaac Suttle, 157 acres on Falling Creek.

Book B, page 107, 7/10/1794, James McDonald and wife, Sarah, deed to Robert Skelton 200 acres on Cedar Creek, an original grant of Edward McDonald from 1784.

Book B, page 72, 5/8/1797 Hugh McDonald and wife, Helen, deed to James McCleskey 200 acres on Falling Creek.

On 5 June 1797, Hugh McDonald was granted 1000 acres in Elbert Co., which was "an old warrant."

Hugh McDonald became prominent in local affairs, being a large landowner, and was made Capt. Of the Militia for the 10th District in Elbert Co. (Established 6/21/1791).

The Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. 18, page 200:

"RESOLVED, that Hugh McDonald of the Town of Fayetteville, be allowed the sum of 15 pounds current money in full o f that sum granted him for the use of a house for the purpose of confining certain prisoners during the present session; that the treasurer pay him the same and be allowed." (April, 1781)."

Also, from Vol. 20, page 127:

"Mr. Rhodes presented the petition of Hugh McDonald of Fayetteville, which being read was rejected, 20 November 1787."

Last Will and Testament of Angus Mc Donald

Last Will and Testament of Mary McDonald

Last Will and Testament of Archibald McDonald

Last Will and Testament of Donald McDonald