Sam McDonald
Encyclopedia
Sam McDonald called "Big Sam", was a Scotsman
of unusual height for his day who had a distinguished military career and was a noted "strongman". Most sources state his height as 6 feet 10 inches, with a burly build, although one 1822 source claims 7 feet 4 inches. Born in Lairg
, Sutherland
in 1762, he served in the 2nd Sutherland Fencibles
1779-83 and the Royal Scots 1783-1789 (where he served as Fugleman
or drill-leader). From 1791-93 he was employed by the Prince of Wales
, and during this time appeared at the Drury Lane Theatre
, playing Hercules in "Cymon and Iphigenia". From 1793-99 he was in the 3rd Sutherland Fencibles, and from 1799 until his death in 1802 in the newly formed 93rd Sutherland. Due to his height and bulk he generally marched to the side of the formation, and was frequently detached for recruiting. His image was later used on recruiting posters. He died while stationed with the regiment on Guernsey
, and is buried there.
There exist several engravings of him, both in military uniform and while serving as a gatekeeper for the Prince of Wales, including three by noted Scottish caricaturist John Kay
.
His obituary in the Sydney Gazette
was the first newspaper obituary printed in Australia; it appeared in the 12 March 1803 edition.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
of unusual height for his day who had a distinguished military career and was a noted "strongman". Most sources state his height as 6 feet 10 inches, with a burly build, although one 1822 source claims 7 feet 4 inches. Born in Lairg
Lairg
Lairg is a village in Sutherland, Highland, Scotland. It has a population of about 700and is situated at the south-eastern end of Lairg is a village in [[Sutherland]], [[Highland |Highland]], [[Scotland]]...
, Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
in 1762, he served in the 2nd Sutherland Fencibles
Fencibles
The Fencibles were army regiments raised in the United Kingdom and in the colonies for defence against the threat of invasion during the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars in the late 18th century...
1779-83 and the Royal Scots 1783-1789 (where he served as Fugleman
Fugleman
Fugleman , properly a military term for a soldier who is selected to act as guide, and posted generally on the flanks with the duty of directing the march in the required line, or of giving the time, etc., to the remainder of the unit, which conforms to his movements, in. any military exercise...
or drill-leader). From 1791-93 he was employed by the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, and during this time appeared at the Drury Lane Theatre
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
, playing Hercules in "Cymon and Iphigenia". From 1793-99 he was in the 3rd Sutherland Fencibles, and from 1799 until his death in 1802 in the newly formed 93rd Sutherland. Due to his height and bulk he generally marched to the side of the formation, and was frequently detached for recruiting. His image was later used on recruiting posters. He died while stationed with the regiment on Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
, and is buried there.
There exist several engravings of him, both in military uniform and while serving as a gatekeeper for the Prince of Wales, including three by noted Scottish caricaturist John Kay
John Kay (caricaturist)
John Kay was a Scottish caricaturist and engraver.He was born near Dalkeith, where his father was a mason. At thirteen he was apprenticed to a barber, whom he served for six years. He then went to Edinburgh, where in 1771 he obtained the freedom of the city by joining the corporation of...
.
His obituary in the Sydney Gazette
Sydney Gazette
The Sydney Gazette was the first newspaper in Australia. Governor King authorised the publication of what was initially called 'The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser in 1803. Subsequently the first edition was published 5 March...
was the first newspaper obituary printed in Australia; it appeared in the 12 March 1803 edition.