PAGE 251 PART 6 HUGH DONNAN County Down, Ireland To Shanly,Township of Edwardsburg, County of Grenville, Province of 0ntario, Canada 1830 - 1935 PAGE 252 This group came to my attention through a letter from Rev. David J. Donnan, Helena, MT, Dec.24, 1925. He had received a letter from R. J. Donnan, Fort Morgan, CO that read as follows: "My grandtathor, Hugh Donnan, came to this country in 1830, others say 1840, from County Down, Ireland; a Scotch Irish Presbyterian, an 0rangeman, very much devoted to the church of his ohoice." MARRIAGE: JAMES DONNAN, Hollybrook. County Down, Ireland TO: ?????, of Ireland or Scotland They had at least three children: Joseph Donnan, Jane Donnan and Hugh Donnan Very little is known about James by the descendents of Hugh who came to Canada when only a lad. From others it is said that the family went to Ireland from a small island off the coast of Scotland and back of that came from a Donnan Castle in the north of Scotland. Mr. Joseph Earl Donnan, of 6 State St., New York has written to Dr. William Donnan, Hollybrook, County Down, Ireland for some more facts in this connection but as yet has not heard from him (1935). It has been stated by them that another brother of Hugh came to Canada some years after him, but Hugh could never find where he was, medium of comnunication and travel through the rural section of Canada at this time was very remote. There is a Peter J. Donnan, 6799 Delormier Ave., Montreal that I have been corresponding with, whose forefathers came to Newfoundland in the 18th century, but he knows very little about them, save that they originally came from Scotland. MARRIAGE: HUGH DONNAN, now DONNEN, Hollybrook, County Down, Ireland TO: Melissa Earl, Township of Oxford, Johnstown Dist., Ont. Can. They had five children: Royal Joseph, Jane Amelia, Sarah Elizabeth, Andrus Earl and Angelia , twins. Hugh, born in 1824, Ireland, said the name originated from CASTLE DONNAN, Scotland, northern part among those beautiful hills, lakes and streams that flow into the many lochs, the family moved to a small island off the coast then went over to the northern part of Ireland. Hugh's mother died when he was in his teens and his father later married again. The stepmother did not afford domestic harmony to his liking so he decided to make a move and placing his hand on the brow of his brothers and sisters as they laid in bed, as a goodby token, he left his home in the early morning while they were sleeping for a boat that brought him to Newfoundland, thence up the St. lawrence River to the County of Grenville, Province of Ontario in the Dominion of Canada. He finally settled at Shanly, Township of Edwardsburg where he took up his trade as a shoemaker. Here again we see the Scotch spirit of independence when a lad of 16 would leave his home and go to a new continent, where so far as it knwn, he knew no one. He entered into the activities of Shanley, and being a good Presbyterian, soon became acquainted; his trade being one that also brought him new friends for we must remember there were no shoe factories at that time. His trade increased, and being thrifty, laid by some of his earnings then decided to obtain some land from the Dominion that was near Shanley and when the papers were made out the name was PAGE 253 spelled DONNEN and he never had it changed, his descendents still writing it that way. Some of them would like to have it changed back, but there is so much red tape to go through have given it up. Whether Hugh had made shoes for a certain young lady or not is not fully known: anyway he fell in love with Melissa Earl of the Township of Oxford, Johnstown District, province of Ontario; they married and settled on the farm where he died, deeding it to his youngest son, Andrus Earl Donnan who later deeded it to his only son, Joseph Earl Donnan of 6 State Street New York, the present owner. ANGELIA DONNEN, youngest child and one of the twins died in her second year and was buried in the family plot at Shanly; the rest of the children were well educated and it was a home where every one was made welcome. Hugh Donnan died in 1874 and was laid by the side of his youngest child, Angelia. Mrs. Donnen carried on for 29 years when her call came in 1903 and interment was in the fami1y.plot MARRIAGE: ROYAL JOSEPH DONNEN, Shanly, Canada TO: Agnes Martin, Canada. There were three children: Charles W., Ralph R. and Earl M. Royal, first child of Melissa, born December 29, 1849 in Canada where he received his education and when only 17 years old went to Leadville, Colo., where he operated in gold mining industry. About 1872 he married Agnes Martin and they went to keeping house at Denver, Colorado. They were Presbyterians and I understand Republicans. Successful in business they educated their children well and some years later moved to a large ranch near Fort Morgan, CO, where they now live (1935). MARRIAGE: CHARLES W. DONNEN, Leadville, CO TO: ????? They have one daughter. Charles, oldest child of Royal, born at Leadville, CO took to school and graduated as a Pharmacist, entering the work at different places. They are educating their daughter as she desires. I have a letter from Charles dated December 8, 1934 that show's DONNEN'S PHARMACY, The Rexall Store, Del Norte, CO, which is in the south western part of the state on the Rio Grande River. He is the one who was home when my letter reached his father and was turned over to him to answer. MARRIAGE: RALPH R. DONNEN, Leadville, CO. TO: ????? They have two children: a son and a daughter. Ralph, second child of Royal was educated in the schools where they lived and evidently took to a business career and more or less associated with his father around Fort Morgan, CO. He married and went to keeping house at or near the Fort where they are educating their two children, a SON born in 1918 and a DAUGHTER in 1921.I have just received a letter from his cousin in New York saying that Ralph died in the early part of 1935 at Fort Morgan, CO. Interment was made there. Mrs. Donnan will have to carry on with the encouragement of her children who we hope rise to their privilege. They are Presbyterians and active in civic and political affairs.. PAGE 254 MARRIAGE: EARL MARTlN DONNEN, Leadville, CO TO: ????? They have two chi1dren: a son and a daughter. Earl, youngest child of Royal, born at Leadville, CO in 1894 enjoyed his school work and took to a business career. He married and settled in Ft. Morgan, CO where he is in the grain and coal business. I understand they have good schools and the children are making the best of it, success to them and we hope some time to know their names as well as their mother's. MARRIAGE: JANE AMELIA DONNEN, Shanly, Ont. Canada TO: Hugh Adams, Canada They have four children: Daughter, Daughter, Joel D. and Elisha Jane, second child of Malissa, born April 18, 1852 educated in the schools there, took part in the social affairs of the community where she met repeatedly one who became a close friend, and was united in marriage to Hugh Adams, Shanly, Ontario, Canada. They belong to the Methodist Church and with their children added much to its work. I have no information as to his vocation. MARRIAGE: ?????, Shanly, Ont. Canada TO: Thomas R. Wallace, Shanly, Ont., Canada I have nothing as to their family. MARRIAGE: ?????, Shanly, Ont. Canada TO: James Beggs, Mountain Station, Ont. I have nothing about their family or his vocation. JOEL D. ADAMS, is at 33 Clegg St. Ottawa, Canada and ELISHA ADAMS, is at Vendor, Ont. Canada. Do not know whether either is married. Their father and mother both died about 1899 and interment was at Shanly, Ont. Canada. MARRIAGE: SARAH ELIZABETH DONNEN, Shanly, Ont. Canada TO: George Fairbairn, Shanly, Ont. Canada They have three ohudren: Pearl, Earl and Blanche Sarah, third child of Melissa, born March 31, 1854 at Shanly, Ont. Canada where she was educated, entered into society, belonged to the Methodist Church. She married George Fairbairn of the same community and they went to Leadville, Colorado where her brother Royal had gone. They educated their children in the schools where they lived. PEARL FAIRBAIRN and EARL FAIRBAIRN died early in life, interment being made in the west, for their father died at Leadville about 1885. Later, Sarah and her youngest child BLANCHE returned to Canada and Sarah's call came March 1935 and I assume was buried in the family plot at Shanly, Ontario, Canada. PAGE 255 MARRIAGE: BLANCHE FAIRBAIRN, Leadville, CO TO: Rev. William A. Walden, London, Ont. Canada Blanche, youngest child of Sarah, born in the west, educated there and perhaps east too, was of the Methodist faith and perhaps he was also, making a fine opportunity for their mutual acquaintance, and it became a regular place for him to call; it was a case of love in a most serious form. They were married and at present (1935) are at London, Ontario, a railroad center on the main line, going to Detroit, Port Huron and other places north and south and is in Middlesex County. Rev. Walden is pastor in the United Church of Canada, at London. I have no information as to their family. MARRIAGE: ANDRUS EARL DONNEN, Shanley, Ont. Canada TO: Charlotte Elizabeth Wallace, Shanley, Ont. Canada They have three children: Eleda May, Pearl Melissa and Joseph Earl Andrus and Angelia were twins, born October 5, 1857 at Shanly; they were both strong and in spite of the double work for the mother, afforded much pleasure for others. Angelia, however, was taken sick in her second year, passing into the other life when she was 2 years 9 months and 24 days old. Interment at Shanley, Ont. It appears that Andrus in his boyhood days changed his first name to Andrew and carried it thus. He was educated in the good schools near to the farm, which was the old homestead. He married Charlotte Elizabeth Wallace of Shanly on February 2, 1881 and entered into the activities of the community; members of the Methodist Church, now United Church of Canada, educated their children well, plus a good home training. Later he sold the farm to his youngest child, Joseph Earl Donnen and moved to 210 Hunter Street, West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where he is now living (1935). MARRIAGE: ELEDA MAY DONNEN, Shanley, Ont. Canada TO: Richard Joseph Kennedy, Shanly, Ont., Canada I have nothing as to their family. Eleda, first child of Charlotte, born December 13, 1885 at Shanley where she was educated and entered into society; among her many friends she met Richard Joseph Kennedy. They were married and are now living at 210 Hunter St., West Hamilton, Ontario. I do not know which went there first, but assume that the Kennedys did. I am just wondering if perchance he might be a descendent of a family of Kennedys who lived in Duanesburg, Schenectady County, NY. and moved to Canada in the latter part of the 17th century. We hope to call on them some day and perhaps we can determine as to that fact, also the vocation of Mr. Kennedy. MARRIAGE: PEARL MELISSA DONNEN, Shanley, Canada TO: Percy Stratton Falconer, Canada I have nothing as to their farnily. Pearl, second child of Charlotte, born April 2, 1889 at Shanley, Ont. where she wes educated and whether Percy was from the same community or not I cannot say but their meeting was fatal; they became engaged and were married, now living at 8 Mutchmor Road, Ottawa, Canada. In this case also do not know his work but may find out later. There are two sisters of Peter J. Donnan, 6799 Delorimier Avenue Montreal, Canada who are living there, Mrs. T. Yetman and Mrs. E.V. Pye, their address is 192-A Cooper Street, Ottawa, Canada. PAGE 256 MARRIAGE: JOSEPH EARL DONNEN, Shanley, Ont. Canada TO: Gyrlie White, Ottawa, Canada They have two children: James Roy and Elizabeth White Joseph, third and youngest child of Charlotte, born March 23, 1892 at Shanley on the old homestead, took to school and was well educated. Dark complexion, medium height and weight, pleasing manner, thus making a good appearance and I don t wonder that Gyrlie fell for him and they were married June 3, 1914. They went to house keeping in Ottawa Canada where he was with the governent in the Customs Division Department of National Revenue. Their children were born in Ottawa, but he has been shifted to different places: Boston, Buffalo, and is now stationed at New York, so their children are being educated in different schools. JAMES ROY DONNEN, born May 29, 1915 took to school and is now attending Queens University, Kingston, Ont. ELIZABETH WHITE DONNEN, born Soptember 17, 1923 is now attending Grammar School in Brooklyn, NY. where they live (1935). Joseph's office is at 6 State Street, New York City, representing The Dominion on Customs. In 1935 when on his way to Canada he called on us, a very pleasant guest and the evening was far too short for all of us, so We hope to see him again. The fact is that I am indebted to him for all of this information about their most interesting family. "Silver Locks"