
The earliest couple of the McDonnell line (as identified so far) seem to be James Marion McDonnell (1855-1910?) and his wife, Mary Jane Luvenia “Lulu” Smith (1861-1912).
James was born into slavery and often retold the story of being sold on the auction block in Franklin. Luvenia, born free to a single Black mother (named Martha Smith), was born and raised in the home of Reverend Canaro Drayton Smith, a white Methodist minister. Their children went on to have a variety of careers in farming, midwifery, education, and more.
MCDONNELL (11 individuals)
First name starts with:

Alena MCDONNELL ♀
1887 -
1887 -

Charles A MCDONNELL ♂
1906 - 1989
1906 - 1989

Emma MCDONNELL ♀
1880 - 1941
1880 - 1941

James MCDONNELL ♂
1855 - 1910
1855 - 1910

James Harris MCDONNELL ♂
1892 - 1956
1892 - 1956

Lizzie MCDONNELL ♀
1883 -
1883 -

Maggie MCDONNELL ♀
1885 - 1924
1885 - 1924

Martha Sarah Leona MCDONNELL ♀
1900 - 1984
1900 - 1984

Minnie Carrie Ann MCDONNELL ♀
1878 - 1986
1878 - 1986

Virginia Mae MCDONNELL ♀
1901 - 1969
1901 - 1969

William Frank MCDONNELL ♂
1892 -
1892 -