James O'Donnell

Patron James O'Donnell (c. 1828–1829 – 17 October 1897) was an Irish-Newfoundlander merchant, philanthropist, patron of Rockwell College, leader of the Land League (Newfoundland branch) and political activist. Born in Mortlestown, Cahir, County Tipperary, he emigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland between 1843 and 1849, where he built a successful fishing and spirits trade business headquartered at 290 Water Street.

The original building at 290 Water Street, where James O'Donnell operated his business, pictured in modern days

He served as President of the Newfoundland Branch of the Land League (c. 1881) and was an active member of the Benevolent Irish Society for 35 years (1852–1887). During the Great Famine (1845–1852), O'Donnell supported the population in County Tipperary, Ireland by sending large quantities of salted fish to Waterford Harbour. He retired to Ireland in 1887 and became the principal benefactor of Rockwell College, Cashel, to which he bequeathed his entire estate. He died at Rockwell College and is buried in the college cemetery.

Quotes

Letters

• For the past 15 years I bought the Freeman—during 14 years in America, and since my return to this distracted country. Until recently I would give my bottom dollar for the Freeman. Now, as it is a partisan, I can have no part with it. The generation of the wicked cannot inherit the land, and the adulterer shall not possess the kingdom of God.
  • Letter to the Editor of the Freeman's Journal (1 January 1891), published in Insuppressible (17 January 1891)

• I was a staunch Parnellite until the Divorce Court disclosures, and the grabbing of United Ireland shook my faith. I collected for the Parnell Testimonial, at St John's, from the bishop, priests, and my friends, £60. You can see in the Freeman of that time how I paid my mite (£5). I would now freely give £10 to depose him, and to stop fighting among families and people who were hitherto more united. The man must be possessed by a bad spirit who goes about sowing evil. He must see, unless blinded by pride, or something worse, that he must go, or Home Rule fall.
  • Letter to the Editor of the Freeman's Journal (1 January 1891), published in Insuppressible (17 January 1891)

Will and Testament

• I will and bequeath to the College of Rockwell Cashel Co. Tippery my fee simple landed property in Belvidere St. John's N.F.L.D. (value in rent for $102.07) agent James M. Kent Esq Q.C. for the education or part thereof of one of my next akin and should Rockwell College cease to be, the above yearly amount is to be transferred to the College of Mount Millway Co. Waterford Balance of cash remaining to be applied for the education of my next akin in Rockwell or other Institution of Education.
  • Last Will and Testament (30 June 1897), Surrogate Court Probate Estate Files, St. John's, Newfoundland

Quotes about James O'Donnell

• Next door came the store of James O'Donnell, a bachelor, from the Old Country, and a very popular man of his day. He had a rare fund of wit and humor and a good word for all the world. Possessing all these genial and attractive qualities his friends always wondered that he remained a bachelor. He went back to Ireland in his old days and it is said spent his declining years in a monastery. Like Strickland and Rankin he carried on a wholesale and retail trade in wines and spirits. Amongst the clerks, was James Crowdell and the well known Maurice Corcoran, alias "Kidney Feet."
  • Patrick Kevin Devine, Ye Olde St. John's, 1750-1936, p.138, (1936). Available at: Memorial University Newfoundland, Centre for Newfoundland Studies - Digitized Books.

• J. D. Ryan and James O’Donnell, Esquires, will leave by the steamer Peruvian, the former on a business trip to England, and the latter to reside in Ireland. The Emerald Isle will never want for a bright, witty, whole-souled Irishman, so long as Mr. James O’Donnell is alive, which we hope will be for many long years. Bon Voyage.
  • Newspaper The Colonist, 6 July 1887. Available at: Tipperary Studies Collections.