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 £17 p. a. for the first three and
£18 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 £17 p. a. for the first three and £18 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. £2 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.
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