William Donald

     William Donald was born, 21 April 1865, at 9 AM, in Sinclair Hills, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. The civil birth record of William Cheyne or Donald states that he was the illegitimate son of Thomas Donald, joiner, residing at Fish Cross Street, Fraserburgh and Helen Cheyne. The birth was recorded by the maternal grandfather, William Cheyne and the father, Thomas Donald. There was an illegible notation on the record concerning his paternity. [N.B.--No Thomas Donald of the probable age was found in Fraserburgh in 1861 or 1871.] [N.B.--William Donald recorded in his Bible that he was the son of his step-father, David Stephen and Hellen Cheyne.]^1,2

James Strachen Cheyne, William Donald and Magdalene Grant were listed as grandchildren in the household of William Cheyne and his wife, Magdelene Birnie on the 1871 Scotland Census at Sinclair Hills, in Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. He was listed as 6 and born in Fraserburgh Parish.³

William Donald was found in the household of David Stephen and his wife, Hellen Stephen, and listed as their son on the 1881 Scotland Census at 23 North Street, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. He was also listed as an apprentice ironmonger.⁴

William Donald married Harriet Jane Grieve Trail 1 October 1890, at 37 High Street, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Jas. Forrest.^5,6

William Donald and his wife Harriet Donald were listed on the 1891 Scotland Census, at 39 High Street, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. He was head of household and a ironmonger. He was 25 years old and born in Moonzie, Aberdeenshire.⁷

William Donald and his wife Harriet Donald were listed on the 1901 Scotland Census, at Hawthorne Villa, in Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. He was head of household and a ironmonger. Also present were his children, Ellen Donald, Stuart Batcham Donald, James Goodall Donald and Robert Thomson Donald. In addition, Hellen Trail, a domestic servant was also present. She probably was Harriet's sister. Living at the next household was Stuart L. Batcham and his family. He was also an ironmonger. He was the ame sake of their son, Stuart Batcham Donald. He and Donald were in the same Masonic Lodge.. He was 35 years old and born in Fraserburgh.⁸

Several articles in the Fraserburgh newspapers mentioned William Donald, often in relationship to his Masonic duties. Attached are copies of some of those articles from his scrapbook, including one of Stuart L. Batcham, his neighbour and Lodge Brother.⁹

The attached is a studio photo of the family of William Donald and Harriet Trail, taken about 1905, in Fraserburgh. From the left, William, Robert T., Stuart B., Ellen, William J., James G., in kilt and Harriet.¹⁰

The attached is a photo of the store of William Donald and Company, in Fraserburgh.

He had a Masonic funeral in Fraserburgh. Attached is a photo of the funeral procession.¹⁰

William Donald died about 1935 at 17 Milton Street, Herne Hill in London, England. William Donald died at age 71.¹¹

William Donald was buried at Fraserburgh Cemetery in Fraserburgh Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland, His monumental inscription reads "IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIAM DONALD IRONMONGER WHO DIED 25^th MAY 1935 AGED 71 YEARS AND HIS WIFE HARRIET J. TRAIL WHO DIED 7^TH MAY 1924 AGED 54 YEARS"..¹²