David McDonald

Parents:

• Birth*: David McDonald was born say 1833 at Lintrathen, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; from census records.²
• He was the son of Alexander McDonald and Christian Adam.¹
• (Groom) Marriage*: David McDonald married Elspeth Robertson on 21 June 1861 at Kirriemuir, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; LDS M112991 [Oct 2008].
• (Groom) Marriage*: David McDonald married Sarah Key, daughter of William Key farm servant and Elisabeth Myers, on 30 August 1876 at Monifieth, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1876 marriages in the parish of Monifeith in the county of Forfar, rref 55; 1876 on the Thirtieth day of August at Monifieth after banns according to the forms of the Church of Scotland; signed David McDonald widower gardener domestic servant aged 43, residing Broughty Ferry, parents Alexander McDonald farmer (dec) and Christina McDondlad ms Adams; signed Sarah Key spinster domestic servant aged 29 residing Broughty Ferry, parents William Key signalman Caledonian Railway and Elizabeth Key ms Myres; signed S G Young signed Wm Sutherland & Hellen Key witnesses; registered 1876 August 31st at Monifieth Gilbert C Smith assist reg, William Smith registrar.³

• (Witness) Newspaper Article: David McDonald and Margaret Key, James Todd, Sarah Key, George Key, Ann Gibson Ford, Helen Key powerloom weaver, John Bews coal salesman, Ann Key and William Key missionary were mentioned in a newspaper article about William Key farm servant and Elisabeth Myers on 17 December 1888. GOLDEN WEDDING - Mr William Key and Mrs Key, who have resided in Monifieth for about 20 years, celebrated their golden wedding on Saturday evening. The aged couple had with them on the occasion three daughters with their husbands, and one son and his wife, together with thirteen grandchildren. The company spent a very enjoyable evening in a manner appropriate to the interesting event. It may be mentioned that Mr Key is in his 82nd year, while Mrs Key is 72 years of age, and both are hale and hearty. Besides the above mentioned members of their family, they have a daughter in America, and a son engaged as a missionary in China who together have eight children. Mr and Mrs Key have twenty-three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.⁴
  
• (Witness) Death: David McDonald witnessed the death of William Key farm servant on 12 April 1899 at Bayfield Lodge, West Ferry, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1899 deaths in the district of St Andrew in the burgh of Dundee, William Key farm grieve widower of Elizabeth Myres, 1899 April twelfth 9h 10m am Bayfield Lodge West Ferry parish of Dundee, m, 91 years, parents George Key estate joiner (dec) and Isobel Key ms Law (dec), cystitis chronic exhaustion as cert by James Gowans MBCM, William Key son 17 Park Avenue Dundee; registered 1899 April 13th at Dundee Jas Murray registrar.⁵
• (Witness) Newspaper Article: David McDonald and Elisabeth Myers and William Key missionary was mentioned in a newspaper article about William Key farm servant on 13 April 1899. Broughty Ferry - Death of a Nonagerian. - Yesterday morning there passed away at the residence of his son-in-law, Bayfield Lodge, West Ferry, one who was perhaps the oldest resident in the burgh - namely, Mr William Key, who was 91 years of age last October. Deceased in his younger days was a ploughman, and was engaged on several farms in the northern part of the parish for many years, the later period of his life previous to coming here to reside being spent in Monifieth. Mr Key, whose wife predeceased him some years ago, brought up a family of sons and daughters. One of his sons, William, has laboured for many years in China as a missionary, and he only arrived here from that country on Monday last, just in time to see his aged father before he expired.⁶
  
• (Spouse) Death: His spouse Sarah Key died on 21 October 1919 at 6 Lawson Place, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, ; 1919 deaths in the district of St Clement in the burgh of Dundee, ref 719; Sarah McDonald widow of David McDonald gardener, 1919 October twentyfirst 7h 25m am 6 Lawson Place Dundee, female aged 72 years, parents William Key railway labourer (dec) and Elizabeth Key ms Myres (dec), senility as cert by J J Thom MB, signed Peter Millar son-in-law 5 Bank Street present, registered 1919 October 21st at Dundee Alex Buchan registrar.⁷

Census & Directory Entries

Head of Household	3 April 1881	He was listed as head of household along with spouse Sarah Key in the 1881 census at Old Mon Rd, Camphill Lodge, Monifieth, Forfarshire, Scotland, . David McDonald, head, mar, 47, gardener dom serv, Lintrathen; Sarah McDonald, wife, mar, 33, Monifieth; also in the household were William Robert Mitchel McDonald, Elizabeth McDonald, Janet Rait Robertson McDonald, Sarah Key and Christina McDonald.8
Head of Household	5 April 1891	He was listed as head of household along with spouse Sarah Key in the 1891 census at 2 Ellis Land, Strathmore Street, Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, Scotland, . David McDonald, head, 57, gardiner domestic, Lintrathen; Sarah McDonald, wife, 43, Monifieth.9
Head of Household	31 March 1901	He was listed as head of household along with spouse Sarah Key in the 1901 census at Bayfield Lodge, Dundee Road, Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland, . David McDonald, head, 67, gardiner domestic, Lintrathen; Sarah, wife, 63, Monifieth; also in the household were Sarah Key.2