The Donnellys: Powder Keg, 1840–1880

by John Little

A violent family living in violent times. In the 1840s, the Donnelly family immigrates from Ireland to the British province of Canada. Almost immediately problems develop as the patriarch of the family is sent to the Kingston Penitentiary for manslaughter, leaving his wife to raise their eight children on her own. The children are raised in an incredibly violent community and cultivate a devoted loyalty to their mother and siblings, which often leads to problems with the law and those outside of the family. The tensions between the family and their community escalate as the family's enemies begin to multiply. The brothers go into business running a stagecoach line and repay all acts of violence perpetrated against them, which only worsens the situation. Refusing to take a backwards step, the Donnellys stand alone against a growing power base that includes wealthy business interests in the town of Lucan, the local diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, law authorities and a number of their neighbors. Contains mature themes.

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Canada, Biography Memoir

244 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

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Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a two book series, by author John Little, based on the well known and largely talked about Donnelly Family, otherwise known as the "Black Donnellys".
In the 1840's the Donnelly family immigrates from Ireland to Canada where they settle in the small town of Lucan, Ontario.
Problems begin to develop almost immediately when James (the patriarch) is sent to prison for manslaughter leaving his wife Johannah to raise their eight children. They are raised in an extremely violent community, devoted to their mother and each other, which creates problems with the law and other community members. The Donnelly family's enemies increase rapidly!
Over the years many acts of violence are committed against them and they always take their vengeance.
This is an extremely well-researched, unbiased and very detailed account of one of Canada's terrible tragedies.
I highly recommend reading the next book called The Donnellys: Massacre, Trial and Aftermath: 1880-1916.

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley

I have no idea where I first heard of the Black Donnellys. It must have been some book about Canada, but I have no idea which. I had heard of the attempted rescue of one of the Donnellys’ lady loves from her father somewhere. Yet, my knowledge is more of a general sense than specific. I knew that several members of the family had been killed in an attack on their farmstead.

This first volume in Little’s two book series about the Donnellys and their murder ends before the murder occurs He takes the time to look at the charge – both by legal authorities and by rumor -that were laid at the Donnellys’ door. He looks at the times that the Donnellys had to appear in court, the times family members were imprisoned as well as the stagecoach wars. His analysis of the Donnellys’ guilt in terms of some rumor charges (the harming of horses for instance) is packed up with evidence from a variety of sources. He dispels some rumors, such as how the matriarch of the clan was seen (she was actually charged with having foul mouth when a man shoved gun in her face) as well as breaking what appears to be some new ground in the lives of some of the sons.

Part of this is because Little takes the time to present not a historic overview of Biddulph Township in Ontario (then Upper Canada). This includes the area’s initial development but also the tensions between the Catholics and Protestants, tensions that Little suggests contributed to the attack on the Donnellys. He makes sure the reader understands the time and place that the Donnellys were in, noting the very hardships that the family would suffer though. In America, we would say that Biddulph was a bit like the stereotypical Wild, Wild West, and Little makes sure that there is understanding about how tough and hard the people could be in Biddulp at the time. This includes not only the Donnelly neighbors but their priest as well.

In terms of background for the rural area of Ontario during the period as well as for background about the Donnellys themselves, this an good read.

Highly recommend for those interested in Canadian history and folklore.

[LibraryCin · Rating 3 out of 5]

[My summary repeated from v. 2.] The Donnelly family came from Ireland in the mid-1800s to rural Ontario. James and Johanna were the parents and they had a number of sons and their youngest was a daughter. They (parents and sons) often managed to get into trouble, whether that be drinking, fistfights, vandalism, and other things. At some point (even though there were others in and around town who did these things, as well), the Donnellys fairly consistently got blamed. A vigilance committee was formed and on Feb 4, 1880, a crowd of people on the committee entered the Donnelly farmstead and murdered James, Johanna, one son and a niece visiting from Ireland. A young boy, Johnny, was staying overnight and hid under a bed while it happened. When the committee left, they headed to the next farm over, where another of the Donnelly sons lived. There was a second Donnelly son staying there and he was also killed.

This was a volume 1 of a two-parter, and I accidentally listened to v. 2 first. Volume 1 started with James and Johanna coming to Canada and followed them throughout their time in Lucan, while they and their sons got into trouble, some of their own making, and much blamed on them and the family only because several town members disliked (hated) them. This volume ends just before the murders happen.

Like with v. 2, this was very detailed. Because I listened to the audio and do other things while I listen, I was distracted at times. With all the detail, sometimes that can draw me in, and sometimes it’s too much. In this case, I think it mostly depending what I was doing whether or not all the detailed info could hold my attention. It’s a good book, and I like all the detail. I always wonder in these cases, if I would rate it better if I hadn’t listened to it; I do think this is likely in this case.

[Paul Sutter]

Just when you thought you knew all about the "Black" Donnellys as they were one time referred to, a book comes along to add even more mystique to the mix about the infamous family. Yes there have been a host of books written over the past half century or so that looked at their lives, but few have gone into the detail that noted author John Little has done.
This is book one of the two book series, and it pretty well chronicles the life of Donnelly family from their arrival in the area to just before their grisly demise. They arrived from Ireland in the 1840’s, and they were definitely seen as different almost from the second they set foot in Lucan Ontario. They arrived from Ireland, hoping to make better lives for themselves. While there is little question they were a hard-working family it seemed they were destined to have one run-in after another with the townspeople of the area, who did not take too kindly to their type in their quiet community.
James the head of the family, was sent to Kingston Penitentiary for committing manslaughter, meaning his wife Johanna has the unenviable task of trying to raise their eight children on her own. She did her best, but being part of violence in the family, meant they were raised in that sort of environment. It did not take long before others in the community resented their presence and they soon were associated many crimes in the area. Cases of arson and violence against animals and property soon became associated with the Donnellys, even though often there was no proof whatsoever. At times, it seemed they the people of the community were looking for scapegoats and any provocation, so that they could set the family in their sights.
While they had more than their share of enemies, there were also many who visited them often, and had no beef with the family at all. They were hard working on their farm, and did their best to be as self-sufficient as possible. It is the attention to detail that makes the book so engrossing, and the fact there are almost 100 pages of notes to add to the book itself, makes it as comprehensive as they come. Anyone interested in the real story of the Donnellys should add this to their collection.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could review the two books the author has just released together as they make up the entire narrative of the Donnelly story. Born and raised in London, the Donnelly story was everywhere. In the 1960s there was a huge amount of material from which to choose. I pass through Lucan quite often and have friends who live on the Roman Line. I thought I knew a fair bit about the Donnellys but I was mistaken.

History, it has been said, is written by the victors. Certainly as far as this book goes, none of the family could ascribe to that title. The Black Donnellys were portrayed as violent rabble rousers who were a plague on their community frequently. While no one endorsed the massacre, often there was an undercurrent of justifiable homicide. Thanks to this book, the record is set straight. While they are not portrayed as angels, they are shown to be decent compassionate people. Their greatest sin was non conformity to the Catholic community where they were expected to comply. They cared not about religion or any other “outsider” characteristics. They judged people as they found them.

I think the Donnelly who surprised me most was William. He was not the man he is so often portrayed. But the entire family were a revelation. So was the animus and hatred that was thrust upon them from their own priest to the other members of the community. Expect to be outraged and angry with the way such a heinous crime could be perpetrated and justice denied.

Five purrs and two paws up.

[Travis De Jong · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking to really get a deep dive into the Donnelly murders then this is the book for you. But, if you just want to learn about it I would suggest finding something else. This book is just a lot. Like I mean I now know every fight and disagreement the Donnelly's have ever had and every single event leading up to their murders. It's cool and all but unless you're prepared for it, it's a little much. If I'm being real here I didn't enjoy the book but I can respect the amount of research and how difficult it must be reading through 1800 archives so props to the author. Also he's a local man so I would feel bad giving a rating below 3 stars.

[Matt Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of the Donnelly family by John Little has a wonderful narrative voice that keeps the reader engaged. Their time in the stage coach business was a great read and the sagas with Hugh McKinnon and James Carroll were also fascinating and frustrating at the same time.
Little's intense research has not gone unnoticed as it is takes the tone of the impartial observer that prior history of the Donnellys did not take.
The subsequent book detailing trials after this crime was very engaging by having the same descriptive narrative.

[Greg Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in Lucan my entire life, reading the local history, being a part of st Patrick's parish almost 110 years after the events, John Little does an amazing job weaving an exciting fact ladden historical narrative. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to know a true account of the events that unfolded, the cowards who planned the tragedy and all aspects of Lucan Biddulph on the 19th century.

[Annemarie Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was more like a book report than a true crime book and I talked more about the town than the people that it was suppose to be about. It was about every incident, every person that lived there had with each other and sometimes a Donnelly was mentioned.

[Kyleen]

This is all fascinating, but I'm DNFing at about 50%, as the detail is just too much for me. I had volume 2 waiting, since I really enjoyed a good chunk of this, but this started to be a slog for me since I'm not interested in the minute details of every Donnelly movement.

[Kent Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing detail and a solid investigation. Just be ready to feel depressed for the persecution of a family that wasn't entirely innocent, but certainly undeserving of their suffering.

[Jacqueline De · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Little has done an excellent job of telling what happened after the murder of the Donnelly family.

[Jennifer Prendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget all the other black Donnelly books, these two, by John Little, are by far the best ever written. If you like Canadian history, you'll love these

[Jessi Collier Wakefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could tell a lot of research and time was put into the book.

Thank you libro.fm for the ALC.

[Jacquie Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Donnellys: Powder Keg
John Little

Release date: 02 Nov 2021

Description:
"A violent family living in violent times.

In the 1840s, the Donnelly family immigrates from Ireland to the British province of Canada. Almost immediately problems develop as the patriarch of the family is sent to the Kingston Penitentiary for manslaughter, leaving his wife to raise their eight children on her own.

The children are raised in an incredibly violent community and cultivate a devoted loyalty to their mother and siblings, which often leads to problems with the law and those outside of the family.

The tensions between the family and their community escalate as the family’s enemies begin to multiply. The brothers go into business running a stagecoach line and repay all acts of violence perpetrated against them, which only worsens the situation.

Refusing to take a backwards step, the Donnellys stand alone against a growing power base that includes wealthy business interests in the town of Lucan, the local diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, law authorities and a number of their neighbours."

Review:
The phrase, "The Black Donnellys" is something I've heard but I never knew who they were. The book was interesting and at times, suspenseful. Little's research is impeccable. Maybe a bit long and this is only the first book in a two-part series.

Biddulph Township in Ontario is known as the site of the brutal massacre on February 4, 1880 of five Donnelly family members, an immigrant Irish family caught up in a long-standing local feud. Nobody was ever convicted of the murders. This crime is noted to be one of the most horrific crimes in Canadian history.

"Litigious" is the word that came to mind reading this book - it seems as if everyone was being sued or else suing someone on a daily basis. People were tried multiple times for the same crime, sometimes months and years after the fact. It was a scary time to be alive in Ontario.

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.