Background

A few things we do know from the Chester records is for his surname to have been spelled McGinnis, McInnis, McInnes, and McKinnis. Of all the Oak Island participants associated with the legend, Donald McGinnis appears as the most elusive to trace.

Some have suggested his roots were from Scotland via South Carolina or Georgia when he joined the British Army during the Revolution.  Muster Rolls of this Regiment do not appear to have survived, thus we may never know when or where exactly where Donald joined the Regiment.  On 1 Nov 1783 Corporal Donald McInnis is discharged from the 76th Regiment at Shelburne NS.   

On 4 Feb 1784 Donald McGinnas purchased a town lot in Shelburne.  In 1784 a McEnnis, Donagh was part of the Chester Grant.  In 1785 he was listed in the Port Hebert grant in Shelburne County.  This was not uncommon for ex-soldiers to request land in various locations of NS. Recall the government was really just giving it away. These discharged soldiers  would pick a final location to settle and either sell the other properties or the unsettled grant would revert back to the crown.  This could explain the multiple grants in Chester and Shelburne.

Obviously our man settled in Chester but why?

On 3 Mar 1788 Purchases Oak Island lot #27 from James Sharpe, paid 7 pounds 15.  On 4 May 1790 bought lot 23 from Hector McLean (uncle of John Smith) paid 7 pounds.  In May 1791 he bought lot 27 from Alexander Pattillo, paid 6 pounds. In 1791 he is listed as a farmer on Oak Island for the Poll Tax .  On 9 Sep 1794 he bought lot 1 from Alexander Pattillo, paid 6 pound .  

During Sep 1795 he married (Barbara) (Maria) (Anna) Sawler (Siler, Seiler, Sellars, Zellars) of Western Shore NS. These are the variations of her surname and do show she came from German stock. This also shows the Sellar's family attachment to the island dating back to this period and NOT originating almost 100 years later and after the time of Smith.  

The Chester papers record the following births:

John McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the twenty Eighth day of Febuary, one thousand, Seven hundred and Ninety Seven. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.
 
Catherine McKinnis, Daughter of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the twenty third day of Febuary, one thousand, Eight hundred and one. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.

Mary McKinnis, Daughter of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the fifteenth day of Febuary, one thousand, Eight hundred and two. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.

Donald McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the Eighteenth day of December, one thousand, Eight hundred and four. Recorded March 3d, 1806. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk.

Henry McKinnis, Son of Donald, and Barbara McKinnis, was born in Chester on the fifteenth day of April, one thousand, Eight hundred and Seven. Recorded October 22nd, 1807. Ebenezer Fitch, Town Clerk

On 4 Jan 1827, Donald makes his last will and testament stating he is very sick of body but sound of mind.  While there is no record of his death or even a tombstone marker found in any of the local cemeteries, we know probate for his estate was executed by James Smith on this 27 Feb 1827.

James McGinnis, Donald's great grandson tells us that he was buried on Oak Island.