Randolph McDonald, 1797-1864, Ware County

by

Dr. Randolph “Randall” McDonald was an early resident and physician of Ware County, Georgia. Born on 24 Apr 1797 on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, he was the son of Donald McDonald and the grandson of Sheriff Donald McDonald, Sr. In 1805, at just eight years old, he immigrated to America with his parents. The family first settled in Moore County, North Carolina, before moving to Bulloch County, Georgia, where Randolph grew to adulthood.

On 18 Apr 1816, he married Catherine Miller in Tattnall County. She was the daughter of Revolutionary War soldier William Miller, and was born 16 Dec 1799 in Screven County, Georgia. Catherine passed away on 14 Jul 1877, at their home in Ware County.

To her and her husband were born:

  1. William Angus McDonald, born 11/12 Feb 1817, married (1) 15 Jul 1841, Tobitha Sweat, daughter of Capt. James A. Sweat, born 19 Aug 1826, died 7 Nov 1859; married (2) 9 Feb 1860, Mary Ann Deen, daughter of Jesse Deen, born 8 Feb 1842, died 16 Nov 1872; (3) 24 Jun 1873, Rebecca Thompson, daughter of Henry Thompson, born 4 Oct 1841, died 7 Mar 1907. He died 4 Jun 1896 in Ware County, Georgia. Children.
  2. Mary McDonald, born 27 Oct 1818 in Tattnall County, married Richard Bennett, son of John and Fannie (Harris) Bennett, born 2 Jul 1816 in Bulloch County, died 27 Mar 1896. She died 20 Nov 1897. Both are buried at Axson Evangelist Church Cemetery in Axson, Georgia. Children.
  3. Cyrena M. McDonald, born 16 Feb 1821, married James Inman, son of John and Priscilla (Surrency) Inman, born 10 Dec 1814 and died 4 Aug 1897. She died 24 May 1875. They are both buried at Kettle Creek Cemetery in Waycross, Georgia. Children.
  4. Amy C. McDonald, born 3 Mar 1823, married John B. Cason, son of Charles and Mary (Connor) Cason, born 8 Jan 1817 and died 11 May 1891. She died 25 Jul 1889. They are buried at Kettle Creek Cemetery in Waycross, Georgia. Children.
  5. Donald James McDonald, born 18 Jun 1825, married (1) Elizabeth Hargraves, dau. of Abraham and Rhoda (Carver) Hargraves, born 11 Jan 1830 and died 17 Oct 1850; married (2) Martha Mobley, dau. of Solomon and Elizabeth (Byrd) Mobley, born 11 Feb 1836 and died 8 Jul 1861; (3) Georgia (Bedell) Moncrief, daughter of Mahlon and Linney (Griffin) Bedell, born 2 Dec 1841 and died 5 Oct 1875,, and widow of Austin Moncrief. He died 7 Apr 1871. They are all buried at Kettle Creek Cemetery in Waycross, Georgia. Children.

After living for a time in Bulloch, Telfair, and Tattnall counties, Randall and his family moved to Liberty County, where he served as Justice of the Peace for the 17th District from 1831 to 1833. In the winter of 1832–33, the McDonalds relocated to Ware County near Waresboro where he engaged in extensive farming, operating with slave labor. Shortly after their arrival, Randall was elected Justice of the Inferior Court, serving from 1833 to 1841. He went on to serve as State Senator in 1835, and as Tax Collector and Receiver during the years 1843–45 and 1846–48. He again held office as Justice of the Inferior Court from 1856 to 1861 and served as County Treasurer from 1861 to 1862.

Remarkably, at over 55 years of age, McDonald began studying medicine. He graduated from Oglethorpe Medical College in Savannah in 1858 and immediately began practicing. His medical career quickly grew into a busy and successful practice, which he maintained until his death on 21 Dec 1864. He and his wife are buried at the historic Kettle Creek Church, located two miles west of Waycross.

In his early years, McDonald was also active in local militia affairs. On 15 Mar 1819, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 45th District of the Bulloch County Militia. Later, on 7 Feb 1839, the Governor appointed him captain of the “Ware County Volunteers,” a militia unit he organized to help defend the frontier after Native Americans had been driven into Florida.

Dr. McDonald was a charter member and the first Worshipful Master of Waresboro Lodge No. 217, Free and Accepted Masons. He served from 1857 to 1859 and remained an active member until his death. He was also a devoted member of the Methodist Church, with his membership at Kettle Creek Church, where his wife also belonged. The McDonald plantation was situated between Kettle Creek and Waresboro.

The couple are buried in the Kettle Creek Cemetery in Ware County, Georgia.

Catherine and Randal McDonald gravestone

Slave Ownership

The McDonald plantation was situated between Kettle Creek and Waresboro, and Randall ran it with slave labor. While the 1850 slave schedule shows only 4 slaves, by 1860 he had 20 slaves living in 5 slave quarters ranging from 10/12 months to 60 years old. His increase between 1850 and 1860 could only have comprised 6 through birth, it is apparent that his new found wealth enabled him to purchase the others.

Conflict Resolution

The census listings for Randolph and Catherine would indicate more than the five children listed in Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia. Both the 1830 and 1840 census indicated 7 children unless other family members or individuals were residing with them. The 1850 census indicates that Georgianna C. Bullen resided with the couple and by her placement, was considered a “child.” I wonder if they adopted or “took in” some children along the way?

Sources

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.