James McDONELL [Big Mac]

1818 - 1875  (57 years)

• Name	James McDONELL
  Known As	Big Mac
  Birth	15 Jun 1818	Achaidh Luachraich, Glen Garry, Inverness-shire, Scotland   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	Farmer, IVERHOE, Parewanui, Rangitikei  [2]
  Death	05 Sep 1875	Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand   [3]
  Burial	08 Sep 1875	Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand   [4]
  Person ID	I19132	NZ Genealogy Project
  Last Modified	20 Mar 2023

  
  

  Family	Annie CAMERON,   b. 26 Apr 1829, Strontian, Argyllshire, Scotland d. 16 Apr 1919, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand (Age 89 years)
  Marriage	13 Jan 1852	Kaiwharawhaura, Wellington, New Zealand   [3, 5]
  Children	1. Archibald McLean McDONELL,   b. 26 Dec 1850, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 19 Jan 1917, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand (Age 66 years) + 2. Christina Annie McDONELL,   b. 24 Jul 1852, New Zealand d. 23 Sep 1922, Wanganui, Wanganui, New Zealand (Age 70 years)   3. Flora Jemima McDONELL,   b. 1855, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 23 Jun 1938, Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand (Age 83 years)   4. Donald Cameron McDONELL,   b. 02 Apr 1857, Bulls, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 08 Mar 1884, Tinui, Wairarapa, New Zealand (Age 26 years)   5. Catherine McDONELL [Kate],   b. 1858, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 01 Nov 1921, Wanganui, Wanganui, New Zealand (Age 63 years)   6. James Angus McDONELL,   b. 11 Apr 1862   d. 30 Aug 1924, Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (Age 62 years)   7. Elizabeth McDONELL [Lizzie],   b. 1863, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 09 May 1942, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 79 years)   8. Mary McDONELL,   b. 12 Feb 1864, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 21 Apr 1938, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 74 years) + 9. John McDONELL,   b. 03 Mar 1866, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 18 Nov 1936, Marton, Rangitikei, New Zealand (Age 70 years)   10. Aeneas Alexander McDONELL,   b. 08 Apr 1868, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 21 Jan 1930, Rongotea, Manawatu, New Zealand (Age 61 years)   11. Selina Priscilla McDONELL [Lena],   b. 02 Apr 1872, Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand d. 21 Apr 1960, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand (Age 88 years)
  Family ID	F6500	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	31 Dec 2024

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 15 Jun 1818 - Achaidh Luachraich, Glen Garry, Inverness-shire, Scotland Marriage - 13 Jan 1852 - Kaiwharawhaura, Wellington, New Zealand Death - 05 Sep 1875 - Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand Burial - 08 Sep 1875 - Parewanui, Rangitikei, New Zealand  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Documents

  Lower Rangitikei Map Lower Rangitikei Map showing location of farms: IVERHOE (James McDonell), PUKEHOU (Duncan Fraser) and POYNTZFIELD (Thomas McKenzie).

  
  

  Headstones

  Headstone - James and Annie McDonnell In loving memory of James McDonnell of "Inverhoe", died on Sunday 5th Sept 1875 aged 57 years. Erected by his widow and children. Also Annie, beloved wife of the above, born Inverness Scotland 1825, died Inverhoe Parawanui April 16 1919 aged 90 years. At Rest

  
  

• Notes

  OBITUARY BULLS Sept 9th. The death of James McDonnell, which happened on Sunday, has cast a gloom over the whole District. The deceased who has been gradually declining for some months past, arrived in the Colony of New South Wales as long ago as 1838, when he came to Wellington, being engaged in the shipping of horses and cattle to the above port. He subsequently determined to make New Zealand his home, and was one of, if not the first, settler in Rangitikei, where he has remained, living at Inverhoe ever since. The deceased in the early days was known throughout the Province for his unbounded hospitality, and never was there a case of want or distress but what "Big Mac" as his friends fondly called him, came forward to assist and alleviate. The funeral, which took place yesterday, was attended by settlers from all parts; and as the procession, which started from Bull's, neared the family burial ground at Inverhoe, its ranks were gradually swelled by young and old, by Maoris and others, all wishing to pay the last tribute of affection and respect to the once free-hearted settler, until it was at least half a mile long. In passing Parawanui I noticed that nearly all the Maoris who were themselves unable to follow, had adopted the usual symbol of their grief, viz - a garland of green creepers wreathed round their brows. The funeral service, which was performed by the Rev. Father Kirk, was admirably adapted for the occasion, and the address afterwards, pointing to the uncertainty of life and the wonderful mysteries of the never ending future, will long he remembered by the hundreds surrounding the grave where the remains of James McDonnell now rest in peace. Much sympathy was expressed for the widow and the large, though happily grown up family, thus suddenly left in sorrow, which let us hope will soon give way to a feeling of thankfulness in that death in this case was not only painless but peaceful. Source: Wanganui Herald , 16 September 1875, Page 2 [4]

  
  

• Sources

  [S1569] Terrence Stack, Ancestry.com - Public Member Tree - Strack Family Tree, (Ancestry.com). Birthplace given as Auchlaucrach, Glen Garry, Inverness, Scotland. This is probably Achaidh Luachraich, that was located north of Loch Garry. The level of the Loch appears to have been raised since the 1850's maps were prepared, so Achaidh Luachraich may be covered in water today. [S600] Ancestry.com - Public Member Tree, (Ancestry.com). [S1569] Terrence Stack, Ancestry.com - Public Member Tree - Strack Family Tree, (Ancestry.com). [S125] Papers Past - Wanganui Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none. [S1570] Hugh McPhail, The Blenheim People, (Hugh McPhail, Wellington, New Zealand 2015).