Descriptive Summary
Rice University,
Fondren Library,
Houston, TX 77251-1892
MacDonald, Alexander, of Huntsville, Tex.
MacDonald Family Papers
1834-1953
7 linear inches
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; documents; and books.
MS 361
English.
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.
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, a genealogy and box of miniature books.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the MacDonald Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
Index Terms
Correspondents:
MacDonald, Alexander, of Huntsville, Tex.
Subjets (Persons)
MacDonald, Margaret, of Huntsville, Tex.
MacDonald, James, of Huntsville, Tex.
Subjects:
Real property--Texas.
Imports--Texas.
Places:
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regiments--Texas.
Texas--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Regiments.
Huntsville (Tex.)--History.
Texas--History--19th century.
Texas--History--20th century.
Texas--Land.
Texas--Business, industries, and trades.
Document Types:
Correspondence.
Wills.
Clippings.
Books.
Preferred Citation
MacDonald Family Papers, MS361, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
Acquisitions Information
The materials in this collection were donated to the Woodson Research Center by R.M. Garrison in 1977.
Detailed Description of the Collection
1
1
Letters from Alexander MacDonald to his wife Margaret, 1843, 1844, 1846
1
2
Correspondence, 1834-1953
1
3
Ledger and Scrapbook
1
4
Genealogy, Map, miscellaneous
1
5
Newspaper clippings and Pamphlet, 1898
2
Box of miniature books