DONALDSON, William ¹

  General Notes:

The 1841 census for Tarbolton in Ayrshire recorded William Donaldson living in James Street with Elisabeth Donaldson, probably his wife, Mary and Elisabeth Donaldson whom we know to be his daughters, and a 15-20 year old young woman called Jean Donaldson, an embroiderer, born in Ireland. William was recorded as 46 years old and born in Ireland. He was an agricultural labourer.

In 1851 the census for Tarbolton found William Donaldson the head of a largish household. It consisted of himself, his wife and three daughters, his mother in law, and six lodgers: Edie and Ann Folly, Elizabeth Kennedy, and John and Helen Small and their son, John. William was recorded as aged 56 years and born in Ireland. He was a Chelsea Pensioner and a pauper.

William Donaldson was recorded by the 1861 census for Tarbolton Ayrshire. He was 66 years of age and an agricultural labourer. As well has himself, his wife, and his two daughters, William's granddaughter, Elisabeth Donaldson, aged 6 months, was also recorded living in the household, as was a visitor, Elisabeth McGavin, aged 60 years and born in Ireland.

The 1862 marriage certificate of Agnes Donaldson recorded her father William Donaldson as a Chelsea Pensioner. ^{1 2 3}

William married Elisabeth PORTER, daughter of Henry PORTER and Jane McKEAVER. (Elisabeth PORTER was born in 1804 in Ireland ¹ and died after 31 October 1862 ¹.)