Guide to the Alexander MacDonald Family Papers, 1834-1953


Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	MacDonald, Alexander, of Huntsville, Tex.
	Title:	MacDonald Family Papers
	Dates:	1834-1953
	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; documents; and books.
	Identification:	MS 361
	Extent:	7 linear inches
	Language	English.
	Repository:	Rice University, Fondren Library, Houston, TX 77251-1892

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.

Restrictions

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.

Detailed Description of the Collection



box	folder
1	1	Letters from Alexander MacDonald to his wife Margaret, 1843, 1844, 1846



box	folder
1	2	Correspondence, 1834-1953



box	folder
1	3	Ledger and Scrapbook



box	folder
1	4	Genealogy, Map, miscellaneous



box	folder
1	5	Newspaper clippings and Pamphlet, 1898

box

folder

Box of miniature books