Lady Dora MacDonald (née Graham)

Dora, Lady Macdonald (née Graham), wife of Sir John Macdonald (q.v.), inherited Williamsfield estate in Jamaica from her father Charles Graham.

1. Parents Charles Graham and Dorothy Graham. Marriage 27/04/1805 "at Pancras Major Macdonald assistant-quarter-master-general to the only daughter of the late Charles Graham Esquire of Williamsfield, Jamaica." 1841 census: at Bruton Street, St George's Hanover, with husband Sir John Macdonald. 1851 census, 23 Bruton Street, "Widow of Sir John Macdonald, Major-Gen, GCB", place of birth British Colonies, living with son and daughter. Year of birth for children inferred from the census. Buried 23/09/1854 age 60 at All Souls Cemetary, Kensal Green, London. (Note that age 60 would indicate she was 11 years old at her marriage in 1805.) Her obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine states: 'at Dover, aged 64, Lady Macdonald, widow of Lieut-General Sir John Macdonald, G.C.B., Adjutant-Gen. to the Forces. She was the dau. of Charles Graham, esq. of Williamsfield, Jamaica, and was left a widow in 1850.'

2. Death of her mother: 'at the residence of her son-in-law Lt-Gen Sir JM in Bruton St, Berkeley Square, Mrs Graham, widow of the late Charles Graham, of Williamsfield in the Island of Jamaica in the 82nd year of her age.' Dorothy Graham, 23 Bruton Street, buried 17/11/1849, Kensal Green All Souls.

3. Boyle's Directory 1836 shows Major General Sir John Macdonald, K.C.B. at 25 Pall-mall.

 T71/915 Manchester No. 915.

1. Times 13/11/1849 p. 7; Ancestry.com, London, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-1980 [database online]; 1841 census online; 1851 census online; Gentleman's Magazine Vol. 197 p. 532 (November 1854).

2. Times 13/11/1849 p. 7; Ancestry.com, London, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-1980 [database online].

3. Boyles Directory (1836).

We are grateful to David Radcliffe for his assistance with compiling this entry.