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John McDonald and family

Seeking information regarding the family of John McDonald (b. abt. 1789, Ireland, d. 1861, London, England).

 

John's will lists the following children:

1. John Fletcher McDonald (b. abt. 1809, Dublin, d. 1860, Sydney, Australia)

2. Archibald McDonald (b. ?, d. ?)

3. Anne McDonald (b. ?, m. Richard Cowan 1838, Clontarf, d. before 1861)

4. Richard McDonald (b. abt. 1817, Dublin, d. 1858, Australia)

5. James McDonald (b. abt. 1821, Dublin, d. 1860, London, England)

6. Jane McDonald (b. 1824, Dublin, m. Frederick Wilson, d. 1878, Canada)

7. Elizabeth McDonald (b. 1830, Dublin, m. Joseph Cartwright Rossiter, d. 1909, Australia)

 

The death certificates of the children suggest that John's first wife, Ann Murray, mother of John Fletcher McDonald, died in or after 1809 and John then married Ann Gowan (b. abt. 1790, Ireland, d. 1861 London, England). So far I have not been able to trace the birth, death or marriage of Ann Murray, nor have I managed to locate the marriage of John and Ann Gowan. 

 

I have found St Audoen's COI baptism records for the last three children and confirmation records for Richard and Anne in the Irish Genealogy database, but can't find anything for the first two. As John Fletcher McDonald is my direct ancestor, I would like to locate his baptism record if possible. Based on the baptism records, it seems that the family might have only moved into the area in around 1820 but I'm a bit stumped as to how to trace where they resided prior to this.

 

I have checked various Dublin directories and found a likely candidate in directories dating from 1824, 1832 and 1842:

John McDonald, Trimming manufacturers and warehouses, retail - 10 Wormwood Gate

 

Anne and Richard's confirmation entry in the St Audoen's parish register (1832) gives the family's address as 1 Upper Bridge Street.

 

John, Ann and several of their children emigrated to Australia in 1842.

 

Any additional information on this family would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks and regards,

Kirsten

IrelandXO member

6 replies

Hi Kirsten,

Thank you very much for your message-I hope that someone is able to assist you and help you further your research.

In the meantime, it may be an idea to also contact the Dun Laoghaire Heritage & Genealogy Centre for some assistance. Please note however, that a fee may apply. Here is their email:

cmalone@dlrcoco.ie

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support  

 

IrelandXO member

Kirsten,

I am researchng my step fathers ancestors.  HIs name is Maurice Cowan and he is related to Richard Cowan who married your Anne:

Anne McDonald (b. ?, m. Richard Cowan 1838, Clontarf, d. before 1861)

Here are the details I have on Richard Cowan.  He married Jane Phillips in Australia so he migrated from Ireland sometime between 1837 and 1843.

Let me know if you need some more info.

Have you found out any more about Anne McDonald? (interestingly I had her name as Elener)

IrelandXO member

Hi Pia,

 

Thanks for your message! I don't have any further information about Anne except that she and Richard had a son named Robert McDonald Cowan in 1839 (baptised in Clontarf).

 

Anne's family moved to Sydney, Australia in 1842. Perhaps Richard and Anne decided to join them?

 

Unfortunately I have not managed to locate a death record for Anne in Ireland or Australia.

 

I would appreciate any further information you might have!

 

Regards,

Kirsten

 

IrelandXO member

Kirsten, I posted an image of information I had on Richard Cowan on my first reply but for some reason it did not appear.  I have pasted what I know below.  I also have more information, feel free to email me on cowanhistory@gmail.com.

Pia.

 

Name:    Richard COWAN-5    
Sex:    Male    
Father:    Robert COWAN Senior-92 (1770-1842)    
Mother:    Mary ?-93 (1771-    )    
        
Individual Facts        
Birth    17 Jan 1808 or maybe 1809    Glenkeen, Fermanagh, Ulster
Baptism    17 Jan 1808 (age 0)    
Residence    1821 (about age 13)    House number 6 and 12, Clonkeen, Fermanagh
Residence    1832 (about age 24)    Anne and Richard's confirmation entry in the St Audoen's parish register (1832), 1 Upper Bridge Street
Death    16 Sep 1877 (age 69)    BDM 1440/1877 NSW, Chippendale, (56 Myrtle St), NSW, Australia
Burial    19 Sep 1877 (age 69)    Church of England Cemetery, Newtown, St Stephens, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
Occupation        MERCHANT
        
Marriages/Children        
1. Anne "Elener?" MCDONALD-6 (1819-1861)        
Marriage    1837 (about age 29)    Dublin, Ireland
Children    Robert McDonald COWAN Junior-25 (1840-    )    

2. Jane PHILLIPS-23 (1825-1853)        
Marriage    28 Sep 1843 (age 35)    BDM 3787/1843 V18433787 74B and 1709/1843 V18431709 76 NSW, St Andrew's Scots Church Sydney NSW

3. Frances Eliza "Fanny" DARGIN (formerly Oakes from first marriage)-7 (1832-1902)        
Marriage    6 Dec 1854 (age 46)    168/1854 V1854168 137 and 175/1854 V1854175 41B NSW, St Andrew's Scots Church, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Children    Richard James COWAN-11 (1855-1916)    
    Frances Eliza Dargin COWAN-12 (1857-1891)    
    Elizabeth Howe Dargin COWAN-13 (1858-    )    
    Charles Newton "Kennedy" COWAN-14 (1860-1943)    
    John Kennedy Howe COWAN-10 (1862-1939)    
    Annie Jane COWAN-15 (1864-    )    
    Eliza Kennedy COWAN-16 (    -1867)    
    Thomas Dargin COWAN-17 (1869-1950)    
    Edward COWAN-18 (1872-1873)    
        
Notes        

Birth (17 January 1808 or maybe 1809): Church: FERMANAGH, Births Recorded at CoI Derryvullan North 1803-1839 Part 1

Records have him as being baptised on 17/1/1808

But other records have his birth date as 18/1/1808
Death (16 September 1877): Sydney Morning herald reported his death as 17/9 instead of 16th
General:

Notes (Family #1)

Marriage (1837): From Charles Newton's birth certificate

Notes (Family #3)

Marriage (6 December 1854): Indexing Project (Batch) Number:M31026-4
System Origin:Australia-ODM
GS Film number:993965

                

 

IrelandXO member

Hi Kirsten,

I believe I may have some of your mysteries solved.

John Fletcher McDonald is my 3rd Great Grand Father on my mother's side.

I have attached some newspaper clippings.

The first one ttled "John Fletcher McDonald" is the key to the begining of an interesting life.

I believe he learned the art of the entrepreneur from his father, (John McDonald)

The next, is an article to do with John McDonalds involvement with the church where his children were christened.

If you would like to chat privately. My email is john.dent@optusnet.com.au

John

john.dent@optu…

Hi Kirsten and John.

I am chasing Archibald McDonald whose father was John McDonald as above. Can you help me fill in the gaps please. I'm in Australia.

Charles my 3rd generation grand father arrived with Anne in 1842. Archibald was a solicitor in Dublin, however there is non known records of him and his partner/ wife Marion O'Brien.

Can you please contact me directly at dnpmacca@gmail.com.

Thanks very much Doug McDonald

Doug

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