(died Jan. 1827, in his 79th year; date of birth has also been given as 1846), emigration leader. (sp. Macdonald also found) Born Inverness-shire, Scotland. He was the elder brother, or more likely the elder half-brother, of Alexander Macdonell (d. 1840), the pioneer bishop of Upper Canada. In 1785, Allan Macdonell led a party of emigrants from Scotland to North America. They spent the winter at Philadelphia, and in 1786 they reached GC, where they settled at St. Raphael’s. Allan Macdonell was a JP in Canada for many years. Probably he lived at St. Raphael’s. Allan was active for many years in the militia, serving, or being ready to serve, despite his age in the War of 1812. Allan died in GC. He is buried at St. Raphael’s. Allan Macdonell is an important figure in GC history, but details of his life are few and the documentation relating to the immigration of 1785 has difficulties of interpretation. He is reported (McLean) to have received land in Charlottenburgh Township. However, a petition of 1835 from his son, Angus Macdonell of Alexandria, states that Allan never received a grant of land from the Crown. Allan was the grandfather of Capt. Alexander R. Macdonell.

Obituary, said to be by Bishop Macdonell, Upper Canada Gazette, 20 Jan. 1827; petition: Archives of Ontario-TP (31 & 32-1 Lochiel ) * for a discussion of the sources on Allan Macdonell, see MacGillivray & Ross 10 & 681, and McLean: index * his death (Upper Canada Gazette) and that, 1836, of one of the last survivors of his emigrants, Reid, DN 42-43, 173-174