Biographical Sketch of Peter Donan
Text derived from emails, from Roberta Donan to James L. McMillan,
August 15 and 19, 2002.
Born: Broughton Mains, Wigtownshire, Scotland, 1806.
Died: Palmyra, Missouri, March 25, 1881.
In reviewing family records, Peter (Col. Pat) Donan's father, Reverend
Peter Donan died on March 25, 1881 in Palmyra, MO and was buried in
Natchez, MS. He was born in 1806 in Broughton Mains, Wigtownshire,
Scotland. Rev. Peter married Emma Clarissa Hall. (His son was named
after him.)
Rev. Peter Donan came in contact with a Christian preacher named Jacob
Creath who won him to the Protestant faith and to the Christian Church.
He afterward edited an Autobiography of Jacob Creath and wrote an
"Introduction" and "Suplement" to it. Rev. Peter Donan organized the
First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, MS on April 8, 1837 (to this day
the church exists).
In addition, he was a Minister at The Chrisitan church in Palmyra which
was organized in 1840 by Elder Jacob Creath.
Some important dates and events in the life of Peter Donan are as follows:
- Marriage: Emma Clarissa Hall; Children: Peter (Col. Pat), Mildred,
Belle, Mary E., William A., Jeanette, James H.
- Attended University of Nashville, TN.
- 1827 to 1830 - Attended Princeton Theological Seminary.
- 1830, April 23 - Licensed Presbyterian.
- 1830, October 14, NY - Ordained Presbytery.
- 1831, Vicksburg, MS - Stated supply.
- 1832, New Orleans, LA - Stated supply.
- 1833 to 1836, Mt. Salus Church, MS - Stated supply and pastor.
- 1837, April 8 through 1841, Jackson, MS - Established First
Presbyterian Church (still exists).
- 1842 to 1844, Osborn, MO - Stated supply.
- 1845 to 1846, Palmyra, MO - Pastor at Christian Church (established in
1840 by Elder Jacob Creath).
- 1847 to 1853, Pensacola, FL - Presbyterian pastor and performed
marriages in Escambia County.
- 1854, Monroe County, Paris Township, MO - The Congregation of
Disciples, "Did noble service in their community."
- 1865, August 7, Lamine, MO - established Christian Church.
- 1872 - Edited the Memoir of Jacob Creath, Jr. and wrote an
"Introduction" and "Supplement" to it.
An assertion in Silver Locks (a book written on the Donans) that
Peter Donan was a Catholic priest cannot be confirmed.
ROBERTA DONAN.
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