Family of Origin

Milton’s father as a child:

 

Milton’s parents wedding photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Farrington (née Walton) MacDonald was born on Saturday, December 3, 1887. Joseph R. MacDonald was born April 8, 1875.  Their marriage is recorded in the Massachusetts Marriage Records, 1840-1915  in the city of Attleborough. The residence of each at time of marriage was Joseph in Providence and Annie in Cranston. The occupation of Joseph at time of wedding was police officer. The maiden name of Joseph’s mother is erroneous recorded as Mary Connelly, but her maiden name is actually Mary Conlon. (This erroneous spelling of her last name appears over and over in genealogical records). Joseph descends from the MacDonalds, the Conlons, and the MacMullens.  Annie descends from the Waltons, the Kenyons, the Nichols, and the Leach family. Joseph died March 9, 1957 and Annie died January 22, 1959.

As a young man, Joseph was thought to be the brightest person in the county. He attended Mowry and Goff, a preparatory school for Brown University. The English and  Classical School, more popularly and affectionately known as Mowry & Goff, was termed “the brightest spot in Rhode Island’s history of education.” The school “attained a rank second to no similar institution in this country.”

Annie Walton, a pretty, tall woman, was twelve years younger than Joseph.  She also came from a good family, a family that had enough land to donate land to the village of Hope in the town of Scituate for the public cemetery. Oral tradition also has the Walton’s donating the land for the building of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Fiskeville, Rhode Island.

 

 

A 1953 photo of Milton’s parents and a photo of the children in ascending order:

 

 

Milton’s parents, Annie and Joseph MacDonald – 1953

Milton and his family of origin, left to right, oldest to youngest

 

Milton’s eldest sister,  Clarissa Pearl MacDonald:

Clarissa Pearl MacDonald, Annie and Joseph’s first child, was born on Sunday, July 31, 1904.  To the family’s great and lasting sorrow, Clarissa (“Pearl”) died at a young age, shortly after this picture was taken.

 

 

Clarissa Pearl’s birth registration, Attleborough, Massachusetts

Clarissa Pearl’s death, Providence, Rhode Island

According to above birth registration, Clarissa Pearl’s parents were living in Attleborough, Massachusetts when Clarissa was born in Attleborough, and her father’s occupation was jeweler. Clarissa’s mother, Annie, was born in Cranston.   Other sources have Annie born in Fiskeville which is a small village in the south west corner of  Cranston. Joseph was born in Hope, R.I.

Why is the family living in Attleborough, Massachusetts?

One of Milton’s nieces knew her grandmother Annie had relatives living in Attleborough at that time.  Perhaps that is the reason Annie and Joseph were living there.  Annie’s relatives appear to be well off or, at least, land owners.  Annie and Joseph were both from the Hope area of Rhode Island area and they returned there to raise their children.

 

Milton’s eldest brother, Donald:

 

Milton, the last son born, held Donald, the first born son, in esteem. From Audrey’s Memoirs “Glimpses of the Past: Morning Conversation with Audrey” on August 7, 2002, Audrey said “Dad’s oldest brother Donald was great! Your Dad always loved his oldest brother Donald the best. Donald was always good to Dad – when Dad was a kid and all Dad’s life.” Apparently, whenever Dad would need help, Donald would always show up.  Audrey also mentioned that when Milton was hospitalized in the 1960s and was very ill, Donald gave money. Milton never mentioned to his children about his favoritism for his eldest brother as he was a quiet man and he especially never talked about other people.

 

 

Milton’s letter to Donald, 8-12-1926

Milton’s letter to Donald, 8-12-1926 (pg2)

Milton’s letter to Donald, 8-12-1926 (pg3)

 

Milton’s letter to Donald, 8-24-1926

Milton’s letter to Donald, 8-24-1926 (pg2)

 

 

 

 

Milton’s older brother, Robert:

(When, and if, a photo of Milton and his brother Robert becomes available to this web site author, the photo will be added here.)

 

 

 

Wedding Announcement – Robert and Gladys Lovell

 

Milton’s older sister, Gladys:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milton’s older brother, Stuart:

(When, and if, a photo of Milton and his brother Stuart becomes available to this web site author, the photo will be added here.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Milton, the youngest son:

(When, and if, an infant or childhood photo of Milton becomes available to this web site author, the photo will be added here.)

 

 

Milton’s younger sister, Ruth:

(When, and if, a photo of Milton and his sister Ruth becomes available to this web site author, the photo will be added here.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vaughn, Spencer, Walton, and MacDonald Press, Hemet, California 92544                             Copyright © 2014 by Heather D. MacDonald

 

“MacDonald and Walton descendants, if you have any additional information on Milton MacDonald’s family of origin  please add a comment to this web site and the web site author will add this to the site.  Thanks!”   (Contact Us-on upper right side of page)