Prompt: Bearded
McDannal to McDonald
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde
Elijah, a young man with a goatee, became an old man with a long beard. Maybe it was just too much work to shave. I pondered the question by looking at the photo of my great grandfather Elijah McDonald whose beard increased from a goatee to a long beard. As he aged, he also changed the spelling of his surname from McDaniel to McDonald. Cousin Tommy Wayne McDonald reports the name was pronounced McDannal before the War Between the States, and after Elijah signed the Oath of Allegiance, he used the name, McDonald.
I can’t answer the question about his beard, nor can I answer the question about his Scottish roots. Cousin Tommy Wayne McDonald donated YDNA to learn more about Elijah’s obvious Scottish roots; despite testing with FTDNA, Y-Full, and Full Genomes, we cannot determine Elijah’s grandparents or from whence he came from Scotland. He does not match the Clan McDonald. His McDonald lineage was probably from an unidentified Sept in Scotland. With ongoing thanks to Tommy Wayne McDonald for research and analysis, here is Elijah’s life.
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| Elijah McDonald and Martha Brooks |
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Elijah McDonald - Old Man
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Timeline
Elijah McDaniel – McDonald
Elijah was born on 20 May 1834, probably in Talbot County, Georgia, to William and Sarah McDaniel. William McDaniel was enumerated in the 1830 U.S Federal Census, Chester, Fairfield County, South Carolina. By 1840 the family has migrated to Talbot County, Georgia. William McDaniel is believed deceased by 1847. By 1850, the family had moved to Alabama.
1850 U.S. Federal Census Chambers County, AlabamaName Place of Birth Age Other Information
Sarah McDaniel South Carolina 54
Sarah South Carolina 23
Hiram South Carolina 22
Ervin South Carolina 22
Elijah Georgia 16
Elisha Georgia 12
James M. Georgia 11
Mary Alabama 9
Caroline Not Given 20 Wife of Hiram
Note: Marriage bond for Hiram and Caroline found. William McDaniel was second bondsman.
Summary of 1850 Census information leads to the following conclusion:
Wife - Sarah McDonald/McDaniel, widow of William
1. John
2. William
3. Sarah
4. Hiram
5. Ervin
6. Elijah
7. Elisha
8. James M.
9. Mary M.
10. Sarah A.
11. Nancy
12. William Jr. (maybe a grandson)
John could have been on his own in 1850 - Chambers Co, Alabama
William - 37 could have been on his own or dead in 1860 - Pike County,
Hiram - 32 could have been on his own or dead in 1860 - Pike County,
Ervin - 28 could have been on his own or dead in 1860 - Pike County,
Elijah - 26 on his own, married to Martha Brooks in 1860 – Pike County, - living down the road
1860 U.S. Federal Census Pike County, Monticello Township, AlabamaName Place of Birth Age Other Information
Sarah McDonald South Carolina 63
John South Carolina 40
Sarah South Carolina 33
Elisha Georgia 23
James Georgia 20
Mary M. Georgia 18
Sarah A. Al 15
Nancy Al 12
WM J. Alabama 11
Note the names and ages of Sarah McDonald, head of household, Sarah, Elisha, James, and Mary between the two censuses. It would appear that this is Elijah's family. I suspect that John is the eldest child and Sarah A., Nancy, and WM. J. are his children.
1860 U.S. Federal Census - Pike County, Monticello Township, AlabamaName Place of Birth Age Other Information
Wm. McDonald South Carolina 36
Cynthia Georgia 36
Celia M. Alabama 13
General J. Alabama 12
Isham J. Alabama 9
WM. J. Alabama 5
Mary F. Alabama 2
Sarah Alabama 15
Edward() Smith Georgia 23 Farm Laborer
(William McDonald Jr. - above)
1866 Pike County CensusHead of Household
Ages of Males Ages of Females
0-10 10-20 30-40 0-10 10-20 20-30 30-40
Caroline MCDANIEL1 3 3 1 1 1
It could be Hiram's wife: She would have been 36 years of age. They would have been married for 16 years.
ELIJAH'S MARRIAGE:
Pike County Courthouse, Oak Street, Troy, Pike County, Alabama, Marriage Records, 1853-1859 p. 236.
On October 23, 1856, Elijah married Martha Brooks, daughter of Jacob Rutledge Brooks of Pike County, Alabama. Caleb Sappington Brooks, Martha's brother, signed their marriage bond, $200.00. They were both twenty-two years old at the time of their marriage.
1860 U.S. Federal Census- Alabama - Pike County, Eastern Division Monticello Post Office:
Census-Roll 21, Vol. 11, Film # 080 3021, p. 185-4 September 1860 -line #21, dwelling # 1269 fam. # 1288.
Elijah McDaniel/McDonald, 25, Georgia farmer with 185 Acres of land, Birthplace, Georgia
Martha, wife, age 26, born in Georgia
Children: Rebecca, age 3, and William J. age 2, both born in Alabama.
1866 Alabama State Census
Elijah and Martha are enumerated in Montgomery County, Alabama
1870 U.S. Federal Census - Alabama- Bullock County, Scotland Beat #21, p. 5. line #28, dwelling # 61, Family # 61 12 August, 1870
Post Office Arborvitae, H. T. MCull, Asst. Marshal; Ancestry.com, RollM653_21, p.361, 1870.
Name: Elijah McDonald
Age in 1870: 35
Estimated Birth Year: 1834
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1870: Scotland, Bullock, Alabama
Race: White
Gender: Male
Value of real estate: View Image
Post Office: Arbarvital
Roll: M593_4
Page: 77
Image: 155
Year: 1870
McDonald, Elijah, 35, male white farmer born in Georgia
Martha, age 34, female, white, keeping house, born in Georgia
Rebecca, age 13, female, white, born in Alabama
Laura, age 4, female, white, born in Alabama
No Name, 4 months, male, white, born in May Alabama
Martha and Elijah are enumerated with three children: Rebecca, 13; Laura, 4, and no name, four months old (Caleb Sappington). Sometime between the 1860 Federal Census and the 1866 State Census, William J. McDonald died. Following the 1870 Federal Census, Elijah and his young family decided to move west towards Arkansas or Texas. According to Rebecca’s daughter, Retha, her mother was 13 when "She left Alabama with her family and traveled by raft up the Arkansas River to Fort Smith."
Frank McDonald, Elijah's youngest son by his second wife, writes, "They left Alabama because Elijah's first wife was ill. She died en route in a wagon." According to her granddaughter, Retha Looney, she was buried in Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood Cemetery, Sebastian County, Arkansas. There are many unmarked graves in the old section of Liberty Cemetery.
One of Elijah's descendants wrote that Will Johnston of Greenwood, Arkansas, and his sister, Martha Elizabeth Johnston, took in Becky, while another family took in Caleb and Laura. Will Johnston married Becky in January of 1874, and Elijah married Martha Elizabeth in July 1874. Will and Becky stayed in Greenwood. Elijah and Martha may have moved to Oklahoma for some time, returning to Montgomery County, Arkansas, by 1890. Elijah and Martha had four more children, of whom three survived.
Sebastian County Marriage Records- 1873-1880 - Sebastian County Courthouse, Greenwood, Arkansas
"This certifies that I, H. H. Peninger, an ordained minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, did duly join in marriage in Sebastian County Arkansas, on the 12th day of May 1874, the following persons to wit: Elijah McDonald, aged 3 9 years and M.E. Johnston, aged31 years, both of Sebastian County, Arkansas. My credentials were recorded in Sebastian County, Arkansas, on November 15th, 1873. H. H.Peninger. The above and foregoing instrument of writing was filed for record in my office on the 29th day of August A.D. 1874.
1880 U.S. Federal Census - N/A They may have moved to Oklahoma Territory.
1890 U.S. Federal Census Alabama, Ouachita township: Eliak McDonald, Martha, James T., Frank.
Elijah and his second wife, Martha Elizabeth Johnston McDonald; his Father was born in South Carolina. Mother was born in South Carolina. According to the 1890 census, Elijah could read but not write.
1900 U.S. Federal Census Montgomery County, Arkansas, Ouachita Township Dwelling # 32, Family # 32: Film # 1240069
Elijah McDanal (sic) - born 1834 in Georgia - parents both South Carolina - still farming at 66, owned the land free of mortgage, could read, but not write; wife Martha born in 1842 in Tennessee, parents from North Carolina & South Carolina, could read and write (made a mark on the pension request - don't know if she could write), mother of 4, with 3 children living; 2 sons living at home - James T and Frank - both listed as having been born in Arkansas - did farm work. James T. was born in the Indian Territory, according to his birth and death certificate.
Sam Pyler, a resident of Rocky, Montgomery County, Arkansas, told a cousin, Linda Miller, that when he was three years old and orphaned, Elijah and Mattie took him in. Sam Pyler said that Elijah and Mattie were small people. Elijah had a war injury to the second knuckle that caused it to be bent forward and down. Elijah was good at prayers; he was a devout member of the Methodist Church. Elijah died in 1904 of tuberculosis. He is buried next to Mattie in Rocky Cemetery. A descendant of Mattie and Elijah's, La Wanda Higgins, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has several items that belonged to them, including clothing, a razor, and Mattie's hymn book. She also has Elijah's original documents from the War Between the States.
Memo regarding marriage information from Elijah's second marriage: Marriage information came from Elizabeth Johnston McDonald's bible (Mattie).
The following is not in the Bible:
McDonald, Infant - Born and Died May 26, 1913
Daughter of J. B. and Della McDonald
McDonald, (Double Stone) Della A.1879 - 1969 & James B.1868 - 1942
McDonald, James B. 1910 - 1944
Alabama: Elijah McDaniel War Record
1. Enlisted at Camp Alabama, Florida July 26, 1861, by Col. Steadman for the enlistment of 12 months. Elijah McDaniel
2. Muster Roll for (Old) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry, July and August 1861, Camp Alabama. Present Elijah McDaniel
3. Muster Roll for (Old) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry. September and October 1861, Camp Alabama. Present. Last paid by L.T.Johnston on August 31, 1861, Elijah McDaniel
4. Muster Roll for (Old) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry, November and December 1861, Camp Alabama. Present. Last paid by L.T.Johnston on October 31, 1861. Enlistment renewed for 2 years. Bounty Due $50.00. Elijah McDaniel
5. Regimental Return January 1862; He reenlisted for 2 years or the war. On furlough to his residence. Elijah McDaniel
6. Muster Roll for (Old) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry. July 31 to October 31, 1862. Present. Last paid by Capt. McLure on July 31, 1862. The Governor of Alabama originally called this regiment January 1861, for 12 months, as 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry. It was reorganized on March 2, 1862, at Fort Barances, Fla. As of 1st regiment, Alabama Artillery, again reorganized April 1862 at Memphis, Tennessee. As of 1st Regiment Alabama Infantry. This company subsequently became (New) Company E, 1st Alabama Infantry.
7. Muster Roll for (New) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry. December 31, 1862, to April 30, 1863. Present Enlisted E. McDaniel
8. Muster Roll for (New) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry April 30 to November 30, 1863. Absent without leave. Enlisted June30, 1861 at Camp Alabama for 1 year by Col Clayton. Elijah McDaniel
9. Muster Roll for (New) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry November 30 to December 31, 1863. Absent without leave. E. McDaniel
10. Muster Roll for (New) Company E, 1st Regiment, Alabama Infantry April 17, 1864, at Fort Gaines, Alabama. Absent without leave. The soldier returned with satisfactory evidence exonerating him. E. McDaniel
Roll of Captain Jno. H. Wood's Company 'E' of the 1st Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Army of the Confederate States, Col. Steadman, in compliance with Par. III, G.O> No. 27, A. & I. Genl. O. Richmond, Va.
11. Ross Hospital, Mobile, Ala. Complaint Debitlity, Admitted April13 1864, Returned to duty April 15, 1864. E. McDaniel
12. Fort Hudson, July 1863 Elijah McDaniel was on the list of non-commissioned officers and privates, prisoners of war, who have been this day released upon their paroles.
13. Marshall Hospital, Columbus, Georgia for clothing, 3rd quarter,1864. Date of issue July 13, 1864. Elijah McDaniel.
14. Roll of Prisoners of War at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois. Captured Island No. 10, April 8, 1862, Elijah McDonne ll, private, County, B1st Regiment, Alabama.
15. Roll of Prisoners of War at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois. Captured Island No. 10, April 8, 1862 Sent from Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, to Vicksburg, Mississippi., September 23, 1863, to be exchanged. E McDaniel, private County E 1st Re g't Alabama.
16. Roll of Prisoners of War paroled at Port Hudson, La., July 12 and 13, 1863. Captured Port Hudson July 9, 1863, Elijah McDaniel, private, County E 1st Regiment, Alabama.
17. Roll of Prisoners of War received at Military Prison, Louisville, Kentucky. Captured Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1864. Elijah McDonald, private County E 1st Regiment Alabama. Discharged C. Douglas December 20, 1864
18. Roll of Prisoners of War received at Military Prison, Louisville, Kentucky. Captured Nashville, Tennessee, December 1, 5, 1864. Received December 19, 1864. Discharged on December 20, 1864, and sent to Camp Douglas. Elijah McDonald, private County E 1st Regiment Alabama.
19. Roll of Prisoners of War received at Camp Douglas, Ill., Dec. 23,1864 forwarded from Louisville, Kentucky. Elijah McDonald, private County E 1st Regiment Alabama.
20. Roll of Prisoners of War at Nashville, Tennessee, captured by forces under Maj. Gen. Thomas, commanding Dept. of the Cumberland, forwarded to Capt. S.E. Jones, Add'l A.D.C., Louisville, Ky., Dec 18,1864. Roll dated December 18, 1864. Elijah McDonald
From Elijah's Civil War Records.
Oath of Allegiance - 2 recorded dates
United States Oath: I, Elijah McDonald, of the county of Pike, state of Alabama, do solemnly swear to support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the UnitedStates - Camp Douglas, Illinois - 19 June 1865
(above named has a dark complexion, light hair, and blue eyes, 6 feet high)
bottom = 24 August 1865
Recommended reading: History of Scotland Community by Clara LottCameron, Collections, and Recollections of Bullock County.
p. 91-92. Also see, Bullock County and The War Between the States, p. 139, History of Bullock County,
As the reader notes, Elijah died owning a razor that now belongs to LaWanda Huggins in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We still don’t know why Elijah grew a beard from a goatee!
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