|
|
Please note:
The Naver Valley, Betty Hill (near Farr), Lairg and Tongue which was the "big house" of our branch of the McKay Clan - the Aberach McKays - Durness, Kyle of Tongue, Loch Shin etc.
DONALD McKAY and CATHERINE DUNCAN
Barbara - emigrated to Australia Both the Australian relatives and ourselves have tried to find out more about Donald McKay and Catherine Duncan, but no further information can be traced. I have gone through the early history of the McKay Clan and find that in the period 1809 to 1819 the Sutherland Clearances removed most of the inhabitants of the Valley of the Naver to make way for sheep farming by English tenants of the Duke of Sutherland, who owned the land. Some people were settled in fishing hamlets along the coast and others were crowded into other hamlets inland, of which Lairg was one, and it must be presumed that Donald and Catherine were moved to Lairg, as both Barbara and Christina their daughters, were married from there. Donald and John joined the Army. At this time very many of the Clan emigrated to the Colonies, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Barbara was married in 1819 and went to Australia in 1852, they had 12 children, but 3 died in infancy, one stayed in Scotland and 8 went with them to Australia. One of the sons Kenneth came to live at Indwe in South Africa and his elder brother John came out in 1897 on a visit after Kenneth's death in 1894. John and his family became very big sheep farmers, running about 30,000 sheep of which 14,000 were ewes, quite a flock. Barbara married Murdoch Mackay at Lairg, on the south eastern corner of Loch Shin, Sutherlandshire. The eldest son George married and stayed in Scotland, and one daughter Christina married William Black and presumably died in Scotland. Murdoch and Barbara and 7 children emigrated to Australia in the "Marco Polo" Their progress in Australia has been recorded in "The Story of Murdoch and Barbara Mackay" compiled by Mrs Donella Klages in collaboration with Miss Donella Mackay in 1957-77, both being great granddaughters of Murdoch and Barbara. Wilhelmina married Angus Munro and emigrated to Canada, but no further particulars are available about them. John enlisted in the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders and served in the Crimea (The thin red line) and in the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). He could also have served in Ireland, as the regiment was there from 1835 to 1838, when it went to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec and remained in Canada for 10 years. John was drowned while bathing in the Orange River, possibly between 1842 and 1850, but nothing more is known about him. Donald Mackay (1808-1891) was born at Tumore, Mudale on the River Mudale which is a tributary of the River Naver, the strath or valley of which was the territory of the Aberach or senior branch of the Mackay Clan. On 1.8.1825 at Perth, Scotland he enlisted in the 91st regiment of infantry, the Argyleshire Highlanders. He served in Jamaica from 30.12.1829 to 9.6.1831, at St. Helena from 26.2.1836 to 29.11.1842 and he served in South African from 30.11.1842 to 11.1.1848. He also served in Ireland, where at Park, King's County, he married Mary Ann MacDonald on 7.5.1835. As the troubles in Ireland took place between 1835 and 1838, it is not unreasonable to assume that Donald served in that country until part of the regiment was transferred to St. Helena in 1836. It was during Donald's term of duty at St. Helena, that Napoleon Bonaparte's body was removed from the Island for re-burial in France in 1840. There is a note in the family records that Donald was first married to a Miss Bartlett, who died shortly after the marriage, but this cannot be confirmed, and it must remain uncertain. Donald was promoted Corporal on 9.3.1831, and Sergeant on 24.8.1836 and retired with the rank of Colour Sergeant. He was mentioned in Regimental Orders in May 1845 for gallant conduct in successfully defending 10 wagons which were in charge of an escort under his command, and attacked by Kaffirs. [Signed by M. Lindsay, Lt. Col.] He was severely wounded at Waterloo Bay Frontier, Cape of Good Hope, by the enemy on 15.11.1847. In the accompanying extract from THE CAPE MERCURY of 17.1.1891, it is stated that "he was one of the few men who ever recovered after having been shot clean through the stomach." According to his granddaughter, he was wounded in the stomach by an assagai, and that he had stuffed a piece of his shirt into the wound to stop the bleeding, and had been able to make his way back to the encampment, where he received treatment. The group of which he was a member, were at the time cutting grass to fill palisses, when the Kaffirs attacked. He was the sole survivor. He was discharged from the Regiment on 11.1.1848, after serving 22 years and 164 days. He then took up farming at Izela near King William's Town. He had apparently been a regular correspondent and had maintained contact with his sisters, Barbara in Australia and Christina in Scotland (possibly also Wilhelmina in Canada). . At his insistence, Christina and her husband George McKay and their family of 4 sons and one daughter emigrated from Sutherlandshire to S. Africa in 1860 and came to live with Donald at Izela, and in due course took up farming in the district of King William's Town. George died in 1873, and it is understood that Donald, who lived until 1891, assisted George's sons in the purchase of wagons and oxen to take up transport riding from the eastern Cape ports to the new diamond fields at Kimberley, and from Delagoa Bay to the goldfields in the eastern Transvaal, i.e. Barberton and Pilgrims Rest.
Donald and Mary Ann had 4 children: In Donald's death certificate, no mention is made of Barbara, and Catherine, Annie and Jane are entered as widows, so it must be assumed that their husbands had all died before 1891. Some of the younger McKenzie children lived with their grandfather Donald at his home at Argyle Cottage, No. 8 McKinnon Street, King William's Town, and attended school from there. My mother was the second youngest child and she attended the Convent from her grandfather's home.
It is not known when Donald relinquished farming at Izela, and moved into King Williams's Town. On Page 14 of Donald's military record, children are listed as follows: Donald died on 15.1.1891 aged 82 years and 10 months, and was survived by his widow and 3 widowed daughters. He was buried in King William's Town (Grave No. 20 E lV). I can find nothing about his widow Mary Ann, but there is a photograph of her with a little girl of about 5, under the caption "Mrs Annie McKay, KWT" in the old family album from my grandfather's home in Mount Frere. Various members of the family have articles which belonged to Donald such as a medal awarded to Col. Sgt. Donald, there are some brooches in the McKay family, and some plates in the McKenzie family. I have the swagger walking stick, a cairngorm brooch, a dirk, with eating knife and fork, a sporran, a small shawl in the McKay tartan, and 2 books "Sketches of Sutherland Characters" by Alexander Mackay, Treasurer, The Sutherland Association, Edinburgh 1889, and "An Old Scots Brigade" by John Mackay, with foreword dated 14.4.1885, dedicated to The Right Honourable Sir Donald James Mackay, Chief of the Clan Mackay, and eleventh Lord Reay. "This narrative of the heroic deeds of the regiment raised by his ancestor in 1626". In "Sketches of Sutherland Characters" is a signature "Donald Mackay, King Wm's Town, South Africa 1889".
OBITUARY One of the well known inhabitants of the town has passed away at the ripe age of 84 (actually 82). Mr Donald Mackay has been resident here some 30 years, having seen the town grow from a military settlement to an important commercial centre. He was of the stock that made Scotland famous the world over for dogged endurance against any odds, and the tenacity of purpose which converts defeat into victory. A Highlander of the Highlanders, his youth was passed among the romantic straths and glens of Sutherlandshire, and in due time he followed the flag, as his relative had done before him, remaining in the gallant 91st until he could retire with the rank of Colour Sergeant and a well earned pension. It speaks volumes for his character that never during his very full term of service was he on the defaulters book. He left the Army with a clean sheet and the testimony of his Commander that he had conscientiously performed every duty required of him. Many are the stories we have heard of his deeds in the stirring Native wars, but we do not have time just now to recount them. He was one of the few men who ever recovered after having been shot clean through the stomach, and that episode is quite a stirring story in itself. As a citizen he served the town on its council and was prompt and straight forward in all his dealings. But good Colonist though he was, never did his heart cease to thrill for Scotland, the land of his birth, and his pride; and latterly, his one ideas was that the land taken by the "Sassenach" should be restored to the Scottish people by the gathered Clans of Scotia. His last act - and it was one of many similar - was to start a fund for the relief of some fishermen on the north coast of his old country, who had been reduced to destitution by storm and wreck. This afternoon the funeral leaves his late residence in Oak Street at half past 4, and doubtless many of his fellow townsmen will be present to pay the last mark of respect to one whose many sterling qualities make us wish that the country had thousands of such men in it. It is men of the Donald Mackay stamp who make the backbone of a nation, and they seem to be getting fewer. The old Highland Clansmen are becoming "heroes of the past". We sympathise with the widow who survives the partner of a long and arduous life.
Death of a Worthy Sutherlandshire Highlander in South Africa When I last saw him 6 months ago, he looked hale and hearty, and one would think from his appearance that he had still many years of life before him. He was ill for a few days only, and his death occurred more through weakness of the action of the heart than any failing of ordinary health. Having been well known and highly respected, his funeral next day was largely attended. He leaves a widow - the partner of his joys and sorrows for 56 years - and 3 married daughters, with large families, to mourn his loss. Born at Tumore, Mudale, Sutherlandshire, in 1808, he had nearly completed his 84th year. He served in the 91st Highlanders for 23 years - 1825 to 1848 - in Ireland, Jamaica, St. Helena and Cape Colony, and enjoyed a well earned pension for nearly 43 years. Well made, broad shouldered, and rather above the medium height, he must have been, in his prime, the very embodiment of hardihood, endurance, and strength. No one ever loved his old home and country better than Sergeant Mackay. He passionately loved even the very earth where he as born, and nothing ever affected me more than the sight of a small bit of peat moss and a sprig of withered heather which he got from the Reay (Mackay) Country, and which he most reverently kept for the purpose of being laid on his grave, so that, as he said, his last remains might rest beneath Highland earth and Highland heather. In all matters connected with the Highlands, the Sergeant took the keenest and most intelligent interest. When - to speak of recent affairs only - Mr Angus Sutherland contested the representation of the county with the Marquis of Stafford, he collected and sent home a handsome sum of money to help in his election expenses, and one of the very last acts was to collect and send home about 33 Pounds for the fund raised for the relief of the widows and orphans of the fishermen drowned on the north coast of Sutherlandshire last year. In all such cases he always headed the list himself with a very liberal subscription. Mr Mackay's whole soul was, as it were, absorbed in the land agitation in the Highlands, and on whatever subject a conversation with him began, the important question was sure to be introduced soon. No one more interested could talk with more earnestness and heartfelt sympathy than he. His views it must be admitted, were very extreme - nothing less than the total expulsion of all landlords. Since, as he said, the land originally belonged to the people, so to the people it must be restored, peaceably or otherwise. But as he said himself, how could he help having extreme views? His father who was in very comfortable circumstances, was evicted at the mere dictum of a tyrannical landlord, and family scattered through the 4 corners of the globe. Without, of course, ever obtruding his nationality, he was first of all a Highlander. Well do I remember the answer he gave to an old lady who, after having been introduced to him, said "I need scarcely ask, Mr Mackay, if you are a Scotchman". Drawing himself up, he replied: "Yes madam, I am, and something even better - I'm a Highlander". He always asserted - and he had a very extensive experience - that taking them all over, physically, morally, and mentally, Highlanders were, on the average, the finest race on the face of the earth. In this opinion your correspondent, with a much more limited experience, cordially concurs. Naturally of a kind disposition, to be in trouble, or distress, or want, was of sufficient password to Mr Mackay's generosity, whatever the creed or colour or nationality of the applicant. Of a simple and guileless nature himself, he was not apt to suspect deceit in others, and he was frequently imposed upon; but in his own words, "It is better always to err on the safe side". His paternal kindness, so to speak , to his countrymen was proverbial. Scotsmen, and especially Highlanders, are accused of clanishness. If by this is meant, as I personally understand it, that while you are to love and be kind and obliging to all men, you are to keep a specially tender corner of your heart for those of your own flesh and blood, then I for one, pray that clanishness may never cease among my countrymen. Surely a man is not to be blamed because his love to his own family is stronger and tenderer than that towards any other. This was Donald's principle. It is mine also, and anyone who finds fault with it is at perfect liberty to do so. He was also present at all Scottish gatherings, and at the annual St. Andrew's dinner there was none gladder and merrier and jolly then he. He took great pride in the recently formed Clan Mackay Society, and at once became one of its members. In all matters pertaining to his old regiment, he took the keenest interest, and an incident which happened shortly before his death was very characteristic of his life. A friend asked him if he was ready to die. The old veteran, with the military instinct still strong even in death, suddenly sat up, smote his hand on his breast, and exclaimed, "The 91st, Sir, is always ready". It was to me at least, very pleasant and entertaining to listen to Mackay's old world stories of the men and manners of his native country. His reminiscences of his military services were endless, and it was simply marvellous the minuteness with which he could remember detail. However - and that was all the mental failing in him that could be detected - he would sometimes tell the same story 2 or 3 times over in the course of the same day, but still without the least variation. His beloved bagpipe was his constant companion, and when anything occurred to annoy him he would say: "never mind; come, let us have a turn at the bagpipes; they'll put me all right". Though such a through going radical, Mr Mackay was, true to Highland nature and instinct, in religious and ecclesiastical matters, the most uncompromising conservative. He objected so strongly to hymns and instrumental music in public worship that latterly, I believe, he declined to attend any church in which these were used.
Farewell, dear old friend: Thy departure is a loss to thy countrymen. Men of thy stamp are getting rare; alas; too rare - men who in foreign and distant lands maintain unsullied the good name, the honour, and the sturdy independence of their race. From the remarks in paragraph 5 of Mr H. Calder's letter, it is obvious that he had been much affected by the Sutherland Clearances, which took place between 1808-1819, and the statement that "His father, who was in very comfortable circumstances, was evicted at the mere dictum of a tyrannical landlord, and family scattered through the 4 corners of the globe" is supported by the remarks made by his sister Barbara in Australia that "they left their lands, as they would not work for the hated Sassenach" (Page 5 of "The Story of Murdoch and Barbara Mackay"). Donald's birthplace, Mudale is situated on the western side of the Valley of the Naver and on Page 102 ? of "Sketches of Sutherland Characters" by Alexander Mackay and published in 1889, this statement is made: "In 1819 the west side of Strathnaver from Mudale to the sea, a distance of 28 miles, and the heights of Kildonan, were made desolate, and their inhabitants expelled, root and branch, to form 2 sheep farms ... In less than a week, the whole of this immense area was devastated and denuded of upwards of 400 families." On Page 190 "The eastern side of Strathnaver had been similarly cleared in 1814, from the River Mallard all the way down to within a mile of the sea, over 20 miles long, throwing down and burning houses, out-houses, mills, kilns, and every other structure to form 3 sheep farms ..." "... the area thus made desolate of brave men comprised upwards of 85,000 acres of excellent hill pasture and meadow, and cultivated lands along the right bank of the River Naver, upon which lived for ages, a hardy, peaceable, contented population numbering 150 families." It must be presumed that Donald Mackay's parents, Donald and Catherine, had to move, as a result of one or the other of the above Clearances. Since Barbara was married in 1819 at Lairg and Christina (1816-1882) was described as being "a native of Lairg", it must also be presumed that this is where the family settled, along with many other families similarly evicted in these and in previous Clearances commencing in 1809. Donald's interest in raising funds for the relief of the widows and orphans of the fishermen drowned on the north coast of Sutherland in 1890, is also understandable, since these fishermen were descended from families evicted from their homes in the Clearances, which so affected Donald's own family.
CHRISTINA McKAY 1816 to 1882, buried in King William's Town If her parents were affected by the 1814 evictions, she would probably have been born at Lairg, but if they were affected by the 1819 evictions she may have been born at Mudale. Her first marriage was to a Mr McKay, Christian name unknown. They had a daughter, Elizabeth, who subsequently married Roderick McDonald. Christina's second marriage was to George McKay, a farmer of Strathnaver, in the Parish of Farr, Sutherlandshire. In some family notes Christina is described as a "native of Lairg", so it is presumed that at the time of her marriage, this is where she was living. Christina and George's first child, Christina, died in infancy. Her second child was Donald, who was born at Farr in 1848, so the marriage could have been in about 1846. Since they farmed at Strathnaver until 1860, things must have settled down a little, after the Clearances there of 1814 and 1819. Christina's brother Donald, who had been trying for a long time to persuade other family members to come to S. Africa, managed to get them to come out with their family, Donald, Robert, Hugh and David and Christina. Robert died in King Williamstown within a few weeks of his father George in 1873. GEORGE McKAY 1812-1873, buried in King William's Town George was the son of Robert McKay and Christina, whose maiden name I have not been able to determine. I do not know what they did or where they lived, but it is almost certain that they lived on the McKay Clan lands at Strathnaver. As mentioned earlier George was a farmer of Strathnaver. He and Christina came out to South Africa with their 5 surviving children in 1860. They came by sailing ship, which took about 3 months for the voyage, and landed at East London on Christmas Day 1860 (one report says they landed at Port Elizabeth, so I am not sure which is correct). They first stayed with Donald McKay (91st Highlanders) at Izela outside King William's Town. (He had retired from the Army on 11.1.1848.) I must presume that George farmed in the area, because one story stated "The three elder boys, Donald, Robert and Hugh, found life rather dull, and as there was a depression before the Kimberley diamond mines were opened up, they made up their minds to start out on their own as transport riders and traders in cattle. They were assisted by their Uncle Donald to acquire a wagon and span of oxen each. At the early age of 15 Donald started to earn his living by transport riding". Since he was born in 1848, this would have been 1863. When the Kimberley diamond fields opened up, the boys were among the first "carriers" from Port Elizabeth to the Diamond Fields in 1871. When gold was discovered in the Eastern Transvaal, they moved up there to do transport riding. Delgoa Bay, Barberton, Komati Poort etc. By 1884 as the Pilgrims Rest gold began to peter out, gold was found at Barberton. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick's book "The Outpan" has a story in which Donald and Robert figure. His dates are not correct, but he must have heard of the story of the McKay brothers round the camp fire. Robert died in 1873 in King Williamstown and Donald moved to the Transkei in 1877, so they must have been in the Eastern Transvaal in about 1872, after the diamond fields open in 1871. One family story reports that "wagons in convoy, were those of Donald, Robert and Hugh McKay, Kenneth MacKay", a cousin from Australia - third son of Murdoch and Barbara MacKay, and John McKenzie, a cousin-in-law (my grandfather on my mother's side, son-in-law of Colour Sergeant Donald McKay of the 91st Highlanders). I have been able to scratch up quite a bit of information about Hugh Jesse McKay's family, whose descendants are mostly round Port Elizabeth now. One old lady, well into the 80's lives in Cape Town. She is the widow of Hugh Jesse's son Hugh. Robert, the other son, had only one son who died in P.E. with no descendants, so his family has died out. It is reported that on many occasions, when they reached the Orange River, they would find it in flood, and as many as 200 wagons would be waiting for the floods to subside. The Pilgrim's Rest alluvial Gold Fields were active from 1872 to 1880, and when the bed of the mountain stream, a tributary of the Blyde River, was worked out, gold was found in a number of localities between Lydenburg, Sabie, and the Drakensberg escarpment. It would probably have been in about 1872 that they McKay brothers and their relatives were transport riding from Delagoa Bay to Komati Poort, Barberton, Lydenburg etc. Shortly after 1871, they would still have been transport riding to the Kimberley diamond fields. Extracts from Sir Percy Fitzpatrick's book "The Outspan" in which he mentions Donald and Robbie McKay - the episodes he describes could well have happened, and he probably heard the stories round the camp fire, but according to my calculations, he could not have been present himself. According to A.P. Cartwright in his biography of Sir Percy, titled "The First South African", Sir Percy only arrived at the Eastern Transvaal gold fields in 1884, having got there from Cape Town via Durban, and as indicated Robbie died in 1873 and Donald had settled in the Transkei in 1877. Sir Percy was born in King William's Town, but his father, Mr Justice James Coleman Fitzpatrick was transferred to Cape Town, and Sir Percy was sent to school in England from there in 1874. He returned to South Africa in 1877, when his father's health deteriorated, and he had "to be on hand should the worst happen". It therefore seems clear that he could not have been on the Transvaal gold fields before 1873, when Robbie McKay died.
DONALD McKAY (9.1.1848-13.2.1895) In 1877 he appears to have given up transport riding, to set out on a trading venture in the Transkei. On the advice of Captain Blythe, who was the Chief Magistrate of Fingoland, Mr and Mrs John McGregor and their 3 children and Donald McKay, set out with 3 wagons, camp equipment, trade goods, and servants to establish a trading station in Bacaland, and with a view to a European settlement. When they arrived at the Kei River, the bridge was being constructed, and with the permission of the Engineer in charge - Mr Newey - they conveyed their goods across the footbridge, while the spans of oxen took the wagons across. The oxen had to swim and the wagons floated, but the crossing was safely accomplished and the party pitched camp on the far side. To their amazement, the morning revealed that the river had come down in flood, and swept away the footbridge, by which they had crossed. The steep mountains of the Transkei, and the absence of made roads, necessitated 2 spans of sixteen oxen each being used for one wagon, on numerous occasions. They tried to avoid deviations as much as possible, as they were travelling by map and compass. The beautiful red flowers of the aloes reminded them of the wiping out of the "redcoat" lancers at "Murdererskop" (which overlooks the Kei Valley from the west). After a journey of 2 weeks, they reached Umtata, the principal town of Tembuland, the seat of Government, and of the Mission Station under Bishop Callaway. The journey continued to the Tsitsa River, which they crossed, and arrived at the Wesleyan Mission Station of Shawbury, founded by the Rev. William Shaw. There they got a beautiful view of the Tsitsa Falls, 385 feet high. The journey continued to the Wesleyan Mission Station at Osborn, after crossing the Tina River at Eckron's Drift, 7 miles below the present crossing. Osborn Mission or Tshungwana, as it was then known, was establlished in 1839 by the Revs Garner and Hulley - Wesleyan Missionaries. They were succeeded by the Rev. Charles White. Donald McKay and the McGregors selected a nice situation about 7 miles north west of Osborn for their new home. It was a waving plane of tall grass, with some native huts and a good view of the mountain ranges - the Ntsizwa to the north and the Mnganu to the west. Until a house of sods was completed, they were obliged to live in the tent wagons In due course a shop was erected, and later these buildings were replaced by brick buildings. The main idea was to speculate with cattle and horses, which were disposed of in Durban. It took Donald McKay 3 days hard riding to reach Durban. The place was named Mount Frere in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, the Governor of the Cape at that time 1877). The family carried on trading at Mount Frere, and also established another trading station at the Tsitsa Drift, under the management of Charlie Wood and his wife. On the 26th September 1878, Donald McKay married John McGregor's daughter Jane (10.6.1861- 12.3.1932), and in due course the McGregors moved to Kokstad and settled themselves on the farm Waterfall (G.E.Q. I-2) some 6 to 8 miles west of Kokstad in East Griqualand.
Donald acquired 3 other trading stations in the Mount Frere district: Donald McKay's younger brother, Hugh Jesse McKay, had married Emily Callahan, and had lived at Buffalo Nek. Hugh died at Buffalo Nek on 25.12.1888, so it must be presumed that when he died, his widow Emily, disposed to the property to Donald. It must also be presumed that after Donald had established his trading station in Mount Frere, his brothers Hugh and David also moved to the Transkei to trade. Hugh to Buffalo Nek and David to Ntabodule in the Qumbu district. Donald subsequently acquired properties in Kokstad town and in the Kokstad district. Old Government House in Hawthorne Street was acquired in May 1892 for 1,055 Pounds. A small house on the corner of Hope and Barker Streets in the same block as A.H. William's store. The Farm Zwakfontein (G.E.Q. I-12) about 10 miles west of Kokstad. The Farm Pufaddershoek (G.E.Q. 2-25), 18 miles west of Kokstad.
[Donald and Jane McKay had 8 children (1880-1892). In April 1894 Donald and Jane and their family moved from Mount Frere to Kokstad, to live in "Old Government House" in order to facilitate the education of the children, and left the Mount Frere trading enterprises under the management of Mr William Dunbar. The staff at the time were William Dunbar, Richard John McKenzie, Percy W. Freemantle, H. Adamston, J.N. McKenzie and Clifford Freemantle. The 2 McKenzies were sons of Donald McKay's cousin-in-law John S. McKenzie, who married Colour Sgt. Donald McKay's second daughter Annie, and who had been transport riding with Donald, Hugh, Robbie and Kenneth to Kimberley and the Eastern Transvaal gold fields. The Freemantles were from the family of Freemantles who were related to the Rev. C. White of Osborn Mission at Tshungwana, and who had persuaded them to come and settle at Mtshazi, nearby, where Mr Venn had a trading station. The first court in the Mount Frere District was established at Tshungwana in 1876, by Mr James Henry Garner - Magistrate and son of the Missionary who started Osborn Mission. He and his family lived at Osborn. In 1879 a Resident Magistrate's Court was established, and moved to Mount Frere, which the Bacas knew as Capot. [Some important historic events (listed) took place during Donald McKay's stay in Mount Frere including a visit in 1894 of Cecil John Rhodes, then Prime Minister of the Cape Colony. He was driven into the village in Donald McKay's cape cart, with 2 smart black horses.] On 13.2.1895 Donald McKay died at his home in Kokstad, and was buried in the Presbyterian Section of the local Cemetery. Not long after this, his widow Jane, and the children returned to Mount Frere to live in the old family home, whilst the McKay trading enterprises in the town and the district were managed by a succession of managers of varying calibre. [Further historic events (listed) took place during this period including the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War and later the first World War.] [The McKay businesses were gradually disposed of. One or other member of the family had lived in the old home from 1878 - 1971.] [Accounts of the lives of Donald and Jane McKay's children are documented.] The last surviving child of the above Chrissie Isabella McKay (b. 1886) made available some details of her early life as follows: At this time, John McGregor, a very staunch Presbyterian, now living on the farm "Waterfall" in the Kokstad district, was most unhappy that his grandchildren should be educated at a Catholic school and continuously pressurised his daughter and son-in-law - Donald McKay - to arrange for their children to be educated at Kokstad. The 2 elder daughters, Georgina (later Shaw) and Katherine, and the 2 elder sons, Robert and Kenneth, were therefore sent to school in Kokstad, and at about age 6 years, Ella, followed. This would have been about 1892. In April 1894 the whole family moved to Kokstad to live in "Old Government House", which had been acquired in May 1892 for 1,055 Pounds. Donald McKay had contracted Tuberculosis and for some considerable time before his death on 13.2.1895 was confined to bed and Ella recalls long discussions with him during this period. After his death, his widow, Jane, went to live on the family farm "Zwakfontein", some 8 miles from Kokstad, and the children attended school in Kokstad on a weekly basis. They would ride in to school early on Monday mornings, and on Friday afternoons the horses would be sent in to fetch them home for the week-end. Jane had difficulty in getting enough money from the Estate in Mount Frere, so she returned to live in Mount Frere and arranged for the children's continued education in Kokstad. By this time her parents, the McGREGORS had moved into Kokstad to live, and they boarded the children. After their death, CHRISTINA (Tinnie) BANNANTYNE took over the running of the boarding establishment at "Old Government House". In addition to the Donald McKay children, and the Bannantyne children, David McKay's sons Lennox and Melville, and Hugh McKay's son Robbie, also lived at "Old Government House". William Bannantyne (Tinnie's husband) took over as Manager of the McKay Estate. There was some difficulty with a consignment of goods from Umtata, so William Bannantyne took a wagon to fetch them. En route he attempted to jump off the wagon but missed his step and fell under the wheel, which went over him and killed him. His widow, Tinnie Bannantyne, then went to join her mother, Christina Brown and her children on the farm "BROBAN" in the Cedarville area. The name being made up of BROwn and BANnantyne. In due course, Tinnie moved into Kokstad for the education of her children, and as mentioned above boarded the children, who had been boarding with the McGregors.
Now for CHRISTINA McKAY (1851-1913) and DAVID BROWN (1840-1885) The Browns were first at King William's Town, and then at Komgha. The McKay brothers and brother-in-law (David Brown) worked together and were at Kimberley together, where each obtained a big diamond, which was then set in a ring for the respective wives. Donald McKay had settled in Mount Frere and there collected his family round him. (Hugh was at Buffalo Nek in the Mount Frere District and David Sutherland McKay at Ntaboduli in the Qumbu District). The Browns also decided to move up. Christina and the children moved first and left David to trek up with the stock from Komgha. At Kei Road there was apparently a long hill, and the old man was feeling tired and thirsty, so he had a drink from a pool of water at the side of the road. In a short while he was in great pain and the native driver went to a nearby farm for help. The farmer and his family were unable to do anything for him and he died before morning. Word was sent to Mount Frere and Donald McKay provided Christina with a cart and horses for her to go back to Kei Road to see to things. By the time she got there David was already buried. She was "expecting" Hugh at the time (your grandfather) but she stayed with the trek to Mbonda (just outside Mount Frere) where Donald McKay had arranged with the Baca Chief - Makaula, for her to have grazing for her cattle and sheep. Mbonda was a Presbyterian Mission. Meantime William Bannantyne had married the daughter of David Brown and Christina McKay - Christina Brown (Tinnie - John Bannantyne's mother). I believe at one time that William Bannantyne was managing Donald McKay's Mount Frere Trading Business. There was some trouble with the delivery of goods to the store and William Bannantyne, set off by wagon to go and see to things. On the way, I think somewhere near the Tina River drift in the Mount Frere District, he jumped off the wagon, stumbled and fell under a wheel and was run over and killed. Back to Christina, grazing her cattle and sheep at Mbonda, where she hoped to make some money selling butter and milk to the Cape Mounted Riflemen, stationed in Mount Frere. Red Water killed a lot of her stock and the family decided to move up to East Griqualand. The Bannantynes were able to help with finance and they took over a farm in the Mount Currie District, which they named BROBAN (BROwn and BANnantyne) which was originally "Deepfontein" and part of "Pramberg". (On the Map "Deepfontein" is No. G.E.Q 10.6 and "Pramberg" G.E.Q 9.72 - they are near the junction of the Cedarville-Franklin road with that between Franklin and Swartberg.) The farming at Broban gradually failed and the Bannantyne family moved to Kokstad where Tinnie Bannantyne (John's mother) took over "Old Governement House" belonging to Donald McKay to run a boarding house for the children of the related families - Donald McKay's children, some of David McKay's children, and her own. George Brown was bitten by the get rich bug and sought his fortune in the Transvaal Lowveld where Phalaborwa now is. He was prospecting for tin - unsuccessfully - little dreaming what riches were under his feet, as Phalaborwa (Palabora) has now proved. I don't know what happened to David Brown who married Francis Le Grange, nor Roberta who married McLaughlin. John tells me that Elizabeth (Henry Dorning's widow) who lived in Kokstad in later years, had the Family Bible - presumably the *George McKay Family Bible, but when a search was made for it after her death, it could not be found. He said it contained a lot of information about the earlier days of the family. *[Note -- only Family Bible known to the Brown Family was the Self-Interpreting Bible brought from Scotland to S. Africa by David Brown in 1861. It contains a few births: those of David Brown and Christina McKay and their children. Latterly in the possession of Donald Tollner Brown.] I have photographs of the Fryers, including Harriet, who married Roger Stamp of Glasgow, who emigrated to Canada. The Fryers include Francis, Polly (who subsequently married Middleton). Tom Fryer, Alf Fryer, and Tom and Lottie (his wife), also Christina Brown with 6 children from a baby in arms to a girl of about 12 or 15 I guess. These photos are in the old McKay family photo album. GEORDIE BROWN, a brother of David Brown of Cupar, Fife, Scotland, married Sarah Jane Phillips, sister of Annie Phillips who married David Sutherland McKay, the father of Lennox, Melville, Ambrose and Walter and Vida, Lilly, Violet and Daisy. After David Sutherland McKay's death, Annie married Archie McLuckie. They traded in Matatiele for some years. Now for the McGREGOR Saga:
JEAN BRANDER married Andrew Webster. My information is that ALEC was Jean Brander's son, who did not marry. Her daughter, ANN, married JOHN FRYER and their children were: Harriet, Frances, Polly, Alf and Tom.
Jean Brander - I presume these were her Christian Names, I don't know her maiden surname, In 1845 he was in the 73rd Regiment which was sent to Monte Video in S. America to combine with the English and French Fleets for the relief and protection of the English and French merchants besieged there during a revolution. From Monte Video the Regiment was sent to South Africa in 1846 (September) to disembark at Waterloo Bay at the Fish River Mouth. The ship was nearly wrecked during a storm, it had to return to Cape Town for a refit and was sent to disembark the Troops at Algoa Bay, whence they marched to Grahamstown, thence to Peddie and King William's Town, then to the Buffalo Mouth (actually the establishment of what became East London). John's mother having learned of her son's whereabouts came to S. Africa to "buy him out of the Army" for the third time. They then bought a trading site at Burns Hill, near the Presbyterian Mission Station. John married Catherine Hayes, an immigrant from Roch of Cashel, Tipperary in South Central Ireland. They subsequently bought a trading store in King Willliam's Town on the south west corner of the Market Square. This was subsequently bought by George Whitaker and became a well known store in King. The daughters attended Collegiate School (2 or them) and the son, John, attended the Grammar School. On the advice of Captain Blyth, the Chief Magistrate of Fingoland, the McGregors and Donald McKay (engaged to the daughter Jane) trekked up to Bacaland in 1877 to establish a trading station, at what in due course became Mount Frere. The McGregors later moved to East Griqualand and farmed at "Waterfall" (later taken over by Fotheringham and still later by Bryden). From there they went to live in Kokstad, where they died and were buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery. Jean Brander, her son John, and his wife Catherine (nee Hayes). The one daughter Jane McGregor married Donald McKay, the other, Bella, went blind and went to Nazareth Home in Durban, where she died. Another daughter died young. The only son, John was also a bit of a wild lad. John was involved in transporting munitions for the British in the Boer War, being involved in the battles for Colenso and Ladysmith. He died in Ladysmith or thereabouts. Jean Brander McGregor came to S. Africa from Speymouth, Bannfshire, Scotland, shortly after 1846. As far as I can make out, Rob Roy McGregor, the most celebrated "freebooter" in Scottish History gave his protection to Grant of (?)Rothiemurchus, when the latter was threatened by Clan (?)Challan. To make sure that no further molestation of his friend would take place, Rob Roy, left 2 of his men with Grant, to act as runners, in the event of help being needed. One of the runners married the daughter of the Grant Laird. These 2 "runners" were in fact the progenitors of most of the Strathspey McGregors, including Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Roderick McGregor, and other men of note. Since Jean Brander came from Strathspey (Speymouth) to S. Africa her husband must have belonged to the Strathspey branch of the McGregors. I have no further information about the Websters back in Scotland. The daughter, Annie, evidently came out to S. Africa either with her mother or at some other time.
ROBERT McKAY
HUGH JESSE McKAY He married Emily Callaghan and they had 5 children. Hugh died at Buffalo Nek on 25.12.1888 and Emily immediately sold Buffalo Nek to Donald McKay. COL. SGT DONALD McKAY
|
