Person Record
Metadata
Name |
McKay, John |
Born |
12/11/1841 |
Birthplace |
Scotland |
Places of residence |
Scotland 1841-early 1860s Arnott district of Holland Township, Grey County, Ontario Concession 1, Lots 2,3,4 W.T.S.R. (West of the Toronto-Sydenham Road) |
Titles & honors |
The McKay family drop-leaf dining table has been displayed for many years in the Grey Roots Log House building. |
Nationality |
Scottish-Canadian |
Notes |
John McKay was born in Scotland in 1841, and emigrated to Canada with his brothers William McKay and Angus McKay. They departed from Inverness in the early 1860s, and obtained Crown land at an office in Quebec. The purchase price was 15 pounds, 15 shillings for the John McKay property, with a stipulation that it must be homesteaded. This property was Lots 2, 3, and 4 W.T.S.R., on the Second Concession of Holland Township, Grey County. The brothers all acquired land within walking distance of one another. They married and raised their families, and stayed on the farms until their deaths. John was the youngest brother, and he married Margaret Murray, shortly after coming to Canada. They were married at Chatsworth on ________, 1869. He married Margaret Murray on __________, 18__. Margaret Murray was also Scottish-born. Her birthdate was Aug. 3, 1847. She had emigrated to Canada in 1852. They had a family of four: Minnie (=Mary Ann McKay, who married James Givens), Edith (m. Allen Duncan), Margaret (m. G. Panter) and Wilfred McKay (who married Martha Wheildon). As the only son, it was Wilfred McKay who carried on the family farm. In the 1891 Census of Holland Township, Grey County, John McKay was 50 years old, and Margaret was 44. They were a Presbyterian family. Their daughter, Mary Ann McKay was then 2_ years old, Elizabeth E. McKay was 18 years old, Maggie Mary McKay was 15, and Charles W. McKay was 4 years old. In the 1901 census, only "Edith E." (Elizabeth Eda McKay) and Charles W. McKay were still residing with their parents on the farm. The McKays lived in the Arnott district of Holland Twp. The oldest daughter, Mary Ann McKay, also known as "Minnie", married James Givens in 1898. The second daughter, "Edith Elizabeth McKay", married when she was 36 years old. Her husband was Thompson Allan Duncan, a Machinist. They were married at Toronto on Sept. 21, 1910. She was sometimes known as Mrs. Eda Duncan. |
Occupation |
Farmer Presbyterian Church |
Publications |
THE PATHS THAT LED TO HOLLAND: A HISTORY OF HOLLAND TOWNSHIP 1850-1982 (p. 47 has an image of John and Margaret and their children in 1886 and provides info on the family). |
Relationships |
Grand-daughter: Jean Reid (nee Givens), m. W. G. Reid Grandson: Wilmer McKay Grandson: Jack McKay Grandson: Grand-daughter: Mary Margaret "Isobel" Kirk (née McKay) of Owen Sound (m. Dwayne Edward Kirk in 1948) |
Role |
Farmer |
Spouse |
Margaret Murray (b. 1847), m. 1869 |
Children |
Mary Ann (Minnie) McKay (m. James Givens) Elizabeth Eda McKay (Mrs. Duncan), also seen as Edith Elizabeth McKay (b. 1873) Maggie Mary McKay Charles W. McKay (b. 1886 or 1887), also known as Wilfred McKay, m. Martha Wheildon |
