Brief Profile

Mary McDonald was born on the Black lsle, Ross-shire, only daughter of  Donald McDonald (c1756–1789) and Margaret Stewart (c1758–1815.) She worked all her life as a farm servant, died a pauper in Fearn in Easter Ross aged 78.

Invitation

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Timeline

1851 – Census records Mary in the household of her nephew Donald Ross, shoemaker, Balmuchy, Fearn, Ross-shire, describing her as ‘formerly dairymaid, Fearn’.

1861 – This census records her in the same family ‘Mary McDonald aunt. 75 domestic serv. Resolis’

Obituary

Mary McDonald was born on the Black lsle, worked all her life as a farm servant, died a pauper in Fearn in Easter Ross at the advanced age of 78. She revered her parents, Donald McDonald (c1756–1789) and Margaret Stewart (c1758–1815).

Mary’s father Donald had died when she was 2 years of age; her mother when she was in her 20’s. At a time when most people were buried without any memorial, she determined that they would have one. From her meagre earnings as a dairy maid and farm servant in the Resolis area she managed to save enough for a respectable tablestone in their honour in the Kirkmichael cemetery, albeit in a less favoured spot, the best lairs being the preserve of the gentry. It must have been a proud moment for her when she saw her wording on the tablestone in place for the first time.

“Placed by Mary Mcdonald / in Memory of her parents / Donald Mcdonald who died / August 13th, 1789 Aged 33 years / Also his Spouse Margret / Stewart who died November / 23rd 1815 Aged 57 years.”

Postscript

Those interested in researching Mary McDonald further could usefully investigate the Kirk Session and statutory parochial relief records for the parish of Fearn, held in the Highland Archives in Inverness.

In the Kirkmichael Trust website https://www.google.co.uk/ under the title ‘Shattered – Mary McDonald’s Ruined Memorial’ there is a narrative of the fascinating story of the tablestone Mary erected in memory of her mother and father. The website has a wealth of meticulously researched material about the graveyard.