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MacDonald Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0361
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

The Alexander MacDonald Family Papers consist of correspondence, books and a few miscellaneous lists, maps and genealogical charts. The letters from Alexander to Margaret encompass the bulk of the papers. His letters discuss many things including land disputes and importation of goods to Texas. James Latham MacDonald also wrote a number of letters to his mother, the same Margaret. He was serving with the 1st regiment of Carter's Brigade, and died in Arkansas. His letters include descriptions of illness, military life and Confederate battle victories.

Included in the papers are letters from other family members, several maps, and a genealogy.

Dates

  • 1834 - 1953

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the MacDonald Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

Alexander MacDonald was born in Canada in 1820. He married Margaret S. Roberts in 1842 and settled in Huntsville, Texas. They had two sons, James Latham MacDonald, born in 1845, and Randal MacDonald, born in 1847. Census records list Alexander as a farmer. He died in 1850, possibly from yellow fever.

James Latham was killed in Arkansas in 1862, fighting in the American Civil War. Randal married in 1876. Margaret died in 1892 and was buried in Trinity County, Texas.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Letters from Alexander MacDonald to his wife, Margaret MacDonald, including information concerning land disputes and importation of goods to Texas; letters from James MacDonald, serving with a Texas regiment during the Civil War, to his mother, Margaret MacDonald; letters of condolence to Margaret MacDonald after James's death during the war; letters from other family members; wills; maps; and documents.

Acquisitions Information

The materials in this collection were donated to the Woodson Research Center by R.M. Garrison in 1977.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Alexander MacDonald Family Papers, 1834-1953
Status
Completed
Author
Gerrianne Schaad
Date
1999
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892