THE DONALD FAMILY
(1) Francis DONALD named as the eldest son in his fathers will. Probably the same Francis Donald who served in the Revolution as a private in the 1st Battallion, 6th Co., Cumberland Co., PA. He was also recorded as an elder of the Big Spring Congregation Church, originally called Hopewell.
(2) James DONALD was probably the James who served during the Revolution in the 8th Battallion, Cumberland Co., PA. He married by 1801 to Jean -----.
(3) William DONALD was born Apr 1753 Cumberland Co., PA. He served as a 2nd Sgt., 1st Battallion, 8th Co., York Co., PA. (see pension application that follows) An elder of Big Spring Congregation Church. He was married twice but the names of his wives are unknown. He died 30 Mar 1842 at the residence of his son James in Franklin Twp., Westmoreland Co., PA at the age of 90 years.
Transcribed by C. Wheatley from photocopy of the original pension application obtained from the National Archives
On this thirteenth day of May AD. 1833 personally appeared in open court before the honorable John Young Esquire and his associate judges of court of common pleas in and for the county and state aforesaid William Donald a resident of Franklin Township in the county and state aforesaid aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit act of congress passed jun 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers and served as hereafter stated-
In the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and about the forth of may of said year this declarant enlisted when in York County Pennsylvania for the period of one year in a company commanded by Captain Joshua Williams, First Lieutenant James Dill, Second Lieutenant William Dodds, and Francis Boner Ensign and attached to a regiment of Pennsylvania line under the command of Colonel Swops. In the said company this declarant was appointed second sergeant from the day he had enlisted in the same.
This declarant was marched with the company from York County direct to Amboy in New Jersey thence to the north river above New York. There he assisted in building Fort Lee and at which time General James Ewing commanded our brigade, but the whole appeared to be under the command of his excellency General Washington. When at the said fort this declarant was frequently with many others obliged to haul the cannon from one place to another with a view to fire on the british ships when crossing over the Cheraux-de Frise fixed in the river opposite the fort. From Fort Lee the declarant was sent in a detachment under the command of Major Clark up the north river to a place called the slough between Fort Lee and Fort Montgomery there to watch three british ships that lay in the river. Three shallops were sent from Fort Montgomery for flour that was under our care at the slough. The flour was stored on board ship, and they had made no sail until were surprised by twenty one small boats and a row galley coming from the british vessels lying not far distance from the shore. The shallops with the flour tacked about and returned to our protection, when we retired behind a breast work of stone near this shore and succeeded in preventing the landing of the british as well as saved the flour. We sent the flour that we saved by land in wagons to Fort Montgomery. In this skirmish we had but one of our men killed and killed of the british twenty-two. About the time of this occurence, Colonel Swope was sent with an reinforcement from Fort Lee to Fort Washington where he and those of the fort were made prisoners. When our troops were driven from Fort Lee, orders were transmitted from General Washington to Major Clark commanding us to join our respective companies which we did not effect until after our troops had crossed the river at trenton and made a stand in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The british having always intercepted us from the main army until our juncture in bucks county.This declarant then with the main army recrossed the Delaware River when a plan was devised by General Washington to take Trenton then occupied by the hessians. This declarant thinks that the battle commenced sometime after twelve o'clock on the morning of the twenty sixth of december in the year 1776. We were in sight of Trenton on the morning of the twenty fifth when our arrangements were made and we were divided into two parties. The party that entered above the town was commanded by General Washington and the party that entered at the lower part of the town by general ewing.
This declarant thinks it was about nine or ten o'clock when the hessians surrendered about nine hundred in number. This declarant relates as a fact of history that after the battle was over and when our men or some of them were standing in ranks under arms one unfortunate fell asleep when resting on his gun which accidently went off and shot him through the head, which when discovered by his excellency General Washington occasioned him to shed tears. We were driven from Trenton by the british and encamped below the town some distance. Then proceeded towards Princeton under the command of General Washington on the night of the second day of january 1777 and commenced our attack against Princeton on the next morning before the third day of January, when but a short time after day light the british surrendered. On the same day the british at Trenton, learning our success at Princeton pursued us driving us from Princeton, the deep snow and inclemency of the season caused them to give up the chase. They went to Brunswick and we wonded our way to dry headquarters at Morristown which they really enjoyed being at the time of their arrival nearly naked and famished. After a stay of about two weeks at Morristown this declarant was marched with his company to Rocky Ridge on the American lines between Morristown and Princeton where they were stationed and employed in scouting and guarding prisoners and delivering them over to General Putman. We continued at rocky ridge until sometime in March or April 1777 when our captain was received into the standing army as a captain and our number being diminished to five, our Lieutenant Dodds went to Morristown where he received from General Washington a general discharge for us all. This declarant believes said discharge was in writing but never saw it that he remembers.
This declarants home was in Cumberland County and before his return from the said tour when in York County he joined a company under the command of Captain Black who appointed him first sergeant in the same. It was in the last of April or first of May 1777 when this declarant volunteered in Blacks company of militia which was for two months. We were marched to Jersey and stationed near Princeton on the American lines where we remained the two months then were dismissed and marched back to york county which was sometime in the last of jun 1777.
This declarant was drafted in the summer of 1778 in a company of militia under the command of Captain Atkins in York County, Pennsylvania for two months. Colonel Albright commanded the whole. We were marched to the frontier to guard the inhabitants against the savagery of the indians. We were stationed at the lead mine fort near the Blad Eagle Ridge. After the expiration of this tour service we were dismissed and returned to our respective homes. In this company he was a second sergeant. This declarant again was drafted in the summer of 1780 about the middle of August in a company of militia commanded by Captain Young in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania for two months. We were marched to the frontier between the standing stone and Frankstown at Fort Anderson. This declarant was sent out in a scouting party near the Allegheny mountains and was wounded by one of our own men above my left knee when in pursuit of the Indians, was taken back to the Fort, being unfit for duty and left there till the return of our company from the station at Frankstown when this declarant was dismissed which was sometime in October 1780. This declarant was appointed in Capt. Youngs company second sergeant and acted as such. This declarant was taken by his brother on horseback from Fort Anderson to his home in Cumberland County.
This declarant claims a pension for eighteen months service to wit, one year under Capt. Williams, two months under Black, two months under Atkins, and two months under Young, making in all one year and six months. This declarant avows all the facts as before stated to be true and that he has no documentary evidence to establish them and knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
This declarant lived about six months time in Washington Township where he communed in the Reverend Mr. Dicks congregation, but now lives in Franklin township where the clergymen of said township are not so intimately acquainted with the reputation he had always borne as a soldier of the revolution, as the clergymen of Washington or North Huntington where he heretofore lived some time. He states this as a reason for not having same attached to the certificate that will follow. His old pastor Mr. Dicks could not attend court. He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state but received as a gratuity from the state of pennsylvania about forty dollars annually.
Interrogation
1st. Where and what year were you born?
In Cumberland County, Penn. In April in the year 1753
2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
None but a copy of that as left by my father which I have with me.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived
Since the revolutionary war and where do you live now?
In York County and Cumberland County Penn. Lived there since and lived In Westmoreland County Penn. thirty years past.
4. How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer
Or were you a substitute, and if so, for whom?
Answer. The answer to this question is imbodied in the foregoing declaration.
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with troops
Where you served such continental and militia regiments as you can Recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
The answer to this question is also imbodied in the foregoing declaration. Lieutenant Colonel Steveson is the name of an officer he well recollects.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
I never received a written one that I recollect.
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for accuracy and good behavior in your service as a soldier of the revolution.
Squire Irvin, James Murray, Humphrey Fullerton and the Reverend Minges Dick, Reverend Francis Laird.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
Signed second sergeant William Donald
Attest: Randal McLaughlin
We Hugh Torrance living in Franklin Township Westmoreland County and Humphrey Fullerton living in North Huntington township of same county and state of Pennsylvania hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Donald who has subscribed as sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he reside to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we concur in this opinion.
Signed Hugh Torrance
Signed Humphrey Fullerton
And the said court do hereby declare there opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatoned prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the court further certified that is appears to them that Hugh Torrance who had sworn to and signed the preceding certificate is a resident in Township of Franklin and County of Westmoreland in the State of Pennsylvania and that Humphrey Fullerton who had also signed the same is a resident in North Huntington Township in the county and state aforesaid, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to full credit. And further that the readons (?) As stated in the foregoing declaration.
(4) Thomas DONALD served in the Revolution from Cumberland Co., PA in the 1st Battallion, 2nd Co.
(5) Elizabeth DONALD named as the youngest daughter in her fathers will.
(1) James DONALD born 1773. His wife was named Mary and they resided in Muddy Creek Twp., Butler Co., PA in 1850. They had two children.
(2) Mary DONALD born 1782, died 1853. She married to William HANNA (1780-1830), son of James Hanna and Anne Campbell. They moved to Ohio by 1805 and resided in Green Twp., Harrison Co., OH. They had fourteen children.
(3) Moses DONALD was born 25 Apr 1782 in Westmoreland Co., PA. He married before 1812 to Rachel ---- (1791-1874). They moved to Vinton, Benton Co., IA where Moses died 6 Jun 1867 and Rachel died 18 May 1874. They were the parents of eight children.
(4) William DONALD was born 1784/5. He married about 1809 peobably in Westmoreland Co., PA to Elizabeth NICHOLSON (1793-1866). They moved to Holmes Co., OH by 1840.
(5) David DONALD was born 1802 in PA. He married to Mary Ann CLARK by 1828. He was a miller by trade. David died 16 Jun 1870 in Loudonville, Ashland Co., OH. They had six children.
(6) Female DONALD referred to as a half-sister of Mary Donald. She married Samuel HANNA, the brother of William Hanna who m. Mary Donald.
(1) Lewis DONALD was born 23 Jan 1810 Westmoreland Co., PA. He died 3 Jan 1867 and is buried in Millersburg, Holmes Co., OH. He married to Mary Elizabeth HANNA (1810-1891 who is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Holmes Co., OH.
(2) Rachel DONALD was born about 1813 in PA. She resided with her brother Andrew Donald in 1870 and was unmarried.
(3) Sarah A. DONALD was born 10 Feb 1815 in Westmoreland Co., PA. She married 22 Aug 1844 Holmes Co., OH to Daniel HARPER (1795-1857). Sarah died 2 Feb 1887 Wayne Co., IA and is buried in the Shriver Cem., Jackson Twp., Wayne Co., IA.
(4) James DONALD was born 22 Mar 1818 Westmoreland Co., PA. He married 8 Sep 1842 Holmes Co., OH to Mariah OTIS (1821-), the daughter of John and Mary Otis. James died 12 Apr 1904 in Vanburen Co., IA.
(5) Elizabeth DONALD was born 6 Mar 1824 Holmes Co., OH. She married 6 Apr 1855 Holmes Co. to John Connor PARSONS (1835-1874), the son of Isaac and Rachel Parsons. Elizabeth died 10 Apr 1874 Wayne Co., IA.
(6) William M. DONALD was born 25 May 1825 Westmoreland Co., PA. He moved to Holmes Co., OH by 1840 and married 2 Sept 1852 to Elizabeth BEVINGTON (1835-1909), the daughter of Thomas Bevington and Elizabeth Scott. He was a corporal during the Civil War serving in Co. F of the 38th Regiment of the U.S. Infantry. They moved to Wayne Co., IA by 1900. William died there 5 Jul 1905 and Elizabeth also died there 7 May 1909.
(7) Marjorie DONALD was born 1828 in Westmoreland Co., PA. She married 24 Sep 1846 Holmes Co., OH to Amos PARSONS (1822-1889) the son of Isaac and Rachel Parsons. Marjorie died 1903 in Ohio.
(8) Andrew Nicholson DONALD was born 4 Apr 1830 in Pa. He was a twin. He purchased land in Davis Co., IA with his twin brother Henry in 1864. They purchased additional land in 1869 in Appanoose Co., IA. He married 30 Aug 1864 in Van Buren Co., IA to Frances E. SMITH (1845-1908) the daughter of Asa and Emeline Smith. They resided in Marshall Co., KS by 1880 where Andrew died 4 Jul 1902 at Marysville. His widow also died there 7 Apr 1908.
(9) Henry DONALD was born 4 Apr 1830, the twin of Andrew above. He married 4 Jan 1861 to Rachel BUTLER (1828-1906) the daughter of John and Catherine Butler. They resided in Davis Co., IA where Henry died 26 Nov 1872 in West Grove.
(10) Barbara Ann DONALD was born 1 Apr 1832 in PA. She married 16 Mar 1852 Holmes Co., OH to Henry Bates GRAY (1827-1911) the son of Elijah Gray and Sarah Bates. Barbara died 24 Dec 1864 and her husband married next to Rachel TARRH.
(11) Daniel Delano DONALD was born 30 Apr 1836 in Westmoreland Co., PA. He married 23 Nov 1865 to Catherine GRABER (1836-1913). Daniel died 16 Jun 1899 in Van Buren Co., IA.
(12) Mary DONALD married to William HANNA and William COLLINS.
(13) Female DONALD died young.
(1) Grace E. DONALD born Sep 1865 Davis Co., IA. She was unmarried and later resided in San Diego, CA.
(2) Irvin John DONALD was born Jun 1867 in Davis Co., IA. He was unmarried.
(3) William Asa DONALD was born 15 Jun 1870 in Moulton, Davis Co., IA. He married to Della Hazelton MERRILL (1877-1913). He reportedly divorced Della or deserted the family abut 1916. He moved to San Diego, CA by 1920 where he was a realtor. He died there 24 Jul 1929 and is buried in the Greenwood Memorial Cemetery. He married next to Susan Elizabeth McKinzie (1869-1958), the daughter of James McKinzie and Elizabeth Drake. She is also buried in San Diego, CA.
(4) Elise M. "Bessie" DONALD was born Sep 1872 in Appanoose Co., IA. She married about 1899 to Walter TALBOT. They resided in Marysville, Marshall Co., KS.
(5) Daisy Agnes DONALD was born 1874 Appanoose Co., IA. She married about 1900 to John SCHMIDT.
(6) Florence Mary DONALD was born Nov 1876 in Appanoose Co., IA. She married to Tuck WILLIAMS and resided in San Diego, CA. They had no children.
(7) Henry Albert DONALD was born Nov 1878 in Marshall Co., KS. He married to Matilda "Tillie" MULLENS.
(8) Roy Clarence DONALD was born Dec 1880 Marshall Co., KS. He was unmarried.
(9) Edna Gladys DONALD was born Dec 1884 in Marshall Co., KS and married to Charles Mel CONNOLLY.
(10) Mable Vera DONALD was born Aug 1887 Marshall Co., KS and married to Walter RICKERT.
(1) Roy Irvin Donald born 14 Jun 1902 Barnes, Washington Co., KS. He resided in Chicago in 1929 and died 1 Feb 1937 at Gary, IN. His death certificate gives the cause of death as "suicide, revolver wound to the head" although the family maintains he was killed by the mafia. He was unmarried and is buried in the Judy Cemetery, Garnett, Anderson Co., KS.
(2) Muriel Edna Donald was born 8 Jul 1903 Marysville, Marshall Co., KS. She married 22 Nov 1921 Iola, Allen Co., KS to Bill FENTON who died in 1950 in Pasco, WA and next to Orton Larson who died 1956 in Portland, OR.
(3) Florence May Donald was born 12 Nov 1904 Devon, Bourbon Co., KS. She died 1997 Richmond, Franklin Co., KS. She married 1 May 1922 Ottawa, Franklin Co., KS to Silas Clarence CASE (1900-1953) the son of William Case and Mary Jane Waddle.
Wheatley, Cheska, The Donald Family...Descendants of Moses Donald, Privately Published, 1985.
Let me know if you are descended from this family and would like your e-mail address linked to this page so other researchers might contact you.
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