Frye Village Stories: the William C. Donald Family (part 2)
A Shawsheen Village 100 Story
Before Shawsheen Village Frye Village Stories: the Donald Ink Factory, part 2
The William C. Donald Family of Frye Village
William Cooper Donald (1816-1906) was born in West Craig, Forfarshire, Scotland. William apprenticed as a miller from age 15 to 21. He married Agnes Bain Smart on September 13, 1839 in Brechin, Scotland.
Five years later in 1846, William, Agnes, and their two oldest children Fannie and Belle, immigrated to the United States.
1906 map of Shawsheen Village
The Andover-Brechin, Scotland connection was strong.
ACHC #1983.167.30
Smith & Dove founders John Smith and partners John and Peter Dove were from Brechin and recruited residents to come to Andover to work in their linen mill. They purchased their home at 355 North Main Street, next door to John Smith, from Ephraim Everson.
William and Agnes moved to Andover and joined the South Parish Church in 1845. They would leave the church the following year to become charter members of the Free Christian Church. Together they had seven more children, including Walter Smart Donald who would later take over the ink factory from his father.
Like their neighbors, the Smiths, Doves, and Poors, the Donalds were abolitionists. William was active in the Free Christian Church as Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He was deeply involved in town and represented Andover in the Massachusetts State Legislature.
He was known for “His simple, affectionate nature and cheerful unaffected goodness (which) won for him a large number of friends and made him beloved and honored among his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
The last 12 years of his life he wintered in Boston with his daughter Charlotte (Donald) Garland. William Donald died there in 1906 at age 90. The Garlands summered in Andover in the Donald family home the property was sold.
The Donald's home, which still exists today tucked behind Anton’s Cleaners, is often referred to as “Garland House.”
The 1906 map of Frye Village above shows the extent of the Donald family properties. You can find a high resolution version on our website.
Next story: More about the next generation of the Donald family of Frye Village.