The McKinnon Clan
Donald McKinnon was a Gaelic school teacher born at Grispoll in the Isle of Coll, Argyleshire Scotland on 14th July 1800.
He married Isabella Forbes born at Kirton Glenelg 1st Jan 1817 and they had seven sons and four daughters:
Lachlan, Anne, John (dec inf), John, Donald, Duncan, Mary, Catherine (Kate), Alexander, Marion & Hector.
The McKinnon family emigrated to Australia from Scotland in 1860 and settled at Bolong on the Shoalhaven River. In 1866 they moved to “Oakfield” on the Richmond River, near Coraki. Donald Snr had selected 140 acres of land up the north arm of the river, not far from the junction. John secured 100 acres upriver from his father, while Donald Jnr selected 39 acres on the down river side.
They developed their land, raised a large family and became stalwarts of the district. Both Donald and Isabella died in the 1880s.
LACHLAN McKINNON (1834 – 1888)
Lachlan went into a sea-faring life as a young man and did not emigrate with the family. He enjoyed an adventurous life aboard the New Brunswick on the North American continent, sighting islands of ice and was shipwrecked near Gibralter and was picked up by a Norwegian brig. He joined many voyages and eventually, in 1865, reached Sydney and began trading up to the Richmond River where he often visited his parents and siblings. Over the next few years he sailed on many ships including the Sarah Nicholls, the Platypus, the Lotus, Waimea and William Yeager’s Athletic, and intermittently worked on the farm as necessary. He had selected 70 acres close to his family’s property and named it Glenelg, and planned to plant maize and sugar. In 1874 William Yabsley appointed Lachlan as the Master of his tugboat Index and so began the Battle of the Bar. He married Rhoda Farrow at Oakfield in 1876 and they had four children Isabella, Fanny, Lachlan and Rhoda. The family resided mostly in Ballina where Captain McKinnon played a large part in starting the Ballina Mutual Improvement Society. After the Index was recalled, he became Captain of the Examiner and later, the schooner Lady Franklin. In 1888 Captain McKinnon died at the age of 54 years and Rhoda died of consumption just four years later leaving their four children to be raised by aunts and uncles at Oakfield.
Courtesy of Trove Richmond River Herald 30 Nov 1888
Death of Captain L. M’Kinnon.
It is our sad duty to record the death of the above gentlemen, which took place at Sydney on Tuesday last, 27th November. About a fortnight ago we referred to an operation which was performed, as to the only chance of saving life, and after it had taken place there appeared, from what we can learn, every prospect of the Captain recovering, but on Tuesday last a telegram conveyed the sad news that death had taken place. Captain M’Kinnon was a resident of this district for upwards of years, and his name will be remembered by early settlers in connection with the steamer “Wiamea,” and other vessels, and latterly with the “Lady Franklin,” trading on the coast, and to this river. He was a thorough seaman, and a general favourite with all whom he came in contact. For the past 12 months he had been obliged to give up sea-faring life, in consequence of indisposition. From what we can learn of his death was brought about by an accident with which he met some time ago. When coming over the Richmond bar a sea broke over his vessel, and threw him on to the wheel, when several ribs were broken and which never properly set, and his condition became so critical that after being bedridden for several months, the operation which was recently performed was considered his only chance of escaping death. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and four young children, and several brothers and sisters resident of Coraki, for whom great sympathy is expressed in their sad bereavement.
JOHN McKINNON (1840 – 1932)
In 1869 John McKinnon erected a sugar mill on his land and the crushing was carried out by horse power. In later years a steam mill was erected, but eventually Broadwater mill, with more modern appliances and up to date methods came into existence, the price of sugar dropped and as a consequence, the smaller mills could not compete. So in 1891 John closed down his mill and decided to devote his energies to dairying. He was a member of many organisations and was never known to withhold aid to any deserving person, cause or institution. No Highland Gathering was held anywhere on the Richmond that he did not attend. In 1870 he was a member of the first jury that ever sat on the Richmond. All his life John took a deep interest in scholastic affairs and was a member of the original school board at Coraki as well as a founding member and benefactor of the School of Arts. Alongside his brother Donald, he became a Councillor and then served as Mayor of Coraki from the late 1880s. He published many articles in the local newspapers and like other family members, kept a detailed diary. He died at the age of 92, having never married.
DONALD McKINNON (1842 – 1934)
Like his brother John, Donald McKinnon devoted his life to the land. He had many set backs, but with hard work and determination he made good of his land. After he had established himself on his farm he gave all his spare time to public life. He was Mayor of Coraki on four different occasions, was a foundation member of the Caledonian Society, and was always to be seen at the regatta days at Coraki. In his later years he lived quietly at his home at East Coraki, where he died in 1934 at the age of 92 years.
As their father had been a school teacher and a highly educated man, naturally his children enjoyed an equal love of learning and many of them kept diaries. Lachlan’s diary about his sea-faring life was published in 8 parts by the Northern Star from May 1925 to October 1926.
Coincidently, John’s diary was published by the rival newspaper the Richmond River Herald over the same period in 1926. He wrote extensively about his farming, sporting and community life. In 1880 and 1893 he had written two expositions about fishing expeditions to Evans Head with his brothers and mates, giving an interesting insight into the culture of young men of the time.
DUNCAN McKINNON (1843 – 1924)
Like his brother Lachlan, Duncan was drawn to the sea-faring life. He sailed on many different boats trading from Sydney to the Northern Rivers and for many years on tugs in Sydney Harbour. Duncan married a local Casino girl Marie-Louise (Mary) van der Waerden in 1881 and they had five children: Ernest, Terese, Isabel, Lillian & Imelda (Milt).
Courtesy of Trove Northern Star 27 August 1924
DEATH OF MR. D.F. MCKINNON
The death occurred at Oakfield, Coraki, on Monday of Mr. Duncan Forbes McKinnon, a very old resident of Coraki. For some years he had resided in Sydney, but about two years ago returned to Coraki on a visit to his brothers and was taken ill. He had been practically bed-ridden ever since.
In the early days of the Richmond the deceased was well known as a captain of river boats and droghers. For some years he was engaged in the towing business on Sydney Harbour. Mr. McKinnon was 80 years of age, and leaves a widow and four daughters in Sydney, and a son who resides in Queensland; also two brothers, John and Donald, and two sisters, Mrs. R. McKenzie and Mrs. Dolby, all of Coraki.
MARY McKINNON (1846 – 1932)
Mary was 14 when the family emigrated and she joined the household of Captain William Woods in Sydney before joining her parents in Coraki in 1869. She then worked for the Breckenridge family at Wyrallah sawmill where she met Robert Dolby who had a farm opposite the mill. In 1882 he secured a responsible position in W.T Yeagers Oakland sawmill where he stayed for over 20 years. Robert and Mary raised nine children: William, Robert Hector, Donald, Charles, Mary Jane, Florence Ada, Isabella Forbes, John & Catherine (Kate).
In 1931 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and both passed away in 1932.
ANNE McKINNON (1836 – 1913)
Courtesy of Trove Richmond River Herald 19 August 1913
A very old and highly respected identity of this district passed away from senile decay oil Saturday evening in the person of Miss McKinnon, of ‘Oak field,’ Coraki, aged 77 years. The deceased lady was born in Scotland, but came to this country with her parents in the year 1859, and settled on the Shoalhaven. In 1866 the family moved to the Richmond, took up land at Coraki, and has resided here ever since. Miss McKinnon, after her parents’ death, still resided at the old home with her brothers, and was known far and wide for her kindly personality, great hospitality, and warm practical sympathy with those in need. She was held in marked esteem by all who knew her, and her passing is genuinely mourned by a large circle of friends. The remaining members of the family still alive are Mesdames R. Dolby (South Arm) and R.A.D. McKenzie (Buckendoon), Messrs. Duncan (Sydney), John, Donald and Alexander (Coraki). To these the sympathy of the district, is extended in their bereavement. The funeral yesterday was very largely at tended, the cortege including many of the remaining pioneers of the Mid Richmond. Rev. D. Finlayson read the funeral service, while Mr. J. McMullen conducted the arrangement.
CATHERINE McKINNON (1848 – 1926)
Kate married Roy MacKenzie
ALEXANDER McKINNON (1850 – 1924)
Alex lived his whole life as a bachelor farmer at Oakfield. He was a very reserved man, and an omnivorous reader, his interest being centred in his work and his books. He died suddenly one morning aged 74 after doing the milking on the farm. One month later his brother Duncan also passed away.
MARION McKINNON (1852 – 1909)
Marion married Donald Cameron and had nine children: Duncan, Isabella, Christina, Kate, Annie, Mary, Helen, Donald & John.
HECTOR McKINNON (1857 – 1870)
Hector was just 14 years old when he died after he was pulled from the river and revived. He took 2 days to die from water on the lungs.
~ 1915
Family Note: Isabella and Rhoda are the children of Capt. Lachlan and Rhoda McKinnon who were raised by their aunts and uncles at Oakfield after they lost both their parents aged 14 and 7 respectively.
They each married a John Mitchell and Isabella had two children: John Lachlan and Rhoda (Bessie).
Courtesy of Trove Tweed Daily 8 January 1931
LONG LIVED FAMILY
The McKinnon’s, of Coraki
Three of the oldest residents of the Richmond River district, John McKinnon (91), Mrs. R. Dolby (85) his sister and Donald McKinnon (89), a brother, of Coraki, are the only survivors of a family of nine brought to New South Wales 70 years ago. Their father was a school teacher, in the Isle of Mull, off the English coast until, stirred by tales of fortunes easily made in the colonies, he shipped with his children on the migrant ship Fitzjames. The voyage out took 14 weeks, and there were 14 births and 14 deaths on board. Settling at Shoalhaven, the family worked until they had saved sufficient to take up land. They came to the Richmond River district and purchased a holding near Coraki. In 1866 John and Donald established one of the first sugar mills in the district, which was forced to close when they found super refining methods beyond them. Dairying then occupied their attention and success was the reward of their hard work and indomitable courage. The McKinnons have seen townships spring up, and moving with the times have taken their part in the civic life of the community. The brothers remained bachelors, but the sister, Mrs. Dolby, will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of her wedding this year.
