65978: Donald Matheson

Donald was a son of Malcolm who relocated from Valtos to Crowlista c1773. He enlisted in the British army as a young lad and was present at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758, then in 1778 he joined the 78th Seaforth Highlanders and served in India (the song Saighdear Chaluim Bain is written about him).

After his discharge from the army he settled in Crowlista, where he is recorded on various dates between 1796 and 1824. He married Christina Macdonald; the couple had at least nine children.

After Donald’s death in 1831 Christina and their children emigrated to Cape Breton.