Settling In and Early Troubles

[ Canada Company Poster Announcing Lands and Conditions in Upper Canada, X2421, University of Western Ontario Archives CA90NCAN021TIP54 ]

James (Jim) and Johannah (or Judith/Judy as she was also known) married in Ireland in 1840. Not long after their union, James Jr. was born. We are not certain when the young couple moved to Canada or the Township of Biddulph, near Lucan, Ontario, but by looking at the documents below you will be able to establish when they first appear in the records. The Donnellys hoped to establish a prosperous homestead for themselves and the additional seven children who were born in Canada. The problem, however, was that the property they chose to settle on did not legally belong to James who had simply “squatted” on the land. In fact, it was originally owned by the Canada Company, and granted to another settler by the name of James Grace. A number of squabbles ensued in which other settlers such as Michael Maher and Patrick Farrell became embroiled. This quarrel culminated at a neighbourhood logging bee in 1857, when Donnelly, fuelled by liquor, killed Farrell during a brawl. James would pay for the crime by spending seven years in the Kingston Penitentiary. More importantly, his family would pay by having their reputation forever sullied amongst many in their rural community.