You are about to embark on a fascinating trip that will take you into the world of the Donnellys who lived on the Roman Line in Biddulph township in the 19th century.
Their story is filled with intrigue, adventure, romance, sorrow and horror. IT is a thrilling story that continues to enchant people of all the world over.
The terrible Donnelly feud, by far the most notorious and violent in the history of Canada, began in the Spring of 1847 only a few hours after James Donnelly, an Irish immigrant, first arrived in the town of Lucan.
It lasted 33 years and was marked by murders, gang wars, highway robbery, mass arson, mutilations and barbarisms paralleling the Dark Ages. It all ended , suddenly and unexpectedly.
The Donnelly feud was finally climaxed in a drastic manner; the massacre of the entire household during the dark hours before the dawn of February 4,1880.
The Donnellys are buried at the position listed. You will need to calculate the final cache which is less than 200 metres from the old Donnelly farm.
It is now NOT possible to tour the property but there is now a museum in the town of Lucan. The Final Cache can be found by not going on private property.
On the Tombstone find the year that Johannah Donnelly was born
. Take this 4 digit number, divide by 1000 and add it to 43-12.217
Find the year that Johannah Donnelly died. Take the 4 digit number, divide by 1000 and add it to 81-20.981
After finding the Final, continue another 200 metres to the old homestead site.
The original headstone was erected in 1889 by William Donnelly and stood watch as a stone guardian over the grave site for 75 year
Like today, the grave site attracted thousands of visitors, who flocked to the cemetery to see the famous tombstone with the words "MURDERED" carved beneath each victims name. The stone was replaced in 1962 with the omission of the offensive word that had created much attention.
You will notice coins left on the headstone. Apparently, legend has it that if you leave a coin on the Donnelly tombstone and make a wish, the Donnellys will grant that wish. So don't forget to place a coin on the tomestone and make a wish. For photo of Tombstones 1880 & 1964 and the Spoiler SEE my first log.