James MacDonald

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James MacDonald was the son of Peter MacDonald who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and served in the English army. Peter served in the war of 1812 and it is claimed that he was wounded in a battle in or near Philadelphia. James' mother, whose name is unknown, was Peter's second wife; James was her only child. James had five half-brothers from Peter's first marriage: Peter Jr., Thomas, John, Charley, and Joshua.

James was born in 1811 or 1812 and immigrated to Canada with Bishop Mountain of the Anglican church in 1819. He studied French and English in Québec City and eventually worked as a teacher and farmer. He settled at the Saint Gilles manor in Québec, which later became the parish of Saint Sylvestre.

On 16 Septemeber 1828, James MacDonald, a Scottish Anglican, married a Québecois Catholic named Marceline Mary Loeder (also known as Marceline Lettre and Marceline Leder). They were married at the St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Québec City. Marcleine was the daughter of Peter Loeder and Marie Anne Dubois.

James and Marceline had seven boys (Peter, John, James, Charles, Joshua, Alexander and Thomas), whom they raised Anglican, and seven girls (Catherine, Mary Ann, Esther, Elizabeth, Norah, Susan and Brigitte), whom they raised Catholic. When the boys were adults, all but one became Catholic. As well, each of the boys dropped the 'a' in their last name.

James died 25 June 1874 at the age of 62 years of age.

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