Donald McDermid
| Town/City | Blue Haven NSW |
|---|---|
| First name | Donald |
| Last name | McDermid |
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Date of Birth | 1793 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1840 |
| Submitted by | Raymond Bermingham |
Story
My G.G.G.Grandfather Donald was a shepherd on the Isle of Carna, Argyll, Scotland and wanted to give his family a better life in Australia. He left Isle of Mull on 16 Sept 1839 on the “George Fyfe” and arrived Port Jackson 23 Jan 1840. He brought with him his parents and wife Mary and 9 children. Beds were brought out on deck daily for preservation of health and frequent washing of clothes. Divine service was performed every Sunday.
Donald first secured employment in NSW with Hannibal Hawkins McArthur (nephew of John) of the “Vineyards” Parramatta. After a year there they moved to Mount Pleasant, Clarence Town, Williams River. Farming pursuits were followed there until early 1852.
He then purchased 250 acres on Mitchell’s Island for 20/- per acre. He travelled there by bullock dray and had to cut a track through the standing timbers. He built the family home “Dungallon” overlooking the northern channel of the Manning River. He was the second European settler to purchase land on Mitchell’s Island, which was named after Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell.
The family had a good life there and Mary passed away in 1873 at the age of 80 and Donald died in 1883 at the age of 90. A tombstone marks their last resting place in the cemetery at Mitchell’s Island.