MacDonald, “D. [Donald?]” (Eigg Mountain Settlement History)

 

The Teasdales say that this was probably William Col MacDonald’s first house when he began to farm on his own.  The remains of the cellar show that it may not have been walled with stone. William Col MacDonald (1899-1984) [this date of birth does not fit with the census of 1891] was the son of Coll MacDonald and brother of Colin.  (he was the grand uncle of the Teasdales.)

 

The foundation measures 26 by 26 feet.  There is a roughly cut red stone slab that may have served as a doorsill on the west wall.  The building was oriented at 4 degrees and probably faced west.  The depression of the foundation is too indistinct to photograph.

 

The Teasdales speculate that this may have been a temporary home, perhaps occupied for 50 years.  William Col married John Smith’s daughter and when her father died, moved to the much more substantial Smith house.  It had windows in better condition.  [This would surely make the occupancy of the first house much shorter?]  (Eigg Mountain, February 2, 2005).

 

There is a sweet well below it.

 

“A.” or Angus on church map.  Now that a third foundation has been located near here, I think this is likely “D. [Donald?] on the Church map (1879).