People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Alexander McDonald (1757–1788)

William Alexander was found guilty, on 8 December 1874, at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing household goods from a house where he was probably a servant. He was sentenced to seven years transportation and was sent to the Ceres hulk to wait his fate. In May 1876 he was transferred to the Justitia hulk before being delivered to the Alexander. He arrived in Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Alexander does not appear in any colonial records, It is assumed he is the 'Macdonald' mentioned in a report on 8 March 1788, by Surgeon Arthur Bowes Smyth, stating that he and fellow convict William Allen were presumed killed by Aboriginals, after their clothes were found hanging in a tree.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 230

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

'McDonald, Alexander (1757–1788)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mcdonald-alexander-29814/text36908, accessed 20 April 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • MacDonald, Alexander
Birth

1757

Death

March, 1788 (aged ~ 31)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Old Bailey, London
Trial Date: 8 December 1874
(1874)