----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley McLeod" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 7:39 AM Subject: [HHHV] MacDonald River . I was asked the question after whom the MacDonald River and Valley were named. I believe that it was the convict turned bushranger John MacDonald but can't find that exactly Hi Shirley He was a former convict but unsure about the 'bushranger' bit I have a copy of Mrs HUTTON-NEVEs book ' Forgotten Valley' a history of the McDonald Valley. In this she says it wasnt named for nearly 40 yrs after is discovery . It is said that in the early days of the colony there lived not far from Pitt Town a wealthy widow who owned a valuable farm. Among her employees was a fine up-standing, good looking young man of splendid character, named John MCDONALD. Was not long before this worthy widow had wedded him and 2 sons were born , George & William I had a poke around some records since the BDMs for this period are a bit sparse In the 1828 census they had 4 chn ........ John McD was per Guilford 1806 FBS. Lydia was 38 yrs old BC . Found a marriage of a Lydia BENN to John Mc DONALD 1817 Castlereagh There is no baptism of any Lydia born c 1790 . Earliest is a Lydia CLARKE 1798 . Maybe an older child when baptised ? . 1806 Muster gives ref to a John BENN per 'Gorgon' 1806 out on the Hawkesbury FBS. No BENN marriage to any Lydia. No burial record of any John BENN . There is an admin ref in the Probate index to a John BENN series 1 so its an early one but the date is blank This is a very interesting book .......... Be a good one to be reprinted . I picked my copy up ages ago 2nd hand Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

I have a fascinating addition to your story. See below - Mitchell Library Manuscripts A109 (Film CY738) - p.p. 9-13 Title Page: Copy of the Depositions of Lydia McDonald and John Robinson McVeagh - William and Jane Roberts for an assault. Before D'arcy Wentworth 1818 New South Wales. To Wit: Before D'arcy Wentworth, Esq., One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Territory. Lydia Macdonald, wife of John Macdonald of Pitt Water in the Territory of New South Wales, Settler, and John Robinson McVeagh, Servant to the said Lydia Macdonald, severally make oath and say And first this Deponent, the said Lydia Macdonald for herself saith That ever since the decease of her late Husband, John Benn; William Roberts of Hunter Street, Sydney and Jane Roberts, his wife, have taken every occasion to insult and abuse this Deponent and with the most horrid Oaths have used such threatening Language that she has been constantly in a State of Alarm and unable to proceed peacefully in her lawful Affairs when in Sydney and she positively saith that She always underground to avoid the said William Roberts and his wife and did not (do) anything whatever to provoke them. And this Deponent further saith that on her return home the last time she was in Sydney, namely on Saturday the Thirteenth day of December, last, She was attacked by the said William Roberts in a manner that gives her the greatest apprehension as to her personal safety. She was proceeding in her one-horse Chaise with her infant Child in her arms and the other Deponent was driving the Chaise; when they arrived near Colonel Johnson's Estate on the Parramatta Road, they were met by the said William Roberts, who coming towards Sydney with his Son in a Chaise - And this Deponent further saith that the said William Roberts drew up his Chaise towards this Deponent and as soon as he came close to the side of her, the said William Roberts stopped his Chaise, drew out a Pistol, presents it at this Deponent and with Oaths and the most offensive and indecent Language said: "You Bloody Whore. I'll blow your brains out. You shan't go any further." Upon which the Son of the said William Roberts pilled his Father's arm back and drove on, but the said William Roberts continued to use the most insulting, indecent and threatening Language. And this Deponent further saith that about a fortnight ago as this Deponent was sitting in her own house at Pitt Town, She heard a great noise out of doors, and supposing that some of her Men were quarrelling, She went out when She found the said William Roberts standing on the outside of the pailing, but upon her own Estate using the most horrid Oaths and Imprecations accusing this Deponent of Murdering her former Husband and applying the most indecent, offensive and insulting language to her. And this Deponent further saith That She doth not make this Complaint against the said William Roberts with any hatred, malice or ill-will which She hath xxxx towards him, but mostly for the preservation of her Life and of her Person from bodily harm. And this Deponent the said John Robinson McVeagh for himself saith that he was with the said Lydia Macdonald on the Parramatta Road when She was attacked by the said William Roberts in the manner herein before stated, who presented the Pistol and used the Languages before set forth. Sworn before me this 9th day of February, 1818. "Signed" D Wentworth. JP "Signed" Lydia McDonald "Signed" John Robinson McVeagh Regards Betty Candy ----- Original Message ----- From: "MargM" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:01 AM Subject: Re: [HHHV] MacDonald River > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shirley McLeod" <[email protected]> > To: > <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 7:39 AM > Subject: [HHHV] MacDonald River > > > . I was asked the question after whom the MacDonald River > and Valley were named. I believe that it was the convict > turned bushranger John MacDonald but can't find that > exactly > > Hi Shirley > > He was a former convict but unsure about the 'bushranger' > bit > > I have a copy of Mrs HUTTON-NEVEs book ' Forgotten Valley' > a history of the McDonald Valley. In this she says it > wasnt named for nearly 40 yrs after is discovery . It is > said that in the early days of the colony there lived not > far from Pitt Town a wealthy widow who owned a valuable > farm. Among her employees was a fine up-standing, good > looking young man of splendid character, named John > MCDONALD. Was not long before this worthy widow had wedded > him and 2 sons were born , George & William > > I had a poke around some records since the BDMs for this > period are a bit sparse > > In the 1828 census they had 4 chn ........ John McD was > per Guilford 1806 FBS. Lydia was 38 yrs old BC . Found a > marriage of a Lydia BENN to John Mc DONALD 1817 > Castlereagh > There is no baptism of any Lydia born c 1790 . Earliest > is a Lydia CLARKE 1798 . Maybe an older child when > baptised ? . 1806 Muster gives ref to a John BENN per > 'Gorgon' 1806 out on the Hawkesbury FBS. No BENN marriage > to any Lydia. No burial record of any John BENN . There > is an admin ref in the Probate index to a John BENN > series 1 so its an early one but the date is blank > > This is a very interesting book .......... Be a good one > to be reprinted . I picked my copy up ages ago 2nd hand > > Bye > MargM > Beautiful Central Coast of NSW > > > > ==== AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY Mailing List ==== > Don't forget that a busy and informative list is a good one - so don't > become a "Fence Sitter". Speak up ! > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. 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