Alexander McDonald. (Circa 1757-1788?)

Alexander McDonald stole some silver shoe buckles, five linen shirts, and two pairs of cotton drawers from the house where he was probably a servant. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years (later designated Africa) at the Old Bailey on 8 December 1784, and sent to the Ceres (“Caesar”) hulk on 23 May 1785, aged 27. Transferred to the Justitia hulk on 16 May 1786, he was delivered to Alexander on 6 April 1787.

McDonald was mustered on board by Major Robert Ross on 13 March and by the contractor William Richards on the 31^st. No death on the voyage is recorded, but he does not appear in colonial records at Port Jackson except for a rumour by Arthur Bowes (qv) that he had been killed by Aborigines, with William Allen (qv) on 8 March 1788, which was probably true. He was not included in the 1788 victualling list, nor was Allen.

SACRED

To The Memory of

Alexander McDonald.

I did not think it would be like this.

A slice of an island I call my own

With a scene glossed by sentiment

Where I peacefully lay forever more.

Information:

Founders of Australia.

M. Gillen.

Verse: J. Mortimer # 6409.