Farrell, Patrick

Patrick Farrell was a neighbour of the Donnelly family. Born in Ireland, he too came to Biddulph Township. Unfortunately, Farrell became entangled in a fight with James Donnelly over land. In the end, the Donnelly family purchased ½ of their original farm from owner John Grace. The other half went to Michael Maher. Not long after the sale of Donnelly’s land, James Sr. was charged with shooting at Patrick Farrell. They met up again in 1857 at a neighbour’s logging bee where the two drank alcohol and started fighting. During the squabble, James killed Farrell with a handspike. James went into hiding, but turned himself in to authorities in 1858. James was sentenced to death for the murder of Patrick Farrell, but his sentence was commuted to seven years.

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