An American Family History

David Lancaster Dwinnell was born on December 20, 1851 in the United States. He appeared in the 1861 census at age ten. His parents were probably Isaac Davis Dwinnell and Rachel Lapoint, however the last record of Isaac was in the 1848 census and Rachel married David Lancaster Jones in 1852.

He married Maria Connolly of Caintown. Maria was born in June, 1847 in Québec. Her parents were Christopher Connolly and Jane Byrne. Jane and her brother Michael Connolly were adopted by Samuel Miller in Yonge Mills. Maria was first cousin to David's sister, Sophia's husband William Byrne.

Bernie Warden wrote in 2000: "M.J.Connolly was born in urban Québec Apr 26 1847. Can't find any more than that to nail down an exact place. His parents came from County Cork (when? or exactly where in Cork?) They both died quite early as he said he didn't really know his parents. (Probably one of the epidemics raging through the land at that time)  From his cemetery records from Watford ON, we know his parents were Christopher Connolly and Jane Byrne, born in Ireland.

My Grandmother, MJ's daughter, told me the story that, when he was a boy, he and a brother were acting up in church one day (maybe while the Priest was trying to train them to be altar boys?). The Priest told them if they put their hands on the altar it would shrivel right up! So, of course, as soon as he turned his back they did exactly that, with no noticeable shriveling at all. Then my grandmother would turn to me and say "And that's why we aren't Catholic today!"

Michael was adopted by Samuel Miller in Front of Yonge county of Leeds Grenville.This is close to Caintown and Mallorytown. Samuel Miller had a farm that he got as a grant from the Queen for participation in the War of 1812. When Michael was 25 he bought part of the farm from his stepfather and built the house (have picture of the house and will send). We were in the house about 5 years ago where the old lady had kept a "house journal" and I'll send you the first page of that too. She's gone now, but she kept it up as close as possible to what it had been like. Samuel Miller and wife were Methodists, and brought Michael up that way too. They were great believers in Education and did an excellent job of raising young Michael that way too. He taught school and farmed and became the County Clerk and Justice of the Peace. This old lady pointed out the corner of the kitchen where he had his office.

They had at least three sons, Edward Dwinnell born in 1882, Richard John Walter Dwinnell, born in 1884 and Lorne Nelson Dwinnel, born in 1884.

In the 1887 city directory David was a steam fitter.

In The Brockville Evening Recorder on August 15, 1900, the social column reported that a Mrs. D. L. Dwinnell and her son of  Montréal were visiting her brother M. J. Connolly of Caintown. 

The U. S. Patent Office has several patents listed in 1890 for David L. Dwinnell including a fitting for hot-water and steam pipe, hot-water boilers and , a closet cistern.

In the 1894 city directory David was an inventor.

At the time of the 1911 census, the family was living in Montréal, Québec in the Maisonneuve district at 1326 St. Andrew. The household consisted of David Dwinnell born in December, 1851, Maria Dwinnell born in 1847, Richard Dwinnell born in January, 1884 and Lame N. Dwinnell born in October, 1884.