Early roads in Niagara followed the shores of the river and the banks of the Chippawa Creek, Lyons Creek and the Black Creek, therefore, the first areas settled were along these pioneer roads.

The first members of the Dell family arrived as early as 1786 and settled along the shores of the Lyon’s Creek in Willoughby Township. Subsequent years saw the arrival of more members of the Dell family.

In 1789 the last of the family settled in Niagara. They were  Basnett Dell Jr. his wife Ann and their three young sons Henry, Martin and Peter. A total of 10 children were born to Basnett and Ann Dell. Peter Dell, one of the ten children of Basnett and Ann Dell and subject of this biography, was born on September 7th  of 1788 or 1791.

In 1798 Basnett Dell Jr. received Crown Grant of 200 acres in Willoughby Twp.

On Sept 7, 1815 Peter Dell of Willoughby Township, third child of Basnett and Ann Dell married Tryphena Haggerty, daughter of Hugh Haggerty of Stamford Twp.   Tryphenia Dell received Order of Council on 28 Sept 1820.

The following eight known children born to them:

• Elizabeth Dell  born July 8, 1816
• Margaret Ann Dell born Nov 17, 1818
• Chloe Jane Dell born July 15, 1820
• Hugh Bassnett Dell born July 17, 1822
• Peter William Dell born July 17, 1822
• Mary Sarah Dell Born Aug 1, 1824
• Henry Edward Dell born May 13, 1826
• James Stephen Dell born March 22, 1828

When the war broke out in 1812 Peter was 23 years of age.  He served under Captain Buckner, Captain John Muirhead and Captain Schubel Park.

Peter Dell’s military service is documented within the National Archives digitized War of 1812 Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists RG918B7 Miken 183676 Reel T10386. Peter served along with his brothers Henry and Martin as well as uncle Burris Dell.

The land claims petition of Peter Dell, (1st Flank Company 3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia), proves his war service. Peter’s application for serving six months or more during the war is in file # 25 on pages 1380-1381 in An Index of Land Claims Certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen who served in the War of 1812-1814 by Wilfred R. Lauber.

Many more of the Dell family are in these online nominal rolls and paylists. It appears that many of the extended Dell family from Willoughby served in this war.

The Peter Dell family are listed by clerk Thomas Cummings in the 1823 Census of Willoughby Township. The household consists of 3 males and 4 females.

The 1851 Census of Willoughby shows Peter and Tryphena living on Lots 11 and 12, Conc 6. In the 1861 Census we find that they are living in a 1-1/2 storey log house.

Peter passed away at 82 years of age on June 2, 1873 and was joined by his wife Tryphena who passed away two years later on April 8, 1875. Both are buried in the Dell Cemetery in Willoughby Township.

Family Links: Brother Henry Dell, Brother Martin Dell, Uncle Burris Dell