Two donations of historic records documenting the political, business and personal lives of the MacDonald family, known for their involvement in Island political life, were recently received by the Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson.
“The records in these donations provide a wonderful insight into the business, social and political life of Prince Edward Island at the time,” said Minister Henderson. “These documents will make an excellent addition to the provincial archives, and I thank the descendants of the MacDonald Family for their generosity.”
Long cared for by descendants in Canada and the United States, the donations document the lives of brothers Andrew Archibald, Archibald John and Augustine Colin MacDonald and their families.
Well known for their business interests at Georgetown and Panmure Island, the three MacDonald brothers perhaps are most notable for their role in the province’s political life. Serving variously as members of the Legislative Council, Legislative Assembly, House of Commons and Senate, two of the brothers held terms as lieutenant governor and Andrew Archibald is remembered as a Canadian Father of Confederation.
The records include journals from the MacDonald Brothers Store in Georgetown, the war journals of Temple MacDonald and correspondence from Andrew Archibald MacDonald during his time as a Canadian senator.
The MacDonald material consists of two donations. Cousins Deborah Plumb, Nancy Pearson, Janice Cacciotti, and Betty Febrile of Ontario and Ann Marie Tomlins and Judy Fisher of Prince Edward Island donated papers preserved in a family home in Georgetown. A second donation came from descendant John Ransford Watts of Illinois. Watts’ mother, Mary Marion Watts, was responsible for arranging and preserving much of the material in both donations.
“For generations the members of the MacDonald family have cared for and treasured this historic material. Because of their generosity in donating these records, all Islanders will have access to this window on our past for generations to come,” said Minister Henderson.