Local Port Adelaide identity, John Robert McDonald was buried in the Alberton cemetery in 1909. According to this plaque, the cemetery closed in 1922, and the cemetery grounds were converted into a recreation park in 1994: -
The park is now known as Pioneer Park, which is part of St. Patrick's Reserve.
According to https://headstones.weebly.com/alberton.html , “There is one tomb in Alberton Cemetery which, besides being perhaps the strangest in any cemetery in the State, has a peculiar significance. Standing apart from the general confusion is a sort of shelter shed with a gigantic headstone inside it. The inscription on one side of this headstone, shows that it was erected in 1898 by John Robert McDonald and Prudence McDonald his wife, and then follow 12 names, with dates of birth ranging from 1849 to 1874, and dates of death from 1851 to -1895.
….. On the other side of the McDonald headstone is another inscription….., which tells its own tale of family pride felt by the old pioneering family,… as follows: —
John McDonald b. in Atholl, was at Culloden for Prince Charlie. John McDonald, shipowner, Perth; b. in Atholl, 1749; d. 1839. John McDonald, master mariner; b. at Perth 1799; d. in Norway 1838. Jean Bell, his wife; d. at Ayr, 1822. John Robert McDonald; b, at Ayr 1822; d. 1909. Married by Dean Farrell, T.C., Adelaide, 1848 to Prudence Brown; b. at Nailsea, 1829”
The same web page also says that it was a strange tomb because the headstone had a roof above it to protect it from the weather and it was surrounded by stout iron bars.
The tomb has long gone. It has now been replaced by this memorial plaque fixed to a large rock: -
(There are some nice lichens on that rock.)
As can be seen below, the plaque reads much the same as the inscription on the original tomb: -
The plaque reads:
“John McDonald born in Atholl, died 1770, was at Culloden for Prince Charlie.
John (McDonald) shipowner born Atholl 1749-1839. Buried Greyfriars Perth, Scotland.
John (McDonald) master mariner Perth born 1799; drowned 1838 Norway. Married Jean Bell 1821 died 1822.
John Robert (McDonald) born Ayr 1822; Buried here 1909 87 years. Boat builder contractor Pt. Councillor. 1848 married Prudence S. Brown in Adelaide.
Stone laid by Grace & Great Grandson Ken McDonald”
As I stated at https://stevereynolds.wixsite.com/website/post/captain-alexander-james-jamieson-the-mary, "Only these few headstones were retained in the park as a reminder of its past use as a cemetery": -
According to “Ferries and Shipyards of Early Port Adelaide” by Ronald Parsons, John (Robert) McDonald had been in partnership with Thomas Cruickshank with a shipyard around 1850 at the location now known as Cruickshank’s Corner.
McDonald and Cruickshank both served as councillors for the Port Adelaide Council, although not at the same time. McDonald was a councillor 1866 – 1867 and 1870 – 1872. Cruickshank was a councillor 1876 - 1877 and 1879 - 1883 (as Chairman).
Cruickshank and his wife Ellen were also both interred at the Alberton cemetery when they died in 1903 and 1878 respectively.
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