Finding aid for the William McDonald Collection

Biography of William McDonald

William McDonald was born in Brook Co. Virginia in 1836. As an Adult he had black eyes, black hair, and was 5'8" tall. He married his Ohio neighbor Sarah Elizabeth Allen. She was born in Ohio in 1839. In the year of 1860 William and Sarah were living in Pike County. They had one daughter whose name was Mary J. McDonald. William's parents lived in the house next to theirs. His father's name was Samuel and his mother's name was Christina. William had two brothers, one named Thomas and the other named Samuel. He had two sisters one named Matilda and the other named Christina. Sarah's parents also lived next door. William's occupation was that of a farmer. On November 5th, 1861 William enrolled as a Cpl. of Captain C.K. Crumnitt's Co. D, 53 reg. OIV. He was discharged from Scottsboro, Alabama on the 31st of December 1863 by reason of re-enlisting as a Veteran Volunteer. He again enrolled on the 1st of January 1864. He was a Sgt. Of Captain [--?--] Co. B, 53 reg. OVVI. He was discharged August 11th, 1865 at Little Rock, Arkansas by reason of expiration of service. Shortly after he returned home from the war he and his family moved to Illinois.

Scope and Content

The William McDonald Collection spans from 1859 to 1919 and includes mostly correspondence between McDonald and his family during his service in the American Civil War. Also in the collection are two portraits, one of William McDonald and one of his wife Sarah; a straight razor, an ointment tin, and a set of dentures. Researchers interested in the Civil War will find a surplus of information relating to what life was like for a young Ohioan man to travel around the country on foot to serve his country. William, through his letters to his wife, tells of the most important news of the time. He tells of the places his regiment travels to, how they are welcomed, and what in general it is that he is doing. The way that he writes is worth noting, he uses no punctuation, as well as displaying a possible dialect of the time. There is much to learn about the culture during that time. He writes to his wife about the social gatherings she attends at home, how to protect against the small pox, and commonly shows how important his family and friends are. His attitudes about current issues are also nicely expressed through his letters.

Statement of Arrangement

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite collection name, collection number, and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Other Finding Aid

A paper copy of the folder list is available.