Thursday 31 March 2011

Napier witnesses: Rev Roderick Mackenzie

Rev Roderick Mackenzie was the Free Church minister at Tarbert, Harris at the time of the Napier Commission's visit. His place of birth is quoted as Assynt, Sutherland. Including himself, the minister's household comprises of 12 people in 1881. At that time, he was aged 43.

His wife Marjory, aged 40, came from Kilmallie, Argyll. Her mother's name was Jessie Martin (66), who is living with her daughter. Roderick and Marjory have five children, Hugh (10), Alexander M (8), Mackintosh M (6), Martin D (4) and Annabella (2). Marjory's sister Mary (41) lives with the family and works as a governess. Other members of the household include cook Helen Macaskill (23), Peggy Morison (17), a nurse and Margaret Macleod, a 23-year old dairy-maid.

By 1891, the Rev Mackenzie has moved to the Scottish mainland and is a Free Church minister living in Fodderty, a village between Dingwall and Strathpeffer in Easter Ross. By that time, his children (left at home) are Annabella (12), Nicol Martin (9) and Boyce (5). Roderick's wife Marjory and her sister Mary N (now an annuitant) are still there, as is their mother Jessie (77).

Ten years later, the Mackenzies are still at Fodderty, with Roderick (63), Marjory (60), Mary (61) as well as offspring Annabella (22) and Boyce (15).

Roderick Mackenzie died in hospital in Dingwall on 22 October 1909 at the age of 72. The first names of his parents are not recorded on the death certificate.

An appreciation of his time at Maryburgh can be found at the top of this page from the Ferintosh Parish Church website.


In the 1871 census, Roderick Mackenzie is visiting Woodbank, Snizort in the Isle of Skye. His occupation is quoted as Freechurch Men Tarbet. This is the earliest reference I am able to find of him.

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