Community Contributed

Hugh (Joseph) McDonald

The son of Hugh, son of Hector McDonald and Te Kopi, niece of Te Rauparaha.

Date of birth	04 July 1873
Date of death	13 January 1931
Mothers name	Margaret SMITH
Mothers date of death	Between 04 Jul- 14 Oct 1873
Fathers date of birth	14 April 1848
Mothers place of death	Otaki
Fathers name	Hugh McDonald
Fathers place of birth	District of Welllington
Marriage date	Unmarried
Fathers iwi or nationality	New Zealander
Parents place of marriage	Unmarried
Fathers occupation	Farmer
Cause of death	Myocardial Degeneration and Chronic Bronchitis
Buried where	McDonald Private Family cemetery Moutere Road.
Last known residence	Levin
Alias	Heremaia Kita McDonald
Place of birth	Otaki
Occupation	War Pensioner - Retired Soldier
Nationality or Iwi	Ngati Raukawa
Place of death	Palmerston North Hospital

Hugh (Joseph) McDonald is the grandson of Hector McDonald, whaler.

His date of birth written in an old family bible donated to the Horowhenua Historical Society shows 04 July 1873. His baptism record has recently been found in the Otaki RC register and backs up the date written in the bible. (His middle name Joseph (also in bible) may have been a Catholic confirmation name)

The baptism record reads as follows:-

"Hughe McDonald: On October 14, 1873, at Horowhenua in the house of Hector McDonald (no chapel in the place) I baptised by the name of Hughe, a male child born in July last, out of due marriage, born of Hughe McDonald half cast and late Margaret Smith half cast, both of Otaki.

Sponsors John and Mary Jane McDonald -- D. Morean C.Pr."

Hector McDonald, the whaler's first born son by Te Kopi (a family legend) was named Hugh. Te Kopi (of Ngati Raukawa origin) was a niece of Te Rauparaha and it is said she died in childbirth. Hugh grew up with the McDonald boys. A NZ birth record shows a male child named Hugh born to Hector McDonald, whaler of Waikanae on 14 April 1848. BUT mother's name is shown as Ecaf! Many questions arise! Was this an error by the informant or Inspector of Police at the time of gathering details, one year later in 1849? Was Ecaf meant to be Ecau (a relative of Te Rauparaha) and Te Kopi a place name? More research is needed here.

It is also interesting to note that on Hugh (Jnr)'s baptism above his mother "the late" Margaret Smith had died before he was baptised at three months old. Could she be the one who died in childbirth as family legend has it?

In any case, Hugh (Jnr.) like his father ,grew up with the McDonald boys and went on to serve in the Maori Reinforcements.

His death certificate states his occupation as a War Pensioner - Retired Soldier. He died in Palmerston North Public Hospital of Myocardial Degeneration and Chronic Bronchitis. He was from Levin and was buried on the 15th Jan 1931 in the McDonald Private Cemetery, Hokio Beach Road by Minister P.B. Breen.

His monumental inscription reads:

"No: 19465 Pte. H. McDONALD, Maori Reinforcements, died 13 January 1931, aged 55."

BUT (Death cert shows age 52 years). [Anyone researching family history will understand that this information given is only as good as the informant's memory at the time].

It is unknown what became of his father Hugh, the son of Hector and Te Kopi, or where he is buried.

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