Peter Archibald Macdonald Junior

   Cause of his death was Probably Drowned - Cardiac Spasm/Angina Pectoris.

  General Information:

Peter died as the result of a "cardiac spasm, probably caused by Angina". This is stated directly on his death certificate as cause of death. He was 34 years of age.

On his official death record listing for the City of Toronto on May 19, 1903 the following is written by Dr. Davidson:

"Probably Drowning. Death sudden in night - cardiac spasm and air hunger present - probably Angina Cectoris." (this information was obtained on October 18, 2007)

It is assumed that Dr. Davidson meant to write Angina Pectoris instead of Cectoris.

Much research was done to locate Peter's records to no avail - until July 10, 2005.

Based on a singular result from a 1901 Census record Peter's burial place was finally found at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He is buried along with his siblings and parents under a very large stone.

On Peter's portion of the stone there is a quote that reads "Even while with us thy footsteps trod, his seal was on thy brow."

The line was taken from a poem written by Felicia Dorothea Hemans entitled Calm On the Bosom of Our God - beneath is the full poem.

Calm on the Bosom of our God
CALM on the bosom of our God,
Fair spirit, rest thee now!
E'en while with us thy footsteps trod,
His seal was on thy brow.

Dust to its narrow house beneath!
Soul to its place on high!
They that have seen thy look in death
No more may fear to die.

Written by: Felicia Dorothea Hemans

  Research Information:

Census Records for the MacDonald Family from the 1901 Canadian Census are as follows:

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Family or Household Name of each person in family or household on 31st March, 1901.

Macdonald Peter - M Head M Apr 19 1837 63
Macdonald Sarah - F Wife M Apr 17 1846 54
Macdonald Peter A - M Son S May 6 1873 27
Macdonald Eldred M - F Daughter S May 18 1876 24
Macdonald Henry B - M Son S Aug 20 1880 20
Macdonald Georgina - F Daughter S Jul 12 1882 18
Barton Mona - F Domestic S Sep 20 1884 16

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada
Subdistrict: Toronto (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No. 1, YORK (East/Est), ONTARIO
District Number: 129
Subdistrict Number: f-6
Archives Microfilm: T-6507

  Medical Information:

Peter's death has always been shrouded in mystery. Causes of death heard by this writer range from suicide by drowning in the Don River, heart attack and even self inflicted gunshot wound. What is formally documented is what this writer has included in Peter's record. This information is as follows:

On the official City of Toronto death registry regarding what caused Peter's demise at such a young age the following is written by Dr. Davidson:

"Probably Drowning. Death sudden in night - cardiac spasm and air hunger present - probably Angina Cectoris."

It is assumed that Dr. Davidson meant to write Angina Pectoris instead of Cectoris.

Three years was spent seeking Peter's death listing and cause of death. Eventually obtained on October 18, 2007 by manual checking of all Toronto deaths that occurred in the May of 1903.

Peter's entry in the death registry appears to have been either partially erased and then repaired or the entry, generally was damaged and therefore not eligible enough to include in any type of search engine.

In the records maintained by Mount Pleasant Cemetery, the following cause of death is listed in Peter's record.

The phrase used to describe what killed Peter is " A Cardiac Spasm - More Than Likely, Caused by Angina". This information is detailed on Peter's death certificate as archived by Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Peter's funeral was held at 169 Broadview Avenue, the home of his Father, Peter MacDonald Sr.

Peter Sr. was a third term city of Toronto Councillor at this time.

Peter married Annie Louisa Harris, daughter of William Harris and Caroline Richardson, on 17 Sep 1902 in York, Ontario, Canada. (Annie Louisa Harris was born on 30 Oct 1874 in Queen Street, Toronto, Ontario, died on 5 May 1914 in 450 Pape Avenue, Toronto, Ontario and was buried on 7 May 1914 in Forest Lawn Mausoleum, Toronto, Ontario.) The cause of her death was Pernicious Anaemia - Oedema of the Lung (Asthma).