Macdonald_Panel_proof2 Captain Archibald Macdonald 1788-1872 Archibald Macdonald entered the military at age 16 in the 35th Regiment of Foot and saw active service during the Napoleonic Wars. In Corfu he was put in charge of a plague camp where he earned much praise for his zeal and ability. After settling in Cobourg he was made a colonel in the 2nd Regiment on the Northumberland Militia. Who he was: In 1819 Captain Macdonald received 800 acres in Asphodel Township north of Rice Lake. While clearing his land he severely injured his leg. While in Cobourg recovering, he learned he would never be healed su�ciently to carry on a rigorous pioneer life. This led him to buy a cleared farm east of town. How he got here: PROMINENT FAMILIES OF THE PERIOD Catherine Boswell Macdonald Recovering in Cobourg, he met his wife Catherine (1804-1881), daughter of another half-pay o�cer, Captain Walter Boswell. According to family tradi- tion, before she knew him she once taunted this "lazy fellow", unaware of his injury. Apparently he took up the challenge! He brought her to his farm, named Marina, which happened to be directly east of her father's. Macdonald and his father-in-law did not agree in their political views. Macdonald identi�ed with the reformers like Robert Baldwin who were seeking political reform but not rebellion. What he did here: Captain Archibald Macdonald