DONALD HENRY MCLEAN
Donald Henry McLean was born on the 16th day of May 1776, at Ardtarig, Inverchaolain, Argyleshire, Scotland. His parents were John McLean and Margaret McLean nee McPherson.
He was baptised on the 19th day of May 1776 at Inverchaolain, Scotland.
He was baptised on the 19th day of May 1776 at Inverchaolain, Scotland.
On the 21st day of February 1814, he married Christina McPhee at Argyll, Scotland. Donald was 37 years old. Christina was only 23 years old.
Donald held a lease of 20 square miles of land known as the Douskie Estate, Ardgore, near Fort William. Donald reared cattle and sheep, grew oats and barley, and was also interested in the herring industry. (State's First 2026)
Donald emigrated to Australia in 1837, aged 65, with his wife and ten children. It is reputed that he fled Scotland to escape prosecution for illegally distilling whisky. They arrived at Holdfast Bay aboard the Navarino on the 6th day of December. (Alexandrina 2022) (State's First 2026)
Donald had brought with him, is land order No. 454 from England which entitled him to an 80 acre section of land near Adelaide. He selected No. 50 near Hilton. The family lived in a wattle and daub hut. It is interesting to note that there were no substantial houses in South Australia at that time. Governor Hindmarsh was living in a reed hut on the banks of the Torrens River. Donald was the first person to grow wheat in South Australia. (Alexandrina 2022) (State's First 2026)
Above: Donald McLean's first residence. Image c/o State Library South Australia
By 1838, Donald and his family had moved to Strathalbyn. (Alexandrina 2022)
Sadly, the home fell into disrepair and became a ruin, and it was demolished. (McLean 2026)
Above: Donald McLean's residence at Strathalbyn. Image c/o State Library of South Australia
He died on the 19th day of May 1855, at Strathalbyn, South Australia, aged 79 years. This was a year before the opening of the Strathalbyn Cemetery. Donald was buried at his Strathalbyn home. The headstone inaccurately records his year of death as 1856. (Alexandrina 2022)
Above: Item from the Adelaide Observer, Sat 13 Oct 1855. Image c/o Trove
It is rumoured that Donald buried a cache of gold on his property. However, it has never been found. (Alexandrina 2022)
Donald's wife Christina died in 1869, aged 78 years. It is believed that the headstone was not erected until after 1860, following the death of Christina. (Alexandrina 2022)
His headstone can be found at Plot 84, Row B, Division 1.
References.
- Alexandrina Council, 2022, Strathalbyn Cemetery Self Guided Tour
- ancestry. (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. In Ancestry.com.au. https://www.ancestry.com.au/ [Accessed 27 Jul 2026]
- Mclean (2026). Christinaanddonaldmclean.Com. https://christinaanddonaldmclean.com/ [Accessed 27 Jul 2026]
- State's First Wheat-Grower (2026). Nla.Gov.Au. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/64122424?searchterm=donald%20mclean%20%2b%20strathalbyn [Accessed 27 Jul 2026]