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PART 4

JOHN DONNAN

Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland

1800 --1934

His three sons came to the USA in 1851 and settled on farms near Basom, Genesee Co. NY.


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Introduction

In 1928 our daughter Jane, who lives in Batavia, NY was reading an article
in their paper referring to a Craig Donnan, a teacher, being in East Pembrook,
NY. In the summer when we were in Batavia, we motored out to see who he might be
connected with. We called at the Post Office and found that he was attending
summer school at Cornell University and his wife was an East Pembrook lady. The Post
man also said that his father William Donnan lived some few miles north at Bascom,
NY; this became still more interesting, as I always have in mind Uncle Andrew's
son William, who went to Buffalo to buy merchandise and was never heard from.

On following up this family, however, found that their grandparents came from
Ireland and back of that Scotland. I am very frank to say that this William Donnan
and his sisters resemble our Donnan family, so much so that I have been prompted
to give a brief sketch of their history, hoping that others in the family will become
interested and fol1ow it up more in detail.

At the close of this part, I am including cousins of the above, who came to
Canada about the same time. Have not been able to obtain sufficient data so I could
add them to the chart.

In the early part of the 18th century, John Donnan married and was living at
Ballynihinch, County Down Ireland, and among their family were Samuel, James and
Wil1iam. They had been reading about America with its wonderful resources of
lumber, minerals and fertile soil, and it appealed to them so strongly that they
decided to set sail in 1851. Landing in New York, they continued on west to the
northwestern part of Genesee County, NY on farms near Basom and Alabama, a fine
farming section.

Just this year, 1934, I learned that a cousin of theirs from the same section
in Ireland, had come to Ontario, Canada and settled in 1847, and most of them have
remained in that section north of Lake Ontario.

There were eight children and one more son, James Donnan, born in Canada in
1851 and is now living at Stirling, Ontario, his daughter Eliza writes me that
there are many of them living in that vicinity of whom I will write later. They
state that their grandparents came to Ireland from a small island off the coast of
Scotland and back of that, Scotland, this small island might be the Ile of Eigg,
where St. Donnan and his monks were murdered, because of their faith adverse to
the Queen, or the island where the "Donan Castle" was, ruins of which still stand.
John Donnan and wife of Richmond, Va. went to see it some years ago, an account
of which appears at the end of their family history.

MARRIAGE:SAMUEL DONNAN, Ballynahinch, Ireland
TO: Martha White, Stafford, NY

There were three children born to them: Nellie, Nettie and William

Samuel the older one, was a stong healthy Scotchman with the usual traits of
character, thrift, sticktoitiveness and purpose, and in 1870s had fallen in love
with a girl some miles to the south, but in the same county, Miss Martha White, of
Stafford. They bought a farm near Basom, Genesee County, NY, were successful in
their enterprise, both being familiar with their duties and coming from homes
that had many things in common, made the home a pleasant one.

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They entered into all activities of the community, school, church, politics
and the family has had a deep interest in developing the lives of their children,
not only by precept, but example. This section was laid out more like the western
states for the land is quite level, just enough elevation to give it good drainage,
well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and hay. Roads are parallel, making the farm
lines square and the bui1dings in most cases placed in the middle of side next to
the road. School near, and church at Alabama a short distance to the north, with
good roads both were easily accessible. New railroads were being built so shipping
facilities were good in that section.

MARRIAGE: NELLIE DONNAN, Basom, NY
TO: Freeman Merch, Basom, NY

There were four children born to them: Keith, Catherine, Mayble and Margaret.

Nellie Donnan born March 31, 1878 on a farm near Basom, Genesee County, NY,
a healthy active child, educated in the schools there and took an intrest in community
affairs. In her social life there was a young man of that section whom
she had met, and he took advantage of every opportunity to have it occur again
till they became firm friends, were engaged and in October 1902, Nellie Donnan
and Freeman Merch were united in marriage at the home of the bride, and settled
on a farm near Basom, NY and are still living there.

KEITH MERCH, their first child was born June 25, 1903 and attended the schools
there, a promising boy in school and out, when on December 5, 1928 he was struck
by a trolley and killed. This was a sad blow to lose their only son and it was
with sorrow in their hearts that the body was laid to rest in the cemetery at
Oakfield and Alabama Cemetery.

MAYBLE MERCH, third child of Nellie was born May 12, 1913.

MARGARET, fourth child was born Feb 28, 1916. They are being educated in
the schools there and at home. Domestic Science, which I think should be connected
with the three R's that we have heard so much about in the past. The Oakfield
High School where they attended may have this course.

MARRIAGE: CATHERINE MERCH, Basom, NY
TO: Louis William Scroger, Basom, NY

They have two children: Marvin Louis and Donald Keith.

Catherine, the second child of Nellie was also a typical Scotch lassie,
educated in the schools there and entered into all the activities of the section
in which she lived. In social activities she met repeatedly one who became a fond
friend and on Deceinber 16, 1932 Catherine Merch and William Scroger, son of Albert
Scroger, were married and settled on a farm near their homes.

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This is a genera1 farming section, soil being suitable for most any kind of
crop so they can shift them and protect the strength of the soil by so doing.
This home was gladdened when MARVIN LOUIS SCROGER came to town on April 27, 1934,
a sturdy child that can make his wants known to the fullest degree. Soon he will
be starting school and that will create anew the parent's interest in this phase
of life.

DONALD KEITH SCROGER, was born March 11, l935.

They are members of the Lutheran and Baptist Church at Batavia, NY and belong
to the Republican Party - industrious, thrifty farmers.

MARRIAGE: NETTlE DONNAN, Basom, NY
TO: Walter J. Passmore, Batavia, NY

They have one child, Earl Donnan.

Nettle, second child of Martha, was born October 27, 1884 and educated in
the schools at home, a strong healthy child ready for play, study and work, as
those periods followed in life. We see in her a strong resemblance of the Donnan
characterstics set forth in our immediaty family.

She became impressed by the personality of Walter whom she had met at different
occasions and they became engaged and were married at the home of the bride
on April 11, 1910 and settled on a farm two miles north of Batavia, NY, just before
you come to the Airport on an RFD route.

They are successful farmers and are so near the city of Batavia that they
keep several hundred hens in addition to their other general farming. The soil
is fertile and fairly level, making it easy to work.

EARL DONNAN PASSMORE, their only child was born March 11, 1911, educated in
the schools of Batavia, then entered University of Alabamma, at Tuscaloosa, Ala. He
has a mechanical turn of mind, nearly six feet tall and is ready for all kinds
of sports.

MARRIAGE: WILLIAM DONNAN, Basom, NY
TO: Leone Seamons, East Pembrook, NY

There were two children born to them: Edward Craig and Vernie.

William, third child of Martha was born July 31, 1873 at Basom, NY, educated
in the home schools then learned the carpenters trade so he could combine it
with the farm work in his community. Among his associates was a young lady living
in a neighboring community that he had met, fallen in love with, and married her,
going to housekeeping in East Pembrook, NY.

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VERNIE DONNAN, second child of Leone was born April 1, 1904. educated. in the
home schools and entered into the aotivities at East Pembrook, a pleasant little
village on Route 5 west of Batavia, He was not married and in 1927 was taken
sick and called to his reward just at the beginning of what seemed to be a most
useful life. He was buried in the family plot at East Pembrook, NY.

During the World War when the flu was so bad, Mrs. Donnan came down with it
and although a healthy person, was not able to withstand its effect and she was
called. interment at East Pembrook cemetery.

After the death of Vernie in 1927 William broke up his home and has been staying
with his other son and sisters, working at his trade. William resembles the
other Donnan men in stature, manners, voice and looks; quiet, thoughtful and a
good workman.

MARRIAGE: EDWARD CRAIG D0NNAN, East Permbrook, NY
TO: Guste Miller, East Pembrook, NY

There are two children: Arnold F. and Douglas.

Edward, born October 26, 1900 educated in home school, then High and Cornell
University, Ithica, NY. He was interested in school work, teaching, then
continuing his study summers at Cornell for his degree.

During his school days there was a young lady at East Pembrook who also obtained
a good education and became interested in school work, teaching. This made
it pleasant for both to compare notes and in fact it became so agreeable that a
class of two was formed, from which they both graduated on August 25, 1926 when
Edward Craig Donnan and Guste Miller, of East Pembrook, NY were united in marriage.

He is now one of three Tompkins County school superintendents and in spite
of the fact that that county has a beautiful $750,000.00 county building at Ithaca
retains his office at Newfield in his home, a very pleasant place and nearer the
center of his section of the county. Newfield is some ten miles south of Ithaca
on the main road to Elmira, beautifully situated in a valley, their lot of an acre
extending down to the creek, filled with flowers and vegetables.

ARN0LD F. DONNAN, born August 16, 1928 a fine round faced boy, ready for the
circus which was in Ithica the day we called, and DOUGLAS DONNAN, born May 6, 1934
a sweet child in his crib.

JAMES DONNAN, Ballynahinch, County Down, Ireland

James came to America with his two brothers in 1851 and settled in Genesee
County, NY taking up farming. We do not know whether he was not as strong as
the others, anyway he was not well and after a few years decided that he would
return to Ireland. He had never married and may have left a special friend in
Ireland that he longed to see; whether he lived to accomplish this or not we do
not know. He set sail from New York not feeling at all well and the family are
not sure that he reached shore alive; if so, he died shortly afterward. I have

PAGE 238

not been able to find out who his mother was and whether there were any more children
than the three boys, but hope to hear from some of the others who are still
there, and their descendants in California, Chicago, and Canada, more of the back
history of the many Donnan families that went to Ireland from Scotland.

When we stop to consider that the Donnan tribe goes back to the third and
fourth century period of Scotland, then somewhere else back of that; that they
were a part of the Gaelic or Celtic people, speaking the Erse language, do not
wonder that some of them went over into Ireland. In the 10th century they were in
Galloway, Argyle, Iverness and north of the Firth of Forth, at home on land and
sea. I am told there are Donnan Cloisters in Ireland, as well as Donnan Castles
in Scotland.

MARRIAGE: WILLIAM DONNAN, Ballynahinch, Ireland
TO: Margarete Jane Leighbody, Alabama, NY

There were four children born to them: Anna, Emma J., Infant Son and Infant daughter

William Donnan, third son of Johm Donnan was born in 1834 at Ballynahinch,
Ireland, so according to tradition he must be a Scotch Irishman. He came over in
1851 and settled in Genesee County, NY on a farm. He married Margaret Jane
Leighbody, born September 11, 1843 near where the farm was, Basom, NY, in 1860.

Their first child ANNA DONNAN was born Septetnber 26, 1861, educated in the
home schools and was a great help to her mother at home caring for the younger
children, a pleasant congenial girl in and out of the home. Just in her teens
was not well and Noveinber 29, 1879 was called to her heavenly home, burial in
the family cemetery at East Pembrook, NY.

An infant son, born January 9, 1867 and an infant daughter, born July 5, 1873
had already been placed in the family plot, all of which was brought vividly to
their minds when Anna was buried. Mrs. Donnan died July 7, 1920 and burial was
in the family plot.

MARRIAGE: EMMA J. DONNAN, Basom, NY
TO: Douglas Potter, Alabama, NY

They have no children.

Emma J., second child of William Donnan was born
February 2, 1864, a dark haired blue eyed girl with a strong constitution. She
soon entered school and proved to be a good student, moving along regularly till
she graduated. In this section there was another prosperous farmer that had a
son who became a close friend of Emma and they were married December 25, 1883 at
the bride's home and settled on a farm near Alabama, NY. Later they purchased
another farm near there, were active in community affairs, Mr. Potter being one
of a committee who went to Albany, NY in behalf of a new railroad to the south
of them, and were successful.

PAGE 239

Some years ago they bought a nice place in the village of Alabama on the same
street that the Baptist Church is located, of which they are active members, then later
another property at the head or the same street, so between the four places they
have plenty to look after. Mr. Potter had been painting the home when we were there
in 1934.

Just south of them is Indian Falls, on the Tonawanda Creek, that rises some
miles southwest of Batavia, flowing through it then northwest to the Indian Falls
so on west to the Tonawanda River that flows into the Niagara River.

In our morning paper of October 8, 1934 the following artiole appeared:

Belleville, Ont. October 7, 1937

"Extradition proceedings to bring Harold W. Vermilyea from California to
stand trial on a charge of having slain his 79 year old mother here will be started
at once, it was said today by B.C.Donnan, Crown attorney. Police asserted that
when Vermilyea was taken into custody at his home in Ontario, California, he had a
bar of soap taken from a Toronto Hotel. They said also that California officers
had found the card of a Toronto taxicab company in his possession. Mrs. Vermilyea
died from wounds inflicted by a hatchet wielded last Thursday night. Authorities
said that Vermilyea, flying west from Chicago, Ill. would have had time to reach
his California home after the slaying. They said they had received information
from Chicago officers that a man answerering Vermilyea's description was a passenger
on a Pan-American plane which left Chicago for the west coast at 10:20 PM. Friday.
On writing Mr. B.C. Donnan, received the following letter:

Belleville, Ont. October 11, 1934

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 8th instant containing an inquiry
concerns the origin of our family. I am not wholly familiar with the exact origin
but I know that the first Donnans came to this district many years ago from Ireland.
I believe our branch of the family originated on an island off the coast of Scotland.
There are a great many of the family distributed through the Dominion, with
a few in the United States (those who came to Basom, Genesee County, NY), but
this district is the origin of the Canadian family and there are a great many of
them living in this vicinity. I believe that if you care to write James Donnan,
Stirling, Ontario, he will be able to give you more details concerning those who
came over from Ireland originally.

Yours truly, Bryson C. Donnan

Following Mr. Donnan's suggestion I have received the following letters:

Stirling, Ontario November 4, 1934

As my father is 83 years old and not writing very much, I will try to tell
you who he was. His Father and Mother came to Canada in 1847 with 8 children,
four boys and all died near here and he was the only one born in Canada. His
parents came from the north of Ireland, his Mother's name was Peake and his Father's
mother was Caryle. My father had two cousins, William and Samuel Donnan who lived
and farmed around Batavia, NY. They are both dead. Sam had a son William who
lived around there; we haven't heard anything about them in years. Dad's people
came from Scotland generations back. I hope this will help some.

Sincerely, Eliza Donnan

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Stirling, Ontario February 3, 1935

I don't seem to be able to help you out much on the family tree as Dad has
forgotten so much he can't tell me anything, but maybe if you could come over
and visit with him it would help out a great deal. It isn't far to Batavia and I
have been there often and my Father and Mother went over to visit William and
Samuel Donnan. I have met their families so maybe we can get together next summer.
My only brother lives on a farm; it is not easy to get away during the summer months
so you will have to come over. I have two sisters in New York City that come
home every summer so we will try to make arrangements to meet.

Respectfully, Eliza R. Donnan

Stirling, Ontario, May 6, 1936

At last I am getting busy, but I cannot enlighten you very much as Dad has
forgotten so much. I drove down through your country by bus last spring and spent
a month in New York, then went to Washington; had one grand time, and came home
quite satisfied with our country. I was sick going through your town, but thought
of you while going through, so I think you people better come up and find out what
we can tell you. I visited at Samuel and William Donnans before Nellie was married
so I am not very young.

Respectfully, Eliza R. Donnan


We still look forward to a trip as suggested, taking in the follwing places
where descendants of three Donnan families live: Hamilton, Toronto, Belleville,
Stirling, Ottawa, Montreal and even on to Quebec.

Silver Locks