MacDonald-Leonard Collection, 1925-2008 – MS084
Provenance: Donated to the Portsmouth Athenaeum by Eileen MacDonald in 2008.
Citation: MacDonald-Leonard Collection (MS084), Manuscript Collections, Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 3.5 Hollinger Boxes
Access: No restrictions
Processed by: Courtney MacLachlin, 2008
Scope & Content
The MacDonald-Leonard Collection includes letters, cards, telegrams and photographs exchanged between Joseph Anthony MacDonald of Portsmouth and Marie Eileen Leonard of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. The bulk of the correspondence is between 1933 and 1936. Besides chronicling the growth of a life-long relationship between two people, the letters describe life in Portsmouth during the Depression years. Subjects include the cold winters of 1934 and 1935, the brewery dedication, the opening of Immaculate Conception Church, a house fire due to an explosion of coal gas, and the death of a brother from tuberculosis.
The collection also includes World War II ration cards and envelopes, articles and letters reflecting Joseph MacDonald’s political career in the 1980s, the final correspondence between Joseph and Marie in 1989, and Joseph MacDonald’s autobiography. Eileen MacDonald, their daughter and donor of the collection, included her autobiography which describes a childhood in Portsmouth in the 1940s and 1950s. Photographs of the family support the collection.
Biographical Notes
Joseph Anthony MacDonald (1910-2003) lived in Portsmouth all his life. As a youth he lived on Burkett Street; after his marriage to Marie Leonard, they lived on Raleigh Way, Atlantic Heights, and Georges Street, Pannaway Manor. He spent his career working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. After retirement, he sold real estate and then entered local politics, serving as state representative for Ward 3 and Newington for four terms. His interests included writing and golf. He and his wife Marie had two children, Kenneth and Eileen.
Marie Leonard MacDonald (1912-1989) was born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and grew up in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Her family was active in Boston politics during the Mayor Curley era. During the Depression she was able to find a job at the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle, where she met Joseph MacDonald. Their correspondence covers the fall, winter, and spring seasons, since they saw each other almost daily during the summers. After her marriage to Joseph, Marie was a housewife. Son Kenneth was handicapped and required almost constant attention. At age 20, he was put into an institution and Marie had more free time. Her interests included the Boston Red Sox, handiwork, and politics.
Related materials
Joseph MacDonald in the Names File.
Eileen MacDonald in the Names File.
Photographs: PS1902 – PS1961.
Folder List
Box 1
F01 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Sept.-Nov., 1933
F02 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Nov.-Dec., 1933
F03 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Sept.-Dec., 1933
F04 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Jan.-Feb., 1934
F05 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Mar.-June, 1934
F06 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Jan.-Feb., 1934
F07 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Mar.-Apr., 1934
F08 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Apr.-June, 1934
F09 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Sept.-Nov., 1934
Box 2
F01 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Nov.-Dec., 1934
F02 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Sep.-Nov., 1934
F03 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Nov.-Dec., 1934
F04 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Jan.-Feb., 1935
F05 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, March-April, 1935
F06 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, April-May, 1935
F07 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, June, 1935
F08 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Sept.-Oct., 1935
F09 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Nov.-Dec., 1935
F10 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Jan.-Feb., 1935
F11 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Feb.-April, 1935
F12 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, April-June, 1935
Box 3
F01 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Sept.-Oct., 1935
F02 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Oct.-Dec., 1935
F03 Correspondence to Marie Leonard, Jan.-June, 1936
F04 Correspondence to Joseph MacDonald, Jan.-June, 1936
F05 Wedding announcement: Marie Leonard and Joseph MacDonald
F06 Miscellaneous (probably honeymoon souvenirs)
F07 World War II commemorative envelopes
F08 World War II ration cards
F09 Christmas cards: Marie Leonard MacDonald and Joseph MacDonald
F10 Birthday cards: Marie Leonard MacDonald and Joseph MacDonald
F11 Birthday cards: Marie Leonard MacDonald and Joseph MacDonald
Box 4
F01 Valentine cards: Joseph MacDonald and Marie Leonard MacDonald
F02 Valentine cards: Joseph MacDonald and Marie Leonard MacDonald
F03 Miscellaneous cards: Joseph MacDonald and Maried Leonard MacDonald
F04 Political statements by Joseph MacDonald
F05 Correspondence from politicians to Joseph MacDonald
F06 Certificates of election: Joseph MacDonald
F07 Correspondence: Joseph and Marie MacDonald to Eileen MacDonald, 1963-1978
F08 Final correspondence: Joseph MacDonald and Marie Leonard MacDonald, 1985
F09 Autobiography: Joseph MacDonald
F10 Obituary: Joseph MacDonald
F11 Autobiography: Eileen MacDonald
F12 Child’s Savings Stamp workbook, 1945
F13 Message to Gold Star Mothers, 1945