1. Donald Bruce McKay, born December 06, 1959 in Red Deer, AB, CAN. He was the son of 2. Clifford Wesley McKay and 3. Eleanor June Dick.

More About Donald Bruce McKay:
Fact 1: Yukon Metis Federation Membership Application

2. Clifford Wesley McKay, born June 14, 1918 in Lilly Plain, SK, CAN. He was the son of 4. Henry Richard "Hillyard" McKay and 5. Sophia Catherine Fidler. He married 3. Eleanor June Dick.

3. Eleanor June Dick, born October 28, 1922 in Ponoka, AB, CAN. She was the daughter of 6. Wilber R Dick and 7. Vada Passmore.

More About Clifford Wesley McKay:
Fact 1: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

More About Eleanor June Dick:
Fact 1: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

4. Henry Richard "Hillyard" McKay, born April 18, 1892; died July 05, 1980 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN. He was the son of 8. William Charles McKay and 9. Mary McLaughlin. He married 5. Sophia Catherine Fidler 1916.

5. Sophia Catherine Fidler, born September 16, 1895 in St Catherine's District, Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died September 03, 1980 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN. She was the daughter of 10. Peter Charles Fidler and 11. Margaret Swain.

More About Henry Richard "Hillyard" McKay:
Date born 2: April 19, 1892, St Catherine's District, Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN
Died 2: January 06, 1976
Fact 1 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001
Fact 1 2: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

More About Sophia Catherine Fidler:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

6. Wilber R Dick, born August 31, 1899 in Tracey, MB, CAN. He married 7. Vada Passmore.

7. Vada Passmore, born November 10, 1902 in Illinois, USA.

More About Wilber R Dick:
Fact 1: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

More About Vada Passmore:
Fact 1: Donald Bruce McKay - YMF member

8. William Charles McKay, born May 31, 1858 in St Andrews Parish, RRS, NWT = MB, CAN; died January 29, 1932 in St Mary's, Prince Albert, SK. CAN. He was the son of 16. John Dougall McKay and 17. Harriet McKay. He married 9. Mary McLaughlin September 13, 1882 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

9. Mary McLaughlin, born January 09, 1862; died November 16, 1904. She was the daughter of 18. Peter McLaughlin and 19. Helen Foulds.

Notes for William Charles McKay:
William is identified in the March 1932 edition of The Beaver page 441. In the Beaver his date of death is January 4, 1932 at 73 years of age from Pneumonia. In his early years he did transport work for the BBC and later engaged in farming. He was proficient in several Indian languages and is said to have been able to converse in twelve different Indian dialects. In 1920, at the historical pageant held at Lowere Fort Garry in celebration of the HBC two hundred and fiftyth anniversary, he acted as intertreter for Sir Robert M. Kendersley, who was then Governor of the Company and on a tour of the West.

More About William Charles McKay:
Birth date: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers

More About Mary McLaughlin:
Fact 1: source T. C. McCloy Papers

Children of William McKay and Mary McLaughlin are:
i. Mabel Gertrude McKay, born August 07, 1883 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died January 23, 1905 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

Notes for Mabel Gertrude McKay:
Mabel Gertrude McKay and her parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows:
"Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1358 , Reel C-14988, Access code: 90

File Title: McKay, Mabel Gertrude; address: Prince Albert, Sask; born: 7 Aug., 1883 at Prince Albert; father: William Charles McKay (Métis); mother: Mary McClaughlin (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 481 for $240.00; claim no. 333 Finding Aid number: 15-21"

More About Mabel Gertrude McKay:
Burial: St Mary's, Prince Albert,SK, CAN
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 3: see scrip info

ii. Eliza Ellen Harriet McKay, born February 05, 1885 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died December 09, 1949 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN; married William Edward McKay December 09, 1908 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

Notes for Eliza Ellen Harriet McKay:
Eliza Ellen Harriet McKay and her parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows:"Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1358 , Reel C-14988, Access code: 90
File Title: McKay, Eliza Ellen Harriet; address: Prince Albert, Sask; born: 8 Feb., 1885 at Prince Albert; father: William Charles McKay (Métis); mother: Mary McLaughlin (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 479 for $240.00; claim no. 332 Finding Aid number: 15-21"

More About Eliza Ellen Harriet McKay:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: see scrip info

Notes for William Edward McKay:
William Edward McKay and his parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1358 , Reel C-14988, Access code: 90
File Title: McKay, Thomas; for his son, William Edward McKay; address:
Prince Albert, Sask; born: 21 Feb., 1874 at Prince Albert, Sask; father: Thomas McKay (Métis & deponent); mother: CaAtherine McBeth (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 649 for $240.00; claim no.441 Finding Aid number: 15-21"

More About William Edward McKay:
Baptism: March 17, 1872, from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 1: source John Hunter
Fact 2: Source 1. Little Bearskin McKay Clan-on-line Canada Tree
Fact 3: from Stan's Sinclair FTM Nov 1998
Fact 4: MF page 773
Fact 5: April 09, 1871, Bonnie has as birthdate
Fact 6: see scrip info

iii. Charles Douglas McKay, born December 24, 1886 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died May 19, 1980 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN; married Gladys Ellen Bear January 11, 1929 in John Smith Reserve, SK, CAN.

More About Charles Douglas McKay:
Burial: St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998

More About Gladys Ellen Bear:
Fact 1 1: Furtrade Database-1999
Fact 1 2: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: there are some problems with the birthdates of Gladys and her parents

iv. Peter Lawrence McKay, born March 26, 1888 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died October 21, 1892 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

More About Peter Lawrence McKay:
Burial: St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Fact 1: Source John Hunter

v. William Colin McKay, born August 02, 1890 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died December 04, 1956 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN; married Elsie Evelyn Jackson April 19, 1926 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

More About William Colin McKay:
Burial: St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Fact 1: source John Hunter
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 3: MF page 769

More About Elsie Evelyn Jackson:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: MF page 769

vi. Sedley Miles McKay, born March 26, 1893 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died January 09, 1906 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

More About Sedley Miles McKay:
Fact 1: source John Hunter

vii. Robert Stanley McKay, born February 25, 1894 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died July 03, 1970; married (1) Julia Florence McKay; married (2) Mary Isabel Hodgson.

More About Robert Stanley McKay:
Fact 1: source John Hunter

More About Julia Florence McKay:
Burial: at St Mary's, Portage la Prairie
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: conflict in whether St Mary, PA or Portage la Prairie
Fact 3: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 4: Gail Morin's book page 243

More About Mary Isabel Hodgson:
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998

viii. Julia Florence McKay, born January 29, 1896; died October 16, 1936.

More About Julia Florence McKay:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter

ix. Hugh John Finlayson McKay, born November 21, 1899 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; died September 23, 1907 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

More About Hugh John Finlayson McKay:
Fact 1: source John Hunter

x. Percy McLaughlin McKay, born November 19, 1901 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; died June 06, 1983.

More About Percy McLaughlin McKay:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter

xi. Herbert Nelson McKay, born March 18, 1904; died October 28, 1988.

More About Herbert Nelson McKay:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: living in 1996
Fact 3: Copied from McKay Family Circle (1858-1970) as presented to Charles Douglas McKay, Dec 24, 1970 Original Circle by GWRS with additions September, 1981

4 xii. Henry Richard "Hillyard" McKay, born April 18, 1892; died July 05, 1980 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN; married Sophia Catherine Fidler 1916.

10. Peter Charles Fidler, born July 12, 1850 in Pembina District, Minnesota Territory, USA; died March 13, 1941 in St Catherine's District, NWT = SK, CAN. He was the son of 20. Peter P Fidler and 21. Jane Lambert. He married 11. Margaret Swain July 07, 1875 in Holy Trinity, Headingly, MB, CAN.

11. Margaret Swain, born July 15, 1860 in Headingly, MB, CAN; died August 18, 1943 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN. She was the daughter of 22. Thomas Swain and 23. Ellen (Nellie) Bremner.

More About Peter Charles Fidler:
Burial: March 16, 1941, St Catherine's Anglican, Prince Albert, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher shows him as Peach Ass <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

Notes for Margaret Swain:
Margaret is identified in MF pages 5, 359 and 1159. She is buried in Aug 1943 at St Catherines, Saskatchewan. Her parents are identified as Pierre Parenteau and Ellen Bremner. This information will have to be confirmed. (Stan's Notes)

More About Margaret Swain:
Burial: St Catherine's Anglican, Prince Albert, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000

Children of Peter Fidler and Margaret Swain are:

i. Charles Thomas Fidler, born January 01, 1877 in St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK; died October 02, 1955; married Florence "Flossy" Halcro in St Catherine's Anglican Church, SK, CAN.

More About Charles Thomas Fidler:
Burial: St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, Charles and Flossy in MF page 360

More About Florence "Flossy" Halcro:
Fact 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

ii. Mary Margaret Fidler, born October 04, 1878 in Headingly District, MB, CAN; died March 21, 1970 in St Catherine's District, NWT = SK, CAN; married Charles Thomas Adams January 07, 1903 in St Paul's Anglican Church, Lindsay, CAN.

More About Mary Margaret Fidler:
Burial: St Catherine's District, NWT = SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF pages 5 and 360
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

More About Charles Thomas Adams:
Burial 1: Stan shows St Paul, Lindsay, SK, CAN
Burial 2: Eileen Horan Researcher shows burial at St Catherine's Anglican North West <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF pages 5 and 360

iii. Alexander Peter (Sandy) Fidler, born September 17, 1880 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; died October 25, 1965 in Flin Flon, MB, CAN; married Flora Mabel Adams February 21, 1905 in St Paul's Anglican Church, Lindsay, CAN.

Notes for Alexander Peter (Sandy) Fidler:
Stan's Notes:
Alexander is identified in MF page 5 as "Alexander Peter Fidler, b: 19 Jul 1880, d: 28 Jun 1965." On page 360 he is identified as "Alexander Peter "Sandy" Fidler, b: 17 Sept 1880, d: 25 Oct 1965." If the two enterieds are for the same person the information will have to be verified. Alexander Peter Fidler is identified with his parents in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1346 , Reel C-14968, Access code: 90
File Title: Fidler, Alexander Peter; address: St. Catherine, Sask; claim no. 348; born: 12 Sept., 1880 at St. Catherines, Sask; father: Peter Fidler (Métis); mother: Margaret Swain (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 531 Finding Aid number: 15-21"

More About Alexander Peter (Sandy) Fidler:
Burial: St Catherine's Anglican, Prince Albert, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: see scrip info

Notes for Flora Mabel Adams:
Stan's Notes:
Flora is identified in MF page 5 with a year of death of 1959, she is identified on page 360 with a year of death of 1930. The information will have to be confirmed.

More About Flora Mabel Adams:
Burial: St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000

iv. Anna Bella Fidler, born November 18, 1882 in St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK; died July 31, 1961; married William John Miller December 22, 1902 in Brides Home, St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

Notes for Anna Bella Fidler:
Anna Bella Fidler and her parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1346 , Reel C-14968, Access code: 90
File Title: Fidler, Anna Bella; address: St. Catherines, Sask; claim no. 349; born: 18 Nov., 1882 at St. Catherines; father: Peter Fidler (Métis); mother: Margaret Swain (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 521 for $240.00  Finding Aid number: 15-21"

More About Anna Bella Fidler:
Burial: August 1961, Crescent Park, Carrot River, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF page 360
Fact 2: see scrip info

More About William John Miller:
Burial: September 1942, Crescent Park, Carrot River, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF page 360

v. Leonhanorah Fidler, born November 28, 1884 in St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK; married William "Billy" Brown.

More About Leonhanorah Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher as Laura Fidler <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

More About William "Billy" Brown:
Fact 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

vi. Sarah Ellen Fidler, born December 04, 1886 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; died March 06, 1970 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

More About Sarah Ellen Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

vii. Emma Jane Fidler, born October 24, 1888 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; married Rudolph Scott June 28, 1911.

More About Emma Jane Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF page 360 shows June and Rudloph
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher as Emma Jane <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

More About Rudolph Scott:
Fact 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

viii. James Flett Fidler, born August 24, 1890 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; died December 06, 1944 in St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK; married Mary McDonald Abt. 1910.

More About James Flett Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF pages 360 shows James and Mary
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

More About Mary McDonald:
Fact 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

ix. Mabel Fidler, born Aft. 1892; married Charles Smith.

More About Mabel Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF shows Mabel and Charles on page 360

x. William Alfred Fidler, born September 15, 1893 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; died May 21, 1969 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

More About William Alfred Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

xi. Florence Jessie Fidler, born Aft. 1895 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; married George Couldwell Abt. 1916 in St Mary's Anglican Church, Lily Plain District, SK, CAN.

More About Florence Jessie Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

More About George Couldwell:
Fact 1: Eileen Horan Researcher <ileanonu@home.com> Sept 18, 2001

xii. Samuel David Fidler, born February 09, 1898 in St Catherines, Prince Albert, SK; died February 17, 1976 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

More About Samuel David Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000

5 xiii. Sophia Catherine Fidler, born September 16, 1895 in St Catherine's District, Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died September 03, 1980 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN; married Henry Richard "Hillyard" McKay 1916.

16. John Dougall McKay, born January 07, 1827 in Rainy Lake; died December 24, 1893 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the son of 32. William McKay and 33. Julie Chalifoux. He married 17. Harriet McKay April 24, 1856.

17. Harriet McKay, born July 06, 1835 in Fort Ellice, Northwest Territories; died February 12, 1913 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the daughter of 34. John Richards McKay and 35. Harriet Ballenden.

Notes for John Dougall McKay:
Of interest to many might be the story of John Dougal McKay. the son of William McKay and the grandson of Donald McKay. John Dougal McKay is reported to be the grandson of John McKay/Mary Favell's brother Donald McKay. (we are still trying hard to verify they were in fact brothers). This is by Herbert Nelson McKay.(his grandson). He was called John Dougal, to identify him from the other John McKays. When he was 16 he was sent to England for more education in bookkeeping and carpenter training. On completion of his apprenticeship, he returned to Canada by boat via the Hudson Bay. On the voyage out, the ships purser died. The Captain knew John Dougal had bookkeeping training, so he was appointed Purser and was in charge of the ships records. He would collect the money for goods brought out from England and be in charge of all goods on the return trip. The job meant he had to return to England and come out the following year to work for the Hudson Bay Company. He married Harriet McKay, the daughter of John Richards McKay, and they are reported to have been 2nd cousins. They went to Portage la Prarie and in 1881, they moved to Prince Albert. He opened a store in partnership with his son William Charles that was located about 6 miles west of town.

Two of his sons went to the Yukon during the Gold Rush days. John Dougal passed away in 1893.Harriet great church worker, she also did beautiful bead work on leather. A sample of her work is in the Prince Albert Museum. Harriet passed away Feb. 12, 1913. Their children were Joseph McKay who married Flora A. McKay, William Charles,McKay, Julia McKay who married James Cusitor, Henry Malcom Watt McKay, who took cattle to the Yukon,Francis Mckay who joined the Northwest Mounted Police and is buried on the line between Alaska and the Yukon, Harriet Ann Mckay who married Walter Traill(retired to Victoria). John Dougal and Harriet also raised a pair of orphan twin boys named Willie and Jacob Beads.

More About John Dougall McKay:
Burial: at St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: FMN ID 3615, as Metis, Protestant
Fact 3: Gail Morin's book page 768, 780 and 781

More About Harriet McKay:
Burial: February 14, 1913, St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: Gail Morin's book page 768, 780 & 781
Fact 3: married by contract

Children of John McKay and Harriet McKay are:
i. Joseph McKay, born July 12, 1856 in St Andrews, RRS; died December 12, 1938 in St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; married Flora Ann McKay March 30, 1887 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Notes for Joseph McKay:
Subject: Joe McKay
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 22:20:41 -0700
From: John Hunter <jay@cnx.net>
To: metisgen@listserv.northwest.com

He was a son of John Dougal Mckay and Harriet Mckay. John Dougal Mckay would be a first cousin 1 generation removed to John Richards Mckay, and Harriet was John Richards Mckay's daughter.

So it is like your cousin's son marrying your daughter.... Anyway, Joseph Mckay's born 1842, the youngest of John Richards Mckay's sons, married Flavie Poitras, and their daughter, Ann Flora married Joseph (Gentleman Joe) Mckay's, a son of his sister Harriet and John Dougal Mckay's ( his second cousin) In any case this Gentleman Joe Mckay's was very involved in the Riel Rebellion at Batoche.

"Riel viewed his mission as part of a larger aboriginal struggle and believed the Indians, victimized by a decade of government parsimony and intransigence, would jump at the opportunity to extract revenge. But the Indian leaders had their own agenda for addressing the grievances and were pinning their hopes on a large intertribal council at Duck Lake that summer.

Chief Beardy refused to be drawn into Riels's gambit, and he deeply regretted the resort to arms- and what it might mean to Indian diplomatic efforts. He was deeply worried about what might happen to his own people.Chief Beardy's reserve was located between Batoche and Carlton, and all he could do was counsel restraint and try to keep out intruders.

Assiyiwin, one of Beardy's four headmen learned the Metis and the NW Police were probably meet outside Duck Lake. He tied his goods on his pony and started home on foot, hurrying as best he good despite his poor eyesight. The reserve was not far, and he soon heard excited voices. He could not make out any figures. "Stop! Don't you know what is going on here?" a voice in Cree challenged the old man.It was "Gentleman Joe Mckay's, the Police interpreter. "No, I am blind," replied Assiyiwin. "Tell me what is going on?" Mckay's could hardly contain his annoyance with the old indian. " There is going to be trouble here. Go back to where you came from.

Assiyiwin had innocently walked into the middle of the unfolding drama. Earlier that morning, Superintendent Leif Crozier had set off rashly for Duck Lake with one hundred Police and Civilian volunteers to prevent guns from falling into the hands of Riel's supporters. As they headed out from Carlton they entered Chief Beardy's reserve, where Crozier stopped to talk to Chief Beardy who confirmed he was not joining Riel. As the force headed towards Duck Lake they spotted about 20 Metis horseman led by Gabriel Dumont and quickly took a defensive position. Gabriel sent his brother Isidore to stall the police and when he reached Assiyiwin and Mckay's, the pair were arguing. The old man was indignant that the Police had intruded on the reserve and flatly told Mckay's, " If you are going to have a battle, if you are going to spill blood, you cannot do it on our reserve land. Mckay once again ordered him to go back, but the unarmed Indian stood there with his horse and said "NO, I am going home." Mckay's then threw his coat on the ground and said " Step over my coat..and I will shoot you." Assiyiwin had once been a powerful warrior- one of his most prized possessions was a small box of Blackfoot scalps- and he was not about to back down from anybody. He grabbed Mckay's rifle and as the two men struggled- Isisdore shouted "Don't shoot each other. We want to work this out peacefully. We don't want anybody killed."

It was too late, Mckay's, sensing this parley was only a ruse for an ambush, pulled out his revolver and shot Isidore Dumont in the head, killing him instantly. He then turned his revolver on the unarmed Assiyiwin and mortally wounded him in the stomach. At the sound of gunfire, shooting erupted from both sides. The casualties mounted by the minute, and it quickly became apparent the Metis held the upper hand- especially since dozens of men, including Riel armed only with a crucifix, poured in from Batoche.

Assiyiwin's death, the battle on Beardy's Reserve, and the presence of a handful of Willow Cree among the Metis fighters pointed to an Indian-Metis alliance- an assumption the country's newspapers reached immediately, and this persists to this day."

Loyal to Death ( Indians and the North-West Rebellion) Blair Stonechild & Bill Waiser

Fifth House Publishers
#9-6125- 11th Street SE
Calgary AB
T2H 2L6

More About Joseph McKay:
Baptism: May 19, 1865, at St Francois Xavier, RRS
Burial: St. Mary's, Prince Albert, SASK, CAN
Fact 1: Source John Hunter
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from the Bay'
Fact 3: MF page 781
Fact 4: Known as 'Gentleman Joe'
Fact 5: married his cousin
Fact 6: Bonnie's database, Jan 15, 1999

More About Flora Ann McKay:
Baptism: June 05, 1869
Burial: St. Mary's, Prince Albert, SASK, CAN
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from the Bay'
Fact 3: MF pages 768 & 781
Fact 4: Bonnie's database, Jan 15, 1999

8 ii. William Charles McKay, born May 31, 1858 in St Andrews Parish, RRS, NWT = MB, CAN; died January 29, 1932 in St Mary's, Prince Albert, SK. CAN; married Mary McLaughlin September 13, 1882 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

iii. George Alexander McKay, born 1861 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada; died January 01, 1862 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.

More About George Alexander McKay:
Baptism: June 10, 1861, at St Mary's, Portage la Prairie
Burial: February 01, 1862, at St Mary's, Portage la Prairie
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: Gail Morin's book page 770

iv. John James McKay, born March 03, 1866 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada; died November 13, 1875 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

More About John James McKay:
Burial: at St Mary's, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fact 1: source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 3: Gail Morin's book page 770

v. Henry Malcolm Watt McKay, born December 09, 1867 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada; died June 30, 1906 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

More About Henry Malcolm Watt McKay:
Burial: at St Mary's Prince, Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fact 1: source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: 1898, -took cattle to Yukon during the Gold Rush
Fact 3: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 4: Gail Morin's book page 770

vi. Mabel McKay, born Abt. 1870; died 1870.

vii. Francis 'Frank' McKay, born March 02, 1870 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada; died June 05, 1907 in Yukon River, Yukon, Canada.

More About Francis 'Frank' McKay:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: Member of Northwest Mounted Police and died in their employ
Fact 3: buried on border between Canada & USA

viii. Harriet Anne McKay, born April 18, 1872 in Portage la Prairie, MB, CAN; died March 09, 1948 in Victoria, BC, CAN; married Walter Traill January 09, 1895 in Prince Albert, SK, CAN.

More About Harriet Anne McKay:
Baptism: May 12, 1872, at St Mary's, Portage la Prairie
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers and Douglas Munroe, rec'd Feb 13, 2001
Fact 2: John Hunter has Harriet McKay b 1865 d 1936?
Fact 3: from Stan's Sinclair FTM Nov 1998
Fact 4: Gail Morin MF pag 770

Notes for Walter Traill:
Subject: Fort Ellice
Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 22:44:16 -0700
From: John Hunter <jay@cnx.net>
To: metisgen@listserv.northwest.com

Memoirs of Walter Traill "In Ruperts Land"

Excerpt:

The only trouble I knew of was when a party of Sioux came.Our local Indians the Cree and the Saulteaux, have been at war with them ever since they crossed the line and located in the Woody Mountain district after their massacre of the white people in Minnesota in 62. Our Indians had sent a messenger to invite them to come to hold a Treaty of Peace and to bury the hatchet. They were royally entertained with feasts of dog soup, fish, and a Treaty was signed but this proved of short duration. At daybreak the Saulteaux made a raid on their camp and scalped 17 while the rest made ahasty retreat. This caused quite a stir as some of the Saullteaux had been intermarried with the Sioux. Among the half breeds the feelings were running really high, one Francois Desmarais, who is connected by marriage to the Sioux was in the trading store while I was there.

18. Peter McLaughlin. He married 19. Helen Foulds.

19. Helen Foulds.

More About Peter McLaughlin:
Fact 1: source John Hunter

More About Helen Foulds:
Fact 1: Source John Hunter

Children of Peter McLaughlin and Helen Foulds are:

9 i. Mary McLaughlin, born January 09, 1862; died November 16, 1904; married William Charles McKay September 13, 1882 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN.

ii. Michael McLaughlin, born August 04, 1863; married Jane Mary Adams in Lindsay, SK, CAN.

More About Michael McLaughlin:
Fact 1: Stan Hulme Research, MF pages 4, 790 and 911.

More About Jane Mary Adams:
Fact 1: Stan Hulme Research, MF pages 4, 790 and 911.

20. Peter P Fidler, born March 15, 1824 in St John's, RRS; died 1901 in SK, CAN. He was the son of 40. Charles Fidler and 41. Anne Saunders. He married 21. Jane Lambert February 17, 1860 in Trinity, Headingly, MB, CAN.

21. Jane Lambert, born Abt. 1832; died June 1870. She was the daughter of 42. Etienne Lambert and 43. Catherine Gaddy.

Notes for Peter P Fidler:
Peter Fidler and his parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada. In this reference his mother is shown as Jane Sanderson, this will need to be confirmed. "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-a , Volume 1320 , Reel C-14927, Access code: 90 File Title: Scrip affidavit for Fidler, Peter; born: 15 March 1825; father: Charles Fidler (Métis); mother: Jane Fidler (nee Sanderson, Métis); claim no.: 1569; date of issue: Sept. 20, 1876 Finding Aid number: 15-19"

More About Peter P Fidler:
Baptised: October 18, 1824, St John's, RRS
Fact 1: Stan Hulme Research, MF pages 359, 621, 1159 and 1160
Fact 2: mother shown as Jane Sanderson in scrip info
Fact 3: Peggy Zaraska <pzfidler@altavista.com> June 7, 2001

More About Jane Lambert:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF pages 359, 621 and 1159

Notes for Therese Elizabeth Swain:
Therese is identified in MF pages 359 and 1160. She is also identified in the National Archives Scrip Records as follows: "Reference: RG15, INTERIOR, Series D-II-8-a, Volume 1320, Reel C-14927, Access code: 90
File Title: Scrip affidavit for Fidler, Theresa (nee Swain), wife of Peter Fidler; born: 1845; father: John Swain; mother: Mary Swain Finding Aid number: 15-19"

More About Therese Elizabeth Swain:
Fact 1: see scrip info

Children of Peter Fidler and Jane Lambert are:

10 i. Peter Charles Fidler, born July 12, 1850 in Pembina District, Minnesota Territory, USA; died March 13, 1941 in St Catherine's District, NWT = SK, CAN; married Margaret Swain July 07, 1875 in Holy Trinity, Headingly, MB, CAN.

ii. Catherine Fidler, born October 07, 1854 in St James, RRS; married John James Park.

Notes for Catherine Fidler:
Stan Hulme Research: "Catherine is identified in MF pages 360 and 933. On page 360 her date of baptism is given as 21 Nov 1854 and on page 933 it is 21 Nov 1852 at St Andrews, Red River Settlement." Catherine Fidler is also identified with her parents in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-a , Volume 1320 , Reel C-14927, Access code: 90
File Title: Scrip affidavit for Fidler, Catherine; born: 7 October 1854; father: Peter Fidler; mother: Jane Lambert Finding Aid number: 15-19"

More About Catherine Fidler:
Fact 1: see scrip info

More About John James Park:
Baptised: January 29, 1857, St Andrews, RRS
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF pages 360 and 932

iii. Susannah Fidler, born Abt. 1855.

More About Susannah Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000

iv. Lois Hannah Fidler, born 1855.

More About Lois Hannah Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

v. Elizabeth Jane Sophia Fidler, born March 05, 1857.

Notes for Elizabeth Jane Sophia Fidler:
Elizabeth Jane Sophia Fidler and her parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15, Interior , Series D-II-8-a , Volume 1320 , Reel C-14927, Access code: 90
File Title: Scrip affidavit for Fidler, Jane; born: 5 March 1857; father: Peter Fidler; mother: Jane Lambert Finding Aid number: 15-19"

More About Elizabeth Jane Sophia Fidler:
Baptised: March 13, 1857, St John's, RRS
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF page 360
Fact 2: see scrip info

vi. Annabelle Fidler, born May 16, 1858 in Headingly, MB, CAN.

Notes for Annabelle Fidler:
Annabella Fidler and her parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-a , Volume 1320 , Reel C-14927, Access code: 90
File Title: Scrip affidavit for Fidler, Annabella; born: 16 May 1858; father: Peter Fidler; mother: Jane Lambert Finding Aid number: 15-19"

More About Annabelle Fidler:
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000
Fact 2: see scrip info

vii. William Alfred Fidler, born 1861.

More About William Alfred Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

viii. Dorcas Fidler, born 1865.

More About Dorcas Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

Children of Peter Fidler and Therese Swain are:

i. John Fidler, born 1872.

More About John Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

ii. Henry Fidler, born 1874.

More About Henry Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

iii. Charles Fidler, born September 30, 1875.

More About Charles Fidler:
Baptised: April 02, 1876, Lebret, SK, CAN
Fact 1: Stan's Sanderson file, Nov 22, 2000, MF page 360

iv. Margaret Jane Fidler, born April 14, 1878 in Regina, SK, CAN; died 1970; married William Vezina.

Notes for Margaret Jane Fidler:
Margaret, her parents and husband are identified in the National Archives Scrip Records as follows: "Reference: RG15, INTERIOR, Series D-II-8-c, Volume 1370, Reel C-15008, Access code: 90
File Title: Vezina, Margaret; address: St. Louis; born: 14 April, 1878 at Regina; father: Peter Fidler (Métis); mother: Therese Swain (Métis); scrip cert.: form C, no. 677 for $240; claim no. 459 Finding Aid number: 15-21" (Stan's Notes)

More About Margaret Jane Fidler:
Fact 1: see scrip info

More About William Vezina:
Fact 1: see wife's scrip info

v. Betsy Fidler, born 1882; died 1885.

More About Betsy Fidler:
Fact 1: Peggy Zaraska Research 04 Feb 2002

vi. Alexander Peter Fidler, born September 15, 1883 in Prince Albert, NWT = SK, CAN; died April 1966 in Edmonton, AB, CAN; married Harriette Howse in Hardisty, AB, CAN.

More About Alexander Peter Fidler:
Fact 1: Patrick Best <bestp44@hotmail.com> May 22, 2001
Fact 2: Peggy Zaraska <pzfidler@altavista.com> June 7, 2001

More About Harriette Howse:
Burial: Rusylvia, AB, CAN
Fact 1: Patrick Best <bestp44@hotmail.com> May 22, 2001
Fact 2: Peggy Zaraska <pzfidler@altavista.com> June 7, 2001

22. Thomas Swain, born April 06, 1837; died April 29, 1940. He married 23. Ellen (Nellie) Bremner.

23. Ellen (Nellie) Bremner, born 1831; died September 04, 1928 in Langmende. She was the daughter of 46. Alexander (Sr) Bremner and 47. Elizabeth Twatt.

More About Thomas Swain:
Fact 1: T.C. McCloy papers
Fact 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998

More About Ellen (Nellie) Bremner:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers

Children of Thomas Swain and Ellen Bremner are:

i. Harriet Swain.

More About Harriet Swain:
Fact 1: from Paulette

ii. Sarah Elizabeth Swain, married Alexander Foulds July 28, 1887.

More About Sarah Elizabeth Swain:
Fact 1: from Paulette
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Research

More About Alexander Foulds:
Fact 1: from Paulette
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Research

11 iii. Margaret Swain, born July 15, 1860 in Headingly, MB, CAN; died August 18, 1943 in St Catherine's District, Lily Plain, SK, CAN; married Peter Charles Fidler July 07, 1875 in Holy Trinity, Headingly, MB, CAN.

iv. Mary Swain, born 1864 in Fort Garry, Manitoba, Canada; died in Green Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada; married Andrew James McKay.

More About Mary Swain:
Burial: Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: Stan Hulme Research, MF page 778 as Swaine

More About Andrew James McKay:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers

v. John Andrew Swain, born 1868; died 1967; married Christina Inkster.

More About John Andrew Swain:
Fact 1: from Paulette

More About Christina Inkster:
Fact 1: from Paulette

vi. Lebina Agnes Keziah Swain, married Miles Alexander Foulds February 18, 1914.

More About Lebina Agnes Keziah Swain:
Fact 1: from Paulette
Fact 2: Eileen Horan Research

More About Miles Alexander Foulds:
Fact 1 1: Eileen Horan Research
Fact 1 2: from Paulette

32. William McKay, born March 27, 1795; died January 13, 1887 in St Andrew's, Manitoba, Canada. He was the son of 64. Donald 'Mad' McKay and 65. Margaret Elizabeth Sutherland. He married 33. Julie Chalifoux August 13, 1826 in Norway House.

33. Julie Chalifoux.

More About William McKay:
Fact 1 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 1 2: Stan Hulme - 'Out from the Bay'
Fact 2: FMN ID 3669
Fact 3: MF pgs 729 & 768

More About Julie Chalifoux:
Fact 1 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 1 2: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998

More About Charlotte Matheson:
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 2: Furtrade Database - Stan Jan 1999
Fact 3: MF page 729 & 768
Fact 4: Scottish

Children of William McKay and Julie Chalifoux are:

i. William McKay, born 1826; married Elizabeth Grant January 25, 1853 in St Francois Xavier, Manitoba, Canada.

Notes for William McKay:

From Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudsons Bay' December, 1998

Elizabeth is identified in FMN as 'Betsy.' Courtship in the early days was a formal affair and sometimes because of distances and isolation, difficult. The courtship of Elizabeth and William McKay, son of William McKay, master of a post on Trout Lake was no exception. Most often correspondence was the only means to formalize a relationship. In this case James Hargrave from York Factory wrote in January 1849 to his old friend Cuthbert Grant regarding the proposal of William.

Y.F. 17 Aug/49
C. Grant Esq/R.R.

My dear Grant;

I enclose a letter from Mr. W. McKay, one of my post servants the subject of which was made known to me this summer. His son and your daughter Elizabeth it seems had formed a reciprocal attachment to each other some time ago-and altho like others they kept to themselves= you now the young fellow has come forward in a manly frank manner and requests permission of me 'to take a wife'. He is a lad so far as I have known of a good character - is prudent and saving having wages as an asst. interpreter in the amount of Lew p.an. Should you approve of the proposal and that your daughter is still unengaged - I see myself no objection to his settling in life. And could your daughter come here next spring under the wing of a carefull and respectable freighter such as Mr. Mowat. I would take care of her in the Factory until her intended arrived from Grant Lake - when I would unite them as man and wife - agreeable to the rites of the Country & of England. With kind regards to my old friend Mrs. Grant, now & always

My dear Grant
most faithfully yours
J.H.

Cuthbert Grant's replay is dated in June, 1850

Grantown, 3rd June, 1850

J. Hargrave Esquire

My Dear Sir

Your kind favour of the 17th Augt came safe to hand on the arrival of the fall boats as well as an enclosed letter from Mr. W. McKay regarding his son William demanding my daughter Elizabeth for a wife. Now, after the character you give me of the young man's good behaviour ets. there lies no difficulty in complying to this request, but the devil is to get the girl to consent to go down alone and unprotected for she's not acquainted with any of the freighters, and her mother is also against it. But if the young man could be premitted to come and pass 2 or 3 days with us, no couble all these present difficulties would be done away with, so you see how the land lies. I shall not attempt to intrude on your present time and give you notheing but dismal news, so trusting this will find you enjoying your usual good health and spirits,

I am

Your ever faithful affate sert

Cuthbert Grant

Mrs. Grant begs to be kindly remembered to you. Elizabeth's reluctance was overcome at length, perhaps by a visit from the young man. Nevertheless the final arrangements took some time to complete, for the reply to a letter sent one year could not be expected until the next. It was 1853 therefore before the marriage took place and no doubt Grant gave his daughter a fine wedding.

From: 'Cuthbert Grant of Grantown' by Margaret Arnett MacLeod and W. D.

Morton, published by McClelland and Stewart Limited, Toronto, 1963, pages 139/140

More About William McKay:
Baptism: August 13, 1826, St John's, Red River Settlement
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 2: MF page 465 & 768
Fact 3: FMN # 3660

Notes for Elizabeth Grant:
Elisabeth is identified in FMN as "Betsy". She is identified in MF page 465 as Elizabeth. Elizabeth, her parents and husband are also identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-c , Volume 1350 , Reel C- 4973, Access code: 90
File Title: Grant, Elizabeth; born: 1831 at St. Francois Xavier on Red River 2133; claim no. father: Cuthbert Grant (Métis); mother: Mary McGillis (Métis); married: 1853 at St. Francois Xavier to William McKay; children living: 5, see husband's application; children deceased: Cuthbert & one unnamed; scrip for $160.00 Finding Aid number: 15-21"

************

Courtship in the early days was a formal affair and sometimes because of distances and isolation, difficult. The courtship of Elisabeth and William McKay, son of William McKay, master of a post at Trout Lake was no exception. Most often correspondence was the only means to formalize a relationship. In this case James Hargrave from York Factory wrote, in January 1849, to his old friend Cuthbert Grant regarding the

proposal of William.

Y.F. 17 Aug/49

C. Grant Esq/R.R.

My Dear Grant-

I enclose a letter from Mr. W. McKay, one of my post servants the subject of which was made known to me the summer. His son and your Daughter Elisabeth it seems had formed a reciprocal attachment to each other some time ago - and altho like others they kept to themselves - yet now the young fellow has come forward in a manly frank manner and requests permission of me "to take a wife". He is a lad so far as I have known of a good character - is prudent and saving having wages as an asst. interpreter in the amount of L20 p. an. Should you approve of the proposal and that your daughter is still unengaged - I see myself no objection to his settling in life. And could your daughter come here next spring under the wing of a carefull and respectable freighter such as Mr. Mowat, I would take care of her in the Factory until her intended arrived from Grant Lake - when I would unite them as man and wife - agreeably to the rites of the Country & of England.

With kind regards to my old friend Mrs. Grant now & always.

My Dear Grant

most faithfully yours

J.H.

Cuthbert Grant's reply is dated in June 1850:

Grantown 3rd June, 1850

J. Hargrave Esquire

My Dear Sir

Your kind favour of the 17th Augt came safe to hand on the arrival of the fall boats as well as an enclosed letter from Mr. W. McKay regarding his Son William demanding my daughter Elisabeth for a wife. Now, after the character you give me of the young man's good behaviour etc. there lies no difficulty in complying to this request, but the devil  is to get the girl to consent to go down alone and unprotected for she's not acquainted with any of the freighters, and her mother is also against it. But if the young man could be permitted to come and pass 2 or 3 days with us, no doubt all these present difficulties would be done away with, so you see how the land lies.

I shall not attempt to intrude on your present time and give you nothing but dismal news, so trusting this will find you enjoying your usual good health and spirits

I am Your

ever faithful affate sert

Cuthbert Grant

Mrs. Grant begs to be kindly remembered to you.

Elizabeth's reluctance was overcome at length, perhaps by a visit from the young man. Nevertheless the final arrangements took some time to complete, for the reply to a letter sent one year could not be expected until the next. It was 1853 therefore before the marriage took place and no doubt Grant gave his daughter a fine wedding.

Quotes taken from pages 139/140 of "Cuthbert Grant of Grantown" by Margaret Arnett MacLeod and W.L. Morton published by McClelland and Stewart Limited Toronto 1963.

More About Elizabeth Grant:
Fact 1: from Stan-Grant file, Dec 1998
Fact 2: FMN as Betsy
Fact 3: MF page 465
Fact 4: see scrip info

16 ii. John Dougall McKay, born January 07, 1827 in Rainy Lake; died December 24, 1893 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada; married Harriet McKay April 24, 1856.

iii. Joseph McKay, born August 27, 1830 in Red River Settlement; died April 10, 1862 in St Andrews, Red River Settlement.

More About Joseph McKay:
Baptism: September 18, 1834, St John's, Red River Settlement
Burial: St Andrews, Red River Settlement
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 2: MF page 770

iv. Mary McKay, born Bef. December 10, 1834.

More About Mary McKay:
Baptism: December 10, 1834, St John's, Red River Settlement
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998
Fact 2: MF page 770

v. Ann McKay, born May 16, 1837; died May 22, 1862.

More About Ann McKay:
Burial: St Andrews, Red River Settlement
Fact 1: Stan Hulme 'Out from Hudson's Bay' Dec, 1998

34. John Richards McKay, born August 10, 1792 in Albany Factory, Northwest Territories; died December 09, 1877 in St. Clement's Manitoba, Canada. He was the son of 68. John R McKay and 69. Mary Favell. He married 35. Harriet Ballenden January 21, 1821 in Brandon House, Rupert's Land.

35. Harriet Ballenden, born Abt. 1795 in York Factory, Canada; died August 28, 1854 in Shoal River, Manitoba. She was the daughter of 70. John Ballenden and 71. Jane Cree.

Notes for John Richards McKay:
John R Mckay and his parents are identified in the National Archives of Canada Scrip records. In this records his birthdate is shown as 1892, but this must be a typo, as follows: "Reference: RG15 , Interior , Series D-II-8-a , Volume 1322 , Reel C-14931, Access code: 90
File Title: Scrip affidavit for McKay, John R.; born: August 10, 1892; father: John McKay (Scot); mother: Mary Favel (Métis); claim no: 2584; scrip no: 12161; date of issue: April 20, 1877; amount: $160 Finding Aid number: 15-19"

*************

From John Hunter (Jay)

"I can't find my copy right now, but I had the story on John Richards McKay, went to England to be educated. Came back to Brandon House and was with his mother and father when they both died in 1810. Was a very educated man. Started schools to teach dancing, fencing, math reading and all the graces.

His father-in-law John Ballendon also saw the need for schools. Their daughters were most precious to them. The sons were all sent to England to be educated, but what about the girls. John Ballendon started a school at York Factory. The school records are in the Canadian Archives and copies of these documents are in most Canadian University. Along with letters sent by John Ballendon. Thats how I knew how he spelled his name. Harriet is listed as one of the students. John Richards was the Chief Trader at Beaver Creek and Fort Elice, but he at times started various ventures, some that did not work out. But he did lead expeditions down the Missouri river in the early part of the 1800's

These documents are in the library both local and at the university, so I can copy them again, and then forward them. John Richards McKay along with all this family were very well respected."

**********

FROM STAN HULME "OUT FROM HUDSON'S BAY" Dec 1998

John and his wife Harriet are identified as Metis, his ID is FMN 3412. They were married about 1815 with a church wedding in 1821. John is also identified as being born in NWT which is British North America west of Lake Superior. He was educated in England and was buried in St Clements on December 11, 1877 (Metis Families pg 770). He was postmaster at Fort Ellice for a generation and was appointed by the Northern Department Council to the position of postmaster at the new post of Portage la Prairie in 1832. He was in charge of Fort Ellice in 1833.

John was known as Mac-quay-ah-ness (Little Bear Skin) to the Indians. His life is very much entwined with the Hudson's Bay Company since his father was Master at Brandon House until his death in 1810. It was during his time at Brandon House that he met Cuthbert Grant and the two became lifelong friends.

In fact John's sister Elizabeth (Bethsy) married Cuthbert Grant and John was remembered in Cuthbert's second will written after Bethsy's death or disappearance: "The said testator doth give and bequeath to his brother-in-law John Richards McKay now of Red River Clerk in the Honourable the Hudsons Bay Company's service, a like sum of Five hundredpounds Current Money aforesaid." (Cuthbert Grant of Grantown by Margaret Arnett MacLeod & W.L. Morton published by McClelland and Stewart Limited Toronto 1963 page81).

John is described as blond, well set up, good-looking, and a general favourite. It was said that he was more popular with his customers than with his company who considered him too liberal a trader. He was also noted for his expert swordsmanship. The art of fencing had evidently been included in John Richards' education, since some years later when he proposed to open an academy in Red River he listed fencing in his curriculum. (from the book Cuthbert Grant of Grantown).

John's biography is also included in the publication "Minutes of Council Northern Department of Rupert Land, 1821-31" published by the Champlain Society for The Hudson's Bay Record Society 1940, pages 446 and 447 as follows:

"John Richards McKay was the youngest son of John McKay who, after serving "Mr Shaw" at Lake St. Ann (Lake Nipigon), entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company on May 7, 1791, when he described himself in his contract as formerly of the city of Montreal. In the autumn of 1800, John Richards McKay was sent from Albany Factory to London, presumably to be educated, and he returned to Hudson Bay in the summer of 1808, being described in the passenger list (C.I/770) of the Company's ship Prince of Wales as a writer, bound for Albany Factory.

He was stationed at Albany during 1808-09. During the season 1809-10 he joined his father, who was in charge at Brandon House, and served under him as a writer. John McKay, senior, died at Brandon House on July 5, 1810, and his son remained at the post until the end of the season 1810-11, when he went to Pembina River. He returned to the Brandon House area in 1812-13, and he was stationed at Riviere Qu'Appelle during 1814-15.

After the Company's men left Qu'Appelle with the trade returns in April, 1815, their post was burnt by the North West Company, and in the autumn of 1815 McKay was sent to rebuild the fort. He met with a great deal of opposition from the North West Company whilst engaged on this task, and the presence of a senior officer became necessary.

For the season 1816-17 he was listed as a writer and trader at Fort Hibernia in the Swan River district, and in the autumn of 1817 he built a post at Beaver Creek, about 15 miles below the old post at Qu'Appelle, and he apparently spent the winter of 1817-18 there. He was assistant trader at Beaver Creek during 1818-19, and was also stationed there during 1819-20. At the time of coalition McKay was in charge of Brandon House, where he apparently remained until he retired to Red River Settlement in 1824. Chief Factor John McDonald, in his Upper Red River district report 1822-23 (B.22/e/2), stated that McKay was "very active and much beloved by the Indians" of the district, but that he was an extravagant trader.

His name appeared in the Red river Census Papers dated June 1, 1829 (E.5/3), when he was described as a Protestant, aged 39, a native of Rupert's Land, married with four sons and two daughters. His age was given as 37 years in the Census Papers for the following year (E.5/4).

After an unsuccessful attempt to open an academy to teach, amongst other things, French, dancing and fencing, he joined the American traders in the autumn of 1830, and it was, no doubt, on this latter account, that he was given employment by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1831, when he was appointed to the Upper Red River district

In 1832 McKay was appointed post master in charge of the new post to be established at Portage la Prairie, and in subsequent years, until he was discharged in 1844, the Council appointed him to the management of Fort Ellice, in the neighbourhood of Beaver Creek. In 1845 he was described as a freeman in the Red River Settlement, and in 1846 he was again in the Company's service in charge of Partridge Crop in the Swan River district.

In 1847 he was in charge of Partridge Crop and Riviere Poule d'Eau, and from 1848-54 he was appointed to the charge of Shoal River post in the same district. In 1855 and 1856 McKay was appointed to the management of both Touchwood Hills post and Cree Camps in the Swan River district, in 1857 to the charge of Cree Camps, and in 1858 to the Touchwood Hills post again. He retired in 1859 and was later granted a pension.

According to the Earl of Southesk [Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains (Toronto 1875), p.50] he was assisting his son William, in the management of Fort Elice on June 25, 1859. He was apparently still living on August 5, 1876, when the Secretary of the Company addressed a letter to him at Fairford Mission, Manitoba.

The Red River Register (E.4/1) contains the record of his marriage on January 21, 1821, at Brandon House to Harriet, a daughter of John Ballenden (who was in the Company's service during the latter part of the eighteenth century), and also the records of the baptisms of their two eldest sons on the same day. In a will made in 1842 (A.36/Mc), he referred to his wife, six sons and five daughters."

More About John Richards McKay:
Burial: December 11, 1877, St Clements, MB, CAN
Fact 1: Sprague & Fife- 3412, Metis
Fact 2: see scrip info
Fact 3: Stan Hulme Research, MF page 778
Fact 4: John Hunter Research

More About LeReine? Trottier:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers

Notes for Harriet Ballenden:
from Stan's Favell File Nov 1998

Harriet, Catherine Sinclair, John Bunn and his sister Mary were the first four pupils to start school at York Factory. The HBC had sent a Mr Geddes to the outpost to be schoolmaster and school opened for the first time on September 9, 1808. On September 30, Geddes took off on a hunting trip. leaving John and Mary's father, Thomas Bunn, in charge of the school. (Many Tender Ties, page 104, Four Recorders of Rupert's Land page 92)

In Many Tender Ties Harriet supposedly died in Edinburgh, Scotland, however in Metis Families page 770 she died in Shoal River, now Manitoba

More About Harriet Ballenden:
Fact 1: info from Nancy Lyn Tabor's FTM on-line Apr/98
Fact 2: from Stan's Sinclair database, Nov, 1998
Fact 3: Gail Morin MF page 770
Fact 4: Metis
Fact 5: Eileen Horan Research <ileanonu@home.com> Nov 12, 2000
Fact 6: Eileen shows as b: 1799

Marriage Notes for John McKay and Harriet Ballenden:
Eileen Horan Research: "No. 9 Marriage Certificate of John Richards McKay (Courtesy: P.A.M., Winnipeg)

John Richards McKay of Brandon House and Harriet Ann Ballanden of the same place were married at Brandon House this Twenty-first Day of January in the Year One thousand eight hundred and Twenty One By me: John West, Chaplain.

This Marriage was solemnized between us:

( John Richards McKay (signature)

( Harriett Ballanden (signature)

In the Presence of ( James Inkster (signature)

( John Matheson (signature)"

More About Catherine (Smith) White:
Fact 1: from Stan's Favell database, Nov, 1998
Fact 2: Gail Morin Book pag 770 as Catherine Smith
Fact 3: also known as Catherine Smith

Child of John McKay and LeReine? Trottier is:

i. William McKay, born March 1823; died April 19, 1889 in Loon Creek Area, Saskatchewan, Canada; married Susan Versailles Bef. 1845.

More About William McKay:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 3: Gail Morin Book pg 781
Fact 4: may have had children with Harriet and LaReine at the same time
Fact 5: Phyllis email Jan 6, 1999 shows LaRiene as mother of William
Fact 6: Source - Living descendant - Jana Curran <v.amyotte@sk.sympatico.ca> July 3, 2000

More About Susan Versailles:
Fact 1: info from Karma MacKay data email-Jan 1, 1998
Fact 2: source John Hunter
Fact 3: source - Living descendant - Jana Curran <v.amyotte@sk.sympatico.ca> July 3, 2000

Children of John McKay and Harriet Ballenden are:

i. John Sr. McKay, born November 15, 1816 in Red RiverColony; died Abt. 1922 in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada; married Mary England in Green Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Notes for John Sr. McKay:

From Stan's Favell FTM File, Nov 1998

He worked for the HBC as an interpreter with the Indians. It is possible that the photograph taken in Sept or October 1858 and featured in the book 'Camera in the Interior; 1858', H. L. Hime, Photographer, The Assisniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition, The Couch House Press, Toronto, 1975, is this same John McKay

More About John Sr. McKay:
Baptism: January 21, 1821, at Brandon House
Fact 1: Sprague & Fife- 3382
Fact 2: Source T. C. McCloy
Fact 4: from Stan Favell FTM Nov 1998
Fact 5: Gail Morin Book pg 770
Fact 6: worked for HBC as interpreter with the Indians

More About Mary England:
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers

ii. William McKay, born February 16, 1818 in Beaver Creek, Manitoba, Canada; died December 25, 1883 in Edmonton, Alberta; married Mary Cook November 05, 1846 in St John's Cathedral, Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada.

Notes for William McKay:
From Stan's Sinclair FTM, Nov, 1998

The following is taken from the autumn 1968 "The Beaver", article "Frontiersmen of Fort Ellice" pages 34 to 39. William was the Factor at Fort Ellice fro 1856 to 1872. 'The McKays were great traders and Chief Trader William McKay (son of John Richards McKay who took charge of Fort Ellice in 1833) was true to his prairie clan tradition. He was reputed never to forget a horse he had seen once and bargained eagerly for animals that took his fancy. The bargaining was especially keen when Americans were involved and on September 18, 1865 the factor's pen seemed to dance for joy as he wrote:

Made a bargain with an American who was passing, gave him 3 horses with harness and carts complete, for two fine yoke of oxen with yokes, chains and a large transport wagon. The oxen are splendid animals. The yoke are white, both alike. The others are red and also well matched."

William was Factor at Fort Pitt from 1872 until his death in 1883. (The Beaver Dec 1991/1992 "In the Midst of Life" pages 33 to 46.

********

Source: Fort Pelly Journal of Daily Occurrences, 1863 W.H. Long, Regina Archaeological Society, Regina, Saskatchewan Published March 1987, submitted by Eileen Horan

IV WILLIAM McKAY, Clerk in charge of Fort Ellice

William McKay was born at Fort Ellice in 1816, a son of John Richards McKay and Harriet Ann Ballenden. He entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1837, advancing through the ranks to the position of Chief Trader at Fort Ellice. He was appointed in charge of the Swan River District, after the retirement of Chief Factor Robert Campbell, in 1870. His sons, John and Joseph McKay, also were prominent figures with the Company as interpreters, traders, etc. William McKay died Decemer 25th, 1883, at Edmonton (Fort Pitt) in the North West Territories (Alberta). He was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Prince Albert, NorthWest Territories (Saskatchewan).

More About William McKay:
Burial: December 25, 1883, St Mary's Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada
Fact 1: Source T. C. McCloy Papers
Fact 2: from Stan's Sinclair database, Nov, 1998
Fact 3: Gail Morin Book pg 772
Fact 4: Metis

Notes for Mary Cook:

Subject: Here We Go - Mrs McKay

Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2001 12:03:12 -0800

From: Doug Munro <kdmunro@home.com>

To: Willis Serena <serena@yt.sympatico.ca>

The story was originally published in the Saskatoon Star, May 12, 1917 - I obtained a cc from the Pat McCloy fonds at the Glenbow.

PASSING OF MRS. McKAY RECALLS DAYS OF BRAVE MEN AND FAIR WOMEN

Notable Woman Whose Husband Was Great Power in Early Days of Northwest -
A McKay's Word Was Always Trusted, Even by the Indians (by Z. M. H.)

When Mrs. McKay died in Prince Albert country a few days ago, it was like the sudden removal of a splendid and ancient landmark known and cherished by successive generations.

Her personal character; her adventurous life; her great age - almost a hundred years - the moving incidents connected with the most vital moments in the early history of the country in which she had participated and her position as senior member of one of the greatest families of native aristocrats, all contributed to make her a remarkable figure.

The McKays have been for generations commissioned officers in the Hudson's Bay Company, wielding on occasion almost despotic power over Territories larger than European kingdoms, and using, always, the influence placed in their hands with discretion and wisdom. It was a saying among the Indians of the plains that the speech of a McKay was straight and his word never broken. This splendid old lady belonged to a day and a family that regarded courage, honor and loyalty as cherished virtues, and practiced fidelity to the great company of adventurers like a religion. For pure and disinterested patriotic services rendered with intelligence and ability it is doubtful that any other family has the same claim over the gratitude of the people of this province. Their influence with the Indians, their reputation for personal courage and integrity is well know to have been one of the chief factors in keeping the settlement of the North West so remarkably free from the sanguinary troubles with the native population, which has almost invariably characterized similar epochs in similar countries. A Cree chief, or a Métis leader, might be inclined to doubt the good faith of a Prime Minister, or a governor-general, but everything would be alright if it was endorsed by a McKay.

It is now pretty generally acknowledged that had Major Crozier, in command of the Police, taken the advice tendered him by Thomas McKay just before the advance on Duck Lake, which ended so disastrously, the fight would likely have been averted, and the Riel rebellion of 1885 might never have reached its ultimate seriousness.

Mrs. McKay's husband, the late William McKay, was in the early sixties in command of the Hudson's Bay post at Fort Ellice, where the Qu'Appelle is merged in the Assiniboine, and afterwards at Fort Pelly, which was the headquarters of the district, which included within its boundaries the new post of Fort Qu'Appelle, and the more remote temporary trading places of Long Lake and Pile o' Bones. Some trading was also done at Wood Mountain, or "Montagne de Bois," as it was known to the hunters of the plains, but although the great company sent representatives there to deal with the Assiniboines, there does not appear to have been a permanent establishment at this point.

The first buildings erected for the company at Fort Qu'Appelle were built by the late Peter Hourie, who as chief interpreter for the Indian Department, was long a resident of Regina, and who died there within the last few years. Mr. Hourie also erected a trading post at the old crossing of the Wascana, on the land at present occupied by the farm of F. C. Tate, M. L. A. The Wascana Station was on the trail to and from the Buffalo grounds, and even today, where it has escaped the plow of the wheat farmer, the old wheel marks of the creaking Red River carts with their loads of buffalo hides and pemican, are to be clearly seen bitten deep into the sod of the prairie.

Afterwards Fort Qu'Appelle became a place of greater importance, as it was the nearest permanent post to the buffalo herds, which were moving their summer ranges a little further westward each year.

When the fort on the Fishing Lakes was established, there were a few scattered buffalo in the Qu'Appelle Valley westward from the present sight of Lumsden, and there was always a good bunch to be found in the Little Arm Valley, on the west side of Long Lake, but the big herds were out on the plains around Old Wives Lake. And it was there that the great summer hunt always took place.

With the growing importance of Fort Qu'Appelle, the late Archibald Macdonald was sent as clerk in charge, and under his energetic management a very large business developed. After Mr. McKay's incumbency Mr. Macdonald went to Fort Ellice, where he remained for many years, and where two of his sons still live, and are recognized as leading figures in the community. A third son is believed to be the first native born son of Saskatchewan to win in the present war the coveted Distinguished Service Order for gallantry in France.

During Mr. Macdonald's absence at Fort Ellice, W. J. McLean was in command at Fort Qu'Appelle. The town of McLean, between Balgonie and Qu'Appelle was named in his honor.

Mr. McLean was captured by Big Bear's Indians at Frog Lake at the time of the massacre there, and it was undoubtedly by his influence with the Indians that the lives of their prisoners were spared.

During the consulship of William McKay at Fort Ellice, a condition of harmony and peace was established with the roving tribes of Indians who inhabited the plains to the westward, and who for generations had lived as Bedouins by war and pillage. The wild and wandering Assiniboine, whose hand was against everyone, and who, in roving bands made the country around, and south from the present site of Regina a dangerous ground, came to see the advantage of being in the good graces of a masterful agent of the company: the Sioux of Minnesota were finding a lodgement in the country, and proving themselves good Indians; and the trade of the district assumed large dimensions with the Crees and Saulteaux of the Qu'Appelle valley, Touchwood Hills and File Hills.

McKay Appealed to Imagination

Mr. McKay had all the attributes which appealed to the imagination of the primitive and warlike native races over whom he maintained such a remarkable ascendancy. In person, he was strong, vigorous and handsome, his judgment was excellent, and his integrity became like a proverb. He excelled in all manly exercises. A splendid horseman, an adept with shot gun and rifle, and a snowshoe traveler of wonderful endurance, he possessed every qualification for his position.

Mrs. McKay was a fitting consort for such a man. Graceful, dignified and courteous, she has received many grateful tributes from travelers like Butler and Palliser, who enjoyed the courtesies of her hospitality. Like her husband, she keenly enjoyed hunting, and was an excellent shot.

On his return from a visit to the east, Mr. McKay brought as a gift to his wife a very fine fowling piece. It was one of the earliest breech loaders and a great curiosity on the plains in those days of powder horn and shot belt. How the possession of this gun saved her life when she was unconscious of any danger was related to her years afterwards by a missionary, to whom the story had been told by the two marauders who figured in it.

Fort Ellice was far away from the country of the dreaded Blackfeet, who as a rule maintained their habitat west of the Lake of the Old Women, as Johnstone Lake was then called by the folk of the plains, but occasionally small war parties made a foray into the country of their hereditary enemies the Crees in quest of scalps and horses. Two Blackfeet stragglers from such a party found themselves one morning in the vicinity of Fort Ellice. They were in hostile territory, so they hid

themselves in the bush by the banks of the river, waiting for darkness, when they could take their departure unseen and unmolested. All day they lay among the trees watching the goings and comings at the fort. Towards evening Mrs. McKay came walking alone down towards the river looking for mallards, on which to test her new gun. Said one Blackfoot to the other: "Here comes a woman. Let us kill her. Her scalp will be our trophy, and we shall not go back to our people empty handed" Arrow was laid to bow, and scalping knives loosened in sheath, while Mrs. McKay unconsciously walked toward her danger. When almost within striking distance she paused. A crow was wheeling over a bluff sixty yards away. Thinking this a good opportunity to try the range of the new gun, she fired at the

bird which fell. The noise of the shot startled a flock of mallards, which swung up from the creek, and passed overhead. Quickly throwing out the empty cartridge she reloaded , and with two quick shots brought down a pair of ducks to the astonishment of the watchers. After a whispered consultation they decided it would not be wise to meddle with a woman in possession of such a weapon.

"She will kill us both as she did the birds with the gun that makes such strange medicine," said they; so they remained hid in the bush, leaving Mrs. McKay to retrace her steps unaware of her peril Many years afterwards when breech loaders had ceased to be a mystery, and the Blackfeet no longer rode on war parties, one of the Indians related the incident to a missionary, and Mrs. McKay learned of the danger in which she had stood on that day on the banks of the Qu'Appelle.

William McKay died years ago, but Mrs. McKay has lived to attain a wonderful old age, keeping till the last her faculties of mind and body, and remaining the object of respect and veneration not only of her own family connection, but of the diminishing body of pioneers residing in Northern Saskatchewan, who were associated with the days of the dominance of the Great Company. She reared a splendid family of sons and daughters, and lived to see them step forward and take positions in the modern development of their native province, almost as prominent as those which their ancestors occupied under different conditions, and in previous generations.

One son, the Honorable Mr. Justice McKay, of Regina, is a native of the west, of whom Saskatchewan is justly proud. He practiced law in Prince Albert for years, and took an active part in politics before his elevation to the bench. In 1896 the feeling engendered by the Riel rebellion was still simmering in spots, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, perhaps to justify his "Saskatchewan Musket" attitude, accepted the nomination for the old constituency of Saskatchewan, within the boundaries of which lay the scene of the unfortunate rising. The present Judge McKay was

nominated to oppose him, and it is a remarkable tribute to his personal qualities, and the reputation of his family, that the Liberal leader, with all his wonderful magnetism, and the prestige of a great party behind him, only defeated Mr. McKay by the narrowest margin.

Reads Like Cooper Romance

Another son is Mr. Thomas McKay, who farms extensively in the Prince Albert district. The story of his life would read like a romance of Ballantyne or Cooper. In the early 60's he held a commission in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, and was associated with Fort Qu'Appelle, Fort Ellice and Fort Pelly. While still a young man he resigned from the company, and went to Prince Albert, where he commenced farming. During the first mutterings of the storm which culminated in the rebellion of 1885, Mr. McKay made repeated representations to the authorities of the seriousness of the situation, and did everything in his power to arrest the danger. Then when at last "the heather was afire," he shouldered his rifle, and acquitted himself valiantly. One of the first aggressive actions of Riel was the taking possession of Duck Lake and the pillage of the stores by his followers. Major Crozier, with a party of Mounted Police, reinforced by a body of Prince Albert volunteers, was at Carlton. Crozier wished to march on the rebels; Mr. McKay counseled opening negotiations, as the enemy were well organized, armed and in force, and besides, the country, covered with scrub, was better adapted for the Métis tactics than those of a regular force like the Mounted Police.

Feeling that little good could come from an attack under such conditions, Mr. McKay offered to go himself and represent to the rebels the seriousness of their action. He accordingly set out on horseback, travelling during the night, and was stopped by the Métis pickets just outside the village in the dawn of the morning. Gabriel Dumont, a man far more formidable than Riel, was in charge of the outpost. When the halfbreeds recognized Mr. McKay they greeted him with respect, and he at once began to advise them of the foolishness of their actions. They were listening to him and his words were apparently having effect, when Dumont rode up, and roughly demanded what Mr McKay wanted, at the same time placing his rifle against his body.

"I did not come to see you Gabriel," said Mr. McKay. "I have come to talk with my friends with whom I have hunted the buffalo on the plains, with whom I have traded,