1854 - 1930 (76 years)| Name | James Donald | |
| Suffix | Farmer at Omimi then Katea, Otago, then Kamahi, Edendale, Southland | |
| Born | 30 Mar 1854 | Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland  |
| Christened | 30 Mar 1854 | Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland |
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| Gender | Male | |
| Census: | 7 Apr 1861 | Lauchope Cottage - Gate House, Bothwell, Lanarkshire |
| David Donald, head, md, age 41, farm servant, born Brechin, Forfarshire Jane Donald, wife, md, age 37, born Montrose, Forfarshire Jessie Donald, dau, age 10, scholar, born Montrose, Forfarshire David Donald, son, age 8, scholar, born Montrose, Forfarshire James Donald, son, age 7, scholar, born Montrose, Forfarshire Alexander Donald, son, age 4, scholar, born Woodhall, Lanarkshire Mary Jane Donald, dau, age 1, scholar, born Bothwell, Lanarkshire | ||
| Census: | 2 Apr 1871 | Omoa Foundry, Bothwell, Lanarkshire |
| David Donald, head, md, age 48, Iron Foundry carter, born Brechin, Forfarshire Jane Donald, wife, md, age 42, Iron Foundry carter\'s wife, born Montrose, Forfarshire Jessie Donald, dau, unmd, age 19, born Montrose, Forfarshire David Donald, son, age 17, Iron moulder, born Montrose, Forfarshire James Donald, son, age 15, Apprentice Iron moulder, born Montrose, Forfarshire Alexander Donald, son, age 12, Scholar, born Bothwell, Lanarkshire Mary Jane Donald, dau, age 9, born Bothwell, Lanarkshire | ||
| Emigrated: | 17 Apr 1873 | from Glasgow, Scotland to Otago, New Zealand |
| on the "James Nicol Fleming", arriving at Port Chalmers 1 July 1873 after a very fast voyage. PASSENGER LIST (assisted immigrants): Donald, David, age 43, Ploughman, Paid £10, Sum of bills £25, number of bill 14 Donald, David, farm labourer, age 20 Donald, James, farm labourer, age 18 Donald, Alexander, age 16 Donald, Mary, age 13 We are indebted to Messrs Cargills and M'Lean for the following extract from a letter from Messrs P. Henderson and Co., dated Glasgow, 17th April, received by the mail:— The James Nicol Fleming went down the river [Clyde] yesterday; her passengers are being berthed to-day at Greenock. She will be inspected and cleared to-morrow, and proceed to sea following morning. She has some 240 steerage passengers and 15 cabin. The appearance of these will bear comparison with any lot we have yet sent out. [Otago Daily Times 13 June 1873] SHIPPING. PORT CHALMERS. ARRIVED. July 1.—James Nichol Fleming, 992 tons, Logan, from Glasgow.… Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co's clipper ship James Nicol Fleming was signalled from the Heads this morning, and the tug immediately went down to bring her in. She was brought up, and being moored as our despatches were leaving the Port. The Fleming has made the smartest passage to New Zealand, having done it in 71 days. [Evening Star 1 Jul 1873] Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co's composite clipper ship James Nicol Fleming, from Glasgow, has astonished even her best well-wishers by making the passage from the land of the old country to New Zealand in 69 days and 11 hours. This is from the time she parted with her pilot, and sent letters on shore off lnistrahull, to rounding and sighting the Snares on Sunday last, the 29th June. She is still in command of Capt Logan, who, together with his officers, has made her make tracks when opportunity offered. Her greatest run was 320 miles in one day, and for two days off the pitch of Cape Leuwin, she logged 632 miles. From her log the following is culled : —Left the Tail of the Bank, Greenock, at 7 p.m. on the 19th April; parted with her pilot on the 20th at 3 p.m., off Inistrahull. Had favourable weather to the Equator, crossed on the 11th May, in long. 22 W. Doldrums were not met with, and the B.E. Trades were at once picked up. They also proved favourable till losing them, on the 21st, in lat. 23.40 S. Southerly winds then detained her for six days, the ship making an average of 80 miles per day. They were followed by westerly breezes, and the meridian of Greenwich was crossed on the 31st, in lat 38 S., and that of the Cape of Good Hope on the 4th of June in lat 40 8. Her easting to the meridian of Cape Leuwin, passed on the 20th, was run down on the parallel of 43 S. A more southerly course was then shaped, and the remainder was run down on the parallel of 47 S—the meridian of Melbourne being crossed on the 25th June, 67 days from Greenock. Westerly winds continued, and the Snares were sighted and rounded at 3 p.m. on the 29th. On the following day she was 50 miles to the S.E. of Cape Saunders, and arrived at the Otago Heads at daylight yesterday morning, the 1st July; was towed up against the three-quarter ebb tide by the tug Geelong, and berthed close to the Railway Pier, where she will come alongside early this morning, and her passengers brought to Dunedin by train. The Fleming brings 280 passengers, the majority being assisted immigrants, including 68 single females. The health has been good throughout. Shortly after leaving a case of measles occurred, which, being taken in time, was soon cured, and the spread prevented. One death, however, took place, that being on Saturday last, the 28th June, when Mrs Wishart, aged twenty-three years, succumbed to consumption. On the 28th April, Mrs Scott, a steerage passenger, gave premature birth to a male child, which only lived two days. On the 14th May, Mrs M'Phee gave birth to a female child; both of whom have done well. The different compartments of the passengers proved clean; more especially that of the single females, presided over by Miss Helen Anderson, the matron. Captain Logan looks as fresh as ever, and brings his ship into port in splendid order. [Otago Daily Times 2 July 1873]. The James Nicol Fleming was brought alongside the Railway Pier yesterday morning, and her passengers and immigrants, with their luggage, were brought to Dunedin by the 11.30 a.m. train. [Otago Daily Times 3 Jul 1873] NOTICE. IMMIGRANTS per Ship James Nicol Fleming will be engaged at Caversham Barracks, on Friday and Saturday, the 4th and 5th inst., at ten o’clock. COLIN ALLAN, Immigration Officer. [Evening Star 1 Jul 1873] The immigrants per ship James Nicol Fleming consist of the following classes : 16 labourers, 14 ploughmen [One of which would be David Donald Sr], 52 farm labourers [Two of which would be sons David and James Donald], 10 shepherds, 50 domestic servants, 3 mechanics, 1 shoemaker, 1 watchmaker, 1 compositor [Must be the John Donald - mentioned below]. The immigrants are to be engaged to-morrow (Friday), at the barracks, Caversham. We understand that there are a great many applications for the new arrivals. [Evening Star 3 Jul 1873] Yesterday being the day appointed for engaging the immigrants per James Nicol Fleming, a large crowd of applicants attended at the Caversham Barracks at the hour advertised for engagement. All the female servants were readily engaged at wages averaging £30 per annum. The demand for good farm servants was also brisk at from £52 to £55 per annum. The immigrants are a very superior class, and very suitable for the requirements of the Colony. The remainder will be engaged to-day and on Monday. [Otago Daily Times 5 Jul 1873] The whole of the immigrants who arrived per ship James Nicol Fleming on the 1st inst. have met with engagements, with the exception of eleven families and one single man, a baker, who are still in the Immigration Barracks. Ten times the number of females could have been disposed of without any difficulty. When it is considered that equal to 205 statute adults, numbering 226 souls, arrived by this ship, and that in the slack season of the year, it cannot be but gratifying to those who have the interests of the Province at heart, to see that the demand for labor continues so good. The immigrants per the Fleming, however, were altogether superior to the general class sent from Great Britain, being well adapted for the requirements of the Province. ... The rate of wages continues good, ... ploughmen, £62 to £55; farm servants £5O; ... [Evening Star 15 Jul 1873] [NB - TO BE CHECKED - one source gives another Donald passenger: John DONALD, 25 compositor. Was he a relative?] | ||
| Occupation: | 1875 | Moulder |
| Property: | 21 Sep 1875 | James registered as owner of 39 acres 25 poles being section 24 Block III, District of Waikouaiti [CT 22/26] |
| James Donald of Dunedin, Moulder Originally granted to Robert Marshall | ||
| Residence: | 1878 | Merton, Otago |
| Waikouaiti electoral roll 1878-1879: David Donald [father], Merton, farmer, Waikouaiti Road District James Donald [son], Merton, farmer, Waikouaiti Road District | ||
| Residence: | 1880 | Merton, Otago |
| Waikouaiti electoral roll 1880-1881: David Donald [father], Merton, farmer, Waikouaiti Road District James Donald [son], Merton, farmer, Waikouaiti Road District | ||
| Occupation: | 1884 | James working at road contracting (his brother Alex also did the same in 1884) |
| WAIKOUAITI COUNTY COUNCIL. Contract No. 158 —Forming and clearing bush on portion of road from Seacliff station. The tender of James Donald, £25 9s, was accepted. [Otago Daily Times 28 Jun 1884] | ||
| Occupation: | 1887 | Several Merton farmers preferred to send their milk to the Omimi Dairy Factory which opened as early as 1887 |
| Suppliers to the Omimi Dairy Factory in 1893 included: A [Alex] Donald, J [James] Donald [brothers] | ||
| Residence: | 1887 | Merton, Otago |
| Waihemo electoral roll 1887: David Donald [father - deceased, but name still on Electoral roll], freehold, Merton, farmer, section 25 block 3 Waikouaiti Alexander Donald [son], freehold, Merton, farmer, section 25 block 3 Waikouaiti James Donald [son], freehold, Merton, farmer, section 24 block 3 Waikouaiti | ||
| Property: | Jan 1895 | James selling his dairy farm (adjoining that of his brother Alexander) at Omimi, Seacliff |
| DAIRY FARM, OMIMI. THE PERPETUAL TRUSTEES, ESTATE, AND AGENCY COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND (LIMITED) are instructed by Mr James Donald to offer for sale, by public auction, at their Rooms, Rattray street, on Wednesday, 23rd January, at 2 o'clock: Section 24, Block III, Waikouaiti District, containing 40 acres of land, fenced and in grass, with buildings thereon. This property is close to Omimi Railway Station and Dairy Factory, and as Mr Donald is leaving the district it is for absolute sale. For further particulars apply to THE AUCTIONEERS, Rattray street. [Otago Daily Times 19 Jan 1895] A transfer of James' farmland was registered on 15 May 1895 to Elizabeth Burnside. Elizabeth Burnside transferred the land to James Donald's brother Alex Donald with the transfer being registered on 10 May 1901 (the land adjoining Alex's farm). | ||
| Event: | Oct 1901 | James complaining to the Clutha County Council |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Clutha County Council was held on Friday afternoon... Mr James Donald, Katea, wrote drawing attention to the fact that a contract let about seven or eight months ago was not yet started, and asking that it be put in hand at once. Other parts of the same road also wanted seeing to.— Matter to be attended to as soon as the weather is favourable... Mr George Harle and 12 other settlers at Katea brought under the notice of the council the impassable state of Hunt's road, and asked that immediate steps be taken to have it made passable, as the dairy factory was to begin operations next month. — It was decided that the engineer put on a surfaceman as soon as possible... [Otago Witness 2 October 1901] | ||
| Event: | Nov 1901 | Still problems with Hunts Road, Katea |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The statutory meeting of the above council was held in the County Chambers on Wednesday at noon... Mr Jas. Donald and 20 other settlers at Hunts road, Katea, wrote drawing attention to the need of putting rotten rock on 14 or 15 chains of Hunts Road, starting at the upper end of section 31.—A further communication from Mr A. Shields and 14 others at Purekireki, respectfully asking the Council to take the necessary steps to have the two sharp pinches made easier, and the formation made a little wider on road in front of Mr Robert Tapp's ; also asking that the road from Katea upwards towards, Purekireki be surfaced.—Mr Saunders asked whether, in the event of a section being bought out, the Council got a third of the purchase money.—Mr Robertson and the engineer were of opinion that it did, but the clerk was of opinion that the clause in the Act dealing with the matter only referred to deferred payment sections.— Matter to stand over till next meeting. [Clutha Leader 29 November 1901] | ||
| Event: | Nov 1901 | Ongoing problems with Hunts Road, Katea |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The statutory meeting of the above council was held in the County Chambers, Balclutha, on Wednesday at noon... Mr Jas. Donald - and 20 other settlers at Hunts road, Katea; wrote drawing attention to the need for putting rotten rock on 14 or 15 chains of Hunts road, starting at the upper end of section 31... [Otago Witness 4 December 1901] | ||
| Event: | Mar 1903 | And still more roading problems |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the County Chambers on Friday,...Jas. Donald, Katea, asked for metal to he placed on worst parts of Hunt's Road from Katea School. Mr Hay moved-"That any Land Funds available be expended." —Seconded by Mr Saunders, and carried. [Clutha Leader 3 March 1903] | ||
| Event: | Mar 1904 | Roading complained of this time to a member of the House of Representatives |
| Following letter explains itself : Wellington, 26th February, 190 L J! W. Thomson, Esq., M.H.R.-Sir- Re Hunts Road. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th inst., forwarding a letter addressed to you by Mr James Donald, referring to the above-named road. In reply, I have to inform you that the whole of the amount allocated by Parliament for this road—viz., £1OO, has been expended. £81 19/9 was spent by the district road engineer, Dunedin, during March last, and the expenditure was included in this year's accounts. The balance, £18 0/3 has been spent since the middle of January last. — I am, etc., (signed) Jas. McGowan, for Minister of Public Works. [Clutha Leader 11 March 1904] | ||
| Event: | Nov 1905 | State of the road by James' house |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of the Clutha County Council was held at Balclutha on Friday;... William Alexander Puller, Katea, wrote re state of road in front of Mr James Donald's house, and asked if it could be metalled for about five chains. The cost would be about £3 10s per chain as rock was convenient. — Work to be carried out. [Otago Witness 1 November 1905] | ||
| Event: | Apr 1907 | And the road problems continue... |
| Jas. Donald, Katea, wrote asking that rotten rook be placed on road opposite his property.—Left in hands of Engineer. [Clutha Leader 30 April 1907] | ||
| Event: | Sep 1907 | More roading... |
| CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the above was held in the County Chambers, Balclutha, on Friday... Jas. Donald and six other residents of Katea wrote drawing attention to the state of the approach leading to the cheese factory at Katea, it needed metalling at once. The settlers were willing to let their "thirds" go to do the job.—Bequest granted. [Clutha Leader 3 September 1907] | ||
| Property: | 1908 | James and family move from Katea to farm of 317 acres at Kamahi, near Edendale, Southland |
| [from Kamahi - A District History, but (descendant) Merv Halliday, 1990] | ||
| Property: | Sep 1910 | James selling his Katea, South Otago farm |
| FOREST HOME. FOR SALE OR LEASE. With the right of purchase. Sheep or Dairy FARM, at Katea — 503 Acres; 8-roomed House, and all other buildings. Good Orchard. Cash deposit, £200. Apply— JAMES DONALD, Farmer, Edendale. [Clutha Leader 23 September 1910] | ||
| Property: | Aug 1917 | James selling his dairy herd 'for want of labour' (son James Jr was in training and about to leave for France) |
| HUNTER BROS. & RICE. CLEARING SALE OF DAIRY COWS, ETC. MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 1917, At 12.30 p.m. sharp. On the Property, situated 2 miles from Edendale. HUNTER BROS. AND RICE have received instructions from Mr James Donald, to offer by unreserved Sale his Complete Herd of DAIRY COWS, as under: 37 COWS (timed to calve September and October) 4 HEIFERS, 2 years 7 HEIFERS, 18 months 5 STEERS, 18 months 4 CALVES 2 BULLS (1 Shorthorn cross, 1 crossbred) 15 MILK CANS LUNCHEON PROVIDED. Owing to want of labour, Mr Donald is forced to sell the above Cows, and we can confidently recommend them to anyone in quest of good Cows. [Southland Times 4 August 1917] DAIRY COW SALE. Messrs Hunter Bros, and Rice report having held a successful sale of Mr James Donald's dairy herd of 40 cows and heifers at his farm near Edendale. There was a good attendance of buyers. The following is a summary of prices realised; —Eleven cows £16 2/6 to £12 2/6, 8 do. £11 10/- to £10 2/6, 12 do. £0 15/- to £8 2/6, 7 heifers £10 to £5 7/6, 2 aged cows £7 12/6 and £6 17/6, bull calf £4 5/-, 3 yearling heifers £4 2/6, 7 rising 2-year heifers £6 2/6, 4 two-year steers £8 1/-, Shorthorn bull £12 10/-, Holstein-cross do. £10 7/6, 11 milk cans 13/6 each, 3 do. 14/-, 2 do. 8/6. [Southland Times 8 August 1917] | ||
| Died | 27 Jul 1930 | "Spring Terrace", Edendale, Southland, New Zealand |
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| Buried | Edendale Cemetery, Southland, New Zealand |
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| Person ID | I19 | Donald |
| Last Modified | 24 Sep 2023 | |
| Father | David Donald, Emigrated to Otago, NZ 1873 on the "James Nicol Fleming", farmer at Omimi, b. 12 Sep 1819, Trinity Muir, Brechin, Forfarshire (Angus), Scotland , d. 23 Feb 1882, Merton, Otago, New Zealand (Age 62 years) | |
| Relationship | Birth | |
| Mother | Jean (Jane) Robb, b. c Aug 1822, Luthermuir, Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland , d. 14 Nov 1872, Omoa Foundry, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland (Age ~ 50 years) | |
| Relationship | Birth | |
| Married | 18 Nov 1849 | ?Kilarrow (Bowmore), Islay, Argyllshire, Scotland |
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| Family ID | F1 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family | Jane (Jeanie) Campbell, b. Scotland | |||||||||||||||||||
| Married | c 1875 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Children |
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| Last Modified | 30 Aug 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Family ID | F9 | Group Sheet | Family Chart | ||||||||||||||||||
| Photos |  | The 'James Nicol Fleming' and her crew - photo by De Maus, Port Chalmers |
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