[Index]
Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD (1830 - 1919)
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD (1830 - 1919)

+

Julia Louise AYREY (1840 - 1920)
 Alexander Cameron MACDONALD (1796 - 1847) James MACDONALD



Mary STEWART



Sarah (twin) WARBY (1806 - 1893) John WARBY (1767 - 1851) John WARBY (1745 - 1789)


Sarah BENTLEY (1780 - 1869) Edward BENTLEY
Susannah (BENTLEY)
Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD Julia Louise AYREY
Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD
Pic P1. originally submitted this to BARRON Family Tree on 16 Apr 2010

Pic S1. Ancestry - MacDonald Family Tree

Pic 1. originally submitted this to BARRON Family Tree on 16 Apr 2010

Pic 2. originally submitted this to BARRON Family Tree on 16 Apr 2010

Pic 3. originally submitted this to MacDonald Family Tree on 29 Oct 2008

b. 04 Sep 1830 at Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
m. 01 Jan 1861 Julia Louise AYREY (1840 - 1920) at Geelong, Victoria, Australia
d. 19 Jun 1919 at Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia aged 88
Near Relatives of Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD (1830 - 1919)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Grandfather James MACDONALD
Grandmother Mary STEWART
Grandfather John WARBY 18 Feb 1767 Cottered, Herefordshire, England 12 Jun 1851 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 84
Grandmother Sarah BENTLEY abt 1780 Highgate, London 19 Oct 1869 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 89

Father in Law Charles AYREY abt 1794 1852 Colac, Victoria, Australia 58
Mother in Law Louisa BAKER abt 1812 1853 Geelong, Victoria, Australia 41

Father Alexander Cameron MACDONALD 16 Mar 1796 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland 26 Feb 1847 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 50
Mother Sarah (twin) WARBY 10 Oct 1806 Prospect, Sydney, NSW, Australia 06 Jan 1893 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 86

Self Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD 04 Sep 1830 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 19 Jun 1919 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia 88

Wife Julia Louise AYREY 1840 London, Middlesex, England 1920 Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia 80

Brother George MACDONALD 03 Jan 1824 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 25 Mar 1924 'Glendarrwill', Maude, Victoria, Australia 100
Sister Margaret MACDONALD 10 Apr 1826 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 12 Jul 1923 Haberfield, NSW, Australia 97
Brother Alexander Cameron MACDONALD 09 Aug 1828 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 18 Jun 1917 Prahran, Victoria, Australia 88
Sister Sarah MACDONALD 27 Sep 1832 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 26 Sep 1918 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia 85
Brother John Graham MACDONALD 05 Sep 1834 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 29 May 1918 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 83
Sister Jane MACDONALD 10 Apr 1836 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 01 Apr 1837 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 0
Brother William MACDONALD 06 May 1838 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 13 Sep 1838 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 0
Brother William S MACDONALD 04 Oct 1839 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1914 Quirindi, NSW, Australia 75
Sister Jane MACDONALD 12 Feb 1842 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 27 Mar 1942 Corowa, NSW, Australia 100
Brother Charles Hugh MACDONALD 29 Apr 1844 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 23 Mar 1924 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 79
Sister Isabella F MACDONALD 24 Nov 1846 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 30 Oct 1921 St Leonards, North Sydney, NSW, Australia 74

Uncle Edward WARBY 1800 Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1804 Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia 4
Uncle William WARBY 1801 Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia 18 Aug 1885 Hotham, Victoria, Australia 84
Aunt Jemima MIDDLETON
Aunt Elizabeth WARBY 1802 Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1894 Albury, NSW, Australia 92
Uncle James LAYTON
Uncle James KIERNAN
Uncle John WARBY 1803 Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1826 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 23
Uncle Benjamin WARBY 1805 Liverpool, NSW, Australia 1880 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 75
Aunt Elizabeth HUNT abt 1808 26 Nov 1835 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 27
Aunt Frances (Judith) BENT
Aunt Jane Agnes (twin) WARBY 1806 Liverpool, NSW, Australia 1876 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 70
Uncle Michael BYRNE
Uncle Charles Cable WARBY 1810 Sydney, NSW, Australia 1876 Bathurst, NSW, Australia 66
Aunt Elizabeth DEAN
Aunt Mary Ann WARBY 1813 Sydney, NSW, Australia 1904 Surrey Hills, NSW, Australia 91
Uncle James GRAHAM 1808 Sydney, NSW, Australia 1852 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 44
Uncle Robert George WARBY 1814 Liverpool, NSW, Australia 1853 Albury, NSW, Australia 39
Aunt Elizabeth Henrietta FOWLER
Aunt Eliza WARBY 1815 Liverpool, NSW, Australia 1896 Ashfield, NSW, Australia 81
Uncle William FOWLER
Uncle James WARBY 1817 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1899 Albury, NSW, Australia 82
Aunt Mary Ann BOOKER
Uncle Joseph WARBY 1818 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1899 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 81
Aunt Elizabeth FOWLER
Uncle Richard WARBY 1821 1821 0

Cousin Benjamin WARBY abt 1825
Cousin Adelaide Mary Anne Amelia GRAHAM 1834 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1902 Sydney, NSW, Australia 68

Nephew Alexander Cameron MACDONALD 09 Dec 1845 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 08 May 1897 Woodstock, Queensland, Australia 51
Niece Mary Ann Sophia MACDONALD 1847 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1940 Penrith, NSW, Australia 93
Niece Sarah Jane MACDONALD 1848 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia 20 May 1899 Lethbridge, Victoria, Australia 51
Niece Elizabeth Henrietta (Berry) MACDONALD 26 Dec 1850 Brewarrina, NSW, Australia 25 Jan 1944 Minerva Creek, Springsure, Queensland, Australia 93
Niece Margaret Isabella MACDONALD 10 Dec 1851 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia 08 Nov 1944 West Australia, Australia 92
Niece Adelaide Victoria MACDONALD 1852 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1947 Queensland, Australia 95
Niece Christine Eliza MACDONALD 1853 04 Jul 1948 Springsure, Queensland, Australia 95
Niece Ellen Augusta MACDONALD abt 1858 1923 Northcote, Victoria, Australia 65
Nephew John George MACDONALD 1859 17 Aug 1921 62
Nephew Charles Hugh William MACDONALD 19 Apr 1861 Geelong, Victoria, Australia 10 Jan 1946 Glen Darriwell, Maude, Victoria, Australia 84
Nephew William A J (Jack)MACDONALD 1881 Albury, NSW, Australia 1938 Queensland, Australia 57
Nephew Henry L (Harry) MACDONALD 1882 Balmain, NSW, Australia
Niece Mary M MACDONALD 1885 Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Jane (Jean) MACDONALD 1888 Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Catherine McLean (Kitty) MACDONALD 1893 Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia 1989 Sydney, NSW, Australia 96
Nephew Donald McPhee MACDONALD 1895 Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia 1970 75
Nephew Jo McLaren (Ian McLaren) MACDONALD 1900 Quirindi, NSW, Australia 1973 73

Sister in Law Elizabeth Henrietta (DOW DOUSE DOUX) DOWSE abt 1822 New South Wales, Australia 27 Dec 1910 'Glendarrwill', Maude, Victoria, Australia 88
Brother in Law Thomas TERRY 1821 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1905 Albury, NSW, Australia 84
Sister in Law Margaret Rainey ROBERTSON 1901 Prahran, Victoria, Australia
Brother in Law Robert IRVINE abt 1824 Co Fermamagh, Ireland 1862 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia 38
Brother in Law William Adams JACOB 1908 Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
Sister in Law Adelaide Mary Anne Amelia GRAHAM 1834 Campbelltown, NSW, Australia 1902 Sydney, NSW, Australia 68
Sister in Law Esther Elizabeth SAMPSON
Sister in Law Annie Ruth Ballantyne MCPHEE 1860 Albury, NSW, Australia 1913 Mosman, NSW, Australia 53
Brother in Law Ross Houston RAMSAY abt 1818 Drumro, Co. Tyrone, Ireland 1886 Corowa, NSW, Australia 68
Sister in Law Maria RAY 1878 Trinity Bay, Queensland, Australia
Sister in Law Sarah Nora CORMACK abt 1859 Ireland 1917 "Yabba", Kilcoy, Queensland, Australia 58
Sister in Law Rose Ethel LANE
Brother in Law James Wilson MCIVER abt 1841 Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland 1919 Turramurra, NSW, Australia 78
Events in Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD (1830 - 1919)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
04 Sep 1830 Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD was born Campbelltown, NSW, Australia Note 1 52
26 Feb 1847 16 Death of father Alexander Cameron MACDONALD (aged 50) Campbelltown, NSW, Australia Note 2 52, 54, 60
01 Jan 1861 30 Married Julia Louise AYREY (aged 21) Geelong, Victoria, Australia Note 3 52
06 Jan 1893 62 Death of mother Sarah (twin) WARBY (aged 86) Campbelltown, NSW, Australia Note 4 7, 52, 54
19 Jun 1919 88 Peter Fitzallan MACDONALD died Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Note 5 52
Note 1: Australia Birth Index, 1788-1922 about Peter Mcdonald
Name: Peter Mcdonald
Birth Date: 1830
Father's Name: Alexander Mcdonald
Mother's Name: Sarah
Birth Place: New South Wales
Registration Year: 1830
Registration Place: Campbelltown, New South Wales
Volume Number: V183010588 IC
Note 2: Reg No V1847412 104 - Campbelltown - no parents given

Townsville Daily Bulletin 5 June 1912
PERSONAL.
Mr T. P. Adlam writes to the Sydney 'Daily Telegraph' as follows: 'Many of your readers will, I feel sure, be interested in perusing a copy of the record of the MacDonald family, well known In New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. The MacDonalds, had all survived, would have, numbered 12. There are 10 of them now living, namely, George, age next birthday 89; Margaret 86, Alexander Cameron 84, Peter Fitzalan 82, Sara 80, John Graham 78, William 73, Jane 70, Charles Hugh 68, lsabella 66. A brother of the above died in 1838, and a sister in 1837, each only a few months old. Thus, there has been no death among this generation of the MacDonald family (10 in number) for 74 years. The father of the MacDonalds. Alexander Cameron, who was born in 1797, died In 1847, Sara Warby, the mother, born in 1806, passed away in 1893. Mr John Graham Mac Donald, of Brisbane, and one time of Townsvllle, who was the sixth of the twelve, is in the best of good health, and carries out the duties of his responsible office with a capacity and energy men many years his junior might well envy."' His son, Mr Wm. MacDonald is the well-known solicitor at Hughenden.
Note 3: Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950 about Peter Fitzallen Macdonald
Name: Peter Fitzallen Macdonald
Spouse Name: Julia Ayrey
Marriage Place: Victoria
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration Year: 1861
Registration number: 645
Note 4: Reg No 1893/4533 - Campbelltown - John and Sarah

Death Cert
6 Jan 1893 - Campbelltown - Sarah Terry - female - 86 years
Parents - John Warby (farmer) and Sarah Bentley
Birth - Penant Hills, NSW
Marriage - 1. Alexander MacDonald, Campbelltown -
2. Joseph Terry
Children - 10 children being from previous marriage, names and ages unknown
- none by second marriage
Witness - Mr MacDonald - son - Campbelltown
Note 5: Australia Death Index, 1787-1985 about Peter Fitzallan MacDonald
Name: Peter Fitzallan MacDonald
Death Date: 19 Jun 1919
Death Place: Queensland
Father's Name: Alexander MacDonald
Mother's Name: Sarah Warby
Registration Place: Queensland
Registration number: 002820
Page Number: 1216
Personal Notes:
DEATH OF MR. P.F. MACDONALD - PIONEER PASTORALIST
As published in the "Capricornian" 28 June 1919

Mr. Peter Fitzallan MacDonald, of Yaamba Station, pioneer pastoralist and explorer, passed away at his residence, "Morningside," Rockhampton, shortly before noon Friday week. His health had been failing for some time, though he never lost touch with his business concerns, or of public matters in general, until near the end. He was born in Campbelltown, New South Wales, and attained the ripe age of nearly eighty-nine years. For this sketch of his career which follows we are indebted to one who was admitted to intimate friendship to the deceased gentleman:-
Arriving here in 1857, Mr.MacDonald saw the town of Rockhampton grow from a small bush public house and store to its
present dimensions and, so far as can be ascertained, there is not a single person known to be living of those who were in the
district when he arrived.
Mr. John Graham MacDonald, a younger brother, came to Queensland about the same time. He also became an explorer and
pastoralist, but was subsequently appointed Police Magistrate and Gold Commissioner, positions he filled with credit for a number
of years. Mr. Alexander C. MacDonald, remained in Victoria, and gained distinction as a surveyor and scientist, which gave him a
world wide reputation.
Mr. P.F. MacDonald arrived in Queensland before its seperation from New South Wales and came on to Rockhampton during
the Canoona rush. He spent a few years exploring in search of "fresh fields and pastures new," after which he ultimately settled down at Yaamba Station, near Rockhampton, which place has been the head-quarters of his extensive and successful business
operations for a period covering nearly sixty years.
He was married at Geelong, Victoria, in January 1861, and is survived by Mrs. MacDonald and two sons and two daughters. The sons are Mr. Arthur MacDonald, who carries on the business at Yaamba Station; and Mr. Stuart R. MacDonald, grazier, Rockhampton. The daughters are Mrs. Stuart, wife of Dr. S. Stuart, and Miss Jessie L. MacDonald, both of whom reside in Rockhampton.
Before he married and settled down as a pastoralist, Mr. MacDonald was for some time intimately associated with Messrs.
J.A. Macartney, Thomas Vicary, Robert Graham, Sir John Macartney and others. They undertook many hazardous exploring trips to the north and west of the central district, taking up country which they favoured and afterwards disposing of it advantageously. In those days land could be taken up without going near it or stocking it. During this period the blacks were exceedingly troublesome and the explorers had many narrow escapes. It was about this time that Mr.Wills and seventeen others perished at the hand of the natives at Cullin-la-ringo near Springsure.
Mr. MacDonald was early recognised as a fearless explorer and was the leading spirit in many encounters with the treacherous natives. He was one of the party who went out to avenge the slaughter of the Wills family and it was generally recognised at the time that the work was well done. The party aforenamed explored the whole of the country watered by the Mackenzie, Izaacs and Connor rivers, and took up the country between Collaroy and Waverley, where Mr. J. A. Macartney ultimately settled. In conjunction with Mr. Mayne as partner, Mr. Macartney subsequently occupied Waverley Station from 1858 to 1896, a period covering thirty-eight years.
Amongst the numerous station properties which Mr. MacDonald established and owned may be mentioned Fernlees, near
Springsure; Marmadilla, in the same district; Columbra, on the Mackenzie River; Fernleigh, near Tilpal; Lake Learmonth and
Yaamba, on the Fitzroy; and many others. His extensive businesses included the breeding of horses, cattle and sheep, and although
at various times his flocks and herds suffered disasters from droughts, floods and other adverse happenings, to which the pastoralists and early pioneers were particularly liable, it may be said that his career was one of steady progress throughout.
His accumulation of wealth may not be considered anything extraordinary in those days of inflated values, when fortunes were made and lost in quick time; but those who know something of the difficulties and dangers of the early pioneers, will appraise his work at its true value.
In his prime Mr. MacDonald enjoyed robust health. He was tall and well built, with a commanding appearance, though outwardly reserved. Although his demeanour was not of the hail-fellow-well-met variety, he was a congenial companion, with a fund of dry Scottish humour, always at command in the presence of his friends. He was a staunch friend to struggling settlers less fortunate than himself, and there are still many in the district who can testify how effectively he extended a helping hand in the time of need, and in doing so lived up to the injunction "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth." He was a good fellow with a soft heart and a generous hand. Ostentation he despised, and make-believe had no place in his constitution.

PARLIMENTARY EXPERIENCE.

In the year 1873 Mr. MacDonald was elected the first member of Parliament for the electoral district of Blackall which then constituted one of the principal electoral divisions of Central Queensland. He held the position until 1878 when he was succeeded by Mr. Archibald Archer. Although splendid work was done in Parliament during his term of office, including the passing of the State Education Act, a comprehensive Local Government Act, and many other useful measures, he did not take kindly to the duties of a legislator, and could never appreciate the subtleties involved in the maze of Parliamentary intrigue which was rampant at that time, probably as much as it is today. The holding of office by favour, or even compromise, never appealed to him. He was always definitely for or against a motion, and stood four-square to every public question within his ken. He proved himself to be a well-read and intelligent student of national affairs, with a strong will, indomitable courage, and a genius for detail and perserverance which made him a veritable tower of strength in any cause which he espoused. A fair fighter himself, there was nothing which he detested in others more than perfidy, or what he considered vacillation in regard to questions of public importance. As a public speaker he was not brilliant, though always cogent and effective. He was an excellent correspondent, and one of the most methodical business men to be met with outside the ranks of modern commercialism.
Although Mr. MacDonald could never be induced to again enter the political arena he remained an active outside worker to
the end, and the candidates he favoured had invariably good reasons for appreciating his support. He rendered steady service
to the party cause in the Central District by helping such men as Messrs. John Murray, George Fox, J. Brennan, and others to hold
their seats against all comers for a number of years. In organising the outside places in the Normanby, Keppel, Port Curtis, and other electorates he was remarkably successful, and the writer had many opportunities for knowing that the final results were largely attributable to his handiwork. his purse and pen were always available during an election campaign. On a recent occasion he went as far afield as Bowen, and by sheer force and initiative succeeded in dislodging a rampant labour-socialist in favor of a liberal. Referring to this incident in conversation with the writer a short time ago Mr. MacDonald jocularly described the sequel. He had flattered himself that on that occasion he had done good work. Subsequently, however, when travelling from Brisbane, he had the incident presented to him from another point of view. He met the politician whom he had been the means of dislodging. He did not know the man who introduced himself by thanking Mr. MacDonald for the service he had rendered him. He explained the matter in this way. When he lost the Bowen seat owing to Mr. MacDonald's interference he stepped out of State Parliament and 300 pounds a year, into the Federal Senate with 600 pounds a year and six years' lease of Parliamentary life assured. He was naturally thankful for the transition. Although the revelation was somewhat discomforting for the moment to Mr. MacDonald, it evidently left no bitterness behind.

OTHER SPHERES OF ACTIVITY.

The Divisional Boards Act of 1879 brought about great changes in local government, and the Gogango Divisional Board was brought into existance soon after the passing of that measure. Mr. MacDonald was one of the original members of the board, and performed good work in that connection. He was also an active member of the District Marsupial Board from its inception and continued to act as Chairman until the board was practically abolished. In fact it may be safely said that during his long residence of over sixty years in the district he was invariably in the front ranks whenever matters of public importance called for attention, and he took an active part in most public movements that justified support.
At times Mr. MacDonald found himself on the side of the minority, notably so in the case of the establishment of Port Alma, when Broadmount had failed to meet requirements as a deep-water port. Although he was on the losing side in regard to this
issue it was generally recognised that he and others put up a splendid fight, and today there are some of his erst-while opponents ready to admit that he had a better case in favour of Broadmount than they had hitherto given him credit for.
Another incident in his career which caused widespread interest at the time deserves mention, as it will serve to emphasise the thoroughness and persistency with which he conducted his affairs. A portion of one of his stations in the Springsure district was resumed by the Government. Lambing was going on at the time, and in consequence of being compelled to remove his sheep, the losses were considerable. He entered an action for damages and gained a favourable verdict. Owing to a change of Parliament and other causes, it was a long time before he obtained a settlement. When this occured however, it is generally understood that the verdict, with interests and costs included, brought him over 20,000 pounds.
In addition to his numerous stations and pastoral interests he acquired many valuable town properties, both in Rockhampton and elsewhere, and also helped many others to start business on their own account. At one time he owned the "Daily Northern Argus", which under the editorship of the late Mr. W.H. Robison, was run with considerable vigour in the interests of his political party. He sold out to a syndicate of local business men who ran the paper for some time, but ultimately sold out to the late Messrs. Hartley and Buzacott, who, with Mr. Macdonald's assistance renewed the plant and changed the name of the paper to the "Daily Record". Mr. MacDonald parted with his interest in the paper in 1910.
The following extracts from a letter written by Mr. MacDonald to his brother in 1859 convey a good idea of his personality as a young man, and well deserve a place in this brief sketch of his life in Queensland. The incidents related cover one of his early trips as an explorer, and reveal many admirable traits of character which his after life served to develop and emphasise. He was at all times a careful observer and a lover of nature in all its multifarious forms:-
"........I have just returned from an expedition which I shall never forget. We left Marlborough the last week in November, with five weeks' rations, and travelled westward in view of Lake Salvator and the beautiful peaks eastward, a distance of 200 miles in a direct line from Keppel Bay. I believe that from 100 to 200 miles back from the coast is superior to any part of Australia, except some stations in Victoria that I have yet seen, either for sheep or cattle. Nearly one-fourth of the country over which we travelled is unavailable for pastoral purposes in consequence of the thick scrub, great scarcity of water, and innumerable native dogs and savage blacks, yet nearly the whole of it has already been taken up...
"I send you a rough sketch of the country over which we travelled during the last four months; some of it is superior to
anything that I could have imagined. There is a richness and velvet-like freshness in the foliage, which together with the beautifully shaped hills, conical peaks, and fine deep rivers, form a landscape grand and picturesque beyond the power of description; such scenery as an artist or a lover of the beautiful in nature might gaze on for a lifetime without wishing for a change. Indeed I often felt repaid for many a weary day's journey when I met with such lovely spots on the way. The air was filled with rich fragrance from the herbs and flowers crushed under our feet. I have a good collection of seeds; but they are all mixed together and would puzzle a botanist to class. The bottle tree contains a history in itself...
"But I must now give you a more direct account of our exploration. When we arrived at the junction of the Comet and the
Mackenzie rivers the rain commenced and continued without one hour's interruption for twenty-one days. During nineteen days we
never saw sun, moon, or stars. We had only about seven days' provisions which we intended to divide into nineteen days' allowance, expecting by that time to reach a station. The country was everywhere under water. It was impossible for our horses to
travel, as they floundered at every step and became as poor as old working bullocks - literally nothing but skin and bone, having lost every hair except from their mane and tails...
"After many ineffectual attempts to make a few miles towards home, we were compelled to encamp on a clear patch of about half-an-acre, in the midst of thick scrub, surrounded by water, for nineteen days, during which time we scarcely saw a living thing - birds and animals had evidently gone to seek a higher spot and firmer ground...
"I spent many a weary day hunting for food, and saw only the tracks where animals had been. A few small birds might
occasionally be heard calling or answering each other in mournful strains; but it was music to our ears. So careless did they seem
of life that I often crept near enough to kill them with a stick. Opossums were not to be seen; fish (that is, tadpoles), commonly
called bullfrogs were numerous, but very difficult to catch where there was much water; crayfish of an inferior kind, huge frogs,
iguanas, crows, snakes, and lizards were eagerly sought after, but rarely found. Had it not been for small berries, roots of briars, and the bottle tree, I doubt very much if we would have been able to exist. If we had commenced killing our horses in the first instance, we had no way of preserving the flesh, our salt and sugar having melted with the rain, and in the absence of both fire and sun it would have been impossible to dry it or keep it from decomposition. I have lost two horses, one of which strayed and was probably eaten by the blacks; the other a valuable animal, got into a bog near the Isaacs River, and I was obliged to kill him. If we had had salt and bread, horse flesh would have been a luxury, and I might have taken something equivalent to the value of my money out of him in steaks, etc. As it was we lived upon it for eight days; the latter part of the time it was rather high flavoured. The tongue and some parts of the inside were delicious. For eleven days three of our party dined off an emu, without tasting either flour, tea, or sugar, and it was the only bird or animal above the size of a crow that we were fortunate enough to shoot during that time. By the way, I ate more of the latter (crows) than of any description of bird - I may say than all other birds put together - although I was much prejudiced against them, for from the day we started, we were followed by as many crows as there were men in the party, and strange, if we separated at any time, the crows would also separate according to our number. If I travelled alone a single crow was sure to follow me. I could not help noticing this, and although not generally superstitious I regarded it as an ill-omen. Whenever my unwelcome fellow-traveller came near enough, I lost no time in cultivating his acquaintance with a rifle bullet, and gave him a warm reception on the coals. Invariably the noise of my rifle or the smoke of my little fire would attract another solitary companion of the same species, which would continue to follow me until I settled his account in the same manner...
"When I reached the farthest out-station yesterday week I met with the party that had been organised to go in search of me, equipped by public subscription. It was well known that we had started with but five weeks' provisions and had then been out
twelve weeks. I was, of course, gripped by the hand until the blood all but oozed from under my fingernails. Some of the party
came to meet us with half baked damper; another with partly-baked meat taken out of the pot to appease our supposed cravings, until a lot more could be got ready; but I scarcely ate anything, for I experienced that gnawing, craving, hunger which one will
sometimes feel when a few days without food has passed away, and left weakness and exhaustion in its stead...
"I was alarmed only to think that our absence and delay had been attributed either to starvation, death by floods, or murder by the blacks, and could not help looking round occasionally as if I expected to see you near me...
"I started from Marlborough the following day and reached Canoona late last night. I am reduced in weight from 15 st. to 11
st. 4 lb. This will give you some idea of the kind of animal hunger has transformed me into; but I hope to be as jolly as ever in a few weeks. I am well-cared for wherever I go, and pressed in the kindliest manner to eat something, as if people thought I should be able to eat day and night. My health is first-rate and my appetite gradually increasing. I hope this letter will reach you before any other reports relative to our misfortunes... P.F.M.

As age crept on he gradually relinquished his activity in connection with pastoral pursuits in favour of his sons, and for the past few years he lived with his family at "Morningside", Rockhampton. He had many staunch friends, to whom his death will cause sorrow.

THE FUNERAL.

The remains of the late Mr. Peter Fitzallan MacDonald, who passed away at his residence, "Morningside", Rockhampton on the 19th, were interred next day in the Yaamba Cemetery, some twenty-one miles north of Rockhampton in the pastoral township formed on Yaamba station, the deceased gentleman's first headquarters in Queensland. A short service was held at the house at ten o'clock by the Reverend J. Walker. Then the beautiful polished cedar coffin, with its silver mountings, bearing its simple inscription.."Peter Fitzallan MacDonald, aged 89 years. At rest."..was placed in the hearse, and, covered with beautiful wreaths, was conveyed to Archer street railway station, where it was placed on solid silver trestles and covered with a purple silk pall to await the arrival from the Stanley street railway station of the special train which was to convey it to Yaamba.
When the train arrived at about eleven o'clock, the coffin was placed in the guard's van by the Hon. Messrs. G.S. Curtis and
A.H. Parnell, M.M.L.C., and Messrs. J.J. Anderson, A.L.H. Cooke, J. Pattison, and J. Smith. Relatives of the deceased, with about
fifty other representative towns-people, who had been standing on the platform then took their seats in the train, and about a
quarter of an hour later, a start was made for Yaamba. It was a beautiful crisp sunny day, and after the recent rains, the
country looked beautifully green.
On arrival at Yaamba quite a number of country friends of the deceased were found waiting on the platform. The Yaamba
Cemetery being but a short distance from the railway station, the funeral cortege, preceeded by the Reverend J. Walker, and the
coffin bourne by Messrs. A.J. Geddes (Balmoral) E.P. Geddes (Canoona), G.B. Shaw (Rockhampton), J.J. Anderson (Rockhampton),
T. Smith (Princhester), and A. Clark (Rockhampton), commenced its brief march to the grave. When half the distance had been covered the coffin-bearers were relieved by Messrs. P. Salmon (Normanville), M. Beak (Yaamba), A.M. Pacey (Glengarry), G.A.
Sloan (Rockhampton), H. Perrier (Rockhampton), and L.J. Cran (Rockhampton). Among those present were Messrs. A.L. and S.R.
MacDonald, sons of the deceased; Dr. S. Stuart, son-in-law of the deceased, and his son Mr. L. Stuart; Messrs. A.H. Headrick, J.
Headrick, M. Headrick, F.M. Sealy, F.W. Curtis, J. Barrett, J. Orr, C.M. Bromley, J. Wheatcroft, W.F. Richardson, R.M. Munro,
J.W. Dalzell, A. McBean, A. Macmillan, W. Somerville, H. Strachan, J Bremner, H.J. Pattison, P.T. Rees Jones, J. Macaree,
F.W. Hughes, John Mylrea (Wattlebank), James Mylrea (Mona Vale), G. Mylrea (Wattlebank), H. Sherwin (The Springs), C.W. Wickbold (Lake Learmouth), J. Mylrea, junr. (Eden Bann), J. Gibson (Canoona), J.L. Orr, J. Moore, M.J. Heffernan, J. Cummings (all
of Yaamba), and J. Black (Greenlake).
The ceremony at the graveside was conducted by Mr. Walker amid the twittering of a large number of birds, with the air
strongly perfumed by the sweet-smelling eucalyptus which grows so freely in the cemetery. Wreaths were placed on the grave from Dr. and Mrs. H.E. Brown and family, Mr. G. Byrne, Mr. and Mrs. A.L.H. Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. Cummings and family, the Hon. G.S. Curtis and family, Mrs. Daglish, Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon, Mr. A.J. Geddes, Mr. E.P. Geddes, Miss K. Geddes, Mrs. M. Headrick, Mrs. and Miss
Huet, Mr. and Mrs. Hadgraft and Miss Slater. Messrs. T. Kelly and Sons, Miss M. Lawson, Mr. J. Macaree, Mr. W. Fraser, Miss. S.
Moore and father and brothers, Mr. and Mrs. J. Pattison, Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Sealy, Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. H. Stretton
and Mrs. Ballard, the Yaamba school children, the Livingstone Shire Council, the staff of the Australian Bank of Commerce, and
the New Zealand Insurance Company.
Source References:
52. Type: Australia Birth Marriage Death Index 1787 - 1985 Record
- Reference = (Marriage)
- Notes: Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950 about Peter Fitzallen Macdonald
Name: Peter Fitzallen Macdonald
Spouse Name: Julia Ayrey
Marriage Place: Victoria
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration Year: 1861
Registration number: 645
- Reference = (Death)
- Notes: Australia Death Index, 1787-1985 about Peter Fitzallan MacDonald
Name: Peter Fitzallan MacDonald
Death Date: 19 Jun 1919
Death Place: Queensland
Father's Name: Alexander MacDonald
Mother's Name: Sarah Warby
Registration Place: Queensland
Registration number: 002820
Page Number: 1216
- Reference = (Birth)
- Notes: Australia Birth Index, 1788-1922 about Peter Mcdonald
Name: Peter Mcdonald
Birth Date: 1830
Father's Name: Alexander Mcdonald
Mother's Name: Sarah
Birth Place: New South Wales
Registration Year: 1830
Registration Place: Campbelltown, New South Wales
Volume Number: V183010588 IC
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