Agnes Macdonell, Dictionary of National Biography… (1893)
“ MACDONELL, JAMES (1841–1879) , journalist, born in 1841 at Dyce in Aberdeenshire, was eldest son of James Macdonell by his wife, Rachel Allardyce of Dyce. The father was of a Roman catholic family, which came originally from Glengarry in Inverness-shire. James, who showed intellectual gifts and predilections at an early age, was educated at Bell's school, Inverness, and at the parish schools of Dufftown and Rhynie. ”
