Lot 18, Concession 6, Biddulph Township

It is not entirely clear how the Donnellys came to settle on Lot 18, Concession 6. This plot of land was originally owned by the Canada Company and Pat Fogarty was listed in 1843 as the original leasee, but in 1845 John Grace was listed as leasee. In 1855 Grace sold Michael Maher the southern half of the property for ₤200, even though the Donnellys were living on the property. In 1856, John Grace applied to eject Donnelly from the northern half of Lot 18, Concession 6 and Michael Maher did the same for the southern half of the property. In the end, however, Grace sold Donnelly the northern half of the property for ₤50, far less than the ₤200 paid by Maher due to Donnelly’s improvements on the land.