John Deyell - A Profile

By Norman McBain

The Deyell name has been traced back to the French Huguenots who were compelled to flee from Continental Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries because of religious persecution. The original spelling of the name was "Dalziel" and the use of that name continues in Scotland where some of the family migrated in those times of hardship. Another branch of the family went to Ireland where the name became changed to Deyell. Strangely enough, the earliest census rolls in Cavan Township shows not only the name of John Deyell but also that of Alexander Dalziel. It is noted that the early assessors and enumerators used their own judgement in spelling and the customary Deyell was sometimes written as Dyall or alternatively Dayall.

John and the "Iron Duke".

The Deyells of Ireland lived at Drum, County Monaghan, and it is known that the family consisted of three brothers: John, Robert and Samuel. As far as is known, John is the only one to have come to Canada. He first came in 1812 and fought against the Americans at Queenston Heights under General Brock. Surviving that war he returned with his regiment to Europe and fought at Waterloo in 1815 under the Duke of Wellington. An interesting sidelight reveals that a couple of his grandsons were named Wellington usually abbreviated to Wellie. No doubt this happened because of his high regard for the great Duke and the stories and legends of John's military service were passed on to his sons.

First Survey of Cavan

John Deyell was born at Drum, Ireland in 1775; and died in Cavan, November 21, 1878 - an amazing lifetime of 103 years. He married Margaret Lancashire and they came to settle in Canada in 1816 with their eldest son William. They were the first white settlers in what is now known as Cavan Township. He took up land on Lot 23, Concession 3, where he raised his family. His house, still in good repair, stands on this property on Highway 28. His wife, Margaret, who bore him five sons and four daughters, died in June 1866. Deyell assisted Mr. Willmot in making the first survey of Cavan and South Monaghan Townships and had the privilege of naming both these townships after the counties of the same name in his native land.

"Live and Let Live"

Deyell operated the first lodging house between Port Hope and Peterborough, called Centreville Hotel, owing no doubt to its being located just halfway between the two towns. Over the door of his inn he placed his personal motto: "Live and Let Live" which became his sobriquet. An earlier writer, in discussing the life of John Deyell, posed the interesting question, "What would people us if they named us according to our characteristics?"

First Schoolhouse

John donated an acre of his land for the first schoolhouse which later became the site of the present Centreville Presbyterian Church and Cemetery. He established the first grist mill in Millbrook - which gave the village its name: the Mill on the Brook. He is said to have procured a boulder from the field and had a stonemason dress it into a millstone. The story is told that John Deyell, wanting to buy a piece of land in Smith Township at Fowlers Corners, was informed that a neighbour was also interested in the same property. One day, seeing the neighbour drive past and suspecting that he was going to make the purchase, John hastened on foot cross-country to the corners, closed the deal and was leaving the property as the neighbour arrived. That property, being Lot 1, Concession 3, Township of Smith, remains in the Deyell name to this day.

Many Descendants

Following is an abbreviated summary of the sons and daughters of John Deyell and Margaret Lancashire:

1. William (born in Ireland), settled in Otonabee Township and married Mary Shannon.

2. Robert settled in Millbrook and married a Lang.

3. Samuel settled in Smith, at Fowlers Corners, and married Sarah Burgess.

4. John settled in Ops Township and married Letitia Stenson.

5. Thomas settled in Cavan and married 1) Esther Stenson and, 2) Nora Mahony.

6. Essie - Otonabee and Peterborough, married 1) Thomas Ryan, 2) Thomas Barrie.

7. Ellen - Cavan, married James Hutchison.

8. Margaret - Cavan, married Joseph Armstrong (Bailieboro).

9. Mary Jane - Cavan, married Robert Lancashire.

John Deyell and his immediate family are, of course, long gone but the name goes on in his grandchildren and succeeding generations. There are still Deyell settlements in all the townships in which John's children settled and, over the years, his descendants have, no doubt, scattered over the entire continent, if not beyond. As a society dedicated to preserving our heritage, we can all be proud to claim John Deyell as our earliest pioneer and to share this pride with his descendants.

A Memorial Window

An appropriate stained glass window at the west end of Centreville Presbyterian Church, facing the doors by which the worshippers enter, is a memorial to John Deyell and his wife, Margaret Lancashire. Installed by his descendants, to dedicate the memory of his toil, friendship and the hardships of pioneer life. Depicted in its richly coloured panels are motifs of an early pioneer farm and various household articles, among them the Holy Bible, which the early settlers brought with them to their new land.

* Appreciation is hereby extended to Mrs. Clarence Drain, Peterborough, who provided the bulk of the material which enabled me to provide this brief synopsis of John Deyell.

OBITUARY

R. A. DEYELL

Robert Archibald Deyell, the subject of this sketch, was born on Maple Leaf Farm, Otonabee, seventy-nine years ago, and died at his home on Crystal Stream Farm, in the same township, on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27th, 1919. This excellent character was converted to God in early manhood, united with the Bible Christian church in the year 1862, conformed to the "Union" later, and joined the Methodist church of Canada, of which he remained a faithful and worthy member and official until a few days ago, when he passed up to the church triumphant beyond. In the year 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Letitia Stewart, daughter of Mr. Richard Stewart of Otonabee, and this happy union was blessed by a family of twelve sons and daughters, seven of whom, with the sorrowing widow, survive him. The following members of this family mourn his demise: Mrs. James Chambers of Peterborough, Mrs. Wm. Hanbridge, Mrs. Bruce Hord, and and Mr. Ward Deyell of Otonabee, Mrs. Fred Deyell, Mrs. Bert McPhinnie, and Mr. Roland Deyell of Frobisher, Saskatchewan. Two brothers and two sisters also survive him, namely: Mrs. Robert Handridge of Otonabee, Mrs. Jas. Ruth and Mr. Samuel Deyell of Peterborough, and Mr. Wm. Deyell of Lindsay. Robert Deyell was one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens in the county of Peterborough. His voice, like a trumpet, ever rang out clear and strong against evil of all kinds. We do not know his politics, but his principles were well known to all who knew him. He was a giant for truth, temperance, righteousness and peace. He was true, fearless, transparent and kind, and to know him was to esteem and trust him. This model of sterling integrity died in the harness, Worshipping in the house of God on Sabbath, with his soul on fire with holy unction; becoming seriously ill on the following Thursday night and closing his eyes in death on Saturday afternoon. It is true he was frail in body, but his mental and spiritual faculties shone with full-orbed glory till the last, and he passed away in the triumphs of faith. The funeral service, held at his late residence on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 30th, was largely attended, and the remains of him who was and is one of "God's noblemen" sleeps in Little Lake cemetery, awaiting the sumons that shall call the sleeping dust of mortality back to reanimation and eternal life.

The mortal shall rest by the river to-night;
The immortal watch from the portals of light,
And beckon you coming, and linger, and wait
To meet you, and greet you by yon pearly gate.

Rev. G. E. Ross.

December 7, 2012

Dear Mr. Larson:

Deyell Oral History, The Dark Side of John Deyell

I am David Ellsworth, son of Samuel Ellsworth, son of Samuel, son of Samuel, son of John Deyell. The following information was passed by word of mouth down the generations as to the origin of the conflict between the descendants of James Deyell (the miller) and John Deyell. I have no way of confirming its veracity. However, if true, it would be sad if this bit of history were lost: I therefore write it down to you.

John Deyell hired Thomas Harding in the early years as farm hand. He had a love affair with Margaret, much to John's disapproval. The issue of this relationship were two children: Thomas adopted by James Deyell and Mary Jane raised as Margaret Rosena's child (Margaret's younger sister). Margaret herself was at one point disowned by John and for a time resided with James' family. Thomas Harding fled to New York State. But further details escape my memory.

Check Margaret's and Margaret Rosena's ages the year Mary Jane was born. My researches indicate it highly unlikely that Mary Jane was Margaret Rosena's child.

What follows is only my opinion:

John was regarded as a hard man by James, and I think rightly so. Although James received 50% of the mill profits, he was shut out of the land grant to John of 200 acres given to compensate for mill construction. So, tragically, a kind of feud began between the two families: James' descendants feeling dispossessed while carrying the family burdens and John's descendants, while regarding James' lineage as 'impure,' enjoying title to large properties.

It would indeed be ironic should we later discover that the Huguenot link is actually through Jane Dodd and not a Deyell at all! For this would taint our line with one of the greatest forgeries of all time. And that very line of Dalzell sprung from the loins of slavers fornicating their slaves. (Benson Dalzell and Susannah Augier ( unmarried mulatto heiress ) were parents of Robert Dalzell who married Jane Dodd heiress to the St. Leger fortune.) Indeed, it is also possible that John was descended from Jacobite (1715) roots who used the Huguenot story as a cover to emigrate to Ireland, where they had kin, after the Pretender was thrown out of France.

After 1688 the Dalzell name was despised in Scotland for the atrocities committed both by Robert, Earl of Carnwath and Thomas Dalyell of the Binns in support of the Episcopal Clergy of Charles II against the Presbyterians. Both families had property in Ireland. After unification of Scotland and England Presbyterianism was firmly established. Many Dalzells changed their names rather than deal with the scorn. Some used the name King. Others moved to Ireland.

I trust that after five generations, we, as descendants, can put past animosities behind us and leave the prejudices of our ancestors buried with them while endeavouring to determine the facts of our heritage. In that spirit, sir, I salute you for your documenting our family line.

Sincerely yours,

David Deyell.