Hi Ron . I am a bit wary of wading deeper into the cloudy waters of McDonell genealogy but will try. I think you are correct on there being three brothers , being commonly called Leek , Collachie and Aberchalder . They were leaders of the Highlander grouping aboard the Ship Pearl which arrived NY 1773 . They have been said to have 9 sisters all of whom married McDonell / McDonald men , so a very large immediate family , who also shared many first names . Spanish John McDonell was said to be their first cousin . The Ranald McDonell is a brother in law , and he is of the Ardnabie line being a brother of Captain John Dhu McDonell VI Ardnabie and Mary Ardnabie McDonell who married William Fraser [Mother to Simon Fraser Sr , and grandmother to Simon Jr the Explorer] . Many early books and essays on your line have been disputed by more recent authors , so I would suggest caution , and the use of original documents or sworn depositions such as their request for compensation from the Crown for their losses from the Rev War . I think Allan McDonell Collachie made such a "Memorial Sworn Quebec 1786" in which , to paraphrase , he mentions coming to NY in October 1773 with his two brothers and other relations , and settled on the lands of Sir John Johnson , and that in January 1776 , He along with a brother and four Nephews were handed over as hostages to General Schuyler . I will leave off here , in hopes it encourages your efforts , and at least will reslot your query so others might notice it .