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Angus McDonald (2nd) was
born at Glengarry, near Winchester, Virginia, the 30th day of Dec.,
1769, being the third child of Angus McDonald and Anna (Thompson), his
wife.
He grew up in that
neighborhood and lived on his farm, though he seems to have had a
diversity of interests. On the 11th of Jan., 1798, he was married to
Mary McGuire,
[Mary McGuire's father.
Edward, was a son of Constantino McGuire and Julia McEllenget (his
wife), of County Kerry, Ireland. On his way to Austria in 1701, to join
the staff of his relative, General McGuire, he was ship-wrecked off the
coast of Portugal and there. stricken with yellow fever. After his
recovery he returned to Ireland, sold his patrimony and invested it in
wines, which he brought to Philadelphia and sold.
He went first to
Alexandria, where he stayed only a short time and from there to
Winchester in 1753. He was a man of considerable learning, and it is
said that he always conversed with his friend, Bishop Carroll, of
Maryland, in the Latin language. He was a Roman Catholic and gave the
ground, besides contributing largely to the building of the old Catholic
Church in Winchester.
His first wife was Miss
Wheeler, of Maryland. They had two daughters, Nancy and Betsey, and
three sons, John, William and Edward. John moved to Kentucky. William
was pay-master at the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry for some time. He had
two sons. John and David, both of whom were clergymen. His only
daughter, Emily, married John Evelyn Page of Clarke County. Virginia.
The third son, Edward,
named for his father, married Betsey Holmes and they had seven children.
Rebecca, who married Dr. Mackay. Millicent (named for his step-mother),
who married Alex Tidball of Winchester. Hugh Holmes, Edward, William,
David and John.
Edward (son of
Constantine) married the second time, Milicent D'Obee. the daughter of a
French architect. He (Edward) had gone back to his home in Ireland on a
visit to his relatives, and among the passengers he met on board ship
returning to America, were Samuel D'Obee and his young daughter.
Millicent. D'Obee had been sent over to Virginia. through the
instrurnentalitv of Jefferson. to supervise the building of the State
House at Richmond. which was modelled after the Capitol of Scamozzi, and
the little marble model is still preserved at the State House.
The. acquaintance begun
on the passage to America resulted finally in the marriage of Edward and
Millicent and the children of this marriage were Samuel. who married
Miss Woodrow. Susan. who married William Naylor, and Mary, who married
Angus McDonald (2nd).
Edward died in 1806 and
Is buried under the church which he built.]
a daughter of Edward
McGuire and Millicent D'Obee (his wife) . They had three children,
Angus, named for his grand-father, Angus McDonald, and his uncle,
William McGuire; one daughter, Millicent, named for her grandmother, and
Edward Charles, named for the unfortunate "Prince Charlie."
He lost his wife in
March, 1809, and she was buried beside her father, Edward McGuire, in
the old Catholic Churchyard in Winchester. She had also been baptized in
this Church.
When war with England was
again declared, true to his inherent soldierly instincts, Angus at once
offered his services in his country's defense and received a commission
from President Madison as Captain in the regular army, a copy of which
follows:
"The President of the
United States of America.
To all who shall see
these presents, greeting!
Know ye, that reposing
special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and
abilities of Angus McDonald, I have nominated and by and with the
consent of the Senate, do appoint him a Captain in the Twelfth Regiment
of Infantry, in the service of the United States, to rank as such from
the 24th day of June, 1814.
He is therefore,
carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of Captain, by doing
and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And I do
strictly require and charge all officers and soldiers under his command
to be obedient to his orders as Captain. And he is to observe and follow
such orders and. directions from time to time, as he shall receive from
me or the future President of the United States of America, or the
General, or other superior officers set over him, according to the rules
or discipline of war.
This commission to
continue in force during the Pleasure of the President of the United
States, for the time being.
Given under my hand at
the City of Washington, this 1st day of February, in the year of our
Lord 1814, and in the thirty-ninth year of the Independence of the
United States.
By the President,
JAMES MADISON.
JAMES MONROE, Secretary of War.
His term of service was
short, however, as he died after a very long and trying march, at
Batavia, New York, on October 14th, 1814, holding the rank of Major. His
sword, sash and other belongings, with his last messages, were sent to
his family by his brother-officer and friend, Col. John Strother, and
for this loving service he was ever held in the highest esteem and
affection by Major McDonald's family.
His three little children
had been taken by his mother at the death of his wife in 1809, and
continued to live with her at Glengarry during their childhood. |
