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Sam McDonald (1762 – 6 May 1802), called "Big Sam", was aScotsman 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 (2.08 m),[1] with a burly build, although one 1822 source claims 10 feet 4 inches (3.15 m).[2]
Born inLairg,Sutherland[3] in 1762, he served in the2nd Sutherland Fencibles 1779–83 and theRoyal Scots 1783–1789 (where he served asFugleman or drill-leader). From 1791 to 1793 he was employed by thePrince of Wales as lodge porter atCarlton House, and during this time appeared at theDrury Lane Theatre playingHercules in "Cymon and Iphigenia". From 1793 to 1799 he was a sergeant in the3rd Sutherland Fencibles, and from 1799 until his death in 1802 in the newly formed93rd Sutherland. Due to his height and bulk he generally marched to the side of the formation, leading the regimental mascot, a deer. He was frequently detached for recruiting, and his image was later used on recruiting posters. Sergeant MacDonald died while stationed with the regiment onGuernsey.[4]
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 caricaturistJohn Kay.
His obituary in theSydney Gazette was the first newspaper obituary printed in Australia; it appeared in the 12 March 1803 edition. A memorial stone and plaque for McDonald exists along Upland Road,St. Peter's Port on Guernsey, marking the former place of the Stranger's Cemetery where he was buried in 1802.[5]
A number of colorful stories were told of McDonald after his death. One said that theCountess of Sutherland, impressed by his size, had given him 2 shillings 6 pence a day extra pay to feed himself, since she figured he must eat prodigiously. Another concerned a challenge to a fight from an Irish "giant"; McDonald insisted on shaking hands before the fight, and when his grip squeezed blood from the Irishman's fingernails, the Irishman backed down.[6] A third had McDonald assigned to guard a cannon outside on a cold night; after a while he carried the cannon, unassisted, to the fire in the guardhouse, saying he could just as well watch it there.[7]
Another story concerned McDonald and an Irish butcher in Dublin who didn't believe the stories of McDonald's strength; he challenged McDonald that if he carried abullock two miles back to the barracks, he could have it for free, and McDonald promptly did so.[8]