An American Family History

Isaac Davis Dwinnell, Jr. was probably born in 1816 in Manilus, Onondaga County, New York. His father was probably Isaac Davis Dwinnell and his grandparents, Captain Isaac Davis and Elizabeth Powers.

His granddaughter, Hester Johnson wrote “I had a letter from our cousin Beatrice in Montréal and she gave me my grandfather’s given name which was Isaac David Dwinnell, but there was no record of his birth, marriage or death.” Hester said that he was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York.

He (Davis Dwinnell) served in the 8th Infantry, Company D under Captain Wright in Buffalo, New York. He enlisted for three years at Buffalo New York on February 19, 1838. He was 22. His occupation was tailor. He had hazel eyes, a dark complexion, and brown hair.

The Patriots' War had started in November of 1837 with a largely ethnic uprising of French-speaking Canadians against British rule .. . [they] found a sympathetic audience of Americans, still resentful of the 1813 burning of Buffalo.  [A ] violation of American territory sparked a rapid response by the American government, which . .  . beefed-up garrisons of US regulars. . .  The Niagara Frontier cooled and war was averted, but tension would persist for years and lead to a buildup along the frontier. (Buffalonet)

He deserted from the army on May 10, 1838. He was apprehended on October 28, 1838. He deserted again on January 24, 1839. 

Isaac D. Dwinnell married Rachel Lapoint about 1839. Their childen and life together are described in detail in the section on Isaac and Rachel Dwinnell.

Victoria Zellena Dwinnell was born August 14, 1840 in Yonge Mills, Ontario. The 1840 Census of Yonge, Ontario, Canada showed Davis Dwindle. The census listed one adult man and four females on Lot 16, Concession 3.

The 1848 Census of Yonge showed David Dwinnell, a tailor, with a total of six in the family on the same lot. This census record is the last record of Isaac.