James Calvin DONALD, Rockbridge, Virginia, 1836-1899
James Calvin DONALD was my g-g-grandfather. He was the son of John DONALD and Nancy MATCHETT. John DONALD was the son of James DONALD and Jennie MCCORKLE. He was the great-grandson of Matthew DONALD and Eliabeth LYLE who are members of families that originally settled in Rockbridge, Virginia
Three of James' brothers fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, along with James. All of them spent time in Yankee prison camps, and his brother Robert died in one.
James was married to Elizabeth Jane WALLACE, daughter of Charlton WALLACE and Martha Jane CASH
I have been able to piece together a lot of the DONALD and LYLE family tree from a book published in 1912 about the LYLE's in early Virginia.
From: Lyle Family: The Ancestry and Posterity of Matthew, John, Daniel and Samuel Lyle, Pioneer Settlers in Virginia
Facts and Timeline for James Calvin DONALD
30 Jun 1836
James Calvin DONALD was born in Rockbridge, Virginia, the oldest son of John DONALD and Nancy MATCHETT. The record I have for his parents marriage says they were married on 7 Jan 1836. I do not know if that record or his birth record is correct. His birth date comes Civil War records; I do not have his actual birth record. I also do not have a direct source for his parents wedding date.
1840 Census
Although the 1840 census does not list names, the household of his father shows evidence that he was living there at that time and was between the ages of 0 and 4.
1850 Census
This census snippet shows James living with his brother and sisters. His parents are on the previous page. From this census, we do know that he was in school in 1850.
1860 census, Lexington, Virginia
James is shown as living with his parents in 1860. We also have evidence that he married Elizabeth Jane WALLACE in 1860, which makes this a bit confusing.
1854
Nancy MATCHETT, age 37, James' mother, dies in Rockbridge, Virginia. James was 18 when his mother died.
22 Jan 1857
John DONALD, age 48, marries Nancy MOSES, age 39, daughter of John MOSES and Jane in Rockbridge, Virginia.
20 Mar 1860
James Calvin DONALD, age 24, married Elizabeth Jane WALLACE, age 16. I have no idea where the two of them lived.
Donald, James C., age 24, single, born Rockbridge, lives Rockbridge, cooper, s/o John and Nancy DONALD & Wallace, Elizabeth J., age 16, single, born Rockbridge, lives Rockbridge, d/o Charlton and Martha J. WALLACE. 20 March 1860, A. Poe. Bonde officiated.
20 Apr 1861
James Calvin DONALD, age 24, enlists in the Conderate Army. He enlists in Lexington, Virginia by Capt Updike. He is a private in Company H of the 4th Reg't Virginia Infantry.
16 Apr 1862
James Calvin DONALD, age 25, transfers out of the 4th Infantry into Preston's 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was part of Ashby's Calavry.
28 Sep 1862
James Calvin DONALD, age 25, transfers out of the 7th Calavry into Company G, 14th Cavalry Regiment.
11 Jun 1864
James Calvin DONALD, age 27, was captured near Lexington, VA and sent to a prison camp in Wheeling, West Virginia. On 1 July 1864, he and two of his brothers, John and Benjamin were transfered to Camp Chase in Ohio were they remained til the end of the war.
Dec 1864
James H. DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, the oldest son of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
8 May 1865
James DONALD was released from Camp Chase after signing an Oath of Allegiance and returned home, with his brothers John and Benjamin.
Mar 1869
Aurelia Douglas DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, the oldest daughter of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
1870 Census, Rockbridge, Virginia
I have not been able to locate James and Elizabeth on a 1870 census yet. I am guessing that they were living in Rockbridge at the time. Aurelia, who was born in March 1869 is reported in an abstract for her marriage as being born in Rockbridge. Skimpy evidence, but it's what I have.
27 Dec 1872
John Charlton DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, son of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
13 Feb 1877
Laura Cecile DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, daughter of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE.
May 1880
Andrew M DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, son of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE. Per the Lyle Family we know he died young.
1880 Census, Lexington, Rockbridge, Virginia
This is the only census report I have that shows James and Elizabeth living together. James is listed as age 44, and as a Farmer. Elizabeth is listed as 35 and Keeping House. James H, son, is listed as 15, and as Works on Farm. Aurelia, daughter, is listed as 11 and At Home. She is listed as can read, but cannot write. John is listed as being 7 and Laura C, daughter is listed as being 3. Andrew M, is listed as being 1 month and born in April.
abt 1881
William D DONALD is born in Rockbridge, Virginia, son of James DONALD and Elizabeth Jane WALLACE. Per the Lyle Family we know he died young.
29 Sep 1885
Aurelia Douglas DONALD, age 17, marries James BROGRAN, age 23 of Botetourt, Virginia. They are married in Buffalo Forge Virginia.
29 Sep 1885 Jas. E. Brogan, 23 S, b/Botetourt, Farmer, son of Edwd. Brogran & J. Brogran, married Amelia (sic) D. Donald, 17, S, b/Rockbridge, daughter of Jas. C. Donald & Elizabeth Donald, A.P. Bonde officiating.
24 Jan 1894
Laura Cecile DONALD, age 17, marries Wyatt Paul GILLESPIE, age 29 of Amherst, Virginia. They are married in Lexington, Forge Virginia. Wyatt is the son of Jeremiah GILLESPIE and Mary E GILLESPIE.
20 Jul 1899
James Calvin DONALD dies in Rockbridge, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Jane and four of his children, James, Aurelia, John and Laura.