Cyrena M. McDonald

An Account Of The Allied Family of Cyrena M. McDonald
Of

Clan Donald

Cyrena M. McDonald, born February 16, 1821, was the third great grandmother of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr. on his maternal side of the YOUNG family of Ware and Clinch county, Georgia. She was the daughter of Randall McDonald (son of Donald), born April 24, 1797 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland,(Died December 21, 1864, Ware co., GA.), and Catherine Miller, born December 16, 1799 in Screven co., GA.(Died July 14, 1877, Ware co., GA.) Cyrena M. McDonald married James Inman ,(b. December 10.1814 ),in which issued thirteen children. One of these, James Hershell Inman,(b.12 Nov 1850 in Ware co., GA.), married Isabella Knowels,(b. about 1862), and of this marriage was issue of eight children. One of these, Margaret Cyrena Inman,(b. Jul 1875 in Ware co., GA.), married Augustus Otis Register, (b. 20 Nov 1873 in Clinch co., GA.), and to them were born Mary Belle Register, (b. 2 Oct 1900 in Clinch co., GA.). Mary Belle Register married Peter Lester Young,(b. 5 Jan 1894 in Ware co., GA.), who was the father of Merle Anita Young, mother of Elwood R. Coleman, Jr.

NOTES:
NAME: Also spelled Serina
CENSUS: 1860 Census, Ware county, Georgia. 39 year old female, member of household of James Inman.
1. Ware County, August 17, 1852
Page 267: James Inman to Donald J. McDonald, both of Ware County, 8th District, Lot # 75, for $50. Signed by: James Inman. Witnessed by: D.E. Knoles and John F. Sweat, J.I.C. Rec. 2/25/1876.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 172)
2. Note: James Inman, grantor, 1814-1897. His first wife Cyrene McDonald was a sister of the grantee, Donald J. McDonald, 1825-1874, (Vol.V). They were children of Dr. Randal McDonald, (Vol. I). James Inman was a son of John Inman, 1775-1845, (Vol. V). Witness, D.E. Knoles same as in the above deed and was first cousin of D.J. McDonald.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 172)
3. Ware County, October 25, 1847 (?)
Page 291: William A. McDonald to Nathan Brewton, both of Ware County, for
$25, 1/2 (one half) of Lot # 31, 8th District, Ware County, 245 acres, south side of Mill Creek. Signed by: William A. McDnald: Witnessed by: James Fullwood and James Inman, J.I.C. Rec. 2/26/1876.
(Source: HGSM, Vol XXVI Number 3, page 177)


DEATH/BURIAL:
Cyrene Inman, wife of James Inman and daughter of D. R. and Catharine McDonald, was born February 26th 1831 and died in Clinch county, Ga., May 23th 1875. J. R. Booth
SOURCE: DEATH AND OBITUARY NOTICES FROM THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE 1867-1878. Issue of August 18, 1875.




A partial reminiscence of our branch of the Clan Donald. By Angus Robertson MacDonald, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.A. 1902.

John MacDonald, son of Angus, who was son of Samuel, son of James, was born in the year 1749 in the Village of Dalavilla, four miles S.E. of Armadale Castle, the residence of the lords MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Of the lineal ancestors named, - Angus, Samuel and James, the writer knows but little. Tradition says that they were rental agents of the lords. It is also said that they rented farming and grazing lands themselves, and sub-rented the same at large profits to themselves. This office our line holds to this day. Tradition also says that James, the last named above was a man of extraordinary size. He was so strong that it is said he could twist the leg bone of an ox into fragments by the strength of his hands. As to the truth of this tradition, "this deponeth saith not".

The said John MacDonald had three sons - Archibald, Angus, and Donald, my father. Archibald remained in Scotland, and his sons went to New South Wales in Australia when the gold mines in that country induced imigration from all civilized countries. We have, for many years, been in correspondence with their children and grand-children, who have uniformly been intelligent and leading citizens of that country, both in Church and State. They and other enterprising Scots were the founders of Presbyterianism in that country. One daughter with her husband went to Nova Scotia. Of them I know nothing more. Two daughters, Mary and Flora, married in Scotland, but their descendants are now in New South Wales and New Zealand. The father, my grand-father, John MacDonald, his two sons, Angus and Donald (my father), and his daughter, Mrs. Sarah McGillivray, came to America in 1799. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing ship, and were three months on the water before reaching Wilmington, N. C.

They came up the Cape Fear River to Cross-Creek, now Fayetteville, in a pole boat, that being the kind of craft that plied the rivers. from Cross Creek they went north to Moore County, and bought land near Deep River. He died there in the 54th year of his age. Mrs. Sarah McGillivray died in Moore County, leaving three sons and three daughters. John, Alexander and Donald; Jeanette, Margaret and Nancy. John was a merchant at Newnan, Coweta County, Ga. He then went to Sylvan Hill in Hancock County; there he married, and finally went to Texas, where he and his wife died, leaving a refined daughter, his only heir.

Jeanette married Alexander Johnston. They came to Sylvan Hill, Ga. but went from there to Milledgeville to educate their only child, John, who died there during his collegiate course. The parents then went back to Moore County, N.C., where they died.Alexander married a Miss Morris, and died leaving a large family.

Margaret died un-married.

Nancy married a Mr. Morris, and died leaving a small family.Donald married Miss Nancy McIver, a lady of great social and moral worth. They have been defrauded out of their portion of the parental estates went to Texas, where they both died.

Angus McDonald.The second son, Angus, first married in Scotland. His first wife died in N.C., leaving one daughter, Janet who married a Mr. Donald Kelley, a man of property and moral worth. The Rev. James Kelly, a Presbyterian preacher, and an eminent educator, of Bladen County, N.C. is a son of his. The highly educated and refined Mary Kelly, who became the wife of my brother-in-law, Robert McCadden, late of New Salem, N.C. was her only daughter. The mother and daughter are both dead. The sons died, all but James, in the civil war.

The second wife of said Angus was Isabella MacDonald, who died leaving two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, John B. married Miss Katherine Worthy, and came to Sumter County, Ga., where by an honest, industrial and economical life, he accumilated a good property. Two of his sons, Angus and Worthy, died in the civil war. He died leaving four sons and four daughters Hugh MacDonald, a prosperous merchant of Atlanta, Ga. John A. MacDonald, a very wealthy farmer and merchant, of Plains, Ga.; Dr. Collons M. MacDonald, late of Leesburg, Ga., and Kenneth M. MacDonald, a large and prosperous planter of Sumter, Ga.; were all sons of the highly esteemed and much missed John B. MacDonald. These four sons inherited largely the lovable characteristics of their lamented father. his living daughters are Mary, the wife of Frank Market, a prosperous farmer of Sumter, Ga., who has raised a large and highly esteemed family; and Misses Lizzie and Maggie, who are yet unmarried. Their social and christian merits are highly appreciated by their large circle of acquaintances. Flora, the youngest daughter died in early life. Having a kind and social nature, and being a devout christian, her kindred and large circle of warm friends mourned her early departure, but she was too ripe a christian to be left here in a world of sin and sorrow, hence she was taken up to her eternal home in Heaven.

Isabella, the eldest daughter, married Duncan T. McLain, who is a prosperous planter near Herod, Ga. He accumilated a property that amply enabled him to give all of his children a liberal business educaation. He is still living on the farm upon which he made his little fortune by scientific farming. His amiable wife, Isabella, was always of a delicate constitution, and finally succombed to the grim messenger, greatly lamented by all who knew her. She left an indellible impress of her lovely character on the minds of all her children, four of whom are in the spirit world. James, the oldest, was a prosperous farmer, who died leaving a loving young wife and lovely children to mourn their irreparable loss. The bereaved mother is on the rich and well-ordered farm near Herod, making a competency and giving her children a collegiate education.

Kenneth, the next oldest, was given a collegiate education preparatory to his becoming a foreign missionary. He married, went to Siam, and preached to the heathen until the ill health of his wife compelled him to return to America. He preached a few years in the Georgia conference, and died, leaving a widow and son to mourn the death that was to him the gate-way that admitted him into the Celestial City, to be eternally with the Christ whom he ardently loved and served. George was a young man of great promise, but he died in the beginning of a mercantile life in Dawson, Ga.

Annabel, the only daughter, a most charming young lady, received a collegiate education. Her health failed. All that medical skill and travel could do was tried, but after a few years of invalid life her sweet spirit quitted its earthly tenement and was undoubtedly wafted by a convoy of angels to join her sainted mother in Heaven.

William A. the next oldest son was happily married to an Alabama lady of highly cultivated intellect, - a lady well fitted to be a leader in the social and religious world. Mr. McLain is a merchant in Dawson, Ga., and has been almost wonderfully successful in his business. The other sons, Duncan and Robert, are also in a prosperous mercantile business, but are unmarried. The children were all noted for their moral and religious character.

Murdock, the second son of the second wife of my Uncle Angus, came to Talladega, Ala. in early life. There by industry and strict economy he accumulated a competency, married the daughter of Colonel _________. He finally moved to Texas, where as an architect and contractor he made and saved a good property. He died there, leaving a family of whom I know only that two of his sons are now successful merchants at Houston.

Nancy, the eldest daughter of the second wife of Angus, married Angus B. Kelly, of whom I know only that he died in Moore County, N.C., leaving a family, one of whom was a charming daughter named Margaret, who married a man of Statesville, N.C., and that the mother and the rest of the family went to Houston, Texas.

Isabella, the second daughter of the second wife of Angus, was a twin sister of Murdoch, and married a Mr. Daniel Campbell, near the place of her birth. They both died recently, being nearly one hundred years old. They were both of extraordinary notoriety for their moral and religious character. They raised a family that represented them truly. John, the eldest son, married a Miss McRae when very young. He is living at Carthage, the Capital of Moore County, N.C. A son of his, Kenneth a Campbell, is the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Attala, Ala. He married a sister's daughter of Governor Candler, of Georgia. Mary Jane Campbell, the only daughter of said Daniel Campbell, married a Mr. Duncan Sinclair. Of them I know only that they lived a happy and pious life, and are now dead. Of Daniel and Isabella Campbell's other children I know nothing.

Angus MacDonald, of whose descendants I am now writing, married a third time, the name of his wife being Katherine Mathis. His team became frightened and ran over him, he receiving internal injuries, died in a few days. He was a man of great integrity and a successful farmer. He left four sons and three daughters, children of his third wife. Her oldest son, Alexander M. was a successful physician, who accumulated a handsome property by his profession, and died at an old age, unmarried. He lived a pious and consistent life. Archibald, the second son, was respected and loved by all who knew him. He died at the age of eighteen years. The third son, John M. was first a teacher, and afterwards a lawyer in Texas. He married and died in Texas. I know nothing of his family. Ronald, the fourth son, is now an old bachellor of highly appreciated moral and religious character, a successful farmer on the old farmstead.The three daughters by the last marriage were, Mary, Christian and Flora. They died unmarried. Flora died a natural death at middle age. Christian was shot through the head by a negro robber who knew that their brother Ranald, with whom they lived, kept a large sum of money in the house; Christian fell dead on the floor. He shot Mary through the lower jaw and the roof of her mouth and left her for dead, but she lived several years afterwards. This closes what I know of my Uncle Angus and his descendents.

I will now treat of my father, the youngest of those who imigrated to America. From the fact that from early manhood my father was a prominent Ruling Elder of the Presbyterian Church, he was designated as "Donald MacDonald the Elder". He was born at Dallavilla, near Armadale Castle, in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, about the year 1781. his father sent him away to school at an early age. His education being completed about the age of 21, he obtained a commission as First Lieutenant in Lord MacDonald's first regiment, raised for the protection of the commerce and the royal revenues of Scotland. The head-quarters of the regiment being in the City of Iverness, he there became acquainted with a highly educated and refined lady, Janet Monroe. He secured his discharge from the army, and they married and came to America, as previously stated, and settled in Monroe County and became a farmer, though his mind was so deeply absorbed with the study of the Scriptures, books of theology, church and profane history, that he never accumulated more than a competency. He lived honored and admired by a large circle of devoted friends. He died of inflamation of the stomach and bowells in the year 1844, in the 63rd year of his age. He raised four sons and eight daughters. His first wife died leaving three daughters, Janet, Elizabeth and Flora. Janet, when quite advanced in years, married Daniel Ferguson. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and was noted for his high standard of moral character and christian walk and conversation. His ruling passion was to lay up treasures in Heaven, to enjoy when he departed from his tenement of clay several years ago. his wife Janet was to an extraordinary degree self-sacreficing to promote the interest and comfort of her family and friends. She had only two children, John and Betsie Jane. John died bravely fighting for his country in the Civil War. Betsie Jane married a Mr. Monroe, and they are living at Cameron, N.C.Elizabeth married Kenneth McIver, for whom she had two children, John and Katherine. She died much lamented, when they were quite small. Their father was a school teacher, and died many years ago. John died in the Confederate Army. Katherine married Mr. Joel E. Griffith, of Randolph Co., N.C., who came to Union Springs, Ala.., where he now lives on what he accumulated by industry and economy during his more youthful years and vigor. His wife, Katherine, died many years ago at Union Springs, leaving five small daughters, Emma, Jennie, Addie, Lizzie and Katherine. The thoughtful father had these motherless daughters finely educated. Emma, the oldest, is now living in her own plentiful home at Union Springs, the widow of Dr. Thomas Harris. She has three children, two daughters and one son. The other four daughters are unmarried and living with their father.

My father's third daughter, Flora, died at an old age unmarried, at Union Springs. During the Civil was she was robbed of the costly jewelry left her by her mother, and the gold upon which she depended for her support in her old age. This was done by North Carolina mountaineers who sympathized with the North.

Three or four years after the death of my father's first wife he married my mother, Nancy Robertson, the daughter of Daniel Robertson of famously noted ancestors of Skye, Scotland. She died in Asheboro, N.C. in the 99th year of her age. Of her merits, delicacy forbids me to speak. She died singing a hymn beginning with the lines: - "The hour has come, I'm going home, I hear a voice that bids me come." She was the mother of ten children; four sons and six daughters. They are: Mary, John R, Archibald, Angus, Robertson, Nancy, Sarah, Katherine, Isabella, and Donald. Mary, the oldest, died when three years old. John R. the second child, was a mechanic and farmer. He married at the age of forty-five, a widow Goff, who had one daughter. They had three children: Asa, John and Mary Ann. He went to Arkansas, where he died at an old age, an humble and devoted Christian. His son John was a consecrated Christian boy, who craved to get into the Presbyterian ministry, but his hearing was so defective that he could never acquire the necessary education. I know nothing of the whereabouts of the family now.

Archibald, my twin brother, married in South Carolina. Charlotte, the eldest daughter of the late John McKay, Esq., and came to Alabama. He was at an early age made an Elder in the Presbyterian Church which he loved. He was a Free Mason of high degree, and a civil magistrate in Montgomery County, Ala. for more than twenty years. The people honored him with many responsible positions, and their confidence was never abused. He died in the full enjoyment of a triumphant faith, based solely on the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. His living children: Donald Christopher, Mrs. Ann McKay, and Alexis McDonald, are all living near San Marcos, Texas, and are prominent, prosperous, and useful members of the San Marcos Presbyterian Church.

Donald, my youngest brother, was twice robbed of all he had, while away in the Confederate army. He married Miss Fannie Spencer, of Randolph County, N.C. Three of his children are yet living: - Donald S. McDonald, and Mrs.. Nannie Hancock, both of Castleberry, Ala., and Mrs. Belle Hancock, of Georgianna, Ala.

Nancy, my mother's oldest daughter, married Mr. Samuel McCadden, a Virginian. He was a manufacturer, and a man of great moral worth. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church - "Israelites in whom there was no guile". They died leaving no children.

Mary married Mr. Robert McCadden, a brother of Nancy's husband. He was an Elder in the he Presbyterian Church at Greensboro, N.C. He was a manufacturer, and a scientific and successful farmer. Their happy wedded life was of short duration, she having died within twelve or fifteen months after their marriage. He afterwards married our loved Cousin, Mary Kelly who also died about a year after her marriage.

Isabella, the youngest of my mother's daughters, a girl of admirable personal attractions, married Dr. William Swain of Randolph County, N.C. She was taken to her eternal home soon after her marriage.

Sarah married Mr. James Swain of Randolph County, N.C. He was a man of exemplary character and untiring energy. He went to Arkansas, and there raised a large family of children. One son is a noted politician, and another is a Presbyterian Minister. James Swain died many years ago, but his widow is yet living at Lonelm, Arkansas.

Katherine married Rev. Pinkey Baldwin of Montgomery County, N.C. He raised a family in Randolph County, N.C., but was called up higher many years ago. Of his children, John is a farmer; Marion is a Baptist Minister, and James M. is a successful saw-mill operator. His three daughters are all married, but I do not know their names, nor the names of their husbands.

I was born December 1, 1815, came to Alabama in 1844, and married January 1, 1846, Mary McKay, the youngest daughter of John McKay, Esq., of South Carolina. In her were concentrated more of those mental qualities that constitute the Christian lady, daughter, wife, mother, and unswerving and true friend, than can often be found in mankind. She was immorally fixed in her convictions of right, always willing to hazard all other considerations in the maintenance of truth and elevated humanity. But more of Heaven could not live upon earth, therefore the Lord took her to her blissful and eternal home. She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom survived her. Donald Warnock, the first son, died at Louisville, Ala., aged three years. Lexie, a child of sweet character, died in Montgomery County, Ala., aged ten years. Knox, a boy of fixed manliness of character, died near Inverness, Ala., aged twelve years. Rethune, who survived his mother, died at the age of twenty-four years, while living in Montgomery, Ala. in March 1888. He was a son of whom any father could be justly proud. He possessed a mind of unusual force and brilliency and a gentleness, yet manliness of character which endeared him to all good people who came to know him. He was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and before his death had acquired a position in the business world which gave promise of a most successful and useful career.

Of my children still living there are two daughters and four sons: - Mary Ann; Florella; John K; Donald; Malcom; and Frank. The character of the living members of my family, including myself, I leave for some other pen to portray.

Donald MacDonald - "Dahl Mach' Ahhuir" - (Donald, Son of the Sheriff), a cousin of my grandfather, ( John MacDonald) came to America with my grandfather and his three children. He had an only child, Ranald, about fourteen years old, whom he brought with him. He remained in Moore County, N.C. a few years, and came to Georgia and settled among the Indians, at what is now Waresboro, in Ware County. There he was bitten by a rattlesnake, and died suddenly. His widow, then past middle age, married Thomas Brown, a Scotch adventurer from North Carolina. He and his wife died, leaving the young Ranald to endure the meandering vicissitudes of a life among the redmen of the woods. Ranald, being a sprightly, kind, social, just, industrious, and economical boy, soon became a favorite "Pale-face". This important advantage enabled him to turn his time and opportunity to great advantage, and he soon acquired ample means to educate himself, and he became a practical scholar. He studied medicine, and became a successful physician, and the only doctor in the whole country [sic]. With these advantages he soon became wealthy and influential. He was the Nestor of civilization, education, and religion in an extensive region of country. He was a popular and sucessful political leader, and represented his country in the legislature whenever he would consent to do so. He married Miss Catherine Miller and reared several children, all of whom became prominent and useful citizens. He died in 1867. His son William Angus was born in 1817. He served four years in the Indian Wars. He represented his county six terms in the legislature and five terms in the State Senate. He attained great success as a business man, politician, and a Minister of the Gospel. He was the founder of the villiage of McDonald in Coffee County, it being named for him. His father largely aided in building the Rail-road from Brunswick as far as Waycross on which the town is located. He raised a company for service in the civil war, and was elected its Captain. He was soon promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and reluctantly resigned, but though incapacitated for field service, his time and large means were freely spent for the relief of the poor, the sick, and the wounded at home. Colonel McDonald now resides at Waycross, Ga., and was the father of twenty-two children, eleven of them having departed this life, fifty-eight grand children, and ten great grand children. He was a successful preacher for thirty-five years, and raised and educated many poor orphans, thereby fitting them for useful lives. He is now gone to receive a crown of many stars in a world of eternal felicity. He died a few months before reaching 80 years of age.John Claugh McDonald, a prominent citizen of Waycross, Ga. is the youngest child of Colonel McDonald's first wife. This scion of the honored old stock is destined to maintain the high grade of citizenship attained by his illustrious ancestors.I, Martha Crawley, grand-daughter of Randal McDonald, wish to make a correction in the above statement. My grand-father, Randal McDonald, had a sister Nancy, two years younger than himself. She married Washington Knowles and had five sons; Daniel, James, Martin, John and Eleck. Daniel Knowles married Charlotte Sweat, sister of my mother (Tobitha Sweat) wife of William McDonald. They had two sons and six daughters.

[signed] Martha Crawley

Witness: T. B. Crawley