James Macdonald was born in White Plains, New York, on July 18, 1803, the son of Scottish immigrant Dr. Archibald Macdonald (1745-1813) and Flora Macdonald (1765-1835). He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now part of Columbia University) in 1825. He was a physician for the Bloomingdale Asylum in New York City from 1825-1830 and 1832-1837. In 1831, he traveled to Europe to visit and observe asylums. After leaving Bloomingdale, Macdonald engaged in private medical practice and worked for the New York Hospital, and, in 1841, he founded an asylum in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood. He later moved to Long Island. He married Eliza Harris Miller (1814-1890), and they had 6 children: Flora (1840-1926), James Allan (b. 1844), Eliza (1845-1937), J. Archibald (1847-1922), Anna (1849-1925), and Margaret. Flora Macdonald married Josiah Whitney Barstow (1826-1922). Dr. James Macdonald died on May 2, 1849.
Judge Silvanus Miller (1770 or 1771-1861) was a native and lifelong resident of New York. He studied law at Columbia College (now Columbia University), and held many public offices, including surrogate of New York City. He and his wife, Margaret, had at least two daughters, Anicartha (ca. 1810-1859) and Eliza Harris (1814-1890). Anicartha was for a time engaged to John Macdonald; Eliza married James Macdonald. The Millers' niece, Mary Ann Harris, lived in Newburgh, New York, and married Daniel Parish.
From the guide to the James Macdonald letters, Macdonald, James letters, 1820-1861, 1821-1840, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
