John McDonell
Encyclopedia
Captain John McDonell was a soldier, judge and political figure in Upper Canada
following the American Revolution
. He was elected as the first speaker for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
.
in Scotland
, a son of Alexander MacDonell. In 1773, he came to the Mohawk Valley
of New York
with his father and uncles.
In 1775, during the American Revolution
, McDonell was commissioned in the Royal Highland Emigrants
. On August 1, 1778, he transferred to John Butler
's Rangers
. For a time, he served as paymaster at Fort Niagara
.
ended the American Revolution in 1783, McDonell settled with other Highlander Loyalists along the Saint Lawrence River
in Upper Canada. He was appointed to the land board for the Lunenburgh District in 1788 and later for Glengarry
& Stormont
in 1792. He was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas and the district Court of Quarter Sessions. He was also named lieutenant for Glengarry County in 1792. He played an important role in the local militia, commanding the Upper Canada Battalion of the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment.
In 1792, McDonell and his brother Hugh McDonell
were elected to the Legislative Assembly representing Glengarry. John McDonell was chosen speaker. He was reelected in 1796, but was unable to attend until 1798 due to illness.
John McDonell died of what was described as a "severe cold" at Quebec City
in 1809. He was 51 years old and was serving at the time with the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion.
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
following the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. He was elected as the first speaker for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
The Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada was created by the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was the elected legislature for the province of Upper Canada and functioned as the province's lower house in the Parliament of Upper Canada...
.
Early years
John McDonell was born at Aberchalder LodgeAberchalder Lodge
Aberchalder Lodge is a country house in the Inverness-shire region of Scotland's Highland Council area.It lies at the centre of the 16,000 acre Aberchalder Estate close to Loch Oich....
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, a son of Alexander MacDonell. In 1773, he came to the Mohawk Valley
Mohawk Valley
The Mohawk Valley region of the U.S. state of New York is the area surrounding the Mohawk River, sandwiched between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains....
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with his father and uncles.
In 1775, during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, McDonell was commissioned in the Royal Highland Emigrants
84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants)
The 84th Regiment of Foot was a British regiment in the American Revolutionary War that was raised to defend present day Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada from the constant land and sea attacks by American Revolutionaries...
. On August 1, 1778, he transferred to John Butler
John Butler (pioneer)
John Butler was a Loyalist who led an irregular militia unit known as Butler's Rangers on the northern frontier in the American Revolutionary War. He led Seneca and Cayuga forces in the Saratoga campaign. He later raised and commanded a regiment of rangers.-Background:John was born to Walter...
's Rangers
Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist John Butler.Most members of the regiment were Loyalists from upstate New York...
. For a time, he served as paymaster at Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. It is located near Youngstown, New York, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario.-Origin:...
.
Postwar life in Canada
When the Treaty of ParisTreaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
ended the American Revolution in 1783, McDonell settled with other Highlander Loyalists along the Saint Lawrence River
Saint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence is a large river flowing approximately from southwest to northeast in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the primary drainage conveyor of the Great Lakes Basin...
in Upper Canada. He was appointed to the land board for the Lunenburgh District in 1788 and later for Glengarry
Glengarry County, Ontario
thumb|right|Glengarry located within OntarioGlengarry County , an area covering , is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario, and is historically known for its settlement of Scottish Highlanders due to the Highland Clearances.Glengarry was founded in 1792 by Scottish loyalists, mainly from...
& Stormont
Stormont County, Ontario
Stormont County area is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario.Stormont was created in 1792, however, it was settled seven years earlier in 1785. Veterans of Loyalist regiments were among the first settlers...
in 1792. He was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas and the district Court of Quarter Sessions. He was also named lieutenant for Glengarry County in 1792. He played an important role in the local militia, commanding the Upper Canada Battalion of the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment.
In 1792, McDonell and his brother Hugh McDonell
Hugh McDonell
Hugh McDonell was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at Aberchalder Lodge in Scotland. In 1773, he came with his father and uncles to the Mohawk Valley of New York, settling on Sir William Johnson's estate near Johnstown. As a loyalist, he was taken prisoner by...
were elected to the Legislative Assembly representing Glengarry. John McDonell was chosen speaker. He was reelected in 1796, but was unable to attend until 1798 due to illness.
John McDonell died of what was described as a "severe cold" at Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
in 1809. He was 51 years old and was serving at the time with the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion.