Sacred to the memory of /
ALLAN McDONELL /
DIED/
Nov. 28, 1859. /
AE. 67             

In a deed dated Nov 22 1815, we find Allan McDonald sic. trader purchasing land from Samuel Mahoney one quarter of a town lot #55, located at Town Point.[1]   He held many titles in his work career — Merchant, Collector of Customs, Assessor, Registrar of Probate, Yeoman and Farmer.  Allan McDonell served as a government appointee responsible for overseeing activities related to inland trade, collection of duties and prevention of smuggling.

We estimate Allan’s birth would have been about 1792, based on age at time of death.  Other records help to identify family members. 

Wife Catherine

[2]

Daughter Ruthy

[3]

Daughter Jessie Ann

[4]

Jessie Ann McDonnell and her husband Charles Cogswell live in the Antigonish district for a period of time, but eventually leave Antigonish after the death of her father Allan and his will is probated.  By 1880, the couple are located on census living in the Multonah, Oregon district.  Jessie Ann operates a boarding house, while Charles works as a ship’s carpenter.  The remainder of their lives appears to have been spent in the western US.

Son George

The McAlpine’s Directory for the year 1868 shows George McDonald sic McDonnell Ferryman listed on page 614.  Several census records show George McDonnell living in the Antigonish Township. 

• 1881 census Morristown household #156; George age 40; farmer.  Also in the household is Isabelle McDonnell age 2; there is no explanation for how she is connected / related to George.
• 1891 census Morristown district household #36; age 50; farmer
• 1901 census shows George age 60 living alone; according to this census he was born Sep 13 1840; farmer
• 1911 census shows George age 70 living alone; according to this census he was born in July 1840; no birth records for George appears in the St Ninian Parish Records

At the time of his death in 1915, George is living at the County Home. His birthplace is listed as Town Point and his father identified as Allan McDonnell.

Another son John McDonnell is identified in the following will and testament dated 11^th of August 1860.  The stone indicates date of death as being November 28^th, 1859, and the will is probated 3^rd of December 1860.  We seem to have another example of data inscribed on stone not matching the official document.

 

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[1] Nova Scotia Property Online Deed – Book 2 Page 370

[2] Obituary Acadian Recorder October 11, 1855

[3] St Ninian Parish Birth Records

[4] St Ninian Parish Marriage Records