John McKay

John McKay (pronounced McKie) was born in Braal, Halkirk Parish, County Caithness, Scotland.

The year of his birth depends on the records you consult.

His enlistment papers from the Hudson Bay Company state that he was 19 in 1829.
The paperwork from his Donation Land Claim indicates that he was born in 1813.
The 1850 Census, Marion County, Oregon, gives his age as 36.
The 1860 Census, Fairfield Township, Marion County, Oregon gives his age as 47.
The 1870 Census, Waconda Township, Marion County, Oregon, gives his age as 56.
The 1880 Census, Woodburn Precinct, Marion County, Oregon, gives has age as 64.

The place of his birth is consistent.

The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) give "1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at Ł17 p. a. for the first three and Ł18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark."

John McKay worked for the Hudson Bay Company
Fort Vancouver Records. B/223
York Factory District Records. B/239
London Office Records. A/32
Fort Nisqually Journal

The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) 1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at Ł17 p. a. for the first three and Ł18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark.
Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/9/1829-30/20.) place him in the 'General Charges' District. He was still 19, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had one year of service, his contract expires in 1834.
Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/10/1830-31/fol. 44.) do not give a District for him. He was 20, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had two years of service, his contract expires in 1834. 1st June, 1830 - 1st June, 1831.
Columbia District, Abstract of Servants' Accounts, Outfit 1830 records (B/223/g/2/1830-1831/fol.12) does not give an age for John. He is from Caithness Parish and serves in the capacity of a M. Man (middleman). His district is Fort Vanr. He has 3 years service and his contract expires in 1834. 1st June 1831.
Fort Nisqually Journal May 1834. "Monday 19. The men at the place are nine in number, namely Ouvrie, P. Charles, William Brown, Plomondon, Louis Saghanenchter, Silvan Bourgean, Anaweskun McDonald, John McKie and Tai."
Fort Nisqually Journal January 1835. " 27th. Tuesday. This morning sent off John McKie and Bourgean and family to Vancouver with the accounts of this place and Langley"
Columbia District, Outfit 1836 (B/223/g/3/1836-1837/fol.17) Still does not give an age, but he is from Caithness Parish, and is a M man, with 7 years service. His contract expires 1837. 1st June 1836.
Columbia Abstract Servants' Accounts Outfit 1837 (B/223/g/4/1837-38) Still no age, he is from Caithness Parish, a Mid:man and has been assigned to the Colvile District. He has 8 years service and no contract expiration date. 1st June 1837.
A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1837 (B/239/1/8/1837-1838/fol.66) Midman Cr. Ł2 as Ploughman & Farmer.
1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson's Bay, . . .
A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1847 Fort Colvile Servants. (B/239/l/18/1847-48/fol.51) Farmer. Settled in Wallamette - wages from 1st June to 31 Aug. 1847 - 3 mos. @ 36/8.

John McKay Settled in Marion County Oregon

John McKay retired from the Hudson Bay Company in 1847 at the age of 34. This retirement began with settling land in Champoeg County in the Willamette Valley with a wife and several children.
His records can be found in Marion County, Oregon (renamed from Champoeg) and Clackamas County, Oregon. His Donation Land Claim was on the west bank of the Pudding River near what is now Woodburn, Oregon. The property is in Marion County. Clackamas County begins on the other side of the Pudding River.
His Donation Land Claim Records are held by the Bureau of Land Management with a copy in the State of Oregon Archives.

John McKay and his family appear in the Catholic Church Records.

Vancouver Records
Acts made at Fort of the Lakes, on the Columbia
Thirteenth Page.

B 128 George Harren. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized George, aged 4 years and a half, natural child of Francis Harrenn Chief Factor, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sigh. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.
B 129 Isabelle McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Isabelle, aged 18 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay, Post master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.
B 130 William McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized William aged 7 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay Post Master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss.

Fourteenth Page M.D. priest

B 144 Josephte Boucher. This 30 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Joephte aged 21 years, daughter born of the natural marriage of Josephte Boucher, free man, and of Josephte woman of the country. Godmother Catherine Russie. Godfather Andree Califou who has not known how to sigh. F. N. Blanchet, priest.
M 13 John McKay and Josephte Boucher. That it might be known to those whom it may concern, the 1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson's Bay, member of the Protestant Religion, and Demoiselle Josephte Boucher, member of the Roman Catholic Church, have renewed and ratified, as before these witnesses, they renew and ratify before us priest undersigned, Vicar General of the Columbia, the mutual consent of marriage, which we have received by virtue of extraordinary powers conferred to us by His Grandeur, Monsigneur Joseph Norbert Provencher Bishop of Juliopolis. The said spouses have also recognized and made known as their legitimate children Isabelle born the 3 January, 1837, and William, aged about 7 months, issue of their natural marriage contracted while waiting the presence of a person authorized to receive legitimately their said consent, of marriage, done and recorded at Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, the day and year abovesaid, before us priest undersigned, in presence of Andree Chalifou, distinguished guide on the River Columbia, who, not knowing how to sign, has made his mark by a cross, and of Frederic Minie and of Etienne Fortier, undersigned, The spouses, as well as Andree Chalifou, having declared not knowing how to sign, have made the mark of a cross. Frederic Minie Etienne Fortier Andre (X) Chalifou John (X) McKay Josephte (X) Boucher F. N. Blanchet, priest, V. G.

Mission at Colvile from 29 June to 1st October
Sixty-First Page M.D. priest

B 34 John McKay. This 18 July, 1840, we priest undersigned have baptized John, aged 8 months, born of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Antioine Felix who has not known how to sign. Mod. Demers, priest.

ST. LOUIS parish

p. 10
Alexandre McKay. The 14 May, 1848, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Alexandre born the day before of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and Josette Bouché. Godfather Joseph Barnabe. Godmother Isabelle Bouche.

p. 15
14-B John McKay Abjuration. The 20 May, 1849, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis, have in supplying the ceremonies of Baptism, baptized conditionally John MacKay husband of Josette Bouche. We have received his abjuation ahd have renewed to him his consent to marriage in the presence of M. Veyret, priest. Godfather Andre Lachapelle, godmother, Louise Humpherville.

p. 25
14-B Charles MacKay. The 20 September, 1850, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Charles born the 14 of the legitimate marriage of John Mackay and of Josette Bouche. Godfather Charles Lafantaisie and Isabelle Hubert.

John McKay - Portrait last seen in the attic of Marjorie Barnes, Canby, Oregon Home Donation Land Claim Timeline Laura Bartrow John McKay's Family Fort of the Lakes Hudson Bay Company Fort Nisqually Journal

		John McKay (pronounced McKie) was born in Braal, Halkirk Parish, County Caithness, Scotland. The year of his birth depends on the records you consult. His enlistment papers from the Hudson Bay Company state that he was 19 in 1829. The paperwork from his Donation Land Claim indicates that he was born in 1813. The 1850 Census, Marion County, Oregon, gives his age as 36. The 1860 Census, Fairfield Township, Marion County, Oregon gives his age as 47. The 1870 Census, Waconda Township, Marion County, Oregon, gives his age as 56. The 1880 Census, Woodburn Precinct, Marion County, Oregon, gives has age as 64. The place of his birth is consistent. The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) give "1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at Ł17 p. a. for the first three and Ł18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark." John McKay worked for the Hudson Bay Company Fort Vancouver Records. B/223 York Factory District Records. B/239 London Office Records. A/32 Fort Nisqually Journal The Hudson Bay Company Records (A.32/41) 1829, June 1st. Agreement: John McKay of BRAWL in the Parish of HALKIRK in the county of CAITHNESS as a Labourer for five years at Ł17 p. a. for the first three and Ł18 p.a. for the last two years. Signed with his mark. Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/9/1829-30/20.) place him in the 'General Charges' District. He was still 19, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had one year of service, his contract expires in 1834. Northern Department, HBC records (B/239/g/10/1830-31/fol. 44.) do not give a District for him. He was 20, listed as a labourer, of Halkirk Parish and had two years of service, his contract expires in 1834. 1st June, 1830 - 1st June, 1831. Columbia District, Abstract of Servants' Accounts, Outfit 1830 records (B/223/g/2/1830-1831/fol.12) does not give an age for John. He is from Caithness Parish and serves in the capacity of a M. Man (middleman). His district is Fort Vanr. He has 3 years service and his contract expires in 1834. 1st June 1831. Fort Nisqually Journal May 1834. "Monday 19. The men at the place are nine in number, namely Ouvrie, P. Charles, William Brown, Plomondon, Louis Saghanenchter, Silvan Bourgean, Anaweskun McDonald, John McKie and Tai." Fort Nisqually Journal January 1835. " 27th. Tuesday. This morning sent off John McKie and Bourgean and family to Vancouver with the accounts of this place and Langley" Columbia District, Outfit 1836 (B/223/g/3/1836-1837/fol.17) Still does not give an age, but he is from Caithness Parish, and is a M man, with 7 years service. His contract expires 1837. 1st June 1836. Columbia Abstract Servants' Accounts Outfit 1837 (B/223/g/4/1837-38) Still no age, he is from Caithness Parish, a Mid:man and has been assigned to the Colvile District. He has 8 years service and no contract expiration date. 1st June 1837. A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1837 (B/239/1/8/1837-1838/fol.66) Midman Cr. Ł2 as Ploughman & Farmer. 1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson's Bay, . . . A. District Statements Columbia, Outfit 1847 Fort Colvile Servants. (B/239/l/18/1847-48/fol.51) Farmer. Settled in Wallamette - wages from 1st June to 31 Aug. 1847 - 3 mos. @ 36/8. John McKay Settled in Marion County Oregon John McKay retired from the Hudson Bay Company in 1847 at the age of 34. This retirement began with settling land in Champoeg County in the Willamette Valley with a wife and several children. His records can be found in Marion County, Oregon (renamed from Champoeg) and Clackamas County, Oregon. His Donation Land Claim was on the west bank of the Pudding River near what is now Woodburn, Oregon. The property is in Marion County. Clackamas County begins on the other side of the Pudding River. His Donation Land Claim Records are held by the Bureau of Land Management with a copy in the State of Oregon Archives. John McKay and his family appear in the Catholic Church Records. Vancouver Records Acts made at Fort of the Lakes, on the Columbia Thirteenth Page. B 128 George Harren. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized George, aged 4 years and a half, natural child of Francis Harrenn Chief Factor, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sigh. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss. B 129 Isabelle McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Isabelle, aged 18 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay, Post master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss. B 130 William McKay. This 17 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized William aged 7 months, born of the natural marriage of John McKay Post Master of Fort of the Lakes, and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Etienne Fortier who has not known how to sign. The father has signed with us. his (X) mark. Mod. Demers, priest, Miss. Fourteenth Page M.D. priest B 144 Josephte Boucher. This 30 October, 1838, we priest undersigned have baptized Joephte aged 21 years, daughter born of the natural marriage of Josephte Boucher, free man, and of Josephte woman of the country. Godmother Catherine Russie. Godfather Andree Califou who has not known how to sigh. F. N. Blanchet, priest. M 13 John McKay and Josephte Boucher. That it might be known to those whom it may concern, the 1st of November, 1838, in the presence of the witnesses undersigned, the Sieur John McKay, Post Master of the Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, in the service of the Honorable Company of Hudson's Bay, member of the Protestant Religion, and Demoiselle Josephte Boucher, member of the Roman Catholic Church, have renewed and ratified, as before these witnesses, they renew and ratify before us priest undersigned, Vicar General of the Columbia, the mutual consent of marriage, which we have received by virtue of extraordinary powers conferred to us by His Grandeur, Monsigneur Joseph Norbert Provencher Bishop of Juliopolis. The said spouses have also recognized and made known as their legitimate children Isabelle born the 3 January, 1837, and William, aged about 7 months, issue of their natural marriage contracted while waiting the presence of a person authorized to receive legitimately their said consent, of marriage, done and recorded at Fort of the Lakes, on the River Columbia, the day and year abovesaid, before us priest undersigned, in presence of Andree Chalifou, distinguished guide on the River Columbia, who, not knowing how to sign, has made his mark by a cross, and of Frederic Minie and of Etienne Fortier, undersigned, The spouses, as well as Andree Chalifou, having declared not knowing how to sign, have made the mark of a cross. Frederic Minie Etienne Fortier Andre (X) Chalifou John (X) McKay Josephte (X) Boucher F. N. Blanchet, priest, V. G. Mission at Colvile from 29 June to 1st October Sixty-First Page M.D. priest B 34 John McKay. This 18 July, 1840, we priest undersigned have baptized John, aged 8 months, born of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and of Josephte Boucher. Godfather Antioine Felix who has not known how to sign. Mod. Demers, priest. ST. LOUIS parish p. 10 Alexandre McKay. The 14 May, 1848, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Alexandre born the day before of the legitimate marriage of John McKay and Josette Bouché. Godfather Joseph Barnabe. Godmother Isabelle Bouche. p. 15 14-B John McKay Abjuration. The 20 May, 1849, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis, have in supplying the ceremonies of Baptism, baptized conditionally John MacKay husband of Josette Bouche. We have received his abjuation ahd have renewed to him his consent to marriage in the presence of M. Veyret, priest. Godfather Andre Lachapelle, godmother, Louise Humpherville. p. 25 14-B Charles MacKay. The 20 September, 1850, we undersigned parish priest of St. Louis have baptized Charles born the 14 of the legitimate marriage of John Mackay and of Josette Bouche. Godfather Charles Lafantaisie and Isabelle Hubert.