| Notes |
- 2. Edward2 McDonald (Thomas1) was born about 1747 in Newfoundland and died 12 Oct 1832 in D'Escousse, Richmond Co., NS (Source: St. Hyacinth Baptisms-Marriages-Burials 1832-1839). He married Marguerite-Gervaise Josse about 1771 in Gabarus, NS (Source: Marriage Revalidation by Fr. Bailly, 1771), daughter of Francois Josse and Marie Dardy. She was born about 1752, and died 26 Dec 1836 in D'Escousse, (Source: St. Hyacinth Baptisms-Marriages-Burials 1832-1839).
Along with his father, Edward was listed as living on untitled land at Gabarus in 1768. Also listed was his father-in-law Francois Josse. Edward was still there in 1771 when missionary Fr. Bailly visited September 16 and revalidated the marriage of "Edmond Mcgdonel", born in Newfoundland, son of Thomas Mcgdonel and Marie Hell. On April 24, 1990 Stephen A. White of the Centre D'Etudes Acadiennes at the Universite de Moncton, New Brunswick wrote...
?I still find it very tempting to jump to the conclusion that the wife of Thomas McDonald, the first ancestor we have traced, was really Marie Hill (baptized about 1727). There is one problem with this, however. If Marie Hill were indeed Edward McDonald's mother, then Edward and Marguerite-Gervaise Josse would have been second cousins once removed, and would have required a dispensation to marry, which Father Bailly should have duly recorded. Of course, much depends upon what information the good missionary was given. If no one mentioned to him that Marie Hill was a first cousin of Marguerite-Gervaise's grandmother, Marguerite Dufaux, one cannot expect that he would give the young couple the appropriate release from the impediment. It is quite possible that Edward McDonald, coming from Newfoundland, would not have known of the relationship between himself and his Cape Breton bride. Hopefully further research will clarify this point, but I must confess that I am running out of new sources of information, so a definite resolution of the problem may never appear.
On 12 Aug 1790 the Government of Cape Breton granted to Edward McDonald by letters patent, Lot No. 1 at D'Escousse which contained 21 8/10 acres. On 17 Nov 1826 Edward, yeoman, of D'Escousse, and his wife, listed as Margaret, sold their land between D'Escousse and Rocky Bay to William Britton of Arichat for 50 pounds. (Richmond Co. Deeds C:393). Edward and Gervaise sold the remainder of their land to grandsons Peter McDonald and Valentine McDonald, Jr. on 15 Dec 1830 for nine pounds (Richmond Co. Deeds D:260). This land was the northerly portion of the crown grant. A later map of the area shows Edward owning 250 acres (Lot CB148, now known as McDonald's Hill).
Edward is listed in the 1811 census as a mariner. In the household were two people over the age of 60, presumably Edward and Gervaise. Also listed were two unmarried males and two unmarried females over age 14. Edward McDonald had eight cattle, seven sheep, no horses and no vessels. The only other McDonald listed in D'Escousse in 1811 was his son Valentin.
In 1813 Edward, his sons and sons-in-law were listed in the Cape Breton militia roll as members of the Seventh Military Division. Edward is listed as age 65 years, a fisherman, born in Newfoundland, and a resident of D'Escousse. He owned 160 acres of land which he received by grant from the government, had one ox, six other horned cattle, and six sheep. Five of his acres were cleared. Also in the household was one woman, undoubtedly his wife Gervaise. His sons Francis, 24, and Edward, 20, were also listed.
The parish register of St. Hyacinthe, D'Escousse, records the following:
Le treize Octobre. Dix huit et trente-deux, nous pretre missionaire d'Arichat sousigne avons inhume Edouard McDonald age quatre vingt deux ans.......decede hier. Present, Jean Josse et Joseph Landry. [C. A. Lairez, Pretre]
Edward McDonald's will was written two days before his death, but was not probated until 20 Dec. 1845 (Richmond County Probate, no. A44). It reads:
In the Name of God Amen. I Edward McDaniel of Descousse in the County of Cape Breton and Province of Nova Scotia yeoman, being of sound and disposing mind and memory tho' weak in Body, blessed be Almighty God for the same, have thought proper to make the disposition following. I resign my Soul into the hands of my Creator in hopes of His mercy. My Body at the discretion of my Executors I desire shall be decently interred with Christian rites. And as to all the worldly Substance with which it has pleased Almighty God to bless me, I devise and bequeath.
Firstly To Peter Sampson my Son in Law, and to His Heirs and Assigns for ever, a certain tract of Land, along the eastern side line of my Lot at Descousse which I hold by Grant from the Crown, to begin at five chains, from the Southeastern corner boundary and run to the rear, and Two chains in width.
Secondly To my Grand Son Francis McDaniel, the Son of Edward McDaniel Junior and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever, a certain tract of my aforesd Lot of Land to begin at the distance of one chain west from the Northwestern corner of Peter Sampsons tract, to run to the rear and to be Six chains in width.
Thirdly To my Grand Son Edward Burk, the Son of my Son in Law William Burk, and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever, a tract along the west side line of that of my Grand Son Francis McDaniel to the rear and to be Two Chains in width.
Fourthly. To my Son Valentine McDaniel a Tract to himself and his Heirs and Assigns for ever, along the western side line of that of my Grand Son Edward Burk to run to the rear and be Three Chains in width.
Fifthly To William Young of Halifax Esquire all that certain tract of my Lot of Land beginning to the Northeastern corner boundary to run along the Eastern side line five chains, thence west at right Angles Eight chains more of less to the Shore, thence along shore to the said Northeastern corner boundary; together with all the Houses and Improvements on the said tract of Land. To Have ad hold the same with the appurtenances to the said William Young his Heirs and Assigns for ever.
And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Lawrence O. Doyle Esquire of Arichat in the County of Cape Breton to be the Executor of this my last will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have herewith my Hand and Seal subscribed and set this Tenth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty-two.
Signed, Sealed published and Declared by the said Edward McDaniel as and for his last will before us who have subscribed our names hereto as witnesses in the presented of the said Edward McDaniel and of each other.
Edward X McDaniel
his mark
Marguerite-Gervaise Josse McDonald survived her husband by four years. They were presumably buried in the old cemetery behind the Glebe House in D?Escousse although no sign of their graves remain.
Children of Edward McDonald and Marguerite-Gervaise Josse:
4.
i.
Valentin3 McDonald b. abt. 1775 in Gabarus, Cape Breton Co., NS
5.
ii.
Ludivine McDonald
b. abt. 1776 in Gabarus, Cape Breton Co., NS; m. William Burke
iii.
Francis McDonald
b. abt. 1788 in Cape Breton, NS; died aft. 1813; listed as aged 24 years in the 1813 militia roll taken at D'Escousse. He was unmarried and was a fisherman; no further record
6.
iv.
Edward McDonald
b. abt. 1793 in Gabarus, Cape Breton Co., NS
7.
v.
Isabelle [Elizabeth] McDonald
b. abt. 1792 probably in D'Escousse; m. Pierre [dit Rene] Samson
vi.
Daughter [?] McDonald
b. bef. 1797 probably in D'Escousse; d. aft. 1811; listed in 1811 census as unmarried over age 14, but not with parents in 1813; may be an unmarried relative and not necessarily a daughter
|
Abt 1747 - 1832 (85 years)