In 2015 the Clarion County Historical Society announced the intentions of publishing The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the historical society. Families were encouraged to submit family stories and photographs to the historical society to be included in the book. Unfortunately The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania was never published.
A series of 13 stories and 8 photographs were prepared for the Clarion County Historical Society to publish in the The Families of Clarion County,
Pennsylvania. These stories will be published in new research series The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania.
David McDonald & Bridget Dunn
David McDonald was one of the earliest residents of Farmington Township. David was born about 1803 in or around Dublin, Ireland. David McDonald married Bridget Dunn on May 7, 1825 at the village of Dunbyrn, County Kildare, Ireland. Their oldest recorded child, Richard, was baptized January 29, 1826. A second son, James M., was baptized August 6, 1827. Both baptisms were recorded in the Allen Parish records and indicate that family were residents of Grange.
Sometime after the birth of James the family left Ireland for the Americas. The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania references that David McDonald was living in Farmington Township around 1833. After settling David and Bridget lived the remainder of their lives in Farmington Township.
The following children are recorded from the marriage:
- Richard, son, born January 1826 Kildare, Ireland. Death unknown.
- James M., soon, born August 1827 Kildare, Ireland. Marriage to Bridget Moran. Death 1892.
- Mary Ann, daughter, born about 1834. Marriage to William Kelly. Death unknown.
- John, son, born about 1836. Death October 16, 1864.
- Michael, son, born May 10, 1839. Marriage to Anna Haggerty. Death October 8, 1823.
- Andrew, son, born 1840. Marriage to Anna Sharrow. Death March 9, 1833.
- Bridget, daughter, born 1842. Marriage to Thomas C. Haggerty. Death July 15, 1889.
- David F., son, born 1844. Marriage to Hannah E. McCloskey. Death unknown.
- Peter, son, born March 3, 1847. First marriage to Mary Ann McAvoy. Second marriage to Emma Cecelia Nye. Death June 7, 1935.
David was known as a farmer, logger and river pilot. There are multiple references to him in the True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1. As told by Victor M. Bake:
"We have some old timers here who used to raft on the Clarion and Allegheny rivers. There are George Hazlett who used to work for Croasman Brothers, Horace Greely Sigworth, A. B. Sarver and Harry Horton. We also have here David McDonald and Mr. Hutton who used to run 90 foot platform rafts on the Susquehanna River. I don't believe that any of the 90 foot platform rafts ever came out of the Clarion."
As told by his son Peter:
“My experience as a raftman up to the time of this story, which was in December of 1862, was of the traditional style handed down by my father, David McDonald, who had helped Davis Munn run several rafts down the Clarion to Lower Hillville. There he sold them to Jacob Hill, who had a boat scaffold and furnished 100 foot boats for the Pittsburgh coal companies. These boats were dropped into the water without the aid of lines. My father and Mr. Munn used grapevines for cable to anchor the rafts. David Munn ran his first raft around 1840. He had purchased 150 acres on Troutman Run near the Clarion. He and his wife lived and died on this piece of ground, and their tombstones are standing to this day. They should have a monument. As I pass their lonesome resting place it brings back memories of the earlier days of the lumbering and rafting business and along with these memories of the many hardships the early pioneers had to endure.”
David and Bridget are recorded in the 1840 United States Federal Census in Farmington Township, Venango, Pennsylvania.
The 1850 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included Bridget and children James, Mary Ann, John, Michael, Andrew, Bridget, David and Peter. David was recorded as a farmer. David, Bridget and James are recorded as born in Ireland. The local school teacher, John Toomy, was also recorded living in the household. The farm was valued at $1,100.
The 1860 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included Bridget and children James, Mary Ann, John, Michael, Andrew, Bridget, David and Peter. David was recorded as a farmer. The farm was valued at $2,000 and David’s personal estate was valued at $640.
The 1870 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included his wife Bridget and their sons Andrew, Peter and David F. Daughter in law Hannah, wife of David F., and grandson Joseph Kelly were also living in the household. David was recorded as a farmer and his sons as farm hands. The farm was valued at $3,000 and David’s personal estate was valued at $300.
The last will and testament of David McDonald was recorded August 28, 1871. Following David's death Bridget lived with her son David. Bridget was included in the household of David McDonald when the 1880 United States Federal Census was recorded in Farmington Township.
Bridget died prior to 1900 as she was not enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census. The burial location for David and Bridget is unknown.
David McDonald and Brigid Dunn are my 4th great grandparents. They are the parents of Michael McDonald my 3rd great grandfather. Michael is the father of Robert Alphonsus McDonald my 2nd great grandfather. Robert is the father of my great grandfather Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.
Author: Michelle M. Murosky
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