Tuesday 26 April 2011

Napier witnesses: John Mackenzie

John Mackenzie was 60 when he gave evidence to Lord Napier's Commission at Breasclete. He did not have far to travel, coming from the next door village of Callanish - sometimes referred to as Callernish in the 19th century.

In the census of 1881, John is shown with his son Angus (27) and daughters Cathrine (23), Chirsty (20) and Mary (12). A decade further on, we see John's wife Mary, 6 years his junior, in the house, with their daughter Kate (Catherine), with her husband Thomas Mckay. Their young daughter Annie (5) is also present.  In 1901, John and Mary are shown at 23 Callanish, living with their granddaughter Annie and a 10-year old visitor, Effie Fraser.

Moving back in time, the 1871 census shows John Mackenzie being married to Ephemia Mckenzie, 5 years his junior. At that time, they have children named Angus (17), Catherine (14), Christy (11), Ephemia (9), Peggie (6) and Mary (3). Of these, the children Ephemia and Peggie do not appear in later censuses. Their mother died in 1875, at the age of 48, of 'inflammation'.

John Mackenzie died on 27 August 1906 aged 85, of old age.

No comments:

Post a Comment